Breaking Free

35.

The previous few days had been an emotional rollercoaster, and though they had already received the fertility test results, yesterday'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 sleeping soundly 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 still thick with sleep.

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

Tasha stretched, leaning against the doorframe. "Better than I thought I would," she said, watching Kierra cook. "You?"

"Same," Kierra replied. "I think... I think we're in a good place. The last few days have been tough, but I'm feeling hopeful about what's next."

Tasha walked over and wrapped her arms around Kierra's waist, resting her chin on Kierra's shoulder. "Me too," she murmured. "I know it's a lot, but I'm glad we're in this together. I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else."

Kierra leaned back into Tasha's embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against hers. "Same here. No one else I'd want by my side."

After breakfast, the couple settled in on the couch to go over the next steps for their IVF process. Kierra had laid out all the paperwork Dr. Adams had given them the day before. The list of medications, the monitoring schedule, the retrieval process—it all felt a little overwhelming at first, but Kierra was determined to stay on top of everything.

"Okay," Kierra said, flipping through the papers. "So, we'll start with the hormone injections to stimulate my ovaries. I'll have to do those for about 10 to 14 days, and during that time, we'll have regular appointments to monitor how my body's responding."

Tasha nodded, listening closely. "And then, after the egg retrieval, they'll fertilize the eggs in the lab, right?"

"Right," Kierra confirmed. "Then we wait a few days to see which embryos are viable, and they'll do the transfer."

Tasha sighed, leaning back against the couch. "It's a lot to take in, but at least we know what to expect now. It's just... the waiting that's going to be the hardest part."

Kierra reached over and squeezed Tasha's hand. "I know. But we'll get through it. One day at a time."

Tasha smiled, grateful for Kierra's calm and steady presence. "Yeah. One day at a time."

Later that afternoon, Kierra decided to call her brother, J. Drew, to catch up. They hadn't spoken much since all the fertility appointments had started, and Kierra missed the easy comfort of their conversations. As she sat on the porch with her phone in hand, she dialed J. Drew's number, hoping to fill him in on everything.

"Hey, Kierra!" J. Drew's voice came through the line, warm and cheerful.

"Hey, J. Drew," Kierra replied, a smile spreading across her face. "How's everything with you?"

"Everything's good," J. Drew said, sounding relaxed. "Work's been busy, but nothing I can't handle. What's up with you? How's the wedding planning and everything?"

Kierra took a deep breath, feeling a wave of emotions wash over her. "Well, we've been doing a lot. The wedding planning is going well, but we've been really focused on the IVF stuff lately. It's a lot, but we're excited."

J. Drew was quiet for a moment, clearly processing the information. "IVF, huh? That's big, Kierra. How are you and Tasha holding up?"

"We're doing okay," Kierra said, her voice softening. "It's been an emotional few weeks. We found out that Tasha won't be able to carry, which was tough for her, but I'll be the one to carry. We're starting the process soon."

J. Drew's voice was filled with sympathy. "Oh, Kierra, I'm so sorry to hear about Tasha's news. That must have been hard for her. But I'm glad you're both moving forward and that you're able to carry. You two are going to make amazing parents."

"Thanks, J. Drew," Kierra said, her voice filled with gratitude. "It's been tough, but we're trying to stay positive. I think we're both just ready to start the process and see what happens."

"I'm really proud of you," J. Drew said sincerely. "It takes a lot of strength to go through something like this. I know you and Tasha have each other's backs, and that's what's going to get you through."

Kierra smiled, feeling the warmth of her brother's words. "Thanks. That means a lot."

They chatted for a little while longer, catching up on life and laughing about old memories. By the time Kierra hung up, she felt a little lighter, as if some of the weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

As the day wore on, Kierra and Tasha decided to take a break from the seriousness of everything and spend some time doing something they both enjoyed—cooking. They hadn't had a chance to really unwind together lately, so Kierra suggested they try out a new recipe for dinner.

The kitchen quickly filled with the smell of fresh ingredients as they chopped, sautéed, and mixed everything together. Tasha was in charge of the vegetables, while Kierra handled the pasta. It felt good to be in the kitchen together, sharing something as simple and comforting as making a meal.

"Do you think we'll have a little chef on our hands?" Tasha asked, grinning as she stirred the vegetables in the pan.

Kierra laughed, tossing some herbs into the sauce. "Maybe! I could see our little one running around the kitchen, trying to 'help' us cook."

Tasha's eyes sparkled at the thought. "I can't wait. It feels more real every day."

"It really does," Kierra agreed, feeling her heart swell with love and excitement.

Later that evening, after dinner was finished and the dishes were done, Kierra and Tasha sat together on the couch, wrapped up in each other's arms. The weight of everything—IVF, the future, the challenges they had faced—felt a little less heavy when they were like this, just the two of them, connected in the simplest of ways.

Tasha rested her head on Kierra's shoulder, her voice soft. "I'm really glad we had today to just... be. I needed this."

Kierra nodded, gently running her fingers through Tasha's hair. "Me too. We've been through a lot, but we're going to be okay. I feel it."

Tasha smiled, her eyes closing as she savored the feeling of Kierra's touch. "I know we will. I'm so lucky to have you."

Kierra leaned down and kissed the top of Tasha's head. "We're lucky to have each other."

As they sat there in the quiet of their home, holding onto each other, Kierra knew that no matter what the future held, they were strong enough to face it together. The road ahead might not be easy, but with Tasha by her side, she felt ready for whatever came next.