Chapter Seventeen

“AARGH, I’M SO nervous,” Georgia said, and Belle noticed her hands were shaking.

“It’s a scary time, the first scan.”

Georgia screwed her face up. “Yeah. I just feel like it’s taken me so long to get to this point.”

“You’ve got a lot riding on it.”

“And you too. I shouldn’t forget that this impacts on you.” Georgia grabbed Belle’s hand and looked at her intently. “You’re a big part of all of this. Without you, there is no this.”

“It doesn’t impact me as much as it impacts on you.” But then she looked at Georgia, wondering what there was between them. Wondering what her role with the baby might end up being. Wondering whether they were friends, or more than friends. Wondering what on earth Georgia saw between them. Wondering if she was just an embryo donor going along for the pregnancy. Wondering why she was doing this to herself.

Again, she reminded herself she was simply an embryo donor in a fake relationship with a very straight friend. But, at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling that her moments with Georgia were the most intimate moments she’d had in years. She couldn’t help but think there was something in the way that Georgia looked at her. There was definitely something in the way she held her hand. But did it only mean something to Belle?

The nurse called them into the room, interrupting her thoughts. “We do a transvaginal ultrasound at this early stage,” the nurse explained. “We can’t see much with a belly ultrasound, but once you’re twelve weeks and onwards, that’s how we’ll do it.”

“Okay,” Georgia said anxiously. Once the nurse left the room, Georgia got ready, then sat up on the bed. “I’m so nervous, my hands are shaking.” She held her hand out to Belle. Belle moved to the chair next to the bed and sat down, taking Georgia’s hand. During the scan, they held hands.

The ultrasound technician moved the ultrasound wand around inside Georgia, looking at her uterus. She then stopped on a blob that resembled a baby if you squinted hard enough. “See that? That’s your baby.”

Georgia grinned and turned to Belle, who had tears in her eyes. “There’s our baby,” Georgia whispered. Belle felt so touched for the inclusion, and so confused.

The technician continued. “See the flicker just there? There?” She pointed at the flickering on the screen. Georgia nodded, clearly anticipating the explanation. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat. It’s too soon for us to hear it, but we can see it. At the twelve-week mark, you should be able to hear it, all going well. But the fact we’ve got to this point is a very good sign.”

Tears sprang to Georgia’s eyes, but she was grinning. Belle was relieved.

They both had to rush to work straight after the scan, so said farewell, and Georgia gave Belle a hug. “Thanks for coming,” she said. “I can’t believe I have a baby in here.” She pointed to her belly. “It’s so surreal.”

*

“OH, NIKKI, IT was so wonderful,” Belle said to her friend on the phone after work that evening.

“I’m so happy for you. Or for Georgia. Or for you both.”

“It really does feel strange, I’ll tell you that much. I understand it’s not my baby, I knew that going in, but it’s all a bit weird.”

“I guess it would be. It’s not the usual way of things, is it?” Nikki pondered aloud.

“No, and that’s why I was so keen to donate embryos. I wouldn’t be a mother without the use of donor sperm. It’s only due to the kindness of someone I didn’t know that I have my girls. I wanted to give someone that too.”

“Yes,” Nikki responded, and then paused. “I guess it’s just that the sperm donor is someone you don’t know, while Georgia—”

“Is quickly becoming one of my closest friends,” Belle said.

“Oi!” said Nikki, laughing. “‘One of’ is fine, but, if you ever say closest, watch out.”

“No, that won’t happen. But I point it out, because I didn’t expect to get this close to Georgia when I offered. It’s not like we were close friends at the time. We’ve just become close because we’ve spent so much time together.”

Nikki sighed. “Do you think it’s your way of being close to the baby?”

Belle took some time to answer her, and then finally said, “No, I don’t. Because we were becoming really close before I even knew she would get pregnant. We just really click. She’s great.”

“Maybe you need to find a girlfriend, then,” Nikki said. “Maybe there’s something missing in your life. Maybe that’s why you’ve connected with her so much.”

Belle rolled her eyes. “I’ve told you that I’m really happy single. For the first time in my life, I’ve got the opportunity to just be me. Just because you and Jason are all loved up doesn’t mean the rest of us need that in our lives. I do not need a girlfriend, and I don’t understand why you’re even bringing that up, especially when she’s straight.”

“Just be careful, Belle.” Now that was something they could both agree on.

*

“HERE WE ARE again,” Georgia said on the day of the scan. This time they were not at the IVF clinic, but at an ultrasound place. “My hands are still shaking. I’m sure they haven’t stopped since I first did that pee test.” Georgia closed her eyes and exhaled, as if she was trying to calm herself down. “If all goes well, I think we should start to make the announcements.”

“Well, it’s really up to you,” Belle said. She was always clear to ensure it was understood that Belle knew her place in this—embryo donor, full stop. She didn’t want Georgia thinking she expected some rights over the baby, beyond what they had first discussed. Updates and photographs. Obviously, their friendship was blurring the lines a little, but Belle had to remind herself that friendships didn’t always last forever. She wasn’t going to hold Georgia ransom to a different kind of arrangement simply because they’d become friends.

When she and Tash had sat in this very waiting room, anxiously awaiting their scans for the girls, they’d discussed baby names, nursery décor, how much time to take off work, and who to tell and when. They had been completely there, together. In some ways sitting beside Georgia felt very different. In other ways, it felt just the same—the anticipation of a baby that was going to change their lives; the excitement and anxiety about what was to come.

A tall, young man called them in to the room. He introduced himself and explained the process. Within minutes, Georgia was up on the bed and the gel was being rubbed on her tummy. Up on the screen popped the image—a much more baby-like image than what had appeared weeks earlier. Soon, he tuned the sound in, and they could hear the baby’s beating heart. Georgia instantly burst into tears, and that started Belle crying too. She looked down at Georgia through her tears, and Georgia grinned, then reached up and wiped away one of Belle’s tears.

“Relieved?” the ultrasound technician asked. The two women nodded in unison, grinning through their tears.

“It’s been a complicated path to get here,” Georgia confessed openly. “And now I’m carrying Belle’s embryo,” she explained, and then reached to hold Belle’s hand.

“Oh, I see a lot of couples that do that,” he said. “It’s nice that it’s worked out, and that you’re now becoming parents.”

“Oh I’m not—” Belle started to tell him that she wasn’t Georgia’s partner, but Georgia spoke over the top of her.

“She’s not a first-time parent,” Georgia said. “This is just our first together.” Georgia smiled at Belle, but she frowned in confusion back at her. They were no longer at the IVF clinic. There was no reason to pretend anymore.

At lunch, Belle asked her why she’d done that. Georgia shrugged. “It is our first child together. I don’t know, to be honest. It’s complicated, isn’t it?”

“It’s complicated, but it needn’t be. I donated an embryo to you.” When she said it like that, it sounded simple, but it felt anything but. “I’m not this baby’s mother.”

“No, I will be,” Georgia said, “but what role do you want?”

Belle sighed. As she spoke, slowly, she shook her head. “I don’t know. I said photos and updates to you in the early days, but obviously we’re closer now than we were then.” Georgia nodded, but didn’t say anything, so Belle continued to speak. “An aunty type of role, I suppose? But with no expectations from you. This is your child.”

“Thank you. You’re one of my best friends now. I love spending time with you, and I hope you’ll be a big part of our lives.”

Belle smiled, relieved. That was what she wanted, but it hurt, even to admit that to herself.

Georgia continued. “Our children will be biological siblings too. Maybe I can babysit your girls, or you can babysit my kid? Let them have some sleepovers together.”

Belle silently wondered whether she and Georgia could have sleepovers too. She kicked herself for thinking it. Things were complicated enough without her getting a crush on Georgia. Her mother and Nikki were right—she needed to tread carefully. She simply responded, “I’m so happy for you.”

As they paid for their lunches, Georgia turned to Belle. “Who do you want to tell?”

“Just Alex, Mum, and Dad,” Belle said.

“Not Tash?”

