Baby Blues

Part 1

by Mary Christmas (unicorn_76010 at lycos.com)
4/10/02
Here's yet another story from yours truly...I just couldn't get this idea out of my head....naughty naughty plot bunnies that won't leave me alone....
Prologue
Fun, that's what Beth Lestrade planned on having on this vacation. It seemed that every time she got these particular times off, she was always called back after maybe a day or two. Which was why she was on her way to her brother's house in Galveston, instead of in New London at her apartment like she usually was. Now she had two full weeks to get to know Crissy better than the few brief moments at the family reunions, and to reacquaint herself with Kevin.
Stepping out of the hovercab, she paid the driver and, without waiting for him to take off, walked up to the door. She depressed the buzzer and stood off to one side of the door. When it opened, she stayed out of the direct line of sight of the man until his comical expression of confusion made her give herself away by laughing.
"You're getting slow in your old age, Kev," she teased as she stepped up and gave him a hug.
"Old age? Well, let me tell ya something, ya whipper snapper," Kevin returned, "With age comes wisdom." He struck a "Thinker" pose, and Lestrade cracked up some more.
"Yeah well, with all that 'wisdom' you've got, you've probably already divined that your baby sister has just spent several uncomfortable hours in transit, and an even more uncomfortable forty minutes on the cab over here. And, on top of all that, you probably already know that she's starving."
"Did I just hear the 's' word?" Crissy asked coming up behind her husband, "My goodness, Beth I can see that you are. Why you're practically skin and bones! Shame on you, Kev, for making your sister stand out here. Come on inside now, and this lazy good-for-nothing husband of mine'll get your things while I fix you somethin' to eat."
Beth grinned as Kev grumbled and complained good-naturedly. The two had been married for ten years, but loved each other unconditionally -- despite the numerous teasing insults. They didn't have children, but loved to treat Beth like she was theirs. She followed Crissy into the kitchen, or was dragged behind the woman, considering she had hold of her arm, and plopped down in one of the chairs at the table.
Several hours (and fried chicken legs) later, they were all in the living room sitting before a cozy fire (not real like at Baker Street) and enjoying the warmth.Finally Beth broke the amiable silence by asking a rather awkward question.
"Did your new doctor have a better diagnosis?"
Kevin and Crissy exchanged looks. "Yes...and no," Kevin began.
"He said there wasn't anything wrong with my ovaries...it's the rest of me that's the problem. I bleed too easily, and they can't find anything to stop the hemorrhaging. He said I'd die if I tried to have another baby."
Beth leaned over and reached across to pat Crissy on the hand. "I'm so sorry."
The older woman smiled and grasped her hand for a brief moment and then let go. "Doctor Phillips did say there was another way, but it just seem so...impersonal."
Kevin nodded his agreement. "Yes. If it weren't so hard to get on the lists for adoption, we'd much rather go that way."
"What do you mean?" Beth asked.
"He said that we could take one of my ovum and fertilize it, then implant the embryo in a surrogate mother," Crissy answered, "But like I said, I just can't picture having a stranger carry our baby. I mean...what if she up and decides to run off with it?"
"I'll do it," Beth heard herself saying, "I mean, I don't have a relationship...and I'm sure Grayson will understand if I don't come back for nine months, or a little longer."
The look of joy on her brother's and sister-in-law's faces was enough to make her push back any doubts she had that she was doing the right thing. They spent the rest of the night talking animatedly about the subject, and made an appointment to see Doctor Phillips the very next day. They decided not to tell anyone else yet, just in case it didn't take.
Two weeks later, she looked out of the window of her transport at the great beast that had claimed their lives two days ago, and let the tears fall freely. They had gone sailing, unmindful that a gale was brewing from the south. The tiny sailboat hadn't had a chance. She had attended the funeral services and gotten herself transport back home.

On to Part 2!
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