CHAPTER 18
The following week was intense. The doctor had given her the food preferences, and it had taken a toll getting used to. For someone who had always enjoyed her meals, it was hard ignoring one meal and eating just a particular dish every time. After three days, she was almost back to her normal eating.
But somehow, she was able to stick to a plan. Finally, she was back in Miami, and the doctor was ready to do the needful. She had also been placed on fertility drugs and was checking in every day with the doctor. Even Jason was monitoring the whole procedure even though he wasn't in Miami at the time. He kept calling to check how she was feeling. She was beginning to grow fond of his genuine interest. He was going to be a great father. When the doctor confirmed the incubation had kick-started and the transfer could be done the next day, he had flown in from wherever he was to see it done. Jason Valdez was waiting for her in his office. He insisted on being there for the procedure. Evan smiled at him. She had brought Adriana along since he wasn't in town. But her sister had decided to wait it out outside. The doctor wheeled her to the theatre while Jason and the nurses tagged along. She was helped to the bed and her legs fastened. Scared, she held his hands.
Jason smiled and held her hands tight, "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine."
The doctor worked tirelessly. He kept explaining what he was doing. Evan barely followed his tales, but she could see Jason paid attention to it all.
"Here's the fertilized egg with the sperm. It's already formed." He said, holding up a test tube. "All that's left now is the implantation. I can't you. But I'll give you something to make you numb."
When she nodded, he went on to inject her. Everything became blurred after that.
A few numbing minutes later, doctor Tom announced, "So, it's done." He eased Evan up and informed them. "You can check back next week so that I can confirm the pregnancy. In the time being, you will need to take things slow for now. No stressful work. No running around."
Jason blurted out, "She's staying with me. I'll see to that."
"What? I'm not." Her response was sharp.
"You heard what the doctor said, no stressful...."
"I'll be fine. I'm staying with Adriana. I told you this."
"That was before the doctor told me how stressful the first trimester could be. I don't want anything happening to the child." He said in a tone that was both offensive and disturbing. The doctor knew he was trying to avoid going through what he went through with his late wife. Before he could voice his opinion, Evan replied, equally angry too.
Evangeline was irritated. He was back to his old self instantly, and she hated that. He was caring and friendly. The next, he was angry and wrecking her nerves. "Look, I can take care of myself. I don't need you to babysit me."
"Why don't you wait in my office, Mr. Valdez?" The Doctor pleaded. Jason stepped out into the reception. He started pacing back and forth. He didn't realize Adriana Swiss there. They hadn't met since the funeral rite of his wife. He walked up to her if Evan was going to birth his child, making Adriana a Swiss family.
"Hi." She greeted and sat down with her.
"Frustrating you too, I see." She smiled. Her sister could be both sweet and stubborn
"She won't stay with me." He told her dryly.
"She didn't want to stay at mine either. She had me go to this rusty old cottage no one's used in ages. I didn't try persuading her not to. I had to take her there so she could see for herself what she was getting into. Then I may have bribed the Realtor not to show us good places so she could stay with us. I can't have her leave by herself in such a state. She's never been pregnant before."
Jason smiled at the woman with profound respect. He loved her instantly, "Then she is in safe hands."
"You bet she is."
He stretched out his hand for a shake. As both shook hands, Evan walked out of the office. The doctor had just told her why Jason was skeptical about losing the child. Though she understood his plight, she wasn't going to let him treat her like a child. She had told the doctor she intends to take things easy, but he better see to it that Jason fall in line too. They had a mutual agreement then. Relieved, she stepped out only to find her sister in some kind of deal with the man. She eyed them suspiciously. "What is going on?"
"Nothing, sis." Adriana said and started to pull her away. As she did, they both stumbled on Mrs. Swiss.
Mrs. Swiss looked from one daughter to the other. She had been suspicious of her eldest daughter's continual absence. She was always rushing off somewhere. She had her followed. It wasn't a surprise to hear that she had been meeting her sister all along and visiting Doctor Tom. She knew it was about the surrogate thing. Here they were again. Her disappointment was plain for both to see.
Then she turned to the young man who had turned her daughter, "Mr. Valdez. A word please." As they both walked out of the room, Mrs. Swiss turned back to say to her youngest daughter, "Young lady, I think it's about time we had this conversation too."
Then to her older daughter, she added sarcastically. "If you don't mind, that is."
Adriana walked away, knowing her sister could handle this. But it was already too late. The procedure had been done and 90% successful already. There wasn't anything anyone could do. Not at this stage. And knowing mother, abortion wasn't even an option. Not that Evan would hear of that anyway. She wished she could let the mother know. The warning look on Evan was enough. The rebel Swiss was going to use that to her advantage.
