The Surrogate

He was the first one to wake up and when he saw that the covers were pulled off of her and she was naked he covered her up with the blanket. Kissing her forehead he quietly got out of bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Even though he had the day off he wanted to go to the hospital and check up on one of his patients.

"Are you leaving?" she asked when she opened her eyes and saw him getting dressed. "I thought you didn't have to work today."

He went over and sat on the bed next to her. "I don't have to work today but I want to go in and check on a patient that I operated on the other day."

"Okay," she replied.

"So you're not mad?"

"Of course not, I know how much your patients mean to you. Wanting to check up on them is what makes you a great doctor. I'm very proud of you and what you do."

"I hope that you're ready to be a doctor's wife. I'm afraid that there will be times when I could be called in during the night or have to go to the hospital and check on my patients."

"I'm more than ready for it, and I know that you will always return home to me."

"I've got to go, and mom's downstairs making breakfast for you. I'll be back as soon as I can. I've already told my mother that we are getting married soon. So I have a feeling she's going to want to take you dress shopping and she will insist on paying for it."

"I can't let her pay for another dress."

"Oh honey, my mother is very stubborn and she won't take no for an answer. I'm sure you've already found that out."

She sat up, letting the cover fall from her upper body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, now give me a kiss before you go."

"It will be my pleasure," he said as he lowered his lips onto hers and his right hand laid on her one breast. Every time he had the chance to cop a feel he took it.

Later and after she had taken a shower and got dressed she went downstairs and found Gloria in the kitchen cooking.

"Good morning dear. I hope you're hungry because I didn't know what you liked so I made a little bit of everything. We have bacon and eggs and pancakes, and some home fries along with toast."

"Morning Gloria, you shouldn't have went to so much trouble and there's no way I can eat all of that."

"It was no trouble at all."

"Will Steven be joining us for breakfast?"

"Actually Cole took Steven with him to the hospital and was going to show him around after he checked up on his patient."

They sat down together and not wanting to hurt Gloria's feelings Christy had a tiny bit of everything.

"Cole was telling us that you both want to get married before the baby's born."

"I know that's kind of rushing things but I really want to be married before the baby comes into the world."

"I understand completely and I want to take you shopping for a dress. It's my treat and before you say anything I will not take no for an answer. I do hope he can get a date set soon."

When they were done eating Gloria took her dress shopping.

"I just want something plain and simple," Christy said when she saw her future mother-in-law looking at some long white wedding dresses.

"Oh, well then let's go over here and look at this rack of dresses. Some of these are really cute, how about this one?"

Christy looked at the dress and smiled. "Actually it's perfect, it's exactly what I was thinking of. I'll try it on and see if it fits."

When she came from the dressing room and Gloria saw it on her she couldn't stop when tears appeared in her eyes. "You look absolutely beautiful in it."

"Even with this big belly of mine?" she asked as she patted her stomach.

"My dear, that is what makes you look even more beautiful in that dress."

"Gloria."

"Yes dear?"

"You and Steven will be here when we get married won't you?"

She went over and took Christy's hand. "I give you my word that when you get the date set we will be here. We wouldn't miss it for the world. I've always wanted a daughter and now I've got one. I just wish your own parents could be here to see you get married and to see their grandchild."

Sadness engulfed Christy at the mention of her parents. "They would never come, to them it is a sin to be pregnant before marriage. I'm feeling a little tired so I'm going to take this dress off and go home and have a little lay down."

Gloria stood on the other side of the curtain and took the dress from Christy and went to pay for it. It was a perfect fit and didn't need any alterations. She felt bad for mentioning Christy's parents after seeing the hurt look on her face.

When Cole and Steven returned home she asked them how everything went at the hospital.

Steven went over and sat down beside her. "I totally enjoyed myself today. You should be very proud of your son, he is so well-liked and respected."

"I have always been proud of him."

"Where is Christy?" Cole asked when he didn't see her in the room.

"She was a little tired after we went dressed shopping so she went to lay down for a while. I'm afraid I've upset her."

"Why what happened?"

"I mentioned how it would be nice for her parents to be there when you got married. I feel so bad for that poor girl, it's really hurting her that they don't want nothing to do with her. I wish there was something I could do."

"It's better to stay out of it mom. She has tried in the past and when they rejected her it broke her heart. I'll just go up and check on her and see how she's doing."

When he got upstairs he found her sitting in the chair by the window looking out. Going over he kneeled down in front of her. "Hey sweetheart, I hear you're feeling tired so maybe you should be in bed."

She reached over and touched his cheek. "I really love how protective you are of me, but I already slept for an hour. I was just sitting here thinking."

"May I ask what you were thinking about?"

"I was thinking about you and how much I love you. I was also thinking about my past and my ex. I don't know what I ever saw in him."

"You were young and thought you were in love. I was wondering if I could ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"Joyce said when she had you investigated that she found out that your ex was a drug dealer and that you were a user."

