EMBER
The day Amara’s husband, Nehemiah, called to tell me they were proceeding with the insemination, I didn’t realize it then, but I know it now.
It was an angel in disguise. God showed out, as if He were saying, “Wait and watch what I’m about to do for you and Rhema.
” And it’s been nothing but blessings since.
I don’t know if God made me go through everything I went through just to reach this point, but it sure felt like it. Even though what I was doing wasn’t considered the traditional way of doing things, it made me appreciate the blessings even more.
Before getting inseminated, I sat Rhema down and explained as much as I could to her so her young mind could understand.
At first, she tried hard to grasp that she wouldn’t meet the baby because he or she would be for someone else.
I explained this was something I had to do in order for our lives to get better.
When I told her that doing this would keep us out of the shelter, right away, my daughter was on board.
As she got older and became a mother herself, I didn’t doubt that she would understand a mother’s sacrifice.
Rhema had been so helpful as I got further into the pregnancy. Some days I had so many aches in my body that it made me idle. And here came my baby girl to my rescue, helping around our condo, creating little platters of healthy snacks, or comforting me just by her presence alone.
Cassie, one of my own personal angels, was holding things down for us too.
Sometimes she cooked the healthy meals requested by the parents, foods they wanted me to feed their baby.
She came over and did our laundry and anything she could to make my life easier than it had become since becoming a surrogate.
Sometimes she’d just come over to chill and give me a good laugh when she updated me about Mr. Gross or whatever crazy mess was going on with his employees.
Our friendship had blossomed, and she meant so much to me.
I still couldn’t believe the parents were literally paying for everything.
It let me know how much this child was loved before he or she even made their appearance in the world.
It was beautiful to witness, even though I had no idea who the parents were.
But it did feel good to know that a baby who had part of me running inside them would be well taken care of.
Having ties to a baby who wasn’t mine was something I struggled with as they developed, especially when I felt all their tiny movements.
It was such a beautiful thing, but that’s when I had to snap out of it and remember my reality.
This was a job I was getting paid well to do.
No emotions. All business is what I had to keep telling myself.
The original agreement was that I would get paid eighty thousand dollars, but with having to quit my job at the thrift store and not having stable living arrangements, the family agreed to pay me one hundred thousand dollars.
The first fifty thousand was transferred the same day the baby’s heartbeat was heard.
I had never had that much money in my life. And the greatest thing about it was that I barely had to touch it, only for things Rhema and I needed outside the baby. I was penny-pinching to the fullest, and I didn’t care. I feared being broke again.
The parents paid for our housing and everything else that was needed for their child to develop safely, comfortably, and healthily. What they were doing for their unborn baby was what I strived to do for mine, even if I had a late start.
With the amount of time I now had on my hands, I did online research on investments I could make to grow the money.
The investment world was a whole different ball game, which I had no clue about.
Even after the extensive amount of research I did, I still didn’t fully understand it. So, my next step was to take a class.
All I wanted to do was use my time to learn as many skills as I could.
The internet had become my best friend. When the baby was born, and I had to get back to my own life, I wanted to be a new woman.
Therefore, on the days I didn’t have an appointment or a pregnancy massage, or when I wasn’t fatigued, I was feeding my brain with information that could change me and Rhema’s lives.
Cassie entered Rhema’s bedroom after she finished folding our laundry. I was lying on my side on Rhema’s bed, watching her make jewelry on the floor, a new hobby she had picked up.
Colorful beads were scattered around her while Rhema worked like a little professional, completely in her own world.
Seeing her in this element, with a smile plastered on her face, was so calming to me. I hadn’t seen my daughter grin like this since she was an infant who hadn’t gotten a taste of the world yet. That alone made my decision feel that much more worth it.
Cassie leaned against the doorframe, just watching us. She, too, wore the biggest smile on her face.
“I love this for y’all.”
“I love it too, Cass. If it wasn’t for you…”
She walked farther into the room and sat on the bed next to me. “Don’t you start that. I gave you an idea, and you did your part. This story was already written. We just ain’t know it yet.”
I sat up. “You do have a point, but that don’t mean I’ll stop thanking you.” I leaned on her shoulder, both of us appreciating Rhema’s creative pieces.
She sat cross-legged on the floor, her tongue poking out slightly as she carefully threaded another bead like it was the most serious job in the world.
“Rhema, girl, these bracelets are beautiful. Soon, you’ll be rich from your talent, baby.” Cassie leaned forward to pick up one of her complete pieces. It was an emerald and gold beauty.
She was right. I would’ve never known my daughter was so talented if I hadn’t picked up this jewelry-making kit for her the day I quit my job.
Rhema looked up with all her teeth on display. “Thank you, Mrs. Cass. The one you’re holding is actually one I made for you.”
This caught Cassie off guard. She was speechless for the first time ever. When she finally processed what Rhema said, she slid down to the floor and pulled Rhema in for a hug.
“Rhema, baby. Wow, you’re so thoughtful. I’ll forever cherish your creation. It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”
The scene before me warmed my soul. Rhema was such a sweet child.
Two of my favorite people and I, all under one roof, enjoying the simple part of life…
sometimes it really do be the simple things.
And truth be told, this moment wouldn’t even exist for us if Cassie hadn’t suggested that I become a surrogate.
At last, I was able to experience something like this in my life.
“Mrs. Cass, now you, Mommy, and I can all have matching bracelets.”
I flashed them a smile while the baby kicked up a storm in my belly.
“These are so beautiful. Thank you, Rhema baby.” Cassie grinned, pulling Rhema closer to her.
This was the greatest feeling.