“Maybe I’ll wait until later on. There’s no rush.” Belle decided to wait until the twenty-week scan but didn’t want to say that to Georgia in case it worried her that they shouldn’t be excited yet.

*

THAT EVENING, SHE invited her parents and sister over for a barbeque dinner. It was her week with the girls, and Belle often had the family over when the girls were with her. After dinner, the girls went to the lounge room to play, while the adults stayed at the table. Belle was nervous but just blurted it out.

“You know how we had embryos left over?”

Everyone nodded, and Julie said, “Oh my God, you’re pregnant?” Alex looked knowingly at Belle. She knew that Belle had intended to donate the embryos to Georgia, so would have put two and two together.

Belle gave a crooked grin in response to her mother’s question. “No, I’m not pregnant. I donated the embryos.”

Her father looked surprised. “You donated them? To a couple, or to science?”

“To a family. Well, a single mother, actually.” Julie and Clive looked at one another to check each other’s reactions. They both nodded apprehensively, clearly waiting for further information. “Do you remember Georgia?”

Julie audibly gasped. “Oh, honey,” she said, clearly concerned. She shook her head. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

“Good idea or not, it’s done,” Belle said flippantly. “And I’m happy with it.”

“Well, that’s…good.” Her mother always panicked first, blurted out her feelings, but would inevitably be supportive.

“What do you mean done, though? Done as in you have an agreement, or done as in…” Her father blushed as he spoke.

“Done as in done, and not only done. Georgia’s pregnant.”

“Oh, lovely!” Belle’s mother spoke up. “Another grandchild.”

“Well, that’s the thing,” Belle said. “It’s Georgia’s child, not mine. I’ve donated the embryo to Georgia, so it won’t actually be your grandchild.”

Clive fiddled with his placemat, and then said, “Well, it’s as much our grandchild as Cora and Ada, isn’t it?”

Belle shook her head in response. “It won’t be. Think of it as if I had a baby and adopted it out. Embryo donation is a bit similar, except that Georgia’s doing the pregnancy part too. If I adopted out a baby, it wouldn’t be your grandchild.”

“It actually would,” Clive said. “Biologically and as far as your mother and I are concerned, it would be. Anyway, if you’re right, and it’s not our grandchild, will we even get to meet the baby?”

Julie had remained silent during this exchange, but Belle could tell she was thinking something. Finally, she spoke up, directing her comment to her husband. “The thing is, love, Georgia is that lovely girl we met at the Gala. She’s a friend of both Annabelle and Alexandra.”

“Right,” Clive said, clearly exasperated. “So we’ll get to meet the child, is that what you’re saying?”

Julie nodded slowly. “I expect so.” She then turned to Belle. “Darling, it’s not that I’m not happy for Georgia. I am. It’s just that… Oh, darling, I saw the way you look at her.” She gave her a look that screamed sympathy and worry. “I told you not to get your heart broken, and now…” Julie’s voice was muffled, and Belle saw tears in her eyes. She suddenly wished she’d talked to her mother alone, and especially so when she noticed Alex’s eyes on her.

“Huh?” Alex said. “You haven’t got a crush on Georgia?”

Belle took a moment too long to respond. “Georgia’s straight,” she said.

“That wasn’t the question,” Alex said pointedly.

Belle shrugged. “She’s just a friend,” she mumbled in response.

“Seriously?” Alex said. “Are you okay?” She looked really concerned.

“I don’t have a crush on her. Mum’s imagining things. I’m happily single. I like Georgia, she’s a great girl, but I’m not looking for a girlfriend. I had one of those, had the family of my dreams, and look where that got me.” Belle was fighting back the tears but knew her voice was choked up.

“We just want you to be happy,” Julie said, “and getting some girl pregnant when you’re not in a relationship… Well, I don’t know about that, I have to be honest.”

Alex and Belle both laughed.

“It’s not like I had sex with her and got her up the duff, Mum! God, you sound like the mother of a seventeen-year-old boy, not the mother of an adult lesbian who kindly donated her embryos she no longer required.”

Even Clive started to laugh, and finally Julie, realising the craziness of the situation, also joined in. “You’re right, darling, you’re absolutely right. I just worry about my girls and their happiness. If donating your embryos to Georgia makes you happy, then who am I to judge?”

“To be fair,” Alex started, “I think Belle decided to donate to Georgia when they weren’t friends. Just acquaintances.”

Belle nodded her agreement.

“Maybe the friendship has complicated things, but it’s not like she donated embryos to Georgia hoping she’d fall in love with her.”

“Absolutely not,” Belle said, relieved her little sister was sticking up for her. “Not in the slightest. Whatever you think you saw between Georgia and me—which, by the way, will go nowhere because she’s straight and I’m happily single—well, whatever that was, it wasn’t there when I offered to donate to her. And maybe I wouldn’t have donated to her if I thought there was something there.”

Julie sat back in her chair and sighed audibly. “So you’re having regrets, love?”

“Not at all. I’m thrilled for Georgia.”

“I did think she should tell you about all of this early on,” Alex said pointedly.

Julie raised an eyebrow. “You knew about this?”

“Not that they’d transferred the embryo, or that Georgia was pregnant. I knew she was considering it. I rang her and said, ‘Tell Mum and Dad.’”

Belle rolled her eyes but was bemused—her sister, ever the tattletale. She spoke up, “Yes, and I said that you’d support me no matter what. After all, they were my embryos, and I’m an adult.”

“What about Tash?” Clive asked, his brow creasing. “Does she know? Because they’re her embryos too.”

“No. When she and Emily started trying for a baby, she signed the embryos over to me. She told me I could make all decisions about them. I’ll have to tell her eventually, since the baby will be a full bio sibling of the girls, but maybe I’ll wait until around the twenty-week mark. Just to be sure.”

“Are you sure?” her mother asked. “You don’t think you owe it to her to tell her sooner rather than later?”

Belle appreciated her mother’s confusion. She had gone back and forth on the matter herself—who had rights over the embryos? But all she could remember was how flippant Tash had been, that Belle would have all rights and responsibilities. Tash had wanted to sever her responsibilities over the embryos, and as far as Belle was concerned, that meant she had also severed her rights. Deep down, Belle was reluctant to have the conversation, because she felt guilty. She realised now she probably should have told Tash before she agreed to the donation, but she didn’t know what she could do about it, so it was easier to just let it go.

“Oh, this is all so confusing,” Clive said, and everyone around the table agreed.

*

THE NEXT MONTH passed quickly. Belle was busy at work, which always helped, and when she wasn’t working, she was spending time with the girls. She caught up with Nikki regularly, though less frequently than she had before Nikki and Jason had moved in together. Belle and Georgia talked most days, even if it was just a check-in text, but neither of them initiated many catch ups. Every Wednesday, Georgia sent a ‘bump’ photo to Belle, for ‘Bump Day’—the day in the middle of the working week. Belle looked forward to her Bump Day photos and had stored them up in a photo album on her phone.

She was both happy and a little anxious that they weren’t spending much time together in the second trimester. In the first trimester, they’d caught up so frequently, it was hard for Belle to focus her thoughts on anything but Georgia and the baby. But since the twelve-week scan, they’d only caught up a handful of times. This didn’t mean that Georgia wasn’t on Belle’s mind—she was, fairly constantly—but it felt different to when she saw her all the time. And now, at the sixteen-week mark, they were catching up for dinner on the Friday night. Belle was looking forward to checking in with her.

Friday night seemed to come around quickly, and Belle walked into the Turkish restaurant wearing purple silky wide-leg trousers and a flowing, silky white top to match. It was a new designer she’d found out about through her work, and she was enjoying wearing lots of different colours. She noticed Georgia at the back of the restaurant, wearing a blue dress. Her bump was growing beautifully, though much smaller than Belle had been when she was this pregnant. “You look great.” Georgia was glowing. Her olive skin had developed a shine, and she was grinning. She really appeared to be the definition of pregnancy glow.

“Thank you,” Georgia said. “You look great yourself. I love this outfit.”

