Chapter Text
Lucy is not the kind of person to just decide to do something on a whim. She is in no way spontaneous. Every decision, especially life-altering decisions, is carefully thought out and given special consideration. The last spontaneous thing she did was decide she was going to drop out during her sophomore year of college to join a band. On the way to tell her mother, she got into an accident and almost drowned. Lucy had decided that she would not make any more spontaneous decisions. (And was convinced the universe agreed.)
"Lucy Preston?"
Lucy stops tapping her feet, takes a deep breath, and stands up. "That's me."
The nurse in soft pink scrubs gave her a wide, pretty smile. "Right this way, please."
Lucy follows the nurse down a long hallway. The walls were lined with canvassed pictures of babies, families with newborns, and pregnant belly shots. There were a few canvasses of a pregnant woman with another couple standing somewhere in the shot. Lucy bit the inside of her cheek.
"Here we are." The nurse opens up a door with the number 8 placed in the center. Not relevant, Lucy knows, but she noticed it nonetheless. The room is decently sized, with plenty of room to move around. Lucy normally hated doctor's offices because of how small they were, and how claustrophobic they made her feel. "You can hop up there and we can get started. Oh, and I'm Abby, by the way."
"Lucy." Lucy smiles politely, her lips slightly pinched as she hoists herself up on the bed. She wrings her hands together and watches the nurse type away at the keyboard.
"So, because it's been a while since you originally applied and because you've got some potential parents-to-be interested... we're going to re-up your checkup. Nothing crazy, mostly like your normal physical."
Lucy nods. "Of course."
The nurse does her best to make small talk and Lucy does her best to engage but her mind is so far off that she's not completely present. She does her best to level her breathing and calm her nerves.
"Are you excited?"
Lucy blinks a few times and realizes she missed the question. "I'm sorry?"
"Are you excited? About meeting the couple? About starting the journey?"
"Oh," Lucy looks down at her hands. She contemplates that for longer than necessary. She is excited. She knows she can do it, and the idea that she's giving someone one of the best gifts life can offer is incredibly satisfying. (And as selfish as it sounds, the check is a substantial motivator.) "Yes. Yes, I am. I just haven't heard anything in so long, I didn't think it was going to happen. Kind of caught me off guard."
"Being a surrogate is one of the most rewarding experiences. I loved it." Abby finishes her examination and begins typing again. "Did you enjoy your first pregnancy?"
Lucy winces at that. "Uh, I wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy it, really. I was in college, it was an accident. I didn't keep him." It was something she didn't talk about, ever. She wouldn't exactly call it spontaneous but it definitely wasn't planned or the smartest idea. She doesn't know what made her decide to carry to term but ultimately she's glad she did. "I was definitely not ready to be a mother, nor was I prepared. But I didn't hate being pregnant. It was... mind-blowing, to be honest."
Abby smiles. "It's amazing what the female body can do, isn't it?"
Lucy agrees. Abby jumps into a series of questions about her last pregnancy, confirming details that are already in the system and going over what will happen once she gets pregnant. Lucy listened carefully, making several mental notes. A Dr. Carson comes in and does several of the same things Abby had done, asks a few new questions, and exchanges notes with the nurse.
"All right. Everything looks good. You've taken great care of yourself even after this long. So, I am happy to tell you that you've got the 'go ahead'."
Lucy let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. This was not the part she was nervous about. She lets out a soft laugh. "Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Carson, Abby."
She shakes both of their hands and they each take their leave. Lucy feels a little better, still a little anxious. This was most likely going to be the easiest part of this whole process. Nothing has even really happened. She's done some of the long steps like the screening and background checks, the medical checkups, a contract has been drawn up for her, all of that. Her brain kept reminding her of all the things she still had to do before actually getting pregnant. It was all swimming around, stressing her out. She stops, takes a deep breath, and shakes her head. It will all be fine. It'll be fine.
