Breaking Free

34.

Kierra lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The previous few days had been an emotional rollercoaster, and though they had already received the fertility test results, today's appointment was a big step in their journey. It was time to discuss the next steps for IVF, and while Kierra was excited, she also couldn't shake the nervous energy building inside her.

She turned her head to look at Tasha, who was still fast asleep beside her. Even in her sleep, Tasha looked beautiful and calm, her breathing steady. Kierra reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Tasha's face, smiling softly to herself. It wasn't easy news for Tasha, but they had been strong together, just like always.

As if sensing Kierra's thoughts, Tasha stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times before turning her head toward Kierra, offering a sleepy smile.

"Morning, babe," Tasha mumbled, her voice groggy.

"Morning," Kierra replied, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Tasha's forehead. "How'd you sleep?"

Tasha stretched and let out a small yawn. "Better than I thought I would, considering everything. You?"

Kierra nodded, her fingers lightly tracing circles on Tasha's arm. "Yeah, same. I've just been thinking a lot about today."

Tasha raised an eyebrow. "Nervous?"

"A little," Kierra admitted, rolling onto her side to face her fiancée. "I mean, it's a big deal. IVF is something we've talked about for so long, and now that it's actually happening, I just want everything to go smoothly."

Tasha gave her a reassuring smile and took Kierra's hand in hers. "It's going to go great. We've got each other, and we've already faced some tough stuff. We'll handle this, too."

Kierra's heart swelled with love as she looked at Tasha. No matter what, Tasha always knew how to calm her nerves. "You're right. I just... I want everything to be perfect for us."

"It will be," Tasha said firmly. "And I'll be with you every step of the way. We've got this."

Later that afternoon, Kierra and Tasha found themselves sitting in Dr. Adams' office. The air felt heavy with anticipation, but Kierra tried her best to stay calm. This was a huge step for them, and she wanted to make sure they had all the information they needed to move forward.

Dr. Adams entered the room with a friendly smile and sat down across from them. "It's great to see you both again," she said warmly. "I know the last appointment was a lot to process, but today we're going to focus on the next steps for IVF."

Kierra shifted in her seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Tasha noticed and reached over to squeeze her hand, giving her an encouraging nod.

"So, what can we expect?" Kierra asked, her voice steady but curious.

Dr. Adams opened a folder and began explaining the process. "Since Kierra will be the one carrying, the first thing we'll do is get you started on some medication to prepare your body for the embryo transfer. The goal is to stimulate your ovaries so we can retrieve the healthiest eggs possible. Once we have the eggs, we'll fertilize them in the lab with the donor sperm of your choice, and after a few days, we'll transfer the best embryo into your uterus."

Kierra nodded, absorbing every word. "How long does all of that usually take?"

"The medication cycle will last about 10-14 days, depending on how your body responds," Dr. Adams explained. "After the retrieval, it's about five more days before we can do the transfer. Then it's just a waiting game to see if the embryo implants."

Tasha squeezed Kierra's hand again. "How soon can we start?" she asked, her voice filled with eagerness.

Dr. Adams smiled at their enthusiasm. "We can start as soon as you're ready. We'll give you all the medication instructions today, and we'll schedule your first monitoring appointment to check how your body is responding."

Kierra glanced over at Tasha, her heart racing with excitement. This was it—they were really doing this. "I think we're ready," Kierra said, her voice filled with determination.

Tasha grinned, nodding in agreement. "More than ready."

When they got home, Kierra felt a mixture of excitement and nervous energy bubbling inside her. This was a huge step in their journey to becoming parents, and even though there were still uncertainties ahead, the thought of starting the IVF process made her heart race.

Tasha, on the other hand, seemed a little quieter than usual. Kierra noticed her fiancée's thoughtful expression as they sat down on the couch. She reached over and gently rubbed Tasha's back. "You okay?" she asked softly.

Tasha sighed and leaned into Kierra's touch. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm excited, I really am... but part of me is still a little sad, I guess."

Kierra's heart tightened at Tasha's admission. She knew this wasn't easy for her fiancée, and even though they had been so strong together, there was still a lingering sadness from Tasha not being able to carry their baby. "I understand, babe," Kierra said quietly. "It's okay to feel both things. You can be excited and still be a little sad."

Tasha nodded, her eyes focused on the floor. "I just... I always pictured myself being the one to carry our child. I thought I'd be able to give that to us. And now... I don't know. It's hard to shake that feeling."

Kierra felt a pang of empathy for Tasha. She knew how deeply Tasha had wanted to experience that, and no matter how much they talked about it, the disappointment was still there. She reached over and cupped Tasha's face, turning her gently so their eyes met.

"Tasha," Kierra said softly, "you are going to be the best mom to our baby. It doesn't matter who carries them. What matters is that you're going to be there every step of the way, loving them, supporting them, and raising them with me. That's what makes you a mom."

Tasha's eyes welled with emotion as she listened to Kierra's words. She leaned in, resting her forehead against Kierra's. "Thank you," Tasha whispered. "I needed to hear that."

Kierra smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to Tasha's lips. "You're everything to me, babe. We're going to build this family together, and it's going to be perfect."

Tasha let out a deep breath, nodding as she wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know. And I'm so grateful for you. I love you, Kierra."

"I love you too," Kierra said, pulling Tasha into a warm embrace. They sat like that for a few moments, just holding each other, letting the weight of the day melt away.

After a while, Tasha pulled back slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "You always know how to make me feel better."

Kierra chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Tasha's ear. "It's because I love you so much. And I can't wait to see where this journey takes us."

Tasha's smile widened, and she leaned in for another kiss, this one longer, more lingering. There was something deeper in the way their lips moved together—something that spoke of the love and trust they had built over the years. It was as if, in that moment, they both understood that no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them together.

Kierra felt her pulse quicken as the kiss deepened, and she could sense the shift in the air between them. The love they shared was powerful, and the connection they had built was unbreakable.

As their kiss grew more intense, Kierra's hands gently roamed across Tasha's back, pulling her closer, their bodies pressing together. The emotions of the day, the love they felt for each other, it all surged to the surface.