Accidental Surrogate

Ella

The next morning I’m up and dressed early, eagerly glancing towards the door every few minutes because I know Cora is coming to see me. It’s a social visit as well as a medical one–I run my hand over my belly, eager to hear what she has to say about Rafe’s growth and progress.

A hear someone at the door of my bedroom and I gasp, spinning towards it. But I just scowl when I see that it’s Sinclair standing there, smiling at me, and not my sister. He bursts out laughing when he sees my disappointment

“Really?” he asks, pretending to be hurt as I pick up the television remote and start to flick through the channels. “Days ago you were desperate to see me – have I fallen out of favor so fast?”

“No,” I sigh, looking up at him apologetically. He gives me a warm smile, his eyes flicking over me, making sure I’m okay. “I just can’t wait to see her. And she was telling me some really weird things about her and Roger – actually, has he said anything

Sinclair holds up a hand to me, stopping me and glancing down the hall to where someone is climbing the steps.

“Cora!” I cry, throwing my legs off of the bed and working to hoist myself up. Sinclair moves aside and I see Hank and Cora at the door.

“No no –” Doctor Hank says, putting out a hand towards me, palm out. “Stay in bed, Ella – no need to get up. We’ll come to you.”

I frown at him (for more reasons than one) but stay on my bed Luckily, Cora gives a little shriek of joy and throws herself into my arms, where I get to wrap her up tight. I laugh and tell my sister how glad I am to see her while Hank, also smiling, places his bag on my side table and starts to unpack it.

back from me and

good,” I respond, smiling and shrugging. I look down at my stomach. “He’s just swimming around in

wonders, frowning and probing

easy to get the timeline mixed up, especially if you grew up human and are really used to

felt about five months pregnant a few weeks ago, in the desert would have sworn it. But

stethoscope to my back to listen to my heart and breathing. “If we can keep you healthy enough to maintain his rate of growth. Deep breath in, please.”

my general health and then Cora performing a check on the baby. She even used a little portable ultrasound machine that Sinclair ordered so that we could do these kinds of checkups at home while I’m still

hold my breath through the whole process, desperately hoping for a good report. I’ve been quite good lately, even if it’s been boring – no stairs, spending most of my time

grow strong.

the ultrasound and pressing “print” on the little machine so that we can have a picture of it “From my end, everything

to remind you that

the baby and I are healthy, I scowl when I hear about more bedrest. I think, deep down, I was hoping that I’d be miraculously healed and

is holding, though there are some humans who are protesting against giving in so easily, and Sinclair as initiated the start of peace talks between our two peoples. Still, there are so many on both sides who

all right, Ella?” Cora asks, looking at

“But thank you – I understand that I can’t. It’s all for the best, and I can learn to be patient. Will you tell me, though?” I beg, looking up at the

know. I promise I won’t hold you back He gives me a nod and the start of a smile, which I return brightly. I can tell

out to Cora next. “Cora,” he says,

blush. A blush. I can’t help my mouth from