Melissa wondered how a decision made with generous intentions could already make ordinary happiness feel temporary.
She asked Grant whether he had ever imagined carrying someone else’s burden for money.
He said he had done difficult work for a paycheck, but not work that required someone else to live inside his body for months.
She was grateful that he did not pretend the experiences were equivalent.
He asked whether she had spoken to women who had completed similar arrangements.
Melissa said the clinic could provide educational resources.
Grant suggested that she find support independent of the Whitmores as well.
She agreed, and for two days they researched without arguing.
Melissa spoke to a woman named Dana who described a positive experience supported by careful legal planning.
Dana emphasized that she had never worked for the intended parents.
She said her medical expenses and leave arrangements had been clearly explained before treatment.
Melissa asked whether the process had damaged her marriage.
Dana said she and her spouse had disagreed about details but had never disagreed about whether to proceed.
That distinction remained with Melissa after the call.
She asked another woman about an experience involving an employer.
The woman declined to discuss private details but advised Melissa to seek independent counsel.
Melissa made a note beside the recommendation.
When Charles called the next day, she asked whether the intended parents could cover an attorney selected by her.
He said he would look into it and sounded mildly surprised that she had asked.
Melissa told herself that surprise did not necessarily mean resistance.
Nevertheless, she added his response to the legal pad.
The page grew crowded, and the blank spaces began to trouble her more than the questions.
Chapter 5: The Insurance Question
The first insurance explanation arrived in an email written by someone Melissa had never met.
It contained a list of policy numbers and a paragraph assuring her that every ordinary expense would be handled.
Grant asked what counted as ordinary.
Melissa read the paragraph again and realized the word had not been defined.
She called the clinic’s benefits coordinator, who explained that the medical team did not control the terms of the private payment agreement.
The coordinator offered to arrange a meeting with someone who could explain the coverage options.
Melissa accepted and asked whether Grant could attend.
The following week, they sat in a small conference room with a stack of documents between them.
The coordinator explained what the available policies appeared to cover and which questions needed confirmation from the insurer.
