Sister Surrogate

by LaChelle Weaver

  “I’m doing good as far as that’s concerned. I start chemo and radiation next week. I’m a little nervous, but ready to get it started and over with.”

  “I understand, but you have a great team of doctors and I’m sure they will take good care of you,” said Dr. Billingsley, removing Bridgette’s feet from the stirrups.

  “I have faith that they will.”

  “Mrs. Harper, I need you to lie here for an hour, and in the meantime, I’ll gather your paperwork for check out. It was great to see you all again,” said Dr. Billingsley; rising from the small stool she’d been sitting on.

  They all thanked her again before she left the room with her nurse in tow.

  “I’m going to duck out and make a call to the office,” said Julius, placing a kiss on Savannah’s cheek. She refrained from commenting on his need to conduct business since he had made the time to be there for she and Bridgette unlike Nick, who’d claimed he couldn’t get off work.

  “Good job, Bridge. You rock, girl,” he said, causing Bridgette to giggle and then leaving the room.

  “What a week this has been,” said Savannah, sitting next to her sister on the small bed.

  “I’d say, but we did it, sissy. And now, we wait for Baby Yancey—or more than one Baby Yancey,” Bridgette joked, placing a hand on her stomach.

  Savannah beamed at her sister’s words. “I’m praying that they stick.”

  “It’s already done. I can feel it,” Bridgette exclaimed.

  Savannah leaned her head on her sister’s as she lay back against the bed with her.

  “I love you, sissy. I know you’re probably tired of me saying this, but I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I know, sweetie. And, like I’ve been telling you, I’m happy to do it and I’m glad I’m able to. If I’d been one year older, I don’t think they would’ve allowed it. But, as Mama used to say, ‘What God has ordained can’t be stopped’,” said Bridgette.

  “Amen, sis. I really wish Ivy could’ve been here to experience this with us. Maybe we should take a selfie and send it to her,” said Savannah, reaching for her purse sitting on a nearby table and retrieving her iPhone. She saw the sour look on Bridgette’s face when she positioned the phone’s camera in front of them.

  “Oh stop it, Bridgette. Both of you need to. I’m tired of this. This is such an exciting moment for us all, and we should be able to celebrate it together. So, come on and drop the sourpuss face,” said Savannah, sticking out her tongue and making Bridgette laugh as she snapped the pic of them.

  “See how easy that was?” she asked and then placed a kiss on her big sister’s cheek.

  Bridgette smiled and Savannah took more selfies of them. It was a heartwarming sister moment that neither of them would ever forget.

  Chapter Twenty

  Three months later…

  “Y

  ou don’t look too well. Actually, you’re looking kind of green. Here drink this.”

  Bridgette took the bottle of water from her best friend and business partner, Fatima as they both stood in the small space of the bathroom in her office. Bridgette had just finished splashing her face with cold water and was drying it with a paper towel after vomiting in the toilet.

  “Thanks, girl,” Bridgette said as she tossed the used paper towel in a nearby trashcan and took the bottle from her. She twisted the cap off and took a long gulp.

  “Do you want me to go and get you a ginger ale?” Fatima asked, rubbing her back. Bridgette shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine. I’ll make a cup of tea. That usually calms my stomach some,” she said.

  “You know you don’t have to be here. You really should go on home and relax for the rest of the day. I’m here now, so you can give up control,” Fatima offered and they both laughed as they walked back into the office to sit down.

  Fatima and Bridgette had been best friends since seventh grade and throughout high school, even though they went to different colleges; Bridgette had stayed in state to go to NC State University and Fatima had gone out-of-state to Texas Southern University, but distance hadn’t broken their bond. And even though Fatima still lived miles away now in Miami, Florida with her husband and teenage daughter, they were still close. Fatima was like a third sister and she really was like a part of the family.

  Bridgette had always talked about opening a bakery and when her boys had reached school age, she’d done just that with Fatima’s encouragement since she herself owned several businesses. She’d guided Bridgette on everything she needed to know and even put up some of her own money to help her get started, making her more of a silent partner since she wouldn’t be there on a daily basis to help run Sugar Rush. But a few times out of the year, she came to check on things, even though now, she was there for personal reasons than business. She was there to check on her best friend who was now three months pregnant with her sister’s baby.

  “I’m really glad you are and not because you’re here at the bakery with me now, but for being here to support me,” said Bridgette, smiling at her as they sat on the sofa in the corner of her office.

  “I guess Nick was right,” Bridgette said, chuckling.

  “About what?” Fatima queried.

  “That I must’ve been suffering from temporary insanity offering to carry my sister’s baby. He said that to me when I told him I was going to do it,” Bridgette said, taking another gulp of water.

  Fatima shook her head with a disapproving look on her face. “Hopefully, he’ll come back to his senses. I understand he has mixed feelings about it, but I really despise how he’s been treating you. In all of the years you’ve been married to him, I’ve never known him to behave this way,” said Fatima.

