Accidental Surrogate

Home with Baby Ella

I hear Sinclair sigh heavily next to me, murmuring “Ella…”

But I ignore him, my eyes fasted on Hank, who blushes a deep red at the door and looks down at his shoes. I don’t say a word, though, or make this any easier on him. Instead, I wait patiently for an answer.

“Cora is,” he murmurs, awkward, “very special to me…

“I would imagine so,” I reply, my voice harder than I think I expected it to be. “She’s a very special person.”

Hank sighs and raises his eyes seriously to mine. I hold his gaze steadily.

“I’m very serious about Cora,” he says evenly. “I want to build a life with her. But we are moving…slowly. We both want to make sure that this is right.”

My heart warms when I hear him say that he wants to build a life with her, but still – what does that mean? I hold my baby closer to me and shift in my seat.

“And do you want to have childre-”

“Ella!” Sinclair bursts in, his voice angry, a hand on my arm.

“What!” I cry, turning to him with a frown. “It’s a legitimate question!”

“It’s none of your business!” He hisses back to me, his eyes wide and appalled.

–

my sister’s business is

My frown deepens as I open my mouth to object to my mate business, after all – but Hank clears his throat, bringing my attention back to him.

else,” he says, his eyes flicking between Sinclair and I now,

is at an end.

free from my interrogation.

the room, my eyes on my baby.

admonishing. I look into his eyes, still mad.

have. If Hank also isn’t on the same page

information. “And what’s Cora’s

let me get information that I

know…” He brings his eyes back to me, though. “Either

settling back onto the pillows. “If they’re all too stupid enough to not talk to each other about it, then I

leaning back on the chair. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected any

Then, I kiss him on his little head. “Don’t worry, baby,” I whisper to him. “I’ll teach

laugh in his chair, but doesn’t bother to

finally get home, all three of us exhausted by the activities of the day. But Cora finally gave us the go–ahead when Rafe’s

gift baskets and flowers waiting for us. “Oh,” I say, fascinated, moving forward to look at them all. Then I look up at my mate. “Did you do all

“ They look to be presents from friends and well–wishers. See?” He points to one filled with hand–drawn cards set

them…” I bite my lip against the sudden rush of feelings, overwhelmed by all the

towards the stairs. “We’re way too tired for this – if you get into all

looking over my shoulder at it as Sinclair guides me up the stairs, a

be there in the morning,” Sinclair says, steady, yawning. “Now?

sigh, nodding to his wisdom and allowing myself to be shepherded upstairs. When we reach the door to our bedroom, though, my eyes fill with tears again as

between his fingers, exhausted but wanting to be there

my voice trembling a little, looking between him and the baby. “Just…we’re bringing him home for the first time, Dominic. Putting him to sleep in his own little bed. It’s just…” I shrug, not really knowing how to put all of my emotions into words. “It’s

much as mind as he confirms this. I know, he says, simply. And so I rest my body against him – against the warm, steady bulk of him, grateful –

me. And that every moment of it – even