《The baby swap》Chapter 8: The baby swap

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I stood there as I watched the building going up in flames. I had just set it on fire, I don't regret it.

There was smoke everywhere. The neighbours were rushing out of their homes to see what was happening.

I needed to get out of here before anyone realised it was me.

I woke up gushing for air. It took me a while before I finally caught my breath.

I switched my night lamp on.

"It was just a nightmare," I repeated to myself.

But it wasn't.

When Gerald and I broke up, I was in a dark place.

Which lead into unhealthy behaviour. I started drinking.

One night, I went to his house and set it on fire. No one was in there nor was I caught. The next day, my conscious wouldn't stop bothering me. I told him the truth, that I was the one who set it on fire. I even offered to pay for all the damages but he let me off the hook and said he understood. Although Gerald had broken my heart, it wasn't the person I wanted to become.

Even though it happened a long time ago, it still bothers me, I would have never expected myself to do that, but I did. It's a dark place I never want to return to.

I suddenly felt nauseous. I pushed my blankets off of me and ran to the bathroom.

I opened the toilet seat, putting my face into the toilet, vomiting last nights' diner.

Maybe I was pregnant. I wanted to wait a few more day before I took the test. Or maybe it was just the bad Chinese food I had for diner.

Once I was sure everything was out, I flushed the toilet.

I rinsed my mouth in the basin then returned to my bed wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

I felt completely drained like I had nothing left in my stomach. I didn't want to eat now, I knew I'd throw up again.

I slipped into my bed, holding my blankets tightly around me.

It took me a while before I fell asleep again.

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"Wake up," someone yelled. I felt my bed bounce up and down from beneath me.

It was difficult to stay asleep.

I groaned turning on my bed.

I opened my eyes slowly adjusting it to the light beaming through the curtain. Reina was jumping up and down on my bed, what was she? Two?

"It's still early," I groaned. I hadn't slept well between vomiting and nightmares.

I grabbed my blanket covering my head with it.

I felt my blankets slipping away off of me.

"It's morning," A grumpy looking Abby said. I hadn't noticed her. She was standing at my feet, pulling away the remaining part of my blankets that covered my feet.

I felt a chill on my bare legs. I hugged myself for warmth wanting to continue sleeping.

"Come on, it's Saturday," Reina exclaimed. " We have but above an hour before you have to go to your cafe. We have a spa appointment." she continued.

She finally stopped jumping on my bed.

"I want to sleep," I groaned.

I took my pillow, covering my face with it.

"Come on Zoe," Abby said.

I suddenly felt nauseous. I quickly moved the pillow away from my face.

I ran to the bathroom with my hand covering my face. When does this end?

I was throwing up again in the toilet. I felt like I didn't have anything left in my stomach yet it kept coming. I sat on my bathroom floor after vomiting.

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"Oh my, you pregnant," Reina said walking in.

"Maybe," I said wiping my mouth.

"You totally are, I think it's safe to take a pregnancy test now." She said.

She was leaning into the door.

I didn't answer, I leaned onto the bathtub for support.

Abby walked in too, "I'll get the pregnancy test and something to eat." She said.

I smiled a thank you.

She walked out of the bathroom. Soon after, I heard the sound of my front door closing.

Reina helped me up from the floor. I rinsed my mouth in the basin.

I went back into bed, this time Reina didn't disapprove.

I couldn't sleep again. My stomach was grumbling with hunger. Let's just hope Abby returns soon.

Reina sat beside me on the bed, tucking my hair slowly behind my ear. She always did that whenever I was sick.

Abby came back about a half an hour later.

"I'm here," She announced. I rushed out of bed.

The anticipation was killing me, I needed to know whether I was pregnant or not. I grabbed the box out of her hand. I wanted to do a home pregnancy test first before doing a blood test.

"Thank you," I said.

I walked to the bathroom ripping the box open. I locked the door behind me.

"Here I go," I muttered to myself.

I followed the instructions on the box.

Once I was done, I placed the stick on the window seal to wash my hands.

"I have to wait for about five minutes," I announced walking into my bedroom.

They were seated on my bed, staring at me as if they were waiting for the world cup finals.

I was nervous about this too.

