SAVING MY MARRIAGE

SAVING MY MARRIAGE CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9 (The Surrogate)

I woke up before my husband, buzzing with joy. Joy had taken root in my heart, blooming with the thought of becoming a mother, of hearing a sweet ‘Mummy’ from my baby’s lips, of experiencing the love and joy that only motherhood could bring.

I gently pressed my lips to my husband’s forehead in a tender ‘Good morning’ kiss, hoping to rouse him from slumber.

"Babe..." I whispered, gently shaking him awake. My voice was soft, but my eagerness to get going to the hospital was palpable.

Tony stirred but didn’t open his eyes.

"Tony, wake up" I urged, a hint of frustration creeping into my tone.

He groaned sleepily, "Good morning, my love" he croaked.

"Get up, babe" I said, my tone turning more urgent. "We need to see the doctor today about what we discussed yesterday. Remember?"

Tony scratched his head, still looking dazed.

"Why today?" he asked, confusion clouding his face.

Frustration welling up within me, I gave him a gentle tug. "Come on, babe. Please get up. We have to go".

I wasn’t in the mood for any further questioning, I chose to ignore Tony’s question.

As usual, we knelt down for our morning prayers. But I could sense Tony’s gaze lingering on me in confusion.

I tried to lighten the mood, teasing and playing with him in the shower, but he remained distant. Maybe I was being too enthusiastic. But could I really be blamed? My heart was filled to the brim with joy and excitement.

I picked out an outfit for him and led him to the dining table. Breakfast was simple yet delicious 'sandwiches and tea' which I had made by myself, hoping to surprise him. But his mood remained subdued. We had our breakfast and headed to the hospital.

Tony asked me to drive and I readily agreed. But as we drove to the hospital, I noticed that Tony was glued to his phone, engrossed in something that I couldn’t quite place. I decided not to pry, figuring he’d tell me if it was important.

We finally arrived at the hospital, only to be informed that we’d need to wait an hour before the doctor could see us.

While we waited, I couldn’t help but daydream about the future, imagining the blissful joys of motherhood. My thoughts were a happy blur of laughter, cuddles, and smiles.

Finally, the doctor arrived and invited us into his office. We spoke at length, discussing all our options. But the news was disheartening. My eggs were unusable, and the only viable option was to use the surrogate’s eggs with Tony’s sperm.

Immediately the words sank in, my joy deflated like a punctured balloon. Tony, sensing my distress, told the doctor that we needed some time to think.

"Are you for real?" I asked Tony, my voice a frosty whisper.

"I’m sorry" I apologized quickly

I turned to the doctor "I agree" I said in a calm tone.

The doctor, seemingly oblivious to the tension between us, turned to Tony for his agreement. "Mr. Tony, do you agree with this?"

Tony’s response was hurried, "Yes, doctor".

The doctor handed us a form to fill out and mentioned that the fees would be considerably higher, as the surrogate mother would now be using her own eggs.

"I don’t mind" I whispered, my eyes never leaving Tony’s face.

We left the hospital in silence, the air around us heavy with unspoken thoughts and doubts. Tony drove us back to our apartment, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

When we got home, I retreated to the kitchen Meanwhile, Tony disappeared into the bedroom. His demeanor had been chilly ever since we left the doctor’s office, but I brushed it off.

He’d come around eventually, I assured myself.

After preparing lunch, I called out to Tony, urging him to come and eat. He finally emerged from the bedroom and sat down silently, devouring his meal.

His lack of response was unnerving, and I couldn’t help but worry.

"Tony, are you okay?" I asked gently. "I’m sorry if I disrespected you at the hospital. That wasn’t my intention".

He flashed a soft smile. "It’s fine, babe. I was a bit upset, but I understand".

"I really am sorry" I insisted.

His smile widened. "The food is delicious" he commented.

"But wasn’t it tasteless just a few minutes ago?" I teased and he chuckled.

He fixed his gaze on me and whispered, "I love you."

I returned his affection, saying, "I love you more."

Tony got up, his strong arms enveloping me, and carried me to the bedroom...

That evening, our phone rang, and the doctor was on the other end with unexpected news. He informed us that a suitable candidate had been found for the surrogate, and my joy knew no bounds.

My excitement was palpable, the anticipation bubbling within me. The doctor invited us to come see him during the week to discuss the next steps.

**********************************

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny, and everything seemed to glitter with a sheen of joy. I got ready for work, my heart fluttering with anticipation for the week ahead.

Mr. Adewale had recently been transferred to one of our biggest branches, and a new manager now held the reins. A no-nonsense, stern man, he was quite different from Mr. Adewale. But everyone can't be as wonderful as Mr. Adewale, right?

Amidst the changes at work, I was fortunate to receive a well-deserved promotion to Assistant Manager. 'My work my pride,' I thought to myself, as I dutifully went about my responsibilities. Unlike my pre-married days, I now made it a point to depart from the office as soon as the clock struck 5pm, not staying back after the close of work socializing with my colleagues. Family first.

As I arrived home, I noticed Tony’s absence. Perhaps he was still at work, I thought to myself. I headed to the kitchen, planning to surprise him with his favorite dish. But before I could finish setting the dining table, the door creaked open, and Tony’s smiling face appeared.

"My love" he greeted, warmth and affection radiating from his voice.

"You’re just in time" I replied, a laugh bubbling up inside me.

His eyes lit up as he spotted the meal. "Wow, Efo riro ati Iyan!" he exclaimed, the very words infused with pleasure. Washing his hands, he eagerly took his seat, ready to tuck into his favorite dish.

"Not even a welcome kiss?" I teased, pouting playfully.

Tony stood up, his eyes gleaming. He placed a double kiss on my lips, his grin mischievous and seductive. ''Is that enough?" He asked

I couldn’t help but laugh as I nestled against him, my heart fluttering.

The soft, rhythmic sounds of our shared laughter filled the kitchen, a beautiful melody of our love. Seated together, we savored every bite of the delectable meal. There was a sense of peace, of harmony, as if the world outside had ceased to exist. It was just the two of us, lost in a moment of bliss.

********************************************

The cycle of day and night spun its tireless dance, bringing us once again to the hospital. Our appointment awaited, and soon enough, we were introduced to the surrogate.

A stunning young woman with captivating curves stood before us, her beauty undeniable. Yet, in the depths of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder why would someone so young opt to become a surrogate? The question lingered, a nagging doubt that refused to dissipate.

"She’s 29" the doctor interjected, as if he could read my thoughts.

A brief discussion ensued, but one detail managed to pierce through the haze of conversation. The doctor suggested that Tony should make love to the surrogate rather than have his sperm artificially inseminated.

"This is a quicker and more reliable method, given that the surrogate’s eggs would be used" the doctor explained.

"But doctor, is that really necessary?" I asked, my voice tinged with unease as I stare at the lady before us.

The idea of Tony making love to another woman sent a chill down my spine, a discomfort that refused to dissipate. I was torn, caught between my desire for a child and the painful prospect of seeing my husband with someone else.

Tony gentle placed his hand on my lap, his reassuring smile a silent promise that all would be well.

The lady carefully filled out the necessary documents, officially agreeing to a year and a half’s residency with us. The terms of the contract were laid out in the forms, which we both signed. I deposited the required funds with the doctor.

We left the hospital together, Tony taking the driver's seat, me in the front passenger seat, and our surrogate in the back, creating an almost tangible atmosphere of tension.

A silent air of anticipation hanging over our trio.