Chapter Three

While Rashid listened with half an ear to his wife’s ramblings about her plans for the baby, his thoughts centered on Gail. Though she’d agreed to Crystal’s request, he sensed she had as many reservations as he about the whole deal. It was nothing he could put his finger on, just a feeling no good would come of this.

He’d resigned himself to being childless. He loved Crystal and hated seeing how her desire to make a family with him ate away at her. He’d agreed with this plan because he wanted to see her happy again. After the last miscarriage, she had sunk into a depression from which she’d never fully recovered. He knew she felt defective, as though she was less of a woman because she couldn’t bear him the children they so desired.

Watching her almost bleed out had killed any wish he had lurking in his heart for a child birthed with his DNA. His wife was more important to him than any baby she could ever produce, but she didn’t seem to understand. Hence, this plan of hers.

He had nothing against Gail. She was a good woman who had been through a lot. Her husband, Jason, had been a good friend, and Rashid still mourned his loss. He had made it a point to keep an eye out for Gail’s wellbeing, just as he knew Jason would have done for him had their situation been reversed. He knew his wife well. She wasn’t the most sensitive of beings. It would be up to him to make sure Gail didn’t get hurt and was well taken care of during this process. She’d been through enough.



After their meeting, things proceeded rather quickly. They met with the lawyer and the terms of the agreement shocked Gail so much she almost backed out. In addition to covering all legal and medical fees, which she expected, Rashid would pay all of her living expenses for the duration of her pregnancy, and the eight week recovery period after the delivery. Plus, he’d promised to invest an amount equal to her yearly salary into her stock portfolio, which his firm handled.

“It’s too much,” she argued. “Is this even legal?”

“These are my terms,” Rashid said, refusing to budge.

Sensing Gail was ready to withdraw from their agreement, Crystal stood suddenly, reached down, grabbed Gail by the arm and pulled her from the room. As soon as the office door closed behind them, she pleaded, “Gail, please don’t make a big deal out of this. Accept Rashid’s offer. It’s the least we can to recompense you for what you’re willing to do for us, and it’s not like we can’t afford it.”

“It’s not what you and I discussed,” Gail said.

“I know, but take it anyway.”

Gail scowled. “Fine, I’ll agree. You’d better be glad I love you,” she muttered as she spun on one heel and stalked back inside the lawyer’s office.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Crystal sang, trotting along behind her.

Though she’d given in, it still rankled. In none of their discussions had compensation been mentioned and if they had, she would have never agreed to it. Once the contract was signed, they’d gone from the lawyer’s to Dr. Hagan’s office for the first round of exams. Dr. Hagan was the specialist Rashid’s personal doctor had recommended. A copy of her medical records had already been transferred. If everything checked out, the next step would be the monitoring of her body to determine her fertile period.

Two months later, she was back in Dr. Hagan’s office with Crystal by her side, being inseminated. It was amazing how fast things could go when you had enough money to grease the wheels. Crystal was more nervous than she, gripping her hand as though Gail were in labor rather than hopefully being impregnated.

Amazingly enough, either she was extremely fertile or Rashid’s sperm was potent, because his seed took root the first time. Two weeks later, they were having a celebratory dinner to the welcome news that nine months from now, Crystal and Rashid would be the proud parents of a brand new infant.

June—two months later

Gail awakened to the sound of raised voices. She was in the emergency room of Baptist Medical Hospital after having passed out at work. Rashid yanked back the curtain and strode to the bedside. She looked at him groggily. “Rashid, what are you doing here?”

He came to a stop by the bed and put his hands on the rail, gripping it tightly. “Where else would I be when the safety of my child is threatened?”

Gail grimaced and tried to sit up.

“Be still,” he commanded and used the remote to raise the head of the bed.

She studied his stern features before glancing away. “It was nothing. There was no need for you to come rushing down here. I simply fainted at work, and they overreacted. Before I could stop them, they’d called Rescue.”

She worked as a paralegal for a major law firm. The last thing they wanted was to be named in a lawsuit. Being given no choice, Gail had reluctantly allowed herself to be carted off to the emergency room to be checked out. If she had known they were going to call Rashid, she’d have put up more of a fight.

“That’s not what the doctor said. Dr. Hagan says you’re dehydrated and you’re not eating enough. You’ve lost too much weight and are far weaker than you need to be.” He eyed her steadily, his gaze daring her to deny it.