Chapter Seven

“Sorry, I’m late.” Annie apologized, taking a seat opposite Doctor Myers. He called her earlier and demanded to see her so they planned to meet at a restaurant close to the hospital.

“It seems you had a lot of customers to attend to.” He teased and she smiled.

Annie nodded, placing her small bag on the table. Today was indeed a hectic day for her.

“So what is it you want to talk to me about?” She asked as she studied his face. He was putting on a dark fitted shirt and pants. The first two buttons were opened. He might be in his late forties but he was handsome.

Apart from the fact that Doctor Myers was like a father to Annie, he was also a family friend. He and Annie’s father were childhood friends so he had always been there for her.

Annie hoped nothing had gone wrong. Her right hand went around her belly protectively, praying nothing bad happens to her baby.

“Do you want anything?” He asked so he could order for her.

“I’m fine. Please just tell me the reason for this meeting, I’m getting nervous.”

“Congratulations on the baby!” He said with a small smile.

"Thank you," Annie replied but she could tell there was something else he had to say.

Myers sighed “Annie we got you inseminated with the wrong sperm.”

Annie went pale, her eyes showing fear and confusion. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.

“You need not worry about your health or the baby’s health. There’s no trace of any kind of sickness from the Father’s side.” He said and Annie’s heartbeat increased.

She couldn’t help but dread what Doctor Myers had to say next.

He reached for her hand which was cold. He feared for a bit that she was going to pass out.

“The baby’s father is aware of its existence and he wants to be there for the two of you.”

It was then that it hit her. All these were too good to be true and now she had to share not only custody but her baby’s love with the Father whom she had no idea was.

She swallowed painfully, “Who is the Father?” Her voice came out almost as a whisper.

“Eric Ivan-James.”Annie’s eyes went wide as she tried to control her panic attack

Doctor Myers noticed and rushed to get a glass of water from a waiter. He made sure Annie drank some water after which he made her do a few breathing exercises.

“Will he take my baby away from me?“She asked, trying to hold back her tears.

“No dear, he has good intentions. He wants to be there for you and the baby”

Annie did not know what made her ask that question even when she knew Eric was not that of a horrible person.

She dreamt of meeting him one day but not like this, him being the father of her child.

“I’m very sorry about everything Annie. His semen was mixed with that of the donor. I had to come clean to the two of you.”

“The reason Eric is very interested in being there for you and his child is that he cares. This child will be his first fruit and he wants to be there in every step of the way.”

“He will care for you and will never do anything to hurt you.” Doctor Myers said sincerely and she looked at him with her eyes filled with a certain question.

'How can he care for her when he knows nothing about her?'

••••••••

Ella couldn't describe the joy she felt when Annie gave her the good news. She couldn’t help but fantasise on how much she was going to spoil Annie’s baby.

Ella finished her work as soon as she could so she would go and celebrate with Annie. She stopped by the grocery store before heading to Annie’s house. She bought ingredients for dinner because she promised to make Annie a celebratory dinner.

Ella proceeded into Annie’s house with a smile on her face, excited to hug the hell out of her friend and congratulate her on the baby. But what she saw was not what she expected.

She found Annie sitting on the Sofa, deep in thought. Annie did not notice her presence from the time she entered, went to the kitchen to drop the groceries and came back to the living room.

Something was wrong.

She took a seat beside Annie, placing a hand on her lap. "Heyy?"

“When did you arrive?” Annie asked, surprised. Even though Ella had a key to her apartment, she did not notice when she entered.

a couple of seconds ago” Ella replied. “Now tell me what the matter is.” She demanded because she knew Annie was good at changing topics and she was not going to let go of this one.

“My baby daddy wants to be in our lives.” She said. Ella looked puzzled.

“I can’t even believe I’m calling him that.” Annie groaned, running a hand through her hair.

"The whole point of this idea was to have the baby without any male drama in your life, how did the baby daddy issue come into play? the donor was meant to be unknown, right? and so is you to the donor."

“Yes, but luck wasn’t on my side as I was inseminated with the wrong sperm,” Annie said reluctantly, trying to erase a building headache by massaging her head with her right hand.

"What the…?" Ella looked furious.

"Yeah. I had a panic attack when Dr Myers told me. How well will it be for me to sue my Dad's childhood's friend for putting the wrong semen in me?"

"I should have tried harder to stop you from this insane decision but you were way too determined for me to change your mind. The deed has been done. What's going to happen now? Will you allow him to be in the baby's life?" Ella asked.

“I don’t know but I have no choice, right?” She asked, looking at Ella.

“You don’t know him, do you?” Ella asked, trying to come up with a plan.

Annie whispered. “I think we do.”

“What do you mean?” Ella asked, a small frown creasing on her forehead.

“Eric Ivan-James is the Father.”

Ella stared at Annie like she had two horns on her head. "You're joking, right?"

“This matter is far too serious for me to be telling an expensive joke, Ella.”

The duo were silent for a while. While Annie thought of how pathetic her life was about to become, Ella was processing what she just heard.

"Eric Ivan-James, what the fucking hell!!" Ella finally spoke with a smile on her face which made Annie wonder if her best friend was okay.

“You’ve always been the lucky one, Ann. Besides, you should be happy. He’s a billionaire for crying out loud. Not to talk of how hot and sexy he is. Gosh, you guys will make a beautiful baby.” Ella couldn't help but say.

“You’re not helping matters here, Emmanuella.” Annie groaned.

“Don’t give me that face Annie. You’ve been crushing on this guy since High school. You’ve even been following up on every news and gossip about him, defending him as if your life depended on it. Now you have him on a platter of gold, you should be celebrating, babe.” Ella smiled.

“That is even what makes it more embarrassing.” She said as she buried her face in one of the cushion pillows.

Ella removed the pillow from her face. “Tell me, Annie, What are you afraid of? I know you did not expect things to turn out this way but it is what it is and we need to look at the brighter side of things.”

“I’m just scared, Ella. I’m scared of facing him. I will never be able to keep up with his standard. What if he takes my baby away from me when he or she is born?” She said nervously.

Ella took her hand in hers and looked into her eyes. “You and I know that will never happen.” 

Annie sighed.

“Enough of what if’s Annie. Don’t impose any stress on my innocent god baby. Let me go make the two of you something to eat and then we can talk some more about baby daddy.” Annie rolled her eyes.

Ella was about to stand up to go make dinner when Annie asked: “Did you buy Ice cream?” Ella replied to Annie with a playful glare and Annie gave her a puppy dog face.

When Ella was about leaving the office, she called Annie to let her know she would stop by at the grocery and asked if she needed anything. Ella specifically asked if she should get ice cream for her and she replied with a firm No, that she wasn’t in the mood for Ice cream.

“Don’t give me that face, Ann. I’m not going back to the grocery store.” Ella proceeded to the kitchen with Annie behind her.

“But your god baby wants ice cream.” She pleaded.

“Don’t worry, once my god baby tastes my home-cooked dinner, he or she will forget about Ice cream. Or better still, we can give your baby daddy a call. I’m sure he’ll provide us with tubs of ice cream.” Ella teased as she gathered the ingredients for dinner. Annie rolled her eyes.

Ella paused what she was doing and gave Annie a look that showed she just remembered something. “Do you know that Eric is my Boss’s Best friend?”​