Chapter 11 - Emma Refused to Let Our Divorce Become Her Pregnancy
At twenty-eight weeks, Emma asked for one joint meeting.
Her lawyer was present.
So were mine and Richard’s.
Emma entered last.
She looked visibly more pregnant than the day I assaulted her.
That bothered me in a way I could not easily:
name.
Time had continued regardless of whether any of us were ready.
Emma sat and opened a notebook.
“I have five things.”
Richard immediately said:
“Of course.”
Emma looked at him.
“Please don’t interrupt me.”
He stopped.
First, she wanted all medical communication routed through her obstetrician and her own counsel.
Second, neither intended parent would attend delivery unless Emma invited them.
Third, no discussion of our divorce, embryo dispute or criminal/civil allegations during her medical appointments.
Fourth, all promised compensation and medical expenses would remain protected in escrow regardless of whether the original contract was later held defective.
I agreed.
Richard did too.
Fifth:
“I need both of you to stop calling me ‘our surrogate’ when you speak about me.”
I felt embarrassed.
I had done:
that.
Emma continued.
“I agreed to be a gestational carrier under a contract I believed was valid. I did not agree to become the battleground where you decide whether your marriage should exist.”
No one argued.
Then Richard said:
“I’m sorry.”
Emma looked at him.
“For what?”
He started with:
“Putting you in the middle.”
She waited.
He tried again.
“For making you believe Diane knew who you were.”
Better.
“For signing or arranging documents in a way that made her consent look valid.”
Closer.
Then:
“For deciding everyone would understand later if the baby was healthy.”
There.
Emma nodded.
Not forgiveness.
Recognition.
Then she looked at:
me.
I already knew.
“I’m sorry for hitting you.”
She said:
“I know.”
No hug.
Good.
Then she asked whether I wanted to be notified when labor:
began.
“Yes.”
Richard:
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“That doesn’t mean either of you comes to the hospital unless I ask.”
Understood.
Then Emma said something that surprised me.
“When this baby is older, if they ever know how they were born, don’t make me the woman who caused your marriage to end.”
I answered:
“You didn’t.”
“Make sure Richard understands that too.”
He looked down.
Then she said:
“And don’t make the baby the reason it ended either.”
That was harder.
But correct.
The marriage ended because Richard decided my reproductive consent could be replaced by what he believed was best.
The pregnancy revealed it.
Did not cause:
it.
Then Emma handed her attorney one final document.
Richard had emailed her privately two weeks earlier despite the communication restriction.
I know Diane is confused. Whatever happens, I will protect the baby. You and I are the only two people who have stayed focused on what matters.
Emma had not replied.
She said:
“This is why I wanted the meeting.”
Richard looked embarrassed.
He was still trying to create:
alliances.
Emma continued.
“I am not on your side against Diane.”
Then she looked at me.
“I am not on Diane’s side against you.”
Finally:
“I’m on my own side until this pregnancy is over.”
May you like
That was probably the healthiest sentence anyone had spoken since the beginning.
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