Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“And I am leaving immediately,” Roger adds in, making us all laugh. “Seriously,” he says, “I’m useless until the kid is old enough to throw a ball. Then, it’s all Uncle Roger.” (2

I smile at him, pleased, and take his hand to squeeze it, letting him know how glad I am that he came. His eyes soften as he looks at me, and I know he feels the same.

“All right,” I say, sighing and climbing into the bed. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Then, everyone goes to their work, Roger and Hank leaving the room and Cora sitting next to me to help me through the first steps of breastfeeding. Sinclair sits close by, clearly interested, but not interfering as Cora shows me how to help the baby latch. I feel a whole new rush of emotion as I feel him begin to suck, as I feel the milk start to flow and feed my baby.

“There,” Cora says softly, and I look at her with tears in my eyes. “See? You’re a natural.”

“Where should he sleep?” I ask, looking around, suddenly desperate. We don’t have a basinet, of course.

Cora just shrugs. “You’ll figure it out. Use your mom instincts. People were having babies for thousands of years before hospitals came to answer these questions for them about how to have their first night.” She grins a little wickedly at Sinclair and me. “I don’t think you two are going to get much sleep anyway, but…you’ll figure it out.”

I laugh a little and return my gaze to my baby, whose eyes are closed as I hold him warm against my chest. “That’s right, baby,” I whisper. “We’re going to figure it out.”

“Okay,” my sister says, standing and giving me a kiss on the forehead. “You’re a marvel, Ella,” she whispers. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll see you at the hospital tomorrow.”

I nod, but don’t look at her, instead staring at my son. My new baby, this much- and long–desired child who is finally, finally here.

I feel the weight of Sinclair’s body on the bed next to me as the door clicks shut behind Cora, but I don’t take my eyes away from Rafe as Sinclair wraps his arms around me.

“Well,” Sinclair sighs, pressing a kiss to my hair. “This is the start of a whole new era. Are you ready for it?”

mate, eager. “I’m ready for it. I’ve been waiting for this

through the doors of the palace but I also feel oddly…complete. It’s more than the general happiness I

the knowledge that I have a new little nephew now, to raise and to help discover the world. There’s something

bottom of the steps, wanting to make sure that it’s safe to leave, and begin to take a step when he waves me forward. However, I jump when I hear the voice behind me.

says. And I know without turning who it belongs to. I turn, meeting Roger’s eyes. “I hear we’re going to be godparents

deep in his pockets.” Well, that’s not much of a surprise. The

enough that I can almost feel his words as breath on my cheek, as well as hear them. “But only one of us is

the little laugh that spills out of me at that, and I look down at my feet. “Well,” I say, a little awkward. I

see his

mad. “What are you even doing here? Weren’t you

hand back, perhaps wanting to pretend like he never reached but for mine. He gives a casual little shrug, looking out at the newly–quiet city. “The troops quelled the riots, but that doesn’t mean that everyone went

steps to where my car is parked. “Thanks for the thought,

after me, his

Roger! I don’t

what?” he asks, challenging me. “You don’t need help getting

growl, almost through my teeth, shaking my head at him. “Seriously? Now? You

he asks, his voice angry now. “The absolute nothing that

words back at him, but he’s too quick

I wanted to,” Roger pushes, “how could

I ask, sarcastic, my eyes going wide. “Is that the great barrier? Have you never heard of this thing called

conversation over a phone, Cora?” Roger asks, closing the distance between us, his voice hurt

that is us. There’s nothing to say.” I grit my teeth and turn then, heading back down the

him to see the new dampness