IVF

Alex's POV

After a lot of consideration and planning we decided to go with In-Vitro Fertilization. IVF is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. The procedure can be done using our eggs and a sperm donor.

We started our IVF journey and it certainly hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies. We knew that IVF was the way to go if we were serious about growing our family.

We are also aware that it means we need to be spending thousands and thousands of dollars and a huge emotional investment for this to work. In addition, IVF can be very time-consuming, expensive and invasive.

I was even more surprised when Piper, told me that she wanted to use my egg for our baby.

"Wait, what? Are you serious?".

"Why do you seem surprised?".

"Well, you will be the one carrying it, so I assume you would want to use your own egg".

"Yeah well, I was thinking... wouldn't it be nice to see a mini Alex running around the house?".

Everytime I picture our baby, the first thing on my mind is a chubby blond kid with blue eyes. Now all I can think of is a raven hair and green eyes baby.

"Oh Piper, you have no idea how happy you have made me".

As I said before, it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies.

We had 3 failed IVF and it's causing a tons of pressure on Piper. I feel badly sorry for my wife and sometimes I thought if this was a good idea putting her through this. The sheer amount of medication being pumped into her body over the course of months is ridiculously mind-blowing.

I remember the first time those medications was delivered to us, was 2 huge boxes. We opened it up and arranged it on our kitchen counter. The amount of medication, syringes and needles blow my mind.

The medicine they pumped in my body when I was at the hospital after my accident was nothing compared to this.

I was not ready for it to be pumped inside my wife, but Piper didn't even flinch at the thought of being pumped with a ridiculous amount of medicine.

After 3 failed attempts I was thinking I'm done. I couldn't allow this anymore the heartbreak and the disappointment is just too much for me and Piper. I was mostly concerned about her health and the lasting effect of medication in her body.

We decided to try one last time with Piper begging me. I don't want my wife to go through this anymore but I gave it another chance. As much as I want to have a baby, I don't want to compromise her health.

We were scheduled again this afternoon to go to the doctor and see if the fourth and last IVF worked. I didn't want to get my hopes high and be crushed again so I didn't think highly of our appointment today.

Piper, on the other hand is very cranky and irritated.

I was in the kitchen drinking my coffee and looking at my laptop when Piper, stormed out of our bedroom angry.

"I asked you to get this dirty laundry out of the bathroom and you didn't do it!". Piper yelled at me carrying the basket with all our dirty clothes in it.

"I asked you one thing, Alex! One thing! Do I have to do everything around here now?". She spat at me and walk briskly to the laundry room.

I run behind her and grab the basket from her.

"Here, let me do that". I said gently trying to reduce the tension.

"Nevermind, I'll do it!". She snapped at me and pull the basket away.

I sigh and walk back to the kitchen and continue what I'm doing. After a few minutes Piper enter the kitchen once again.

"What the hell is this?". This time she was holding a big box in her arm. That's the package I was supposed to send out yesterday for her niece's birthday.

"I am going to send that today after our appointment".

"I told you to send this yesterday! now it won't arrive on time for her birthday! Jesus! Why is it so hard to ask favor from you". She yelled and turn around and walk inside our bedroom and slam the door.

She must've been so stressed out about today's appointment that she's lashing out on me. I got up and followed her to the bedroom.

Piper's POV

I am aware that I am being harsh with Alex, but I can't help my frustrations. I am angry at myself that I can't even get pregnant and I feel like a complete failure. Right now I feel like everything is crumbling around me.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed when the door open. Alex, walk in and sit beside me and grab my hand.

"I'm so sorry... but I didn't forget to send the package yesterday. I tried and I went there but they were closed because of maintenance thingy going on. I am going to try again today if they're finally open".

I was overwhelmed with anxiety and frustration that I'm taking it all out on my wife. Alex, has the patience of a saint and she has been very supportive and understanding. Without her I wouldn't be able to keep doing this. She was always reminding me about my appointments and driving me to the doctor. She was a huge help and never once complained.

"No babe, don't apologize. I should be the one apologizing to you. I am so sorry Alex, I'm so stressed and I know you were trying to help me and I just bit your head off ". I bury my face in my hands.

"Are you worried about later?".

"Yeah". I said my voice trembling. I feel awfully guilty for snapping at Alex. She was trying to help me whenever she can and I have no excuse to be mean to her.

Alex, embrace me and I felt a little bit better. She always, always know what to do and how to make me feel good. I want to give her a child and I'm failing it.

