Accidental Surrogate

Accidental Surrogate Chapter 385-Long Miles

I gasp a few hours later when I see the gigantic RV that rolls up out front of the

clinic.

“Seriously?” Hanks says, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at it,

somewhere between impressed and revolted by the extravagance. “The gas

mileage on that thing must be horrible

“Ohhh,” I say, laughing and swatting him on the arm with one hand, the other

holding Rafe’s carrier where he’s already bundled and ready. “Don’t spoil my

fun, Hank – you’re just jealous because you’re not coming.”

“Yes,” Hank murmurs, giving me a good-natured side eye. “Yes, there’s

absolutely nothing I want more in the world than to be cooped up in a tin can

with Roger and Cora for forty-eight hours. You’re right.”

I laugh when I consider this point, stepping closer to Hank and wrapping him in

a one-armed hug that he’d probably rather avoid. But we’ve grown a lot closer in

the past few days, working together, and well? If he’s going to be my friend, then

he’s going to have to get used to a great deal of affection.

“You’ll be all right here when we’re gone?” I ask, pulling away.

“Ah, don’t worry about me,” Hank says with a little smirk and a shrug. You guys

have bigger things on your plate.”

“When I come back,” I say, looking at him seriously now, hoping he understands

how much he means to me – to all of us. “We’re going to do big things, okay?

Help a lot of people. With the gift, and with your skills.”

“That’s all I want, Ella,” Hank says seriously, giving me a nod and a little smile

that’s likely the most emotion I’m going to see from him anytime soon. But then

his eyes drift to Cora and Roger who come through the door of the clinic and I

know…well, I know that what Hank says about this being all he wants is a little

bit of a lie. And my heart aches for him because I know now, for sure, that he’ll

never get it.

I purse my lips a little, trying not to let him see me pity him. But he catches me in

the act.

“Don’t,” Hank sighs, shaking his head at me. “I’m good, Ella. I really am.”

“I know,” I say, putting a hand out to his shoulder. He gives me a sad little smirk

before turning back into the clinic – intent, clearly, on busying his mind so that

he doesn’t have to think about her. Cora and Roger call brief goodbyes to Hank

before coming to my side to admire the RV.

“It’s huge,” Cora says, her eyes wide.

“It’s not so big,” Roger says with a shrug. But Cora and I both roll our eyes at

him as Sinclair parks the vehicle and climbs out of the driver’s seat. Cora and I

didn’t grow up with much as kids, and we’ve certainly never been on a vacation

like this – with a whole fancy vehicle reserved just for us.

so incredibly excited I can

Sinclair asks, opening the door to the living

little metal

Henry can wheel

say, taking Cora’s hand and pulling her

beds? Is there a kitchen?

just laughs at me, shaking his head as

lift. “Just go in, Ella,” he says, nodding towards

stairs. “Explore. Let

my mate suggests, hurrying up the steps and

look around. It’s absolutely gorgeous inside,

so

eyes as wide as mine as she climbs

is…amazing.”

me as we wander around the space, admiring

with its white leather table space, the little living area

that, the adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that makes the

minimal space allotted to it. But I really gasp when I

away in the back

bed,

Rafe

as comfortable as it looks. “Oh,

beds – ”

Cora says, smirking at me

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

bed,” she says, her wicked

as I

her and Roger. “Well then

says, appearing in the

one into a queen for me and you,

dad will take

tossing my head back

and Roger? I

the baby

in hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair

with his and Cora’s stuff which isn’t much,

of our possession since we left the bunker.

bags on the ground and snaps his fingers at me when

“Up, Ella. That’s

need it,” I whine, pouting at

Cora says, unable to keep the mischief out of

serious. “I’m pregnant. I need my

then, glaring at her

them all laugh as I huff my way

bed better be comfortable,” I say to my mate

him.

following me back into the

and Cora a moment

has already settled himself at the front of the RV,

a space where the passenger seat should be. He gives

set of maps.

how cleverly it’s been made

in a wheelchair.

Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around

at Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around

bright lights.

him a big

to get there?

there sometime tomorrow,” Henry calls over

nods in agreement. “Oh,” I say with surprise. “So where will we

tonight?”

says with a shrug.

It’s part of the

know where we’ll be

glancing out the

placing a finger beneath my chin and

he says softly. “You can

me give this to you, as well as to

soft smile finds my face as I