Page 76 of Imperfect Match (Imperfect Match 1)
She smiles and pulls out a book. “We have a very good selection of quality candidates that have been screened. We take this very seriously, and always do our best to get a variety so that you have options. It’s all in this book. Once you decide, we contact your choice, and then we do the procedure.”
It sounds so simple.
“Then hopefully we get a baby, right?”
“Yes, that would be the goal, but you should know that it’s not always successful one hundred percent of the time. There are a variety of reasons for failure, but I always like to be as upfront as possible. It may be a few times that we have to do this.”
Oh, God. I don’t know that I can endure it more than once. Not to mention that if I can get Reid to even understand it the first time, there’s no way in hell he’ll keep his shit together for a second. I feel dizzy and thirsty.
“Ms. Hayes? Are you alright?”
“I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
The doctor nods. “I understand. Do your family and friends know about your plans? Do you have support?”
“Yes, my sister knows and my ... my boyfriend.”
“Oh, you’re dating someone?”
“I am.”
I can see the confusion in her eyes. If I have someone, why would I want to have a baby with someone else?
“Is he infertile?”
I shake my head. “No, he’s just opposed to having kids.”
Her eyes turn soft and she clasps her hands in front of her. “Ms. Hayes, I want to be honest, this can be a very difficult route to have a child. People can fail to get pregnant or suffer losses. Even with success stories, it’s the people around them that get my patients through it. I want you to be sure this is what you want, and also that the people around you will be there.”
Will Reid be there? Will there even be an us anymore? After the way he acted last night, I don’t really know. He was so angry that I would even think about this, but his position hasn’t changed. Not once did he say he wanted kids.
I don’t know what to do.
My phone vibrates and my stomach drops. It’s as if he’s been summoned by thought. I can almost feel the anger of the person calling.
“Thank you, Doctor. I really appreciate it. I have a lot to think about, but I know I want a child. That is the one thing I’m sure of.”
“That’s the one thing I can help you with. Here’s the book. Go home, look at it, think it over, and then let’s see you back here in a week. By then, I’m hoping you’ll have a decision and maybe a selection for your donor.”
My hands are shaking as I reach out and take it from her. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you next week.”
I nod. Yeah, I’ll either be nursing a broken heart or Reid will have suddenly found a way to accept this.
I leave the office with my head spinning as I try to get a grip on everything. I have to talk to Reid, that’s first and foremost. I love him. That much is true, but I don’t think I can give up my dreams of being a mother—not even for him.
If it was Reid who wanted a kid, wo
uld I be mad if he did whatever it took to achieve that?
No. Other than him sleeping with another woman, nothing would be a dealbreaker. And I’m not betraying him with anyone. I’m just finding a way to have him and the child I want, if that’s even possible. I’m not asking for anything from him, other than to love me enough to understand this.
As I walk, I grab my phone and sure enough, the four missed calls and two voicemails are him.
I play the first voicemail.
“Willow.” Deep sigh. “I’m so mad right now. I’m so fucking mad that you went and you left me a damn note ... and just ... just call me back.”