On the way home, she decides to get a coffee. She'll have to give it up before long so she figures she'll enjoy it while she can. She places her order and stands to the side to wait patiently. She watches the people in the coffee shop go about their lives, making up little stories for them. Something she's done since she was a little girl. It was a fun way to keep herself entertained while she would wait for her mother to finish working. She was in the middle of 'Greg's' story–a divorced man who always wears a suit and comes to work in the cafe every Thursday, he tries to put on a mysterious air but is actually quite see-through and fairly obnoxious–when her phone buzzes in her pocket. She smiles at the caller ID and holds the phone up to her ear.
"Jiya."
"Lucy! Are you out of the appointment?"
"Yes, I'm getting coffee. Gonna enjoy it while I can," Lucy chuckles. Speaking of, the barista calls her name, and Lucy thanks her before heading out.
"Well?" Lucy can practically hear Jiya chewing her fingernails in anticipation.
" Well ... they gave me the all-clear."
"Congrats! This will be so exciting!"
"No need for congratulations yet. This is the easy part." Lucy laughs. "I still haven't met the couple. You know, I read that most couples aren't all that involved in the pregnancy and are usually people traveling quite a distance. I'll probably meet them and not actually see them until labor."
" Or , they could be super fun and want to be involved!"
Lucy smiles. Truth be told, she thinks she would prefer the latter. Pregnancy can be tough and can really be tough by yourself. (But Lucy was absolutely prepared for anything.) "Yeah, we'll see."
"When do you meet them?"
Lucy sighs. "I should get a call later today with information and then if I'm game, a date will be set up."
"I'm proud of you, Luce."
"Thanks." Lucy arrives at her apartment and buzzes in. "Well, I'm home, and honestly, I think I'm going to nap and then grade some papers."
Jiya laughs. "Okay, you do that. See you later."
"See ya."
Lucy woke from her dreamless nap to her cell phone buzzing underneath her pillow. She groans and curses herself for forgetting to silence her notifications.
"Mm, hello?"
"Lucy Preston?"
"This is she," Lucy mumbled, trying not to completely awaken herself. Maybe she could go back to sleep...
"This is the surrogacy agency." Lucy bolts up, now wide awake, and rubs the sleep from her face. "We just heard back from your potential match and they said that they would like to meet as soon as possible."
Oh, god. Okay. It's happening . Lucy takes a deep breath and waits for further instruction.
"We have an opening at 4:30, but if that's too soon, we can do tomorrow at 12:30."
Lucy looks over her shoulder at the alarm clock. It's 2:02. Lucy ponders this for a minute. She has plenty of time to get ready and prepare herself, but does she want to do it that soon? Yes, she decides, the sooner the better. This way she won't stay up all night thinking and worrying about it. "4:30 this afternoon would be perfect."
"Excellent! We'll see you then!" Lucy could feel the woman's smile through the phone and Lucy can't help but feel the tiniest bit giddy. They both say goodbye and Lucy sits there for a moment.
"Holy shit."
Well time to get going. She hops up and decides to shower, she just showered last night but for some reason, it feels right to do in this instant. Plus, it helps clear her mind. Is the couple heterosexual? Gay? Lesbian? Lucy doesn't care any which way but she does wonder. Are they older than her, younger than her? The same age? She turns the water off and steps out of the shower, the questions play on a loop in her mind.
She towel dries her hair and goes to her closet. She eyes everything and feels like nothing is adequate. She hasn't met these people and already she wants to please them. No one ever said she wasn't a people pleaser. She pulls out a navy blue suit and a teal shirt and holds them to the light. She likes this outfit, very much actually, but it feels too formal, too much like a corporate business meeting or one of her lectures. She tosses it on her bed and keeps digging. She finally lands on a red skirt and a white button-down blouse. It maintains a level of professionalism but isn't obnoxious, and also very comfortable.
