The Surrogate

Tomorrow is Canada Day so there will be no update, see you all on Monday, and have a great long weekend.

He grabbed Joyce's arm and pulled her over to the side. "What the hell do you think you're doing coming here?"

"Ouch, let go, you're hurting me."

He released her, just touching her for that brief moment made him sick to his stomach. "You're lucky I don't strangle you. Now, what the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to see if she and the baby were okay."

Cole growled and shook his head. "Stop with the bullshit. You don't give a damn about either one of them."

"She didn't lose the baby did she?"

"No, not that you care."

"Oh come on Cole, I'm not that heartless that I would wish for any woman to lose their baby."

"Save your words because I don't believe anything that comes out of your mouth. Because of you, she could have lost my baby. Well, I'm not going to tell you again, get the hell out of here and stay away from us."

"I'll go but first I need to say something to you."

"You've got two minutes," he snapped at her. He looked at her and started tapping on his watch.

"Tomorrow I want you to go to the courthouse and tell the judge that you have agreed to all of my terms and sign the papers."

"There's no way in hell I'm going to give you everything. I'll see you in hell before I let that happen."

"Careful darling, you just might if you don't do as I ask." She walked over to the window and looked through at Christy who was still asleep. "She's so weak and I don't think she will be able to handle any more of what my lawyer has in store for the two of you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I've had my investigator check into her past. Did you know that she was living with a man who was a drug dealer? Rumour has it that she knew about it and was even a part of it. Your little angel there was probably using also."

"You're lying."

"Oh she didn't tell you about it did she?"

"If her ex was a drug dealer I know that she had no knowledge of it and as far as using drugs herself, you're crazy. It would have shown up in her blood test."

"But you can't be sure can you darling? Look my lawyer is going to bring all of that up in front of the judge and it's not going to look good for either one of you. Do her and yourself a favour and sign the damn papers so I can get out of this God-forsaken city."

"You're a bitch, I should hire an investigator to check out what you've been doing the last five years."

An evil smirk crossed her face. "I'm afraid it's a little too late for that."

He ran his fingers through his hair and started pacing back and forth. "Why are you doing this Joyce, why do you hate me so much that you want to destroy me and everything in my life?"

"You honestly don't know do you?"

"No I don't, so tell me."

"Do you remember three years ago you were approached by a gentleman who asked you to come to Paris and run the hospital there?"

"Yeah, but he just wanted me to run it, he didn't want me to be a surgeon. I took this job to save lives, not to run a hospital and sit behind a desk all the time giving orders."

"I was so mad at you for turning it down. The money they offered you was ten times what you're making now. It would have involved traveling all over the world. We could have been mingling with the wealthiest and most famous people around. But no, you had to stay here and devote all your time to these sick people."

"Oh my God Joyce, what the hell is wrong with you? I'm rich now, not only from my practice but also from all of the investments I have. Why couldn't that have been enough for you?"

"You could have had more. I wanted more and you destroyed my dream of living in Paris and partying with the rich and famous."

"You don't even like the house so why take that from me? You know how much I love it."

"That's why I want it. Because you love it so much."

"Don't think for one minute that June will stay and work for you."

"I wouldn't want that old cow working for me anyways. Besides, I don't plan on living in it."

"What are you going to do with it?" He was so afraid of what her answer was going to be, fearing the worse.

"I'm going to have it torn down, brick by brick and then I'll sell the land. Your Jaguar and Bentley I will have them crushed so that there's nothing left of them."

"You really hate me that much?"

"I've always hated you, I could never stand it every time you touched me. I could tolerate it the first year but that's because I thought that I could persuade you to do more than just a surgeon. Sign the damn papers and you'll never see me again."

He turned and looked at Christy through the glass.

"If you love that girl as much as you claim you'll do what I say. If not I will make sure that her life is a living hell. Now I know you don't want her to go through another day in court like she did today."

He turned and looked at her. "Do what you want to me but leave her out of it."

"At first I only wanted to destroy you, but seeing how you were with her I've changed my mind. I want you both to suffer and let's see how long she stays with you when you're flat broke."

He was pushed to the breaking point. His one hand reached up and grabbed her by the neck and pushed her up against the wall. "I was never one to believe in hurting a woman, but I think I can make an exception for you."

"Cole, stop, what the hell are you doing?" Abe said as he grabbed a hold of Cole's hand and pulled it away from Joyce's neck.

She placed her hand over her neck and started coughing. "Just wait until the judge hears about this. Now you will have an assault case against you."

"Get out," he shouted back at her.

"I'm going, see you in court tomorrow." As she was walking past him she stopped and whispered in his ear. "Do the smart thing and sign the papers tomorrow if you want to save her from any further stress."

When she was gone Abe placed his hand on Cole's shoulder. "What the hell was going on here and why was she here?"

"Why do you think? She was here to make trouble and to warn me that I better give her what she wants or else."

"Don't do it, don't give that witch anything. How did it go in court today and where's Christy?"

"In there," Cole pointed through the window.

"Oh my God, what happened?"

