Richard hums, cutting me off. “Seems like a waste of everyone’s time to even entertain the idea if you’re too old to conceive.”
I haven’t been rehearsing for three days for nothing. I’m prepared for this one. “I have an appointment for screening this week. If I’m a candidate for surrogacy, I want to do it.”
There, I said it, without dancing around, without apologizing. I meet his gaze, and we stare at eachother for a few long seconds. I can tell he’s sizing up my resolve, the same way he would during a business contract negotiation.
Then he shrugs with infuriating indifference. “Knock yourself out. Or maybe I should say knock yourself up? Of course, I’d want my lawyer to look over any contract to makes sure I won’t have legal or financial responsibility for your mutts, but otherwise, maybe this is the hobby you need to keep yourself busy.”
“Thank you,” I choke out past the gratitude welling inside me. I truly am grateful that he’s not making this difficult. That it doesn’t have to cause a fight or unnecessary coldness between us. It means a lot to me. As much as I want to help Ian, I don’t want to ruin my family to give him his.
Richard zips up his carry-on and extends the handle, tipping the suitcase so he can roll it. “I’m going to bed,” he announces, even though it’s only seven-thirty. “Early flight. I’ll take the guest room. Send me the legal paperwork when you have it drawn up.”
I nod. “Have a safe trip.” I push up on tiptoes, hoping he’ll kiss me when he passes by on the way out of the bedroom. Even a peck on the cheek would be welcome. But he doesn’t.
He leaves me standing alone in our shared room, feeling a mix of relief and devastation at how little he cares about what I do with my body. I’m glad he’srespecting my choice, I tell myself. He’s a feminist. He’s putting his personal feelings aside so that I can pursue this path.
Later, after my shower and skincare routine, when I’m sure Richard is asleep in the guest room next door, I text Ian with an update.
Julia:I talked to Richard. He gave the OK, pending medical and legal stuff. What time is the appointment on Tuesday?
My phone immediately lights up with an incoming call from him. I answer with a whispered, “Hey you.”
“He really said yes?” Ian’s voice is barely restrained. I can practically hear his tail wagging through the phone. The joy rippling off him is palpable.
I can’t help smiling. “Yep. We’re good to go.”
“Julia,” he breathes. “This ishappening. You’re so amazing. I can’t believe you convinced him. If I was there, I’d pick you up and spin you around.”
“Let’s see what the doctor says on Tuesday before we get too excited.” But I’m excited too. My face is warm and my toes are tingly. Part of it is the thought of getting to carry another life. Getting to nurture it and watch it grow, at least until the baby’s born. An the other part of it is how excited and happy Ian is to be a father already. He’s going to be such a warm, wonderful dad, and I’m giving that to him.
I know I still have a lot of hurdles to cross. Medical clearance, legal contracts, the challenges of a pregnancy at my age…and a possible multiples pregnancy, if I can get pregnant at all. Telling my girls that they’re going to have half-siblings, but they won’t get to meet them. That’s not going to be a fun conversation. Enduring the well-intended reminders from Richard to stay in shape so I can bounce back after the birth.
But right now, I just bask in these good vibes and the happiness it’s bringing us both. It’s the best feeling I’ve had in years.
Chapter 7
Ian
On Tuesday afternoon, I crank up the volume in the Jeep and howl along with the radio all the way to Dr. MacDougal’s office. The legal paperwork I had drawn up yesterday is in the passenger’s seat, ready for our signatures. I’m so amped that this is really happening. I know Julia thinks she might not be able to conceive easily, but my nose doesn’t lie. We’re going to be one and done.
Now that I think about it, maybe that’s not such a good thing. I’d like more than one shot at breedingmy mate. My cock is in perfect agreement, so much so that it pops a tent in my jeans when I spot Julia in the parking lot, and I have to wait an extra minute before I get out of the car.
A smile breaks across her face when she sees me. Goddamn, she is beautiful. I know she’s not mine forever, but the thought that she can be mine for a little while? That I get to seed her and watch my pups grow in her belly? Those memories will last me a lifetime. I want to shake her husband’s hand for being so open-minded.
“I like the polka dots,” I tell her, referencing her gray T-shirt dress with cheerful green circles all over it. She has a matching green cardigan over it and is wearing brown boots that add a couple inches to her height.
“I like the plaid,” she says back, nodding at my flannel shirt. It’s green and gray, too, I realize. We look like we coordinated our outfits for a fall photo shoot.
I fold her in a hug before we walk into the office. It’s just a friendly hug, but I take a lot of pleasure when she melts a tiny bit in my arms, leaning into me. She’s eating up the contact as much as I am.
“Thanks,” she says, avoiding my eyes when we pull apart. “I guess I needed that.”
“Nervous?” She nods and exhales shakily. I put my hand on her lower back to reassure her as weenter through the office’s double-doors. “I’ve got you. We’re in this together, okay?”
She nods again, and then her eyes slip around the waiting room, taking in the patients waiting to meet with their doctors. Most of them are wulvers, but there are a two couples with a non-wulver partner. I can tell that makes her feel a little less apprehensive about this.
“We’re here to see Dr. MacDougal,” I tell the friendly-faced receptionist, a young Vulpine with “they/them” in small print on their nametag. “We have a 3:30 appointment.”
They brighten. “You must be Ian and Julia! Welcome. Congrats on taking the first step toward starting your family. The doc is running about ten minutes late, but if you two could fill out some paperwork while you wait, that would be great.” They pass us two clipboards, one labeled “Sire” and one labeled “Dam,” and motion to a section of the waiting room with empty seats.
