Accidental Surrogate

o the baby and I grip his hand, and we both wait… But nothing.

“The baby doesn’t like the name Matthew,” I whisper, laughing a little. “Well, it was just a starter,” Roger murmurs, grinning at me again. “You try one.” “All right,” I say, leaning my head back and taking a deep breath. And then I pass a name down, trying… Oliver.

“Oliver!?” Roger bursts out in disgust and I gasp, glaring at him.

“You are biasing our son!” I accuse, sitting up to smack him. “I said nothing when you said stupid Matthew!” “Matty is a cute name “he protests, laughing and blocking my blow. “Oliver is the name of a sickly Victorian child who wants more gruel -” I growl and lay back, taking a deep breath and gathering myself. “Well, let’s see what the baby thinks,” I murmur, sending Roger another glare. And then I try again, whispering Oliver? down the bond. But nothing comes back.

“Good baby,” Roger murmurs, kissing my stomach again and making me laugh.

“Don’t let her call you that. It’s terrible.” “Okay okay,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Let’s try one more.” “I’ll pick it?” Roger asks.

“Sure,” I reply, relaxing. “But this time, pick one you really, really like. One that you’d actually want him to be called – your favorite.” “Okay,” he murmurs.

And then Roger passes another name down the bond, and I smile, because… Because I love it.

And we wait… And then both Roger and I gasp at the same time as we feel the baby respond.

Happy!

up as Roger snatches me to him, pulling me

Laughing, elated, I take his face in

we just named the

we gathered up all of our sandy clothes and the blanket and trooped back to the house,

to the owner of the bungalow tapping on the door, bringing us a basket of food so we could eat something,

all my meals in bed, instead insisting that I come and sit with him on the couch for the elaborate dinner he made. Well, elaborate for Roger, who never learned to cook. But the spread of sandwiches and warmed soup

every day in baskets and otherwise laying in bed talking, making each other laugh, sending messages to the baby when he was awake

honestly, the baby never did much, but

we napped, and went swim and laid out in the sun. The entire time it was just…so natural, and so easy. Just Roger and I simply together, away from

had to get back – because

do this again, yes?” Roger murmurs, pulling me close outside the little bungalow after we’ve packed and locked up. “Next week?” I laugh and let him kiss me, let it sweep through me. “Maybe not next week. But soon.” He nods, giving me another little peck, before looking around. “I really like this place.

then I put a hand on my stomach. “But, considering that this little guy is coming along? We’re going to want more space.” “True” Roger says, his eyebrows raising. “And considering what the goddess said that night on the boat?…” I break into a grin. “You’re thinking more?” “I’m thinking a bunch more,” he nods, eager. “And I’m going to enjoy the process very much, Cora – ” “Oh, sure,” I say, laughing and rolling my eyes, shoving him away

tiny luggage

“Ella, loaded up with four of her own kids and as many nieces and nephews as we can pass over to her to raise? She’d be in

smiling down at him and stroking my belly fondly.