"Joyce's lawyer was grilling her, he was relentless as he kept throwing out accusations after accusations at her. The stress was too much and she almost fainted so I rushed her here to the hospital. She could have lost the baby."

"How's she doing now?"

"Better, but her blood pressure is still high and the doctor says that she cannot go through any more stress."

"If I had known I would have called Gina."

"There's nothing she could have done, right now Christy needs rest. But there is something she could do for me."

"Just name it."

"I rode here in the ambulance with Christy so I had to leave my car at the courthouse. Maybe she could go there and bring it here. I figured you'll be getting off work soon and she can get a ride back home with you."

"Of course, I'll give her a call now. But what are you going to do about tomorrow?"

Cole turned to look at Abe. "I have no choice but to give in to Joyce's demands and sign the damn papers."

"You can't do that, she'll take everything and leave you with nothing."

A smile crossed Cole's face. "Not everything. I still have my job and most importantly I have Christy and my son. As long as I have them I'll be the richest man in the world."

"There's got to be something you can do."

"I would need a miracle at this point. Look, I've got to get back in there in case she wakes up. I want to be there when she does."

He went back into the room and sat by her bed. He had made up his mind to give Joyce what she wanted. He didn't really care about his cars but what hurt the most was the thought of his home being demolished all because of a spiteful woman.

Christy opened her eyes to find him looking so deep in thought. "Cole," she whispered his name just enough to catch his attention.

"Hey beautiful," he said, stroking her hair lovingly and giving her a warm smile.

"You look so worried."

"I'm okay now that you're awake and I can look into your beautiful brown eyes."

"I promise I will do better tomorrow."

His eyes closed briefly as he shook his head. "You won't need to. I'll take care of everything."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't want you to worry about it, just trust me."

"Cole, what is going on, what have you done? I need you to be honest and tell me the truth. If we are going to spend the rest of our lives together we need to be honest with each other."

"We can talk about all of that later, right now you need to rest."

"How can I rest if I'm worried about what you're going to do?"

"Okay, I just don't want you to get upset. There won't be any need for you to go before the lawyers or the judge since I have decided to give Joyce everything she wanted."

"You can't let her take everything away from you that you worked so hard for."

"I still have you and our son, nothing else matters to me. I'm just sorry that I won't be in a financial position to give you everything that you deserve."

"I think you know me by now that I don't care about material things. I would live in a small trailer in a park as long as it meant that we are together as a family. But I don't want you to do this, you need to fight her."

"I've already made up my mind so let's just drop the subject. Tomorrow I'll go to the courthouse and sign the papers."

In the short time they have been together she found out that he could be very stubborn and once he put his mind to something there was no changing it.

After discussing the baby and still trying to figure out a name for their son she fell back to sleep. He got up and went into the hallway to stretch his legs when Gina showed up. She was carrying a bouquet of mixed flowers.

"Cole, Abe told me about Christy. Please tell me that she and the baby are doing okay now."

"Everything is fine so there is no need to worry."

"Can I go see her? I brought her some flowers to help cheer her up."

"She just went to sleep and I don't think we should disturb her right now. Perhaps you can come over to the house tomorrow when I take her home, but I can give her the flowers and let her know they're from you."

"Yes, I guess it is best if she gets plenty of rest after what she's been through." She handed him the flowers and reaching into her purse took out his car keys and handed them to him. "It's a good thing you gave us a spare set. Abe told me what you're planning on doing and I think you're making a big mistake."

"I'm doing it for her."

"I know you are, it's just that I hate to see that witch win."

"So do I. Thanks so much for bringing my car over, I owe you one."

When she was gone he went to his office, made a coffee and took it back to Christy's room. He wasn't the least bit tired and even if he were he had no intentions of leaving her side.

In the morning after she was checked out and was released he drove her home and made sure she got into bed. He took a quick shower and changed into some clean clothes before heading to the courthouse.

She laid in bed watching as he got dressed, she could never get enough of seeing his naked body. "I wish I could talk to you out of signing those papers."

"Doing the buttons up on his shirt he went and sat on the bed beside her. "If it's the only way to get rid of her once and for all then it's worth it. Now, remember you're on bed rest for the next couple of days and I don't want you to worry about anything. I'll see you a little later," he said, giving her a kiss before leaving the bedroom.

June was busy making some breakfast for Christy when he walked into the kitchen. "Dr. Mason, I'm just making something for you and Christy."

"Nothing for me June, but please make sure that she eats something. Also, I need to talk to you about your job here. Mrs. Mason will be getting this house in the settlement and she doesn't plan on keeping you on."

"I understand and to be honest, I wouldn't work for her anyway. If you do decide later on that you need a cook and housekeeper I will be more than happy to come work for you."

"Thank you. I'm afraid I have to go now but will you please keep an eye on Christy and make sure that she stays in bed and rests."

"Of course I will and I wish you all the best of luck in court. You never know, things to change in your favour."

June felt so bad for the doctor, He was such a good man and had the kindest heart of anyone she had ever known. But she also knew that with Christy in his life he will be happy.