Chapter 3

Sienna couldn’t sleep that night. She tossed and turned, her mind racing with thoughts about the medical evaluation she had to undergo for final approval as a surrogate. What if something went wrong? What if she wasn’t healthy enough?

She sighed heavily and grabbed her phone from the bedside table. Without thinking, she dialed Becky’s number.

Becky answered after the second ring, her voice groggy but concerned. "Sienna? Everything okay?"

"I’m sorry for calling so late," Sienna said quickly, "I just... I can’t sleep."

"Don’t worry about it. What’s going on?" Becky asked, now fully awake.

Sienna hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "I’m nervous about the medical tests tomorrow. What if something’s wrong with me and they decide I’m not a good fit?"

"Sienna, you’re going to be fine," Becky said firmly. "You’re healthy, responsible, and determined. If anyone can do this, it’s you."

"I know, but I’ve never been through anything like this before. What if they find something I didn’t even know about? What if—"

"Sienna," Becky interrupted gently, "you’ve been through tougher things in life. Remember when you worked double shifts for months just to keep a roof over your head? You’ve got this."

Sienna managed a small smile. "Thanks, Becky. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"Well, you’re stuck with me," Becky teased. "And Nana is too. She’d want me to tell you not to overthink things."

Sienna laughed softly. "I’ll try. Thanks for being there for me."

"Always," Becky said. "Now, get some sleep. You’ll ace those tests tomorrow."

As they hung up, Sienna felt a little lighter. Becky always had a way of grounding her, reminding her that she was stronger than her doubts.

The next morning, Sienna walked into the clinic feeling a bit more confident, ready to face whatever came next.

After taking the tests, she went home. The results came out the next day, and the doctor requested both her and Damien’s presence to discuss the results.

Sitting across from the doctor, Sienna felt her heart race as he explained her condition. The hormonal imbalance meant that, despite her desire to help the couple, they would have to conceive naturally. The doctor seemed to tread lightly, but the gravity of the situation weighed on her. She had prepared herself for this moment, but hearing the words confirmed everything she feared.

The moment they left the doctor’s office, Damien turned to her, his face unreadable. "Take some time to think about it," he said softly, his voice laced with concern. "We’ll talk more after you’ve had some time."

Later that afternoon, Sienna found herself walking across the street to Harley’s restaurant. Becky worked nearby, and Sienna knew this would be the best chance to catch her before her lunch break ended. She hadn’t planned on seeing her there, but after everything that had happened, she needed someone to talk to.

Becky was sitting at a table by the window when Sienna entered, looking up with a warm, familiar smile. She gestured for Sienna to join her, already sensing that something was weighing on her.

"Hey," Becky greeted her softly. "You look like you’ve been through the wringer. What’s going on?"

Sienna sat down, her shoulders heavy. "The doctor... they said I have to conceive naturally. The hormonal imbalance means artificial insemination won’t work."

Becky’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Whoa. That’s... a lot."

Sienna nodded, her eyes downcast. "It gets worse. I had to tell him... I’ve never... been with anyone. I’m still pure. And now you know, too."

Becky’s expression softened as she leaned forward. "You’ve never told anyone that before, have you?"

Sienna shook her head. "No. I never wanted to admit it. But now I’ve had to say it out loud, and it feels... different. It’s not just about the pregnancy anymore. It’s about me, and what I’m giving up... and what I’m not ready to lose."

Becky took a moment to absorb her words, her gaze thoughtful. "I get it. This isn’t just about helping someone else. It’s about your own sense of yourself. Your purity is part of who you are. I can’t imagine how heavy that must feel right now."

Sienna sighed, her hands fidgeting with her coffee cup. "I don’t know what to do. I want to help them, but I’m scared. I’ve never really thought about losing this part of me, not until now."

"Take your time," Becky advised gently. "This isn’t a decision you need to rush. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just take it one step at a time, and when you’re ready, you’ll know what to do."

Sienna met her gaze, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Becky. I don’t think I could do this without your support."

Becky smiled warmly. "You’ve got this. Just don’t lose sight of what’s important to you."

Sienna nodded, grateful for her friend’s calm reassurance. She wasn’t sure what the next steps would be, but at least she knew she wasn’t alone in this.

As they finished their lunch, Sienna’s mind was still buzzing with thoughts, but now there was a sense of clarity she hadn’t had before. Whatever came next, she would face it on her terms, with her boundaries intact.

Later that evening, after the conversation with Becky, Sienna met Damien for dinner. The weight of her decision still hung over her, but she felt a little more ready to talk about it openly with him. What she did know was that she couldn’t move forward without first figuri

ng out what she truly wanted—and how much she was willing to give.