The Surrogate

Christy was awakened by a knock at her door just as June walked in carrying a tray with some food on it.

"Good morning Miss. Grant. Mr. Mason asked me to fix you some breakfast and serve it to you in bed. He told me not to make you eggs so I made some pancakes with fruit. How are you feeling this morning," she asked as she placed the tray over Christy's lap.

"I'm good, thank you. You didn't have to go through all this trouble, I'm not used to being waited on and I would have come to the kitchen."

"It's no trouble at all and the doctor said you needed bed rest for a few days."

"Has he told you the reason why I am here?"

"Yes, he's not keeping it a secret and I think it's wonderful what you're doing for him. He will make an amazing father. It's what he needs in his life right now."

Christy watched as June went over to the window and opened the drapes, letting the sunshine in. "Why doesn't everyone mention Mrs. Mason when they tell me I'm doing a good thing for Cole, and not including her?"

June cleared her throat before turning around to face Christy. It wasn't her place to gossip about her employers, and she couldn't tell the young lady what she really thought of the Doctor's wife. "I guess it's because Mr. Mason is better known and Mrs. Mason is usually away on trips."

"Do you think she will make a good mother?"

Before she could answer she thanked her lucky stars that Cole showed up, now she wouldn't have to answer Christy. "I'll be back for the tray later," she said before slipping out the door.

"I hope you eat all of that, you'll need to keep up your strength."

"I will. I thought you would have left for work by now," she said, taking a bite of her pancake.

"I'm going in late today and I wanted to take your blood pressure. I can wait until you're done eating. Are those banana pancakes?"

"Yes, would you like a bit?"

He went and sat down on the bed. "Maybe I'll try one small bite." He waited until she cut a piece and raised the fork to his mouth. After swallowing it he smiled at her. "Not bad, but I bet if you had made it, it would be much better."

All she did was smile back at him as she cut him another piece and fed it to him, they ended up sharing her breakfast.

When they were done he removed the tray and reached for his black bag. "I'll just check your pressure now." Once he was done examining he frown. "It's still a little high and your heart is racing. So it's more bed rest for you."

No wonder her heart was racing, he was so close to her and his scent was driving her crazy. Not to mention how handsome he was and probably every woman who got close to him their hearts would also race.

He knew he could have just taken her blood pressure but decided to use his stethoscope to check her heart and lungs. His fingers lightly brushed against her skin, his hand shook a little and he hoped she hadn't noticed.

"How long do I have to stay in bed?"

"Let's give it another day or two and then we'll see. I should get going now, stay in bed and I'll check in on you when I get home."

He spent the day making rounds, visiting his patient that was still healing. One was a young boy who now had a chance to live life to the fullest, to love and someday have a family of his own. Micky was his favourite patient, he was so full of life and was anxious to go home.

"Dr. Mason, can I please go home?"

He sat beside him, giving him a big smile. "Well Micky, you're improving so much that if you keep it up I will let you go home by the end of the week. But you have to promise me you will take it extra easy for a few more weeks."

"I promise and do you have any kids of your own?"

"Not at the moment, but I will be in a few months."

"I think you will be a great dad."

"Thank you, I'll sure try. Now, get some rest before your mom and dad get here. I'll see you later buddy."

After his rounds, he went back to his office and thought about Micky and his parents. It was so touching to see how good they were with their son and he could see the love between them and their son. It made him sad that he and Joyce weren't that close, but thinking back they never were. He never liked to think about it but he knew the only reason she wanted to marry him was she wanted the respect and perks of being a doctor's wife. That was why she tricked him into marriage, even though that was true he tried to make it work and is still trying. Truth was, he wasn't in love with her, never was but was hoping in time he would learn to love her. But she wasn't making it easy for him.

"Are you dreaming about being a daddy or about the woman carrying your baby?"

Cole looked up when he heard Abe. "Don't you ever knock?" he snapped.

"I keep forgetting," he said jokingly.

"Did you want something?"

"Yeah, I was telling Gina about meeting Christy and she's dying to meet her. So we were wondering if you both would like to come to dinner Sunday night?"

"She's on bed rest for a few days because of her high blood pressure."

"I'm sure she'll be okay by Sunday. Come on, Cole, you can't keep the girl prisoner in your home for the whole nine months."

"I'm not keeping her prisoner, she's free to come and go as she pleases. I'll ask her if she wants to go but what if Joyce is home by then, is she welcome to come too?" He knew that Abe and his wife couldn't stand Joyce.

"Oh, I guess that would be alright, but we both know she won't be back for a while. So let me know about Sunday, later pal."

It was funny that none of his close friends could stand her, she only cared to hang out with people who were famous and the super-rich. His colleagues were never good enough for her and she only would tolerate them if they all had to be at a function for the hospital together. Such as a fundraiser.

He got home later that day and when he went to check on her she was asleep so he left her be and went to see what June had prepared for their dinner. He had asked her if she would cook for them and gave her a raise in pay. She was made aware of what Christy's diet should consist of and what foods she had to avoid.

When she finally woke up he took her food into her, asking her how she was feeling.

