All Chapters of The Surrogacy Secret: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Famke carried the box of her toiletries into the master bathroom and dropped it on the countertop and groaned. Nyx was sitting in the empty bathtub, with a can of beer in her hand and her eyes closed. The woman had been moping a full five weeks now. Despite her residing in Pittsburgh again, Koda insisted they were an engaged couple, and Famke was convinced it had nothing to do with his mother. She was certain her friend walked right into the emotional equivalent of a bear trap and Koda was the bear. She was in his grips, and he wasn’t letting her go.“This tub is big enough for a party of six.” She didn’t open her eyes.“I know. It was installed last weekend and it’s all of which I’ve been thinking.” The renovations to the house took longer than anticipated. Royal and Precious moved in two weeks ago, finally out of the hotel. Precious spent most of those nights sleeping at Famke’s old apartment with her. Her intentions were to stay out her lease which was up at the end of February but

She and Royal went downstairs, and she could tell from the mood, either Jubi or Nyx blurted something out because, despite the other five people in the room pretending they weren’t curious, their behavior said otherwise. Their postures as they all stood around in the giant kitchen were almost laughable.Koda and Keshaun were both lounging far too casually, their arms crossing and uncrossing nervously. Bram was studying her intently. Imani and Cliff, who came to babysit Precious for the day while the other grown ups moved furniture and belongings, were openly staring. Nyx and Jubi were both staring at the floor guiltily.“Where’s Precious?” Famke asked curiously, moving to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. Let them stew. One of her girlfriends needed a kick in the ass and she wasn’t sure which it was.“She fell asleep on the sofa.” Imani motioned to the living room. She moved to Royal. “Are you okay?”

Two weeks later Famke was sitting in stirrups in the gynecologist’s office and staring at the ceiling.“Scooch down just a bit,” the woman asked her quietly.Famke rolled her eyes as she tried to wriggle down the table. “I’ve taken six tests. They’re all negative. I don’t know why I haven’t had my period. I’m exhausted as hell. I have no energy and I’m moody as all get out. I’ve gained six pounds.”“The test I did here also shows you’re not pregnant but let’s do this pap smear. I want to send you for an ultrasound as well. Did you go for the bloodwork?”“Yes, on Monday.”“I’ll get my admin assistant to call over for the results.” The doctor grunted, “this will be a bit cold.”“Is there a gynecological class in university where you all learn to say the same things during a pap smear? Scooch down. This is cold. A little pinch.”The doctor gave a little laugh, “I was just about to say a little pinch.”“Sorry. See, cranky!” she flung her hand up in the air.The doctor removed her devices

Famke sat with Royal in the lawyer’s office feeling dumbfounded. “You’re telling us she has a chance?”“Not a good one,” the lawyer sighed. “Pennsylvania has law which supports rights for visitation for grandparents.”“Even if they’re unfit?” Royal asked, clearly as perplexed as Famke. “Can you prove she’s unfit?”He rubbed his forehead. “Her husband of forty years just left her because she’s off her rocker.”“He left her because she’s unfit?”“He left her because she’s tearing her family apart with this bullshit,” Royal countered, frustration marring his face. “I thought this would be a slam dunk. Famke is her biological mother. I was appointed her legal guardian when Prince died.”“Yet,” the lawyer waived to the papers she was served, “Famke, you said you never intended to be

A month later they were sitting in front of a judge in a barely comfortable room after the room was called into session. The judge smiled at Famke, Royal and then nodded at Imani. Their lawyers sat beside them, but the rest of the room was empty per the judge’s order. The entire process had been rushed given Imani’s upcoming criminal case and her lawyers wanted it settled before her trial.“I had a lovely conversation with Precious.” Judge Ringer began. “She is a lovely little girl.”“Thank you,” Famke smiled nervously as Royal rubbed her shoulder softly.“She adores you,” the woman looked to Famke directly. “We shared a good conversation about boundaries today. I don’t know many five and half year olds who know the word boundary, let alone have a clear understanding of what it means.”“Therapy,” Famke couldn’t fight the smile on her face. “We’ve un