My stomach grumbled breaking the tension in the room.

Abby shook her head at me while Rena laughed.

"I'm starving," I said defensively.

I sat on the bed. Abby handed me a paper bag full of doughnuts, just what I needed. I took a chocolate cake doughnut with chocolate frosting.

I handed the paper bag to Reina who took a saffron doughnut with rosewater icing. Reina passed the paper bag to Abby over me, who took the same doughnut as Reina.

I sank my teeth into my doughnut as I moaned at the taste.

I completely forgot about my commitment to eating healthier.

"I guess our spa day is cancelled now," Reina said.

At least it was for a good course, I just felt bad that I was the one holding them back.

We talked about rescheduling to tomorrow, to which we all agreed. Putting it on a Saturday was a bad idea in the first place, I don't think I'd be able to go to work if this vomiting doesn't stop.

"I'm pretty sure it's been more than five minutes," Reina said as I chewed the last bits of my doughnut.

It had been seven minutes. I had been delaying this. Realization finally hit me, I'd be growing an actual human being in my womb. Was I ready to be a mother or was I just doing it because I'm lonely?

There was no way I was ready for this. I'd have to play the role of a mother and a father. Being a mother would be overwhelming enough, I have the number of times my brother and I got in trouble to prove that (including the time I tried to sell him on Amazon on our eighth birthday).

I was naive to think I could do this on my own.

I suddenly started crying.

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"What's wrong," Reina asked.

Abby rubbed my back in circles which made me cry even more.

"Do you guys think I made a mistake? I mean, being a mom. I don't think I can do this on my own." I wept.

"No Zoe, being a mom is a blessing," Reina said.

"But what if I made a mistake, maybe this is too soon." I continued crying.

"You don't even know the results yet," Abby said. "Once you know the results then you can figure out the next step." She continued.

"Besides, you always have us," Reina added giving me a small smile.

She was right, I was being emotional over nothing. I wanted a baby, whether I was pregnant or not, it would be for the best. I could figure this out.

"I'm ready to see the results now," I said wiping my tears.

Deep down, what I was most afraid of was finding out this might be a false alarm, that I wasn't pregnant.

Abby patted my back with encouragement.

I got up from my bed to the bathroom. I took the pregnancy stick from the window seal and held it into my fist. My nerves got the best of me, I didn't want to see the results. I wasn't prepared for this.

I drag my feet to my bedroom.

I suddenly felt like the world was spinning.

"Why don't one of you guys check the results, I'm too nervous," I said.

Reina got up and grabbed the pregnancy stick from my hand.

She stared at the stick for a while, both her eyebrows stuck together. I couldn't read her expression. Was I pregnant or not?

Abby joined her looking at the stick.

I was standing there anxiously waiting for one of them to say something.

Reina finally looked up. "You pregnant," She announced. A smile formed on her face as it widened.

"It's positive," Abby said jumping up and down on the spot. I was still in shock.

Reina wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a hug.

"I'm pregnant," I repeated to myself. I was still processing it. By the time I had fully grasped it, I was jumping on the spot like a three-year-old.

Reina finally released me from her grasp.

"I'm pregnant," I yelled out again.

"Congratulations, I'm going to be an aunt," Abby said squeezing my hands.

"I better be the godmother," Reina added.

I know I haven't been at work much lately but this was a cause for celebration.

"Let's go and celebrate, my treat," Reina said.

"We could go to that Mexican restaurant," Abby suggested.

I loved Mexican food, especially the music and the culture. So did they.

"You should get ready," Abby said. "But, you should still see a doctor to confirm your pregnancy, home tests are not always reliable. You should do a blood test." She suggested.

"Yes," I nodded.

My phone rang bringing me out of my thoughts, it was on my nightstand next to my bed.

I walked over to my nightstand and took my phone.

"It's Dr Fell," I announced looking at my phone confused.

"What does she want?" Reina asked.

I had already gone through all the procedures. The only thing remaining was the balance I was paying off at the end of the month which we had already discussed. So why would she be calling me?

"Hello," I said answering.

"Is this Zoe Morgans?" She asked, her voice in alarm.

"Yes," I answered. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

Reina and Abby were both staring at me with confused expressions.

