With the exception of ads and junk, a single piece of mail had come to the house for Mandi while she’d been in Florida. She fingered the invitation in her hand. Jill’s friend had done a nice job. The pink polka-dot card stock and heavy vellum layer were attached with a pink satin bow. Of course she had no reason not to go. She certainly had nothing else to do. Maybe it’d be fun.
They were getting to the exciting part, down the home stretch, and Jill should be getting less tense now that the baby seemed more real. Now that her dream was close to becoming a reality. But when they’d talked on the phone yesterday she sounded more tense than ever. She mulled Jill’s words in her mind. “Don’t feel obligated, if you’re not up for it,” she said.
Did she not want her there after all? It seemed odd. Mandi let out a long sigh. Probably just tired of the waiting. So was she. While Jill was on pins and needles about the baby, worries about college acceptances kept Mandi awake at night. She’d find out only days after delivering this baby. Then, with any luck, she’d be on a plane to California. She was counting down the days until then.
She tossed the shower invitation aside. What the heck would she wear? So far she’d spent almost no money on maternity clothes, and didn’t plan to spend much. At least the shower wasn’t at a country club. Still, the restaurant sounded pretty nice. She’d have to go shopping. For a moment she toyed with the idea of asking Jill to go with her. She didn’t have any other friends in town. But would Jill think Mandi wanted her to pay for the clothes? That could be awkward. She’d already bought basic items with the gift card the Oslands had given her to a maternity shop in Dallas. No, going by herself would be better, but she had to admit, she was getting bored with her own company. Staying in Dallas and working at DataPlus might have been a better option. At least she’d have something to do.
A few minutes of online research produced locations for several maternity shops and department stores, including an outlet shop. Mandi decided to start there. But when she plugged the address into the GPS unit in her car, she found it was clear across town, on the other side of the University of Texas campus. Her heart gave a familiar – and annoying – lurch. When would she get over that? When would Lane Whitmore become part of the past?
How could the simple thought of the college he’d attended conjure up thoughts of the man? She rested her head against the steering wheel. Who was she kidding? She thought of him even without such tangible reminders. Her mind drifted that direction on a regular basis. But thinking of his college also sent frustration shooting through her. He was a smart, educated guy. He should know about advancements in science and things like in vitro. She wondered if he’d taken the time to look on line and see that surrogacy wasn’t just for movie stars. Probably.
With a heavy sigh, she started the car. It was obvious – he’d stopped calling because he no longer believed the baby was his, and no longer wanted anything to do with her. And isn’t that what she wanted? God, she couldn’t wait to get out of there and put everything about Texas behind her once and for all. She pressed hard on the accelerator and surged into traffic.
**
Mandi chose a soft golden-brown dress that fell in layered tiers to her knees. Looking in the three-way mirror, she longed for her warm caramel cowboy boots. They would look fabulous with the dress. With a sigh, she turned away. That wasn’t happening. End of January and she’d be the only person at the shower wearing sandals.
Fortunately, the day of the shower dawned warm and sunny. Even if she wasn’t the most fashionable, at least she wouldn’t be cold. Determined to make this a special occasion for Jill and her mother, Mandi steeled herself to deal with the emotions she knew the gifts and conversation would evoke. More than once, she’d considered opting out. But it was the right thing to do. Having Mandi and the baby there would make it all more real for the guests.
Mandi knew she’d be the center of attention, but the deluge of hugs and hands was overwhelming. The women at the shower buzzed and circled around her, laughing, patting and cooing. Mandi kept her eyes on Jill. Maybe on further consideration, this is what Jill had been afraid of – that Mandi would steal the show. But somehow, that didn’t seem like Jill. She’d been so friendly and grateful before.
When the cameras came out, Mandi did everything she could to make sure they focused on Jill. “Here. Try this,” she said. She turned Jill sideways then stepped behind her. With her beige khaki skirt against Mandi’s tan dress, it almost looked as if Jill were the pregnant one.
“Oh, that is so cool,” Jill’s friend said when she displayed the digital image back, and they all took turns peeking at the camera.
“There’s the real mommy,” Mandi said.
But it wasn’t enough. No question – something was up with Jill. She stuck close to Mandi’s side, and every time someone asked Mandi about herself, her plans after the baby was born, Jill swooped in and answered for her, quick to announce that she was leaving for California right away.
“She can hardly wait to get out of here,” Jill told a couple of women with a little laugh that rang false in Mandi’s ears.
