Chapter Sixteen

THE REST OF the night seemed like a blur of photographs, awards, music, drinks, handshaking, and a bit of dancing. Once the formalities were over, Belle hit the dance floor with her sister and mother but kept one eye on Georgia. Alex finally managed to lure Georgia, Tash, and Emily to the dance floor for a fun rendition of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” but once the music slowed, Tash and Emily partnered off and slow danced, so Belle and Alex swirled one another around the dance floor, while Georgia and Julie stood to the side, talking. Belle loved how easily Georgia fit in with her family. She’d almost forgotten Alex had first introduced them to one another.

Exhausted, Belle finally took a break from dancing and went to the table to grab a glass of water. Her mother wasn’t far behind.

“Man, it’s exhausting. I’m not as young as I once was.” Julie sat down and sighed.

Belle agreed. She’d finally let her hair down, but the lead-up to the event and hosting the event itself was exhausting. Throwing dancing into the mix had tipped her over the edge.

“What a fun night—you’ve done so well, Belle.”

Belle thanked her mum once again.

“How do you feel about Tash’s news? I know you knew about it, but were you shocked when you found out?”

“Actually, she told me they were considering it, which was nice. She didn’t have to. She wanted to know if I was happy if she used the girls’ donor.”

Julie’s eyes widened. “Oh, I hadn’t even thought about that. She did use the same donor? It’s all a bit strange, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think it’s strange. I think it’s nice for the girls.”

“Yes.” Julie began to fiddle with the edge of the tablecloth. “I suppose so, It’s just odd in a way.”

Belle was frustrated that her mother had an opinion on the matter, but she saw Julie think it over, and then she said, “Actually, you’re right. It is nice for the girls. I hope it’s not strange for you, love.”

“It would have been harder for me if it was Tash and Amanda, to be honest.” Belle paused. “I’ve fully moved on now. I hadn’t when she was dating Amanda. I’m genuinely happy for Tash, and Emily seems nice. I don’t know her well, though.”

“Well, that’s great. It’s nice when two people can co-parent well and have no issues with new partners. Maybe you and Emily will get to know one another, or maybe not. It’s nice for the girls, regardless. And…Georgia… She’s nice.”

Belle smiled, acknowledging her mother’s words.

“She wouldn’t be the reason you’ve fully moved on?” Julie’s eyebrows raised. She was trying to sound casual, but her question was anything but.

“Mum, she’s straight!” Belle responded.

“Oh, is she, darling? I don’t know these things. I don’t think I have the—what is it?— Gay radar?”

“Gaydar. You certainly don’t have gaydar. Georgia isn’t gay.”

“Mmm. Maybe not, but I’ve seen you looking at her.”

“A gay woman can look at a straight woman as much as she wants. She isn’t going to get her to change teams!” Belle laughed, exasperated. “I’ve never chased straight women, and I’m not going to make an exception for Georgia!”

“You were just a child when you and Tash got together, love. Of course you’ve never chased straight women. You’ve never had the chance.”

Belle hated that her mother knew her so well. “Well, I’ve told you before, I’m not intending on dating while the girls are young. They’ve got enough instability in their lives with Tash.”

“From where I’m standing, Tash is looking pretty stable.” Julie nodded toward the dance floor where Tash and Emily were still slow dancing and looking like there was no one else in the room.

“Fair enough. I get it. Maybe one day I will date. I’ll join an app some time. I’ll definitely avoid straight women. They can only lead to heartbreak.”

“Sometimes not following your heart can lead to heartbreak.”

“Mum!” she exclaimed. “Where’s Dad? Where’s Alex? Surely you should go find them?”

Her mother laughed. “I just want to see you happy, darling. That girl seems to make you happy. But what would I know?”

“What would make me happy is for you to butt out of my romantic life—or lack of romantic life.” Belle was grinning as she spoke as a signal to her mother that, while it wasn’t helpful, she appreciated her mother’s interest in her happiness. “I am happy, and I’m completely devoted to my girls. I don’t really have time to focus on matters of the heart, anyway.”

