Robert convinced Debbie that Ric shouldn’t be Gini’s lawyer. He was too entangled with her and Franco. He helped her find an attorney who handled divorces. The divorce conditions were easy until Franco requested he get the three frozen embryos. It made Debbie furious. Why did he want them?
She had a long conversation with Robert about it.
“Those are his embryos as much as Gini’s. She’s never going to have children.”
“So he’s going to get pregnant,” Debbie had a snide tone to her voice, “or remarry and have his new wife carry his old wife’s child? That’s kind of sick. And what woman would do that?”
“He could have a surrogate carry the child.”
“Ooh, that’s as bad.”
“Come on, Deb, he’s probably not going to use them. He’ll meet someone else and have babies with her. It’s just a way of holding on for a little while longer.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Of course not. It’s just what I think. We both know he loves her very deeply. What would Gini want?’
“I don’t know. She doesn’t like Franco.”
“So she wouldn’t want him to have them?”
“I don’t know! She’s not—she can’t decide now, and I didn’t know her before.”
“I have a feeling Gini still has feelings for Franco. Maybe not in love with him any longer, but he has been in her life for a long time. Give it some thought. Maybe you’re making a bigger deal about the embryos than there needs to be.”
In the end, Debbie gave in. Franco would have the embryos.
Debbie had been so stressed during the whole process. Thankfully, Lisa had been there to help Debbie calm down when she got so frustrated. She didn’t know what she’d do without Lisa; she was Debbie’s tower of strength. Debbie knew the three of them, Lisa, Gini, and herself, would have many good times together.
Lisa was having a hard time figuring out what was going to happen to Debbie and Gini. Now that Debbie was Gini’s guardian, what did that mean exactly? Would they be living together from then on? And how did Lisa fit into the picture? There had been no discussion before Debbie took the guardianship. She just announced it one morning when Lisa came to visit the unit. Debbie went on and on about talking to Robert about it and the divorce. Lisa felt left out, and she was jealous every time Debbie hugged Gini. How she longed for those Debbie hugs.
But she didn’t say anything.
Franco asked if he could see Gini one more time. He had to say goodbye to her, he just had to; it didn’t seem right if he didn’t.
After a lot of consultation with Maggie and Doctors Young and Meyer, it was decided he could visit in a controlled environment. If she became upset, he’d have to leave. Debbie waited to tell Gini he was coming until the morning of the day. She didn’t react in any way. The time was set for eleven o’clock Thursday morning.
At ten forty-five, Ric arrived. “I have to be here, Debbie. Please let me stay.”
Ric had poured his heart out to Franco at the meeting, convincing him to see Gini. Now, he wondered if that was the right thing to do. What if once Franco saw how beautiful and wonderful she still was, he’d change his mind and want her back? He hated all the anticipation. First, he thought Robert was trying to steal her, and now it was Franco. I cannot lose her love. Please, he begged in his mind. She is mine… no one else can have her. She’s mine.
“Only if you stay in the living area,” Debbie told Ric. “The meeting is going to be in the bedroom. You have to stay in here.”
There was a tap at the door. It was Franco.
Debbie rushed to it—he was way early.
Gini sat on the side of the bed. Debbie had dressed her in a dress and pulled her curly hair back.
“Babe!” Seeing her took his breath away. He walked past Debbie to the bed.
Get here right now, Debbie texted the others.
As he walked up to the bed, Gini opened her eyes. The blue was stunning. He took her hands from her lap.
“Gini, I… I’m here to tell you we are di…” He cleared his throat. “Divorced. It’s better this way. You have a new life now, and Debbie is going to take care of you.”
“Dee… bee… lah… uff.”
He smiled. She did say words.
Maggie, Dr. Young, and Dr. Meyer walked in and stood next to Debbie at the door.
Maggie leaned over and whispered to Debbie, “How’s she doing?”
“Fine,” Debbie said with a surprised tone.
“I’m giving you the condo. I want you to live there. It’s yours now.” He looked down at their hands and rubbed his thumbs on her soft skin. “I wanted a family with you…” His voice cracked.
“Bee… bee… uff… die.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Ric stood by the window looking out. He could hear every word over the audio monitor on the side table. The emotion crept into his throat.
“I’m giving you most of my money,” Franco went on. “I don’t want Debbie to have to worry about anything but taking care of you.”
“Guiney… No… uff… moe… ny.”
He gave a small laugh. That was his Gini, determined to be independent.
“Well, babe, it’s the law. I’m required to give you half of everything I have. And I give it willingly.”
“Guiney… moe… ny. Guiney… af… uff… moe… ny.”
“No, you keep your money.”
He couldn’t hold it in any longer and put his hands on both sides of her face. “Gini, I love you more than anything in the world.” His voice was shaking. “And I always will.” He leaned forward and put a gentle, passionate