“Excuse me,” Mandi said, withdrawing herself from the conversation. “I think I’ll go for more punch.” She needed a breather. But when she turned from the punch bowl, Jill hovered behind her. Mandi tamped down her frustration. Maybe Jill had read a story about a surrogacy gone bad or something. She’d have to find a way to alleviate her fears.
Or maybe she should call Emma and have her talk to Jill and find out what was bugging her. But after a few more stilted conversations Mandi got the drift. Jill was afraid Mandi would want to hang around, to be part of the caring for the baby, part of the excitement. On one hand, she understood, but on another level, it irritated her. Why did Jill get to be moody and temperamental? Mandi was the one facing God only knew how many hours of labor. Mandi was the one swollen up like a nasty bug bite, sore in places she’d never even felt before. She now knew the specific names of individual nerves in her body for heaven’s sake.
Finally, she couldn’t stand it any more. It was crazy for either one of them to feel any anxiety. “Jill, I’m going to run to the ladies room. Would you come with me?”
Inside the restroom, she turned to Jill and placed both hands on her arms.
“Jill, I don’t know what’s happened, or who you’ve been talking to, but please believe me when I tell you that you are this baby’s mom, and I understand that. When she pops out, she’s going to want you. She’s going to cry for you. Hell, she’s going to look like you.”
Jill shook her head, but Mandi pressed on. “I can tell you’re worried. Don’t be. Okay? This is your little girl, and I wish you and Hayden all the best with her. I am so excited for you to be a family. Besides, I really won’t be here. I’m outta here, remember? If I knew where, I’d already have my plane tickets. All right?”
Mandi knew she’d hit on the issue when Jill colored. Biting her lip, Jill nodded. “Yes.”
“Okay, you go on back to your guests. As long as I’m in here, I might as well use the facilities.”
When Mandi moved, Jill touched her arm. “Thanks, Mandi. I’m sorry if I offended you. I guess I’m just nervous.”
“I get it, Jill. But please stop worrying.”
To Mandi’s surprise, Jill threw her arms around her. “You’re amazing.”
With a lump in her throat, Mandi reached for the stall door. She’d heard those words before.
**
Lane fumbled for the phone, checking the time with one open eye. Who would call at five a.m.?
“Yeah,” he muttered.
“Lane, it’s Jill. Hayden and I are heading up to the hospital. Mandi’s water broke. You won’t be able to go in during the delivery, but maybe you could see her afterward. I’ll keep you posted, okay?”
Lane sat up and flung the covers off as his brain engaged. Damn right he would. “Thanks, Jill. I hope it all goes well. I’ll see you soon.”
Lane’s heart pounded. God, he wished he could be there, be the one holding her hand, helping her through the ordeal. But what would she want? Would she refuse to see him if he just showed up? Would they kick him out?
Didn’t matter. He’d have to take that chance. They’d have to pick him up and throw him out to keep him from seeing her.
At eleven Jill called again.
Lane snatched up the phone. “Jill? How’s it going?”
She laughed. “I think you’re going to be an uncle very soon.”
He jumped from the sofa. “I’m on my way.”
Thirty minutes later, with guilt gnawing at him, his heart in his throat, Lane stepped off the elevator and found Hayden in the hallway.
Lane clapped him on the back. “Hey, buddy, how’s it going?”
“Good. Your parents are in the lounge. Jill’s in there with Mandi.” He gave a shaky smile. “This is it.”
Lane grinned. “Hang in there.” He was happy for his sister and brother-in-law, but worried for Mandi. He’d heard plenty of labor horror stories.
Thirty minutes later, a nurse peeked out from the door. “Mr. Osland? Come on in and meet your new daughter.”
Hayden practically charged the woman, but Lane hung back until the nurse smiled at him.
“Are you a relative?”
He nodded, and she beckoned to him. “Come on.”
Lane motioned to his parents, then, in quick strides, he moved through the door and saw his sister holding a tiny pink bundle. Her face was glowing. She waved him over, holding the baby up for him to see.
Lane stepped to her and kissed her cheek. “Congratulations.” Then he gazed down at the tiny infant. His niece. The incredible gift from Mandi. “Everything’s okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Everything went perfectly. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Something lodged in Lane’s throat, and he could only nod.
“Mandi’s next door,” Jill whispered, answering his unspoken question. “The agency worked it out so that we could be in here and she could have the closest private room. She took his arm. “But Lane? I think you need to wait a while. She’s pretty wiped out. Give her some time to rest, okay?”
He sank into a chair. Wait some more? They’d agreed that Lane would be the one to tell her, and he wanted to. Wanted to set things straight. Still, his insides felt like a twisted mess of electrical wires. But he knew Jill was right. They should give her a little time to recover.