When Nikki agrees to co-parent with her ex, she never expects to be treated like a surrogate by his new partner. But as the boundaries blur and the demands escalate, Nikki realizes this pregnancy isn’t just about babies… it’s about control. And she’s done being polite.
When Stan left me, it wasn’t dramatic.
It was just a tight-lipped coffee shop conversation and an apologetic shrug.
“I’ve been talking to Ursula again,” he said.
“I think we’ve got unfinished business, Nikki. And to be honest, I just want to make sure that she’s not the one who got away.”
“I get it,” I said, smiling at the waiter when he brought my slice of baked cheesecake.
“You have to see this through.
Not a problem.”
“Aren’t you… upset?” he asked, frowning over his cup of coffee. “I am a bit sad but let’s face it, Stan.
We’ve only been together for three months and I’m not Ursula.
So, we owe it to ourselves to see what the world has to offer.”
He nodded and asked for the check.
It was true, we had only been together for three months. It stung, sure.
But I told myself to get over it. And I almost did.
Until two weeks later, when I found out I was pregnant.
With twins.
I told Stan, of course. There was a long pause on the phone, then a sound I didn’t expect.
There was laughter.
Choked, stunned, and joyful laughter. “Oh my God,” he said.
“Twins?!
Nikki!
This is… this is incredible.”
“You’re actually happy about this?” I asked.
“Yes!” he exclaimed. “I am! These are two innocent babies who deserve the entire world!”
Apparently, Ursula had fertility issues.
And Stan had always wanted kids.
Stan said that getting back together wasn’t on the table but he wanted to be involved.
And Ursula?
She “just wanted to support the process.”
But support turned out to mean something very different to all of us involved. Ursula insisted on meeting.
She and Stan came to my apartment like they were touring a rental with their eyes darting around, assessing the space.
She didn’t even sit down before laying out her terms. “We want a home birth,” she began, as if we were mid-negotiation.
“Formula feeding only, Nikki.
That way we can split custody from day one, you understand?
And the babies will call me Mama. You’ll be Mommy.
The story doesn’t end here –
it continues on the next page.
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