The Stolen Child

Did It Take?

"Well, Mrs. Knight, Miss. Arnold, are we ready?" The doctor said as she burst through the door. Cass lay on the exam table, and I stood next to her, holding her hand tightly as we watched the woman set up her ultrasound machine.

It had been a month since the embryo transfer. Cass had said she was getting positive pregnancy tests, so we scheduled an appointment with the doctor to verify if the transfer was a success.

"I have to say, first, your test did come back positive for pregnancy, so things are looking good. Let's just make sure everything is implanted correctly." Doctor Harper squirted a small dollop of warm gel on Cass's stomach. Cass pulled her shirt up under her chest and tucked the paper napkin securely over the top of her jeans.

"Ready?" Dr. Harper smiled as she brought the ultrasound equipment in contact with Cass's abdomen. I held my breath as I watched the screen. The black and white swirls danced across the monitor as Dr. Harper drug the probe all over Cass's midsection.

"Breath." Cass giggled as she squoze my hand. I looked down at her and smiled, mouthing a silent 'thank you' to her again. I would forever be in debt to her for helping me start a family.

"Okay ladies." Dr. Harper pulled our attention back to the screen.

"This right here." She pointed a blue gloved finger at a small white dot on the screen. "Is your embryo." I giggled like a schoolgirl as excitement boiled up inside of me.

"Everything looks good." She smiled, wiping the goo from Cass' stomach. We'll know more in a couple of months. I want to see you back here in three months. Sooner if anything feels off or concerns you, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." Cass and I both said in unison.

"Cass, I can never thank you enough for what you're doing for me." I said as we slid into a booth at the sandwich shop. I was treating Cass to lunch of her choice.

"Noe, I would do anything for you."

"Yeah, we'll see about that once you start getting nauseous." We giggled as we waited for our order to come.

"Really Noemi, you don't have to keep thanking me. I know you would do this for me if I was asking."

"Well…" I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry." She said as she realized what she had said.

"I'm kidding. I know what you meant. I would do anything I could, as long as I'm physically capable of doing it." She smiled brightly at me as she breathed a sigh of relief. We have been friends for long enough for her to know that I wouldn't be offended by anything she could say.

I couldn't help but smile as I drove home in silence. I just dropped Cass off at home and was headed back to my place. I was dying to tell Brody that the transfer was a success, and in nine months we would be parents. My heart sank as I realized that wouldn't be happening though. Brody was gone for another three months. He had missed this appointment and would miss hearing that the transfer was a success.

I knew he would miss this appointment though. Ashley had helped console me when I feared him missing out. She had helped me understand that he would miss this appointment, but would be home soon. I would be able to tell him the good news soon. Cass and I had scheduled the next appointment and I was praying that Brody would be home in time to attend. That appointment would help solidify that this was really happening. If we could make it to the next appointment, the likelihood of losing the embryo was almost zero. I knew Cass would do everything in her power to make this a success. She had taken the first two weeks off of work and placed herself on bedrest after researching proper care after a transfer. Cass would make a wonderful mother. She had already made a bunch of dietary changes, including cutting out coffee. She loved her coffee, so cutting it out was definitely going to be hard for her. I had bought her some tea and was planning to hit the grocery store tomorrow to find her a better alternative. She had made those changes on her own, without me suggesting it. I was so grateful to have a friend like her.

I walked through the glass front doors, dropping my keys into the wooden bowl on the cherry wood table against the wall. I slung my leather purse over the coat hook before heading to the kitchen. I filled a kettle with water, placing it on the stove. The house seemed so empty, so quiet. I couldn't help but feel slightly depressed that I didn't have anyone to share my excitement with. My thoughts ran away with me as I poured the hot water over the tea bag. Mindlessly dunking it in and out of the water.

"I need to start the nursery." I said to myself. I sat down on the sofa, setting my tea down on a coaster on the coffee table. I opened my laptop and started to search nursery decoration ideas. I needed inspiration for the nursery.

I found some really cute options, but without knowing if we were having a boy or a girl, I wouldn't be able to personalize the room. I decided to go with a beautiful violet grey color for the walls. It was both masculine and feminine at the same time. Both warm and inviting and cool and neutral. It would be the perfect color to pair with pink or blue. I had definitely decided that the room would have pink accents if it was a girl, and blue if it was a boy. I would have to shop for that after the gender reveal. I picked up my cell phone from the table, trading it with my laptop.

"Hey Cass." I said excitedly as she picked up. "How would you feel about baby shopping with me tomorrow?"