"Yes, I'd like for you to come to my office today. There is something important we need to discuss." She said.

Now I was worried, what could have possibly gone wrong.

"Can we meet tomorrow instead, I have something for today," I said. I didn't feel like travelling today, I just wanted to cuddle myself in bed.

"I'm sorry but this can't wait. It's important. Can you make it to my office at nine a.m.?" She asked.

"Sure," I replied

"See you then," She said.

She hung up the phone.

I pulled the phone away from my ear.

"What was that about?" Abby asked.

"Dr Fell asked to see me today, she said it was important," I said.

Lately, I hardly have time for myself. If I'm not working, I'm busy with this whole baby thing (or just simply lazy).

"Did she say what it was about?" Reina asked.

"No," I replied. "I think we going to have to cancel today's' plans, I don't know how long I'd be at her office," I said downheartedly.

"We should do this tomorrow as well," Reina suggested.

"Yeah," Abby said.

I gave them both an apologetic smile. It's just that I've been so busy I haven't had time for them or anything else.

I went to the bathroom, shutting the door. After vomiting so much, I needed to brush my teeth. So I did.

After that, I took a warm shower.

I dressed into my black skinny jeans, I might as well wear them now while it still fits. I put on a white t-shirt and sandals.

I walked into the kitchen to the sweet aroma of food and coffee.

There was a bowl full of different sandwiches. My stomach grumbled at the sight of the melted cheese on the sandwich.

I looked at them with questioning looks. As far as I was concerned none of them could cook to save their lives, I'm pretty sure they'd burn water.

As if Reina read my mind, she answered. "Uber eats sweetheart," She said with a small smile.

I'm surprised they delivered so quickly, sometimes they took nearly an hour.

I pulled out a chair to sit. Reina placed a plate for each of us and a cup of coffee for Abby and herself.

I put three sandwiches into my plate and ate.

After breakfast, Abby neatly stacked the dishes into the dishwasher.

"You should probably get going, it's nearly half-past eight," Reina said.

I sank into my char, after eating I always felt lazy.

"Fine," I muttered. I needed to get this over and done with.

I stood up from my chair reluctantly. I collected my purse, house keys and car keys.

"We'll probably see you tomorrow, we'll be out by the time you get back," Reina said.

Reina had an extra key to my apartment, I told her it was for emergencies only but she used it whenever she wanted to use my Netflix account.

"Bye," I said closing the front door.

"Bye," They yelled simultaneously after me.

Today traffic was worse. For most people today was there off day, which meant they'd be going to restaurants and malls.

By the time I arrived, it was already past nine, I'm sure she'd understand.

I knocked on Dr Fell's door anxiously. I've never been late to any of her appointments before. The last time we met was supposed to be the last, why was I here?

"I've been expecting you," She said answering the door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, traffic was bad," I said.

She opened the door wider gesturing for me to come in.

That's when I noticed the two people although sitting in there.

They had their backs turned against me. From what I could gather, one was a male and the other a female.

What was I really doing here?

I walked into her office frantically. I suddenly had a bad feeling about this.

That's when the man turned around, focusing his eyes on me.

'Alex!' My mind yelled. Why did we keep bumping into each other?

"What is she doing here?" He asked rudely.

The lady next to him turned facing me. It was the same one he was with on the day of the insemination. It was his wife.

"That's what I'm getting to," Dr Fell said calming him down. "Please take a seat," She said facing me.

There were only two chairs at her desk which were occupied.

I took a chair from the corner and moved it closer to her desk, but far enough from Alex and his wife. What an unfortunate woman.

Dr Fell sat in her large chair. She exhaled deeply as if she was looking for the right words to say.

She waited until I had fully settled before she began speaking.

"Our doctors made a mistake, they had a mix up with the sperm samples," She said. She looked down at her hands on the table, held together.

"What are you trying to say?" I uttered.

I was getting more confused as to why I was here. What mistake? How would that concern me or Alex?

"Zoe," She began. She had never called me by my first name before. She always referred to me as Ms Morgans. "They accidentally swapped the sperm samples you purchased with Mr Forbes'." She said.

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Thanks for reading, sorry for the late update. I've finally figured out an updating schedule for the book, check it out on my profile.

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