Page 47 of Things We Do for Love and Science
“There’s a new bakery by the river; they have all sorts of nice stuff.” Delia made a fresh pot of tea, and together, they devoured the sweet, sticky, and perfectly delicious pastry. She leaned one elbow on the table and studied her friend. “I’ll miss you something fierce when you’re back home. You’re my only true ally in John Winter’s lab.
“You’re way too afraid of our boss, you know that? He’d have to close his lab in the morning if you chose to leave. The way he bullies you into getting DNA samples from the hot aristocrat is simply awful.”
Delia dropped her gaze. “I’m not getting any more samples for John. You’re right, I should have stood up to him sooner.”
Sandra patted Delia’s arm. “I’m not blaming you. He abused his power.”
“Yeah, but I should’ve been a better friend to Gabriel right from the start and...”
“Gabriel,is it now?” Sandra grinned at her. “What’s the story with you and the earl?”
Delia hesitated for a moment. Sandrawasprivy to her plans to have a baby via sperm donor, and she deserved to know about Gabriel’s involvement in Delia’s scheme. Sandra would probably be less inquisitive than Tom.
“Do you remember the time you told me to make babies with him?”
Sandra’s eyes widened, and her mouth formed the shape of a silent ‘O.’
“That’s what we’re doing. In actual fact, he volunteered to be my sperm donor,” Delia grasped Sandra’s hand. “Now that I have tenure and can plan my life a bit better, I’m ready to have a child.”
Warmth spread through her, and her chest expanded with joy. Things were finally happening.
After years of stasis, her life was moving in exactly the right direction. “I told Gabriel about it during one of our painting sessions...”
“Painting sessions?” Sandra squinted at her.
“Long story. Anyway, he offered to be the sperm donor and co-parent with me once the little one is born.” Delia nearly bounced in her seat with excitement.
Sandra blew air out of her puffed-up cheeks. “Goodness me, that’s quite the development.”
“Yes, I suppose it sounds like that.” Delia shrugged. “But I left out a couple of intervening steps.”
Sandra threw her head back and laughed. “Understatement of the century. How come I’m only hearing about this now?”
“I don’t make a habit of striking up friendships, and Gabriel—” Delia scratched the back of her neck.
“Tell me about it.” Sandra chuckled. “It took you—what? A year to open up to me?”
“That’s because we met in a professional setting. I was supposed to help you settle into the lab for your post-doc. Plus I like to keep work and private life separate.”
“Delia, you have no private life to speak of.” Sandra pursed her lips. “But back to Gabriel. How come he gets fast-tracked into your sacred inner circle?”
“I don’t know.” Delia stroked the wooden table, worrying a knothole with her index finger. “It surprised me how quickly we became close. But...he was so vulnerable and open right from the start, I immediately trusted him. He has a kind heart, and I want him to be well. That’s why I agreed to sit for a painting, to take his mind off his recent loss.”
“And the sperm donor thing?” Sandra quirked her head.
“He offered, out of the blue.” Delia focused on her friend. “I couldn’t believe my luck, I mean, you’ve seen his DNA...”
“Oh, those telomeres, how could I forget?” Sandra laughed. “But don’t you fancy him?”
Delia straightened in her seat. “I think it’s quite a normal biological reaction to fancy someone that handsome, especially if he’s also a good person.”
“Why don’t the two of you get together since he’s single and all?” Sandra put up a hand. “Just pointing out the obvious.”
Delia gave her a stern look. “Because it’s fine exactly the way it is. I’m not in the market for a serious relationship. He’s more traditional, I think. And I don’t want to hurt him or raise expectations I have no intention of fulfilling.”
“Ah. No matter, you still get to have a baby with his outstanding genes,” Sandra cooed.
“Exactly.” Delia drummed the edge of the table with her fork. “Besides, co-parenting as friends is ideal. No broken hearts, no power play, no need to punish or thwart the other parent. Just harmony and friendship.”
