Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Is this…?” I trail off, unable to find the right words.

“I thought if we’re going to pretend to be together, we ought to do it right.” Sinclair smiles, his obvious pleasure at my reaction taking the sting out of his words. This isn’t because he feels anything for me, but he’s happy that I like the gift – and that’s worth something, right?

“It’s beautiful,” I sigh, “But I feel… I haven’t gotten anything for you, Dominic.”

His dark brow furrows, and the next thing I know, he’s turning me towards the mirror at my back. His reflection towers over mine, so dark and sexy in his black dress shirt and trousers. His size and strength are so daunting, and his skin vibrant bronze next to my porcelain complexion and slender limbs. I’m wearing deep purple tonight, and his hand finds my tummy with practiced ease. “How can you say that?” He demands, gentle but fierce, his lips moving against the shell of my ear as his eyes pierce me through the glass. “Ella, you’re giving me everything.”

My own hand slides to the place where our baby rests, stopping just above his. However a moment later his palm is over mine, pulling our hands just over my belly button. “I wish you could feel what I do.” He tells me solemnly. “You’ll understand when he quickens, when you can feel his movement and moods.” For the first time, the mirror Sinclair pulls his gaze from mine, but only so the real man can turn his head to look at me in reality. My heart stops beating as I turn my face to his, eager to hear what he has to share about our baby. “You’re his whole world – he’s never happier than when he hears your voice.”

“Really?” I squeak, tears flooding my eyes.

“Really.” Sinclair confirms, and I’m surprised and impressed to see there isn’t even the smallest hint of jealousy in his expression. “Everything I care about, is right here.” He continues, tugging me back against him a little, in a way that makes my delusional mind think that he might be talking about me as well as the baby. “You are making all my dreams come true.”

I’m shaking my head, tears flowing freely now. “Don’t you get it?” I ask hoarsely. “You gave me a miracle too.” I remind him. “It doesn’t seem fair that you should get me so many other gifts too.”

“Then it’s a good thing you aren’t in charge.” Sinclair chuckles, kissing my neck just where it connects with my shoulder and finally turning me back around. He wipes away my tears and slides the ring onto my finger. “Now everyone will know that we’re taking vows before the Goddess.”

ask. “But I

time to make it official.

maelstrom – let alone how I got

of frozen canals, and I can see hundreds of vendors set up on the ice. I’d love to go down and explore them, but ice skating has always been for rich people – not the likes of

of people for the procession.” Sinclair tells me as we look down on the wintry scene. “The processions will start here and weave through the old town

beginning. “But if it doesn’t start for an hour, then why did we come so early? You said

advantage of the peace and quiet and skate a little.” Sinclair suggests, keeping

to skate.” I whisper nervously, “And what about the

shakes his head, as if I should know better than to ask such a silly

to stop smiling. Sinclair has stayed glued to my side all night long, never letting me out of arm’s reach and holding my hand

on the baby or commenting on the campaign. The media also starts to arrive after someone tips them off about our early arrival, and it’s as

I don’t make it five feet before her catches me.

in the

‘So you just keep on trying to

and flames burst to life in his vibrant eyes. “Are

mate, even though I know