The Billionaires Hired Baby Mother: When the wife and surrogate are two different people (8 page)

"It's been almost three hours. I can't believe they didn't throw
us out," Roy joked.

He signaled the waiter for the check. Roy walked with her to the
valet where he also waited for his car.

"Henrietta, thank you so much, you'll never know what this means
to me," he said hugging her.

She felt good about her decision.

"Roy, if we're going to be working together I think you should
call me Ettie. I actually dislike Henrietta," she said laughing.

"Henrietta is a mouthful. I like Ettie. Trust me I know, my
first name is actually Royston."

When the valet brought Ettie's car around, she flushed with
embarrassment. She never

thought about it but Roy was in a different class from her. Her
little 2000 Toyota Corolla stuck out like a sore thumb around here.
Right behind them another valet pulled up with a sleek black Acura.

"This is me, obviously," she said pointing at the car. Roy
didn't make any comments, instead he held her door open and flashed
his brilliant smile once again.

"So I'll see you
tomorrow
morning to sign the paperwork," she said with a bright smile of
her own.

As she drove off she felt butterflies in her stomach. Roy Gardner was
an amazing man. He was funny, he was kind, he was smart and
interesting. And he was gorgeous. That thought stopped Ettie dead in
her tracks. She shouldn't be thinking like this. It wasn't a first
date. What was wrong with her? This was just a business transaction,
he was going to be the father of the child she was carrying. For
another woman. She chalked it up to all the hormones from the
medication, still she could not help but feel slightly envious of
Melissa Gardner as she made her way home.

When Roy got home Melissa still wasn't there and still had not
called. He thought about calling her but this was something he wanted
to tell her in person. Melissa didn't get home until about three
hours later. At this point he was emotional.

“
Where were you?” he asked as soon as
she opened the door.

“
I was with the client,” Melissa said
defiantly, not used to his tone.

“
Why didn't you call me back?” Roy
questioned.

“
My phone was in my purse. I didn’t
check it until the meeting was over and then I was already on my way
home. What is going on Roy?”

“
I needed to talk to you. I had to meet
Ettie all by myself,” Roy complained.

“
Ettie?” Melissa questioned.

“
Henrietta doesn't like to be called by her
full name. She prefers to go by Ettie. You would know that if you
were there.”

“
Well that's rude,” Melissa said
sarcastically.

“
I’m sorry. I was waiting for your
call,” Roy said. “I thought you would have at least
wanted to know what happened.”

“
I was busy at work,” Melissa said
slamming her briefcase on the table. “I'm sorry that I can't
just drop everything last minute. This is my company. I'm the one
who's responsible when things fall apart.

“
I work for my own company too,” Roy
said. “This was important Melissa.”

“
Oh please,” Melissa scoffed, rolling
her eyes. “You work for Daddy.”

She paused seeing the hurt and shocked look on Roy’s face.

“
I'm sorry. I didn't mean that,” she
corrected. “I am sorry, I just had a really long day. I know
this was important but my client was important too. Can you please
tell me what's going on with Ettie?” she asked trying out the
name.

Roy looked at his wife and took a deep breath, trying to shake off
his attitude with Melissa's indifference.

“
She's decided that she'll become our
surrogate,” he said evenly, trying to gauge her reaction.

“
That's great,” Melissa exclaimed with
forced enthusiasm. “So what's the next step?”

“
We have to go to Dr Klein's office in the
morning,” Roy explained.

“
What time do we have to be there?”
Melissa asked.

“
At nine. Ettie will meet us there,”
Roy answered.

“
Okay Good. We can ride together,”
Melissa said trying to smooth things over. “And then you and I
can get brunch and you can drop me to the office. I'll take a car
home.”

“
Sounds great,” Roy said.

Melissa walked over to him and hugged him.

“
I really am happy,” she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head.

Later as they were eating dinner, a superb baked
pheasant with root vegetables that Ellen had prepared, Roy brought up
something that had been on his mind all day.

“
Melissa I wanted to talk to you about
something,” he said suddenly.

“
What's that? she asked.

“
You know I really got to know Ettie today.
She’s an amazing person and she is doing us a really great
favor.”

“
I know,” Melissa said.

“
Mel I know we offered to pay her seventy
five thousand to be the egg donor but I was thinking her mother is
sick with cancer. Her daughter is only ten and they live in
Southgate. She drives an older model car. I think maybe she is doing
this for the money.”

“
Okay, so what are you saying?”
Melissa asked slightly confused.

“
I was thinking that what she's doing for us
is asking a lot. I know the clinic arranged the fee but I think that
we should offer her more money, it's not like we can't afford it,”
Roy reasoned.

“
I see,” Melissa said. “I don't
understand. Did she ask you for more money? Is she trying to extort
us?”

“
Of course not Melissa,” Roy said
annoyed. “She didn't even bring up the money. She seems like a
great person. This is something I was thinking on my own.”

“
I was just asking,” Melissa defended.
“It’s not like she couldn’t just look you up and
see how much you’re worth. It’s all over the internet. I
personally think the money is enough. Probably more money than she
would see at any time anyway.”

“
You don't know her or her life Melissa.
That was very uncharacteristic of you, you’re normally not such
a snob,” Roy replied.

“
I'm just trying to protect us too,”
she retorted angrily.

“
It wasn't even her idea Mel. It was mine.
Just remember she'll be carrying our child for nine months. Don't you
want her to be comfortable and safe? Have a happy pregnancy?”

“
We’re also paying all her expenses
for those nine months,” Melissa added.

Roy looked at his wife for a long moment before he finally responded.

“
There isn’t a price I’m not
willing to pay to have our family,” he said softly.

