The Surrogate (Clearwater) Read Online Free

up.” She watched him walk to the
counter, before turning her attention to the bedding.
    Scanning the shelves, Jessi
wasn’t completely surprised to find that most of what she saw was for one sex
or the other. Nothing seemed to be unisex and since Peg didn’t want to know the
sex of the children, they’d never found out.
    He came to stand next to her.
His shoulder brushed hers, neither of them moved. “Zoe has two of the cribs in
stock as well as the changing table, but only one dresser. We can order another
one. It should be done at the end of January. How’s the bedding coming?”
    “Not very well actually, since
most are for either a boy or a girl. It’s one thing to get blue and it be a
girl, but I doubt you want pink with the possibility they might be boys. What
do you want to do about it? We’ll run into the same problems with clothes and toys.”
How had Peg planned to decorate the nursery without knowing? Or maybe she
didn’t want to know the sex because it was another way to keep her distance.
    “Then let’s solve that.” He
unclipped a cell phone from his belt and held it up to his ear. “Richard, it’s
Michael. I need a favor.”
    Jessi stared at him for a
moment, wondering what he was up to now. He walked away from her, as if he
wanted to keep whatever he had planned a secret. What did he have up his
sleeve? Her appointment with the doctor who would take over and deliver the
twins wasn’t for another week.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    They were ushered into an exam
room at Doctor Bowmen’s office without a wait. Jessi only felt slightly bad
that she was pushed in front of the others who had appointments. Michael gave a
quick wave to someone he must have recognized as they made their way through,
but his attention was completely focused on her. He seemed to share in the
excitement that was coursing through her. Finally she would know the sex of the
twins she carried.
    A man no older than
thirty-five, in grey slacks and purple dress shirt stepped around the corner.
She wasn’t sure why but had expected someone older. “Michael, good to see you.”
    “You too. Richard, this is
Jessi. Jessi, Doctor Bowmen.” Michael nodded.
    “Doctor Bowmen, it’s nice to
meet you. I appreciate you willing to deliver the babies here.” Her hand glazed
over her stomach again, it had become a habit since she found out she was
pregnant.
    “Please call me Richard. We’re
very informal around here. Most of us know each other, see each other around
town.” He opened a door and stepped aside. “Come in. Since you’re here I’ll do
your exam now and find out the sex of your children.”
    She stepped into the room with
Michael on her heels and Richard bringing up the rear. Sitting on the exam
table she didn’t feel anything but excitement.
    “So Jessi, tell me about your
pregnancy. Any problems I need to be aware of? Since your appointment wasn’t
until next week I haven’t had time to look over the file your OBGYN sent from your
last visit.” Richard stepped to the sink to wash his hands.
    “It’s been a smooth pregnancy,
no issues at all. I’m aware that with twins most people don’t make their due
date, but as of my last appointment everything was fine. The doctor believed
I’d at least make it close to the date.” Knowing the routine, she leaned back
on the table.
    “Excellent.” He stepped up
beside her waist, forcing Michael to move closer to her head. “Were you not
able to find out the sex of the twins before, or did you just change your
mind?”
    Michael laid a hand on her
shoulder. “Changed our minds, it will be easier to decorate the nursery and
purchase items for them if we know what to expect. I really appreciate that you
fit us in.”
    “Anytime. Now if you’ll pull
up your shirt we’ll see how the little ones are.” Richard drew the sonogram
machine a little closer, before angling the second screen to allow Michael and
Jessi an easy view of the twins.
    She tugged up her shirt,
baring