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Mustard Seed: Faith, Hope, and Love

By Sasha Zarya Nexus

Chapter Five ~ Go For It!

With all the testing done, who will get the nod, Jessica or Laura to be the surrogate mother for Leira's child?

April 5, 2008 ~ Go for it!

The sisters and Jessica were still confined to bed following a night still in the same hospital ward. All indications were that they all would be able to be up and about this evening. They were all being monitored still and also each of them had been wheeled out for various tests and returned.

Leira spoke to her unborn child as she touched her stomach, “Hi there little mustard seed. You remember me! Even though I’ve only carried you for the first 5 weeks having you grow inside me has been an amazing experience. Over there is your Aunt Laura and our new friend Jessica. If things work out like we hope then one of them will be carrying you soon. I love you my little mustard seed.”

“That’s sweet Leira and Happy Birthday Sis. I know that you will miss carrying your mustard seed but I’ll do my best to keep her safe if I get to care for her.”

“I know that you will and Happy Birthday to you too, Sis. That is why I trust you and Jessica to keep our little mustard seed safe.”

“Thanks, Sis”

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Dr Summers had been hoping against hope that with all of his diligent time in learning his lessons that he would get time off for good behavior and be able to get back to interacting with people and setting his own schedule. After getting good marks for getting ready to go out for the day and eating breakfast, both Dr Erika and Leigh were both ready to pass him out of the program. Dr Jenkins had taken some tests earlier and if they came back good he could go back to normal routine. Leigh and Dr Erika too hoped that their captive might be freed because that would free them as well.

"By the way, Doctor Summers, Laura did agree in principal to her getting some dating help. The only man she said she would go out with is you. I think she felt that you would be too busy to date her. We discussed your time as Theresa and managed to put a pretty good spin on that as well. Dr T, I think you should go for it!"

"Noted and thank you. If I get sprung I believe I will deliver my acceptance in person and see what kind of lively discussion happens next. Is Laura still the favorite to be the transplant recipient?"

"As far as I have heard. The final presentation will be later."

Dr Jenkins entered carrying a clipboard full of data. Dr T you have a clean bill of health I'll sign off on you returning to duty." "Then it will be unanimous because we have signed off as well." said Dr Erika

"Thank you, Thank you Thank you. Ladies you may go about your other duties as I am about to resume mine.!"

"You are welcome Dr T" and the three women left Dr T for some well deserved solitude. Dr Terry called Bethany to bring Hope by for a reunion of father and daughter.

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"I love you so much, Hope. I really missed you."

"I've missed you too Daddy!"

"Can you do a favor for me? Laura and Leira's birthdays are today and I want to get presents for both of them but I want the one for Laura to be extra special."

"Sure Daddy! I can help with that! I'll go down right now to talk with Laura and Leira.!"

"Thank you, Sweetie! I look forward to hearing what you find out." Hope went out to go visit Laura and Leira.

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When Hope walked in to visit the twins it was a pleasant surprise especially for Laura. Laura thought the 11 year old girl was precious and a treasure. There was something about her, perhaps the look in her eyes that reminded Laura of the way she had perceived Leira at that age.

Laura wasn't sure if it were for mischievousness or curiosity but Laura tried to speak to Hope Telepathically ~'Hi Hope! It's your friend Laura but you can call me Lori'~

~'Wow! I can hear you speaking in my mind! Do you hear me, Lori?'~

~'Loud and clear. You are the only one I've talked to like this besides my twin sister '~

Leira noticed the absence of talking and other indications by touching, gestures and facial expressions that a conversation was going on. "OK Laura and Hope, you two are busted, You two are chatting telepathically!"

Laura jumped in, "Yes we were. I'm sorry for being rude. we just now discovered we could chat telepathically."

Hope agreed," I'm sorry for being rude too. Nothing like this has ever happened to me so I am just floored by the entire experience"

Laura continued," I saw a look in her eye that reminded me of you, Leira, at her age, so I tried to speak to her telepathically and it worked!"

Hope could not return to her father empty handed and she resolved being transparent was the best idea with someone who could read her thoughts. ~'Daddy sent me here to fish for some hints on things to get for you and your sister for your birthday. He wants the gift that he gets for you to be extra nice. Help me please?'~\

~'Sure Hope, let me think on it a minute and I will give you something to tell your Daddy and I will try to be suitably surprised when he surprises me with it tonight'~ . .

"Leira, why would I be able to talk telepathically with Hope? Is there any family relation between us?"

"Not that I can remember being kin to anyone in Dr Summers family tree.."

"Not being able to understand it does not deter from my enjoyment of this serendipity." Said Laura with a smile.

