Chapter 45 The Agreement
THE AGREEMENT
LEAH
Hands clasped, we sat at a Chelsea bar wondering if Mac would show up.
Yes, we invited you out because we are wondering if you will inseminate me, Mac!
The conversation couldn’t be weirder. And given the expensive cocktails with nothing but Shakespearean names, it felt odd.
It was also typically Lourdes and me. This was just how life worked for us.
We performed for hundreds of people moments before. Now, it was time to figure things out.
“It will be fine,” Lourdes said.
“It will be awkward,” I groaned, spotting Mac’s ginger-head walking towards us.
I stood, giving him a hug.
“How the hell are you?” Mac asked.
“Good,” I said. “It’s been a few weeks. A lot has happened.”
“It’s good to catch up,” he assured. “How are you, Lou?”
“Not drunk,” Lourdes said.
Not drunk enough.
“That’s good.” He slid into the booth.
A server approached to take our order. Like any born Scot, he ordered straight whisky.
“Nothing fussy for you,” Lou said. “I can appreciate that.”
“My father would be proud of me. So, what is this, ladies?”
“The lesbian ambush?” Lou giggled.
“That is what her mother proclaimed us to be,” I said. “I went to lunch with them for Lou’s birthday and she didn’t take kindly to it.”
“That’s a laugh,” Mac said. “I should say I’m happy for you both.”
I smiled, looking warmly at him. “Thanks for being sweet, Mac. And for meeting with us.”
His drink quickly arrived.
Lourdes took up the torch. “So, Leah told me about your conversation and I agreed to take the meeting. However, I wanted to make sure you were still on board with us borrowing your sperm?”
He coughed, choking on his whisky. “Um… sorry, but… borrow?”
“You cannot borrow it, Lou. He doesn’t want it back.”
“Fair,” Lourdes agreed.
“Well, I hope you don’t borrow it. I would be willing to donate. That much is true,” Mac said. “No strings attached. I’d be happy to just know I had a kid out there somewhere, Leah. I told you that. Maybe I could be around as a fun uncle? That’s all.”
“This is mad!” Lou nervously laughed. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I love Leah. She’s as close to me as any member of my family.
I grew up with her. And while I think I’m beyond the point of becoming a dad or fussing with it, Leah wants to be a mum.
So, I’d like to give her that option. We’d make a cute kid.
And, like her, I want to leave this world better than I came into it.
You all will raise great kids. One mom is formidable enough, but two? Your kids will be amazing.”
I laughed. “Well, I’m the chaotic one. She’s the serious one.”
“Exactly, you’ll complement one another. Leah, you’re going to make an excellent mum. Lourdes, you two make a sweet couple. I want to see you both happy. I must admit, when you and Leah ended up all over the news together, I was really happy for you.”
“Oh, that’s mortifying,” Lourdes said.
“What, do I embarrass you?” I giggled, knowing she was simply overwhelmed by being the center of attention for personal matters.
“No, it’s cute,” Mac insisted. “I know she’s always loved you, so it was good to see the two of you finally get your heads out of your asses and get on with it.”
Lou shook her head. “Why did we wait?”
“The timing was always off. It didn’t mean I ever loved you less,” I said. “I just couldn’t love you entirely as I wanted.”
“That’s precious,” Mac sighed.
Lou gave him a look.
“No, Lou, he’s being earnest. He means it,” I said.
“I don’t like to be patronized.” Lou crossed her arms. “I appreciate what you are doing, but I don’t—”
Mac insisted, “I wasn’t. I’m a hopeless romantic just like my father before me. Sadly, it never worked out in my case.”
“I am not. Leah is,” Lourdes said.
“Says the woman who has asked me to carry this child,” I sighed. “Lou, chill, it’s going to be okay.”
“I’m sorry. I’m on edge. I’m not even sure what to say except thank you, Mac,” Lourdes said, voice husky as she fought tears. “It wouldn’t be possible without a little help and it’s incredibly generous.”
“I literally will never have kids of my own,” Mac said.
“I’ve decided. My brother’s oldest will take over the family estate when I go.
This is easiest. I’m concentrating on being a happy uncle and loving that life.
That’s all. If I can see your kids thriving sometimes, I will be happy.
And let me be clear, whether you tell them and when you tell them is all up to you.
I know how protective Leah’s fathers were about her parentage and why. I’m… not going to go there.”
“He literally cannot say,” I explained. “It gets more complicated as far as inheritance goes. That’s why Dad was on my original birth certificate and Papa adopted me. Line of succession and all of that.”
“But it’s like… so abundantly clear,” Lou furrowed her brow. “Why would anyone—”
“I think everyone assumed she’d not look particularly like anyone. Thankfully, I’m a nobody in a grand scheme of everything,” Mac said. “So, they may be a ginger—that much I’m good for—but they won’t be nearly as recognizable as anyone from Leah’s line.”
“Except they will look like me.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder. “Natch.”
“There are worst things. And you look lovely as a ginger, unfortunately. No offense to your people, Mac.”
“My people!” He snickered. “Oh, none taken. It’s just a Ferguson thing, I think. My mom is blonde.”
“And has aged like fine wine as I recall,” Lourdes said. “Do you play sport?”
“No. I sail, but I don’t play any sport per-se. I have racehorses.”
She continued, “You’re what? 6’4’’—”
“Well, I do not ride them. I’m not a jockey.”
“She’s assessing you,” I groaned. “Just let her get it out of her system.”
“Any major medical problems?”
“No. My grandmother had heart trouble, but my parents are annoyingly spry for their age. My mother will no doubt live to 100 on anger and resolve alone.”
I giggled. “Mac, that’s mean!”
“It’s not.”
“And you’re brilliant at math?”
“Yes, Lou,” Mac said. “Do I tick the boxes?”
“You’ll do,” Lou said. “You’re fairly ideal, which is why I am surprised you’d do this.”
“I will sign absolutely anything,” Mac agreed. “And do anything I need to. How does it work?”
“That is going to be a fun bar topic,” Lou groaned. “Although your family breeds horses, so I am sure you have some idea.”
“Lou!” I smacked her arm. “Why?”
“Because I am enjoying the slight bit of torture it brings to men to discuss these things.”
“Lou, if it makes you feel better, I have given samples half a dozen times over the course of a prolonged fertility journey in places where I didn’t want to sit on a couch or touch anything for fear of… everything… everywhere. So, there is little you can do to shake me.”
She debated before saying, “Fair enough.”
I squeezed her knee under the table. “It’s going to be okay.”