“
Oh, now I'm the horrible person?”
Melissa asked, looking down at her plate.

“
I didn't say that.”

“
If you want to give her more money, then
fine, give her more money,” Melissa said throwing her hands up.
“I’m not hungry anymore. I’m going to go do some
work in the office.”

Roy didn’t feel that hungry anymore either.

Promptly at
nine
a.m.,
Melissa and Roy along with
their lawyer and friend Justin Richards arrived at the clinic to sign
the paperwork for their agreement with Ettie. She was accompanied by
a woman who was an older version of herself, except for the eyes. Roy
recognized her right away from Ettie’s description. He held his
hand out.

“
You must be Andrea Fraser,” he said.
“You have an amazing daughter. This is my wife Melissa and my
attorney Justin Richards.”

Ettie felt a rush of panic. She hadn't thought to bring along a
lawyer, not that she could have afforded one if she did. In fact,
bringing her mother was a last minute decision. Andrea had insisted
on coming along. Ettie was irritated at first but now she was
grateful. Her mother helped to calm her nerves. Andrea and Ettie
looked over the paperwork while Justin explained the various clauses.
Ettie’s hand shook as she signed several documents. Andrea sat
tight lipped the entire time. Ettie didn’t look up but she
could feel her mother’s gaze on her. She knew Andrea supported
her decision but that didn’t mean she agreed with what her
daughter was doing.

“
There is just a few changes to the standard
contract,” Justin said suddenly.

“
Changes?” Ettie asked.

“
Yes. We have enclosed a non disclosure
agreement. You are not allowed to discuss your experience publicly or
mention the Gardner’s by name,” Justin explained.

Roy looked up. Ettie could tell by his expression that he knew
nothing of the amendment. She glanced over at Melissa who didn't look
surprised in the least. Ettie wasn’t sure how she felt about
that.

Ettie took a deep breath and signed the document.

“
We would also like to talk about your
living arrangement,” Justin added.

“
My living arrangement?” Ettie asked
confused now.

“
Yes. As you are aware you live some
distance from the Gardner’s. They would prefer it if you would
live with them for the duration of your pregnancy.”

“
I can’t do that. Why didn’t you
tell me this sooner?” Ettie questioned.

“
Roy told me that you live in Southgate. It
would be difficult for us to be at your doctor appointments and we
would like to be there,” Melissa explained.

“
Well I can’t. There is no way. My
mother, my daughter. I have obligations.” Ettie trailed off.

“
Of course we can’t ask her to do that
Melissa,” Roy interjected.

“
I just think it would be easier for
everyone involved. When does your daughter finish school?”
Melissa questioned.

“
In June but my mother is not well. I can’t
be away from her.”

“
That is understandable. You don’t
have to live with us,” Roy said.

“
Well, wait a minute. I want her to see Dr.
Blue as her OB/GYN,” Melissa stated. “Can you make it to
those appointments?”

“
I have my own doctor,” Ettie said
somewhat annoyed at this point.

“
Yes. But Dr. Blue is one of the best in the
state. The country even,” Melissa argued. “You wouldn’t
have to pay for anything,” she added.

Ettie looked at her mother, who she could tell was trying her hardest
to remain silent.

“
I can see Dr. Blue. That’s fine,”
Ettie conceded. “But I can’t leave my mother and come
live with you.”

“
Okay, I understand that. But how about
this, once your daughter is out of school why don’t you, her
and Andrea come and stay in our guest home. You’ve already
agreed to take a leave of absence at work. Just until after the baby
is born. We will take care of all your expenses at your home while
you are away,” Melissa optioned.

“
Can you give me a moment?” Ettie
asked. “Mom can I speak with you outside for a minute.”

Ettie and Andrea stepped out of the room. Roy grew nervous after ten
minutes had passed.

“
Why are you pushing this issue Melissa?”
he fumed.

“
I thought about what you said and I want
the pregnancy to go along smoothly,” she said staring him in
the eye.

He could tell that she was not backing down on this point.

Finally Ettie and Andrea returned. Roy looked up in anticipation.

“
I’ve decided against my better
judgment, after Lily gets out of school we can come and live with you
for the duration of the pregnancy,” Ettie stated.

“
Thank you Ettie,” Roy said
gratefully.

“
Now that we’ve cleared that up,
there is a matter of the financial agreement. There have been changes
made to that agreement as well,” Justin continued.

It was Melissa’s turn to be shocked now.

“
Henrietta. Ettie. What you are doing for
Melissa and I, we are extremely grateful. We know that no amount of
money can ever repay your generosity. So we’ve decided that
seventy-five thousand is not enough. We would like to pay you two
hundred and fifty thousand,” Roy said sincerely.

“
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”
Ettie exclaimed. “That’s, I can’t accept that.
That’s insane,” she said shaking her head.

“
Please Ettie. We insist and we know how
that money could change your life. Please accept,” Roy pleaded.

“
I don’t know what to say,”
Ettie stammered.

“
Ettie,” Andrea said beside her.

Ettie thought about Lily and her future. This would ensure that she
went to college, that their bills were caught up. It would indeed
change their lives.

“
Yes. Thank you so much,” Ettie
gushed.

They signed a few more documents when suddenly Ettie spoke up.

“
Wait,” she said, “I have a
condition of my own.”

“
And what condition would that be?”
Melissa interrupted alarmed.

“
When the baby is born, I want them to hand
the baby to you first. I remember when they handed me my daughter
that was the moment we bonded and I fell in love with her. I just
want you to have that moment too Melissa.”

Melissa blushed. She wasn't expecting that and she felt quite
embarrassed for thinking the worst.