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.

incredibly excited I can

opening the door to the living compartment of the

activates a little metal platform that lowers itself to

Henry can wheel onto

and pulling her with me

beds? Is there a

laughs at me, shaking his

“Just go in, Ella,” he says,

“Explore. Let yourself

suggests,

again as I look around. It’s absolutely gorgeous

is so shiny

wow,” Cora says, her eyes as wide as

is…amazing.”

sister comes with me as we wander

with its white leather table space, the

that, the adorable, cleverly designed bathroom

minimal space allotted to it. But I

in the back

king-sized bed, and

quickly unbuckling Rafe from his carrier and groaning as I

bed which is as comfortable as it

beds – ”

smirking at me

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

says,

then I groan as

for her and Roger. “Well then where do I

Sinclair says, appearing in the

into a queen for me and you, and the other

dad will take –

tossing my head back and

with Cora and Roger? I won’t

the baby and

in hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair into the room

his and

had access to any of our possession since we

the bags on the ground and snaps his fingers at me when

“Up, Ella. That’s my

I need it,” I whine, pouting at

the mischief out of her

pregnant. I need my

then, glaring at her

making them all laugh as I huff my

bed better be comfortable,” I say

him.

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

giving Roger and

surprise, Henry has already settled himself at the front

space where the passenger seat should be.

to a set of

and how cleverly it’s been made accessible for

in a wheelchair.

two ready?” Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around my

at Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily

bright lights.

him a big smile. “How long do you

get there? To

tomorrow,” Henry calls over his

I say

tonight?”

says with a shrug. “We have to see

of the adventure, and part of

know where we’ll be

out the windows. “That

he says, placing a finger beneath my chin and turning my face back

right, Ella,” he says softly. “You can relax.

lately – let me… let me give

a soft smile finds my face as I realize that