Can We Be Parents?

DISCLAIMER -

THE CHARACTERS, PLACES, SITUATION EVERYTHING IN THIS STORY IS FICTIONAL.

CHARACTERS -

• WIFE - STELLA, 33 YEARS OLD.

• HUSBAND - DAVID, 36 YEARS OLD.

• WIFE'S FRIEND - LILY, 37 YEARS OLD.

• DOCTOR - DR. REN, 45 YEARS OLD.

• A SCIENTIST - DR. PARK, 58 YEARS OLD.

WARNING - IT'S A FICTIONAL STORY. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE IN A REAL LIFE. WHERE ONLY WOMEN ARE INFERTILE IN REAL LIFE. So, I WANT TO WRITE A STORY ABOUT A MAN BEING INFERTILE. NO OFFENSE. GENDER EQUALITY.

DAVID POV -

How am I supposed to say this to Stella? What she would think of me? It's been 6 years. They said I would get cured. I can't be a good husband or father because of my infertility.

( Thoughts spiraling through David's mind after seeing his medical report.)

After reaching home David sat silently on the sofa putting his medical reports on the tea table. Seeing her exhausted husband Stella brought him a coffee. Stella placed the coffee on the tea table, then she noticed the medical reports.

STELLA POV -

Stella's Inner Voice - Looks like his medical reports. Ugh !!

" Honey, did you have a check-up? Listen to me. I have you. You have me. Aren't we both enough for us? Just don't think anything. Drink the coffee. I will go and make lunch."

After talking with David, Stella is about to leave. David held her hand and said " Stella, I know you love children. I know how eagerly you are waiting to become a mother. You're pushing yourself hard for children and I can't do anything. And I can't give an heir to my family line. " and started sobbing. Stella tried to smoothen his pain by hugging him, then continued saying " Honey, can I say something? ( David nods). Lily dropped by the home when you were out.

** FLASHBACK

When Stella is cleaning the home. The House bell rings. When she saw Lily after opening the door. Stella hugged Lily in her arms.

Lily - Aaye princess! How are you doing? I missed you so much ( Says while hugging Stella. )

Stella - I'm good. How are you? You're not even visiting me these days. ( Stella released the hug and glared at Lily. )

Lily - Sorry madam! I was busy with my work.

Then, they sat on the sofa to chit-chat ( Stella and Lily having a coffee. )

Lily - Where is David? Isn't he home?

Stella - ( With a sigh! ) He went to the hospital for his medical reports.

Lily - (Mmh!) Stella, if you don’t mind. Can I say something?

Stella - Yes Lily. You're my best friend. Of course, you can.

Lily - Thanks Stella! It's been 6 years since you and David tried for a child. I heard this from my colleague, that women can get pregnant asexually. I went through some research and it's true.

Stella - What do you mean asexually? I didn’t get that. Can you explain it?

Lily - It's called parthenogenesis. Usually, animals like reptiles and insects can reproduce asexually. In this process "an egg develops without being fertilized by sperm cells." A doctor Dr.Ren and A scientist Dr.Park researched and said that it is possible with humans too.

Stella - What are you trying to say exactly? How it's possible?

Lily - It would be nice if you and David met them.

Stella - Is it possible?

Lily - I'm your best friend. Trust me

They bid goodbye to each other after their conversation.

END OF THE FLASHBACK **

David - What? Is it possible in real life?

Stella - Do you think Lily suggests us without any knowledge?

David - I don't. But, I don't want you to go through any trouble.

Stella - I do love children. But you love them more than me. Let's meet them once.

David - Okay. " Can we be parents? " for real.

Stella - Yes, we can.

HOSPITAL - DOCTOR CONSULTATION

David - Doctor, How is that possible?

Dr.Park - It is possible. Bone marrow stem cells, could potentially be used to develop reproductive cells in a lab. But the only possibility is a baby girl. Females have two chromosomes (xx). If a reproductive technique were somehow developed using only a female's DNA, it would only produce female offspring. There are no y chromosomes.

Dr.Ren - Dr. Park is correct. You can try it. It wouldn't affect Stella because it's her DNA and the cells we take from bone marrow. It takes one week to develop the cells in the laboratory and after that, we can insert tissues into her body.

