Best friend offers to be a surrogate, but mother dies before baby is born

Garth and Bec Arena desperately wanted to be parents. 

But unfortunately, Bec's battle with Cystic Fibrosis meant that she was unable to carry a child. They explored their options, before deciding the surrogacy was the way to go.

Luckily, Bec's best friend, Jessica Brockie, was up to the challenge. 

Brockie, married to New Zealand rugby player Jeremy Brockie, already had two children and in April 2017, fell pregnant with the Arena baby. 

 

It's no secret that CF has made our road to parenthood a difficult and tumultuous one. I knew from early on that although my "ingredients" to make a baby were fine, my diminished lung function would never allow me to carry full term. So Gareth and I were determined to exhaust all of our options – one of those being surrogacy. I don't think, however, that we ever dreamt we'd be lucky enough to actually find someone ready and willing to go on such an incredible journey with us. We can't find words to adequately describe how grateful we are to Jes, Jeremy & their kids and we could not be any happier that baby Arena is going to have "extra" family in the Brockies Bring on January 2018! 

A post shared by Gareth, Bec & Rixon Arena (@one_breath_at_a_time_) on Jul 22, 2017 at 4:31pm PDT

In an adorable Instagram post, the Arenas shared their excitement at becoming parents. 

"It's no secret that CF has made our road to parenthood a difficult and tumultuous one," Bec wrote. "I knew from early on that although my "ingredients" to make a baby were fine, my diminished lung function would never allow me to carry full term.

"I don't think, however, that we ever dreamt we'd be lucky enough to actually find someone ready and willing to go on such an incredible journey with us." 

 

Spent the afternoon at the hospital having appointments with the CF outreach team from Prince Charles Hospital. I've been seeing an outreach team since I was a wee tyke, and have been seeing this same team since high school days. They've offered strength and support when I've struggled, they've seen me cry (more times than I care to admit) and they've joined me in celebration for so many milestones. They have played a huge part not only in helping me manage my health, but also in my life overall… Such incredible people! 

A post shared by Gareth, Bec & Rixon Arena (@one_breath_at_a_time_) on Apr 27, 2016 at 3:13am PDT

Joy turned to sorrow however is September, as tragedy struck the two families. 

Bec suddenly passed away due to complications with her illness, she would never get to meet her baby. 

Just this week Jessica gave birth to the couple's son, Rixon James Arena.

 

Introducing this little miracle into the world. Rixon James Arena #surrogacy @jesbrockie

A post shared by Gareth, Bec & Rixon Arena (@one_breath_at_a_time_) on Jan 20, 2018 at 10:39pm PST

She announced the new arrival on Twitter, saying:

"And just like that, Rixon James Arena has arrived in this world. What an amazing journey to be a part of. Memories that [Jeremy] and I will treasure forever."

And just like that, Rixon James Arena has arrived in this world!
What an amazing journey to be a part of. Memories that @JRBrockie and I will treasure forever 

Thank you Bec & Gareth for letting our family travel this road with you. #surrogacy pic.twitter.com/3jsOSO28Hf

— Jessica Brockie (@jessicabrockie) 20 January 2018

Sharing a clip from their wedding day on Instagram, Gareth remembered how much Bec wanted to be a mother: 

"I thought I would share a beautiful clip from our wedding day that shows a little of how much Bec actually wanted to become a mother," he writes. 

"This is the hardest part of being a father for me, I can deal with the sleepless nights and shitty nappies. The things I would do just to be able to see him in Bec's arms." 

 

I thought i would share a beautiful clip from our wedding day that shows a little of how much Bec actually wanted to become a mother. This is the hardest part of being a father for me, i can deal with the sleepless nights and shitty nappies. The things i would do just to be able to see him in Becs arms. #yougotthis #surrogacy #mummysboy #endlesslove

A post shared by Gareth, Bec & Rixon Arena (@one_breath_at_a_time_) on Jan 23, 2018 at 10:47pm PST

According to a Gofundme page set up by Bec's family, she was a "nutella fiend, car karaoke queen, grammar nazi and cystic fibrosis sufferer… but to those who knew and loved her she was so so so so much more." 

Bec had been planning on being a stay-at-home mum, but her sudden death has left Gareth the sole provider and parent to little Rixon. The page's goal is to raise enough enough money to stay at home with the baby as long as possible. 

A bitter sweet ending for a brave lady who wouldn't give up on her dream of being a mother.