Belle explained about the new designer and the various outfits. “I even have these incredible lilac harem pants, but I figured I couldn’t wear them here,” she said, referring to the Turkish restaurant. They both laughed and then got busy ordering the banquet dinner.

“Special occasion?” the waiter asked, and the women shook their heads. They both agreed the banquet was the best value and they got to enjoy many different things off the menu. The waiter agreed. “It’s my favourite too,” he said.

They started with breads and dips and made their way through to main course of pides, zucchini balls, vegetables, and salads, and concluded their dinner with desserts. During dinner, they caught up on work, their friends and family, and what Cora and Ada had been up to. “As of this afternoon, Tash and Emily have the girls, and so I’m going out with Lucy tomorrow afternoon, and then a quiet Sunday at home. I might catch a movie with Nikki during the week.”

“You seem busy,” Georgia said.

“Fairly busy, I often am on my child-free week,” Belle said. “But nothing too exciting. Just catching up with everyone. I don’t spend a lot of time with Lucy, but it’ll be nice to have drinks with her tomorrow afternoon. What are your plans?”

“I’m going over to Jo’s. She’s my cousin. She’s having a barbeque tomorrow afternoon. If you and Lucy end up feeling like popping in, just text me. I’m sure you have plenty to do, though.”

“Thanks, that’s kind of you. I think we’ll catch up in the city, though, and I’m not sure what we’ll end up doing. But I’ll certainly be in touch if we find we’re at a loose end. It would be nice to meet your cousins after all you’ve talked about them.”

“You and Jo would get on like a house on fire. Jo’s lots of fun, and I think you’d really enjoy her company and she’d love you.”

“Well, if I don’t get to meet her tomorrow, I’d love to meet her sometime soon.”

*

THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Belle met Lucy in the city. They met up at a bar and spent the afternoon chatting about work and life. Belle told Lucy that she’d donated embryos to a friend, though she didn’t tell Lucy who the friend was. They discussed the pregnancy and how everything was going. Lucy told Belle about a new job she was applying for. “Oh, would you be reporting to Bill Jacobs?”

“Yes, do you know him?” Lucy asked in response. Belle and Lucy always loved talking shop and sharing their insights into the fashion world.

“I did an internship for him when I was studying, and then years later I did a consultancy project for him. He’s a really nice guy, but put it this way—he’s dated nearly every assistant he’s ever had. You’re lucky you’re not applying for a PA role with him.”

Lucy said, “Thanks very much! If I get this job, I’ll now be watching as his PA takes minutes in all his meetings, seeing if she’s sharing lingering glances at him.” Lucy and Belle kept talking and laughing, and they were still laughing when Kate, Lucy’s wife, turned up at about four o’clock, with a friend of hers. “This is Riley,” she said, introducing the tall woman beside her.

“Sit down,” Belle said kindly. She was a little disappointed. She had been enjoying catching up with Lucy, but she assumed Kate’s arrival marked the end of their one-on-one time. “We’ve been sharing a bottle of wine, but we’re nearly at the end of it. Shall I get us something more?”

Riley shook her head. “Let me. Are you happy with the wine you’re drinking, or would you like something else?” They placed their orders for more of the same, and Riley came back juggling wine and beer on a small tray.

Soon enough, the four women were chatting, laughing, and relaxed. It was very clear to Belle that Riley was gay, and there was no denying Riley was good looking. Belle couldn’t help but wonder if it was a set-up of some sort. She couldn’t believe it—she’d told Lucy and Kate she wasn’t keen to date, and they knew she wasn’t a casual sex type of girl. Then again, she could be completely wrong, and it was merely a catch up between two groups of friends in the city. She figured she shouldn’t analyse it, and just enjoy her afternoon with three fun women. At any rate it was nice to be surrounded by gay women for a change. They shared stories and talked about books and movies they’d recently enjoyed.

A few drinks in, Belle was really starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. She was feeling relaxed, happy, and enjoying the afternoon. Suddenly Lucy and Kate started gathering up their things. “We’re going to head off now—we have a dinner party to get to.”

Belle started to protest, and then they added, “Riley has no plans this evening; we thought the two of you could hang out.” Belle rolled her eyes. It was clearly a set-up—a set-up she had no interest in. She was enjoying Riley’s company though, and she needed more gay friends, so she ended up agreeing to stay.

As Lucy and Kate left the bar, Riley looked very pleased. “Would you like an early dinner? Soak up some of the alcohol?” she asked. Belle realised she was actually hungry, so she agreed and the two of them strolled past various restaurants, looking at the menus. They settled on a little Japanese place and ordered up sushi and various teppanyaki dishes. Although it was awkward initially, they began to really bounce off one another. “Where are you off to after here?” Riley asked, her intent clear.

“Off to bed, I think,” Belle said innocently, but the response raised Riley’s eyebrows.

“And are you interested in company? I’d prefer to be direct, not beat around the bush,” Riley said.

Belle appreciated that she was so upfront. “I don’t really do that,” she confessed. “It’s not you; it’s me.”

“That’s a shame,” Riley admitted, and Belle couldn’t help but be flattered. “You’re a beautiful woman.”

Belle blushed. “Thank you, and you’re very good looking, yourself.” Belle wasn’t saying it just to appease Riley. She was certain anyone would find Riley attractive. She didn’t feel the chemistry with Riley that she felt with Georgia, but she certainly appreciated her looks. And then she wondered why on earth she was comparing Georgia to Riley when one was straight and one was gay.

After they paid the bill, Belle excused herself to go to the bathroom. Once alone in the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror and fluffed her hair up. She looked hard at herself—visibly tipsy, and yet sober enough to have a clear head. She pondered the proposition Riley had put on the table. She wasn’t a casual sex girl, but really, why was that? She’d spent nearly two decades in a relationship with Tash, so of course it hadn’t been an option back then. Since then, she’d wanted to be the stable person in her kids’ lives while Tash had had all the fun. But, now? Tash was now stable, or at least, it appeared that way. Maybe it was time she let her hair down and enjoyed herself, and maybe it would be just this once, or maybe she’d decide there was something there. Perhaps Riley could be a nice distraction from Georgia. Maybe Riley could help take her mind off their friendship, the pregnancy, and ultimately, her growing attraction for Georgia. A very dangerous growing attraction for Georgia. By the time Belle left the restroom, she had made her mind up.

“Would you like to come to my place for coffee?” Belle said to Riley as she reached the table. Riley looked like she’d just been told she’d won the lottery, and Belle had to admit to herself how nice it was to have that effect on someone.

The two of them shared a taxi to Belle’s home, and Belle made coffees while Riley stood in the kitchen talking to her. They made their way to the couch and chatted while sipping coffees. Belle placed her coffee down on the coaster on the coffee table, and Riley followed her lead. She then lent forward and gently kissed Belle, gradually building into a more passionate kiss. It was pleasant, she thought. Nice enough, though pleasant wasn’t the word she wanted to use to describe a kiss from the second woman she’d ever kissed. Belle found herself thinking about how Riley tasted like a mix of strong coffee, beer, and red wine.

Over time, their kissing heated up, and Belle responded more than she thought she might initially. So, when Riley suggested they move to the bedroom, Belle was definitely happy to oblige. It felt wonderful to be touched after so long, and her body responded over and over. Afterwards, they lay in one another’s arms, chatting. “That was pretty fun,” Belle admitted.

“Would you like to do it again another time? Would you like to see one another again?”

“I’m not sure—I’m just out of a fairly complicated thing,” she said, stretching the truth a little. Two years post-breakup was hardly ‘just out,’ but she figured it was best. “So, it’s definitely not you and definitely not because of what we just did—that was fantastic. Really fantastic—but I’m not sure if I’m in the headspace for anything bigger right now.”

Riley nodded.

