The Surrogate

He reached his bedroom and picked up his phone he then dialed Joyce's number and sat on the bed. It wasn't late so he knew she'd still be up, but whether she answered or not was a good question. It did surprise him when she answered on the fourth ring.

Cole, why are you calling me?

"I'm calling to let you know I've met with Miss. Grant and I agree with you, she will be perfect. She has an appointment with the doctor tomorrow and if everything goes okay we'll start the procedure right away."

Good, but why bother me about it when I'm on my holiday?

"Well, you should be here seeing that you're going to be the mother."

Oh, for crying out loud, I'm not coming back now. It's not me that's getting inseminate so there's no need for me to be there. I'll be back in a couple of weeks, bye Cole.

All he could do was shake his head as he hung up, she should want to be a part of the process he thought to himself. He was beginning to think that maybe this was all a big mistake. Then he got to thinking that once Christy was carrying their baby she would get excited and become more involved.

The next morning when he went downstairs Christy was busy making them breakfast. He felt a little guilty that she was doing it, but when he saw how happy she looked he kept quiet.

She turned her head in his direction and smiled. "I've made French toast and scrambled eggs. I have your coffee ready, it's on the table. I wasn't sure how you liked your eggs, but I figured I'd take the chance and make them anyways."

He sat down, picked up his coffee and took a drink. "Scramble eggs are fine, and I do like French toast." He started thinking what a great wife she would make for some lucky guy. She had such a beautiful smile, but what was more beautiful than her smile was her personality.

After they ate he wouldn't let her do the washing up, said that the housekeeper was coming and would take care of it. The only reason she didn't do it was because they had to leave for her appointment.

When they got to the hospital Dr. Morris took her in right away while Cole waited in the waiting room. He was getting some strange looks from the receptionist who knew him and Joyce. She was probably curious as to why he was here with another woman. But it wasn't any of her business so he sat down and tried to ignore the stares coming his way. Half an hour later he was told he could go in back now that the examination was over.

Christy was sitting across from Dr. Morris when he walked in. "So how did it go?"

"Cole, this young lady is in perfect health and won't have any problem conceiving. I won't get the blood test results until tomorrow, but I don't see any problems. The best time to do the procedure will be within the next forty-eight hours."

Shaking Dr. Morris's hand he thanked him and walked with Christy out of the building and to his car, opening the door for her. Getting in behind the wheel he turned to her. "I can get us in tomorrow if you still want to go through with it."

"I said I would and I never go back on my word," she replied with confidence. But inside she was nervous as hell.

"Okay, I'll arrange it and have the contract ready for you to sign, along with the advance I promised you. That way you can start looking for a place to live." The truth was he didn't want her to leave, he liked having her around.

"What happens if I don't get pregnant the first time?"

"Then we'll wait and try again, I've heard that it can take several tries." He dropped her off at his place, saying he would be home late and would have the papers for her to sign.

Back at the hospital he made the call and was able to get her in the next day. Since he was a doctor he had connections, otherwise, they might have had to wait weeks, maybe even months to get in. So he cleared his appointments for that day and also called his lawyer to send the papers over for Christy to sign.

When he dropped her off at home his housekeeper was there so she introduced herself, saying she was a guest of the Mason's. She never mentioned why she was really here, knowing that they probably wanted to keep it a secret for now.

"I'm so sorry for leaving the dishes, but I was running late for an appointment."

"That's okay Miss. That's what I'm here for, and how long will you be staying, if you don't mind me asking."

Christy liked June right from the start. "Not long, only until I find a small apartment. If you know of one please let me know. I don't want to be an inconvenience to Mr. and Mrs. Mason."

"Oh, dear, apartments around here are very expensive. But if I hear of something I'll definitely let you know. Since I'm here can I make you some lunch? I would do it for Mrs. Mason whenever she's home."

"No thank you, I'm not hungry so I think I'll take the newspaper to my room and start looking for a place." After talking for a few minutes she went to her bedroom and opened the paper to the rentals. June was right, every rental was at the high end and she might have to look for a place in a different area.

It was late when Cole arrived home, he had emergency surgery to perform at the last minute. As soon as he walked in she was there to greet him, helping him off with his jacket.

"I have your dinner warming in the oven so would you like it now or do you want a drink first?" She could see how tired he was, knowing it couldn't be easy being a doctor, especially a cardiac surgeon.

"Thank you, I think I'll eat first." He followed her into the kitchen and sat down, placing a folder on the table.

"I only made meatloaf, I hope that's okay."

"Christy, you really don't have to cook for me, it's not why you're here."

"I told you I love cooking, and it's such a joy cooking in this kitchen. Now eat your meal before it gets cold."

He looked at her and chuckled. "Yes, boss." As he started eating he handed her the contract his lawyer sent him. "Here's the contract for you to look over and if there are any changes you want to be made, just let me know. You should get a lawyer of your own to look over it before you sign it."