~' I'd like a large ornate Colonial type Jewelry box and Leira would like a manicure and pedicure'~

"Thank you Laura! I have to be going but I'll check in on you all later" responded Hope to both the spoken and telepathic messages and Laura nodded her understanding as well.

Hope hugged both sisters and took her leave and left the room going back to find her father.

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Leigh worked well with Jessica, to get her looking ready for her date. She could not help but smile that this particular rite of passage had been denied them at the proper time but it was still something they both treasured as they cooperated this day. They had made this a full, Dress rehearsal for the run thru that Leigh had scheduled. Jessica would have a new look for her evening makeup and another dress to go to the Twin's Party this evening.

It was all so new to Jessica how to behave on a date. She thought that she would be waiting at the door to open it with Leigh to the gentlemen who were calling. Jessica had remembered the annoyance when a girl pulled that girl stuff and entered the room later making everyone wait. Jessica had to admit that the annoyance was soon forgotten when a knockout lady joined them. What Leigh made Jessica realized is that in being presented in that manner, the girl had the greatest chance to show her true beauty in a first impression. Jessica had to bow to the brilliance of the plan and of course would not cheat any guy and give him all the beauty he could stand for his first impression of her. Once Jessica realized that the traditions were wise, she didn't worry about why it was done and simply learned how to do it. Jessica reasoned that she had the rest of her life to play catch up learning the why's of things that girls discussed in giggles at slumber parties and daughters heard in bed time stories from their mothers.

Donald Vaughn , the security chief and James Olsen, one of his staff ran thru less of a date and more like mechanics of dating. They went over being seated and unseated at a banquet table. Being seated and unseated around the dance floor. The way that one with class both asks and accepts a dance. The way to politely rejoin after the dance whether it is to go on to the next dance or else to retire from the dance floor either to start an intimate conversation or escape from one. Most of all They danced and Jessica was soon dancing backward on her 3" spiked heels at James' lead as though she had been doing it all her life.

The allotted time passed too quickly and Donald and Leigh demonstrated for James and Jessica the end of date kiss which they mastered as they had everything else. Jessica hoped as James and Donald disappeared from sight down the corridor that James realized that her words were more than polite conventions but she was looking forward to the date at the party tonight. However , she needed to get herself on task if she were going to accomplish the complete wardrobe change they anticipated before the party tonight. .

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Laura smiled as she saw Dr Summers come in for a visit since she knew from Hope that he liked her. She liked him a lot. She had gotten to know him in his guise as Theresa and she wondered if it was his own personality coming thru that she had observed or just some clever acting. Leigh had gotten Jessica and they were off working on dating strategies and planning for a date tonight at the birthday party. Mark had come by and collected Leira for some alone time with his wife. That had left Laura alone, as though things had been planned to give them some privacy. Laura knew for her part she would not waste it.

Dr Summers saw the warm smile that Laura greeted him with and took it as a good sign. He had gotten to know Laura from the time he had spent as Theresa but she wasn't as familiar with his true self due to the disguise. Like the title character of Tootsie, he counted that they were already friends. If he could do it without the skirt then it would lead to some advantages in the here and now of a potential relationship. He smiled and touched her on the arm?" "How are you doing today? Laura."

She smiled and said, "The view is wonderful from where I sit." As she straightened a bit to not only see him better but to display herself in a pleasing manner. "I knew they were about to turn you back into a guy but I had no idea that you were such a hunk."

"Shoe on the other foot too, Laura. " With out all those hormones that helped me think as though a girl, you are quite a dish to me as well. I hope you'll still approve of me to escort you to your birthday party, tonight"

"Of course, uhhh,,, Well... calling you Dr Summers seems too formal for friends like us but you sure don't look like a Theresa anymore?

"Please, I hope you will call me Terry, now and for always."

"Thank you Terry and I would love to be escorted to the party by you tonight. I'll be the envy of every lady there."

"Thank you and I will be the envy of every gentleman there! What do you make of you being able to communicate telepathically with hope? I imagine that was a surprise!"

"I love it because it brings us closer. We are near related genetically if not by family lines so that would be a favorable factor since I was previously only a "twin telepath" It helped that we had already in the short time we had known each other had entered each other's family of choice as sisters. I won't be pinned down just how we compare now but realize we are still connected. For Hope and I it's simpler. Hope is like a adopted daughter to me so that's why we are telepathic. Don't panic, and the rest will sort itself when our feelings catch up to the situation."

"Sounds like good advise. I love you platonically now as I did before. I could pull rank to get the regulations dumped for me to get to see you while you are being treated medically as part of the project but it would be easier if you just approved me yourself for access." He gave her a clipboard and pen to make the change to her paperwork.

