Alexis the Surrogate
Chapter 10
He was a man used to living a life of extravangance, but since Lorenzo spent what was left of his investments to pay off the family of the man that acted as his foil and the rest to his heart and soul, Lila Rae, he wasn't worth much anymore.
Lorenzo knew there were two places Jason's men would look for him to confirm him dead-the grounds of Oxford University and Venezuela. He decided to avoid both places as each of them brought back bad memories of all he had lost along the way. He had just enough left to settle in a seaside bungalow in California. It gave him the sights and smells of the ocean that he missed from Venezuela.
He lived alone as a hermit lost in his history books, nature, and art. He thought about resting on his law laurels again, but along with his money, he lost his edge and ruthlessness to his personality that almost got him killed.
Lorenzo started off his morning with a walk across the sands around his home. He stopped for a moment and dipped his cupped hands into the ocean and ran the water across his soft, bearded face. He returned home and paused when he walked into the door. Lorenzo lived alone for so long that his loneliness became a presence. He sensed someone was in his house. Lorenzo slipped over to his desk drawer and pulled out a gun. He kept it close to his side as he maneuvered through his house. He made a sharp turn and pointed the barrel of his gun in the face of Franco relaxing on his staircase.
"You don't want to enter an armed man's home uninvited." He continued to point the gun and watched the smirk form on Franco's face.
Franco stood up and straightened his suit coat. He touched a painting of a woman positioned over Lorenzo's fireplace. "Who is this?" Franco asked. "Your mother?"
"None of your concern. Why are you here?" Lorenzo continued to aim his gun.
Franco offered his hand to shake. "I'm Robert Frank. I was sent here by Helena Cassadine. I guess you can say I'm the artist and she's the brains of this operation."
"I don't want to be involved in any operations." Lorenzo put down his gun on his desk.
Franco placed his hands on Lorenzo's shoulders. "I understand. You've been a through a lot. I'm only here to give you back your life."
Lorenzo pulled away and picked up a large book on Art History. "This is my life. It makes me happy. It can't hurt me ever again. I'm aware of who you are Franco. Please leave."
Franco was all smiles. He opened his arms basking in his glow of recognition. "That is fantastic. You recognize me. All the more reason you and I would be the perfect combination. And the rewards...you won't believe the rewards."
Alexis was relegated to her hospital bed at GH. She poked at the IV protruding from her already bruised arm.
"I admit I'm not enjoying this at all." Alexis looked up at Dr. Jackson at her bed side.
"I know Ms. Davis. You have a visitor outside. You need to rest before the procedure in the morning. I just wanted to see if you needed anything." He asked.
Alexis moved her head side to side. Diane came in with a small Bonsai tree. Dr. Jackson left and closed the door behind him.
Alexis blurted out a laugh as Diane placed the tree on her table. "What is that?"
"Sonny said you're not much into flowers so I went with this. Don't kill it." Diane chuckled. She sat at the foot of Alexis' bed. "How are you really?"
Alexis sat up. "I just hope for Sam this works tomorrow."
Diane lowered her eyes. "Did you sign the contract I sent over yesterday?" She garbled her words.
Alexis laid back down mildly annoyed. "You did not send me a contract."
"No." Diane laughed. "I just had to say that. I think Jason is either afraid of you or he has a school boy's crush. I think it's the latter."
Sam walked into Alexis' room with a similar Bonsai tree. Her face fell at the sight of Diane's gift.
"Damn." Sam exclaimed. "Did you get to Sonny first?" She put hers down on the table closer to Alexis.
"I'm going to assume that Sonny is giving me diamonds." Alexis smiled and hugged Sam.
Sam picked up her suitcase. "I am camping out here. I got permission from Dr. Lee. She said I could do whatever I want to make you happy."
Jason walked into Alexis' room. Before he could get through the door. Alexis pointed in his direction.
"Do not bring me another Bonsai tree!" She exclaimed.
Jason stopped short. "No. I'm just giving you the privilege of carrying my child." He smiled. "Just wanted to say good luck."
Diane stood up. "We all would love the privilege. Step out with me Mr. Morgan so mother and daughter can get rest."
Jason followed Diane outside of Alexis' room.
"Is there a problem?" He asked.
