Make a choice and take a chance or things will never change.

That was often what brought clients through the door of Toronto's innermost circle of fertility clinics. These individuals or couples had made a decision to alter their lives forever. They had chosen to travel down the path of parenthood and fertility clinics were tasked with assisting them.

In many ways these places were parents last resort at having a child of their own. People would come in and out of these doors desperately seeking what they considered a miracle.

Bringing a life into this world was the biggest miracle people were given. It could be seen as the greatest blessing in life.

There were over fifteen percent of Canadian couples currently struggling with infertility. In that time these fertility clinics have grown in popularity. They were designed to assist with couples that reached out. It was meant to be a welcoming judgment free environment. It was professionals that worked with you to more forward towards a family.

Creating a family wasn't to be taken lightly.

Everyone had their own personal reasons to coming in. and they all had reasons as to why they were starting a family. All patients did this in their own time when they were ready.

Theodora Thompson was one of these many individuals that had been drawn to the clinic a couple years ago in search of sperm donation. The young women had grown tired of spending her nights alone, she hated celebrating the holidays without family surrounding her and she was sick of having daily means on her own.

So the story goes she came into this very clinic in the heart of Toronto searching for a sperm donor to start a family. Sperm donation was the best option in that moment for her. She didn't want a chance of having a deadbeat father reappear and want connection with the child. She feared facing custody battles. She worried about her children getting attached to someone who felt obligations towards the children rather than feeling affection. Going this alone without any strings attached was the perfect option for her.

She had spent many late nights huddled on the couch reviewing the countless sheets of papers of prospective fathers. She had taken careful consideration of what each prospect had to offer. There were many times she had lost quiet a bit of sleep because she had been so engrossed in her reading.

When Teddy had finally settled on a university graduate – with honors for architecture – whom was describe at being sandy brunette haired with green eyes and athletic built, she returned to the clinic to receive the syringes.

Since then Teddy has been living a picture perfect motherhood style life with her two daughters. Yes from that faithful day she was blessed with a set of twin daughters that are just over the age of two. They were her dream come true. Two little girls with the golden hair they inherited from their momma, and sets of blue eyes they must have gained from their unknown father.

The last time she had been in this building was three years ago and she hadn't had any interaction with them since. So why had they called her out of the blue and requested she come for a meeting? What could they possibly need to meet her about?

Teddy was seated bouncing her leg slightly as she nervously waited for her name to be called. She glanced around the sterile, nearly silent room. There were a few other couples but most were sitting wordlessly viewing papers.

One duo however had captured her attention. They were tucked away in the corner of the room mumbling to each other.  And Teddy could just make out what they were whispering.

The women, who had equally blonde hair as Teddy – though hers was clearly dyed considering the mishmash shade of her eyebrows – was bending towards the man. "They didn't indicate what they wanted to speak to us about?" her tone was low but sharp; she clearly wasn't impressed about the call in. Had they been abruptly called for a meeting too?

"I told you hun," the man answered back with a magazine spread across his lap. His voice was softer towards her, held a gentler side to it. "They didn't indicate anything other than they needed to speak with us".

"Why would they want to see us? This is ridiculous. I have better ways to spend my Wednesday afternoon than here" the women sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I believe I said that to you the first time we came here," the man answered simply as he turned the page. Teddy took a moment to look over him. He was simply dressed, typical attire for a man from Toronto in black slacks and a dress shirt with his sleeves rolled to his elbows. His hair was chopped neatly, offering just a slight glimpse of his wavy hair. The only unkempt part of his entire being was the light scruff of a beard he was growing. 

The women huffed and rolled her eyes "well I don't see why they need to keep us waiting for so long".

"We got here five minutes ago".

By now Teddy was beginning to assume they were an old married couple. This was one of the many reasons why she failed to see the interest in shackling yourself to another human being. She had never shown much longing in finding a partner – hence why she went down the path of sperm donation. But seeing these mumbled arguments reminded her of why she avoided these, such relationships. She didn't need a man to rely on her, to play broken telephone with passing messages.

