Page 16 of Last Call

“What?”

“Why is it important to you to have Dean be part of this equation?”

Fallon shook her head.

“I haven’t spoken with Riley about any of this. She wouldn’t share her feelings about Dean withme. But I understand her position,” Ida said.

“But you can’t understand how I feel?” Fallon asked.

“I think the idea of a baby who is part of you biologically appeals to you. You could pursue that, Fallon, without Dean’s involvement,” Ida said.

Fallon sighed.

“But that’s not something you’ve ever desired,” Ida continued. “To be pregnant and give birth.”

“No.”

“And is that something you’re willing to discuss with Riley?”

“What are you talking about?” Fallon asked.

“Are you open to the possibility of carrying your child?”

“I doubt that’s possible.”

“You’re barely forty-one, Fallon. It might not be easy. It’s certainly possible.”

“I never wanted that, Mom. Riley wants to have more kids.”

“Yes. And I’m sure she expected she’d have more kids with Robert. That would mean she would carry those babies. That isn’t an inevitability with you as her partner.”

“I just—we always discussed Riley getting pregnant.”

“Mm. Because you assumed she would want it that way,” Ida guessed.

“And?”

“And you alsoassumedRiley would be fine with Dean as the donor,” Ida said.

“Mom, I understand things with Dean and the girls are complicated. That isn’t our situation.”

Ida laughed.

“Why is that funny?” Fallon asked.

“It’s absurd,” Ida replied. “No matter what agreement you make with your brother, his relationship with all the children in our family will affectyourchildren.”

“It doesn’t need to be negative, Mom.”

“I admit, I expected you to see this more clearly.”

“What does that mean?” Fallon asked.

“It means what I said.”

“So, what? I’m terrible because I’m not in love with the idea of some stranger as the father of my kids?”

“Not at all,” Ida said.

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