“So what do you do now?”

“I decided to go see his lawyer. I don’t really have another choice. I want to know if our donor is Jeffcoat, and I have to work with Marcus.” Christine hesitated, then confided her deepest fear. “I don’t know what happens with him and me, going forward. I mean, Lauren, is my marriage in trouble?”

“No! Don’t get crazy. You guys love each other. You don’t even fight. Josh and I have couple-envy.”

Christine couldn’t smile. “The thing is, we’re not fighting, even now. We just have really different views, and that’s a lot worse. How can I ask him to parent a child he can’t love? How can a marriage sustain that? And no child deserves to be born into a family like that. I went through hell to have this child. So did he.”

“Right, he had that TESA operation, where they opened up his balls.” Lauren groaned.

“We wanted a baby. This was the most wanted child in the world. But not to him, anymore. He already believes that a tendency to violence is hereditary, and he’s going to find a doctor to tell him that.” Christine knew that Marcus was so proactive, he was probably making the phone calls in the airport, trying to find another genetics counselor. “Even so, let’s say he comes around. Do I really want a husband who’s half-interested? Half-loving our baby?”

Lauren moaned.

“I want to be on the same page with him. I want us to be in this together, completely. That’s why I’m going to the lawyer. I mean, remember, there’s still a possibility that our donor isn’t Jeffcoat.”

“You want me to go with you to the lawyer? I want to. I’m free tomorrow. My kids are still in school, remember?”

“Okay, and I have my OB-GYN appointment tomorrow, too. I hear the heartbeat.” Christine had been looking forward to her first ultrasound, but that was tainted now. Marcus wouldn’t even be there, and she could hear the heartbeat of a baby he didn’t want.

“Oh, can I please go with you, too? You can’t hear the heartbeat for the first time all by yourself.”

“Aw, thanks, yes, come,” Christine answered, touched. “I still can’t believe this. It’s all happening so fast, it’s like everything went to hell in a handbasket in just one day.”

“Everything’s going to be okay, honey.”

“You think?” Christine wanted to believe her, but didn’t. She checked CNN, where political pundits were arguing, and the closed captioning read REPUBLICANS BACK NEW JOBS BILL.

“Yes, I do. You guys are too good together.”

“We used to be. I don’t want to sue Davidow, but I feel like it’s the only way I can make Marcus happy. The way I look at it, I’m trying to save my marriage.” Christine swallowed hard, feeling a wrench in her chest.

“This is not going to break up your marriage.”

“I don’t want a divorce. I love my husband. I do.”

“I know you do,” Lauren said, warmly.

“But I’m not giving up on this baby,” Christine said, meaning it, too.

“Hang in. Let’s see what the lawyer says.”

“Right, because lawyers are always so helpful.”

And they both laughed.

Chapter Thirteen

Christine and Lauren exchanged glances as they sat down in the waiting room of Leonardo & Associates, with its unique decor. According to a wall of laminated news articles, Gary Leonardo was known as “The Lion” of the Medical Malpractice Division of the Connecticut Bar Association, and his firm name was engraved into a gleaming bronze plaque in the shape of a lion’s head. Two gold-toned lion statues held up glass end tables, and the lamp bases were black statues of roaring lions. They flanked the black leather wing chairs on which the women found themselves.

Lauren leaned over. “He likes lions. We get it.”

“Bingo.” Christine forced a smile, knowing her best friend was trying to cheer her up.

“He inspires fear. He’s the king of Connecticut.” Lauren snorted, quietly. “It can be very dangerous here. Those hedge funders, they bite. Plus, he’s very manly.”

“Obviously.”

“He has plenty of sperm. Sperm to spare.” Lauren clammed up as the pretty, dark-haired receptionist rose, with a pleasant smile.

“Gary will see you now,” she said, motioning them forward.

“Thank you,” Christine and Lauren said in unison, rising. They followed the slim twenty-something as she sashayed down the hallway in a flashy red jersey dress, with Christine and Lauren distinctly unfashionable by comparison. Christine had on a blue-checked shirt, blue cotton skirt, and her good sandals, and Lauren had on a navy blazer over a tan muslin smock with her best Danskos, so they both looked like it was Parents’ Night.

“Ladies, welcome!” boomed Gary Leonardo, who pumped Christine’s hand, practically pulling her into his office. “Now I know the whole family! Come in! Siddown, take a seat!”

“Well, thanks.” Christine smiled, off-balance, since Gary struck her as completely caffeinated. His dark eyes danced with animation, and he flashed a broad smile with lightened teeth. He was tan for early summer, and his shiny hair was suspiciously jet-black. He was trim in a European-fit dark suit, crisp white shirt, and a jungle-print silk tie, and though he was on the short side, it did nothing to diminish his power, which seemed to emanate from his life force, like Al Pacino with a law degree.

“I have to win you over!” Gary’s eyes narrowed, with a mischievous glint. “I haven’t yet! But I will. I will win you over.” Gary turned to Lauren. “And you are—”

“Lauren Weingarten, her best friend.”

“The best friend! Happy to have you! Welcome!” Gary beamed, pumping Lauren’s hand. “Believe me, I know how important the best friend is. My wife Denise has a best friend. Together, they run my life. They rule my world. They are my sun and moon. Here, sit down. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks.” Christine sat down in another black leather chair, and so did Lauren.

“Ladies, you want a coffee? You want a Diet Coke? I know you do.” Gary gestured at the receptionist. “Theresa, get ’em some Diet Cokes?”

“Thank you, but can I have a water instead?” Christine said, turning to the receptionist, who smiled back before she left.