The next four months were relentless with fear and worry. We could not find anyone who fit for a donor for Hunter and there was nothing I could do. To relieve stress and in hopes of hiding my new secret, Bridget and I began running every day while the kids were at work. My days were consumed with finding new relatives and friends that could be tested for being Hunter's donor, running, spending time with the three kids, and sleeping.
On a Tuesday, Bridget and I returned to the house covered in sweat. She went to her room to shower as I did the same. When I came out, I was surprised to see Aurora sitting on my bed.
"Hey," I said with a slight smile as she looked to my stomach that was beginning to become too big to hide. I quickly went and swapped my towel for a pair of underwear and jeans. "I forgot you were coming."
She gave me a sweet smile, "how are you feeling? Is running still helping with the nausea?"
I nodded as I took out a shirt and slipped it on. I got a pair of socks and went to the bed. I sat beside Aurora as I slipped them on, "I have been better."
"Has anyone noticed?"
"Not yet, but it will be pretty obvious soon. Thank got it only seems to be one child this time. Otherwise it would have been noticed a lot earlier."
"Well, we need to get going or we will be late." I nodded before following her out of the room and finding Bridget in the living room cleaning.
"I have an appointment with Hunter's doctor today. Aurora will be with me so no need to worry about me. I should be home a little bit after the kids." She gave me a smile before nodding. I then followed Aurora out to her car but was surprised when she handed me the keys.
"Do you want to drive?"
I gave her a broad smile, "sure." She really understood me and my struggles. I had no control of my life right now and, allowing me to control our drive, was just enough to lessen my despair. We got in and I began driving but could tell Aurora was glancing at my stomach. "You're staring."
"Oh, sorry!" She stammered before letting out a sigh, "I am just surprised how little it shows."
I smiled slightly, "you should've seen me when I was pregnant with the twins. It was the size of a watermelon!"
She laughed somewhat, "has there been any success finding a donor?" I shook my head, "maybe he can last until you can donate."
"I don't want to leave it to chance. Four months is a long time."
"Could..." she paused and took a deep breath, "could one of your family members donate."
My whole body twitched as I felt my heart stop, "no. We have no relation anymore."
Aurora seemed afraid to speak and so the rest of the ride was silent. As we got to the hospital, we got out of the car and went inside. We went straight to the waiting area and sat down quietly. I groaned when I felt nauseous but was startled when Aurora guided my head to rest on her shoulder. I closed my eyes and leaned on her as she sat quietly checking email on her phone.
"Will?"
I opened my eyes to see a surprised Hunter and Shannon standing in front of me, "hey, what are you doing here?" I sat up and was surprised when they sat in the seats across from us in the waiting room.
"I have a check up. But why are you here? You should've called me." His glance went to Aurora before returning to me.
"Oh, this is my friend Aurora." I said as Aurora gave them a smile. "Aurora, these are my friends Hunter and his wife Shannon."
"Its nice to meet you." She said kindly as they smiled to her.
"I have an appointment also."
"For what?" Shannon asked and I paused with worry.
"Just a general check up. I never changed my general practitioner so I come here every once in a while."
"Will, are you ready?" A light female voice asked as I smiled up to my doctor.
"Uh, yeah." I stood but glanced to Shannon as she looked to the doctor.
"Dr. Tregard, you're now working as a general practitioner?"
The doctor looked to Shannon with confusion, "no, why?"
Shannon's eyes doubled as she looked to me and I quickly looked away. I stood and Aurora followed as the doctor came to walk beside me. Aurora followed close behind us as we went back to the exam room. The doctor gestured for Aurora to sit down in a nearby chair as I sat on the table.
From her work with a sonogram, she determined that I was pregnant with one girl, approximately five months, and that she was very healthy. As we left her office, we were confronted with Shannon and Hunter sitting at a table near the waiting area.
When they noticed me, I knew by their gaze that running was not worth it. They know. I walked to them with a sheepish smile and sat down beside Hunter and I gestured for Aurora to sit in the seat next to me.
"Dr. Tregard is also my obgyn." Shannon stated with anger, "so how far along are you?"
I looked to the table top, "about five months."
"It's a healthy girl," Aurora added as she squeezed my hand under the table.
"That's why you can't donate?"
I looked to Hunter with pain that he reflected, "yeah. The doctor told me that day. I planned to tell you but wanted to tell the kids first. I just haven't gotten the courage."
"Its his, right? It was when he attacked you?"
"Yeah," I whispered and fought back the urge to apologize as I knew it would make him mad.
"You're planning to raise this kid alone also?"
I nodded towards Shannon, "one more can't hurt," I said with a sad smile but braced myself from falling when her hand slapped me across the face.
"You are having another kid from rape! How can you act like this is a joke?! Take something seriously for once!"
I looked to her as tears tried to fall but I fought them, "I am more than aware this is serious, Shannon. But this is the only way I can handle it."
"Will is beyond dedicated to this kid. He is not taking this lightly at all! He immediately stopped smoking and drinking and even began increasing his exercise just to improve his health for the sake this child!" Her eyes softened as she looked to me, "he is more dedicated to this child than most parents ever will be and he hasn't even met her yet. Please, don't look down on him. He is doing everything he can even in a difficult situation."
Hunter sighed, "how can we help you? I want to be here for you."
I smiled sadly, "you have always been here for me. You don't need to do anything more."
We looked up when a warm hand was put on my shoulder, "Hunter said you were here so I thought I would come see you." His doctor said with a gentle smile, "I actually was planning to call you. Could we talk privately?"
I nodded before standing and following him around the corner of the room to a long hallway, "have you found a match?"
He sighed, "yes but..."
"What is it?"
"We found a perfect match that is on the list but we can't seem to get ahold of them."
"So why are you telling me this?"
The doctor paused and gave me a nervous look, "well...its..." he stammered with hesitation.