“He doesn’t look well, but since this is all his idea, I’m going to wave that look off as nerves. Can you message me her information and I’ll give her a call?”
His and Robert’s gazes held. How had the tables turned so quickly, now Landon was filled with anxiety while Robert seemed cool, calm, and collected.
“Thanks, Sophia. I’ll call you when I hear from Autumn.” Robert ended the call while staring at Landon.
He used his super calm voice usually reserved for when Landon was ready to blow his stack about something Robert had purchased for him.
“Don’t freak out. Just like you told me, we got this.”
“I’m not freaked.” Landon said that lie and rolled his eyes for good measure.
“Good. Go change. I’m starving. I’ll see if she has time for lunch.”
Landon nodded again, and shut the lid of the laptop, feeling very much like the wuss he was becoming.
Chapter 41
Landon sat back in the booth-style seating, trying to make more room for his bulky frame. Robert sat next to him, finishing off his plate of Pad Thai like a man who hadn’t eaten in days. Maybe if they couldn’t fit comfortably in a normal-size booth, Landon had hit the gym too hard. His clothes didn’t fit him anymore either. He’d had to go a size bigger from all the lifting he’d been doing to kill time during Robert’s absence.
Forgoing his meal, Landon lifted an arm to lay on the edge of the booth and across Robert’s back. His mister looked over at him, those clear, blue eyes shining with love, and he moved in closer, flush against his side. The gesture of wanting to be nearer to him was sweet, and he tucked his arm around Robert’s shoulder, keeping him right there. It helped ease his fear.
Before they ever got inside the building, while sitting in the vehicle, looking through the front windows of Ocha Thai Café, Landon saw that Stephanie met all his physical requirements of being their egg donor. She was tall, lean, blonde, and pretty in a classic kind of way, or maybe better said, in that Robert kind of way. Stephanie held herself with a poised grace that seemed natural, not forced, making her very comfortable to be around. After meeting her and going through his first round of questions—the basics like who are you, why are you doing this, what’s your nicotine usage, and what’s your political affiliation—because that mattered in the Adams family—Landon had known they’d found their donor.
Robert though hadn’t seemed to clue in on Landon’s early decision. His mister inundated Stephanie with questions, going overboard on her and her family’s medical history, their levels of education and again on their political affiliations.
When the questions ended, and they had maybe as long as a minute of silence, Stephanie dropped her hands to her lap and said, “If you guys chose me, I’ll consider it an honor. Your schedule fits mine perfectly. Dr. Richardson told me you were looking for a fresh egg donation. I’m good with whatever you decide.”
“You all done?” the waitress asked, reaching for his and Stephanie’s plates.
“I am.” Landon watched Stephanie turn a bright, friendly smile to the waitress. He really liked that maneuver, making sure everyone around her was respected and comfortable. Robert did that same thing all the time. Landon nodded, extending his plate.
“Did Sophia’s firm talk to you about payment?” Robert asked and hurriedly added his last bite, encouraging the waitress to take his plate too.
“She did. You two are very generous. My family and I have worked hard to support me through medical school, your generosity will help. I’m willing to begin my clinical evaluations when I return to Minneapolis.”
“So, money’s your motivator in doing this?” Landon asked.
“No.” She shook her head and looked down at her hands in her lap. “The truth is my older brother is gay. He’s ten years older than me. His coming out happened when he was twelve years old and he didn’t out himself. Times have changed and I understand they have, but his life hasn’t been easy for him. It pleases me to give you two something like this. Especially now that I see it’s you,” she said, nodding at Robert. “It’s my way of putting good out into the world.”
“Thank you,” Robert said, in his normally kind way. “What involvement do you want in our lives if we move forward?”
“I’ve thought about this quite a lot. I believe Dr. Richardson stayed in your life, is that correct?”
“She did and has. We always knew her and what she did for us, but my parents were my fathers.” Robert seemed direct and clear in what he’d allow and not allow.
“I don’t intend to stay in Minnesota after med school. I’d like to travel with a Doctors Without Borders type program, but I understand the value of staying in all your lives, at a distance. Is this the only pregnancy you plan?” she asked.
“No,” Robert answered with certainty. “We’ll have at least one more, most likely more.”
“I’ll let you decide my involvement. How’s that?” Stephanie offered.
Robert seemed good with her answer, giving a firm nod. His hand came to Landon’s thigh, giving a firm squeeze. “We need to talk more about it.”
“Okay, well, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. My brother’s going to be excited I met you. Your father helped my brother,” she added, explaining how she recognized Robert.
Robert was no longer dealing with all his guilt and depression. He seemed profoundly sincere when he said, “My father was a great man, one I