She blow-dries her hair and decides to go ahead and curl it. She also pulled some of it back and out of her way. She does some light makeup and steps back to look at her reflection. She looks, she feels ...pretty. She smiles softly. "Whew, okay. I got this. It's fine. Just, just be yourself. Right? Right. Cool."
She throws some shoes on and glances one more time around the room. She spots her beret hanging on her closet door. It's the one she would normally wear with this outfit but she debates whether or not it would be too much. Ah, what the hell. She grabs it and pins it to her hair. She checks the time. 3:30. Fuck. She still has about 40 minutes to kill.
Lucy decides that she should probably eat something but as she rummages through her fridge, she promptly decides she is not hungry. Nor does she feel like she could keep something down. Guess she'll just have to sit and wait. Terrific.
On the other side of town, Garcia and Lorena Flynn have already started making their way to the clinic, or agency, or whatever the place is technically called. However, the traffic was literal hell and the already anxious Garcia was even more on edge. "Damn it, we're gonna be late."
Lorena's eyes flicker to the radio clock. 4:17. She smiles and ever so calmly takes his hand from the gear shift and squeezes it reassuringly. "Darling, it's going to be okay. I'll call and let them know."
Garcia sighs, still irritated that the moron in front of him is still stopped despite the light having turned green two seconds ago. He manages to refrain from honking and they finally start moving. Lorena holds the phone up to her ear and absentmindedly rubs circles on the back of his hand. How was she so calm?
"Hello! This is Lorena Flynn. We have an appointment with Lucy Preston at 4:30? Yes," she laughs at something the other person says and Garcia glances at her, "Well, we are almost there but we've gotten stuck in traffic. Yes, yes, exactly. We just wanted to let you know that we may be a few minutes late. Oh, that's great! Well, we can't wait. Alright, see you soon. Buh-bye."
Garcia glances at her again. "Well?"
"Well, everything is just fine. They're not going anywhere." Garcia seems satisfied with her answer and looks back at the road. "She's already there."
"Who? Lucy?"
Lorena nods. She can't help but giggle in excitement. It's contagious and Garcia can't help but smile. "I have a really good feeling about this one, about her."
Garcia brings her hand to his lips and kisses it. He really hopes so. Lucy Preston would be the fourth "match" that they're going to meet with. Garcia would do anything to have a child, to give Lorena a child but he was becoming drained. Their hopes were on a seemingly endless rollercoaster ride. He wonders how she has kept in good spirits this whole journey. This is the first time that Lorena has felt really good about a match, though, and that's enough for him.
"That was just them," Lucy's agent, as it were, Ginny, sets the phone back on the receiver and folds her hands in front of her, "They are almost here but got held up in traffic."
Lucy stops petting Ginny's service dog–Edward was his name, how noble– whispers a few words of encouragement to him (as any sane person would) and sits back in her chair. She waves her hand and chuckles nervously, "I'm probably too early so it's totally fine. I don't have anywhere to be." Lucy pauses, anxious to know everything she can but not wanting to appear crazy. "So, what are their names? Where are they from?"
Ginny turns to her computer, types something in, and clicks the mouse a few times, "Lorena and Garcia Flynn. They live here in Stanford, actually. Just on the other side of town, it looks like."
Lucy was perched on the edge of her seat, absorbing everything like a sponge. They were close! Just what she was hoping for. Lorena and Garcia. Lucy smiles. She feels really good about this couple.
"Ah, speaking of!" Ginny notices the couple walking up to her office and promptly goes to open the door for them. "Hello. Welcome, welcome! Please come in."
"I'm so sorry we're late. We did not account for the time in traffic when we left."
Lorena's voice was soft but cheery. Lucy's immediate first thought was, of course, she's going to be a mother. It was so comforting and melodic. Lucy stood so she could turn and introduce herself. When Lucy turns around, Ginny has closed the door and is making her way back to the desk. Lucy's breath catches in her throat. Lorena's smile was absolutely blinding. Her eyes were an astonishing, piercing blue and held so much joy that it was contagious. She had shoulder-length, golden hair that was down and curled. It framed her face perfectly, falling in just the right places to highlight her sharp cheekbones. Lucy almost forgot all her manners, then quickly stuck her hand out. "Uh, Lucy," Lucy clears her throat. "Lucy Preston."