  “Well, it doesn’t help that his family has been in his ear about it, especially his mother. You know she’s never been a big fan of mine. Now, he’s completely convinced that I disregarded his feelings without any thought, and that’s not what happened at all. I really did consider his concerns, but ultimately, it boiled down to how I would feel if I were in my sister’s shoes. So, the decision was quite easy for me and I wish he could understand that,” Bridgette said, her voice laced with sadness.

  It hurt Bridgette that Nick seemed to be pulling away from her when she needed him the most. He wasn’t talking to her much lately and it hadn’t been from her lack of trying. She could truly say that this was the first time she really felt alone in their marriage, and she really didn’t know what to do about it. She’d thought about suggesting they talk to the psychologist they’d been evaluated by for their pre-screening because she’d been easy to talk to and understanding to Nick’s reservations, but decided against it. She had already asked enough of him with everything he’d had to go through as her spouse for her to get approved to be Savannah’s surrogate, so she figured she’d give him time to come around on his own.

  “And like I said, he has a right to feel like he wants to, but what’s done is done. It’s not like you can reverse it. He needs to man up and deal with it because last I checked you’re still his wife who’s pregnant, regardless of how it came to be. And for that reason alone, he should support you and not be causing you any more stress than you’ve already placed on yourself in wanting to deliver your sister a healthy baby. I think it’s such a selfless act and it really shows how much you love your family. If I had a sister, I don’t think I could do it to be honest,” said Fatima.

  “Well, I really appreciate you saying that. I know it’s unconventional,” said Bridgette, making air quotes with her fingers, “but I wish everyone would look at the big picture. I’m bringing a life into this world for someone who can’t. It’s hard for me to see the problem with that when I know how much of a blessing it is.”

  “It is a blessing. Mama Ree and Mr. Eldridge would be so proud of you for what you’re doing for Savannah. I know they’re smiling down on you from heaven right now.”

  Her best friend’s words brought tears to Bridgette’s eyes for two reasons; she missed her parents dearly, esp
ecially her mother because they were so close, partly because she was Aretha Alston’s first born and she’d doted on Bridgette from birth until she’d turned eight years old and Ivy came along.

  Bridgette remembered how excited she’d been at having a baby sister. Even though she liked being an only child, it got lonely sometimes in the big old house they’d grown up in. She’d eagerly embraced sisterhood when Ivy came home and her new responsibilities as a big sister. She helped her mother make bottles, give Ivy baths and held her while she sat with their mother in Ivy’s nursery as she sang her favorite hymn that always put Ivy to sleep.

  It broke her heart that there was so much tension and discord between her and Ivy, and sadly, it had only worsened over the past few months. She’d been around more for Savannah throughout her recovery and treatment, and Bridgette was glad about that, but she wished that she could be there for her too, especially with her now being pregnant and the problems she was going through with Nick. She missed being able to call her up and talk and it seemed like those days were far from happening anytime soon. They could barely stand to be in one another’s presence and if they had to be for too long, a silly argument always ensued. She was fighting with two of the people she loved the most and it was stressing her out, which wasn’t good for her condition.

  “I really hope so, Fatima. I’ve always tried to do right by my sisters because I’m the oldest. I know I can be overbearing sometimes and overprotective, but it’s because I love them so much. They’re like my babies and I’d do anything for those two girls,” said Bridgette, swallowing back her tears.

  Fatima rubbed her arm. “There’s no doubt about that. The proof is in the proverbial oven,” said Fatima, rubbing Bridgette’s belly causing her to chuckle.

  “I just wish that me and Ivy could find some common ground.”

  “I’m sure it will all work out. Families have disagreements sometimes, but what’s important is that you work to move past them. And, I know you’ve been upset with Ivy, but you have to admit that she’s always here when it matters most like now. She’s been by Savannah’s side just as much as you have. She loves you both. You all have to find a way to come together, especially now with this baby coming,” said Fatima.

  “I agree,” Bridgette said, followed by a deep sigh. “I just don’t know what to do about Nick, but I do know one thing, Fatima. I can’t keep living like we’re living. Things have to change.”

  “And I agree with you on that one,” said Fatima

  “I would’ve never thought that we’d be in such a bad place in our marriage. He barely utters more than a few words to me, and he acts as if the thought of me carrying this baby disgusts him. I mean he acts as if I got pregnant by another man or something,” said Bridgette, taking another sip of water.

  “Well, I don’t know what else you can do that you already haven’t,” said Fatima.

  “I’ve tried talking to him until I’m blue in the face, but it always leads to more arguing and I just don’t want to deal with that anymore. I can’t.” Bridgette felt herself getting emotional again.

  “And you shouldn’t have to. It’s not like you did this to hurt him in any way. You’re just trying to help your sister, so I don’t understand how he made this about him,” said Fatima, rolling her eyes.

  Bridgette could tell Fatima was getting riled up. She was one of those ride or die friends who always had her back.

  “I’m just praying that we can survive this. I’m scared to say this because I don’t want to put it out in the universe, but I hope he doesn’t have an affair on me. We haven’t been intimate because he acts like touching me would be committing a crime or something,” said Bridgette, looking at her friend with sadness in her eyes.