She glanced around at the other sets of couples – she quickly noticed she was the only single member in the crowd. There was a set of a slightly older pair, the women with her hand resting on the man's upper leg. And he appeared to be whispering soothing things to her. The final set were barley communicating, both were engrossed with their phones. Teddy figured this couple would be separated long before their child's first birthday.

A few minutes of silence drowned on before the couple arguing from earlier was called back to an office. Teddy watched as the women marched on before the man – with him following behind like a lost puppy. It showcased their style of relationship, she led the way and he was expected to silently follow.

Sometimes she wondered what her life would've been like if it had turned out differently. Would she have a guy that followed her around like that guy does? Would she have one that whispered reassuring things? Or maybe one that only spent the time on his phone. Would she still be living in the apartment above the store she owned or would her partner demand they lived in a house? She was certain she would still have children but there was no guarantee they would be named Charlotte and Josephine, and especially the chance of a man being down to call his two little girls Charley and Joey for short.

The thought of her daughters names drew her mind back to them, the two little girls she had be blessed with. They were just over the age of three and were growing everyday. Charley was the rational one, the guider and mellowed personality. She would tuck herself in a corner and flip through picture books although she couldn't read yet. The girl loved to follow her mom around and whenever Teddy would do laundry Charley would drag blankets to her with a big smile.

Joey on the other hand was the polar opposite to her sister. She had the goofy, carefree and humorous personality. She was sticking her tongue out, giggling at a joke she made or busy playing with her hands. She would rather sit and colour with a marker making her own art. And she was often found dancing around the living room whenever the radio was playing.

It was easy for Teddy to see the resemblance between her and the little versions of herself. But she was also able to see some aspects of the father. There was the art that Joey longer to create that sometimes Teddy wondered if she got that talent from her father. And there was their love for bananas – where as Teddy couldn't stand them.

"Theodora Thompson?" a voice called out tugging Teddy away from her daydreams. She wasn't sure how long the nurse had been calling her name but the older women clearly seemed agitated by the delay.

"Here" Teddy stated and swiftly stood. She clutched her purse close and nervously as she followed the other women down the hall. She glanced at the staged photos of parents with babies, the harsh lights beating own on the frames. There were dozens of doors leading through the twisting hallways that were all nearly identical.

She wasn't sure what she had expected would happen once Teddy entered the chosen office. He anticipated a doctor would be seated at the desk. But she hadn't seen the couple sitting in matching chairs coming.

When the nurse opened the door, Teddy stepped inside to find the young couple from earlier waiting. Teddy froze for a moment, stunned and confused. This couldn't have been the right office. The nurse must have made a mistake. She turned to leave but the doctor behind the desk stood and held a hand out to her "you must be Theodora Thompson. I'm Dr. Logan. Please take a seat".

Teddy eyed the doctor curiously but slowly took to a seat. The energy in the room as a whole was feeling rather tense and cold. She snuck a glance at the couple quickly. The women seemed furious but her partner was rather sullen and looked as though his mind was somewhere else.

"Is this her?" the bleach blonde women snapped. Her eyebrows were already over arched from her makeup application and with the anger on her face her eyebrows stuck up far more. "Is this the women?"

"Yes this is Theodora – " the doctor started to say.

"Teddy" Teddy interrupted. She then glanced around the room and bit her lip. She probably shouldn't have said anything. "I prefer to be called Teddy."

"Yes of course" Dr. Logan said nodding his head and gently placing his hands on the table. "I'm glad you could join us today Teddy. It'll give us all a chance to talk".

"About what?" Teddy was getting more confused by the moment. What could the doctor possibly need to talk to her about that involved two other people? Especially in regards to a fertility clinic.

"Three years ago Miss. Teddy you came into the clinic in search of a sperm donor. Which you received," Dr. Logan said softly. He unfolded a file and started scanning through some papers. "However the donation you received was not actually from a donor".

Teddy's mind started traveling a million miles per hour. The sperm wasn't from a donor? She had children. Two daughters and a third child on the way. And she was just now figuring this out? She was just now learning that the sperm donor she picked was never a donor to begin with? Who was the donor than? Who's sperm did she use?

