The Surrogate

Christy kept checking the listings for apartments, the ones that were pretty good weren't available for a good two months. Cole kept telling her not to rush it, that one would come up at any time. Three weeks after the procedure she woke up feeling nauseous, running to the bathroom she threw up. She was positive that she was pregnant, so rinsing out her mouth she put on her robe and went to find Cole.

He was in his office when he heard the knock on the door. "Come in," he said, putting down the file he was going through. He looked at the nightgown she was wearing, it wasn't like her to leave her room wearing it. "Is anything wrong?" he asked, noticing how pale she looked.

She studied his face to see his reaction. "I think I'm pregnant." When she saw his face light up she knew he was happy with the news.

He got to his feet and walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure?"

"I didn't have a test to take, but I threw up and my breasts feel tender. But, I'm pretty sure I am, so now what?" She could feel the heat from his hands on her shoulders, sending a tingling feeling coursing through her body.

He removed his hands when he felt her backing away from him. "I'll make an appointment for you and we'll go together. You should go get dressed while I make the call, then I'll make you some toast and scrambled eggs."

She nodded her head and left his office.

He was humming to himself while he scrambled the eggs, he was excited about becoming a father. When she walked in he smiled at her. "After you've eaten we'll go. Dr. Morris was kind enough to fit you in."

When he placed the eggs in front of her she started to gag, pushing the plate away. "Oh, God, they're making me sick."

He quickly removed them, tossing them into the garbage. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I've heard that some pregnant women can't stand the smell or taste of them. But you should be able to keep down some toast."

"Cole, we don't know for sure if I'm pregnant."

"We'll soon find out," he said as he poured her some juice to go along with her toast.

When they got to Dr. Morris's office she was taken in and he went in back and waited in the office while she was being examined. It wasn't long before she and the doctor came into the office, they were laughing as they walked in and sat down.

"Are you going to keep me in suspense?" he asked, looking at both of them.

Dr. Morris looked at him and smiled. "Congratulations, Cole, you're going to be a father. Everything looks good but there is one thing I'm a little concerned about."

"What's wrong?" Cole asked, praying that it wasn't serious.

"Christy's blood pressure is a little high. But with the proper rest and no stress, she should be okay." He looked at Christy then. "You're lucky that the father is a doctor and he will be able to keep an eye on it. Now, get plenty of rest and I'll see you in a few weeks. If there are any problems I want you to come in right away." Getting up he shook Cole's hand and gave her a smile.

When she stood up so did Cole and in his excitement, he put the palms of his hands on each side of her cheeks. Pulling her close he kissed her but pulled away when he realized what he had done. "Christy, I'm so sorry, I don't know what possessed me to do that. Please forgive me and it will never happen again."

Her face had turned red and she looked away from him. "That's okay, you were just happy to hear that you're going to be a father." It did shake her up when he kissed her, it wasn't just a peck, it was a warm and deep kiss. She felt something when he kissed her, a warm feeling shot through her and her heart started racing like mad.

"Thanks for understanding, I should get you home now." As they were driving he glanced over at her. "I was thinking about what Dr. Morris said about your blood pressure."

She looked back at him, suddenly feeling worried. "Is it serious having high blood pressure during a pregnancy?"

"It can be, during pregnancy, it can pose a variety of risks."

She got scared and her voice cracked when she spoke. "Like what?"

"It could include decreased blood flow to the placenta. If the placenta doesn't get enough blood, the baby might receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients. It could lead to slow growth, low birth weight or premature birth. There could be other risks," he stopped talking and looked over at her when he heard her gasp. "Christy, I'm not saying that will happen or that anything else will, but we do have to keep checking it."

"What can I do to keep my blood pressure down?"

"You have to avoid stress and I will keep an eye on it so please don't worry. I've been thinking that maybe you should stay at my place until after the baby is born. It would make it easier for me to check your blood pressure constantly."

"I can't stay at your home. I'm sure your wife wouldn't like it."

"Once I explain everything I'm sure she'll agree to it. You'll need to get plenty of rest and the right foods to eat."

"I won't agree to stay until you call Mrs. Mason and ask her if it's okay. I thought she would have been home by now."

"She left me a text a few days ago and said she was staying for a few more weeks. I will call her tonight and talk to her about it. Now I don't want you to worry, just let me take care of everything."

She leaned back in her seat and her hand automatically went over her stomach. Even though she wasn't going to be in its life she still felt a motherly connection to the baby. So she would do whatever she had to in order to make sure the baby was born healthy.

Back at home, he went inside with her and said she should lay down and get some rest. He was going to talk to his housekeeper about keeping an eye on her when he was at work. "I'll have June bring you some lunch, then I have to go to work."

When he was gone and she was laying in bed she thought back to the kiss. It felt like more than just a kiss, there was passion in it. With her eyes opened she saw that he had closed his, would someone do that if it was just a kiss of happiness? But she trusted him, knowing he wouldn't try anything with her, he was not the cheating type.

