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.

you feeling, Ella?” Cora asks, pulling back from me and putting a hand

and shrugging. I look down at my stomach. “He’s just swimming around in there, giving me

should be too small to kick,” Cora wonders, frowning and probing my belly. “You’re only three months

smile. “It’s easy to get the timeline mixed up, especially

down at myself. “I felt about five months pregnant a few weeks ago, in the desert would have sworn it. But now it feels like more? I don’t know. It’s

leaning forward and pressing the stethoscope to my back to listen to my heart and

then Cora performing a

for a good report. I’ve been quite good lately, even if it’s been boring – no stairs, spending most of my time in bed, really just doing nothing but getting fat on all

to grow

“print” on the little machine so that we can have a picture of it “From my

to remind you that you’re still quite fragile,

think, deep down, I was hoping

in so easily, and

Ella?” Cora asks, looking

get out of bed.” I take her hand and squeeze it, looking between her and Hank. “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

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

reaching a hand out to Cora next. “Cora,” he says, “I’ll

I can’t help my mouth from falling open a little. “Yes,” she says,