"Lorena Flynn." Lorena takes Lucy's hand to shake and covers their joined hands with her other hand. "It is so good to meet you."
Lucy feels a heat rise to her cheeks. She wasn't sure what to do with herself.
"And this," Lorena's hand moves to Lucy's elbow as she turns so that Garcia can step forward. "is my husband. Garcia."
Oh, for fuck's sake. Garcia Flynn was easily over 6 feet tall. 6'4, 6'5? His dark hair was tousled, a few locks swept across his forehead. His cheekbones, like his wife's, were of the variety that could cut glass. His eyes were hazel-green, and somehow lightened when he smiled. What lottery did Lucy win to have the most stunning couple in California want her to carry their baby? And on that note, this baby was going to be absolutely gorgeous. Garcia extends his hand for her to shake. "Hello, Miss Preston."
Jesus, that accent? So he's definitely not from here. Going by the accent and the somewhat distinct shape of his nose, she'd bet he's Slavic. Lucy realizes she's still holding his hand and hasn't said anything. "Lucy, please."
Garcia smiles and tries it on his tongue, "Lucy."
Jesus, Mary, and Joesph. She was going to have to spend up to a year with them? And be chill about it? Yes. Yes, this is fine. She's fine. All is well.
Lorena claps her hands excitedly. "Well, can we begin?"
Ginny laughs and agrees. "Please, have a seat. We have quite a few things to go through."
The meeting felt like it was over before it even started and Lucy was almost disappointed when they all stood up to leave. They went over all the legal documents, any risks Lucy would potentially go through and then they all went through what they could expect to happen and how they can deal with it. Lucy was to come back on Monday to get her medications to prepare for the embryo transfer. This is really happening. Lorena had stood and Garcia was helping her back into her jacket before grasping her hand to walk out.
Lucy, as adorably socially awkward as she was, wasn't sure what to say as the three of them walked out of the office.
"Lucy," it was Lorena, "would you, would you like to meet us for coffee tomorrow? We could get to know each other a bit, if you’d like..."
“Um,” Lucy briefly glanced at Garcia who smiled back at her. "Yes. Yes, of course, that would be lovely."
Lorena almost sighed with relief, like she thought Lucy would surely say no, "Perfect! We'll see you tomorrow!"
"See ya." Lucy gave them a shy wave and they headed in their separate directions.
"Oh, Lucy!" Lucy turned around and Lorena was sprinting after her. Lorena reached into her bag and grabbed a pen and paper. "That way we can decide where to meet tomorrow. And so you have it."
Lorena handed Lucy the small post-it note. Her number was neatly scrawled out and below it was Garcia's, labeled with a heart next to his name. It was cute. Lucy smiles, thanks her and watches her walk back to her husband. This is a very intimate thing that they're all involved in now and Lucy can't help but wonder how it's going to go. Will she rarely see them? Even though they're close, she supposes she doesn't have to see them often. Will they be involved? Will they be too involved and annoy the hell out of Lucy? Would Lucy regret this?
No. No, it would all work out. Who knows, this could be the best thing Lucy's ever decided to do.
"Are you stalking me," Lucy's tone was all mirth and full of teasing as she walked up the steps to her apartment, fishing for her keys.
Jiya just gives her a look. "I was worried about you! You weren't answering your phone. Did you forget I was coming over?"
Realization dawned on Lucy and she put her palm to her forehead. "Oh! I totally did. I'm sorry Jiya."
"You better have an excellent excuse, or else ," Jiya follows Lucy into her apartment and closes the door behind them.
Lucy sets her things down on the kitchen counter. She bites her lip and turns to face Jiya. "Actually..."
"Omg did you finally get laid?" Jiya hops up on the counter and waits, rather impatiently, for Lucy to spill the details.
