CHAPTER 17

That night, Evan got home exhausted. After bidding her sister and her family farewell, she had gotten a flight back immediately to Los Angeles to attend an important meeting. The meeting had lasted all night. Early the following day, desperately craving a massage, she reached out to Zoe and got them a spot at the Spa. Zoe soon joined her, but to her dismay, she brought Mary with her.

"Hey, look what the cat dragged in." Evan said, not bothering to hide her annoyance. She turned to Zoe, "I needed this. Why did you bring her?"

"This has gone on long enough. It would help if you guys settled already." Zoe scolded them both, looking at them pointedly.

Evan smirked, "Is that what she told you? Because if it is, that's a lie. She has some vendetta, and she isn't done yet."

"No. She isn't." Zoe defended, "Mary?"

"She has a point there, Zoe. I don't think we can settle this. She doesn't want Logan anymore. Why can't I have him?" She threw the words at them, uncaring.

"Because it's the girls' code. Everyone knows that. You don't date, sleep with or befriend your friend's ex."

"Then, she did all that, not me. Logan was my friend before she stole him."

"Please, stop making things up. You introduced us to."

"And you stole him."

"Mary!" Zoe yelled angrily. "Have some shame and let's settle this and move on. Please, you both." She pleaded with both friends who were standing so close and venting off alarmingly. She stood between them, turning left and right to catch their faces.

"Have some shame? I didn't even sleep with the guy. So what did I do wrong? And what about you... The perfect little friend who knew all along yet feigned ignorance. At least, I didn't hide mine." Mary said.

Evangeline stepped back, "What is she talking about?" She tapped Zoe, who had her back to her, then turned her friend to face her. Mary left without a backward glance. What she intended to do had to be out in motion.

"It's something that happened a while back."

"I'm all ears then." She sat down, as did her friend. "So?"

"That day, I went to the club. The one we started frequenting around Maroon. Logan was there, and so was Mary. She was sitting on his laps and groping him. To him, it meant nothing as they were friends and all. I'm not sure he even realized what she was doing."

"Where was I?" Evan asked.

"Away. I'm not sure where. Either you had a business deal, or you were in Miami with Adriana."

Her answer made Evan think more about her work ethics. It seemed she had been too focused on that not to see what was going on around her. She tried recalling how her sister had painted it, shutting out the world while making money?

"Okay, and?" She urged her friend to continue the event that unfolded.

"I was so angry I called her out." She shifted uncomfortably. "I told her to back down. That it was obvious what she was trying to do with Logan. I called her a slut who wanted to bed her friend's man." She sighed, "She was so angry she blurted out that you stole him from her and that..."

"What?"

"She loves him."

Evangeline sat up straight, "Wow, okay, Zoe. That's something. But why didn't you tell me?"

"I knew you love him. Hearing her say that, it was just wrong. I thought we shouldn't tell you. So, I warned her seriously to drop the idea and let Logan go. She agreed that the man was totally into you and didn't look her way at all. So, I assumed that ended it. That was why I called her out the day we were at the spa."

"Oh." Evan said, remembering that particular incident. "So it happened before that day."

"Yes. If I had told you.... we could have avoided this drama."

"You think? Nah. This would have happened either way. Mary wasn't ready to back down."

Zoe hugged her friend so tight she started to cough. When she was released, Evan asked, "What was that for?"

"For being so cool about all this." Her friend said, cheering her on. "Your phone." she said suddenly as the phone vibrated against her thigh. "Jason Valdez?"

"Yes." Evan mouthed before moving away to take the call. "Hey." She said into the phone.

Zoe watched from the corner as her friend told him about the old cottage and the house hunting that didn't go well.

"I might have to stay with Adriana for the time. It's just three months anyway. She's going to over-pamper me."

Jason grinned on the other end, "What if I have a better solution?" He asked, "I live here too. And I've got a massive building."

"This is okay for me. Trust me." She told him. He asked how she was and then ended the call soon as she said she was okay.

"So, this is still on?" Zoe asked as soon as she ended the call. Evan smiled and nodded. "And you're staying with Adriana." She commented, "Why?"

"Oh, just for the first trimester." she said.

CHAPTER 18

The following week was intense. The doctor had given her the food preferences, and it had taken a toll getting used to. For someone who had always enjoyed her meals, it was hard ignoring one meal and eating just a particular dish every time. After three days, she was almost back to her normal eating.

