Chapter Eight
Dealing With It

I stepped out of my car, the cold air nipping at my skin as I made my way toward the Xytex building. Ten years had passed since I last set foot here, a place that held a significant chapter of my life, albeit one I had hoped to close for good.

The whole idea of sperm donation had seemed simple enough back then—a drunk bet at my bachelor party. But now with the existence of Ocean through my sperm donation and all these kids that we found through the private investigator.

I started to think about the ramifications of my choices, I began to feel an urgency to ensure that my past actions wouldn't haunt me in any more ways I hadn't anticipated.

As I entered the facility, I was greeted by a sterile environment, the faint scent of antiseptic filling the air. The waiting room was quiet, the soft hum of fluorescent lights overhead the only sound as I took a seat.

It felt surreal to be here again, contemplating the future of a donation I had made when I was barely an adult, caught up in the thrill of spontaneity and misguided bravado.

Tatiana had been the last known recipient of my donation. And I had to make sure she was the last person to ever use my donation.

I didn't have to wait long before a nurse called my name. She led me down a white corridor, and I felt the walls closing in, almost suffocating me with the memories of the decision I had made so long ago.

As we approached the consultation room, I reminded myself that this was about closure, about making sure my life remained my own.

Inside the room, the doctor was already waiting. He was a middle-aged man, his glasses perched on his nose as he looked over my file.

There was a professionalism to him that eased some of my tension. I took a seat across from him, and for a moment, I was lost in my thoughts, running through the what-ifs that had plagued me for years.

"Joe, thank you for coming in," he said, his voice steady and calm. "I understand you have some concerns about your previous donation."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, I just want to make sure that it's been destroyed. I don't want anyone using it, especially since Tatiana was the last one."

The doctor nodded, his expression shifting slightly as he flipped through my file. "I can assure you, Joe, that your sperm has been destroyed. We have strict protocols regarding the use and storage of donations, and after a thorough review, we found that there were issues regarding the condition of your donation."

"Conditions?" I echoed, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Since you and your cousins donated, you were not in a sober state. This raised significant concerns about the viability and ethical implications of the donation. As a result, we initiated a protocol to ensure that it would not be used ever again."

A wave of relief washed over me. Hearing the doctor's words settled something deep within me. I had made my choice, but it hadn't come without consequences, and those consequences had been taken seriously.

"So, you're saying it's completely gone? There's no way it could be used?" I pressed, needing that reassurance.

"Correct," he said, looking me in the eye. "We take these matters seriously. Your donation has been destroyed, and there are no records that would allow anyone to access it. You can be at ease knowing that it can never be used again."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. "Thank you," I said, genuinely grateful. "I just needed to hear that."

The doctor smiled faintly, his professional demeanor softening. "It's understandable. Many donors have similar concerns as time goes on. It's important to address them."

I appreciated his acknowledgment. There was a certain camaraderie in sharing my vulnerability, in admitting that I wasn't just a name on a file; I was a person who had made a decision that had long-lasting implications.

After a few more minutes of small talk and reassurances, I stood up, feeling lighter than I had in years. I walked back through the hall, my mind racing with all the thoughts that had consumed me for so long. I was finally free from that chapter of my life, able to move forward without the shadow of my past looming over me.

As I stepped outside, the sun hit my face, and I squinted against its brightness. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp air. I had come here seeking closure, and I had found it.

Driving away from Xytex, I reflected on how much I had changed in the past decade.

As I navigated through the LA streets, I felt a surge of hope for the future. I had learned from my past, and I could move forward with the knowledge that I had taken steps to protect what mattered most to me. Whether it was my own life or the potential lives of others, I felt a renewed sense of agency.

Liked by thesamoanera, tanyaarenas, charmbarbeau, and 90,799 others
tatianaarenas Decided to go outside today!
View all 2,133 comments
thesamoanera Our OTC queen
thewrestlingroom This is Roman's baby mama
username1 So this is who had his sixth kid?
username2 Damm y'all are already all up in her comments about Roman
username3 Y'all better not harass this lady because her family doesn't play about her
username4 Boy! He sure does know how to pick em
theotcfanpage He got a pretty baby mama
username5 When did he and Galina break up?
username6 He got a type that's for sure
username7 So fucking pretty

Lunch with Galina was an event I had been anticipating with equal parts excitement and trepidation. As Joe's ex-wife and the mother of his five children, she was an important figure in both our lives, whether I liked it or not.

The restaurant we chose was a cozy spot downtown, with big windows that let in the afternoon sun, but all I could think about was the potential awkwardness looming over our meeting.

When I first saw her, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between her and the children. They all shared that same bright smile, a mixture of warmth and mischief. She had an easy confidence, and despite the circumstance, she greeted me with a friendly nod. As we settled into our seats, I could feel the weight of what was about to unfold.