Lucy deadpans. " No. Thanks for that, though."
Jiya laughs. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Please tell me."
"I uh," Lucy scratched the back of her head, nervously. "I got matched. Officially."
Jiya gasped. Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't that. "Lucy! Congrats. That's huge!"
Lucy let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "Yeah. Yeah, it really is."
"What's wrong? I didn't think you'd be leaping for joy, exactly, but you look... disappointed almost."
"No, no, I am happy. Truly. I... Jiya-"
"Did you meet them? Do they make you uncomfortable?"
"Yes, I did. No, no they don't. They don't seem to have a bad bone in their body. I just..." Lucy sighed and sat at the breakfast bar. "It's just it all became so real so fast. And I have no regrets but I just..."
Jiya is quiet but she knows where this is going. "Carol?"
Lucy buries her face in her hands and groans. "All I hear is her voice, her stupid voice, saying how weird this is and how all I've ever done is disappoint her and this would just be another thing on the list. She would much rather I pop out grandkids for the family business. And, god , don't get me started on the homophobia. It's been 6 months, I feel like I should be over it all but damn it. I can't escape it, Jiya."
Jiya slides off the counter and sits level with Lucy, pulling her hands from her face. "Hey, hey. Look. You went through years and years of emotional abuse and trauma, Lucy, and like you said; it's only been 6 months. Unfortunately, it's going to take a long time to get completely away from it all, to recover," Jiya pulls her in for a hug, "And it's going to be hard but despite everything, you are so strong. You can do it. You've got me. And Rufus. And who knows, maybe this new couple will become some of your new best friends. Just make sure they know I loved you first."
Lucy laughed breathlessly. "Thank you, Jiya."
"Now," Jiya pulls back and claps her hands on her thighs, "You only mention your mother's homophobia when you're developing a crush on someone. So. Spill it."
Lucy bites the inside of her cheek. She didn't even realize she had mentioned it and certainly didn't recognize that pattern. Jiya was right though when Lucy thought about it. "I met the couple. Mr. and Mrs. Flynn."
"No! You have a crush on the wife ?!" Jiya laughs and playfully pushes Lucy.
Lucy licks her lips and swallows hard. This feels wrong, for several reasons but damn, she has eyes and they work very well, thank you very much. "Uh, maybe not just the wife. And I wouldn’t call it a crush! They’re just… very attractive people."
"Oh my god! What a scandal .” Jiya was having too much fun with her.
Lucy buries her face again but only to cover the blush across her cheeks. "Jiya, I'm not even kidding. Out of all the couples in California, out of the entire country , it had to be them? I'm done for."
"Do you have a picture or anything?"
"No," Lucy fished the post-it note that Lorena handed to her out of her pocket and set it on the counter in front of them. "Just their phone numbers. Oh, and we're meeting for coffee tomorrow morning. To get to know each other. "
"Ooooh, a date?" Jiya wiggles her eyebrows at Lucy and they both laugh.
"No! Just a... get together? As friends would." She clears her throat. Good job, Preston, that was really convincing. "I guess I should text them. Or just her. Should I create a group? I mean, they're married so I'm sure they discuss everything anyway, so a group chain is probably unnecessary--"
"Lucy, oh my god!" Jiya giggles and grabs Lucy's phone and types in Lorena's number. She expertly types, hello! this is Lucy , and hovers over emojis. Is that too much? Jiya decides that it probably is for now and sends the message. Jiya hands the phone back. "Baby steps, girlfriend."
"What would I do without you?" Lucy hopes up and goes to get the wine from her fridge. She grabs two glasses and hands one to Jiya, "One celebratory glass, and to calm the hell down."
Lucy's phone buzzed not even 5 minutes after Jiya had sent the text. Lucy took a swig of her wine and picked it up. It was her. She contemplated waiting a minute or two before opening. She didn't want to seem crazy, or like she was just waiting by the phone. Jiya looked at her expectantly, however, and so Lucy tapped the notification.