"That was quick," she said, pulling the papers from the envelope and looking at them. "I don't need a lawyer, I trust you."

"I had him rush the paperwork because we can do the procedure right away. The cheque for ten thousand dollars is in the envelope, all you have to do is sign the contract and it's yours."

She looked at the cheque and set it down. "Would it be okay if I take this to my room and read it over before signing it?" She thought it would take longer to get an appointment which would have given her more time to get used to the idea. Now that it was happening so quickly she was becoming more nervous than before.

"Yes, of course, take your time." He could tell she was scared and tried to reassure her that everything would be alright. "I know this must be scary for you, but I will be with you all the way. It won't take long and we should know in a couple of weeks if it worked. If you're having second thoughts about doing it I will understand."

"No, I'm not going to change my mind. I'm just a little nervous but I'll be fine once it's over." She saw that he was almost done eating and getting up she asked if he wanted anything else."

"No, I'm good and once again, this meatloaf was delicious."

When he was done eating he went to his office while she did up the dishes. She didn't see him the rest of the night so she went to bed, taking the contract with her to read. It all looked above board and her gut told her that Cole wouldn't do anything wrong. It even stated that if after three tries and she still didn't get pregnant she wouldn't have to pay back the advancement he gave her.

They arrived at the clinic and were taken in right away. She was given a gown to wear and was instructed to lay down and to try and relax.

Dr. White was doing the procedure and could tell she was nervous. "Just relax Miss. Grant, this will only take about fifteen to thirty minutes. It's relatively painless, will feel something like a pap smear. You may experience some cramping and light bleeding, but it's nothing to worry about. I'm going to implant the sperm directly into your uterus with a fine catheter, keeping the vagina walls open using a speculum." He explained the rest as he got started.

She closed her eyes while it was being done and didn't feel much pain, it was like the doctor said, felt like having a pap smear. Twenty minutes later when it was over she opened her eyes.

"There you go, it's all over. I will have you lay here for thirty to forty-five minutes, that's how long it usually takes for the sperm to reach the egg. I'll let Dr. Mason know we're done. Do you have any questions for me?"

Not thinking of anything she shook her head and waited for Cole to come in. He came just minutes after Dr. White left the room.

He walked over to her. "How are you feeling?"

"I, don't know, different I guess. I'm so glad you are here with me, I don't think I could have done it by myself."

He chuckled. "Well, I did have to be here to supply the sperm. I'm glad to be here with you and I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. You will have to avoid stress for a few days, so I don't want you to worry about finding a place right now. I think you should stay with me until we know for sure if you're pregnant."

"For how long?"

"We should know in a couple of weeks if the procedure worked, then we'll go from there. I know you probably want to get your own place but I don't want you to stress. So a couple of weeks won't hurt, will it?"

"I guess not, but what about Mrs. Mason? She may not want me living in her home that long."

"I'll talk to her, I'm sure she won't mind." Without thinking he reached over and moved a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. His eyes locked with hers for a brief moment and he moved his hand away from her hair.

"I don't want to cost any problems between you and your wife."

"You won't," he replied, thinking how sweet she was, being concerned about him and Joyce. "As soon as the time is up I'll take you home and you can rest. I don't want you getting up to cook, tonight I will pick up some take-out for our dinner."

Looking into his eyes for those few seconds she felt something but wasn't sure what it was. The way he was looking at her she had the feeling he wanted to kiss her. But she knew that wasn't the case, after all, he was married and wanted a baby with his wife. So she pushed those thoughts away, and the one where she was wanting him to kiss her. There was no way in hell that she was going to come between a husband and wife, no matter how she felt. But there was no denying that she was attracted to him.

Forty-five minutes later they were on their way home.

"Are you alright?" he asked when he noticed she looked pale.

"Yes, I guess I'm still a little nervous about the whole thing. I have a bit of cramping but the doctor said I would and that it's nothing to worry about."

When they got home he went with her to her bedroom to make sure she lay down. "Now remember, you are to rest for a few hours. I have to go to work now but when I get back I'll check on you. Is there anything special you want me to pick up for dinner?"

"Anything is fine with me. Cole, I really hope it worked and that I can give you a baby. But promise me that when I do you will love him, or her and always be there for them."

"I promise, now get some rest," he said before leaving the room.

She waited until he was gone to change into her nightgown. Laying under the covers she placed her hand over her stomach. She felt strange, it felt weird having a man's sperm injected inside of her instead of the normal way. She went over the pamphlet the doctor gave her, things to do after being artificially inseminated, and foods to eat along with mild exercise. After reading it she got sleepy and went to sleep. She hadn't realized she slept the afternoon away until she felt a presence near her. Opening her eyes she saw Cole standing there with a dozen yellow roses in his arms.