Accidental Surrogate

Ella

We all go a little pale, I think, as we consider the possibility that Cora, too, is an accidental – or not so accidental – surrogate.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” I say suddenly, shaking my head but a little shaken – I admit – by the idea that the baby was conceived during a storm that basically forced Roger and Cora off the road and into an empty room with not much in it besides a bed. It seems…a little too convenient to be chance, didn’t it?

“This is your baby, Cora,” I say with assurance, knowing it to be true.

“She’s right,” Roger says, nodding at Cora without doubt in his eyes. “You are this baby’s mother, and I’m its father, and that’s the end of the story. All right?”

Cora nods, but I can see her hesitate still.

“We’ll get answers, Cora,” Sinclair says quietly. “I agree with Ella and Roger – but if you’d like, we can consult the elders, like we did when we wanted information on how Ella was pregnant.”

“Oh,” she says, her eyebrows going up “Yes, can we do that? That would be great.”

Sinclair nods, giving her a little smile and letting her know that he’ll set it up as soon as can be arranged. I realize something and gasp with excitement, bouncing a little on the bed.

“Maybe you’re a wolf, Cora!” I say, “like me! Maybe you just didn’t realize it! Maybe the same thing happened!”

“No, Ella,” Cora says, laughing at my excitement a little. “Our mother made it very clear to me on the temple steps that day – two daughters, one wolf, one human. I’m the human.”

“Oh,” I say, suddenly disappointed. But I take a deep breath and dismiss the thought, wrapping my arms around my sister’s shoulders and pressing my cheek to hers. “Well, whatever!” I say, cheerful. “Whatever this baby’s genetic makeup is, I’m excited. And we’ll love little ‘it‘ so much.”

“I’m inclined to think the baby is a hybrid,” Sinclair says, carefully laying down on the bed and putting his head in my lap, resting the baby on the bed next to him, letting Rafe have some tummy time. “The first of its kind. Which is…very cool.”

“Why do you think

half human, it maybe makes some kind of logical sense that you only have access to

mind that,” he murmurs, and then he looks at Cora and

think it’s cool that we don’t know the gender,” I sigh, looking over at

know Rafe’s,” Sinclair reminds me. “I seem to remember you tackling

there’s something good about the mystery too. The

drawing my attention back to her and I see her looking at Roger, grinning at the clear

a sigh “It’s not usual for wolves

like someone telling you that it’s Christmas but then having

sister laughs again and reaches forward to give him

a boy,” she accuses, her grin deepening. “You won’t be able to rest

Cora, rueful, but doesn’t deny

girl!?” I gasp, my hands flying to my heart. “A lovely little girl!?”

Sinclair reminds me, laughing

agree, shooting him a very tiny glare before turning back to Roger. “But I also wanted a

girl.”

want both?” he asks, confused but

just can!” Everyone is laughing now and I turn

me

at me. “I’m team girl. If we have a boy I’m handing it immediately off to Roger,” she declares, though we all know she doesn’t mean it as she pretends

her hands off and be