One

Congratulations

Was something I liked to read with emails or letters sent to me, however this one? This was not exactly the email I was hoping to receive. *Miss Rhodes, congratulations your application for the surrogacy agency has been successful, some one will be in contact in the next couple days to talk it through with you and the next steps from here*

Let me refresh for you what happened – it was at a frat party, in the dorms up the road where I live all the uni students were there I needed to let my hair down so I decided to go. However I got so drunk I was home by 11pm, and I searched on phone what I thought was a loan application, but instead it was this. Surrogacy Agency.

My family live back in Florida, my mom, dad and sister Jennie, my dads health was deteriorating and mom was struggling financially working, and providing for his medical bills and the family, I was working extra hours and days at the coffee shop, and sending any spare money I had over there, I barely slept. So you could say I was drunk and over tired when I made this application.

Shit. I mumble to myself as I re read the email about three times. A surrogacy application? What even ... I searched my history, how to make money fast was my first one, and the website for the agency was first. This explains so many questions. I guess I will have to wait until someone calls.

I had three lectures today so that would keep my mind busy. I study Paediatrics ever since i was little i have wanted to be a nurse, a children's nurse. This was my last semester thankfully all my hard work will pay off i hope, the finals are in a few weeks and graduation is a month away. I have so much to cram in i have no time to see my family which sucks because we are all really close but i always speak with them when i can.

"April! morning, you've been acting strange recently, whats up?" My bestfriend Maggie was sat opposite me as we drank coffee before the lecture started. "Im fine ..." she just looked at me, "girl i have known you long enough to know when you are not ok" i smiled. "fine, i got this email today." i gave her my phone. I watched her face change expression as she read.

"April, what is this? surrogacy? why?"

"remember that night we got drunk? i was home early? i made the application then, thinking it was a loan application, apparently not. and before you ask, i really do not know what im going to do"

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket as I walked to my final lecture of the day. "Hello?" – "Good afternoon, am I speaking with April Rhodes?" –

"you are" – "April my name is Jane, I work for the surrogacy agency, Im calling with more information for you? Can you talk?"

– "erm, yeah I have about 10 minutes before I have to be somewhere" – "great. I know this call was to go through the screening and the next steps, however someone has come forward highly interested in your profile, very persistent he wants to contact you" – what?

"oh erm ... is that allowed?" – "usually no, but it is allowed on this occasion I have given him your details so do expect him to contact you in the next couple of days" – is she serious right now?

I could barely concentrate in the lecture, the phone call just going round and round in my head. this shit was real, really real. my phone buzzed again this time an email came through -

* Ms Rhodes. My name is Leyton Stevens. I came across your profile on the surrogacy website and I am instantly drawn to you .. I know this is not the way it is suppose to go but I am keen to meet you.

Please meet me tomorrow lunch time, at the Shevolay, restaurant.

I look forward to meeting with you,

Leyton.

Shevolay, what even is that restaurant? posh im guessing because i've never heard of it. and tomorrow? thankfully i didnt have no lecture in the afternoon, apart from the morning. It was in the back of my mind all night, I couldnt even enjoy dinner with my other best friend Alfie. I just took myself to bed to study ...

Or fall asleep which i did within half hour and woke up to my alarm ringing at 7am.

It was noon. My meeting with Leyton was today, now. I had time to go home and change, i threw on my pencil skirt and white blouse tucked in - i had no idea who this man was, or who his wife was? how to dress, dress to impress was how i was always taught. I curled my hair and let it fall down my back loosely.

I had some time spare I took some time to myself think to myself before I make any rash decisions - I've had continuous arguments with myself over this. My family? They don't need to know, I mean this is my body my choice. If anything if I decide to do this I'm doing this for the good of them - I can give them a life changing thing ... especially health wise. - but my future? This is all career changing possibly? Life changing? So many decisions need to be made .... I'm a smart girl, I got by in school my grades were always A. I'm about to graduation university, and I'm now debating whether to give a stranger a baby? Am I kidding myself right now? It's decision time

"Welcome to Shevolay, reservation?" this place was fancy im so glad i decided on this outfit. "yeah, im meeting a mr stevens? Leyton?" she smiled softly. "right this way" she led me through the restaurant and out the back, it was private, in a separate room almost. Was this the part i was gonna get kidnapped?

"Can i get you a drink?" she asked as i approached the table. "erm, wine please. white" i smiled. wrong decision? probably, needed? definitely. "Mr stevens ... your guest has arrived" he stood from the table, he was tall ... dark and handsome. literally. as he turned his face was something you would see in the movies, his cheek bones were flawless. his body was muscular in the right places, he was ... perfect.

"Ms Rhodes. pleasure to meet you" he holds out his hand. "April, please. pleasure is all mine ... Mr stevens" i half smile shaking his hand. firm and strong. "Mr stevens is my father, call me Leyton" he ushered to the chair and waited for me to sit down. the waitress bought over our drinks. the same. interesting.

After a few awkward moments he broke the ice and began a conversation o why I'm actually here.

"So, why surrogacy? April, your a young woman .." - "Honestly?" he gave me a look. well fuck it he would find out sooner or later. I told him everything from the drunk night to my family needing medical attention... "I see .. and is this something you are serious about? do you know what you are offering?" he was stern, i kind of like it. "yeah, my body, and my ovaries to you? for a baby? for money?" he smirked. "something like that ... I am willing to offer you double, if you accept" double?

"double? can i at least think about this?" now thinking about it and talking to a potential dad to a baby that im giving him ... i was shitting this. "sure. but i must tell you ... April i am an impatient person, so dont leave me too long" he wasn't kidding.

We spent the next hour talking about me, career, my past. he wanted to know everything. He paid the bill before we walked outside. "Give me 24 hours ... i will give you an answer tomorrow" confidence is key. "sure. I will be waiting. nice to meet you, April" He shook my hand again, All i wanted to do was jump on him, rip his clothes off.

He was ... interestingly beautiful. My stomach flipped at the thought of seeing him again ... i couldnt wait.