Page 11 of Beau

“We had a goddamned fight in the doctor’s office. A shouting match. I am not certain if the office is soundproofed, but if it’s not, then the staff got an earful.” Passing a hand over his glossy hair, he spun away to the cabinet to pour himself a drink.

“I fear it’s going to be a constant thing between us. I hate this dad. She is obsessed with getting pregnant and it’s ruining our lives.”

Blake stared at him in consternation.

“Is that the way you feel?”

“Yes," he clipped. Cradling the drink in his hands, he walked over to the window to stare out at the towering buildings that were the highlights of the beautiful uptown area. From his vantage point, he could see the landmark Catholic church with its roof spearing toward the clouds.

PharmaMed was smack in the middle of several historical buildings that had been restored to give the area the appearanceof opulence without getting rid of the historical flavor. “She wants more than one baby and with this IVF deal, it’s likely she will end up carrying twins or triplets.

My wife is tiny and delicate, even the idea of her conceiving more than one, is enough to drive me crazy. The more embryos, the higher the risk. And I cannot bear it. I cannot lose her dad.” His voice had dropped to a hoarseness that indicated how affected he was.

Blake was shaken by the emotions he was revealing. For the first time in his life, his son was thinking of someone else, and it was a proud moment. Pushing away from his desk, he crossed the large room to stand behind him, not touching, but just being there.

“You have to understand where Georgie is coming from," he intoned quietly. “She lost her parents at a young age and was brought up by her sisters. They have memories of their parents, but Georgie never did. She told me that’s one of the reasons she wants a family of her own.”

“And I respect that, really, I do. Losing Mother was devastating to say the least and sent me over the deep end. But I cannotaccept what she is doing. And the risks she is prepared to take.” A long shudder escaped him. “I love her too much.”

“Your mother wanted a daughter or another son.” Blake reminisced softly. “She always said she never wanted you to be an only child. She wanted you to have someone to interact with.” His expression turned wistful.

“She never stopped trying but had to resign herself to the fact that it was only going to be you.” Placing a commiserating hand on his son’s shoulder, he squeezed lightly. “Don’t let this come between you.”

“I think it already has.”

*****

Georgie told Ivan to leave her at the cemetery. It was a cold gray afternoon, and she was feeling emotional and drained.

Dr. Jones had insisted on her availing herself of one of their private rooms where she could have a chance of recovering from the probe to retrieve her eggs from the follicles in her ovaries. She had slept for twenty minutes and that had revived her somewhat.

What was weighing her mind down was her husband’s attitude. She wanted him to be completely on board.

Dr. Jones had mentioned it to her right before the procedure.

“Beau left?”

She had been a little self-conscious and humiliated that the doctor and nurse had been privy to what should have been a private argument.

“Yes.”

“My dear, if I may make a few suggestions. I do not want to overstep my bounds, but as a friend of the family for too many years to count, I want to ask you if this is something you are sure of.”

She had given the man a look that spoke volumes.

“I am positive.”

“Your husband seems to be of a different mindset," he had pointed it out persistently.

“He will come around.”

“He is concerned about the risks as he should be.” The doctor had gone into what had been a major point when first presented with the request. Georgiana was petite. IVF treatment could produce multiple embryos. Would her body be equipped for such a strain?

“And this clinic has the excellent reputation of taking great care of its patients.” Her tone had warned him that the discussion was closed, and he had heeded it.

Ivan had balked at the idea of leaving her alone at first.

“Mr. Beau said I should take you straight home.”