"I talked to you on the phone, but it's nice to see you in person," Galina said, her tone light. "We went to Georgia Tech together, didn't we?"

"Yes," I replied, the memory flooding back. "My sister reminded me that once we realized who Joe was." I chuckled, a little nervous laughter, trying to ease the tension.

Galina's smile widened, but then she leaned in, her playful demeanor shining through. "So, did you like him back in college? Is that why you used his sperm?"

I froze. The light-hearted jab was unexpected, and for a split second, I wasn't sure how to respond. "I was in a relationship the whole time in college," I said, perhaps a little too defensively. "I did not look any other man's way. And I didn't even know it was his sperm."

The moment hung in the air, and I could see Galina's surprise. "Oh, I didn't mean to offend. I was just trying to break the ice," she said, her tone softening.

I sighed, feeling the tension inside me knotting tighter. "Sorry, I've been dealing with the wrestling community in my comments all day. I'm on edge."

Galina nodded, her expression turning serious. "Be prepared to deal with that for the rest of Joe's career because it won't ever stop. That's why my social media is private."

"Is it really that bad?" I asked, my concern bubbling to the surface.

"Oh yeah," she replied, her voice low. "I got death threats, and people pretending to be me on social media. Stalking us in public, sharing information that they shouldn't even have access to. It's scary. But you know, if you love Joe, then you'll be able to deal with it."

"Wow," I said, the weight of her words settling on my shoulders. I couldn't fathom the level of scrutiny she had faced. It made my own anxiety about the wrestling community feel trivial in comparison.

"Honestly," she continued, her eyes meeting mine with a steady intensity, "don't give them the power to stop you from being you on social media. But I would limit the number of photos that you post of your daughter, Ocean, if I were you."

Her advice hung in the air, a stark reminder of the reality I was stepping into. I had been blissfully naive, thinking that my online presence would simply be a way to share my joy and connect with others. "I hadn't really thought about that," I admitted. "I guess I've been focused on sharing the positive."

Galina smiled again, but there was a hint of sadness in it. "That's understandable. But there's a darker side to it all. People can be really cruel, especially when they feel entitled to your life because of who Joe is."

As we continued our conversation, I felt a shift in my understanding of Galina. She was no longer just Joe's ex-wife; she was a woman who had navigated a minefield of public scrutiny, raising five children in the shadow of a wrestling career that demanded so much from both her and her family.

"What was it like for you?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Raising the kids while dealing with all that?"

"It was tough," she admitted, a faraway look in her eyes. "I had to become a master at managing my emotions. One moment you're celebrated for being the spouse of a popular wrestler, and the next, you're vilified for just being you. You learn quickly who your real friends are."

I could sense the weight of those words, the scars that had shaped her. "Did you ever feel like it was too much?" I asked, wanting to understand her journey more deeply.

"Of course," she replied, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "There were days when I wanted to disappear. But then I'd look at my kids, and they would pull me back. They were my motivation to keep going, to show them resilience."

Her vulnerability struck a chord with me. It was easy to see her as just Joe's ex, but she was a mother first, a woman who had fought battles I could only imagine. It made me realize that while my role in Joe's life was new and shiny, her journey had been long and fraught with challenges.

"I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing by Ocean," I confessed. "I want her to have a normal life, but I also want to share our happiness."

"That's the balancing act, isn't it?" Galina said thoughtfully. "You want to showcase your joy, but you also need to protect your child's privacy. It's a dance."

As our conversation flowed, I found myself warming to her more and more. She was sharp, witty, and fiercely protective of her children. I could see the strength she exuded, and I admired that. "So how do you navigate this world now?" I asked, wanting to learn from her experience.

"Boundaries," she said firmly. "I set strict boundaries with my social media and my public life. I don't engage with negativity, and I don't let it seep into my home. That's my sanctuary."

Her words resonated with me. It felt like a lifeline, a way to handle the chaos that often surrounded Joe's profession. I was learning that it was okay to create distance from the noise, to prioritize my family's peace above all.

"I appreciate your honesty, Galina," I said, feeling grateful for her openness. "It really helps to know that I'm not alone in this."

"None of us are alone, Tatiana," she replied, a reassuring smile crossing her face. "We're all figuring this out together, even if it looks different for each of us."

As our lunch progressed, I began to see Galina not just as Joe's past but as a potential ally in the complexities of our shared life. We both loved the same man and were connected through his children, and that bond, however unconventional, was worth nurturing.

By the time we finished our meals and exchanged goodbyes, I felt a sense of relief. What had started as an intimidating meeting had morphed into an enlightening conversation. I left the restaurant with a newfound respect for Galina and a clearer sense of how to navigate my relationship with Joe and the challenges that came with it.

As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but reflect on the realities we both faced. There was so much to learn, but if our paths intertwined, perhaps we could support each other in this unpredictable journey. After all, in this intricate web of family and love, we were all just trying to find our way.