Over the Moon
Valerie Smith was more than excited when she found out that she was pregnant. Even though she wasn’t with the baby’s father anymore, Valerie was over the moon to begin this new chapter in her life.
Over The Moon
The Yard Sale
A year after Valerie got the exciting news that she was pregnant, she decided to clean out her home and throw a yard sale. While rummaging through her possessions, her eyes landed on a crib. This caused a shiver to run down her spine.
The Yard Sale
Selling It
As soon as Valerie laid eyes on the crib, she knew she had to sell it. An ad was posted within minutes advertising the crib, but Valerie failed to mention a particularly horrifying detail in her post.
Selling It
Searching for a Crib
Gerald Kumpula was an elderly gentleman searching for a crib. He was halfway across town and saw that Valerie’s crib was for sale. Gerald and his wife wanted to get the crib for their granddaughter who was expecting.
Searching For A Crib
Inspecting
From the pictures, Gerald could see that the crib was sturdy, good quality, and relatively cheap. He didn’t believe there to be anything wrong with the crib, but he was incorrect. They had no idea what was in store for them.
Inspecting
Getting It
Gerald had informed his wife about the crib. They both agreed that this would be a good purchase and a lovely gift. That’s when Gerald called Valerie to make an offer, which Valerie accepted. He then went to collect it.
Getting It
Uneasy
Gerald had arrived at Valerie’s house when he greeted her. The woman was dragging the crib behind her and Gerald could see that it looked in great condition. He asked Valerie what her child’s name is, which made her uneasy.
Uneasy
On Edge
At this point, Valerie was avoiding eye contact. He asked again because he didn’t believe it to be a loaded question. After all, the man was trying to make small talk. With her foot tapping away, she rapidly said ‘Noah.’
On Edge
Leaving
With a smile, Gerald continued making small talk, but something was weird. It seemed Valerie wasn’t having it and asked for the cash. Once she got what she asked for, Valerie demanded that he leave. Gerald did what she said and took the crib to his truck.
Leaving
Showing His Wife
Gerald arrived at the house and showed the crib to his wife. To say he was happy with his purchase is an understatement. What made it even better was that he knew his granddaughter was going to love it.
Showing His Wife
Screaming
However, once his wife looked into the crib, she screamed in horror. Gerald ran to see what the problem was. Knots formed in his stomach and he could feel a lump in his throat. It was then that he jumped in his truck with the crib.
Screaming
Arriving at Valerie’s
Gerald arrived at the home where he bought the crib and knocked on the front door. Valerie answered a minute later and looked confused as to why he was back. That’s when she saw the crib. ‘I know about Noah,’ stated Gerald.
Arriving At Valerie’s
The Truth
It was then that Valerie told him the truth. She suffered from stomach pains and backache more for than half her pregnancy. However, she believed these to be normal pregnancy symptoms until these cramps got serious. Something was wrong.
The Truth
Check-Up
Determined to understand what was going on, Valerie called for a check-up at the hospital. Thousands of questions ran through her mind as she sat in the waiting room. She tried to remain calm, but nothing could prepare her for what was about to happen.
Check Up
Heartbroken
As the doctors began conducting checks and scans on her unborn baby, she started to feel sick with nerves. Valerie hoped that nothing was wrong. However, the results came back showing the compressed umbilical cord. Valerie had lost the baby.
Heartbroken
Her Reality
So much needs to be processed as a parent once they realize that they aren’t going to bring their baby home. Not only did Valerie have to face the emotional and mental side effects of her loss, but she also needed to process that her nursery wasn’t going to be used.
Her Reality
Carrying On
This news devastated Valerie and she wasn’t sure how she could carry on with life. She felt like her life had become a nightmare that she wanted to wake up from. However, this was her reality.
Carrying On
Sad Reminders
The following weeks after her son’s passing, Valerie wasn’t sure what she was to do with herself. Her nights were sleepless, but not because a baby was crying The silence that filled her home was a sad reminder.
Sad Reminders
Almost a Year
Valerie knew that she needed to make a change once 11 months had passed. She knew that this would have been what her baby wanted. That’s why she planned to sell the crib. She didn’t need it anymore and knew that someone might.
Almost A Year
Understanding the Truth
That was when Gerald and his wife purchased the crib for their granddaughter. However, he only knew the truth behind Valerie and Noah’s tragic nightmare once he spotted what was inside the crib.