No way. This needed to be some kind of sick joke. There was no possible way that this was reality. This just doesn't happen.

"A nurse mixed up the vials containing the sample from the donor you had selected, he was an actual real registered donor, with the sample for Mr. Daddario here, who had come in only for testing" the doctor was forcing the words out as though he was in fear of being interrupted. "It was a lapse in leadership, and professionalism. I take full responsibility for it. The nurse has been terminated for the action. She came forward a couple weeks ago stating she had been known of her mistake for years now and her conscious was pulling at her all along".

"The women knew!" the lady in the chair next to Teddy shirked. "How could she be allowed to have kept that to herself for three years! It's been three years!"

"I doubt she was allowed" the man answered, "She was just too scared to come forward about it."

"I don't get it. That nurse of yours made this terrible mistake, realized it and than kept it to herself for three years? Why the hell would she do that?"

Teddy sat back in her chair and fiddled with her fingers – an old habit she had since her times in school drowning out the majority of the conversation. She glanced down at her shoes feeling as though if she were to make eye contact with a single person in this room she would surely be sick. What she was gathering from the doctor was that there was a mix-up made three years ago regarding the sperm donation she had received. All that time and dedication to reading the files and selecting the profile of the perfect sperm donor had been for nothing. Instead of being provided with her chosen sample, she was given the sperm of another man who had only come in for testing. He had never intended to donate.

All of her fears were becoming a reality crashing down on her. Everything that pushed her to select an anonymous sperm donor was being ripped away from her. She had chosen this path in order to not fear, stress or worry about a man coming back later into her children's lives announcing himself as their father. Having a man that was there out of obligation. Everything she was trying to avoid had found her.

"So this is her?" the women harped "this is the women that has Alexander's children?"

Teddy had a name for the man now at least. His name was Alexander. Alexander Daddario to be more precise. This man with the charcoal black hair, and faded blue eyes was the father of her children?

"Now keep in mind" Dr. Logan stated, "They are Theodora's children too, if she's had any for that matter. But yes, if there are any children involved directly from the donation she received then they are a result from Alexander's sperm".

The women beside her turned to fully face Teddy. "Well? Do you? Do you have any children?" she snapped, demanding to know.

"Stephanie!" Alexander hissed, "Relax. You don't need to snap at her. This isn't her fault. She is as much a victim about this as we are".

"Oh no she's not" the women – Stephanie stated, "She got exactly what she wanted. She came here looking for sperm and received it. She got her children out of it. That's why people come here. You and I are the one's that lose. We lost out."

"We haven't lost anything Stephanie" Alexander hissed, "Who are you kidding? If anything we might have gained something."

"May we please bring this back on track?" the doctor stated. He flashed a reassuring smile towards Teddy. "Perhaps it will be best if you answered the question. Are there any children that came from the donation you obtained here three years ago?"

Slowly, as if by impulse Teddy nodded. It was small but noticeable. She knew the room saw it when she heard two perfectly timed gasps of air. "Two... I have two. Charley and Joey" Teddy was just able to force the whispered words free. She had nearly mentioned the baby. She almost brought up the pregnancy, but at the last moment thought better of it and shut her mouth. She wasn't ready to show all her cards just yet. She was five months along already but with her large baggy shirt it would be difficult to tell, especially with her seated. So for now, until she knew how to move forward she would be keeping the baby to herself.

"Sons... I have sons?" Alexander answered nearly just as softly. His jaw had fallen open and he was watching Teddy with wide eyes. He was unable to look away.

Teddy shook her head "no... two girls" she explained. "Twins. Charlotte and Josephine."

"Why would any girl in their right mind wish to be called Charley and Joey? That's just outrageous" Stephanie mumbled, "It's not lady-like in the slightest".

"Stephanie. Enough" Alexander warned her again.

The women huffed and swiftly stood. She snatched her purse off the floor "I'll be calling my lawyer about this. Expect to be sued!" she stormed out the door without so much of a second glance at her husband. If Teddy were to guess she would assume Stephanie wanted her husband to follow her again. But Alexander didn't so much as move. He remained fixated on Teddy.

