I nodded, taking a mouthful of tea that was too hot, but swallowing it anyway. “We are. What do we need to do?”
“I’ll make an appointment at the fertility clinic where Ivy’s eggs are stored. Then we follow their instructions. I may need to be in London for some appointments - ”
“There’s no reason why I can’t come with you.”
She didn’t try to argue, maybe it was because there was no point. Maybe it was because she wanted me there. It didn’t matter.
I’d be there.
I met my brothers the following afternoon, congregating at Finn’s house where his two kids were settled of a sort, and Calla was playing in a make-shift playpen. The football was on the TV and there was a variety of snacks laid out on the kitchen island, which was never unwelcome.
We slobbed out on the sofas, the kids far too placid which suggested they’d already had a mad half hour before I’d gotten there.
“I need to tell you something and I need you to think before you react. Like, really think.” I lifted my bottle of beer, assessing how much was left in it.
Roe took a swig of his. Finn was on potential driver duty so a bottle of beer or two was okay for now.
“Go ahead,” my twin said. “What crazy scheme have you come up with now?”
“It’s not a scheme.” I thought for a second. “It kind of is, but not like you’re expecting.”
“It is about Iris?” That was Finn, drawing conclusions early on. Not that he was wrong.
“It is. It’s part of the reason she’s here.” I waited again, lending some dramatic tension to the room, just to be an arse.
“Well, go on then. Spit it out.” Roe kicked my ankle.
I kicked him back.
When our mam called us out for being idiots like that we could just say that it’d started in her womb, and she stopped speaking and started glaring.
“Iris can’t have her own children. She went through an early menopause which means she doesn’t have any healthy eggs. Ivy had her own eggs harvested and frozen for Iris to use when she was ready.” I breathed, remembering the rehearsed script I’d ran through my head on the walk here.
“Carry on. I think I know where this is going.” Finn folded his arms, and settled down in the chair, helping Elias climb onto his knee.
“She needs a sperm donor. Ideally, she’d like to have found someone to settle down with but that hasn’t happened. There’ve been a couple of wank- idiots, sorry – who she’s really liked, but they’ve bolted when she’s mentioned she could only have a baby with IVF.” I paused again, waiting for them to fill the gaps.
It was Roe who spoke first. “So she’s asked you?”
I nodded. “Her intention is to move here to Puffin Bay and we can co-parent. Our kid would have their cousins and uncles and aunts here, because Iris really is on her own apart from some extended family in London and over in Cape Cod.” I waited again.
They needed to have their say. I wanted their words, wanted to hear their questions and fears, because there would be those.
For a couple of minutes nothing was said. Calla gave a half cry and ended up being carried by her dad, which was like watching me with a child. Genetically, Calla was pretty much my daughter. Any child of mine would have a similar relationship with Roe.
Roe settled back down with her on his knee. “We took them swimming this lunch at the hotel pool and it’s absolutely wiped them out. Might not be a good thing.” He gave her a kiss, helping her to get comfy.
“I await your thoughts.” I was waiting as patiently as I could.
Roe nodded at me. “I get it. I could say don’t you think you should wait until you’ve met someone, but without being harsh and it isn’t personal, that might not happen. I could say the same for Iris too, but just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean you’re not going to meet someone in the future. I can’t say don’t do it, you’re a fool for considering it, because I don’t think that’s correct. And besides, Holland men make excellent babies.”
Finn laughed. “Yeah, not disagreeing. You need to have legal paperwork joined up before you do it. You also need to agree on how many embryos should be stored – or whatever the term is – and if Iris can use future ones without further agreement from you. Think about it carefully – what if one of you moves away from Puffin Bay? How do those decisions go? I know you’re saying she’s moving here, but how permanent is that – have something in any contract to cover all the possibilities. But seriously, this is better planned than a surprise pregnancy.You’re going into it with your eyes wide open and making a decision. You’re choosing to do this.”
His words were spot on. I wasn’t surprised by either of their reactions. “You don’t think I’ve lost my mind by agreeing?”
“You lost your mind long ago, Gul.” Roe shook his head. “That’s been long gone. Is it just friendship between you and Iris?”
“Just friendship,” I nodded. “We’ve been close since just after the inquest into Ivy’s death.”