Hello again, Lucy! We were just talking about you. We were thinking this coffee shop downtown for tomorrow?
Another text came through with a link to said coffee shop.
Jiya noticed the pink blush that spread across Lucy's nose. "Well? What did she say?
"Uh, that they were just talking about me and a suggestion for the coffee place tomorrow." Lucy bit back a giddy squeal. She was a grown woman, damn it. This definitely wasn't some high school date. Lucy clicked on the address and looked at a few of the pictures.
She swipes back to messages and replies, I've never been to that one! It looks very cozy. What time would you like to meet?
Say, 11? Call it brunch? came Lorena’s very quick reply.
Lucy smiles. Out of friendly habit she types, it's a date! but quickly erases the message and replaces it with, Sounds perfect. See you guys then.
Lucy looked up to Jiya. "Pardon my french," she took another swig of her wine. "but I am fucked ."
Not even 12 hours later, Lucy stood before her closet and felt like everything was too insignificant. This was just casual coffee, maybe light brunch, not anything super fancy. Just three people getting to know each other. Lucy inhaled sharply and blew it out slowly. It's casual, so keep it casual. She decides on a sky blue turtleneck sweater and high-waisted ash grey jeans. Cute and cozy. Her stomach started twisting in knots as she started doing her hair and makeup. The nerves suddenly hit her like a train. She is not the most social butterfly out there. She would definitely rather keep to herself, her books, and her lectures, she rarely partied, and when she did she would end up being the wallflower. When she was teaching, that kind of audience, she was totally comfortable with. It wasn't intimate, and most of the time the people were there to actually listen to her.
This was so different on so many levels.
Lucy shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it, and heads out.
Lucy arrives at the cafe right on time and scans the—albeit small—crowd for the Flynn's. It was not hard at all, as she could see Garcia's head towering over everyone else, despite sitting down. He also spots her, before his wife does, gives her a small smile, and beckons her over. Lorena turns, spots her, and stands to greet her. Garcia follows suit.
"Hey, you made it!"
It's very clear that both women aren't entirely sure how to greet each other. Do they hug? Just nod politely to each other? They decide to just shake hands, for now, Garcia does the same. Lucy puts in her order for coffee and some light food, making light conversation, asking how they were, the usual. They are doing well, lots of nervous excitement between the couple.
When Lucy is settled with her coffee, she gets a good look at both of them today. Garcia was wearing a burgundy turtleneck and dark jeans, his hair was combed back. Still as striking as yesterday. Lorena was wearing high-waisted jeans, as well, and a pale pink button-down. Also just as beautiful as yesterday.
"So, not to just... jump into the heavy stuff," Lorena starts, "What made you decide to be a surrogate?"
Lucy should've planned an answer to this question, should have known it would be asked at some point, asked by someone that she couldn't reply with, ' the paycheck '. Nonetheless, she is caught off guard and thinks about it for a moment. "I guess, I never really saw myself settling down, having my own family, any time soon, so I wouldn't be having my own kids. I knew that I really enjoyed helping people and I knew that this would be a way to do that, to make someone's life that much better."
Wow, that got deep fast. Lucy chuckled lightly, hoping to lighten up the mood. Lorena shared a look with her husband, her smile never wavering. Garcia laughed then, "And the paycheck."
Lucy was surprised but there was a teasing lilt to his tone. Lorena playfully slapped his arm.
"So, what about you two?" Lucy asks, taking the heat off of herself, "How did you meet?"
"Lorena was studying abroad in Zagreb. In Croatia. That’s where I’m from. She had asked me for directions to a cafe one day."
Ah, so he was from Croatia. She was right. Sort of.
"Garcia, gotta love him, is a walking dumpster when it comes to taking hints." Lorena pipes in, "It took three weeks before he realized I wanted to go out with him. I literally learned an entire language for him."