The doctor stood "I best go after her. See if I can defuse the fire a little". Teddy doubted that was possible. He had to have suspected a lawsuit would be on the horizon for the clinic with this mix-up result. "However you wish to move forward with this the clinic will be here to support you. We can get you in touch with a family counsellor to help make the transition easier. Any way we can assist we will. But ultimately the choice of who and how you want to be involved in the children's lived is up to you". The doctor quickly left in search of the angry women.

"I don't think" Alexander spoke softly, "I don't think I got to introduce myself." He shifted in his chair so that his body was turned towards her. He held out a hand for her to shake "Alexander Daddario, but you can call me Alec. Everyone always does".

"Alec" Teddy answered softly, testing the name out. "I'm Teddy".

The man glanced to the door as though he wanted to follow after his wife but then thought better of it. "I'm sorry about Stephanie" Alec said gently "we've been trying so hard to have children of our own for years. And to now hear that another women has given me children must be hard on her".

Teddy simply nodded in response. She understood it must be hard on Stephanie. To struggle with conceiving a child all these years must be difficult on anyone. But that wasn't Teddy's fault. It's not her fault that she was able to conceive. And it certainly wasn't her fault that a sperm mix-up happened. She didn't deserve the blame for such actions. And neither did Alec for that matter. If he wanted children so badly this should've been a time for him to rejoice, rather than feel poorly about his wife.

"So, twin girls? I have daughters?" Alexander asked curiously. He leaned forward slightly as though the topic had really grasped his interest. "You said Charley and Joey. That's their names?"

"Yeah" Teddy nodded once again, that seemed to be all she was able to do during this conversation. Her system was so tangled together that she couldn't control her tongue. She knew this was a natural bodily response. Numbness was something thrust upon you. It was a physical or emotional reaction to external shock.  She was allowed to be in shock.

"What are they like?" Alec asked with a warm brightening smile. "How old are they? Do you have any photos?"

"They're uh, just over three" Teddy said tapping her fingers against her knee. "Charley, she's the oldest by four minutes, she's the level headed one. She prefers more technical activities that assist with her fine motor skills. We would go to the park and she is more focused on collecting rocks or gathering leaves. I will find her sometimes sitting in her bed with a book. I mean of course she can't actually read the words but she loves the pictures. She uh, hates anything chocolate. I know weird right? But she loves vanilla."

"And what about Joey?" Alec asked. He had locked eyes with Teddy as she spoke about Charley and he had nodded every so often to indicate he was listening.

"She's the exact opposite" Teddy couldn't resist giggling a little "she is defiantly the jokester of the family. I can't get a single photo of her without her tongue sticking out or her making some other funny face. She loves being creative. She'll always be working with markers or I'll find her digging out the paints and sticking her fingers in. she's the girl that carries a stuffed tiger around with her and will wear a blanket like a cape. Unlike her twin she is the chocolate lover. If I don't keep a close eye on her she'll quickly have her hand in the cookie jail".

Alexander chuckled a little at the final comment. "They sound like sugar and spice".

"And everything nice" Teddy answered. Slowly a small smile slipped across her face. She couldn't resist it. Talking about her little ones had a way of making her happy even in the hardest of situations.

"So you got a photo?" Alec asked her.

She nodded and removed her phone from her back pocket. She unlocked it and opened to the newest photo she had taken of the girls just a couple days ago. It was of them seated on the front porch.

"That one must be Joey" Alexander laughed a little, there was something warm and soothing about the way he sounded. There was a calming sense to it. He pointed at the screen to the girl on the right side. She firmly had her tongue sticking out and her eyes squinted shut.

Teddy giggled a little in response "how could you possibly have guessed?" she teased. She scrolled through a couple more photos of the twins. By now Alexander had leaned in closer with interest to get a better look at the photos. His warm breath was hitting against her neck in soft gushes.

Her body tensed for a moment. She couldn't remember the last time a man was this close to her. She stood swiftly and back away from the man. She grabbed her bag and glanced at him. "I better am going. I only have a sitter till five and it takes three hours to get home".