Stella - Let's give it a try David. Please!

David - Stella! Don't you think bone marrow operation is risky?

Dr.Ren - No, don’t worry. It's not an operation. We take her bone marrow tissues, called bone marrow aspiration or bone marrow biopsy. No need to worry. We insert a specialized hollow needle into her bone (near the hip) and use the syringe to extract liquid bone marrow and it just causes a temporary sharp pain. After taking the tissues we develop cells in the laboratory. We insert the developed cells into her body through the common surrogacy method.

Stella - It looks like nothing is risky.

Dr.Ren - But, you should be aware of side effects too. You can get infected. If something is not clean you will be in temporary pain.

Stella - It's okay doctor. I can handle it.

David - Stella! Are you sure?

Stella - Yes, David. I'm 200% sure of this. Let's begin this today.

David - Today?

Stella - I can't wait to give you a child.

Dr.Ren - You should maintain a strict diet during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy, and post-pregnancy. You should avoid alcohol, drugs, and some foods.

Stella - I'm a non-alcoholic doctor and I'm ready for everything.

Dr. Park - You're prepared for this. Why don't we start then Dr. Ren? Are you both sure, David and Stella?

David - If that makes her happy. I'm always ready.

Stella - Thank you, David. Let's start the procedure.

After taking the bone marrow tissues Stella, Dr.Ren and Dr.Park started the cell's ( chromosomes ) development in the laboratory. Stella and David head back to their house. Stella was in temporary sharp pain. David took care of Stella.

AFTER ONE WEEK

When the tissues are ready Dr. Ren and Dr. Park insert the developed cells (chromosomes) into Stella's body. After inserting the cells, they are prepared to hear the good news.

AFTER 21 DAYS

After 21 days of the chromosome insertion, Stella tested positive in her pregnancy test. Stella and David were so happy. They visited the hospital for consultation and showed gratitude to Dr. Ren and Dr.Park.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Dr.Ren - Make sure you eat healthy nutritious food. You should be very healthy.

Stella and David - Yes, doctor. Thank you so much, doctor.

Stella and David thanked Lily for her suggestion.

David took care of Stella. He didn't let her do a single work. Both families were so happy to hear Stella was pregnant. But they were all expecting it to be a boy child. But no one knows about them consulting a doctor. Stella is worried about that. David calmed her every time saying he would handle it.

AFTER 9 MONTHS

Everyone is worried about Stella's delivery date. Her delivery should be done by this time. Everyone is scared that her child died in her womb. They were waiting for her delivery. But every time it’s a false pain. Both her in-laws and parents stayed at their home. All are worried about whether they should do a cesarean operation or wait for a normal delivery, but the doctor suggested it would be better if it's a normal delivery.

AFTER 15 MORE DAYS

Stella's water broke and everyone was worried and took her to the hospital. Stella went through a lot of pain because of her late delivery. She gave birth to a baby girl. Her husband is with her in the operating theater with doctors and nurses. But to everyone's surprise, Stella's pain doesn't stop after the baby girl's birth and then they realize, she is giving birth to another baby too. And she gave birth to a baby boy. Stella was relaxed after her pains and surprised by the baby boy's birth. She never expected that there would be twins in her womb.

**FLASHBACK ( BEFORE THE CHROMOSOME'S INSERTION )

David - Hello, doctor.

Dr.Ren - Hey David. Is something wrong?

David - No doctor. I have a request.

Dr.Ren - About what?

David - While inserting developed cells into Stella's body, could you include mine? Is that possible?

Dr.Ren - Yes there is. No doubt you love her so much.

Dr.Ren adds David cells in the developed cells(chromosomes)

END OF THE FLASHBACK **

Stella - Thank you, David.

David - I always feel bad for being infertile. But in this process, I became a father. Thank you so much, Stella. I love you (David kisses Stella's forehead)

Stella and David are so happy to be parents. Their question to the almighty

" Can we be parents? " was answered. God blessed them with twins.

" A GOD'S BLESSING "

End of the story.

From author -

It's just a fictional story I always wanted to write. I'm not against any gender. Thank you for reading this and for your patience. I hope I didn't disappoint you.

- Kavya Kambalapally