Matt, a forty-something app developer, embarks on an unconventional journey as he interviews Anna, a young coffee shop employee, to be his surrogate. His ambition to embrace fatherhood without the ties of marriage aligns with Anna’s desire to fund her bachelor's and master's degrees.
With the first trimester underway, a doctor informs Matt and Anna that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly, prompting Matt to invite Anna to dinner for a celebratory meal. However, news of the pregnancy does not sit well with his mother, showcasing familial tension.
During their dinner, Matt and Anna share a candid moment, revealing their mutual nervousness. As they order, Matt sarcastically reacts when Anna chooses potato over salad, playfully expressing concern for the baby's diet, only for Anna to retort that he too must mind what he eats for the next 18 years. They engage in light-hearted banter about their respective food choices.
In a therapy session, an enthusiastic Matt expresses his eagerness to share the news with everyone, while Anna remains reticent. This leads to a charming scene where he offers her a candy, reminiscent of his past experiences with his ex during couple's therapy.
At the coffee shop, Matt surprises Anna with pregnancy tea, though she declines the clogs he brought for her. A chance encounter with a guy from Anna’s past leaves Matt unsettled, concerned about the implications for the baby. In a candid moment at the hospital, Anna asserts her independence, insisting that her romantic life cannot be dictated by Matt. They joyfully hear the baby's heartbeat, reinforcing their bond.
As they progress into the second trimester, Anna shares her need for financial support to shorten her degree timeline. This leads to a touching moment where they connect over nursery preparations and the significance of their individual journeys. They bond over selecting a gender-neutral name, “Lamp,” for the baby, and navigate a series of awkward family encounters where Anna is reluctant to share her pregnancy.
Matt’s invitation for Anna to move in until the birth reflects his desire to build a connection, yet Anna’s rejection of the label “couple” at a crib store unsettles him. Her realization during the baby shower about her growing attachment to both the baby and Matt ignites a conflict within her, leading to a withdrawal as she stresses the importance of maintaining boundaries.
During the third trimester, Anna experiences the typical anxieties of impending motherhood. Despite the challenges, she communicates her platonic love for Matt and her aspirations for college in Vermont. In a show of tenderness, they find themselves sharing moments of physical closeness at the park, culminating in a rush to the hospital as Anna’s contractions begin.
The film reaches its emotional climax when Anna delivers baby Lamp, leaving Matt to offer comfort to the newborn while the camera lingers on Anna, capturing the raw essence of their shared experience and bond.