"Of course" Alexander stood "no need to explain. But I was hoping that maybe we can get together again? I would like to see the girls, meet them".

She sighed slightly and wrapped her arms around herself. She should've known this was coming. She shifted on her feet and couldn't resist looking away. "I don't know" she forced out.

"You don't know?" Alec whispered, "you don't know if I can meet Joey and Charley?"

"I never wanted this" Teddy whispered, to herself more than anything else. She shook her head slightly and heads the bag close to her chest. She needed to hold something to feel grounded. "That's why I came to this clinic. I wanted no strings attach. I created a world without fear of custody battles or losing my child to someone else.

"I didn't want to worry about a father appearing out of no where getting involved and changing everything up. And here you came. I have successfully raised my daughters on my own. I handled every sickness, changed every diaper, had food thrown in my face when they first started trying different things. I did that. And I would do it again. But I succeeded in that. I did it. And I did it on my own because I wanted to. This is how I wanted my life to be. Doing it myself – without the influence of others. I don't want to worry about being told how I should do things or get pointed out when I do something wrong.

"This is how I wanted it. And now everything is being changed on me. It wasn't supposed to be this way." By the time she had finally stopped Teddy realized that tears were running down her face. She felt overwhelmed by the entire experience. Everything felt as though it was coming at her all at once and she didn't know how to handle it. She didn't know where to go from here. Her entire life had been rotated.

"Teddy" Alexander raised his hands in what appeared to be an action of surrender. "Relax okay?" he said flashing her a smile "I'm not interested in completely changing your life with the girls. I'm not going to be one of those overbearing men that come barreling into your life and taking control of everything. You're right, you have been raising the girls on your own, and you have been doing a wonderful job. I'm not here to discredit that or belittle you. I don't want you to feel small. In fact I think you should be proud. You took control of your life, you claimed your power. I am not going to take any of that from you.

"We can move as slowly as you need to with this. Personally I would like to be involved in some form in Charley and Joey's lives. They seem like amazing girls – I can tell just by the way you've talked about them. I would be honored to know them.

"But again we don't have to move this so quickly. We will go one step at a time. Maybe we can start with me just meeting them," Alec suggested. "I meet them as a friend. Someone you know. We don't have to jump right into the whole daddy thing. Not until we are both ready. That is if you decide to allow me in the twin's lives. But again that's something we can talk about".

"We don't have to rush into it?" Teddy asked her eyes widening like a child's gazing at a piece of chocolate cake.

"Of course not" Alexander said flashing her another smile. There was something about the way his mouth tilted more to the left that intrigued her. He snatched a sticky note off the doctor's desk and swiftly wrote his number down. "Here, text me anytime. Whenever you're ready for the girls and me to get together. I'll even come to you."

Teddy reached out and took the note "I live three hours away. The town of Cold Springs."

"No problem" Alec answered reassuringly "I just want to meet the girls. And then we can consider what to do next. You still have the power. I promise."

Slowly Teddy nodded. She folded the note and stuck it firmly in her pocket. The day had certainly taken an interesting turn. Right now she felt like she needed some stability, she needed something to rely on. And for her that would always be her child. She just wanted to get home and see the girls. "Alright. I'll text you later and we can set a date".

"Okay" Alec beamed and stood a little taller "thank you, I really appreciate it".

Teddy had turned and had already started for the doorway when Alexander caught her attention. "Hey Teddy?" he called. When she turned slightly to him he continued. "You did good."

"What?" Teddy asked with confusion lacing her words.

"With the girls" Alec clarified, "you did good by them. I can tell."

For some reason the compliment meant more to her than it probably should. It warmed her heart. She knew she was raising the twins well. But she wasn't perfect and sometimes she had the longing feeling that she had gone about certain situations terribly wrong. But hearing it from the father of the girls, hearing the man that assisted – although unknowingly – in creating these girls say he thought she had done well... that meant more to her than any other human words ever spoken in the English language.

Teddy flashed the man before her a genuine warm smile "thank you."