The Surrogate

Chapter 6

Esther had been waiting for this day for weeks. She had wished for time to move faster for the last several days thanks to her own impatience, but time did not care. The day came in its own stride with Esther unable to will it sooner.

In her eyes, it was more foreboding than judgment day because her life was not the one on the line. It was Archie’s life. It was the tiny fetus that she carried. However, there was still a chance that the confirmed pregnancy had not stuck, but based upon the way she had felt over the weeks she knew something was there. All the signs were showing each day she woke up a little bit nauseated. In the morning, her bras were getting a little bit tighter and she craved to eat random foods at odd times in the evening. Just the night before she had ordered a vegetarian curry at 10:00 PM while watching a cooking competition. Esther was not even a big fan of curry.

While her head knew, Esther’s heart itched for professional confirmation that everything was going as it should. If not… Esther did not know if she could try this all again.

The room was sterile, and yet it was somehow cozy. The old-fashioned rose wallpaper and faux wood flooring made the space seem more like a grandmother’s house than a medical office’s examination room. Archie stood nearby, hands in his pockets and bouncing on the toes of his feet.

“It’s a bit cold in here,” he muttered.

Esther looked over at him from where she laid on the table in her leggings and button-up blouse. With her stomach exposed like she had eaten a meal, she poked her belly out for her own amusement. Otherwise, she just felt odd, but Esther could see she was not the one who needed some levity.

“Archie, are you nervous?” she asked with joking incredulity.

“Uh, no. No, I’m fine. I am aces. This is a big day for me. Wait, I mean us.”

Esther sighed. “Arch, I have done this all before. It’s really okay.”

“But I was doing some reading, and there’s a chance that we won’t hear the heartbeat.”

“If I have miscarried, but I didn’t. I haven’t. I really doubt I will.”

“One in three pregnancies do end in miscarriage.”

“And two do not. Odds are still in our favor.”

“Or if it was a false positive. What if the tests were wrong?”

“I doubt it was a false positive. I took three tests and then came her for professional confirmation.”

Archie began to pace and took his hands out of his pockets to wring his hands. Esther had never seen him so nervous. It was comical, but she knew not to tease him further. She had been there before, and his behavior only showed how much he wanted this. Reaching out her hand, she wiggled her fingers at him, trying to get Archie to notice.

“Archibald,” Esther sung softly in a slightly flat tone. “Archie, Archie, Archibaaaaalldd.”

He stopped in his tracks, and reached out to find her free hand with his. Esther felt tension in his body start to relax.

Esther smiled as she said, “I know this is scary for you. I mean, you’re body is about to change. All the stress is going to make your pretty face all old and gross. Models aren’t to want to date you anymore because you’re going to be talking about sleep training, teething, and other baby crap. You’re going to have to date regular-looking women.”

Archie chuckled. “You’re teasing me, Essie.”

“I know I shouldn’t. This is hard for you.” Esther raised her eyebrows and made Archie chuckle again.

“Hey, if we could be like seahorses or penguins, I would do this all for you.”

She rolled over to pat his hand. “I know, Archie. I know.”

The ultrasound girl finally arrived, getting to work as she made small talk with them. Archie began to charm her with his usual harmless flattery and flirting. The young girl blushed as she began to rub the chilling clear gel on Esther. She tried to pay attention, but suddenly the anxiety Archie once had found itself in her head. Her own heart raced as she hoped to hear another. The young woman adjusted her glasses as she glided along the surface of Esther’s stomach as Esther began to subconsciously cling to Archie’s hand. She had calmed him, and now it was his time to return the favor.

The machine hummed, but otherwise the room was now quiet. Esther closed her eyes and listened intently. Slowly, the sound like a hummingbird came over the ultrasound.

“You see that little bean right there? That’s the fetus! He or she probably weighs a couple grams, but the little one is most definitely there!”

Esther couldn’t help but smile. The medical attendant mentioned Dr. Winston, and some time later the elegant obstetrician walked in. In her designer sheath knee-length dress and pearl necklace, Esther wasn’t sure if their obstetrician was running a women’s health facility or going to a cocktail party. Either way, her perfect curls and body made Esther awestruck and a bit jealous.

“Esther and Archibald, it is wonderful to see my most unique parents-to-be! I admire you both so much for this journey.” Dr. Winston greeted them and quickly reminded Esther why she loved her doctor so damn much. She was like a cartoon princess.

“Hi, Dr. Winston,” Esther greeted in response, but it was all she ever said.

The doctor and Archie talked, but Esther was still thinking about that bean. The little thing was so tiny with such a fluttering little heart, and right now it was all hers to hold.

Stepping out of the doctor’s office, Esther was still clutching at the sonogram. The tiny heartbeat was still sounding in her ears. The cold fall air nipped at her cheeks, but she could hardly feel it. None of this felt like a dream anymore, and as Archie came beside her for the first time she felt truly excited about the pregnancy. The thrilled look in his eyes and the stupid grin on his face seemed contagious. For a single moment, the world did not matter. They were having a baby. They were both happy.

He held out his arm, and taking it the pair walked down toward Central Park as they spoke. Two blocks west and they entered by way 96th street. Esther led them toward the reservoir path where people in bundled up coats walked along the iconic waterfront. Esther listened as Archie prattled on, talking baby rooms and parenting books.

“I never had a book for Grace,” Esther noted, but it fell on very deaf ears.

“I’m sure, but you’re just a natural mother. You kept me out of trouble when we were kids, so you had a lot of practice!” Archie complimented her before continuing with his monologue. “I have been thinking about the nursery, where it should be. Of course, you can’t be far, but I hate to leave you alone with the baby. I could move into your building, but it would probably make more sense for you to move in with me. I don’t want to push you though, and I own both now.”

“Wait,” Esther stopped. “You own my building?”

He smiled. “Yes, I forgot to tell you. Don’t worry about rent anymore. The deal went through last week, and I officially own the building as of next Monday.”

Esther knew that there was no debating this, so she countered the best she could with, “I’m still going to pay my utilities and my WiFi.”

Archie shrugged. “I guess that is fair.”

“I’m not going to be like some kept woman.”