"And you want to know if I did drugs?"

"I don't believe you did but I am wondering if you knew about your ex dealing in drugs?"

"I never once took any illegal drugs in my whole life and I never will. As for knowing about Peter being a drug dealer, do you really think that I would be with someone like that?"

He could tell she was a little angry. "Maybe you didn't know that he was a dealer. A lot of men out there will hide what they do when their other half is around."

She got up and walked away from him. "Peter was a lot of things, a drunk, a cheater. But the one thing I know about him that he wasn't a drug dealer, nor did he ever do drugs. What bothers me is that you would even listen to Joyce and believe her."

He went over and put his hand on her shoulder to turn her around to look at him. "I didn't say I believed her. But I just had to ask. I didn't mean to upset you so please don't be mad at me."

"That woman lied to you. She was just trying to put doubts in your head about me like she tried to do to me about you."

"Why what did she say about me?"

"She never really came out and said anything. She just hinted that you had a bad temper and had occasionally struck her in anger."

This was a total shock hearing this. "Oh my God. I have never laid a hand on her or any other woman. I'll admit that sometimes I lose my temper but that's all. Please tell me you didn't believe any of that."

"Not for one minute," she said and put her arms around his neck. "I've heard you raise your voice a few times but I know that you are not the type of man to strike anybody. Let's not talk about our ex's anymore, they are in the past where they belong."

He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I totally agree with you. Now on to a more pleasant subject. My mother said you have picked out a dress to wear when we get married and my question is are you going to let me see it now?"

"No, you have to wait until we get married which leads me to a question. Have you made the call to book a date?"

He cleared his throat, he knew what he was about to tell her wasn't going to be something she wanted to hear.

"Yes I did call and the day available was." He stopped talking when he saw the look on her face after telling her the date.

"But that's just a week before my due date. What if I go into labor before then?"

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry but it was the only date available. They did promise that if they had a cancellation they would call me. There's a really good chance that you won't go into labor before then. Also, this will give me time to clear my schedule so that we can have a couple of days together before going back to work."

"I guess so," she said sadly.

"I would suggest going to Vegas and having one of those quickie weddings, but with you this far along it wouldn't be wise to go on a plane and travel."

"It's okay, and if I do have the baby before we get married it's not the end of the world."

"God I love you, you're so understanding. I know what would cheer you up."

"I'm not in the mood for sex."

He laughed and took her hand and kissed it. "Am I that predictable?"

"Yes."

"Well that's not what I had in mind even though I wouldn't mind or turn it down. But I was thinking that I could call Abe and Gina and invite them over for a barbecue."

"I would like that and then I can show Gina my dress. I'm going to take a shower while you call them."

When she walked away and went into the bathroom he picked up his phone and made the call. He could have went downstairs with his parents but instead he stripped out of his clothes and walked into the bathroom.

"Didn't I tell you I'm not in the mood for sex and besides, I'm in no position right now to do anything."

"Who said anything about sex? I just thought you might enjoy some company and I can wash the areas that you can't reach."

She hands him the washcloth. "Okay, but no funny business." She should have known better, of course he took this opportunity to have some fun with her.

Later when they were drying off she couldn't resist staring at his naked body. She loved every inch of it, for a doctor who worked a lot he sure kept his body and Tip-Top shape. There were times she found it so hard to believe that he was hers and she hoped that as with the years to come that she could still keep him interested in her.

"From the way you're licking your lips I'm assuming you like the view."

"I wasn't looking," she said but the red that spread on her cheeks revealed the lie she was saying.

"Right," he said and winked at her.

That night they all sat outside, Cole and the other two men did the barbecuing. They also went into the kitchen and prepared some salads and snacks to go along with the meal. Tonight they were treating the women and wouldn't let them lift a finger to help.

Christy took Gina upstairs to show her the dress she was going to wear for their wedding.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until after the baby's born and have a big wedding?"

"I'm sure, even as a little girl I never dreamed of a big wedding. All I want it was to be married to the love of my life and have a family. I never thought I could ever be this happy, and I can't wait for this little one to be born," she said rubbing her stomach.

"Well, a big wedding isn't for everyone and this dress is perfect. I also want to tell you that Abe and I are so honored that you asked us to be your witness."

"Who else would we ask? You and Abe are our best friends and Cole and I love you both so much. I've never had a close girlfriend before. Well I did once and she ended up cheating with my ex."

Gina smiled. "As much as I like and respect Cole I would never ever think of being with him in that way. I love Abe and I would never betray him."

"I know, and I know that the four of us are going to be friends forever. I'm also hoping to hear that you're pregnant soon, I don't suppose you are now."

"Not yet, but we're working on it." She started laughing and her face turned red. "And boy are we ever working on it. He is on me every second when he gets a chance. Just the other day I went to visit him and he locked his office door and threw me down on the couch."

They both had a good laugh about that and Gina suggested that she and Cole do the same thing sometime.