He heard his wife's heavy footsteps approach. It was the kind of loud stomp like she was trying to announce her presence as she walked into the living room. He expected to look up while sitting on the sofa, and see a look of anger or deep concern on her. He had learned over the years that's what usually happened when she stormed into a room as quickly and loudly as she just did.
He was pleasantly surprised however to look up and see a beaming smile on her. His wife stood there with her hands behind her back and had a grin running ear to ear. Immediately losing interest in the TV, she now had his full attention. What had her looking as happy as he'd seen her in months he wondered, she looked positively giddy.
She released a hand from hiding behind her back and produced a small object he instantly recognized. The white plastic device about the size of a pen he had become familiar with was no shock. What was displayed on it though was a bit different. A very visible and obvious plus sign stood out on the results window.
"Positive???" He questioned the result as these types of feminine devices had become tricky. "Your ovulating then right? Same time as last month?"
She reached her hand back out and retrieved the test back from him. "Apparently so. The box says they detect a surge in LH levels in your urine that say your fertile." She had such an upbeat tone in her voice, she was obviously over joyed with the results.
"Wow. So..." He tried to process the information while gripping the reality before him. Before his mind had fully accepted what she was saying, her other hand came free from it's hiding spot behind her. She had his cell phone already in hand and ready to go for him.
This was clearly beyond the point of fantasy or discussion for her. Her overpowering urges to bear a child was driving her actions. He knew her extreme desire to be a mother was the major factor in her decisions from their first discussion on the matter. The fact that he found the idea a bit of a kink and a fetish was seemingly secondary to her need to experience carrying a baby.
The first time she took an ovulation test it was new to both of them. Last month they both assumed it might be a fluke, not indicative of her real hormone levels, or that they might not be doing it right. But the reality of the same day of her cycle it showing up 2 months in a row was too much to argue with. He had to suddenly tell himself... this was really happening.
A million thoughts entered his mind suddenly. Was he as ready for this like he thought he was? Would their relationship be as stable as it was after this? Was she ready for this? Could he really handle watching idly by as she was inseminated?
"You know, the best chances for this to work is right after you begin to ovulate." Her statement was meant to rush him, but is wasn't helping his panicked train of thought either. He looked at the phone she was holding out and shaking as a signal for him to take it.
He reached out for the phone and noticed when looking at the screen that the contact list was already brought up to a particular entry. She had it ready to go so that all he had to do was hit send. She really did seem mentally prepared and emotionally ready to go through with this as planned.
Perhaps because the notion still seemed so taboo, he momentarily question himself and his previous motives as to why this intrigued him in the first place. Yes it was a bit forbidden and lewd, but he was the driving force behind all of this in the beginning. It was his initial fantasy and his idea to attempt a pregnancy in this unique way. He did in fact have to talk his wife into believing in this idea at first. He told himself that this was way more than just a fleeting sexual feeling, this was right in so many ways for them.
"I just can't believe..."
"This is really happening!" She cut him off and finished his sentence perfectly. As she did so she leaned over and pressed the send button on his phone for him.
He told himself there was no turning back now as he heard the dial tone emitting from his phone. He pulled his cell phone to his ear and prepared for one of the most bizarre conversations he had ever had, and one that would certainly alter their lives.
Before he could search for the words he wanted to say, the other end picked up. "Hey, I was hoping to hear from you." The deep voice answered quickly.
"Hi, um yeah. For us too, we were hoping to call you. You know, sooner rather than later." He thought he must have sounded like an idiot fumbling for the words.
"Cool, so tell me good news. It's happening now right?"
He looked up at his wife who was listening intently with a school girl like giddy grin on her face. "Yes. She um... took it again, just now." He tried to be brief, it was just easier to let this other man control the conversation.
"Excellent. The best time for fertilization is right after she begins to ovulate." He clearly reiterated what his wife had emphasized moments earlier, putting a sense of urgency on the matter. "And tell me, you haven't had sex with her yourself?"
He had to think back to make sure, because it had been some time. "No. Uh, no we have not in a while. Like we discussed before, it's been almost 2 months since..." He tried to think of more appropriate words than HAD SEX, but nothing came out.
"Did you tell her to start the vitamins? I told you how important the folic acid can be in prenatal vitamins right?"
"Yes you did. I remember. She has been taking them, yes" This other guy sounded so knowledgeable on the matter he thought. Either he was well self educated on the matter or it seemed he was in the medical community. Either way he showed a genuine interest.
"I'll can be there very shortly." after a brief silence he continued. "Have her cleaned up and ready quickly."
As the immediacy of the situation hit him, he heard the phone hang up on the other end. Could this really be happening? It seemed like mere fantasy for so long. There was always an opportunity for anyone to back out at anytime it seemed. With things put in motion so quickly, the safety net seemed gone. He fought a mix of excitement and fear of the unknown. Though they tried unsuccessfully for years to conceive, they never consulted a physician on the matter. They certainly considered visiting a fertility specialist, but time, money, and a fear of bad news always got in the way. With no clue where the problem stemmed from, this experience was like playing with a loaded gun...And it was exciting!
She herself had been less than amused by the idea of artificial insemination when it came up. She always thought that if they ever arrived at that step, she would want to at least know the sperm donor in any case. To her it was more of a burden and clinical process that lacked true a true connection when becoming pregnant. Rather, she thought celebrating the creation of life while holding onto another person was an essential part of procreation. As time wore on and she struggled with these feelings, her husband's idea of using a strange man as a sperm donor seemed a more attractive option. There was something more sacred and special in creating a life inside her. It seemed sensible that it should be done with passion and carnal pleasure. She felt that way was more in tune with nature's design of our bodies as well. She now looked forward to holding onto a live human being and establishing an emotional and physical connection as that most precious seed was deposited deep inside her loins, even if it wasn't her husband's.
"What did he say?" She was dying to know.
A wickedly sexy grin took the place of shock on his face. "He's on his way... quickly. He wants you clean and ready pretty quickly it sounds like."
"Come on, Help me get ready then." She grabbed his hand and helped him off the couch in a second. Not releasing her grip, she pulled him toward the stairs in a hurried rush.