Belle knew her hesitation wasn’t about Tash. Georgia was the main reason she was saying no. Belle wanted to get through the remainder of her pregnancy and work out her role in the baby’s life before finding someone else and complicating matters anymore. It was all confusing enough. Riley seemed like a great girl, and Belle was grateful that she’d now officially moved on from the ‘Belle and Tash’ relationship, but she certainly wasn’t ready to plunge into something new. It was the most complicated time for that. She wasn’t an asshole, though, so she said, “It’s getting late, so please feel free to spend the night.” It would be nice to be cuddled, and maybe they could have a lazy Sunday morning in bed. Repeat it all again one last time.

Riley pondered the offer. “It’s not that late—it’s only ten thirty, but it would be nice to have some company overnight. And don’t worry, I know what it is and what it isn’t.” With that, she reached over and started kissing Belle again, and as the kisses heated up, hands went everywhere. Riley stopped kissing Belle’s mouth and began kissing her neck, and eventually moved down her body, trailing her lips and tongue all over every inch of Belle. As her body started to respond again, Belle wondered if she was crazy saying no to Riley simply due to circumstances. She was enjoying Riley getting busy between her legs when her phone on the bedside shrilly interrupted. She glanced at the phone and saw Georgia’s name pop up. Georgia rang often enough, but never at 11:00 p.m. “I have to get this,” Belle said. Riley either didn’t hear, or didn’t care, and kept going.

“Hello?” Georgia started speaking down the phone rapidly.

“Belle, sorry to ring you so late. Did I wake you?”

“No, I was still awake.”

“I’m at the hospital.”

“Are you okay?” Belle was panicked. Riley suddenly stopped what she was doing.

Georgia started sobbing down the phone. “I’m bleeding. They want me to stay in tonight, and they’re going to scan me and see what’s going on.”

“Oh my God, I’ll come straight up,” Belle said. “Which hospital?” It was sobering news, and Belle suddenly stopped feeling the effects of the wine.

Riley sat up from between Belle’s legs and suddenly spoke. “Oh, crap. You okay? I can go, if you need to go to the hospital. I don’t need to stay.” Belle cringed as Riley’s voice echoed down the phone.

Georgia was silent, and then spoke. “Belle, don’t worry if you have company. Jo’s here with me.” Belle thought she sounded annoyed, but maybe she was just anxious.

“It’s fine,” Belle responded. “I’ll be straight up. I want to be there.”

As Belle hung up, Riley asked, “Everything okay?”

“It’s my friend… She’s bleeding, and pregnant.” Belle teared up as she spoke.

“Oh crap,” Riley said. “Very far along?”

“Sixteen weeks.” Belle’s voice was barely audible, and she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“Let’s call a cab. We can go together. I can go home after we get to the hospital.”

“Are you sure?” Belle asked, and Riley said she was. Belle called a cab, then threw jeans and a hoodie on, looking very different to the girl that Riley had met hours earlier. “Cute,” Riley said, clearly impressed, but the compliment fell flat for Belle. She was now kicking herself that she’d even gone home with Riley. She was clearly a nice woman, and they had enough chemistry, but it just didn’t feel right. In the cab, she looked at Riley and said, “I’m sorry.”

Riley didn’t seem to mind. “It’s okay. Your friend’s health is more important than a sleepover. We can take a raincheck.”

“No.” Belle looked down at her lap, avoiding Riley’s eye contact. “About everything. That this was a once-off.”

“Oh,” Riley said. “Well, if you ever do want a raincheck, you’ll let me know?” Riley wouldn’t let Belle pay her part of the cab fare when she exited the cab. Belle appreciated her kindness. “Hope your friend’s baby is okay,” Riley said. “And here’s my number if you get the time to update me on your friend, or if you’re ever keen on that raincheck.” With that, she thrust a piece of paper into the palm of Belle’s hand.

Belle flew to the elevator and pressed the up button, and then gave up and raced up the stairs. She was puffing when she got to the nurse’s desk. “I’m here to visit Georgia Reid. She called.”

The nurse rustled her papers, finally giving up and typing Georgia’s name into the computer. “Room three, down the left hall.” She pointed.

Georgia was lying in her bed, next to a short woman with short dark curly hair—clearly Georgia’s cousin Jo. On the other side, a nurse was fixing an IV drip. “Hi, I’m Belle,” Belle said as she entered the room, directing her introduction to Jo. She caught Georgia’s eye and moved toward the bed gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You okay?”

Georgia nodded but looked so frightened it nearly broke Belle’s heart.

“I’m Jo, Georgia’s cousin. She’s just getting a drip because she’s very dehydrated. I promise I was looking after her, but…” Jo paused. “I don’t actually know why she’s dehydrated. She was at my house and went to the bathroom and came back looking incredibly pale. She had quite a bit of blood. We came straight up. They’re going to take her for a scan soon.”

Belle appreciated Jo’s rundown of events. Georgia didn’t look like she was in a position to talk.

“Are you staying?” Jo asked Belle. When Belle confirmed she would stay as long as the hospital allowed her, Jo turned to Georgia. “I might go home and pack you a bag, then? And I’ll bring up some drive through coffees on the way back?”

“How long do you think she’ll be in hospital?” Belle asked.

Jo shrugged. “I suppose it depends on the scan results. But I’m dying for a coffee, anyway, and it’d be nice to get her some PJs or something.” Belle agreed, and after taking coffee orders, Jo disappeared. The nurse called the wardsman to take them up to the ultrasound room.

“I’m so pleased Jo was with you,” Belle said to Georgia while they were waiting. “I’m so pleased you had someone to look after you.”

“I’m so nervous,” Georgia said. “I knew twelve weeks wasn’t some magic green light, but gosh, I really thought…” Tears began to spill out of her eyes. Belle embraced her and just held her. She didn’t want to tell Georgia it would all be okay because she didn’t know herself.

The doctor on duty was a friendly, young woman, and she did the ultrasound herself. She talked through it. “Your baby is fine,” she said, and relief instantly flooded through Belle’s body. “The issue seems to be the position of the placenta. It might just have been bumped. Right now it’s at the entrance of your cervix. It’s still early in your pregnancy, so it might move. If it doesn’t move, we’ll diagnose it as placenta previa, and you’ll need a C-section.”

“But the baby will be okay?” Georgia asked, clearly very anxious.

“This baby is looking very healthy. It’s a big baby and might just be putting some pressure on the placenta. The placenta is in the wrong place, but they are a little mobile at this point. What I want to do is see you again in a few days, and then again in a month. But for now, I’d encourage you to get some rest, avoid sex, and relax a little.”

“Will I go home tonight?”

“We’ve already admitted you, and it’s getting late. I think the best thing is for you to stay up here tonight, and then go home tomorrow. Rest as much as you can.”

Georgia looked pale. Belle wondered if it was because she was dehydrated. “Doctor, apparently Georgia is quite dehydrated. Are the two related?”

The doctor shook her head. “No, but dehydration is common in pregnancy, particularly if you’ve had morning sickness, or been off your food. Are you okay?”

“I throw up occasionally, but I’m probably not eating enough,” Georgia said.

The doctor gave her a lecture on nutrition and made an appointment for Georgia with a dietician at the hospital. “I’ll make them for the same day as the re-scan, so you can get both done at once.” The doctor wrote appointments down on a card.

Not long after they returned to the ward, Jo entered the room with three takeaway cups of coffee. “Cappuccino.” She handed a cup to Belle. “And lattes for us,” she said, handing a cup to Georgia.

“Thank you, this is great,” Belle said, having her first sip. “It’s been a long night.” Georgia shot her a pointed look, and Belle remembered that just hours ago, she’d had Riley in her bed.

“It sure has. I’m exhausted,” Jo agreed. “I was up early getting the barbeque ready, then being social queen, and now, it’s almost 1:00 a.m.”

“I’m so sorry, guys.” Georgia filled Jo in about the diagnosis.

“You, rest?” Jo raised her eyebrows with a grin on her face. “I’d love to see that.”

Belle looked concerned. “Can you take it easy at home?”

Georgia paused for a moment, clearly thinking, then spoke. “I guess I can take the week off work. I can just let the laundry mount up for the week.”

