When I came home from work, I was surprised to find Jennifer's car in the driveway. I hadn't expected to see it there, as the last I heard they hadn't planned on coming up again for another several months.
I pulled my car into the driveway and gathered up my stuff. As I opened the front door, I heard my wife and her sister talking. They were sitting at the kitchen table, Jennifer beside her new husband, my wife sitting across from them. All three had rather guilty looks on their faces, I thought at the time. I should have realized something was up then.
I greeted them and made small talk for a couple of minutes before going into the bedroom to take a shower. Lissa came in while I was showering and told me that when I got out that Jennifer and Nathan were taking us out for dinner. She had some clothes laid out for me on the bed and after dressing, we all left.
***
The food was excellent, and we had a great time, but I could tell that there was a slight undercurrent of uneasiness at the table. Nathan's laugh seemed a little forced sometimes and Lissa kept looking at Jennifer with a strange look. A couple of drinks after dinner and it all came out.
"Jesse, I've told you that Jenn and Nathan have been trying for children since they have been married, haven't I?"
"Yes honey. You did. Why?"
"Well, they finally decided to get some medical help, and that was when they found out that Nathan is sterile."
"What? Jeez, I'm sorry Nathan. It must be tough."
I felt bad for the guy. I knew how badly he had wanted to have children, and I knew that he would be terrific with them. Watching him play with Lissa's and my kids had proven that. He was a good man, and I genuinely liked the guy. His face was bright red and I could tell that he was having a hard time dealing with it.
"Thanks Jess. When I found out, well, it was quite the shock."
"Shit, I'm so sorry."
Jennifer took her husband's hand in hers and turned to me. "Jesse, we were wondering if maybe you would be willing to help out."
A shiver ran up my spine as she said the words. The guilty looks from earlier were all explained. I knew then exactly what it was that they wanted, but decided to play dumb. A long time fantasy could be mine if only I played my cards right. I felt bad taking advantage of them in their time of need, but I also knew that there was no other way that I would ever be able to do it.
"Me? I'm not a doctor Jenn. How can I help?"
"Well, this is very difficult to say, so I'm just going to blurt it out. We know you are very fertile Jesse. Would you be willing to donate some sperm for us?"
I tried to put on my best surprised look on my face and by the reactions around the table I could tell that it had worked.
"It's ok honey, I'm cool with this," Lissa said as she grabbed my hand.
"The doctors can do all the rest Jess. You won't have any responsibility other than being a good uncle, we promise."
I looked into Nathan's eyes. He was very nervous about this, but wanted it so bad it showed. I told Lissa that I wanted to talk with her in private and we left the table. Jennifer and Nathan looked very worried.
"Lis, are you sure you are cool with this?"
"Jess. I love you. I also love my sister. I'm willing to do this. Could you please do this for me?"
I stalled for time and Lissa took it as me being my normal difficult self. Finally I spoke.
"I don't know if I'm ok with this honey. I mean that I can handle that my child isn't with us. That is easy. I know it will be well cared for. But I can't handle the fact that it will be made by some doctor with a turkey-baster. It's just so unnatural. I can't."
"Jess, that's not how they do it."
"I know Lissa. But you know what I mean."
"So you won't do it."
"Not that way, no I won't."
Lissa looked at me for a minute, then she suggested something that I was trying to find the way to say myself.
"What if you did it the old-fashioned way?"
I didn't have to try and fake the shock on my face this time. It was genuine. Never in a million years did I ever think that my jealous wife would suggest such a thing. It made me feel guilty, made me doubt my little plan.
"What do you mean? I should fuck her?"
"Jess, I know it seems strange. But they really want a child and we can help. I'm willing to help out my sister in any way I can. If that means that I have to let my husband impregnate her, well, as tough as it will be, I can handle it. Will you do it for me? Please?"
I pulled Lissa in for a tight hug and whispered in her ear that I thought she was such an amazing person. She pulled back and smiled at me.
"So will you do it?"
"Well hon, I don't like the idea much, but for you I'll do it."
Her smile widened, and she took my hand and led me back to the table. As we sat down, I saw Jenn grab hold of Nathan's hand once more and they looked up into our eyes with hope in theirs.
"We have talked about it, and decided that, yes, Jesse will help."
Nathan and Jennifer started to thank us profusely. Lissa held up her hands and asked them for quiet.
"Hold your thanks. Jesse and I have some conditions. Neither of us is very comfortable with our future niece nor nephew being born a test tube baby. If you still want our help, the baby will have to be conceived naturally. Or you will have to find someone else to be a donor."
Jennifer and Nathan looked at each other with a look of complete surprise. Nathan looked at me and Lissa with a strange look. I tried my best to look determine to do something I wasn't at all happy with, while inside I was dancing for joy. Jennifer looked at Lissa then at me with the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
They excused themselves for a minute and went outside. While they were there, I tried half-heartedly to talk Lissa out of it, all the while knowing that every word was in fact making her more determined to go through with it.
Nathan and Jennifer came back in with wide smiles on their faces and thanked us for helping. They paid the check and we drove back to the house. The next day they left, saying that they would plan out Jennifer's fertile days and make a date for us to try and impregnate her.
* **
I knocked on the door to the hotel room, and I'll admit to myself that at that point I was a little nervous. When Jennifer opened the door though, all that nervousness left me. She was standing there wearing a thick cotton robe. Her long dark hair was still slightly damp. She had obviously just had a shower.
I had just finished work for the week and had my overnight bag in my hand. After exchanging our greetings I went into the bathroom and had a nice long shower. I shaved before coming out of the washroom and looked around the room.