WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Table Team

The rest of our table had filtered in as Drake and I were doing our tour around the room.  However I was starting to get shaky, so we headed back to sit down. 

I sank into the chair with relief. This outing would definitely take a few days to recover from.
"Would you like another drink?" Drake's lips brushed my ear.
"Please," I asked.

His attention was well and truely bittersweet. It was both over the top, wanted, and unwelcome.  How could he treat me so well,  and yet there's another woman in his office carrying his child.  I took a deep breath carefully, held it,  and let it out slowly.
"Myalgic Encephalomyelitus." A warm but clinical voice diagnosed. I opened my eyes, and looked at the person beside me.
"Dr Marshall Douglass, so am I right?" He asked holding out his hand. I lifted my hand and placed it in his to shake.
"Antonia Lonsdale. And I'm guessing that's a condition you just listed?" I asked.
"Yes,  most people know it as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."
"Ahh," I nodded, "similar but different.  The diagnosis I've had is Long covid."
"Yes,  there are lots of similarities." He nodded, " which of course means very similar treatment options.  Which ones are you using?"

I politely smiled and asked him,
"Why do you ask?"

He smiled wryly, "It's my specialty, and anecdotal evidence is worth listening to."
I nodded and decided to answer his question.  We were at a hospital fundraiser after all. 
"Rest and recovery seem to be the only things that work.  That and pacing myself." I told him.
Dr Douglass nodded seriously.
"That's the feedback we get from a lot of patients."
Drake returned with my drink.
"Have you looked at alternative treatments?" Dr Douglass asked.
I took a sip, grateful that my hand didn't shake too much.
"Yoga and meditation seems to be the best for me at the moment.  Acupuncture seems to exacerbate my fatigue."

Drake had a funny look appear on his face when he realised what the topic of discussion was.  I sighed inwardly as his hand twitched on the back of my chair.

"Tonight must be a big test of your abilities." Dr Douglass continued.  I nodded.
"I prepared as much as possible, but I'm feeling it already." I admitted.  Drake's hand dropped from the chair onto my back,  rubbing it gently. I involuntarily sank back into the comfort he offered. 
"Well let me know if there's anything I can do to help.  I do have to say you're doing well. If I didn't already know, I'd say you were fine,  just a bit shaky."
I smiled my thanks.
"She's incredible," Drake replied,  pulling me into him. It was easier to just go with it. "We're even having a baby."
Dr Douglass's face was horrified.
"By surrogacy." Drake quickly amended.  The horror on the doctors face didn't disappear.
"I hope you've gathered a good group of people to support you throughout. Parenting is exhausting, even just the mental load."

I don't know why I did it.  I should have just let Drake squirm.  But I was tired,  exhausted,  and I still didn't know where I stood with this baby situation. I had a vague recollection of an infidelity clause in our Pre-nuptial agreement that Drakes mother had insisted on.  Something to do with her level of trust in politicians and lobbyists.
"I have a good level of support set up."  I advised. Dr Douglass looked at me with suspicion,  Drake looked at me with relief.
"Well as long as your medical team are supporting you." The Doctor conceded. I sighed.  The night was only just starting and I had already burnt up my energy reserves.

I lent to Drake.
"I can't do this,  I'm going to have to leave." I told him.
"But,"
"You'll have to stay," I started to acknowledge.
"No, Toni... I'll leave with you, but we'll have to stay until after my speech. I'll see if we can get it moved up."
I was too tired to fight, I just nodded. I could feel the tears threatening.  I just wanted to go home. This is a free book available through Wattpad (c) LTM1986. If you are not reading this on Wattpad, it has been stolen. But appearance matters. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath so I could meditate for a minute.

"It's done, I'm up first." Drake whispered in my ear as he came back.  His fingers dragging along my shoulder as he sat down.
"Thankyou" I replied holding my hands tight to stop them shaking.

Three waiters appeared shuffling out entrees.  One holding a tray and the others placing the plates in front of people. The servings were distributed quickly,  and we all picked up our cutlery to eat.  Everyone except me.  I just didn't have the grip strength any more tonight.  I almost cried in frustration.  I hadn't been this weak in months. It seems adrenaline surges drain you faster than anything.

"Toni,  try this! It's lovely!" Drake held out his fork with a bit of his entree on it for me to eat. I reached forward with my mouth and ate it,  then watched him surreptitiously cut up my food and spike it to keep feeding me. This is exactly what I needed.  But how? How could a man be this attentive now, be the same person who brought home a woman pregnant with his child.  Three months, minimum, this had been going on.
I sighed,  survival first.  I let him feed me.  Then I watched his speech. Then he fed me the mains.  We escaped the gala through a back door to miss the photographers. Not that there were many anyway.  I had entered a strange sort of stupor, and as soon as my seat belt went on in the car, I fell asleep.

"How is she?" A female voice asked as Drake settled me into bed.
"We shouldn't have done this tonight,  I think the shock drained her.  We should have just let her have this success of beating Long Covid for one night. She was brilliant at the start,  and just faded." Drake replied.
"We couldn't delay it any longer,  the rumours are already running rampant. By the way,  your mother rang.  She's wanted to know when she can post the announcement."
I heard Drake sigh.
"I'll call her back." He paused, "are you sure we're doing the right thing? She doesn't seem happy about it."
"She'll come around, Drake. After all, you didn't really cheat on her. It was all just to have a child that we need. It's just business."