When he got to work he ran into Abe. "You can congratulate me buddy, it's official, I'm going to be a father."

Abe shook his hand. "That's wonderful, have you told Joyce yet?"

"I just found out, but I'm going to call her as soon as I get to my office. I'm sure as soon as she finds out she'll come back."

"I hope so," he said, but he had a feeling that she wouldn't care. If only Cole would open his eyes and see Joyce for who she really was.

Getting into his office and putting on his lab coat he sat down and took out his phone and dialed Joyce's number. It rang several times before she answered.

Cole, I was just about to go out boating with some friends. If it's not important can we talk later?

"Well it is important, I just wanted to let you know that Christy is pregnant. We're having a baby."

That's nice, thanks for letting me know and I'll talk to you later.

"Wait, I thought you would be happy to hear the news and I was hoping you would come home right away."

I'm happy, but there's no reason for me to come back yet. It's not like there's anything I can do.

He let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his head. "I need to tell you something else. I've told Christy that she could stay with us until after the baby is born."

Why the hell would you do that?

"She has nowhere else to go at the moment and she has high blood pressure and needs to be looked after. We do want to make sure that she delivers a healthy baby for us."

Do what you want, you will anyways. I'm sorry but I've really got to go.

"When are you planning on coming home?" he was starting to get fed up with her.

I'm not sure. I'll be home when I get there, goodbye Cole.

He hung up the phone and sat there drumming his fingers on the desk. Once she returned home he was going to sit her down and have a talk with her. It was time she started acting like a real wife because they could not go on this way forever. Now that they were having a baby he was more determined to make their marriage work.

Christy was lounging on the sofa when Cole came home from work. He looked so tired and as if he had the world weighing on his shoulders. "Is everything okay and can I get you something to drink?"

"It's just been a long day, and I'll just help myself to a scotch." He looked at her as he was pouring it into a glass. "How are you feeling?"

"A little nauseous, but I guess that's a part of being pregnant."

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes, June made me some dinner, and she put some on a plate for you and said all you had to do was heat it up. I'll do it." When she went to get up he stopped her.

"No it's okay, I can do it. I just want you to get plenty of rest."

"Did you tell Mrs. Mason about the baby and me staying here?"

"She said it was fine with her if you stayed with us until after the baby's born." He didn't have the heart to tell her that Joyce didn't appear thrilled to hear that she would soon be a mother.

"I'm sure she's excited about the baby and will be coming home soon."

"Yeah she didn't say exactly when she'd be home. I think I'll go to the kitchen and heat up my dinner. Can I get you anything while I'm in there?"

"No thank you."

He left the room and went into the kitchen and heated up the plate of ribs and potatoes. June was a decent cook but it did not compare to Christy's. He was just rinsing off his plate when she walked in.

"There's a man here to see you, he says his name is Abe."

"That's strange, I didn't hear the doorbell."

"I don't think it's working, I barely heard it myself. I will just go to my room and leave the two of you alone."

"No, he's been wanting to meet you so this is as good a time as any." After introducing them to each other they all sat down, the men had liquor and she had a glass of unsweetened iced tea.

"I'm so glad to finally meet you, Cole has told me all about you. He wasn't lying when he said you were beautiful."

"Abe, was there a reason for you showing up here at this hour?"

"Yes, you left the office without the file on Mr. Greenwood. You said you wanted to bring it home and look it over before the operation next week. So when I saw it on your desk I figured I'd better bring it to you. It's really not like you to leave the hospital without it or to leave it sitting on your desk out in the open."

"I've had a lot on my mind and just forgot it, thank you for bringing it to me."

"It was my pleasure, and it also gave me an excuse to meet this lovely young lady." He smiled at her. "I also want to congratulate you on your pregnancy and to tell you what a wonderful thing you are doing for Cole."

"And for Mrs. Mason," she said, correcting him.

"Of course, for Joyce also. I understand you are having problems with your blood pressure. It's a good thing you're staying here, you'll be well taken care of."

"Once the baby is born I'll be looking for an apartment."

"When you're ready let me know. I have a friend in real estate that is a genius at finding a nice apartment at a reasonable price. He might even know of one that'll be coming up in a year's time. I'll give him a call and see if he has anything."

"That would be so kind of you, thank you so much. If you gentlemen don't mind I'm feeling a little tired so I think I'll go to bed." Getting up she shook his hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

Abe raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "The pleasure was all mine, sweet dreams."

When she was gone Cole scolded him. "Must you flirt with her? She is after all carrying my baby."

"You're not jealous are you?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm married remember?"

"Oh I remember alright, but I'm beginning to wonder how long it's going to be before you forget that."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Come on, I see the way you look at her. I think you're starting to have feelings for her, and I can't say I blame you. She's the opposite of Joyce, she's sweet and has a kind heart."

"Nothing is going to happen between us."

"I hope not, because I don't want to see either one of you get hurt. I'll go now, just be careful."

Cole walked him to the door and while he was there he checked the doorbell. He made a mental note to call a repairman to fix it.