Through The Looking Glass

By G. Sylvester

Kristen Williams, one of Los Angeles's top fertility specialists, has devoted her life to helping couples realize their dream of having a baby. When not busy at her medical practice, she spends time traveling to various countries leading medical mission trips with her church. With a bustling work life, numerous accolades, a close group

• Language: English
• Publisher: Written By G. Ltd
• Release date: Jul 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781739580049

G. Sylvester

Named after Saint Geneviève, the Patron Saint of Paris, Geneviève started writing stories at the age of five. Originally, she went to college to become a doctor, but that chapter of her life didn't last long. She found herself unable to concentrate in class, often dazing off into her own world creating characters and stories that she would jot down in her notebook with hopes of one day sharing them with the world. Despite initial pushback from others, Geneviève decided to take a leap of faith and follow her dreams. She started her career in writing as a script reader while also copywriting for major music labels, honing her skills and developing much needed connections.Following several years of helping other writers achieve their goals, she decided to apply her skillset to her own work by writing her first romance novel. Her garnered success over several novels encouraged her to expand her brand into forthcoming young adult novels. No matter the genre, all of Geneviève's stories have an underlying theme of faith.Despite the impressive professional strides she has made, Geneviève, has chosen to work towards her goal of elevating her passion and talents by currently pursuing her creative writing degree at the illustrious University of Oxford in England. Outside of her writing career, Geneviève is passionate about the environment which she and her husband express through sustainable living, their plant-based diet, and their various business ventures. Although now based in London, they also split their time in the USA and Italy. When not at home, they can often be found traveling the world doing what they love most, which is charity work.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. In the case of actual real places mentioned in this book: Those places are there only for effect with no intention from the author to endorse them or link them to real events.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. Copyright © 2022 Written By G. Ltd. All rights reserved. No Part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact: [e-mail].

Second Edition

ISBN: 978-1-7395800-2-5

DEDICATION

-------------

This book is dedicated to all the couples that prayed for—or are still praying to see that tiny heartbeat on the screen.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, and foremost, I thank GOD, who constantly demonstrates to me that with him,

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

To Dr. David E. Tourgeman and Rishona Teres, NP at HRC Fertility in Los Angeles, California: The kindness you—along with the rest of your staff—show to your patients is beyond measure.

To all my readers old and new, your positive words encourage me more than you know. You keep me going especially on those days when my mind is tired, and all I can see is a blank page and a blinking cursor.

THANK YOU FOR READING MY WORK!

KS – you are the true definition of agape love and my forever inspiration. I love you beyond words!

THROUGH

THE

LOOKING

GLASS

CONTENTS

ONE

The Good Life

TWO

Beyond The Looking Glass

THREE

When Kristen Met Blake

FOUR

New Beginnings

FIVE

A Perfect Pair

SIX

Matters Of The Heart

SEVEN

Baby Of Mine

EIGHT

Got Faith?

NINE

A Ray Of Hope

TEN

Role Reversal

ELEVEN

Every Beat Of Your Heart

CHAPTER ONE

THE GOOD LIFE

"Okay Maria, hold very still while I insert the transfer catheter." Dr. Kristen Williams calmly instructed her patient who was fidgeting—while grasping the thin, white, paper gown that covered the bottom half of her body.

I’m trying Dr. Williams. I’m just so nervous, responded Maria.

It’s okay to be nervous. Just try and relax a little. You shouldn’t feel a thing.

With the help of the ultrasound screen, Kristen gently placed the flexible catheter inside of Maria before slowly guiding the tip of it to just the right area of her uterus. Fully aware that the catheter carried the hopes and dreams of this young woman—as well as her husband—Kristen made sure she had located the most optimal spot for future implantation.

Do you see the tip of the catheter on the screen? She asked Maria and her husband Santos—while motioning her head towards the direction of the high-tech ultrasound monitor.

Yes, they answered in unison.

Good. Now if you look real close you can see the exact moment I release the two embryos. Which should be right…about…now.

I saw them! Maria exclaimed in delight.

I didn’t see anything, said a disappointed Santos.

That’s okay. All that matters is that they are in there, responded Kristen—in an effort to reassure the potential new father—as she pulled the now empty catheter out.

Thank you so much Dr. Williams. You have been amazing throughout this whole process. If we get a baby out of this, it will be all because of you. A beaming Maria said to her.

She’s right. We couldn’t have done it without you, added Santos.

Well, I appreciate you saying that. But it’s really a team effort. Kristen told them as she swiftly tossed her blue disposable gloves into the trash bin before thoroughly washing her hands.

When can I take a pregnancy test? An eager Maria questioned.

In twelve days you will come back in and at that time we will draw your blood and test the levels of the pregnancy hormone in your system.

What about using one of those home test you buy at the pharmacy? Santos inquired.

I would suggest that you wait for the blood test since it is more accurate, but if you really can’t wait—which most people can’t—you can take one of the home pregnancy test in about eight to ten days.

We will just wait for the blood test, said a confident Santos.

Speak for yourself! Maria interjected with a laugh that Kristen joined in on.

Just lay back and relax for about twenty minutes then you can go home, she told Maria before heading out the door.

*

Obviously, every embryo transfer didn’t end in a viable pregnancy yet—despite that fact—Kristen still found herself having a renewed since of hope each time. Because every woman’s body is different, an embryo transfer at her clinic—Williams & Associates Fertility—could take place at any time of the day. So, whenever they happened to be scheduled for the first thing in the morning, Kristen always felt blessed to be able to start her day that way.

*

As Kristen strolled through the lemon-yellow colored halls of the clinic—lined with photos of babies born from former patients—she couldn’t help but smile with gratitude at all she had accomplished. At thirty-five, not only did she have her own successful fertility practice, she had also been recently named one of the top ten Reproductive Endocrinologists—a fancy way of saying fertility doctor—in Los Angeles.

