Accidental Surrogate

Sinclair

“What do you think about this one?” I ask, pulling Ella’s attention away from the rack of onesies she’s currently perusing.

“Oh, so you care what I want now?” She retorts, shooting me a sulky glare. She’s been pouting ever since we left our parenting class, and despite the instructor’s quick thinking to prevent us having a very public argument, I know Ella hasn’t gotten over my high-handed order regarding a hospital birth. We decided to spend our free afternoon shopping for baby gear before we ever left the house today, or I’m sure she wouldn’t have agreed to stay in my company. The stubborn creature has done her best to ignore me since our disagreement, only allowing me to touch her when required for class and barely speaking to me.

Now, as I’m considering cribs and strollers, Ella has placed herself as far away as she can get without leaving my sight, a line she seemed to understand she shouldn’t cross no matter how unhappy she is with me. Sighing, I cross the small shop until I’m looming over her. “Ella, of course I care about what you want. I didn’t mean to dismiss your feelings earlier, but there are some risks I’m simply not willing to take.”

“I just wanted to consider my options.” Ella grumbles back, crossing her arms over her chest and unintentionally pushing her pert breasts together. “I don’t even know that I would want a home birth, I just thought it was something to consider.”

Dragging my gaze from her lush body, I answer. “I understand that and if our situation were different, I wouldn’t have a problem with a home birth, but our situation isn’t different.” I reach for her, but she backs out of my reach. “If you want a water birth or a doula, we can arrange for those things at the hospital, but we need to be practical.”

Ella glowers up at me, her lower lip quivering dangerously. I have a bad feeling she’s about to cry, and suddenly I’m wishing she would growl at me again. I can’t recall ever hearing such a cute noise except from actual pups. I wasn’t about to let her get away with it, but it had also been very difficult not to smile. “I don’t want the baby to be high risk.” Ella finally shares, her voice husky. “It isn’t fair.”

“I agree.” I tell her seriously, hating the idea of either one of them being threatened. “But it is the reality, and we have to make sure you have the safest birth possible. In fact, if your blood pressure doesn’t come down by the end of the week, I think we need to go back to the doctor.”

Ella nods, fighting back a hiccup. Her golden eyes are shining, and I’m quickly losing my patience with the distance between us. “Okay.”

“Okay.” I repeat, ducking my head to try and catch her eye. “So are we friends again? Can we kiss and make up?”

Ella willingly comes into my arms, her small, warm body all tension and sharp edges. She snuggles into my embrace and breathes in my scent, though she doesn’t give up her sulking completely. “You better not be this bossy in the delivery room.”

I chuckle, low and deep, stroking her long hair. “Oh, you’re going to let me be in the delivery room?” I ask, surprised that she wants this, even though I always planned on forcing my way in.

To my surprise, Ella pulls back with a sharp intake of breath. “You are going to be there aren’t you?”

my wolf begins to instinctively purr. “Of course, sweet Ella. I’m not going to let you do it alone – even if you hate me when the time comes and try to

slows, but she eyes me suspiciously. “That

I would be there, not that I wouldn’t

even as she nuzzles her

I reply, relieved that we’re no longer at odds even though I find her feisty nature irresistible. I much prefer keeping our disagreements playful, rather than serious. “We haven’t talked about baby names either.” I realize aloud, “We should probably figure these things out before we go back to class.

can talk about names.” Ella agrees, seeming content to stay wrapped in my arms, even though other customers are already glancing

do?” I inquire, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice. “Or do you want to

She answers, making

let me go in order to do

weight against me. She steps back, smoothing down her dress as she considers the cribs

flash her my most wolfish grin. “How

might as well call him butch or spike!” She exclaims, her voice taking a

be Alpha one day, so it should be something strong.” I reply, still smiling at

someone strong –

“so you think calling our son daffodil will set

try to look down their nose at me, but somehow Ella manages. “I think if we call our son daffodil, he’ll redefine the word for generations

but he’ll also be bullied on the playground his entire childhood.” I reason, pretending to read the information sheet for one of

name him anything as ridiculous as Rex.” Ella replies, digging in her heals. “I just don’t think you should let something as arbitrary as a name decide

see, I believe there is great

“how about Henry, for

a very sweet idea.” I concede, pinning her with my gaze.

She shrugs, “but

been trying for so long… there’s no chance you have names already picked out, right?” I guess,