"Of course, I'll grant you and your daughter access." She smiled mischievously as she marked him as significant other and Hope as her daughter on the forms. "I don't think you will have any trouble getting in to see me with that declaration." Laura handed him the papers and pen back and grinned. She watched the surprised look when he saw what she had done and leaned in to touch her hand," I love you too, Sweetheart" and he broke into a broad grin. "I thought you could handle it. I'll look forward to having you by my bedside to see me thru what ever happens. I guess that Leigh will be here soon to help be become beautiful for the activates of this evening and the party tonight. I'm glad you and Hope are in my life!"

"I'm glad you are in our lives too, Laura. Take care and I look forward to tonight." Terry kissed her and then left the room as though he were ten feet tall bursting with pride that Laura wanted him in her life. From no where the thought appeared in his mind, 'This was too easy, Is it real?' 'Yes!', he concluded, and not any the less welcome for not noticing it the first time he had encountered Laura.

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The group therapy session was conducted by Dr Erika and involved only Laura and Jessica. With what was about to be, she wanted her two charges to not hold anything back but get anything out into the light of day., "Laura would you like to go first?"

"I'll do that! Its been a wonderful day so far and it isn't over yet. Remember Charles Wallace from L' Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" who would not speak openly to other than family but started speaking to Meg's future boyfriend from the moment he met him as if to say. Welcome to the Family" I feel like I have just made Hope, Terry's child my daughter of choice. I found out that I really love Terry, the anticipating being asked important questions kind of love. It seems a bit sudden but its like there is a whole new dynamic relationship in play. Theresa and I were already really good friends . All Terry has to do is to get it right not wearing a dress. I can see some real advantages for him doing without one at this stage in the proceedings. After all what other man is going to understand the motivations I feel for being a surrogate mother if I am picked tonight. I have been truly blessed."

"Wow! that is a lot, Laura. Thanks for sharing with us. Jessica could you share your thoughts of the day now?"

"I'd love to Dr Erika. The main theme in what Leigh was trying to teach me is that a lot of the pre date and dating traditions that seem to indicate that a woman is very self centered is nothing but the kind. Instead its the time tried methods for showing off her beauty with the greatest enhancement. If we don't look our best some how we are cheating him of some of his enjoyment. Hopefully along the way I get some enjoyment out of the date too so it wouldn't be right to cheat him out of what his body is wired to react the most toward. She told me the why for the first thing and then I just learned the how afterward. I figured that eventually I would catch up with the rest of the girls on the why."

"Very good ladies and I would like to ask either of you, why no dwelling on the decision about to be made on who gets to carry the baby?"

They both began and then Jessica went first," There was nothing that I could do to change that outcome. all the testing was completed and the selection was not to be subjective at all but who was the best match overall" Laura concluded, "I could matter to the dance preparation so that's why I devoted all my energies there"

"Very good Ladies! You are dismissed and good luck for your activities the rest of the night" Dr Erika gave each a hug and then she was off. Dr Erika hardly ever stood still but was always on the go somewhere, and it makes it reasonable that she gets so many things accomplished..

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Dr Kathryn presided at another conference in the conference room where the surroundings and the participants looked the same as the one welcoming them when this all began at the research center. All the data was in and all of the results had been evaluated and all that remained was to hear the conclusions that had been arrived at. The biggest question was on all of their minds. Will they be able to do the transplant? Who would be selected to carry the baby?

Jessica, Leira and Laura had been released from their hospital room and they were glad to be up and around to be part of the conference in person rather than watching on closed circuit television. Jessica, Leira and Laura were escorted to the conference room by Mark and Dr Robin. There was other staff in the entourage so that bode well for Jessica, Leira and Laura’s results.

Dr Kathryn, seeing that everyone was present, convened the meeting. “Good evening everyone. Thank you all for all of your hard work on this project. After all of the testing we have our results concerning our donor and recipient. I’m very pleased to give the floor to Dr Viola Carrey to report first on their work with Mrs. Leira Landers Walters.”

Dr Carrey stood and came up to the podium while Dr Kathryn took her seat.

“My thanks to all of my staff working with Mrs. Walters and for the center’s support staff who have helped make all of our jobs easier. Thanks too for the cooperation of Mrs. Walters which enabled us to easily do every test that we requested. Upon evaluating our test results we can make the following conclusions concerning Mrs. Walters’ condition. 1) Her cancer is now being stabilized at stage 2 2) The experimental stem cell treatment to address a limited number of cancer sites was completely effective. This treatment should be very effective for cancers caught in Stage 1. The effect of stabilizing the cancer growth gives us confidence that the cancer will not spread outside the already affected areas of her lungs. 3. Mrs. Walters unborn child is in excellent health and we have identified safeguards to put in place to sustain the child in utero if the transplant is ordered. 4. Aside from the cancer, Mrs. Walters is in good health and is robust enough to withstand having her reproductive system removed. To sum up all factors we evaluated indicate that the transplant can be achieved and leave Mrs. Walters strong enough to fight off the cancer with both experimental and conventional treatment with a strong prognosis for survival. This concludes my presentation. Dr Kathryn asked me to introduce Dr Glynis Thompson who has been leading the team working with Miss Laura Landers and Miss Jessica Majors.”