"Cole, I know I have to take it easy but is it necessary for me to stay in bed? I don't see why I can't get up and do something, even if it's just to go to the kitchen to eat my meals. You don't know how bored I am."

"Okay, starting tomorrow. Abe was wondering if we would like to go to his place for dinner Sunday night. His wife would like to meet you, you'll like her, she's really nice."

"That sounds lovely."

"I'll let him know, now eat your dinner and after I'll check your blood pressure."

The next day while he was at work she got up and went outside with a book and sat in one of the lounge chairs to read. It was a beautiful day out and she enjoyed feeling the sun warming her skin.

Sunday rolled around and she wore the yellow sundress to their dinner with Abe and his wife. She was looking forward to getting out and meeting someone new. "Is this dress okay to wear to your friend's place?"

He smiled when he saw her wearing the same dress she wore when he first met her. "Yes, it's lovely. We should get going now."

When they arrived at Abe's place and she was introduced to Gina she liked the woman and knew they would get along. While the men went outside to talk she and Gina sat in the kitchen, talking.

"So, I just want to say how nice it is that you're doing this for Cole."

"I'm also doing it for Mrs. Mason."

"Yes, of course."

"I get the feeling you don't like Cole's wife."

"To be honest, I don't."

"Can I ask why?"

"It's no secret, Cole knows how I feel about her. She's a bitch, cold and heartless and all she cares about is having a rich husband. I don't understand how he could be with a woman like that when he has so much to offer."

"Maybe once the baby comes she'll be different."

Gina looked at her. "Let's hope so."

"You do think she'll be a good mother, don't you? I mean I wouldn't have agreed to this if I thought she wouldn't love the baby."

Gina knew she had said too much when she saw how upset Christy was getting. "Christy, I'm sure she will. Please don't mind me or what I've said. I'm only saying these things because I hate the woman."

They had a delightful meal and later sat around playing board games. She found out that Abe and Gina had just started talking about starting a family of their own. She could see how much in love the couple were and she really liked them, she also knew that she and Gina were going to become good friends.

When it was time to leave the two women made plans to meet in town for lunch the following week. Of course, Cole had to turn into a protector and say he would have to examine her to make sure she was up to it.

As they were driving home he turned his head to look at her and was pleased to see how happy she was. "I'm glad you and Gina hit it off."

"I've never had a close girlfriend before and I really like her."

"She likes you too."

When they arrived home she said she was going to bed, after putting on her nightgown she finished the book she was reading. Not feeling tired she decided to go down to the den and pick out another book to bring to bed.

Cole was in bed and he couldn't sleep so he also decided to go down and grab a book. Pulling on a pair of pants headed down and got there just in time to see her on the ladder, reaching for a book on the top shelf. It started wobbling and he got to her in time just as she started falling and caught her in his arms.

Her arms automatically went around his neck and they stared into each other's eyes.

"You shouldn't be climbing a ladder in your condition, you could have been seriously hurt." It felt so good holding her and feeling her arms going around his neck. He swallowed the lump in his throat and he was in no hurry to put her down.

The feel of his strong arms holding her she felt safe in them, his skin made her body tingle and she started breathing heavily. "I...I couldn't reach the book I wanted," she said, not knowing what else to say.

"Next time ask me and I'll get it for you."

She nodded her head. "You can put me down now."

"Oh, yeah, sorry," he said as he set her down on her feet. He then grabbed the book she wanted and handed it to her.

"Thank you, goodnight," she said and walked out of the room. Her heart was still racing. This was the second time she had seen him shirtless and again she was drooling. She couldn't stop thinking how lucky Joyce was to be sleeping next to him every night.

He watched as she left the room in a hurry, she only had on her nightgown and not the robe. The way the light was shining he could see the outline of her body and he got aroused. He felt guilty for looking so he went into the kitchen to get a glass of cold water.

The next morning they avoided looking at each other while they ate the breakfast that June had made for them. He hurried to finish and said he was leaving for work.

"Aren't you going to take my blood pressure?" He always did every day before leaving but for some reason, he didn't mention it.

"I'm going to be late if I don't leave now. Just take it easy and if you need me call and I'll come right home. Unless you're not feeling well, are you okay?" he asked as he finally looked at her.

"I feel great. So good in fact that Gina is picking me up and we're going shopping and then stopping for lunch. Don't worry, I'll take it easy and I'll make sure to watch what I eat. Have a good day at work."

It didn't go unnoticed by June the way they were acting, she could see that something was building between them. If only he wasn't married to that witch Joyce she knew that he could be happy with Christy.

Cole got to work and had just sat down when his phone beeped, it was Joyce. "I was wondering when you'd call."

You sound grumpy.

"What do you want Joyce?"

I just called to say I'll be home tomorrow night.

"It's about time, you've been gone a month now."

Don't be like that, see you tomorrow.

He was dreading her coming back, it had been so peaceful without her and he hoped she would be nice to Christy. The last thing she needed was any stress in her condition. He couldn't help wishing that things were different, that he was single and free to get closer to Christy. But that wasn't going to happen so he had to push those thoughts out of his mind.