by Lynn, Sandi
“Don’t worry. Like I said, no one will even see it.”
“I like the way you made me sound here,” I said as I read over my profile. “You make me sound like an awesome guy.” A smirk crossed my lips.
“Yeah. I know.” He rolled his eyes. “Anyway, like I said before no one will even see it. I’ll make sure it’s buried. Just making you do this is enough for me.” He laughed. “We’ll be laughing about this in the years to come, my friend.”
“Somehow I doubt it.” I narrowed my eye at him.
“Oh, I’m taking Yasmin to Aruba for our second anniversary, so I’ll be gone about ten days.”
“Your anniversary was last month.”
“I know, but Yasmin couldn’t get the time off work then.”
“What happened to you?” I shook my head at him.
“Cupid happened. Maybe it’ll happen to you one day.”
“When cupid comes my way, I’ll be shooting that little bastard down fast,” I said as I got up from my seat.
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, Grayson. It’s a pretty powerful feeling.”
“I have all the power I need, bro. I’ll talk to you later.”
Chapter 4
Harper
I took in a deep breath as I stepped through the doors of the New York Cryobank.
“Hello, how may I help you?” an older woman with a pleasant smile asked.
“I have an appointment with Larson Whitfield.”
“Your name, please.”
“Harper Holland.”
“Ah yes. Here you are. Follow me and I’ll take you to him.”
I followed her down the hallway and we entered the last office on the right.
“Mr. Whitfield, Harper Holland is here.”
“Please, come in and have a seat. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Holland.” He graciously extended his hand.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Whitfield.” I placed my hand in his.
After taking a seat across from his desk, he sat down in his chair and opened up a folder.
“So,” he folded his hands. “You want to have a baby.”
“Yes.” I smiled.
“Excellent. We can definitely help you.” He grinned. “Here’s a folder with all of our information, costs, and a sheet for you to fill out with exactly what you’re looking for. Eye color, hair color, height, weight, race and a few other things. Once you fill that out and turn it in, we’ll email you a link to all the donors who match what you’re looking for with a comprehensive background and you can view them online. Once you find your perfect donor, all you have to do is add the donor to your cart, check out and we can either mail the sperm to you, you can come in and pick it up yourself or you can schedule an appointment with one of our fertility experts and have the insemination done here. It costs a little extra, but a lot of our customers take advantage of that if they don’t want their doctors to know they’re using a donor.”
“Wow. So it’s kind of like online shopping.” I smirked.
“Yes.” He chuckled. “We want to make the experience the best and easiest way possible for you.”
“I’ve already made a list of what I would like,” I spoke as I pulled the piece of paper from my purse and handed it to him.
“Excellent. I will get this information keyed in under your file and you should be receiving an email from us with the link in about forty-eight hours.”
“That’s it?” I asked with surprise.
“That’s it, Miss Holland. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He stood up from his chair and extended his hand.
“Thank you, Mr. Whitfield. I can’t wait to start my search.”
“This is so weird to me,” Charlotte spoke as she poured more wine in her glass. “Who would have thought you could order your kid online.”
“Pour me another glass and then get your ass over here. I’m clicking the link,” I said.
She handed me my wine and took a seat on the couch next to me while Laurel was on the other side. Nervously, I clicked the link in my email from the cryobank, and a webpage opened with a list of pictures and donor numbers.
“Why are all these pictures of kids?” Laurel asked. “I thought we’d get to see the donor.”
“It must be the donor when they were a child. Which makes sense because my child would look like a part of them,” I said.
I clicked on a few donors and read their profiles.
“Why do they all have brown hair and blue eyes?” Laurel asked.
“That’s what I requested. I have brown hair and blue eyes. Plus, you know that’s my type, anyway.”
After a couple hours of drinking wine and scouring through donors, Charlotte and Laurel left, and I changed into my pajamas and climbed in bed to do some work. I would finish looking through the donors tomorrow. As I was finalizing a design and getting ready to send it off to the company who hired me, an email came through from the cryobank. The email contained a link to a new donor that was just listed with the characteristics I was looking for. Clicking on the link, I began reading about Donor 137665.
Donor 137665 is a highly educated top of his class graduate from Yale. With his high I.Q. and competitive nature, he is extremely successful in the corporate business world. He has an outgoing personality and loves to socialize and meet new people. As an avid classical music lover, he relaxes by sitting down and playing music by Beethoven and Bach on his grand piano.
Height – 6’2
Weight – 190lbs.
