Chosen to Carry

iseptic smell of the clinic. Maya sat by the window, knees pulled to her chest, sipping warm herbal tea that tasted of chamomile and honey. Though her body was still recovering from the procedure, her

onne

he room with a rich aroma. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and Maya noticed the faint scent of his

quiet between them, the kind that only forms when two people know something big has just begun. Spencer's eyes locked onto hers, and

ay at one of my apartments for the next few months? Or the suite here? I've arranged both options. Safer, m

omplete rest. No stress, no heavy activity-" "I can rest there," she interrupted. "That house is the only thing I have left. I don't w

ce steady. "I did this to save my home. So yes, I want to stay ther

of wariness. She didn't know what to make of Spencer's sudden understanding. "Thank you," she murmured. "And," he added, "I'll have someone check on y

ing light, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers. He hadn't seen his mother in weeks-not since the wil

the shears snipping through the stems was soothing. "Spencer," she said softly when she saw him. "You c

surrogate's been implanted." His mother didn't speak for a moment. Then: "How do you feel?" "Like I just gave someone permission

orary?" He nodded. "I think she already does." His mother placed a hand over his. "Then it is the r

er replied. "That means she's grounded." He chuckled under his

on. "You chose something hard. Something real. That's rare in this family." Spencer looked at her, fee

f responsibility he was taking on and the uncertainty that came with it. But with his mother's words still echoing in his

around at the creaky floors and old frames on the walls, each one telling a story of its own. Every part

her. She was in her second week, and already she could feel the changes in her body. The fatigue, the

tion, but also fear and uncertainty. What would the future hold? Would she be able to handle the res

do this. She would carry this child, and she would give it the best possible life. And as she sat there, surrounded by the familiar comforts