"Yes." Diane looked to both sides of her. "You are lucky I'm your attorney. I found out through Robin Scorpio that Dr. Lisa Niles asked to assist in the embryo transfer."
Jason stared at Diane confused. "And?"
"You said you wanted every doctor involved cleared. Are you aware of some of Lisa Niles' alleged antics at this hospital? Plus, she's a surgeon. Why would she be involved?"
Jason put his arm around Diane and walked with her to the elevator. "I know I've been overreacting and paranoid, but for some reason, I'm not concerned. For the first time, I think everything is going to be ok. I think you're over thinking it."
The elevator door opened. Jason held it for Diane.
"Are you going down with me?" She asked.
Jason shook his head. "No. I'm going to go talk to Dr. Niles."
"This is why I prefer you as a client over Sonny." She said as the doors closed.
Jason lingered in the halls until he saw Dr. Niles walk up to the desk. He approached her.
"Dr. Niles? May I speak with you?" Jason asked with an unassuming air.
Lisa was as calm as could be expected. "Questions about the procedure?"
"I think I know enough. What is your expertise with this whole thing?' He asked.
Lisa let out a nervous laugh. "I'm actually training. So I'll just be assisting Dr. Jackson. Dr. Lee prepared the samples. Basically, I'll be holding the samples and helping with the ultrasound. Nothing more. Is there a problem?"
Jason leaned on the desk feeling guilty for interrogating Lisa. "I just requested all the doctors be cleared. It's kind of weird I know..."
Dr, Jackson walked up in wonder of Dr. Niles talking to Jason. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes." Jason said. "I'm sure the two of you will do an excellent job."
"Mr. Morgan, we decided to use four embryos. We're hoping one will take." Dr. Jackson advised.
Jason rubbed his eyes. "So I could end up with four babies."
Dr. Jackson smiled. "We're hoping we even get one. If we don't get one to take, we have to continue the fertilization process until we hit the jackpot."
Lorenzo sat at his desk and watched Franco browse his art collections gracing his walls.
"You have some amazing pieces." Franco tapped his cheek and for once was serious. "I love this stuff."
Lorenzo sipped his coffee. "It's good to have something beautiful to look at."
"You've had many beauties in your life eh?" Franco asked. "Do you know a young girl named Natasha?"
Lorenzo stood up and joined Franco observing one of his paintings. "Around this house is my vision of all of the women that I've loved. There is a Natasha. How did you know?"
Franco continued to study the painting. "Do you recall anything about her?"
Lorenzo ran the cup under his nose before taking another sip. "I don't want to waste your time on someone you don't even know."
Franco's phone rang with Lisa's name on the display. "I just love Love." He said with a smile before answering the call.
Lisa waited for Franco to answer.
"Yes Niles." Franco's agitation rang through the receiver.
"I have your samples ready. It all goes down tomorrow morning." Lisa whispered.
"Great!" Franco walked away from Lorenzo. "You'll be there correct?"
"I w ill. And when will I get the rest of the money?" Lisa asked.
Franco's smile turned devious. "I want to give that to you in person. But I'll transfer more to your account now just to show good faith. You're a gem Dr. Niles." Franco hung up the phone and watched Lorenzo eying his own work.
"Alcazar, I don't mean to take up too much of your time. Helena Cassadine will be here to see you herself. I need to get back to a project."
Lorenzo looked at Franco. "Do you have another exhibit on the horizon? Doesn't that require murder or is playing dead not enough for you?"
Franco laughed. "I don't know that it's murder if no cares if the victim dies."
Alexis fought her drowsiness. Sam turned down the lights and crawled into bed with her mother. She laid her head on Alexis' shoulder.
"I don't know how much I can thank you for this?" Sam said.
Alexis caressed Sam's face. "I don't think you can ever pay me back for the morning sickness I will endure. I do not enjoy that."
"Did you know Sonny's magic soup is supposed to fix that?" Sam asked.
Alexis wasn't sure if it was really the right time, but she figured it would be a better time as any. "Sam, your father is dead."
The news left Sam unmoved. She continued to rest her head on Alexis' shoulder. "Who was he?"
"That's what's complicated. But if you really want to know, I'll tell you."
"Can you tell me about him? Was he hot or smart?" Sam laughed.
Alexis took a deep breath. "I really didn't get to know him that well."
Sam hugged Alexis tight. "Thank you for telling what you do know."