Tests and Paperworks

Tara

I took a cab the next morning to the address Logan sent to me.

“The hospital is in the central area of the city and Logan insisted I go early. He has already made all the arrangements. I just need to show up and introduce myself”, I told Mia before leaving for the hospital.

“Good morning miss. I'm here for my appointment”, I said to the receptionist.

“Good morning ma’am. I'll need you to fill this form quickly so I can confirm your appointment status”, she replied and gave me a small piece of paper.

I stood in a corner and filled out the form. I just had to write my first and last name as well as time of appointment. Then I returned the paper to her. She typed something on her computer and picked up the office telephone.

“Hello doctor, Miss Tara is here for her appointment”, she paused, probably listening to him say something.

“Okay Doctor I will tell her”, the call ended after that.

“The doctor will see you now. His office is the last room on the third floor. You can use the elevator there”, she pointed at the direction of the elevator.

As I walked to the doctor's office, I noticed the luxurious designs and paintings hanging beautifully on the walls of the hospital. When I entered his office he was already standing.

“This way”, he said, leading the way to another room.

“We will be running some blood tests as well as urine tests. It is going to take some time because we will be conducting a series of tests, pregnancy tests just to make sure you are not already pregnant , blood group and other tests required for the process. If you need anything during the time or have any questions do well to let me know.” The doctor said softly, trying his best to make me feel comfortable.

“When will the results of my tests be out?” I asked as the doctor concluded the last test.

“Some of them are out already, the rest will be out soon. Let's go back to my office and talk”, he replied and I followed quietly.

In his office, we sat down quietly for almost ten minutes while he went through his computer and after a while, he looked up at me with a soft smile.

“Your results are out. Everything looks good. Your blood type and Logan's are a perfect match. And you are HIV/ AIDS free. But there is one little problem”, he said when he finally looked away from his computer.

Hearing this made my heart skip.

“What is the problem Doctor?” I asked, worried that I would be disqualified.

“Oh it's not really so much of a problem. It's just that we do not advise women who have never had sexual intercourse to become surrogate mothers because it could be risky to the woman in the sense that your body needs to be prepared for childbirth. And seeing that you are a virgin I strongly advise against this”, the doctor clarified.

“Please doctor, I really need to do this. I need the money. If my being a virgin affects the baby negatively, please don't tell Logan. I know it's not going to be an easy experience but I need to do this. It's the only way out of my problems right now”, I pleaded with the doctor.

The doctor hesitated for a moment, leaning back into his chair and studying me intently. He finally heaved a defeated sigh and leaned forward,

“Alright. I will not tell Logan about it. If you say you can handle it. You can go on with the process”, the doctor assured.

“Thank you doctor”, I said and left his office.

After leaving I went to Logan Carter's office again.

“Hi Tara”, he looked away from his computer briefly when I entered his office.

“Hi. I just concluded the test at the hospital. The doctor said we are a good match. I'm sure he'll explain every other detail to you”, I briefed him on the outcome of my visit to the hospital.

“That's good to know. I spoke to him on the phone some minutes ago and he assured me that this would work. But before we go further there are some other details of this surrogacy deal I will like to straighten out because I do not want any type of complications”, he reminded me.

“What other details are you talking about?” I asked with one eyebrow raised.

“First of all, prioritizing the baby's health is very important. For the duration of your pregnancy, you will have to abstain from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and any other type of drugs. You also need to abstain from all unhealthy habits, and eat healthy food that will improve the baby's immune system. So that the baby will not have any health complications after it is born”, Logan Carter outlined.

“I do not smoke cigarettes and I don't drink so much alcohol so that is not a problem. As for any other drug, I do not consume any. And I'm willing to give up any unhealthy habits for the child’s sake”, I accepted his terms.

“Alright one more thing, after the baby is born, you will have no claim to the child. You will not be allowed to see the child nor will you try to contact the child in future. Do you agree?” He looked at me with all seriousness now.

“I will not be allowed to see the child even once?” I asked sadly.

“Yes you will not be allowed to see the child. Once the child is born you cannot call it your child. You will have no right to the child in the future. Do you understand?” he asked again, with a serious gaze.

“Yes I do, it's just that I would have liked the opportunity to see the child at least once in a while”, I said, lowering my head.

“That could lead to complications in the future and I prefer not to want any of such complications”, he said with a straight face.

“Alright if that's the way you want it to be I have no choice but to agree with you.” I said, my heart aching as the words escaped my lips. I did not imagine that giving up a child I barely knew would be this hard. I wasn’t even pregnant yet, yet it felt like a piece of me had been taken away, but there was nothing I could do. I needed this, and that meant that whatever Logan demanded, whatever his terms were, I’d have to do.

“Anything else I need to know?” I asked, my voice tinged with sadness.

“Those are the only conditions. I will introduce you to my family as my girlfriend when you get pregnant. But for now you will have to live in my house. Everything you need will be provided. And you also need to maintain professional boundaries because this is a job,not an actual relationship”, he said firmly.

“Okay Mr Logan. I agree. I promise not to forget my place. This will be as professional as you want it to be”, I signed the written contract he gave me and was on my way out home after.