Her mother was serious again. “I had two daughters, too, and then they grew up and told me to butt out of their lives.” She winked at Belle. “Your devotion to your children is something I admire. Just don’t forget to look after yourself too. One day the girls will have lives of their own. It seems like it will be many years away, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly things will change, honey.”

Belle had to admit, even if only to herself, her mother probably had a point. Right now, in the thick of parenting, even if it was only half-time, it did seem like her days would always be about raising children, but she’d also seen how quickly the years had already passed in the girls’ lives.

“I think you’re right.”

“What’s that?” Belle’s mother asked. “Did I just hear you say I’m right, or is my hearing playing tricks on me?” Belle playfully wacked her mother and laughed. Her mother feigned mock hurt, but then embraced her daughter, and agreed she would go to find Belle’s father. Belle was secretly relieved that her mother’s grilling would be finished for the evening.

*

“I’M EXHAUSTED,” GEORGIA said at the end of the night, “but it was fabulous.”

“It was fabulous,” Tash said. “One of the best ones yet, I think, Annabelle.”

“Thanks.” Belle grinned, proud of her work. “I think I’ll call a cab and head home.”

“I can drive you,” Georgia and Emily both said at the same time. Of course the two pregnant women were designated drivers. “Thank you, but I may as well go with Emily and Tash— they live closer.”

Georgia screwed her face up. “I’m like ten minutes from you. Let me drive you.”

“It’s fine, I’ll go with Emily and Tash,” Belle insisted. “You’ll get home faster.”

Tash watched on as Georgia and Belle spoke, and then said to Belle, “Go with Georgia. That way she’ll have company for the walk to the car.” Belle wondered whether Tash really cared whether Georgia had company or not, or whether she, like Julie, thought that there was something between them. Belle rolled her eyes but agreed to head home in Georgia’s car. It was pointless to argue any more.

Once they were driving home, Georgia said to Belle, “If the blood test on Monday goes well, they want me to have a scan the following week. Would you like to come with me? Play the role of the good wife?”

“You’re pregnant now. I don’t know if you need me there.”

Georgia smiled. “I want you there.”

In some way, Belle wanted to be there anyway. “I’m happy to go, but I really don’t think you have to pretend to be in a relationship with me now. They’re not going to take the baby off you now.” Belle laughed at her own joke.

“Maybe not, but there’s still a long journey to go. Anyway, I’d like you there, if you’re happy to be. Next week, maybe email me some dates that work best for you the following week, and I’ll make the appointment. Just remember, it’s such early days, and my body has betrayed me for so long.” Georgia’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s every chance this won’t work out.”

“True, but Dr. Cooper also said there’s no reason you can’t have a healthy pregnancy with a donor embryo. This is so exciting!”

“I’m trying not to get excited. I wish I was like Emily, at the twelve-week mark. Then I could relax much more. But I’m so happy anyway.”

“It’ll be nice to have babies so close together,” Belle said, and then shook her head, realising what she’d just said. “I suppose you aren’t friends with Tash and Emily, so it doesn’t matter.” She couldn’t believe she’d said anything that implied a family connection, even though the babies were created by the same sperm donor.

“I don’t really have friends with babies. Maybe we will become friendlier. Or maybe not. But, the two babies share a donor, just like Cora and Ada. It’s a modern family, in a strange way. So, it’s kind of nice. They’re due eight weeks apart.”

Belle grinned as she got out of the car. “I love newborn cuddles, so I’m excited for the end of the year.” As soon as she said it, she had an uncomfortable feeling—Georgia was carrying her biological child.

When she’d decided to donate her embryos, Belle had thought it made sense and was a nice thing to do—to help out a family and potentially give life to the embryos. She hadn’t thought that an acquaintance would become the mother of her own biological child and that she would see the child grow up. She certainly hadn’t thought that person would become one of her closest friends. While Georgia was pregnant, their friendship was safe, but Belle realised this was becoming dangerous. And whenever Georgia looked at her, really looked at her, Belle realised it was becoming more dangerous than she ever thought possible.