When I got there the twins were waiting for me at the door. The entire trip they talked non-stop.
“Do you want to come with us to our first rehearsal Aunt Renee?” Dallas asked as we sat down at a picnic table to eat our cold treat.
“I don’t think Uncle Mark and I are doing anything. Sure, I can do that.”
“It’s going to be so much fun! I’m the only girl in the lost boys,” Jimmy bragged. I smiled; she was so proud to be one of the boys. I wondered if she’d still feel that way in ten years. When we returned Cleo stopped me. I smiled but she didn’t return it.
“The doctor’s appointment is next week.”
I gulped, wondering where this was going.
“I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous.” She crossed her arms.
“Are you having second thoughts?” I asked her and she shook her head furiously.
“No, no its not that. It’s just weird that I’m going to go into a doctor’s office and coming out pregnant. It’s a bizarre concept I guess.”
“Well this is just the first appointment, we’re not quite to that part yet,” I reminded her. “You’re amazing for doing this for us,” I added. She grinned ear to ear.
“I know,” she giggled, then grew serious again. “It will be so worth it in the end to see you two become parents.” I hugged her tightly and went home to find my husband and Derek brushing and putting bows in their pets’ hair.
“What are you doing to poor Beau?” I ran and picked up my dog. Mark shrugged and grabbed Bonnie to start grooming her instead. I don’t know what happened at that pet shelter, but something about that cat brought something out in Derek. He took that huge fluffy cat out of that place and has treated her like she really was a member of royalty. Duchess, much like the celebrity with the same name, was spoiled rotten.
“Big D needed new bows, so I thought our dogs would like them too,” Mark shrugged. I rolled my eyes and left them to it.
The next week the three of us went to the doctors. Mark stayed in the lobby while I went in with her. I hadn’t planned on going in with her, but at the last minute she asked me to.
The doctor assessed her quickly and within the hour determined that she was a perfect fit for surrogacy. I think we both squealed excitedly when she came back into the room all smiles.
“Our next step is to put Cleo on fertility medication, just to boost the chances. We’ll keep you on that for about a month,” she turned from Cleo to face me. “During that time, we’ll retrieve your eggs and collect your husband’s sperm and then, after the month is up, we’ll do the insemination,” she explained. Cleo reached for my hand and squeezed.
“Then what? I’ll be pregnant?”
The doctor gave us a tight smile.
“Fingers crossed. Based on your health, there isn’t really any reason it shouldn’t, but there is always a chance it won’t work. Just stay positive.”
She left us so Cleo could get dressed. When we left the doctors office we went straight to the pharmacy and got her prescription. By the time we got back to her place it was time to take the twins to rehearsal.
As soon as we were parked, they leapt out to join their new friends. I walked into the building at a much slower pace. I stopped in the lobby to grab a cup of coffee from the little pot they keep on for the parents and other adult volunteers. I chatted with a few of my old friends, Erin and Stacie. Stacie was doing costumes and Erin was on props.
Way back when, the three of us were all young and stupid and always together. We didn’t go anywhere without each other. It was a shame I hadn’t kept in touch with them. It made me sad, but it felt like I hadn’t missed a beat when I saw them now.
“So, after this production we are going to be doing some adult shows. Are you gonna join us?” Erin asked excitedly. I thought about it. Being here with all of my old friends was nice. Sometimes I didn’t feel completely in on the jokes and stories with Mark’s friends. They always tried to include me, Ethan, and now Chase, but no one could really fully be a part of the group. It would be nice to have my own friends again.
“Maybe. My schedule can be pretty heavy sometimes,” I said lamely. Stacie frowned and then gave Erin an eye roll.
“Yeah, following your rock star husband across the country?” She smirked.
“Actually, I don’t go with him when he tours.”
“So, you should have nothing but time! Come on Renee, we’ve missed you. You know you miss us too,” she teased. They bumped their heads together and gave me puppy dog eyes and pouty lips. I sighed and then relented.
“Okay, maybe one show. What are you guys doing this season?”
Stacie hurried behind the counter I was leaning against and began rummaging through some drawers. After a moment she produced a piece of paper with the list of shows. She handed it to me, and I began reading the list. Jeez, they really didn’t slow down.
“Is that,” I pointed to the next production after this one. “like the movie? With Parker Posey?” I asked. They both had matching sly smiles on their faces.
