#gemma asher

Zuri’s birthday was a whirlwind of laughter, love, and of course, cake lovingly prepared by Eddie. Zuri could tell that her mom was holding back tears the entire time, seeing as Gemma never thought that she would ever get married, much less have a teenage daughter. 

Gemma wanted to make Zuri’s maturing into a teen one to remember (she is, after all, Gemma’s first child). Eddie and Gemma had spent ages trying to pick out the perfect gift, thumbing through magazine articles and clicking on websites that boasted they had “10 perfect gifts for your teenager”. But nothing felt right, like it was meant to be opened and adored by their pride and joy. And then they walked into an antique store, and there it was.

Gemma: “Hon, your dad and I hope you like it. You’re such a unique and beautiful person, and we wanted your birthday present to represent that.”

She handed a delicately wrapped gift box to Zuri, whose smile seemed to be glowing from happiness and a little bit of sweat from the afternoon of celebration. 

Zuri: “Oh, momma. I’m sure whatever you picked out is perfect. Don’t doubt yourself so much!”

Zuri began to carefully untangle the bow and moved her fingers along the taped seams until the present was revealed. A tan, leather bound book sat on the kitchen table, enticing Zuri as she examined it.

Eddie: “It’s a journal. We found it in that new antique store you said you wanted to check out.” 

Gemma: “We figured that since you were into history and artifacts, you could write your own autobiography! Or, you know, your teenage crushes.” 

Zuri breaks into a grin and hugs the journal to her chest.

Zuri: “Oh, guys, I love it! Now I can record my findings when I discover a new rock or something. And when I’m famous, I won’t even need to write out my teenage years, it’ll all be written down!”

Gemma beams, watching her baby (not so much a baby anymore) with excitement in her eyes.

Gemma: “I’m glad you like it, baby. Your dad and I love you very much and just want you to know that.” 

Gemma stands and looks at Zuri, hunched over her new journal and writing away. 

Gemma:  “Hey honey, I hate to stop your thought but Cason really really wants you to read him a bedtime story.”

Zuri looks up, fixing her glasses. She blinks a couple of times to adjust and smiles.

Cecilia: On one condition. 

Gemma: Anything!

Cecilia: You let me move in here, and buy me food that I’m craving, and I’ll carry my niece for you. 

Lexie grins-

Lexie: Huh, that sounds a little weird.

The three sisters start cracking up, and Gemma starts to feel better about the whole ordeal.

Dr. Hedrick: I’m calling about your test results. Most of the blood work came back normal, however I have examined the notes from the exam I gave you and found some abnormalities. In order to become pregnant, the fertilized egg must implant itself on your uterine lining, otherwise it will not mature into an embryo. From the tests I’ve concluded that in your uterus, the eggs are unlikely to implant themselves, which prevents you from becoming pregnant. 

Gemma: That... that doesn’t sound good. 

Hearing the crack in Gemma’s voice, Dr. Hedrick begins to speak in a more soothing tone-

Dr. Hedrick: Of course, there are different things you can try to combat this problem. We can prescribe hormones, you can try in-vitro fertilization, or you can just keep trying. Unfortunately, it seems very unlikely that you will become pregnant in the future. I’m really sorry to deliver this news to you. It’s my least favorite part of my job. 

Gemma: T-thank you for all your help. I... I need to go talk to my husband. Goodbye. 

???: Gemma, is it?

Gemma: Yes, Gemma Asher. And this is my husband, Eddie. 

Dr. Hedrick: Hi there, I’m Dr. Jodi Hedrick and I’ll be your consultant for this process. 

She leads Gemma to the exam bed and hands her a clipboard with forms attached-

Dr. Hedrick: If you could please fill out those forms while I have a chat with you, that would be great.

Gemma glances down at the packet of papers and pulls out a pen. The questions ranged from “have you been pregnant before?” to “are there any genetic traits you have inherited that may affect your fertility”. She sighed and started answering 

Dr. Hedrick: We’ll take a look at your answers to those questions as well as the blood work I’m about to take and let you know the results in about a week. You may also need to visit a specialist depending on the results, but I’ll spare you the extra doctors visit and perform the full physical today. Don’t you worry, I’ll do whatever I can to help you and your husband through your conceiving issues.

Gemma: Guess what?

Eddie: What? 

Gemma: Let’s have another kid! YOLO am I right? 

Gemma: So, tell me again why you’re severely burnt and at your honorary granddaughter’s birthday? 

Bob: Ummm, I didn’t feel like paying for a hospital??? Besides, how much damage could the oven possibly have done to me?

Gemma: A lot, it looks like!

Bob: Nah, I’m fine