Understanding The Truth
Spotting the Mystery
You see, once Gerald’s wife took a look inside the crib, she saw something that made her shout. This was a shocking sight that Gerald rushed over to see. That’s when his eyes saw the inscription ‘RIP Noah 2019-2020.’
Spotting The Mystery
Guilt
As soon as the old man saw what was written, he immediately felt heartbroken and devastated for the woman. The truth behind the crib was revealed and he felt guilty for buying it from Valerie.
Guilt
Getting to Work
Once Gerald understood what Valerie had gone through, he got to work making something spectacular from the materials making up the crib. He knew that the crib must have sentimental value to Valerie.
Getting To Work
The Workshop
The old man brought the crib into his workshop. In this area, he had many unfinished projects, incomplete benches lining the walls, and an ATV made from PVC piping. Once placed in this area, he began working his magic.
The Workshop
Exceptional Handiwork
He started tinkering away at the crib. With a lot of effort, Gerald transformed the cot into a magnificent bench. This was a memorial for the beautiful and pure life that was taken far too soon, which Gerald believed to be the perfect way to honor the boy.
Exceptional Handiwork
A Transformation
Gerald presented Valerie with the memorial bench, and all she could do was offer him money. She was blown away by what he had done for her. However, the elderly gentleman declined this payment.
A Transformation
The Truest Blessings
It’s one of the truest blessings when you get to welcome a baby into the world. However, some people struggle to conceive or have problems carrying the baby. Hence, some individuals might seek surrogacy in order to have a child.
The Truest Blessings
Being a Surrogate
In some instances, being a surrogate can be an exceptional experience. However, other cases might be the complete opposite. This surrogacy got messy very quickly, and for reasons nobody could explain.
Being A Surrogate
Your Average Family
Jessica Allen was your average American who was married with two wonderful kids. The couple had just bought a house, but it was costing more than they could afford. That’s when Jessica saw people seeking a surrogate.
Your Average Family
A Challenging Decision
Being a surrogate can be emotionally draining. Although Jessica decided to become a surrogate, her family wasn’t certain that this was the right choice. Her husband didn’t know if she could sever emotional ties.
A Challenging Decision
Knowing His Wife
Jessica’s husband wasn’t pleased with her decision because he knew his wife very well and understood that she loved her children fiercely. He became increasingly worried about the bond she might develop with this other child.
Knowing His Wife
Shocking
Once Jessica decided to move forward with the surrogacy position, everyone was shocked by the results. During a doctor’s visit, they found that there were two babies. Jessica beamed with excitement, as she phoned the couple to tell them.
Shocking
Bonding Time
The pregnancy went without a hitch, and the couple had agreed that Jessica could have an hour’s worth of bonding time to say a proper goodbye. However, everything changed once the twins were born.
Bonding Time
Noticing Something
Once the babies were born, Jessica saw that something wasn’t right. The faces of the boys didn’t seem to match up, but she brushed this aside to enjoy her bonding time. However, she knew that something was off.
Noticing Something
Bittersweet
Against Jessica’s better judgment, she said goodbye to the twins. Although it was difficult, things started looking up for her a few days later. However, that was until a message popped up on her screen, making her heart drop.
Bittersweet
An Accusatory Message
Jessica was met by an accusatory message and a photo. After studying the picture, her fears rapidly rose to the surface. The realization dawned on her. How had she not seen it before? A battle for her life was about to begin.
An Accusatory Message
Perplexed
‘They aren’t the same, right?’ It seemed Jessica wasn’t the only person perplexed by the twins. That’s when a shockwave passed through her as she realized the terrible truth. Before she could take in what she had read, another message came through.
Perplexed
Facing the Truth
‘Do you know why the twins are different?’ Jessica could already tell what the answer was and she felt relief knowing that she wasn’t alone. However, that didn’t make this realization any less hurtful. She was bracing herself for what was to come.
Facing The Truth
Obvious
There was a striking resemblance between one of the twins and her husband. She was afraid her fears were about to come true, but she didn’t want to think about the worse possibility. There was only one thing left to do.
Obvious
A DNA Test
After having a conversation with the mother, it was decided that a DNA test would be the best plan of action. However, Jessica was left thinking about the thousands of possibilities that could come with these test results.
A DNA Test
The Tests
It was later found that the twins were a medical anomaly. One of the twins was the surrogate baby while the other was the biological child of Jessica and her husband. Jessica continued to ovulate while the couple’s embryo had been impregnated, which led to the twins being born.
The Tests