“And who is going to cook for you? The doctor said you need to eat,” Belle said.

“I can cook for her, and drop meals over,” Jo said. “She’ll be right.”

Belle wasn’t convinced. “I have a spare room. How about you stay at my house? I’m kid-free this week. We can reassess after the scan on Thursday.”

Georgia looked at Jo who spoke up. “Well, it makes sense if you’re happy to. And if you’ve got Netflix and chocolate, Belle, I’m sure Georgia will be happy.”

Belle nodded. “I definitely do have Netflix. And cable too. And I can get chocolate for her.”

“Well, then, I guess that’s set,” Jo said. “If you’re happy?” Belle was worried Georgia’s might pride might mean she said no, but she readily agreed.

“Happy,” she said. “It’ll be reassuring to have the company to be honest. Oh, but Oscar…”

“I can take Oscar to my house,” Jo said, “if you need me to. You know I love cats.”

“Okay, thanks,” Georgia said.

Jo spoke up. “Okay. Well for now, I’ll stay here, and you go home and get some sleep,” she said to Belle. Then, turning to Georgia, she said, “Sounds like you’ll be discharged tomorrow, so then you can go home with Belle, but if you need me at all, I’m only a phone call away. I’ll walk Belle to her car. You try and sleep.” Georgia asked Jo to take her to the bathroom. It was clear that Georgia was very anxious. Jo took the pyjamas in with her, and when they came out, Georgia looked clearly exhausted, but much more comfortable than she had in the dress she’d had on all day.

“Let’s head to the car,” Jo said.

“Actually, I took a cab.”

“Why?” Georgia asked, frowning in confusion a little.

“Oh, I had a few drinks.”

Georgia shot a curious look at Belle but didn’t say anything.

“I’ll walk you to the taxi rank?” Jo asked and Belle nodded.

“Good night,” Belle said, and kissed her friend’s forehead.

“Night,” Georgia said with a sleepy smile and lay back on the bed.

As they walked toward the taxi rank, Jo asked her if she was okay getting a cab home. “I’m sure Georgia’s fine if you want me to drop you home.”

“You must be exhausted. Go up to the room and try to get some sleep. I’ll be fine. I’m so pleased you were with her today.”

Jo smiled and then looked at Belle. “Thanks to you for donating the embryos to Georgia. She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”

Belle smiled proudly, so happy that she had a part in Georgia’s happiness. “I wanted to donate my embryos—I just didn’t realise that I’d be donating to someone who would become my friend.”

“Well, I’m pleased you did, and I’m so happy she’s staying with you. I only have a small place, and the bedrooms are upstairs, which probably isn’t ideal for her. She seems so anxious.”

“Probably more anxious than the situation requires, but given the circumstances…”

“Exactly. Oh, Belle, I don’t know if she’s told you everything, but this has been such a long time coming. I seriously think if she was encouraged to be on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy, she would be.”

“I think I have the full story—from starting with Michael, to using a sperm donor, and now the embryo donation. I really feel for her.”

Jo agreed. As they got to the door of the hospital, Jo embraced Belle. “So lovely to finally meet you. Georgia has told me how amazing you are—non-stop—but it’s nice to finally meet you. I’d love to have you and the girls over sometime, but let’s get through this hiccup first.”

“Well, you’re welcome to visit Georgia any time this week.”

Jo grinned, and then hugged Belle. “Welcome to the family,” she said, and Belle grinned.

“I’m not really part of the family; I’m just donating to the family.”

“Listen, the Reid family welcomes people who have come to dinner once. You’ve donated a new member to the family. I think you’re part of the family, whether you like it or not. Anyway, you better get home, otherwise it’ll be daylight before you do.”

Belle hopped into a taxi, waved goodbye to Jo, and grinned the whole way home. Jo had made her feel so welcome, and she was relieved that Georgia was coming to stay. Belle sleepily decided she’d work from home during the week to keep an eye on Georgia. So exhausted, she fell asleep instantly once she finally climbed into bed.

She didn’t wake until late—about ten—but she quickly ate breakfast, showered, and dressed. As she was throwing on clothes for the day, she noticed her discarded clothes from the evening before with Riley lying at the foot of her bed. What a surreal twenty-four hours she’d just experienced. Picking up a woman and having a one-nighter had not been on her agenda for the weekend. Seriously, it was bizarre. She’d kissed the second person she’d ever kissed and been intimate with the only person other than her partner of nearly twenty years. And if that wasn’t crazy enough, she’d then made a mad dash to the hospital in the middle of the night and was about to get a new ‘housemate.’ Her whole world had changed since Georgia had innocently asked what her plans for the weekend were. The quiet Sunday she’d envisaged was getting upturned by Georgia moving in, though Belle supposed they would have a quiet afternoon sitting on the lounge suite talking.

After a quick tidy of the house, Belle drove to the hospital. Georgia was lying in the bed, but she had more colour in her face than she’d had the night before. Jo wasn’t in the room, and Belle figured she might have gone home to sleep. The drip had been removed. “IV is gone?” Belle asked happily. Surely that was a good sign.

“Yes. The nurse just finished taking it out. Apparently, things are looking good, and I’m heading home. Jo could have driven me home.” Georgia had an apologetic tone in her voice, clearly worried Belle had wasted the trip up. “She’s just gone in search of coffee.” Georgia then spoke again. “Ugh, listen to me, calling your place home. I promise I’m not moving in for good. I’ve always called places home when they’re where I’m staying—hotels, friend’s houses. Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Belle said, shaking her head. “I’m happy to have a housemate.”

The two women grinned at one another, and Jo came bustling in. “Oh, God, you’re here, Belle. If only someone had texted me, I could have got you a coffee too. But God, the whole thing was crazy. The queue was a mile long. You’re best off avoiding it, unless you’re desperate.” She was looking at Belle. “And I was desperate.”

Jo handed a takeaway coffee to Georgia, who looked at the cup, and then spoke in Belle’s direction. “You know I’d given up coffee during the pregnancy? This is my third since last night. Jo is a really bad influence on me.”

Jo playfully wacked her cousin. “Doesn’t help that we were both exhausted,” Jo justified.

“I think I drank coffee through my entire pregnancy with Ada. I tried to give it up, but I had Cora keeping me up at night. There was no way. I certainly reduced my consumption. It was a token effort.” She didn’t want Georgia to feel she had to justify her eating and drinking to her. “Just remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect pregnancy. Even the doctors say everything in moderation.”

Once Georgia was discharged, Belle, Georgia, and Jo walked to the carpark. Jo deposited Georgia’s bag into the boot of Belle’s car and then said goodbye.

At home, Belle settled Georgia into the guest room and gave her a lesson on the remote control and various television options. “Have you called in sick for tomorrow?” Georgia nodded, and Belle then told her that she planned to work from home. “I don’t know though, whether you’d prefer to be alone, or have me at your beck and call?”

“Can you even work well from home? What’s your week like this week?”

“I think I can, but I might go in tomorrow to check out things, bring a few things home. Even if I do go into the office, I’ll not be far, so just call me if you need anything. Do you want some books or anything?”

“Actually, Jo got me some off my nightstand, so I should be kept busy enough between that and the TV.”

That evening, after dinner, they sat watching mindless television. Belle’s phone rang at about 8:00 p.m. Belle apologised, and answered the phone, talking as quietly as she could, while Georgia continued watching the program.

“Hello?”

“Oh, hi, it’s Riley.”

“Oh…hi…” Belle blushed instantly.

“I got your number off Lucy. I know I gave you my number, but I didn’t get yours.” Belle was going to give Lucy a piece of her mind when she saw her next. “I hope you don’t think I’m a creepy stalker,” Riley laughed. “I mostly wanted to catch up and see how your friend was.”

As Riley mentioned Georgia, Belle glanced at her, actively watching the television. “She’s okay. The baby’s fine.” Georgia glanced at Belle, but then looked back to the television quickly.

“That’s great.”

“It is great. Thanks.”

