DETECTIVE SANDERS' SURROGATE

CHAPTER 7

WILLIAM'S POV

I sat on my bed, waiting for the Doctor to arrive and fill me in on the turn out of my surrogate's appointment with him? I definitely knew we couldn't ascertain the result of the procedure today, but I was just so excited, nervous, and anxious. I wanted to hear anything and everything, as long as it was about the procedure. Doctor Presley had come into my room earlier this morning to inform me about the fact that Lana had signed the contract already, making it okay for her to go ahead with our plans. I hadn't stopped praying that the artificial insemination procedure was successful, so we wouldn't have to go through all of it again. Time was also of essence to both myself and her sister.

"William..." Mom sighed. "Stop thinking so much about it. It would all go well by God's grace. The fact that she happened to be ovulating at the moment, only goes to show that we have a good luck with this."

"I know." I shifted on my bed. "I just can't help but continuously think about it all. I'm sure you understand." I gave a nervous smile.

"Of course, sweetie. I totally understand how you feel. Would you love to go for a walk?" I knew that was a ploy for me to get my mind of things. So I nodded, because I really needed to clear my mind. She stood up from where she had been sitting, and supported me to my feet. As she held my waist in support, I smiled at how small she looked. Her head had barely gotten to my belly. "Alright then!" She let out a ragged breathe, a sign that she felt exhausted already. Who wouldn't, if they were supporting the figure of a 6ft3 man? I was huge, and I knew it. Sometimes I thought about how amazing it was for a woman so petite, to birth such a huge man like me.

We both made our way out of the room and headed towards the balcony at the end of the hallway. I so much loved this part of the hospital because it was always calm and less congested. It was part of the perks of being wealthy- you get to enjoy the best kind of treatment wherever you find yourself. On getting to the balcony, mom and I, both looked down to see a staircase leading to the garden just beneath the balcony. We immediately looked at each other and had that knowing smile on our faces, as we walked towards the staircase. This was the third time I was actually coming out of my room ever since I got admitted into the hospital 6 weeks ago. I was happy to see the green garden which did well to display so much life. Deeply inhaling the refreshing smell of the atmosphere, we walked over to some empty chairs at the extreme end of the garden.

Sitting down and making ourselves comfortable, mom spoke up.

"I know I have just been going ahead with all of these plans, but...... What exactly is your real plan?" She asked, making me confused.

"I don't get you?" I said, making her pull her head backwards as she shot me an amused look.

"Do you plan on remaining unmarried? Don't get me wrong, I would be here for the chid as much as I can. But then, he or she would need a mother. I know how obsessed you are with making it in the force and getting promotions. Would you have enough time for you kid?"

"Mommm...." I drawled out and sighed deeply. I couldn't deny the fact that she was right, but then, I had other plans I hadn't told her about yet. "I have made a decision. I would have said something about it, but I wanted to be sure this whole plan of finding a surrogate even worked."

"What could that be?" She asked, looking completely interested in whatever I had to say to her.

"Okayyyy.... I know it was what Dad wanted for me, but I am going to take a break from the force if it's possible."

"Wha... how do you mean?" She asked, looking completely confused.

"You know.... I bought a dance school last year." I finally confessed, making her jaw drop in shock.

"Are you being serious?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Totally." I chuckled. "I'm sorry I didn't inform you. I very well knew that your loyalties laid with Dad. There was no way you would have known and he wouldn't have found out as well. He never wanted me doing music and dance.... he felt it was a waste of time, which I perfectly understood. In truth, I love being in the force.. I really do. But.... dance is where my heart is. I know I sound pathetic and foolish, a huge and fully grown man talking about dance in a professional light."

"It's sad that I failed you in many ways." She began, making me suprised. "I should have tried to stand by you and support the choice you made back then. He was my husband, but you are my child. You all are my children. Part of the reasons your sisters have been so distant is because of me. Thankfully, I still have George who plays the parental roles in their lives. I have never felt more disappointed in myself as I have been these past year. I practically destroyed my..... I pushed all of you away. I knew I married a rigid and difficult man, so the least I could have actually done was support my children. Instead, I joined him in coercing you children into doing what you never wanted to."

"He wasn't such a bad father after all. He only wanted the best for us all, and he proved it until the end. I love him still, even if he was just too rigid. I owe no grudges against you, Mom. You have tried the most by sticking by him for so long. I guess that's what it means to love someone."

"You may hold no grudges, but you sisters surely do." She blinked furiously, definitely trying to keep her tears at bay. Mom could be really emotional at times. "For 2 years, I haven't set my eyes on either of them. Ever since Natalie's marriage to Damien, I felt like a disowned mother."

"You mean 'forced marriage'?" I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back my anger over what my late father had done to one of my sisters. The day was still as fresh in my head. I recalled how one of the Admiral's men tossed her over his shoulder as she continuously struggled. It was the most humiliating moment of my life. I couldn't do anything to help as I had watched my older sister being dragged away to be wifed by the son of my father's Admiral friend. A son we had only seen a few times. I had wondered if we were still under patriarchal rule, where a woman had no say in anything. That was how rigid my late father was.

In all honesty, I missed my sisters as well. After Natalie had left for Florida to begin a new life with Damien Stratam, Lily had disappeared. At first, we had been worried over her disappearance but that was until we saw the note she had left for us. Who wouldn't be scared to remain under the roof of our father? She was probably worried that she was gonna be taken to the market for purchase, as well. Dad had only spent a week looking for her, after which he withdrew the search. He had said he didn't care wherever she was as she was gonna return once she had become stranded. It was two years already and she still hadn't gone stranded, I guess.

"I'm so sorry." I felt my mother's hand on mine, and all I could do was put my hand upon hers. She wasn't to be blamed. I was also present that day, but could do nothing to help Natalie.

We stayed at the garden for a little longer, before standing and heading back to my room. Just as I had gotten settled on my bed, the door opened to reveal Dr. Presley and Lana. I'm sure the expression on my face gave me away. I wanted them to quickly fill us in on how the how process had gone.

"The procedure has been done. We would have to wait for two weeks before a pregnancy test can be carried out. We could actually carry out a test after a week, but after 2 weeks is usually more accurate. Good afternoon Mrs. Sanders, William." He finished.

"Good afternoon." I rushed out. "So that means we would be able to tell if the procedure was successful after 2 weeks right?"

"Of course." He nodded with a small smile.

My gaze shifted to Lana who looked far from being interested in whatever we were talking about. Her mind seemed to have been elsewhere.

"Lana." I called, and she slowly turned to me. "Please take care of yourself, okay?" I said in a pleading tone, and she nodded.

"Alright then. That being said, until the next two weeks." Dr. Presley informed, before exiting the room with Lana following behind. It was weird how she had said nothing the whole time. I wondered if she was alright. I knew waiting for two weeks was going to be a challenge, but I believed I could do that much.

"William, have faith." Mom muttered behind me and held my shoulder in silent support. I was going to have faith. That was the only option I had left.

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2 WEEKS LATER

It was two weeks finally, even though it felt like a whole month. The appointment for Lana's pregnancy test was supposed to be today, and I have been so anxious since this morning. I hadn't stopped asking mom to check and know if Lana had arrived. Just as I began tapping my leg for the uptempth time this morning, there came a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Mom invited. The next second, the door opened to reveal Doctor Presley and Lana.

"Good morning everyone!" He greeted and at that moment, I found it difficult to respond. Lana was here already. That only meant one thing....... the pregnancy test had been carried out.