Eye Color – Blue
Hair Color – Brown
Hair texture – Straight
Ethnic Origin – Caucasian
Ancestry – English, Irish, Scottish
Religion – None
Education Level – Masters
Areas of Study – Business, Finance, Investment Management
Blood Type – O+
Pregnancies – No
Expanded Genetic Testing – Yes
Instruments – Piano
Favorite Food – Mexican, Italian
Outdoor fun – Skiing and walks on the beach.
I repeatedly read his profile and stared at his picture. He was a super handsome little boy. I only wish I could see what he looked like now. I couldn’t stop yawning so I closed my laptop and went to sleep.
Chapter 5
Harper
When I awoke the next morning, I grabbed my laptop and took it to the kitchen while I made a cup of coffee. Upon opening it, the tab with the donor information I was viewing last night stared me straight in the face. He was the one. I felt it last night, and I felt it this morning. Every time I looked over his profile, I knew he would be the perfect man to father my child.
I took a sip of my coffee as I added him, entered my credit card information and stared at the “Complete Purchase” button. I hovered over it, hesitating for a moment. This was it. Once I clicked that button, there was no going back. But I knew in my heart this was exactly what I wanted. What I’ve always wanted. I took in a long deep breath as I clicked the purchase button. A confirmation screen appeared in front of me, and it was done. I had just ordered my baby.
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.
“For fuck sakes, Julius. Fucking tell me what’s going on!” I shouted.
“Someone purchased your sperm and now she’s pregnant.”
“WHAT!” I shouted as I stood up. “How did that happen? YOU promised me it wouldn’t!”
“I don’t know, Grayson. I’m still trying to find that out. Apparently, you matched exactly what this woman was looking for and they sent your profile to her. I’m still investigating and when I find out exactly who did it, they’re fired.”
“How do you know? Are you one hundred percent sure?” I threw the warm liquid down my throat.
“I was going over the list of donors and pregnancies for the month and I saw your donor number listed.”
“FUCK! You’re the goddamn director of that facility! How could you let this happen? Didn’t you take it down after a month like you promised me you would?”
“YES! I took it down immediately. It happened when I was in Aruba.”
“Now what?” I threw back the rest of my drink and slammed the glass down on the bar. “What the fuck am I supposed to do now?”
“Nothing. There’s nothing you can do. If I were you, I’d forget about it. Pretend it never happened.”
“Right. Pretend it never happened. BUT IT DID! And now there’s some woman out there in the world carrying my kid!”
“Actually, she’s right here in New York.”
Placing my hand on my forehead, I slowly shook my head.
“Listen, Grayson. There are a million donors out there. You’re not responsible for the kid in any way and since you were listed as anonymous with no contact, she will never know you’re the father. Ever. Just forget about it, bro. You can do that. It’s no big deal. In fact, look at it this way, you
made a woman who so badly wanted a child happy. You gave her the greatest gift of life and the best part is you aren’t being held responsible for the kid.”
I stood there and narrowed my eye at him as I slowly shook my head.
“Grayson, listen to what I said. Just forget it even happened. It’s not like you fucked her and it was an accident. You’re not responsible for this. You’re not, nor will you ever be tied to this woman and the child. You know, I didn’t even have to tell you. I could have kept this from you and you never would have known. But I told you because you’re my best friend and I couldn’t keep it from you. I have to go. I told Yasmin I wouldn’t be long. We’re going to her mother’s for brunch. I’m sorry, bro.” He turned around and stepped into the elevator.
Walking over to the bar, I poured myself another drink. This was fucking unbelievable. I stood in the shower as I let the stream of hot water pour over me. I kept replaying our conversation repeatedly in my head. Julius was right. I just had to put it out of my mind, forget about it and pretend our conversation never took place. I never should have agreed to the bet in the first place. Of all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, this one was by far the worst of them all.
Chapter 7
Grayson
I was sitting behind my desk when my grandfather walked in.
“Grandfather,” I spoke in shock.
“Hello, Grayson.”
Getting up from my chair, I walked over and gave him a hug.
“When did you get back from Europe?”
“Last night. I’d like you to come over for dinner tonight. I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Okay. Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. We just haven’t had a good talk in a while. I’ll see you at seven.”
“See you then.”
He walked out and Christine walked in.
“Did you know he was back?” she asked.
“No. I didn’t.” My brows furrowed.
“Glenn Sharpe called.” She handed me the message. “He needs you to call him right away.”