There was awkward silence between the two of them; then Riley spoke up. “So, I really enjoyed last night. I was sorry it was cut short, though I totally understand you wanted to be with your friend. I wondered if we could take two. I know you said it was a once-off, but maybe you woke up smiling this morning.” There was a flirty undertone to Riley’s voice.

Belle noticed that Georgia was engrossed in her television show, so responded, quietly. “Sorry, Riley. I meant what I said, I don’t usually do that, and I’m not actually looking for anything. It was fun, but I really am not in the right space for that.”

When she looked back at Georgia, she was watching Belle, not the screen.

*

THE NEXT EVENING, over dinner, Georgia brought the topic up. “When I rang you from the hospital, you had company…” she said, placing her fork down on her plate.

Belle paused before responding, and then figured Georgia wouldn’t care—they weren’t in a relationship together, after all. She slowly nodded. “I did.”

“Was it Lucy?”

Belle considered using the ‘out’ Georgia was giving her, but she’d learnt the hard way how much dishonesty could impact on relationships, and she included important friendships in that category, so instead she shook her head. “It was a friend of Lucy’s, someone I met through her.”

“Ah.” Georgia was silent for a moment. Belle briefly looked away, but it seemed that was enough for Georgia to draw her own conclusion. “And that was her on the phone last night?” Belle nodded, again.

“Are you and her…?” She used her pointer finger, shaking it back and forth.

Belle shook her head in response. “No, we’re not.” Georgia simply bit her lip in response. Belle worried that Georgia might think she did this type of thing often and didn’t know whether explaining that made it sound better or worse. It would certainly implicate her, so if there was any chance Georgia didn’t suspect correctly what had gone on, it was best left. The awkwardness that was suddenly felt between them meant Belle suspected Georgia did indeed know. If it were Nikki, she would want all the goss and demand Belle tell her every sordid detail. Perhaps she and Georgia simply didn’t know one another well enough for that, or perhaps there was another reason the mood had turned awkward rather than fun and full of teasing. Was she just reading something into it?

Belle stood up. “I’ll do the dishes, then.” She quickly busied herself clearing the dinner plates.

*

THANKFULLY THE AWKWARDNESS seemed to be short-lived. The week passed, with Belle working between home and the office, cooking dinner for the two of them, and generally pampering Georgia as much as possible. When she wasn’t with her, she couldn’t stop thinking about her, and when she was with her, she basked in every moment they spent together. Being together was just easy. It was fun. They made one another laugh, and even when they weren’t talking, it was still comfortable. Just being side by side felt right.

The only discomfort Belle felt was wondering if the chemistry she sensed between them was mutual. Surely, she couldn’t be wrong about something she felt so strongly? And yet, because Georgia was pregnant—with her biological child, mind you—Belle was particularly hesitant to even suggest there could be something between them in case that sent Georgia running. Plus, Georgia was straight. She had never mentioned interest in females, and so Belle had to tread carefully not to get her heart broken. She’d sworn off women long ago, and nothing was going to change that—certainly not the beautiful, but very straight woman carrying her biological child and currently living with her. She was still happily single, devoted to her daughters, and she kept reminding herself she wasn’t looking for a relationship. Riley was on offer if she really needed someone. An easy, comfortable friendship was something rare, and she didn’t need to do anything to ruin that, especially with Georgia’s baby on the way.

One evening, as they were eating dinner, Belle asked Georgia if she was finding out the sex of the baby. She usually asked this question of her pregnant friends early on but had kept avoiding the topic waiting for a ‘safe’ moment in the pregnancy. Now it seemed that the baby would be okay—the only questions that seemed up in the air were what type of birth Georgia could have, if she could work up until the birth, and whether or not she needed to be on bed rest.

“I’m only asking because you’re nearly seventeen weeks; they might be able to see at the scan tomorrow,” Belle explained.

Georgia crinkled her nose. “I don’t think I will.”

“Really?” Belle was surprised. Most people seemed to find out these days.

“I’m enjoying wondering. I keep changing what I think.” Georgia had a shy smile on her face.

“What do you think it is?”

“A girl. But before, I was adamant it was a boy. Now I’m pretty sure it will be a girl. Who knows what I will think later?” She smiled. “What do you think it is?”

Whenever Belle had pictured her third child, it was another girl in her mind. Because Georgia was carrying the embryo that might have been Belle’s third child had she carried, she assumed it was a girl all along. She was desperate to find out, and a little disappointed that Georgia wasn’t going to find out. “I think it’s a girl,” Belle said. “I couldn’t bear to wait. Tash wanted to wait with Cora, but I was insistent, and then we found out for Ada too.”

Georgia was silent for a moment, and then spoke. “The hardest part of not knowing is coming up with two names.”

“Oh, I had two names anyway. I love knowing that if I were a boy, I would have been Angus, and if Alex were a boy, she would have been…well…Alex. Alexander, not Alexandra, obviously. So, I wanted my kids to have that. I told Tash we had to come up with names before we found out the sex.”

“How did you come up with Cora and Ada? They’re lovely names.”

“Thanks. When we lived in the UK, I worked with a wonderful Irish girl called Cora, and I always liked her name. When I was pregnant, I suggested Cora if it was a girl, and maybe Caleb if she was a boy.”

“Caleb is nice too.”

“Yes, I think I like the hard c sound, because I picked Corey if Ada was a boy. But Tash was worried about Cora and Corey being so similar.” Georgia grimaced, clearly showing she agreed with Tash.

“I hadn’t even thought about it. I should have, because, well, Annabelle and Alexandra.” She shrugged as she referred to her and her sister’s names. “It always seemed a bit much. That’s why we use our nicknames, I think.”

Georgia laughed. “Annabelle and Alexandra are much better, but Cora and Corey are a bit much.”

“Yeah, they really are. She picked Noah.”

“I like Noah. How did you pick Ada?”

“It wasn’t after anyone we knew or anything. Tash found it in a baby name book, and I really liked it. Short, but a pretty name, and it seemed to go with Cora. Nothing over the top, but pleasant. I’m so happy with both of their names.”

“I like them too. It’s so hard to decide. I want something that goes well with Reid, but I like a few one syllable names. Jade Reid, Blake Reid, Claire Reid, James Reid—I don’t think any of them sound good.”

“You’ve got a bit of time to decide. Keep thinking it over. I wrote a list, and then spent a week talking to the baby using that name and realising it wouldn’t work for me. Because even once we knew the sex, we weren’t 100 per cent locked in on the baby’s name, we kept going back and forth.”

“That’s a good idea, actually.”

*

AT THE HOSPITAL the next morning, they were sitting in the waiting room with Jo, catching up on the week they’d had. “I have a lot to share,” Georgia laughed, “from the movies to the TV shows, and the books—it has been an eventful week for me!”

“Sounds perfect, actually,” Jo mused.

“I do joke, but I actually had a great week. And Belle has looked after me so well. I’m very lucky.” Belle smiled at Georgia.

Jo glanced at her watch. “This wait is taking forever. My tummy’s rumbling. Anyone want to share some hot chips?”

Georgia’s eyes widened in anticipation. “Make it a large. I’m eating for two, remember!”

Jo jumped up and started to walk away. “Belle?”

“I wouldn’t say no to pinching a couple, put it that way.”

“I bet she comes back with a coffee too. The chips are just a ruse to hide her coffee addiction.” Georgia laughed as Jo sailed down the hallway.

“Oh, if she was offering coffee and chips, she might have become my favourite person!”

Georgia feigned disgust. “And there I was thinking I was your favourite person.”

Belle felt the moment turn awkward.

“I’m starving. I’m so looking forward to chips, actually.” Georgia broke the silence.

“I mustn’t have been feeding you enough…since you’re eating for two.”

“I actually have eaten so much, thank you. You have given me loads of comfort food. I think my tummy has grown this week.” Georgia stood up and held her hands under her bump. Belle was grinning at it as Georgia paraded back and forth. At that moment, two women walked down the hall, past the open waiting room, then one instantly did a double-take and returned. “Georgia?”

