"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.
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