My sister Rachel had a tough time trying to get pregnant for years. She and her husband spent a lot of money on treatments, but sadly, all those IVF attempts ended in painful miscarriages that shattered my sister’s heart repeatedly. It seemed like her world was falling apart bit by bit as she could no longer keep trying. That’s when I stepped in and agreed to be their surrogate.
This choice wasn’t easy, but by the time they asked me to carry their baby, Rachel had lost her cheerful spirit. She started pulling away from everyone with kids and even missed some of my sons’ birthdays; it was hard to watch her suffer inside.
As I looked at my boys through the kitchen window while she held a glass of water, I felt the love she had for them and knew she would be an amazing mom if only she got the chance.
I felt so sorry for her and Jason who walked into the kitchen then placed his hand on Rachel’s shoulder. He turned to me saying, “Doctors say Rachel can’t handle any more treatments. They suggested surrogacy…” then he continued, “Abby, would you think about being one?”
Rachel took my hands gently in hers saying “You know Abby, you are my only hope of ever being a mom. Please take your time thinking about this gift you could give me.”
That night my husband Luke and I talked about me being Rachel’s surrogate. With four boys already it meant having a lot going on! Another pregnancy might really affect me physically & emotionally but seeing my sister hurt was too much.
I asked Luke to trust & support me in this decision.
Before long Rachel & Jason’s baby began growing inside me! They were super excited making plans for their future as parents.
The pregnancy went smoothly without any issues until the day I gave birth to their daughter; they were nowhere around! Both Luke & I tried calling them but got no response.
Hours passed before they finally showed up at the hospital looking off.
Instead of taking their girl right away, Rachel looked at me saying “This isn’t what we expected… We don’t want it.”
“Are you serious?” I replied still shocked by what she’d said.
“It’s a girl! And Jason wanted a boy,” she said flatly.
That’s when Luke lost it yelling at both of them: “Have you two gone crazy?”
Jason quickly left leaving poor Rachel alone with all this mess: “He told me it’s either a son or he leaves…I can’t keep this girl since he doesn’t want her.”
“But you never mentioned anything about gender,” I said still stunned.
“That’s because you’ve given birth to four boys so we thought it’d be just like before,” replied Rachel coldly.
At that moment I told her to leave the room; as she walked out though she turned back adding “Maybe just put her up for adoption or find someone who wants a daughter.”
I felt dizzy how could someone who wanted motherhood so badly talk about her child like that?
Luke & I decided we’d raise Kelly ourselves—there was no way I’d let anyone adopt our sweet niece!
What seemed like an easy choice became complicated ruining things with my sister.
A few weeks later there was knocking on our door during rainstorm—I wondered who it could be? When opened it revealed Rachel looking different than before!
Before asking why she’d come over though tears streamed down as apologized saying how sorry she was—she couldn’t abandon Kelly even if separating from Jason meant losing everything else!
Seeing genuine regret made inviting back inside feel right letting hold Kelly first time ever!
Watching them together made everything feel complete again—it wouldn’t be simple raising alone yet Luke,my boys,and myself stood ready supporting whenever needed!