Belle and Georgia looked up, and Belle cringed when she noticed it was Emily whose bump was getting much larger.

“Tash!” Emily called down the hall. “It’s Belle and Georgia.”

Georgia was still embracing her bump when Tash looked at her and then to Belle. “What are you doing here?” she asked in confusion.

“I’m having a scan,” Georgia said. “Did Belle tell you I’m having a baby too?”

“No.” Tash said. “Congratulations. How far along are you?”

“Nearly seventeen weeks,” Georgia said proudly. “Actually, I found out the day of the fashion gala, when I met you. When I found out about your pregnancy”—she directed that at Emily—“but it was too early for me to share. I thought Belle might have told you.” Belle sat there awkwardly, and she noticed Tash shoot a strange look in her direction.

“Well, no, she didn’t, but she doesn’t always tell me about her friend’s pregnancies.” Belle wondered if she imagined it, but she thought she picked up an edge to Tash’s voice and wondered what on earth Tash was thinking. “It’s nice that you’re such close friends that you can be Georgia’s support person at the scan, Belle.” Okay, she hadn’t imagined it, Belle thought, the edge to her voice was clearly there.

At that moment, Jo burst into the waiting room, carrying three overflowing bags of hot chips, and balancing a coffee in her elbow. “The queue was so long that by the time I got to the top, I had to get a coffee. I would have texted you, but”—she shrugged—“my hands were full. Hi, I’m Jo.” Jo grinned when she saw Tash and Emily standing over Belle and Georgia. Noticing Emily’s bump, Jo said, “Sit down, please, you can have some chips. I bought heaps. I can feed an army of pregnant women.”

“Oh, no,” Tash protested, “we have to rush.”

Emily shook her head. “We don’t. We don’t have anywhere to be.” Tash shot her a look that Belle remembered from their days together as being the “shut up, be a team here” signal. She couldn’t hide her small grin as she noticed Emily ignore the look—either she hadn’t noticed or was deliberately avoiding it, a skill that Belle herself had tried to master over the years. Emily sat down next to Georgia and said, “I’m starving, and those chips look great.”

Tash practically rolled her eyes in front of them, but only Belle noticed, as Georgia and Emily shared chips and pregnancy stories, and Jo watched on their chatter, participating when she could. Tash finally, and reluctantly, sat down next to Belle. “What’s going on?” Tash asked.

“We’re just waiting for this scan. We’ll be called in soon, I think.” Belle wasn’t giving anything anyway. She needed to tell Tash the story, but now wasn’t the time or place. Besides, she figured they’d be called in for their appointment soon enough. They’d been waiting long enough after all.

“Three of you here? They usually only let one support person in for a scan, don’t they?” Belle glanced at Georgia. On the plus side, catching up with Tash and Emily seemed to have reduced Georgia’s fears; she was now looking quite relaxed and flushed in the cheeks as Georgia and Emily shared all their aches, pains, and pregnancy laughs and horror stories. There was something about pregnancy that seemed to unite women. Tash was clearly confused, or fishing for information, and Belle was trying to work out what Tash was thinking. She liked that, for a change, Tash was the one left guessing.

Belle merely shrugged in response. “I’m not sure—we just both wanted to be here today. We will see when they call Georgia in. Did you have a scan too? How is everything?”

“We had an appointment with the midwife.” Tash pointed toward the antenatal rooms. “She said everything is going really well. Emily’s twenty-five weeks now. Not too long, though the last trimester feels the longest, from memory.”

“How are the girls?” Belle asked.

“Doing well. Cora has soccer this afternoon.”

“Oh, of course. Who is going to soccer?” Belle asked casually, as if she was just making conversation.

“Just me—Emily will stay home with Ada. We had a couple of busy days, so it’ll be good for Ada to have a quiet one in with Em.”

“Is it okay if I pop along to watch Cora? We could have a chat?” Belle was hoping to have an opportunity to talk to Tash, and clearly from the way Tash was looking at her, seeking answers, it seemed important.

“That would be great,” Tash said pointedly. “Five thirty p.m. at the Griffith ovals. I’m sure Cora would love to see you there.”

The scan, thankfully, went well, and both Belle and Jo were allowed in the room as support people. Although the doctor indicated that the placenta was still in a concerning position, she was confident it would move by the birth. If it didn’t, Georgia would need a C-section. Georgia asked her about work and bed rest. The doctor shook her head. “You don’t need bed rest. You can work but try to take it easy when you’re home. Don’t carry anything too heavy and avoid sex. We’ll see how things are again at the twenty-week scan.”

After the doctor left the room, Georgia turned to Jo and laughed. “No sex, dammit! Not like there was any on the agenda.”

The three women went to lunch after the scan. “So, what’s the plan now? You’re back at work next week?” Jo asked. “Or will you take some more time off?”

“No. All back to normal next week. I want to save up my leave as much as I can.”

Jo agreed. “That makes sense.”

“I’m still a little anxious, but I’ll just need to take it easy. At least Belle will get her spare room back.”

Belle was disappointed to hear it. “You don’t need to go. I’m happy for you to stay with me until the twenty-week scan. I know eventually you’ll want to be back at home to ‘nest,’ but I’ve got heaps of room, and I think it’s been working. If you want.”

“It’s been working because you’ve been feeding me loads of carbs and sweet treats.” Georgia’s eyes were sparkling. “I don’t mind. I’m okay at home.”

“But you do need to do groceries, cook, clean, do laundry at home…” Jo said. “You being with Belle makes me worry less, I must admit. It’s probably selfish of me to say that.”

Georgia looked at Belle, and Belle smiled. “It’s up to you, George.”

“Well, I’ll stay until the end of the weekend, at least. That was always our plan. But I may as well stay. It’s nice to have the company.”

“Just in case there’s any more bleeding.” Jo said, and Georgia nodded.

“Oh, the girls are back tomorrow, aren’t they? Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay?” Georgia spoke once she realised.

“Sure. I’ll chat to Tash this afternoon. I’ve told Tash I will go watch Cora play soccer.”

“That was a bit weird seeing her,” Georgia admitted. “Of all the people to see at the hospital.”

“Well, you and Emily are both pregnant. The antenatal clinic is where pregnant women go,” Belle said, but she was certainly sounding more casual than she felt. It had been the worst timing.

Georgia nodded her agreement.

“Who are they?” Jo asked. “I meant to ask before, and then we got called in for the scan, and then got carried away with all of that.”

“The tall one is Belle’s ex-wife,” Georgia explained, “of twenty years.” She raised her eyebrows as she spoke.

“Gosh, you don’t look old enough to have been married twenty years,” Jo said.

“We weren’t actually married and we started dating when I was fifteen.”

“Oh, childhood sweethearts. So cute.”

“Yes, so cute until she cheated on me.” Belle could hear the bitterness in her voice and hated that Tash still made her resort to that.

“So she’s the other mother to your kids? Did you carry or did she?”

“I carried, but yes, she’s the other mother. And Emily is her new partner—not the one she cheated on me with, thank goodness—and they’re having a baby.”

“Using the same sperm donor as the donor for this one,” Georgia said, pointing to her stomach.

It all pieced together for Jo, and she sighed. “Complicated, isn’t it?”

*

CORA WAS THRILLED to see both of her mothers at soccer, but neither of them actually paid much attention to the game.

“So, what made you take the morning off work, and go to the hospital with Georgia? What’s going on there?” Tash’s question was pointed, and Belle had no idea what she was thinking.

“Georgia and I met through Alex some time ago. We’ve become really close friends. She had an issue with her pregnancy, and I wanted to be there to help her.”

“Okay, but that’s it?” Belle didn’t answer her immediately, and Tash didn’t wait for a response, she kept talking. “I mean, you don’t owe me an explanation, but it was a bit strange. She had another friend there.”

“Her cousin,” Belle interrupted.

“Right. So, are you dating?”

Belle didn’t know whether to just tell her, and what to say, so just shook her head in response.

“But you’re interested in her?”

