Andrew took over the story. ‘The nurse at Taronga wanted us to take her to a doctor but then decided to give it a go. So Shan and Jaxon left the room and he encouraged her to blow really hard and –’
‘Swoosh!’ Keira said theatrically, flinging her arms from side to side. ‘It went . . . ping! Ping!’
We all laughed. Proud of the reaction, Keira sat up smiling in a borrowed child restraint in the back.
Jon looked back at her. ‘I bet you won’t do that again. You should never put anything up your nose.’
‘No, I won’t . . . ever, ever again.’
We reached Jon and Justin’s home as the afternoon was slipping away behind the mountains, a touch of coolness clinging to the air. Sunset flooded the pale blue sky, radiant light diffused through opaque clouds, flattering every surface; gum leaves glinting, vibrant, the horses’ coats silky perfection. Insects hummed busily, flitting through long strands of grass in an outer paddock. I freed the kids from their car seats and they ran to greet Justin, cuddling him around the legs. Walter leapt every which way, ears flapping, tail swishing. Keira rubbed his fur, cackling, then recoiled and screwed up her face as he attempted to lick her cheek.
After hauling our luggage inside, Andrew and I followed Justin as he took the kids down to feed the horses. Jaxon and Keira carried buckets full of pellets and clumps of hay, Keira marching on ahead. Jaxon hung back, turning to locate me before stepping into the paddock. Hands held out as Justin told them, palms flat, elbows tucked by their sides, the kids stood before two horses. The horses sniffed, hairy muzzles hovering over the pellets, one stamping a hoof into the dirt before vacuuming up the feed in a swift movement. Keira squealed, smiling, all her pellets gone. Justin encouraged Jaxon, guiding his hand under the muzzle; the pellets soon disappeared, the horse’s tongue licking Jaxon’s fingers, and I laughed as my son wiped his hand on his jumper, grinning.
‘Come on, let’s feed Ruby now,’ Justin said, pointing to a white horse in the next paddock. ‘She’s quite old, so we have to be very gentle with her.’
I rested my arms on a timber railing and watched as the boys led my children into the paddock. I loved the ease with which they interacted, showing them something they’d never experienced before.
‘So, are there still a hundred and fifty people coming?’ Andrew asked as Jon locked the gate to the paddock.
‘Yep, actually it could be more.’
‘Are you ready? Do you need help with anything?’ I asked as we started to walk back to the house.
‘There’s a lot to do tomorrow, setting up tables and chairs and hanging decorations. Sereena’s making the cake and our friend Donna’s coming around early to help. Are you any good at blowing up balloons?’
‘I can do that,’ Jaxon said, his hand shooting up into the air.
‘We can all help out, whatever you need.’ I pulled Jaxon close, hand on his chest. ‘I just don’t think I’ll be able to blow up the balloons, my lungs are a bit constricted. So that’s your job, Jaxon.’
After dinner that night we sat on the large leather couch, watching television. Andrew snuggled in next to me, his head on my shoulder, automatically rubbing my belly. I glanced over at Jon and Justin, noticed them staring.
My cheeks burned. ‘Oh, would you like to have a feel?’ I said, aware of my thoughtlessness.
‘Yes, I’d love to.’ Jon slid across the couch and Andrew moved aside. I lay back, lifting my shirt, tucking it up under my breasts. Jon placed his hand on my skin; knowing the position of Baby JJ, I moved his hand to a spot where he’d potentially feel a movement. I froze, staring at the television, concentrating as I registered a flutter in my womb, but none of the movements were strong enough for Jon to feel.
‘She’s gone quiet. It’s always the way. When you want her to move she won’t,’ I said. A moment later: ‘Ah, did you feel that?’
Jon smiled. ‘I did.’ He turned to Justin, encouraging him to come over. Justin and Jon sat on either side of me, each with a hand on my belly, feeling their daughter kick, move and turn.
‘Oh my God, it’s amazing,’ Justin said, biting his lip. ‘That’s our daughter in there.’
I caught his gaze, a surge of happiness rising in me, my throat straining with emotion. ‘Yes. It is your daughter and it is amazing.’
