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?”

my head to grin up at my mate, eager. “I’m ready for it. I’ve been waiting

doors of the palace but I also feel oddly…complete. It’s more than the general happiness I feel after one of my patients

there’s something…else in the air. More than just a job well done. I reflect, suddenly, that maybe it’s the knowledge that I have a new little nephew now, to raise and

safe to leave, and begin to take a step

And I know without turning who it belongs to. I turn, meeting Roger’s eyes. “I

him as he walks slowly over to me, his hands sunk deep in his pockets.” Well, that’s not much of a surprise. The two lone siblings of the father and the mother.”

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

of me at that, and I look down at my feet. “Well,” I say, a little awkward. I haven’t talked to Roger in weeks, let alone

says, hesitating, and I see his

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

gives a casual little shrug, looking out at the newly–quiet city. “The troops quelled the riots, but

I’m fine,” I snap, turning away from him and heading down the steps to where my car

calls after me, his

“What, Roger! I don’t need

asks, challenging me. “You don’t need

I growl, almost through my teeth, shaking my head at him. “Seriously? Now? You want to dig into this now, after months of silence

Cora?” he asks, his voice angry now. “The absolute nothing that is us?”

back at him, but he’s

even if I wanted to,” Roger pushes, “how could I? You’re always with him.”

ask, sarcastic, my eyes going wide. “Is that the great barrier? Have you

Cora?” Roger asks, closing the distance between us, his voice hurt now as well

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

Certainly not wanting him to see