“Tash, she’s carrying one of our embryos.”

Tash’s eyebrows shot up and she reeled backwards. “I beg your pardon?”

“She’s carrying one of the embryos. We weren’t going to use them.”

“Wow. So, she is your girlfriend, or a friend you donated to?”

“I donated to her,” Belle confessed.

“Right. And you made that decision on your own?” It was very clear that Tash was annoyed.

“I wouldn’t have, but you told me the embryos were mine to do what I wanted with them. You didn’t want any responsibilities over them. I probably should have asked you, though.”

“Damn right you should have asked me. I even told you that Emily and I were considering it, and we’re in a relationship. And not using our embryos.” Tash stepped away from her. Belle felt awful, watching Tash pacing, clearly upset. She then returned. “So now Cora, Ada, my new baby, and Georgia’s baby are all going to be related?”

“Biologically.” Belle nodded. “But you wanted to use the same donor as the girls knowing there were embryos out there.”

“Embryos I thought you might use or discard. I didn’t think you’d be giving them to a stranger.”

“Except, as I said, she’s become one of my closest friends.”

Tash softened and looked at Belle in the eyes. “I thought you had a crush on her, at the gala. That’s why I said you should go home in her car.” A moment of realisation crossed Tash’s face. “Oh, that’s why she drove that night.” She paused, then added, “But I could see something between you. And even today.” She narrowed her eyes and looked closely at Belle. “I was really happy for you, but also a little…jealous to see you so happy. But if she made you happy, I wanted to help, so I suggested you go home with her. I wasn’t sure, but there was something there.”

Belle shot Tash a confused look. “How can you say that? That you were a little jealous? What right do you have to be jealous, Tash?” It was now Belle’s chance to ask a pointed question. “Seriously? I loved you so much, I gave you everything. I built my entire life around you! And you threw that in my face, but now you’re jealous because I have a…a friend?”

“A friend you got pregnant! Anyway, it seemed like a crush to me, or more than that. Did you donate the embryo to her because you want a relationship with her?”

“No, I wasn’t that close with her then. It’s grown.” Suddenly she felt bashful.

“But you are interested in her? I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Tash paused, and then spoke up, “It was how you used to look at me.”

“Who cares what it is? I’m a free agent.” Belle couldn’t believe Tash even thought she had a right to have an opinion, and though she was annoyed, she was also secretly pleased that it bothered Tash.

“I suppose you’re right. Is she interested in you?”

“She’s straight.”

“Oh.” Tash exhaled. “Oh, Belle. I just don’t want to see you get hurt and this…this…”

Belle didn’t want her pity, so just continued, “Anyway, Georgia has stayed with me this past week. Her pregnancy is challenging, and so I had her stay, just so she had some company in case anything happened. I was wondering if you’d mind if she stayed when I had the girls. Like this weekend?”

“I don’t know her very well,” Tash responded. Belle shot her another look—a look that called Tash out as a hypocrite, and thankfully Tash knew her well enough to read it. She hurriedly added, “I trust your judgement though. And I am happy for her and hope it all goes well.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that. I’d hate for something to happen to her when she’s alone.”

“For her sake or the baby’s?”

That was the million-dollar question, wasn’t it?

*

“HOW DID IT go?” Georgia asked when Belle returned. She was standing up in the kitchen making dinner, and Belle noticed she was really glowing, radiating happiness and beauty.

“As I expected it would. She’s annoyed, but not with you. Just that I didn’t talk to her about it all before I offered. And I should have.” Belle did feel bad about that. “It just wasn’t on my mind because she’d made this big song and dance about how the embryos were mine to make all the decisions about.” Belle looked more intently at Georgia. “You’re looking really good. What are you doing in the kitchen?”

“I’m feeling good, and so I wanted to make you dinner. I think I felt relieved that the scan went well, and I just wanted to make dinner to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. It’s nothing special. Burritos.”

“Well, it smells amazing.”

During dinner, they talked non-stop about everything and anything, which Belle found particularly noteworthy given they’d barely been apart. One topic Belle did not want to discuss was the situation with Tash, but Georgia raised it.

“So, Tash is okay that I’m staying here when the girls are here? Because, if she’s not, I’m feeling good, and I know I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Actually you being here was the least of her worries. She’s fine.”

“So, she’s worried about the baby?” Georgia’s hands instinctively went to her stomach.

“No, it was more that I hadn’t talked to her, but she also seems to understand why. She’s cool. She’s happy for you.”

*

THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Belle raced from work to day care and after-school care to pick up the girls, and then took them home. Georgia was sitting at the dining table doing a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle Belle had encouraged her to start.

Belle lent down beside her daughters and spoke calmly, “Cora, Ada, this is my friend Georgia. She’s the one I was telling you about.”

“Hi, Georgia,” said Cora, and Ada smiled.

“Hello, wow, I love your dress, Ada. And, Cora, I love the bows in your hair.” Belle smiled at the interaction as Georgia continued. “I’m just doing a jigsaw, but these pieces are super tiny. I thought I’d pack it away and get you to help me with another one I tried to do today while you were at school. I couldn’t get it done.” Georgia packed the puzzle away in a jigsaw storage bag that meant she could continue where she left off later, and then got a box of children’s puzzles out. She sat on the ground with the children and asked for their help in piecing together the puzzle. The girls instantly became comfortable with her, and Belle’s heart warmed at the sight.

After lots of games, then bath time and dinner time, the girls were finally in bed. Georgia let out a sigh. “You have two great girls. You and Tash have done a great job with them.”

“Thank you. We’re pretty proud of them. It hasn’t been easy, the fifty-fifty, I’ll be honest, but Tash and I are in a good place now. I wonder how the new baby will change things for Tash.”

Georgia thought for a moment. “Babies change everything. I’m petrified. I feel like I spent so long working toward getting pregnant, I never actually stopped and thought about parenting. Pregnancy was the goal for me. Obviously, I know pregnancy leads to parenting, but it was such a far-off dream, I never really gave it much thought. And here I am”—she rubbed her belly—“wondering how everything will be. Wondering if I’ll do a good job.”

“From where I’m sitting, I think you’ll be an amazing mum. You were beautiful with the girls just then.”

Georgia blushed as she spoke. “Thank you. I’m flattered. You must remember I’m a grade one teacher, so I have a bit of practice with kids of this age. The jigsaw puzzle is one of my favourite tricks to get the kids comfortable with me.” Belle had forgotten Georgia’s job as she’d watched the exchange between her and the girls—all she’d seen with someone with enough patience and interest to be an amazing mother. Georgia continued, “So the question is, how will I handle my child when they’re pushing back? A difficult teenager? A toddler having a tantrum? An argumentative ten-year-old? It will be a challenge!”

“That’s parenting for you, but it’s also very rewarding. I think you’ll be perfect, and most of all, it took you a long time to get here. You want it.”

“I do.” Tears appeared in Georgia’s eyes, as she was pensive. “I’m so excited. I’m scared, but I’m excited. And meeting your girls made it so much more real for me. They’re so adorable. If this baby is half as cute as them, I’ll be half-way there.”

*

THE WEEKEND FLEW by with home movies, long walks, plenty of jigsaw puzzles, games, and a lot of baking. Once the weekend was over, Georgia agreed with Belle that she was happy to stay a little longer. Belle and Georgia got into a routine with the girls. Georgia went back to work, and Belle was back in the office full time, so Belle would pick them up from day care and after-school care, and Georgia would be home, making an early start on getting dinner ready. Belle looked forward to the afternoons more than she ever had. Seeing Georgia in the kitchen as she and the girls bustled in made her heart sing. Georgia had made herself at home and often had music playing on the stereo as she cooked. Her hair would sway as she’d sing along, unashamedly. Sometimes Belle would arrive home and sense that they were the family she’d always dreamt of for her and the girls. All Belle wanted to do when she arrived home was embrace her, kiss her, and be together. Then she’d remind herself that the woman happily singing in her kitchen was just her friend…her very straight friend…her very straight and pregnant friend.