Temperatures were expected to reach the low thirties for the baby shower, and as Andrew and I woke to throaty laughter from a flock of kookaburras in the gum trees outside, I felt the heat already in the air, and noticed we’d kicked off the blanket during the night. After showering and dressing, I walked into the kitchen. The others were outside: Jon cooking breakfast on the barbecue; Justin feeding the horses; the kids, still in their pyjamas, racing around with Walter by the lemon tree. Guests would start arriving around 11 am and there was still so much to do: setting up tables and chairs, filling eskies with ice and drinks, hanging decorations and preparing food.
‘Can you do the lolly buffet?’ Justin asked me after breakfast.
‘Lolly buffet?’
He pulled several plastic shopping bags out from under a table. They were filled with packets of lollies: Snakes, M&Ms, Redskins and Sherbets. ‘I just want them in these glass jars. The kids can come and get one of these little bags and fill up as much as they want.’ He held up a pink and white polka-dot paper bag.
‘Um, who’s supervising the lolly buffet?’ I asked.
‘No one.’ Justin laughed.
‘I can guarantee this is the last time you’ll ever have a lolly buffet at a party. Once you have this little girl you’ll realise it’s not worth it.’ I rubbed my belly, chuckling. ‘I think I’ll set up the buffet at the very last minute, so my kids don’t get into it too early. They don’t eat lollies at home, so they’re going to love this.’
‘Sorry, I actually never thought about that. I just thought it’d be fun.’
‘Oh, it will be, the kids’ll love it, but I’m just going to delay the fun for a bit.’
We went outside, setting up chairs and tables. Cumbersome in my movements, I opted for easier jobs, covering the long trestle tables with pink plastic sheets. Andrew and Jaxon blew up balloons, and Andrew also hung up pink bunting flags around the verandah and filled the eskies with ice and cans of beer and soda.
Back in my room, I noticed a present on the bed. I picked it up, reading my name on the card. Opening it, I scanned over a lovely greeting from a girl named Kylie, one of Jon and Justin’s friends. She thanked me for what I was doing for the boys, saying that she thought our situation was fantastic. Touched by her kindness, I opened the present to find a beautiful silver frame inside.
I walked back upstairs, finding Jon in the kitchen. ‘I just opened the present from Kylie. That was lovely of her. She shouldn’t have.’
‘She couldn’t be here today but she wanted you to know that she thought what you’re doing is wonderful.’
‘Please thank her for me. She’s very thoughtful. I wasn’t expecting anything like that, I’m a bit stunned.’
A knock sounded from the front door.
‘Oh, that’ll be Donna,’ Jon said, wiping his hands on a tea towel before going to the door. Donna was Jon’s friend from work. She had come over early to help. Jon had told me she was friendly, funny and had a very kind heart.
‘Hello,’ she said, stepping into the kitchen and placing a stack of foil trays filled with food on the bench.
‘Hello, Donna, nice to meet you,’ I said.
She shook my hand, her grip firm, flicking her blonde hair off her shoulder, and gave me a broad smile. ‘Jon’s told me so much about you. It’s good to finally meet.’ Jon left us to organise the food, popping downstairs. As we worked, Donna and I chatted. Time passed and I realised I hadn’t seen the children for a while. ‘I’d better check on my kids,’ I said, hoping Andrew had kept an eye on them.
I walked downstairs and found Jaxon and Keira sitting on the floor, huddled around the bags of lollies, eyes wide, as if they’d discovered a hau
l of treasure.
‘Mum, look!’ Keira yelled, her body shaking. ‘I’m going to have this one and this one – oh, and these.’
I awkwardly scooped up the bags and glanced at the clock on the wall – thirty minutes till guests arrived. ‘You can both help me make the lolly buffet, but no eating any’ – I deepened my voice, narrowing my eyes – ‘until other people are here.’ A smile touched my lips at the hope in their eyes, the pure, sneaky pleasure they knew was coming once I’d left.
A few minutes later, Andrew walked into the room, wiping his sweaty brow. ‘People are arriving,’ he said, picking up a bag of Redskins to open. ‘You better go and meet them and I’ll do this.’
‘I’m almost done,’ I said, emptying the M&Ms into a glass jar, my mesmerised children watching them scatter around the container. ‘I’ll go out in a minute.’