A faint pink blush rose to his cheeks and his eyebrows raised in agreement with what she was saying. "You already knew most of it, though, so that’s not entirely fair.”
"Yes, but I kept up with it for you ."
Lucy couldn't help but smile and laugh with them. It was so easy to relax, and feel lighter around them. She already felt so comfortable around them.
"What about you, Lucy? Do you have anyone?"
"Ah," Lucy chuckled again, but there was no mirth in it, "No. My last relationship was... a huge mess. Lots of miscommunication, jealousy—not the fun kind. All on him, funnily enough. Turns out he was married."
Lucy doesn't know what she's spilling her guts to people she has known for less than 24 hours, but she couldn't help herself, couldn't stop the words. Plus, she hadn’t talked about this in so long it kind of felt good.
"Married?" Lorena looked abhorred.
"Sounds like a piece of work," Garcia muttered. " Malo seronje ."
"Yeah," Lucy says, dragging out the word. "That was a year ago though and I haven't given him any more thought. Live and learn, ya know? And if anything, I definitely learned a few lessons."
No one was quite sure how to proceed in conversation and Lucy realized that her answers to their questions had been very heavy. Almost sad. "What do you guys like to do for fun?" Lucy tried, desperately wanting to lighten the mood again. "I'm quite introverted so studying and doing homework is fun for me. I love hiking, though, too."
"Ah, there's where you would get along with Garcia," Lorena nudged him. "He's definitely the more outdoorsy type. My garden is about how far I venture out now. I don't mind long walks, though."
"Lorena would much rather stay in and bake or cook than go out," Garcia added.
"Oh, I could not bake or cook if my life depended on it," Lucy laughed. "I would probably end my life, actually, if I tried."
Lucy launches into a story about how she wanted to make celebratory cookies for her best friend, Jiya, for a job promotion. She didn't even deign to try and do it from scratch so she used the store bought, prepared dough. She thought, how hard could this be? Very hard, as it turned out. The story made Lorena burst into a fit of giggles, and even made Garcia laugh. Lucy felt good about it, that they were comfortable with her and that she felt the same with them. Garcia had started telling a story about how he forced Lorena to go hiking with him and how it ended up with a trip to the emergency room because she had slipped and when he dove after her, he landed on his ankle.
"Needless to say," Lorena hiccups as she stops laughing, "he has not asked me to go with him again."
"It's not worth it," Garcia whispered to Lucy. Lorena shrugs in agreement and they all laugh.
There’s a pause.
“I hate to keep being so serious, but,” Lucy started, trying to figure out how to phrase the question.
“Not at all. What is it?”
“Ginny had said that you guys live here in Stanford?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Lorena replies and her husband nods.
“Well, I guess, I was just wondering how… how involved you guys would be in the pregnancy? Or how involved would you like to be?” There’s a silence from the couple and Lucy briefly wonders if she’s managed to miss the obvious, or maybe she overstepped somehow. She tries to recover, “It’s just that, that everything I read, most surrogate’s experiences—they would be quite a distance from the intended parents. And a lot of the intended parents were really only around for a few appointments and the labor, of course. But since you guys are just on the opposite side of town, I didn’t—”
Lorena puts her hands over Lucy’s, a very soothing gesture to stop Lucy’s anxious ramblings. “It’s a valid question, Lucy, it’s okay.” Lucy sighed as she continued, “Pregnancy is a very intimate thing, and can be very uncomfortable even in normal circumstances. Add a couple of strangers to the mix and it’s,” Lorena exhales, not being able to describe it, “We don’t want to make you uncomfortable anymore than you may already be. We’d like to be involved as much as we can, but we don’t want to hover or stress you out. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”
“I’d like that,” Lucy finally says, “For you to be involved, that is. I think it would be good. For all of us. I think we’re getting along quite well, easily.”
Lorena smiles brightly again. Garcia chortles, “Give it a few weeks.”
Lucy smiles.
She was going to do just fine.
(Hopefully.)