The Surrogate (Clearwater) Read Online Free Page A

her stomach, and tried to find a comfortable position on the table.
Lying on her back wasn’t easy or comfortable. Her back ached from the position
but it wouldn’t last long and, more importantly, it was worth it.
    He squirted a warm gel on her
skin before taking the wand and moving it over her stomach. Instantly the sound
of two strong heartbeats filled the room, her eyes filled with tears. It wasn’t
the first time she’d heard the heartbeats, but this time the sound of those two
little drums tore at her heart. Up until now she was able to distance herself
from the twins. How could she ever look at the holiday season the same again
when it would always remind her of the loss of her twins?
    “Everything looks good.
They’ve developed well. Their lungs look good. There’s no need for additional
worry, I believe your babies will be healthy even if you delivered today,”
Richard explained, his gaze on the screen before him.
    He moved the wand and one of
the twins’ faces came onto the screen. Jessi’s hand reached out as if to touch
her child through the screen. “Can you tell their sex?” Her heart was cracked
and tears now flowed freely down her cheeks. The additional information would
no longer allow her to think of them as just babies but as her sons or
daughters, yet she had to know.
    “Let’s see.” He moved the wand
down the length of the first child slowly, almost teasingly so.
    She wanted to cry out for him
to hurry, that she couldn’t wait a second longer when Michael took hold her
hand, interlocking their fingers. Their gazes met and she saw tears glistening
in his eyes.
    “Not that it will change
anything but I always ask my patients, what would you like?”
    Jessi look to Michael with the
hope he’d answer.  “Hopefully they have their mother’s good looks, so girls.”
He smiled down at her.
    Good looks? She
was completely knocked off guard by his statement. All the times they had known
each other, nothing like that had ever come to light. Did he really think she
was attractive, or was he just being kind?
    “Well, it’s too early to say
who they look like, but baby number one is a girl.” Richard moved the wand over
her stomach, to find the perfect spot for the second baby. “Baby number two is
also a girl. Looks like you two need to go back to Tiny Treasures and buy
pink.” He lifted the wand and set it to the side before he grabbed a towel and
wiped off her stomach.
    “Daughters.” Michael stood,
still gripping Jessi’s hand. His eyes were glazed over.
    “The look that crossed through
your eyes…I can tell you’re worried about their teenage years. You’re going to
be one of those dad’s with a shotgun anytime they have a date, aren’t you?”
Richard teased Michael with an ease that let her know they were close friends.
    “Just wait until you have kids
and see what a paranoid father you will be.” Michael was able to gain control
of his face, hiding the fear that was there only moments ago, which only made
Richard laugh harder. Michael held out a hand to her. “Come on, we’ll leave him
to his hysteria. Your time will come, Richard.”
    She pulled her shirt over her
stomach, then placed her hand in his before gliding off the table. “If there’s
nothing else?”
    Her question seemed to sober
him, forcing him back to business. “No Jessi, you and the babies are in good
health. If you have any concerns or questions, Michael knows how to reach me,
otherwise I’ll see you when you go into labor.”
    Michael’s arm was snug against
her waist as they made their way from the office building at the back of the
Clearwater Hospital where a number of doctors had their offices. It was also
the location of Michael’s office, allowing him quick and easy access to the
hospital when needed.
    Snow was falling when they
finally got back to his large pickup truck. He walked Jessi to the passenger
side and helped her in. She was finally able to take in the extended cab,
checking to see