That was an understatement. I was reeling.
“A couple of reasons,” Freya replied softly. “I can solve so many problems and do a good deed all at once. I can put money away, experience childbirth, and thinking about someone else will keep me from thinking about demons and regrets…and Anni. My therapist suggested that I find a way to help others and?—”
“And you decided to become a surrogate?” I huffed incredulously.
“This is good, Viggo. Be happy for me. Please.”
I tugged at my beard in frustration. What could I do? I had no say here. “I…okay.”
“Thank you.”
“I just want you to be safe.”
“I am.”
We let silence gather for a moment. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I had questions. And they all came out in one big blast.
“How does surrogacy work? Is it your egg or someone else’s? Do you have a relationship with the family? Who’s your doctor? Where will you have the baby? Are you taking vitamins? You can’t drink alcohol. You know this, right? You must eat well and…who will take care of you?”
Freya gasped. “Oh, my God, Viggo. Take a deep breath and?—”
“Answer the questions.”
“Okay, okay.I’mtaking care of me. Don’t worry, V. I’m seeing Dr. Razminski once a month, taking vitamins, eating well, staying hydrated…no alcohol. I’ve only had the one bout of morning sickness, but the books say it’s early. I’m only seven weeks along. That means I have another thirty-three to go. As far as surrogacy goes—it was my egg. I’m considered a desirable donor, and there was more money involved so I went for it. That’s the extent of my relationship with the father. It’s a business transaction. Nothing else. Honestly, I thought he was gay at first, but I did some research and he was married once.”
I furrowed my brow. “What do you mean? There’s no family?”
“No, no. He’s a single man who wants to be a dad,” she replied breezily.
“Who is he? Where is he from? What does he do?”
“I can’t tell you. It was part of the contract. He added it at the last second, and I have to be cool about this.”
“This is very suspicious. I don’t like it,” I growled.
“Viggo…come on. Be happy for me,” she coaxed.
My God.I shook my head in defeat, unsure why I was so upset. Freya was a grown woman. It didn’t matter if I liked her choices or not. She would do as she pleased. What I didn’t want was for her to get hurt, and I had a bad feeling about her being able to walk away from her own child.
“I’ll try. I just…”
“You’re mad.”
“No, I’m not.” I rested my chin on my elbow and closed my eyes. “I’m worried…that’s all. If I knew who this man was, I might feel better. I don’t want you to be taken advantage of, and you have a history of?—”
“I know, I know. All right. I’ll tell you something about him, and I know I shouldn’t, but this is too good not to share. You just have to pinky promise me that you won’t do anything weird.”
“That’s not a good introduction.”
Freya snickered. “Such a drama king. It’s nothing bad. In fact, it’s kind of funny. The man who hired me is from Wood Hollow.”
“Wood Hollow?”
“Yes. Can you believe that? He’s very nice, very handsome, and I think he’s going to be a great dad. That’s all I can say, andI’ve already said too much, so just be happy for me. And for you. You’ll get your money back with interest.”
“I don’t care about the money, Freya.”
“Well, I do. I want a new start. No debt, no regrets. This is how I’m doing it. Okay?”