"You don't have to worry about anything. I'm here". She said and kissed my shoulder.

"I'm worried that this is going to be another fail". I voiced out my concern.

"No need to be stressed about that yet. We'll deal with it when the time comes. Right now I want you to relax. Come on, I made you breakfast. You're cranky when your hungry". Alex, doesn't really fail to look after me.

*******************************

We arrive at the clinic half an hour early. We were sitting at the waiting area and Alex is reading a magazine, I am so anxious that I wasn't aware that I keep tapping my foot on the floor. I didn't realize I was doing it not until I felt Alex place her hand on my leg to stop me. My hands are shaking and I feel like I'm starting to get hyperventilated.

I look at Alex and she might've seen the anxiousness in my face.

"It's gonna be okay". She said and patted my lap. I lean my head on her shoulder and try to calm myself down.

After a while we were called in the room.

We both stood up and I exhaled loudly that Alex turn around and stare at me.

I couldn't look her at her face. What if this is going to be another fail attempt? I cannot look at my wife and see the disappointment in her face again.

"Look at me". She place her hand under my chin to force me to look at her.

"It'll be fine, okay? I'm here and whatever happen inside that room we'll face it together".

The doctor performed an abdominal ultrasound. We've done so many ultrasounds that this became second nature to us.

The doctor began the process, she put a cold gel and place the hand-held device on my belly. She look at the monitor screen and started looking around. Then, I notice something that wasn't there before. I've done a lot of ultrasound that I am familiar with it now.

No, it can't be...

Wait, could that really be something? Or it's just my mind playing tricks with me.

Oh my God!

There was really something in there and it looks like a little blip. I heard Alex gasp loudly and that confirmed my thoughts.

I literally could hear my heart beating in my chest.

The doctor smiled widely and point at the screen.

"See right there? That's your baby. It looks like you're about...

4 weeks pregnant". She said beaming at us. I was frozen. I couldn't believe it. There is actually a baby inside me.

Our baby.

She then started measuring the size of my gestation sac.

I couldn't believe that this is really happening. We are finally having a baby. The doctor said that our baby has a good heart rate and I was over the moon with excitement.

Alex can't contain her happiness with the great news that she kissed me hard on the lips infront of the doctor.

For 15 agonizing months of trying and struggling. Finally we are having our own miracle baby. I never expected for this day to be so successful. All the stress and anxiety are all gone. Everything we had gone through is totally worth it.

We left the clinic that day very happy and I feel like I'm floating. I feel light headed but in a good way.

Alex, called Nicky on the phone and told her the good news. We decided not to tell my family about this yet, not until it's safe to announce. But Nicky is an exemption, she's a big part of our family and we couldn't wait to share the news to her. She was coming over to our house tonight with Amelia and we'll have a mini celebration.

"Congratulations!" Nicky yelled the moment she open the door to our living room. She was holding a blue and pink balloons and a bunch of paper bags.

"Nicky!". I squealed. It is so great to see her. She gave me a tight hug and hands me the paper bags.

"Oh my goodness, what are these?".

"Me and Amelia went shopping for the baby. I can't help it. I'm very excited".

"Wait, where is she?". I crane my neck to look behind her but she's not there. "I thought she's coming with you?".

"Her brother was unexpectedly in town so she went to see him. Anyway, I didn't know the gender of the baby, so I got these blue and pink balloons".

"We don't know the gender yet".

Alex said behind me and grab the paper bags from me.

"It's too early to tell".

"Wow! This is a lot of clothes for a baby!". Alex exclaimed.

"I picked gender neutral colors, just incase. So how far are you?".

"It's only been 4 weeks". I said and unconsciously place my hand on my belly.

We all went outside the patio. Alex, cooked a bunch of meals for tonight. A little bit too much for 3 people I should say, even for 4 people if Amelia was here.

I stare at my wife. She look very happy and I can't help but think what our life is going to be now that we are expecting a baby. Alex, without a doubt is an amazing and excellent wife and I couldn't ask for more. She has always been my rock and my greatest blessing.

I used to be scared about uncertain things and if something changes I freak out, but she taught me that change is not a scary thing, it is part of growing and even if you fail it will either make you stronger or it will make you wiser. Either way it teaches you a lesson.

Now I'm not afraid of constant change in our life because I know Alex, will always be there for me no matter what happen. She embrace uncertainty with a lot of positivity and confidence, she's not scared of facing them which I admire about her.

I believe she will be an amazing mother.