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 barely contain

Sinclair asks, opening the door to the living compartment of

that activates a little metal platform that lowers

so that Henry can wheel

hand and pulling her with me to Sinclair’s side.

there enough beds? Is there a

me, shaking his head as Henry maneuvers himself

go in, Ella,” he says, nodding

stairs. “Explore. Let yourself be

as my mate suggests, hurrying up the steps and

as I look around. It’s absolutely gorgeous

is so

wow,” Cora says, her eyes as wide as mine as she climbs in after

is…amazing.”

me as we

leather table space, the little

adorable, cleverly designed bathroom

to it. But I really gasp

away in the back

bed,

say, quickly unbuckling Rafe from his

the bed which is as comfortable as it looks. “Oh, I

beds – ”

at me from the doorway.

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

bed,” she says,

groan as I remember

for her and Roger. “Well then where do I

says, appearing in the

for me and

dad will

back

in here with Cora and Roger? I won’t take up much space –

take the baby

hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair

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

had access to any of our possession since we left the bunker.

ground and snaps his fingers at me

Ella. That’s my

it,” I whine,

keep the mischief out of her eyes even

she’s serious. “I’m pregnant.

then, glaring at her

all laugh as I huff my

better be comfortable,” I say to my

him.

Queen,” he says, following me back into the main living area of the

Roger and Cora a moment

surprise, Henry has already settled himself at the

into a space where the passenger seat should be. He gives

a set of maps.

and how cleverly it’s been made accessible for

in a wheelchair.

wrapping an arm around my

Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around

bright lights.

as I give him a big smile. “How long

there? To

tomorrow,” Henry calls over his shoulder

agreement. “Oh,” I say with surprise. “So

tonight?”

a shrug.

we get. It’s part of the

for people to know

think,” I say, glancing out the

he says, placing a finger beneath my chin and turning

right, Ella,” he says softly.

let me… let me give this to you, as well as to

soft smile finds my face as I