Becoming Mrs. Grahamsteen novel Chapter 2

Michael shakes his head as he remembers their less than pleasing meeting before Genevieve left the country. Ever since that flat-out dreadful day, he hadn't been able to acquire more than an hour's worth of sleep each night.

"That's actually why I have called you here today." Michael replies softly.

He sighs, moves his glass to the side so that there is no longer a boundary between them and then continues.

"I need you to help me draw up a contract."

Naomi looks at him absentmindedly .

"Okay, what kind of contract are we talking about here?"

Michael takes a big gulp of his wine, Naomi wasn't going to like this one bit but he didn't have much of a choice now, did he? It was either this or consult the other lawyer in his life-Nick, the divorce lawyer. Okay, Naomi will do just fine.

"A surrogacy contract." He murmurs hoping that she might not hear him and maybe he could reschedule this meeting for another day when he was feeling more courageous, but his plans fail.

"Surrogacy contract? For who? Is there a woman you haven't told me about?" She shout-whispers at him in shock.

"No, no. I'm still very much uninterested in marital life but something important has come up." He runs his hands through his hair agitatedly and then rests his chin on the palm of his hand.

"Care to elaborate?" She is now looking at him fixedly with an undivided attention.

"Remember my inheritance and the string attached? Well my window of opportunity is closing and Genevieve is at it with her games again, she won't have me loosing what is rightfully mine according to her."

Understanding washes over Naomi's face and she reaches to hold Michael's hand.

"It is rightfully yours Michael, this is your father's legacy. He wasn't such a great father but he wanted you to be a success. Haven't you noticed that your inheritance is the only one on the will with a condition? Because Jeremiah knew you, he knew a family would be the last thing you would ever have and that's why he did it. So tell me what I have to do and by God, you've got it."

Michael smiles at her, she was the only person who could talk him into doing just about anything-that is, besides Genevieve. She was so supportive and kind beneath that superficial front of a tough and badass lawyer with nothing in her closet besides black clothing.

"Well firstly I need a surrogate for my child, but my friend William is already on it. What I need for you to do is to begin to draw up an agreement with basic stuff such as her rights, you know, that kinda stuff." He says sounding more determined to do this than he did a few minutes ago. Or maybe it was just the alcohol.

"No, I don't know this kinda stuff, Michael. It's not everyday a criminal lawyer gets to draw up a surrogacy contract, you will have to give me time to consult with an expert and I will get back to you. The faster you find your dream girl, the better my chances of finishing that contract in time seeing as it has to tailor both your needs." She replies after one more gulp of her glass contents.

Michael nods his head in comprehension.

Veronica rushes to her aid. "S, you know how this goes. You don't just stand up on your own like that." She says as she bends down and eases her sister back onto the chair.

Sara stares back at her wanly, tears filling up her eyes.

"Please promise me that you will take it easy."

Veronica doesn't answer her but briskly stands up, the last thing she wanted to do was get into another crying fit with Sara. She walks to a mirror planted on the wall of their living room and stares at her reflection, she couldn't even recognize herself anymore.

She didn't know how she was going to solve their problems but she knew that being so stoical is the only reason she hasn't lost it.

She turns to face a now crying Sara.

"You have taken care of me all my life, S. It's time I take care of you." She looks at her stolidly, now knowing exactly what she had to do.

"I'm going to be back shortly. Call Gretchen next door if you experience any kind of discomfort."