This choice: Sarah is excited. She always regretted not having children. • Go Back...Chapter #5Sarah is excited. She always regretted not havi... by: fantaghiro   You were surprised. Rather than upset, Sarah seemed almost excited. She noted your confused expression and explained. "I'm sure I haven't processed all this yet - it's too much to take at once. And I feel terrible for the poor girl - Charlotte, you said? - and her family. But I regretted that we put off having children so long. We always thought there'd be more time, but then I needed the hysterectomy...." she trailed off with a sad look.
Doctor Saunders cleared his throat. "Excuse me, I'll leave you two alone to discuss this," he said and left the room.
You took Sarah's hand and stroked it gently. "I know, darling, I wish we'd done things differently too," you said consolingly.
She lifted her head to look you in the eyes. "But don't you see, James, now we CAN. It's like I've been given a second chance!"
"Well, yes, I guess you have," you agreed. "But there's more you need to know," you added uncomfortably and then explained about the agreement
for her to pretend to be Charlotte.
That, more than the pregnancy or the transplant itself, perturbed her. "You agreed for me to give up my identity!" she exclaimed before going into a tirade.
It took you quite some time to calm her down, but eventually you made her understand the necessity. "The doctors had already declared you - Sarah Baker - dead. And it was clear to me that the hospital wasn't going to help if I tried to 'prove' you identity. This was the best compromise - and really, what other choice did we have? A life as a public spectacle? I know you didn't want that. And Rob -- Robert Young, Charlotte's husband -- didn't like that idea either."
"Her husband?" she said, taken aback. "I...I hadn't given her family much thought. She was married?"
"Yes," you answered. "A nice young man. He was completely devastated. He agreed to the transplant at first just to save the baby, but he's kind of latched on to us - he's been really worried."
The news of Charlotte's husband distracted her from her anger over the identity issue. "It must be horrible for him," she said thoughtfully. "So of course he wants the baby...but how is this going to work? Am I supposed to pretend to be his wife? That will be rather awkward, don't you think," she wondered.
"Yes, it will be for awhile. But only temporarily. Robert wants to be around until the baby is born. He and I talked and worked out a compromise, if you're willing. It will be a little strange, I know, but I think you should stay with him for awhile. Now just hear me out!" you said forcefully when she started to interrupt, sitting forward. "It may sound crazy but just think about it. 'Sarah Baker' is dead - so for the next couple weeks I'm going to have to deal with family and friends - both yours and mine - coming around for the funeral and to 'comfort' me. How could we explain your presence - this pregnant woman staying with me."
Sarah leaned back in the bed, considering your words.
You continued. "And after that, I'm afraid, I'm going to need to go back to work. Until my current project is done I'll be on the road 80% of the time - and I don't like the idea of leaving you completely alone in your condition. Robert will look after you - it's his child, after all. It's the least we can do considering the sacrifice he's made."
"James, you've always been a very understanding man, but I must say I'm surprised. Are you sure about this?" she asked.
You sighed. "No, I'm not 'sure' - and, of course, ultimately it's up to you. But I've talked alot with Rob and I feel for him. I keep putting myself in his place, imagining what it would be like to lose you like that. It would be unbearable. I think that he's pinning everything on the baby now - that's the only way he's keeping things together. And it's not like I'm giving you up. I'll be there as much as possible. But this is the best I can come up with. Do you agree?"
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