I held back, felt my heartbeat quicken. About to meet more than one hundred and fifty strangers, I knew that all eyes would be on me and the bump. I straightened my dress and checked that my overgrown boobs were firmly confined in my maternity bra. I glanced down to inspect my puffy ankles, bulging veins, and feet that resembled sausages strapped into sandals. I ran my hands over my hair, smoothing out any loose strands. I wanted everyone to think the boys had made a good choice. Then I caught myself: it was the same futile game I’d played all my life.
Oh well, this is me. If they don’t like it, there’s nothing I can do about it, I thought, kissing Andrew’s cheek before walking down the hallway and into the carport, where chairs and tables were assembled in groups for people to mingle in the shade.
‘Shannon.’ Jon spotted me as I closed the screen door. ‘This is my brother, Michael, his partner, Vanessa, and their two children.’
I braced myself: it had begun. I walked over and shook Michael’s hand and briefly spoke to Vanessa. I met their kids, Riley and Billy, and introduced them to Jaxon and Keira as they appeared through the door, pulling Keira away from the cans of Fanta and Coke she ran towards.
Guests began to pour into the property, cars lining the driveway, the presents table quickly overflowing with cellophane-wrapped gifts, large pink bags chocked with toys, and even washing baskets filled with nappies, stuffed bears, blankets and baby essentials.
I met more family and friends, including Justin’s brother, Daniel and his girlfriend, Ashley. I saw Jon’s and Justin’s parents from a distance, waving at me and smiling. The place was abuzz, kids running around legs, chewing lollies and giggling, adults talking and laughing over drinks, the sun beating down. Most people chatted to me, friendly and curious, although others kept their distance, possibly unsure what to say. Many people stopped to rub my belly and share how excited they felt for Jon and Justin and what great dads the boys would be, and finished by thanking me for what I was doing.
I went inside, and found myself alone for a moment before I ran into Bec from Cosmopolitan magazine. She was petite with beautiful big eyes, her long dark brown hair tied back. She smiled, thrilled that we finally got to meet. To my surprise, she gave me a beautifully wrapped present, organic shea body butter and an organic shea hand cream from the same range. I was touched by her kindness, and a little embarrassed – today was about Jon and Justin and the baby.
The article Bec had written about Jon, Justin and me had been published a week or so earlier. Justin had sent me a copy via email. Later, I’d gone to a newsagency and bought a physical copy for myself. The article, entitled ‘Womb Service’, told the boys’ story – how they’d looked into adoption but it seemed impossible with waiting lists of five years or more. They confessed that, as a gay couple, they didn’t feel they had many options but were delighted it had taken less than a year to reach twenty-six weeks of pregnancy, adding how lucky they felt. Justin went on to say they’d both decorated the nursery and picked a name and couldn’t wait for the day they could bring their daughter home. A lovely black and white photo depicted the boys at their commitment ceremony. At the bottom of the page was a picture of me with my details and why I’d chosen to help them. It was great to read another positive article in the media about surrogacy, and now I thanked Bec for writing it.
Back in the guest room, I heard familiar laughter outside my window. Pulling back the curtain, I saw Sereena sliding a cake board onto a table set up outside the window. Alone in my room, I took a moment and closed my eyes, moving my hands over my full, hard belly. What would Sereena think, seeing me thirty-two weeks pregnant with a baby of her biological makeup?
Twenty minutes later, after stopping for several introductions that became long conversations about surrogacy and Baby JJ, I made it outside, finding Sereena and the boys hovering around the beautiful three-tier cake she’d made for the occasion. Sereena stood tall, slim and stunning, blonde curls falling around her shoulders. She wore a mint-green A-line dress that stopped just above the knees. I waddled towards them, imagining my swollen ankles.
‘Hi, Sereena,’ I said over the chatter of guests.
She turned, and her eyes lit up as she took in all the changes in my body. ‘Hello, how are you?’ she asked, embracing me.
‘I’m good, really good. A bit overwhelmed with all these people, but everyone’s been so nice. The cake looks fantastic, by the way.’
We chatted about life in general somehow avoiding talk of the pregnancy. Then Jon’s mother, Annette, sidled up next to me and whispered, ‘Can you two ladies come with me?’