But somehow, she was able to stick to a plan. Finally, she was back in Miami, and the doctor was ready to do the needful. She had also been placed on fertility drugs and was checking in every day with the doctor. Even Jason was monitoring the whole procedure even though he wasn't in Miami at the time. He kept calling to check how she was feeling. She was beginning to grow fond of his genuine interest. He was going to be a great father. When the doctor confirmed the incubation had kick-started and the transfer could be done the next day, he had flown in from wherever he was to see it done. Jason Valdez was waiting for her in his office. He insisted on being there for the procedure. Evan smiled at him. She had brought Adriana along since he wasn't in town. But her sister had decided to wait it out outside. The doctor wheeled her to the theatre while Jason and the nurses tagged along. She was helped to the bed and her legs fastened. Scared, she held his hands.

Jason smiled and held her hands tight, "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine."

The doctor worked tirelessly. He kept explaining what he was doing. Evan barely followed his tales, but she could see Jason paid attention to it all.

"Here's the fertilized egg with the sperm. It's already formed." He said, holding up a test tube. "All that's left now is the implantation. I can't you. But I'll give you something to make you numb."

When she nodded, he went on to inject her. Everything became blurred after that.

A few numbing minutes later, doctor Tom announced, "So, it's done." He eased Evan up and informed them. "You can check back next week so that I can confirm the pregnancy. In the time being, you will need to take things slow for now. No stressful work. No running around."

Jason blurted out, "She's staying with me. I'll see to that."

"What? I'm not." Her response was sharp.

"You heard what the doctor said, no stressful...."

"I'll be fine. I'm staying with Adriana. I told you this."

"That was before the doctor told me how stressful the first trimester could be. I don't want anything happening to the child." He said in a tone that was both offensive and disturbing. The doctor knew he was trying to avoid going through what he went through with his late wife. Before he could voice his opinion, Evan replied, equally angry too.

Evangeline was irritated. He was back to his old self instantly, and she hated that. He was caring and friendly. The next, he was angry and wrecking her nerves. "Look, I can take care of myself. I don't need you to babysit me."

"Why don't you wait in my office, Mr. Valdez?" The Doctor pleaded. Jason stepped out into the reception. He started pacing back and forth. He didn't realize Adriana Swiss there. They hadn't met since the funeral rite of his wife. He walked up to her if Evan was going to birth his child, making Adriana a Swiss family.

"Hi." She greeted and sat down with her.

"Frustrating you too, I see." She smiled. Her sister could be both sweet and stubborn

"She won't stay with me." He told her dryly.

"She didn't want to stay at mine either. She had me go to this rusty old cottage no one's used in ages. I didn't try persuading her not to. I had to take her there so she could see for herself what she was getting into. Then I may have bribed the Realtor not to show us good places so she could stay with us. I can't have her leave by herself in such a state. She's never been pregnant before."

Jason smiled at the woman with profound respect. He loved her instantly, "Then she is in safe hands."

"You bet she is."

He stretched out his hand for a shake. As both shook hands, Evan walked out of the office. The doctor had just told her why Jason was skeptical about losing the child. Though she understood his plight, she wasn't going to let him treat her like a child. She had told the doctor she intends to take things easy, but he better see to it that Jason fall in line too. They had a mutual agreement then. Relieved, she stepped out only to find her sister in some kind of deal with the man. She eyed them suspiciously. "What is going on?"

"Nothing, sis." Adriana said and started to pull her away. As she did, they both stumbled on Mrs. Swiss.

Mrs. Swiss looked from one daughter to the other. She had been suspicious of her eldest daughter's continual absence. She was always rushing off somewhere. She had her followed. It wasn't a surprise to hear that she had been meeting her sister all along and visiting Doctor Tom. She knew it was about the surrogate thing. Here they were again. Her disappointment was plain for both to see.

Then she turned to the young man who had turned her daughter, "Mr. Valdez. A word please." As they both walked out of the room, Mrs. Swiss turned back to say to her youngest daughter, "Young lady, I think it's about time we had this conversation too."

Then to her older daughter, she added sarcastically. "If you don't mind, that is."