Dr Carrey took her seat and Dr Thompson went to the podium and took her place there. “Thank you Dr Carrey. I also would like to thank my team for their hard work , the center staff and Miss Laura herself for making this research go so smoothly. Our conclusions are as follows: 1) Like her sister the process of harvesting and working with stem cells in Miss Laura is very easy. 2) We have proved the success of stem cells forming blood vessels in our test transplant procedure 3) We have proven the success in using the artificial blood vessels in a surgical setting. 4) Between her low immunity threshold and her near genetic match to her sister, Anti transplant rejection drugs are not indicated meaning that a transplanted organ of her sisters could remain for life without any rejection concerns. 5) Stem cells placed at the interface to both ends of the artificial blood vessel worked to integrate the transplant into the whole undiffenciatied from any other body tissue instead of remaining distinct and separate from her body. 6) Miss Landers is in robust health and is capable of both healing from the transplant and carrying the baby to term. 7) Miss Laura’s medical condition caused by Harry Benjamin Syndrome which has not yet been corrected by GRS is a positive. Rather than having to overlay on some existing surgery, the added tissue will make it easier to make a place for the transplants and interface them to Miss Laura’s body. Jessica's results are close behind Laura's and she would make a good backup candidate. To sum up, Miss Laura Landers is deemed best capable of receiving the transplant by the results of our tests.”

Dr Kathryn took the podium again. “To sum up our results, We plan go ahead with the transplant. Since time is of the essence, The transplant procedure will take place tomorrow. Miss Majors, Mrs. Walters and Miss Landers will be escorted back to their room where both of them will be prepped for their surgery. Miss Jessica will be standing by prepped for surgery in the remote event that she is needed. Good luck to us all tomorrow. This meeting is adjourned to the banquet room where we will be holding a birthday party to the twins Leira and Laura who can get in their last eating and drinking before the surgery scheduled for tomorrow.”

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Dr Summers was very pleased with the results for the preparations for the two sister's birthday. An added part of the celebration was that the way had been cleared for Laura to become pregnant with her sister Leira's child tomorrow. Leira glowed as she was led across the dance floor by her husband Mark. Leigh lost herself in the powerful eyes of her companion for the night, Mr. Donald Vaughn. The talk around the project was that they were already "an item". Whether that were true yet he had no way of knowing but he suspected that it might not be long. Jessica seemed to be comfortable with her escort of the night, James Olsen. Since the violent reaction to her condition had not opened the chance till 4 days ago, Jessica had made a lot of progress in a small amount of time. Part was due to everything that was provided and part was due to Jessica herself living in the present and not letting her past bind herself. Bethany was on the floor as well with his daughter as she were learning and practicing dancing. Hope looked beautiful in her party dress and had to admit that his daughter was growing up faster than he'd dreamed. Various members of the staff had also come as well since Leira and Laura and their great faith had become an inspiration for them all.

Most of all even with Jaime, his sister being the ultimate reason, how it came to be that this group of men and women had gathered for this particular celebration this year, Terry treasured the presence of Laura in his life.

As he danced with her this evening, he was acutely aware that she had another dance partner starting tomorrow for a while called fate. He hoped that fate would be satisfied and send Laura on to the rest of her life that he hoped they would share together.

It delighted Terry to observe the generosity of Leira and Laura's friends as one by one Dr Robin brought a package out for one of the sisters. Although he was pleased with the reaction that Leira had to the gift of spa services, He could not get over the look of pure delight that Laura had as she opened and reveled in the ornate jewelry box that had been his present to her.

Dr Summers discovered just how efficient his staff were when it was the time appointed that the party end and the guests of honor whisked up to bed. He could see hope in the eyes of many that the wonderful thing intended to be done would be accomplished tomorrow. He too took his leave so that he would be ready for what was to come.

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Nurses came to escort Jessica, Leira and Laura back to their rooms with wheel chairs. The brief reprieve had been nice while it occurred but they no longer were practicing but the real thing lay before them. Mark, Terry, and Leigh accompanied them to the room as well. The excitement spilled from each sister’s face as they contemplated that the transplant had been approved and would shortly come to pass. Even Jessica was please to be standing by as the backup.

Leira said to Mark, "I haven’t seen so much medical testing since those specialists gave that thorough exam to Laura.”

“Those must have been interesting times for your family. I hope we are as lucky when we proceed in ducking becoming a media subject as you and your sister did back then.” Said Mark with hope strong in his voice.