Sereena and I glanced at each other, smiling but suspicious, before following Annette inside. Finding Jon’s and Justin’s parents waiting for us, we stopped in the doorway.
‘Come in here, both of you,’ Wayne said, waving his hand. Sheri, Annette and Rick stood around the coffee table. Sheri gathered up two gift bags from the table, passing one to Annette. I recognised the colour, robin-egg blue, the signature shade for Tiffany & Co.
Sheri blinked, tears forming in her eyes. She held out the bag to me, while Annette presented the other bag to Sereena. ‘We wanted to get you both a gift to say thank you for what you’ve done for our sons,’ said Annette. ‘It means the world to us that we’ll have a granddaughter and that our sons will be fathers. You have no idea how grateful we are for both of your contributions.’
Unable to speak, I blinked away tears, my hands trembling as I slid the box out of the velvet bag and opened it. Inside sat a silver chain with a pendant that consisted of three interlocking circles in pale copper, light gold and silver.
‘I searched online for a while and found this necklace; it was perfect. To me it represents three families, all separate yet linked and coming together to make a baby. All of us forever united from this moment on,’ Annette said, her voice breaking up as she glanced between me and Sereena. ‘Here, we’ll help you put them on.’
Sereena and I faced one another, each of us touching the matching pendant on our chests. We both had an important role to play in the creation of the baby girl who grew inside me, not equal but vital; one couldn’t exist without the other. We were both deeply touched by the gift.
‘Thank you, I’m speechless, and it’s not laryngitis this time,’ I said, as we hugged each of the four parents in turn.
‘Neither of you needs to thank us. We’re indebted to you two women,’ Sheri said, her lips quivering.
‘I think it’s time to cut the cake,’ Annette said, clapping her hands to lighten the mood. She waved us towards the door, shooing us out. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
I touched the pendant again, laying it down on my chest, forever stamping its meaning on my heart. Three families – all intertwined – all linked from this day forward.
I followed the women outside, over to the cake table. Jon and Justin were standing by as the crowd gathered around. All eyes were on the four of us, and my heart thudded in my ears. I searched for Andrew; I hadn’t seen him since the guests started arriving. I spotted him standing with Sereena’s husband, Tymon, their shoulders touching as if they’d known each other for years. They both held a c
an of beer, clearly happy in each other’s company. Jaxon stood beside Andrew’s legs and I noticed Keira pushing her way through people, glancing up at me. She was never one to miss the cutting of a cake, no matter what it was for. Her face was smudged with dirt and the remnants of sticky sweets, her dress crinkled and dirty, hair matted. I laughed at the very sight of her, my wild princess, her presence calming me.
Justin cleared his throat and the crowd began to quieten, sounds of the bush growing louder in the background. ‘I’d just like to thank you all for being here on this day, the baby shower for our daughter. Some of you have come a long way to be here and we appreciate it.’ He shifted on his feet, his cheeks flushed. ‘Jon and I would like to particularly thank Shannon and Sereena for what they’ve done for us. We wouldn’t be here without them and the gift they’ve given.’ He turned, acknowledging each of us with his eyes. ‘Oh, and thank you to Sereena for the cake, it’s just amazing. And thank you to Donna and our parents for helping out with the food and drinks, for everything you’ve done. We are very lucky to have you all in our lives.’ He blurted out the last sentence, spinning around to grab a knife. ‘Let’s cut the cake.’
The four of us gathered around the cake, Sereena and I curling our fingers around Jon’s and Justin’s as they pushed down the knife. A resounding cheer erupted; guests clapped and smiled, stepping forward to congratulate the boys.
Keira lurched closer, gripping the table with grubby hands. ‘Can I have some cake?’ she asked, desperation in her voice.
‘Yes, you can, but you have to wash your hands. They’re filthy,’ I said, examining the grime.
She nodded, wide-eyed, and ran off inside, darting between legs.
The formalities over, I gave myself permission to relax. I mingled with the guests, meeting Jon’s workmates and Justin’s riding clients. I met Sereena’s parents, and took the opportunity to ask her mother how big Sereena was when she was born after Jon telling me he was around eight pounds at birth.
Labour of Love Page 22
