"Detective Falconeri, please?"
The uniform looked up. "Detective Falconeri is busy at the moment, may I help you?"
"It's okay, Simmons, my suspect's been booked." Dante embraced the woman. "Besides, she's my sister. What do you need, Krissy?"
"My car broke down on the back road, and I was wondering if you could tow it back to the house, while I took a cab, to—" Kristina eyed the desk clerk, and mouthed the final word, "Pentonville?"
Dante caught the hint. He took Kristina by the elbow, and led her into the empty interrogation room he had just been using. "If you're late for your community service shift, the judge is going to tack on more hours. How about I just drive you, and I'll jump the car later?"
"That'd be great."
Now all she had to do was figure out a way to broach the subject without Dante catching on to her. It would be hard. Dante's occupation, and his feelings toward their father made him a naturally suspicious human being. If Dante realized her plan at this stage he would go running to Alexis, and her plan would be over before it even started.
As it was, Dante brought up the subject without any prompting. "So, I'm really glad we've gotten this chance to talk."
"Yeah?"
"It looks like you'll be waiting a bit longer for the niece or nephew you wanted. We can't exactly do another round of implantation without someone to implant."
"Any prospects?"
"Can't say that there are," Dante sighed.
"How do Lulu, Olivia, and Dad think about all this?"
"The girls are really upset. Mom wants nothing more than to have a grandbaby, and Dad is willing to shell out as much money as possible to get us a surrogate. And it's going to be a lot, I've done the research."
"For all Dad's faults, and I'll be the first one to tell you he has several of them, he would do anything for you and Lulu."
Dante blushed. He wasn't one for public emotion, but he would always make exceptions for his sister and his wife. "And for you, Kristina, but I know you know that."
"Yeah whatever, Dante."
"That's what you say now. Anyway, we're here. Have a good shift, and I'll pick you up when mine's over."
"No, you don't…you don't have to, Dante. I have money. I can always take a cab from here back to the house."
Her brother studied her carefully. "Okay then, I guess I'll see you later?"
"You'll be seeing me a lot more often if this works out," thought Kristina as she watched him drive away.
0o0o0o
"Oomph," Kristina grunted, having just collided with someone.
"Miss Corinthos-Davis."
"Oh my God, Warden! I'm sorry!"
The man bent to pick up the broom, dustpan, and pair of gloves that had fallen. "May I ask why you're juggling cleaning supplies?"
"Someone broke a window in the courtyard, and a guard asked me to take care of it."
"Well, scratch that, you and I need to have a talk. Come into my office for a moment."
"Is there a problem?"
"According to your father, yes. He seems to take issue with you performing your community service in close proximity to John Zacchara."
"Of course he does." Kristina rolled her eyes.
"He has requested that you be moved elsewhere."
"I wouldn't expect anything else from him."
"Wherever you choose to go, your completed hours will be credited to you, so don't worry about that. Do you need any suggestions from me, or is there someone else you would like to consult?"
"I think I have someone in mind."
"If you'd like to go talk to them now, there's not much for you to do here."
0o0o0o
Diane Miller didn't have a mirror perched on top of her desk because she was vain; even though that was something she had no shame in admitting if only because there were several people who could attest to the fact. Rather, the mirror was a habit she had picked up after years of representing people whom she could freely admit outside of court exemplified the darker side of human nature. It was for this reason that she saw the approaching young woman.
"Hi, sugar. I got your message, but I wasn't expecting you until this afternoon."
Kristina hovered uncertainly just inside the doorway. "I can come back later if you want."
"There's no need," Diane cleared some files off the guest chair, and gestured to it. "Now that you're here, I'm curious to know what is so secretive, that you felt the need to contact me without your mother's knowledge."
"I'll tell you, but first I want to establish attorney privilege."
"Duly noted. Go on."
"Dad doesn't want me doing community service hours at Pentonville anymore, so I need you to get me a position at the hospital."
"Forgive me, but which part of this can't your mother handle for you?"
"The part where I'm using my hours as a cover for my surrogacy appointments."
Diane's carefully plucked eyebrows shot clear up to her hairline as her practiced facade fell, but she quickly composed herself. "I feel a migraine of epic proportions coming on. All right, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and assume that you have yet to consider the many legal and psychological consequences that follow a decision that gigantic."
"I know there's a contract involved. Mom drew up the papers for Maxie to sign."
"Yes," Diane nodded. "A contract that legally compelled Maxie, as the then-surrogate to give the child to Lulu and Dante upon the birth, no matter how much Maxie had bonded with him or her. A contract that left it up to the discretion of Lulu and Dante, and in due time their child, how much contact Maxie had with him or her after the birth. In vitro fertilization is a very draining process. Have you researched everything this will entail?"
"Well, obviously I'm going to research everything before I go through with it, but I have to get Dante and Lulu to agree first."
"I see. And then of course, there are the monetary concerns. It is quite the expensive undertaking."
"I have the money. Technically, I'm millionaire."
Diane snorted. "If you're telling me that Sonny is now dabbling in extortion, that's not my problem anymore."
"No, at least I don't think so. Nikolas sort of wheedled my mom into letting him set a trust fund up for me when I was born. He did the same for Molly."
"Nevertheless, New York State Law says that your cousin controls the entire sum until you reach the age of twenty-one, which I may point out will happen after this hypothetical baby is born."
"I'll figure it out somehow. I need to do this, I need to do something good."
"You need someone else to love now that Trey isn't in your life. I get it, honey, I do."
"And?" Kristina prompted impatiently. "What are you going to do?"
Diane considered. "I'm seriously considering having my head examined for this, but I am going to draw up the papers."
"Thank you, Diane."
"I doubt your mother will share that sentiment."
0o0o0o
As it turned out, Alexis was taking advantage of her rare afternoon off, and remained—for the moment—blissfully unaware of her daughter's secretive activities. Cupping a mug of tea in her hand, she ran to answer the currently ringing phone.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Hello?"
"Alexis, Stefan speaking."
"I gathered that," she remarking, a smile in her voice, "Your hair may be graying, but your voice is the same. How are you convalescing?"
"Don't be sarcastic, darling, it's unbecoming."
"Sarcastic? You wound me, Stefan. Was there something you wanted?"
"Yes, in fact. If at all possible I would like you and the girls to come to Wyndemere at your earliest convenience, tonight for dinner, perhaps? I have some immensely important I would like to discuss with all of you."