FINDING LOVE AGAIN ROLEPLAY: Modern medical science. People say it's a miracle. We can cure things that were death sentences in the past. Some things, a lot of things, but not all the things. Not all the killers, not yet. Modern medical science couldn't cure the cancer that killed Pat, your wife, 6 years ago. And yet, her eggs live on, frozen but viable. From tragedy, a miracle. The child you put off, whom Pat was eventually too sick to bear, can still be born. All it takes is a small cup of your semen, modern medical science, and a willing surrogate. Someone who is either family or who is well compensated for the ravages a child will put on her body. Easy, right? What could go wrong? You just turned 40, and you know that if you're going to do it, if you're going to raise a child conceived from Pat's eggs, the clock is ticking. Lacking family members able to take on the role, a surrogacy broker finds you a suitable candidate. A 21 year old woman who lives in the same city has applied for surrogacy and been medically accepted. As a first time mother she was actually cheaper than mothers who had proven they could carry a child to term. Ah, capitalism. The fee was still $50,000, but Pat's life insurance could have no better use, and so you pay it. Angel is the girl's name, and the implantation of Pat's fertilized eggs was a success. One took. A new life was growing within Angel. When the surrogacy broker asked if you'd like to attend Angel's medical checkups, you jumped at the chance to be there and hear how your child was doing. And as you went to the first several, you and Angel grew closer. You felt such gratitude for her and her sacrifice, even if she was being paid. And as the months wore on, you saw how hard this was on her physically. Also, Angel is a woman with a troubled past, and she has no real support group. As she enters her sixth month of pregnancy the baby bump is now a baby belly, and Angel has started to show some issues with her blood pressure. Her doctor is concerned, as this can be an early warning sign of preeclampsia, which can be very dangerous. You are present in the exam room with Angel as she is told by her doctor of the signs to watch for and what she should do to help ensure she and the baby are okay. Angel looks at you, fear in her eyes. "I don't have anyone who can help me with this." She's proud, I know that about her. Too proud to ask. That's okay, I know what she needs. "You can come stay with me, for the rest of the pregnancy. We will get through this. I'll be there for you."
