Picking up my phone, I gave Mr. Whitfield a call for I wanted to have it done at the cryobank.
“Larson Whitfield,” he answered.
“Good morning, Mr. Whitfield. This is Harper Holland. I met with you a few days ago.”
“Yes, Miss Holland. How are you?”
“I’m good. I just wanted to let you know that I found the donor I want, and I placed an order for the sperm. I would like to come in and have the procedure done at your center.”
“Excellent. You’re not on the pill or any other form of birth control, are you?”
“No. I’ve been off the pill for about seven months.”
“Good. The next step will be to come in when you’re ovulating. You must go buy an ovulation kit and then come in during your fertile window. We know this is a time sensitive matter, so we’ll get you in immediately. Just call our number and tell the receptionist that you’re ovulating, and she’ll take care of the rest.”
“Thank you, Mr. Whitfield.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Holland. Good luck to you.”
I ended the call and finished my coffee before hopping in the shower and getting dressed for the day. I had a meeting with a software company to redesign their website, so I’d stop at the drugstore on the way back and pick up an ovulation kit. I couldn’t believe this was happening and with any luck, I’d soon be pregnant and have the family I’d always wanted.
After my meeting with the software company, I stopped at the drugstore, picked up an ovulation kit, and then sent Laurel and Charlotte a group text message.
“I picked a donor. Can you meet for dinner tonight?”
“OMG! Where and what time?” Laurel replied.
“Holy Shit! I’m in. Let me know the details.” Charlotte wrote.
“Loring Place. Six o’clock.”
I was about fifteen minutes late to meet the girls due to an unexpected business call I had.
“Sorry I’m late,” I spoke as I took a seat. “The software company I met with this morning hired me and we had to go over a few things via phone.”
“So, tell us who the baby daddy is.” Charlotte grinned.
“How did you pick one so fast?” Laurel asked.
I pulled out my phone, signed into my cryobank account and pulled up Donor 137665.
“This is him.” I smiled as I handed them my phone.
“Wow. He has a high I.Q.” Laurel said.
“I love a man who can play the piano.” Charlotte swooned. “He sounds perfect and dreamy. And you also play the piano. Your child could be a musical genius.”
“I’d take his sperm, but I’d want it the old fashion way.” Laurel grinned.
“So now what happens?” Charlotte asked.
“Well, I’ve decided to have the insemination done at the cryobank. This facility has a doctor on staff who does the procedure. I have to call them when I’m ovulating.”
“And when will that be?” Laurel asked.
“According to my period app, I’ll be ovulating in three days. I also bought an ovulating test kit. When I’m in my fertile window, I call the center and they’ll get me right in.”
“You better let us know so we both can be there with you,” Charlotte spoke.
“Yeah. We’re not letting you go through this alone,” Laurel said.
I reached across the table and grabbed hold of their hands.
“Thank you. I love you both so much.”
“We love you.” Charlotte started to tear up. “I can’t believe you’re actually doing this.”
“I know. It doesn’t seem real yet. I was also thinking I need to move.”
“Why?” Laurel asked.
“My apartment is only a one bedroom. I’ll need a two bedroom for the baby.”
“Can you afford a two bedroom?”
“I don’t have a choice. I’ll just have to make sure I budget and try to pick up a few more accounts.”
“Don’t forget about all the medical bills you’ll have coming up,” Charlotte said.
“I know and my insurance only covers half. But I’ll manage. I always have.” I softly smiled.
Chapter 6
Six Weeks Later
Grayson
Rolling over, I looked at the woman sleeping next to me and sighed. I picked my pants up off the hotel room floor and slipped them on. As I was buttoning my shirt, she stirred. Shit. I wanted to make my escape before she woke up.
“Where are you going?” I heard her hungover voice speak.
“Home. I need to shower and change clothes.”
“What’s the rush? The least you could do is buy me breakfast.”
“Order room service. But make it for one. I’m out of here. I already paid for the room, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Seriously? You’re just going to leave like that? I thought we had a good time last night.”
“We did and now it’s over. I have things to do.”
“Am I ever going to see you again, Grayson?”
“No, Molly. Last night was a one-time thing.”
“It’s Holly, you asshole!”
“Right. Sorry.” I sat on the edge of the bed and put my shoes on. “Thanks for last night. Have a good day,” I spoke as I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and left the room.
Climbing into the Escalade parked at the curb, I told Damon to take me home. Just as he pulled up, my phone rang, and it was Julius.
“What’s up?”
“Grayson, are you home or at the office?”
“I just got home. Why?”
“I’m heading over there now. We need to talk.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“I’ll explain when I get there.”
Placing my phone in my pocket, I climbed out and stepped into the building.
“Good morning, Mr. Rhodes.” The doorman smiled.
“Good morning, Charlie.”
Stepping into the elevator, I took it up to the penthouse. I kept thinking about Julius and how panicked his voice sounded. What the hell happened? Maybe he was coming to tell me that him and Yasmin were breaking up. Or maybe he was coming to tell me he cheated on her. Either way, I’d find out in a few minutes when he got here.
I went upstairs to my bedroom and changed into a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt. I’d shower after he left. As I was in the kitchen making a cup of coffee, I heard the elevator door open.
“Hey. Coffee?” I asked as he stepped into the kitchen.
“No.” He put up his hand.
“What’s going on?”
He placed his hands in pants pockets and began pacing around the room.
“Julius, what the hell is going on?”
“There’s something I have to tell you and you’re not going to like it.”
“Okay. Just calm down and tell me.”
“You better sit first.”
He walked over to the bar, poured a glass of bourbon, took the coffee cup from my hand, and handed me the glass.
“What the hell?” I looked up at him.
“Trust me. You’ll need that.” He began pacing again.