Demi finds herself offering to be a surrogate for her best friend, Matthew and his new husband, Damien.
Is this the best thing she's ever done, or was offering just a huge mistake?
"You're nervous? I'm the one carrying this baby" Matthew rolled his eyes as I playfully joked. I reached out for his hand which he gladly placed into mine. "You both have no reason to be nervous. You're going to be amazing dads. For now, I'm going to try and be the most amazing oven I can be" I was thankful that got them both to laugh.
"You're already doing so much for us, Dems. I don't know how we can ever repay you" I shook my head in reply.
"I don't need anything from either of you" I gave Matthew's hand a squeeze as he leant to press a kiss to my forehead. It fell silent around us until Dr James stepped into the room. I sent him a smile as he greeted us all.
"How have you been feeling, Demi?"
"Morning sickness is a bit of a bitch but I'm doing alright" Matthew lightly hit me on the arm causing me to giggle. I turned to Dr James who sent me a smile as he read through my file.
"It normally dies down around 12 weeks but there are people who still have it in their third trimester" I groaned, glancing to Matthew as he tightened his grip on my hand. "Are there any smells in particular that make it worse?"
"Fish and raw meat. I've been avoiding them both as much as I can for over a week" I held my arm out so he could take my blood pressure, allowing him to place the heart rate probe onto my finger. "Does that normally go away or will I have it for the rest of the pregnancy?"
"It's different for everyone I'm afraid."
"Of course it is" I playfully groaned, glaring over at Matthew and Damien who both lightly laughed.
"Your blood pressure and heart rate are all fine. I have no concerns. You mind stepping onto these scales for me?" I slid off the bed, releasing Matthew's hand as I stepped onto the scales. I kept my eyes on Matthew, trying hard not to giggle as he proceeded to pull funny faces. "That's all perfect too, Demi" I stepped off the scales and wondered back towards the bed, taking a seat, instantly taking a hold of Matthew's hand. "And now for the fun part. This is first time seeing baby, right?" I nodded as I gently lowered myself back on the bed. I stared up at the ceiling as I lifted my shirt to reveal my stomach. "No sign of a bump yet?"
"No, but I'm starting to feel bloated."
"That bloating should soon turn into a bump" I pulled my gaze from him as he sent me a smile, my eyes staring up at the ceiling. "This gel shouldn't be too cold" my grip tightened on Matthew's hand as Dr James squirted the gel onto my stomach. I kept my eyes locked on the ceiling as he pressed the probe into my lower stomach, beginning to gently move it around. "And there's baby" my eyes fell on the monitor and the moment they did, I regretted it. I shouldn't have looked because I couldn't pull my eyes away.
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"Can you see that little flicker?" my eyes followed Dr James' finger as he pointed at the monitor. "That's baby's heart and baby has a perfect heart rate" I pulled my eyes from the monitor as I heard a sniffle beside me. I blinked rapidly to hold back my own tears, swallowing the lump from my throat. I didn't think this would make me so emotional. "I can play it for you, if you want?" I glanced over at Matthew and Damien who both had tears pouring down their cheeks, they both nodded their reply. Dr James pressed a couple buttons before the most amazing galloping sound filled the room. It took everything I had to not burst into tears at the sound.
"So, baby's healthy then?"
"Baby's perfectly healthy. They are a little on the small side but that's nothing to be concerned about. You're doing a good job, Demi" I gave him a weak smile but he didn't pick up on it as he removed the probe from my belly, handing me some tissues so I could wipe off the gel. "I'll go and print you guys off some copies, and I will see you again in a couple of weeks for you next appointment."
"Thank you, Dr James" he nodded and sent us all a smile before he left the room.
"Oh my god, that was incredible" tears welled in my eyes as I listened to Matthew and Damien gush about the baby.
"I didn't expect them to look so much like a baby already" they shared a brief kiss and I couldn't help but to smile, my hand subconsciously resting on my stomach.
"I'm guessing you guys are happy?" their attention fell on me as I kept the 'fake' smile on my face, hoping they couldn't read through it.
"So unbelievably happy. We are never going to be able to repay you for this" I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"I don't need repaying" I wrapped my arms around Damien as he instantly locked me in a hug. I met Matthew's gaze over Damien's shoulder and sent him a smile but I could see a look of hesitation on his face as he smiled back.
"We'll find something, Dems" I rolled my eyes, pulling away from Damien.
"I get to make you guys parents, you get to be happy, you'll be a family and that's all the repayment that I need."