Adriana walked away, knowing her sister could handle this. But it was already too late. The procedure had been done and 90% successful already. There wasn't anything anyone could do. Not at this stage. And knowing mother, abortion wasn't even an option. Not that Evan would hear of that anyway. She wished she could let the mother know. The warning look on Evan was enough. The rebel Swiss was going to use that to her advantage.

CHAPTER 19

Mrs. Swiss walked them all to Doctor's Tom office and asked that the good doctor excuse them. "If you don't mind, I'll like to see these two first before having that conversation." She told the doctor who had been about to put in a word.

"Your role in all these doesn't go unnoticed." She added as the man took his leave. She sat down and asked both Evan and Jason to do the same. The ease with which she became accustomed to the office made Evan snicker. Her mother had always been one to take control of every situation. And her father had let her. Though strong and fierce as a lawyer, as a father, he let her mother do whatever she liked.

Mrs. Swiss had assumed the role of God in their lives. She dictated what they wear, who they visit, what case her father shouldn't handle, what course the kids study in school. It was exhausting. Growing up, she had been intrigued by it. Especially when other kids talk about their home, it was usually in reverse.

They would complain about how their dad ruined dinner, how he wouldn't let them visit whom. And each time she asked where their mother was, the response was usually interesting.

"Oh, mother has no say in all these." Was usually the response. But most of their moms were stay home moms.

They did nothing. Hers was sophisticated and a lawyer. So, she had concluded her mother being a lawyer too made the difference. Then the divorce happened, and for all its worth, she knew it was mother's fault. And so, she began to rebel. While her dad and Adriana did their mother's bidding, she did the very opposite, which was why even now, she stood fuming while her mother sat down and commanded her to take a seat.

Swiss looked at the defiant look on her youngest face and shook her head. Whatever she did to this one, she wouldn't give her a breathing space. She was a woman who was feared and respected everywhere. Her family name alone commanded respect. But all that amounted to nothing with Evan. The only being she couldn't control was her youngest daughter, who at every chance tried to make sure she notices she couldn't be toiled with. Even now, she wouldn't sit when she offered them a seat. Jason Valdez also seems to loot around her.

Regardless, she accessed both of them through hooded eyes and decided to say what she had in mind. The idea of becoming a baby mama was preposterous. She had raised her kids better than this.

"So, Mr. Valdez. What on earth did you think you mean to force this on my daughter. When Logan told me about this outrageous idea, he never mentioned the man. I had assumed it was some strange, irresponsible brute..."

"Mother." Evan cautioned, then added, "He didn't force anything on me."

Ignoring her, she continued, "Imagine my surprise to find out yesterday that it was you. My family has been in business with yours for ages back. One would think you'd extend the courtesy by running this through the proper channel. You can't just walk around with plans to impregnate my daughter because...."

"Mother!" Evan said, hitting the table. "Look, this isn't the 19th century. I wanted to do this. And he's not impregnating me. Not in that sense."

"But you will be carrying his child. How is that not impregnating?" She stood up too, too angry to care that her feet were hurting from standing all day at work, waiting for the information she had requested about her daughter.

"If you wanted a child, why didn't you go through the proper channel? Why this?" She rubbed her head stiffly. "I forbid you."

Evan blushed at the way her mother was handling it. It was embarrassing. She better gets her facts right then. "Before you forbid anything, mother." She added the last piece slowly, "You should know that I am carrying the child already."

Mrs. Swiss looked taken aback momentarily. The look on her face, it looked like she was going to faint after all. As she stumbled back, Jason was beside her in a quick stride. He helped her back to her seat. "Is she right?" Mrs. Swiss asked, looking at the man holding her. His nod provoked her. She pushed his hands off her.

"Yes, ma'am. It's been done." Standing a few feet away from her, Jason confirmed, "And if it's any consolation, I'm deeply sorry about everything. If I had known you felt this strongly about it, I would have backed out. I don't want you having issues with your daughter over my family's affair." He looked at Evan. "Doing this was a great gift bestowed on me." He smiled sadly before turning back to Mrs. Swiss, "If you will excuse me."

Evan ran after him, "Jason?" When he stopped, she told him, "Look, my mother and I have never seen eye to eye over anything. This..." She spreads her hands. "It's not what is eating at her."

"I still wish you'd told me her reservations. I'd have tried getting her blessing or so."

"Her what?"

"Look, I need to go. Okay. I'll see you." And he was gone. She watched him leave sadly. Something about his stride told her he was upset.