  “And he’d be a complete fool. You’re the best thing that ever happened to Nicholas Harper and he needs to start acting as such. And if he does decide to go mess around with some thot, we both know a good divorce attorney,” said Fatima, referring to her mother.

  “Thot? Girl, you’ve been watching too many of those reality TV shows,” Bridgette said and Fatima laughed. “I hope that I don’t even have to entertain the thought of a divorce. I think Nick’s ego is a bit bruised right now, but we’re nowhere near that. We haven’t had the perfect marriage, but we’ve always been able to work out our differences and I’m praying that he’ll come around, especially before the boys start to notice the tension between us.”

  “I know what you mean. They’re very impressionable at that age and perceptive. They pick up so much even when we don’t think they do,” said Fatima.

  “Absolutely. That’s why I haven’t told them about the baby yet. I want them to be able to grasp fully what I’m doing and why. I think they’ll understand, but I just want to wait for the right time. And, I know this is wishful thinking, but I want both Nick and I to talk with them about this. I don’t want to have to do it alone.”

  “And you shouldn’t have to. I’m really hoping that Nick will change his attitude soon because I’d hate to have to catch a case because of how he’s been treating my best friend,” said Fatima and then they both laughed.

  “I know it’s only for a few days, but again, I’m so glad you’re here, Fatima. It’s good to have someone I can talk to outside of the situation.”

  Fatima smiled at her. “You know I’ve always got your back. You’re my A-one from day one.”

  “You sure got that right,” said Bridgette. “I love you, girl.”

  “Love you, too. And, I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry. Everything will work itself out. You’re going to have a beautiful, healthy baby for your sister and even though Nick is not my favorite person right now, your marriage will be even stronger because of everything you’re going through. I really believe that.”

  Bridgette pondered her best friend’s words and prayed that what she was saying would be true.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  S

  avannah had been hospitalized twice from the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation that she’d been receiving simultaneously for the past ten weeks. It had been a harrowing couple of months with her battling severe fatigue and diarrhea and constant vomiting. Some days, she questioned how much more she could take because it was so bad, but she managed and she had her husband and sisters to thank. They’d really been taking care of her even though at first, she hadn’t been the best patient. She’d been resistant to their constant presence, even lashing out at them a few times, but she realized they were just trying to be supportive. She knew it had to be just as hard on them as it was on her, especially Julius.

  Their sex life or lack thereof had become almost torturous for Savannah because of the vaginal dryness and pain she experienced during their lovemaking. They’d had to get creative until her treatment was over and the symptoms subsided. Julius had been the epitome of sticking it out through “better or worse,” which is why she couldn’t wait for their baby to be born because that would surely bring them some happiness after all of the pain. In six more months, she’d be a mother, and every time she thought about that she felt an overwhelming sense of joy.

  “What are you over there smiling about, Bubbling Brown Sugar?” Ivy asked, peering at her. She was driving Savannah to her radiation appointment. Thankfully, it was her last week of brachytheraphy, an internal form of radiation she’d been receiving twice a week for an additional three weeks after completing the external treatments. She’d be officially done with cervical cancer treatment at the end of the week.

  “What? I didn’t realize I was,” Savannah responded.

  “Like a Chess cat.”

  Savannah chuckled. “I was thinking about the baby coming. I love the way the nursery is turning out. I just need a white rocking chair like the one Mama had for us, so I can sit and sing him or her to sleep just the way she did.”

  “Her voice was so beautiful. I always told her she could’ve given Whitney, Mariah or Toni Braxton a run for their money. She was the true voice
in the Alston household,” said Ivy.

  “Yes, sissy. The world had Aretha Franklin, but we had Aretha Alston,” said Savannah and they both laughed.

  “I miss that woman so much,” said Savannah, her voice now somber.

  “I do too. But, her spirit definitely surrounds us. I think that’s why Bridgette and I haven’t killed each other yet.”

  Savannah shook her head.

  “I agree because nothing I say or do seems to be working and honestly, I don’t have the energy to keep playing referee between you two.”

  “And nobody asked you to. I’ve told you time and time again to stay out of it. You have enough to deal with,” said Ivy.

  “Well, now Bridgette does also. So, please for my sake, resolve whatever issue you’re having with her. I don’t need her stressing about it, especially since she’s carrying my baby.”

  “I’m not the one with the funky attitude, so she’s the one with the issue. Not me,” Ivy retorted with irritation. “I’m not going to kiss Bridgette’s butt. Pregnant or not.”

  “That’s not what I’m saying, Ivy so don’t be so huffy and on the defensive. We should all be supporting one another now. I don’t like the distance this is creating between us.” Her sisters’ issues were really weighing heavily on Savannah. She just didn’t get why they couldn’t get along. Savannah thought that everything they’d been through as a family would’ve drawn them closer, but it hadn’t. It seemed to be getting worse.

  They’d both been going to her treatment appointments, but Bridgette always met them there because as she told Savannah, she had no desire to be crammed in the tight space of a car with Ivy since they would surely get into an argument. Savannah knew it wasn’t just the hormones of her sister being pregnant that was talking because that’s all they’d been doing lately. It started when she began chemotherapy.