Good morning, Dr. Williams, said an upbeat nurse walking past her.

Good morning, Shannon. Tell everyone I brought in some pumpkin spice muffins. I’m trying out a new recipe, replied Kristen.

Yummy! I will let everyone know—after I get mine of course. Shannon said as she rapidly made a detour to the kitchen area in the back.

*

Not only is Kristen an exceptional doctor, she’s also an incredible cook and baker. Even though her treats were always vegan—as is she—they were so scrumptious that even the hardcore carnivores in her office loved them. Without fail, as soon as she dropped them off in the kitchen—they were quickly gone. Which is why Shannon made a b-line for them before someone else could beat her to it.

*

Before Kristen could fully sit down in her office chair, she was greeted by a knock on her office doorframe.

Good morning, Kristen. A tall, handsome, caramel-hued African American man—with sparkling green eyes—said to her while leaning against the door—stuffing pieces of a pumpkin spice muffin in his mouth.

Good morning, Dr. Adler. I see you found the muffins, responded Kristen with a smile.

*

Dr. John Adler—currently the only associate in Williams & Associates Fertility—was one of the nicest men you could ever want to meet. He was very talented, very handsome, and VERY single; which would explain why he was so popular among the girls at the clinic as well as some of the patients—even if their husbands were in the same room. Since he and Kristen were both single, there was an office-pool going around betting on the odds of them getting together—eventually making beautiful, mixed raced, super intelligent babies. Although the staff tried to keep it secret, John and Kristen knew about the bet—but just laughed it off. There was no way that they would ever mess up the great working relationship they had by complicating things with a workplace romance. They would only be friends and colleagues—which is exactly how they preferred it. In all actuality, they had spent so much time together at work; John had become Kristen’s best friend—sometimes even more like a brother. She would confide in him about things in her life outside of work and he would do the same—although most of his problems were about the crazy women he would go on dates with. Even though she had no interest in having a dating life of her own—Kristen always enjoyed the tales of John’s dating adventures.

*

You know I had to get one before all the vultures got to them, said John before eating the last bite of his muffin. What time’s your next patient?

Not for another hour. What about you?

Mrs. Johnson is coming in for her first ultrasound appointment, but that’s not for another fifteen minutes, which means I have time to tell you about my date last night.

Finally! It’s been a while since your last date. I thought you might had lost your touch Casanova.

Ha, ha. I’ve just been busy. Some of us have to work harder to catch up to those who are on top ten lists, said a sarcastically joking John.

Touché.

Now, do you want to hear the story or not?

Of course I do. You know I love a good story. Let’s hear it, said Kristen as she sat back in her oversized, brown, imitation leather chair—putting her feet up on her custom monogrammed footstool.

So, last night I drive all the way to Sherman Oaks to pick up Barbie.

Wait stop. Did you say Barbie? Is that short for something? A bewildered Kristen asked.

No. That’s her actual first name.

How old is she twelve? Kristen mumbled to herself.

I heard that.

Heard what?

Don’t play coy with me. And for your information, she’s not twelve—she’s twenty-one.

Well, that’s better. At least she can have a glass of wine on her play dates! Kristen said with a chuckle.

You’re just a regular comedian today, a laughing John retorts. I will have you know—she’s very mature for her age.

Of course she is. What does this Barbie do for a living?

Currently she is a waitress, but her dream is to be…

An actress right?

Yeah. How’d you know?

This is LA everyone wants to be an actress. Case in point: Donna in billing is taking up a collection for her new headshots.

Well, I will be sure to donate some money to her cause, because unlike some cynical people, I believe in the Arts.

Oh, I believe in the Arts, I just don’t believe in winning the lottery—which has the same odds as becoming a successful actor in this town.

"Barbie was a featured extra on NCIS and she will probably get more work in the future. Now, if I can be allowed to finish my story please."

Carry on.

So, I go all the way to Sherman Oaks to pick up you know who…

Barbie. Kristen interjected with a giggle.

Yes, to pick up Barbie. Anyway, when I arrive in front of her apartment building, I see that the place is surrounded by the police.

No way! Kristen said as she abruptly sat up in her chair.

I’m serious!

What’d you do?

I parked across the street so I could call Barbie on the phone. It rang a couple of times—then a man answered.

Who was it? What did he say?

Wait a minute. I thought you were a good Christian woman who didn’t believe in gossiping. Maybe I shouldn’t continue. I don’t want to corrupt you. John said jokingly.

This isn’t gossiping. This is just you telling me facts about your life. Now don’t leave me hanging—finish your story!

Okay, okay. Where was I?

A man picked up the phone.

Right. So, a man picked up the phone and said ‘Barbie’s busy right now and can’t come to the phone’. After that he just quickly hung up.

Did you call back?

Of course I did.

And?

Once again he picked up the phone. I could hear her in the background yelling at him. I don’t know if he gave her the phone or she snatched it away, but the next thing I knew she was on the phone.

So, who was the guy, and more importantly—what was going on with the police?

Well, it turns out that Billy—which she mentioned was his name—was her boyfriend from back home in Alabama. He rode the bus to come and surprise his girlfriend in ‘the big city’. The problem is, when he showed up, he discovered that she was on her way out to go on a date.

With you!

Exactly. He flipped out and decided to hold her as his ‘love hostage’—his words, not mine—until she came to her senses. Apparently, the neighbors heard them yelling and called the police who then brought in a hostage negotiator.

This is unbelievable. You have the worst luck with women.

Tell me about it. John said while shaking his head in disbelief.

So, what happened next?

"She defended him and said that he was a sweet guy, and it was all just a misunderstanding. I