Accidental Surrogate

“Oh geeze,” I say when we pull up to Cora and Roger’s house in the pre- dawn morning and see that every light is on. “You ready for this?” “Sure!” Sinclair says, grinning at me as he puts the car in park at the end of the driveway. “It will be a nice role reversal – this time Roger can be the one worried sick and I can be in the background cracking jokes.” “Aww, sweetheart,” I say, grinning at my mate and putting a soft hand on his cheek. “It’s cute that you think you’re funny enough to crack jokes.” Sinclair’s brows knit together as he frowns at me. “What are you talking about?

I’m very funny.” “Okay, baby,” I murmur, patting his shoulder as I turn to climb out of the car.

“I am!” he insists as he gets out of the driver’s seat and starts around the car.

“Dominic,” I sigh, hiding my teasing grin as I lean into the car and unbuckle Rafe, pulling him into my arms. “You have so many blessings. Why do you need to be funny too?” “Because I am funny!” Sinclair says, crossing his arms and glaring at me.

“Okay!” I say cheerfully, not contracting him but moving quickly towards the front door of the house without confirming either.

“Ella!” he scoffs, striding after me.

“What!?” I laugh, knocking on the door for once instead of just striding in because I want to give Cora and Roger their privacy if they’re not ready for us.

We did get here really fast, after all the roads were empty this early.

“I make you laugh all the time,” Sinclair says, still frowning down at me.

not your jokes.” He growls at me, starting to get a little miffed, and I burst into laughter. Sinclair opens his mouth to protest more but both of our attention snaps forward when the door flies open, revealing a harried

you to talk sense into her – ” “No, he doesn’t!” Cora calls, and, grinning, I peer beyond Roger to see her starting up the steps, leaning hard against the banister. “Everything is fine, please come in!” Roger sighs a deep, tortured breath and I pat him on his shoulder as I hurry past him and up the stairs to Cora, taking the plate of toast she’s carrying out of her hand, Rafe perched on my hip. Cora smiles her thanks at me and presses her hand to the small of her back as she

stair lift chair?” I ask, gesturing

Cora growls as she continues to lift herself up one step at a time,

eyes at her. “It’s just fun.” This makes her laugh a little and she. shakes her head at me. “Okay, good,” she says. “Someone sane is here. Can you please have Dominic just tie the other one up downstairs until this is all finished?” “Can you please talk some sense into her, Ella?” Roger calls from the bottom of the steps, and I turn

what?” I ask, looking between them, baffled. Because honestly Cora looks fine to me just very pregnant and in the early stages of labor.

enjoying seeing his big brother all freaked out. “This idea of a home birth was a terrible idea – what were we thinking -” “We decided on a home birth months ago, Roger!” Cora calls over her shoulder, sighing as she does. I grin at her as we get

him as Cora and I

the side table before lifting Rafe more securely into my arms. Cora climbs into bed and then puts her hands out for Rafe, who I lower for a, kiss, though I don’t pass him to her. She’s already got one

– there’s no reason to not do it at home, and I’ve got doctors coming to stand by just in case! Ridiculous,” she mutters, pulling the

a hospital,” Roger says, crossing

It’ll be fine I couldn’t be any safer.” “I had a home birth, Roger,” I say, turning to him and gesturing to Rafe, who gives a happy little squeak. “Or, well, a palace birth, even if it wasn’t our home yet. And everything turned out fine!” Roger’s face goes slack as he stares at me. “You almost died, Ella!” “Oh,” I say, turning my head to the side as I remember it. “Oh yeah!” I laugh a little, giving a shrug. ” Honestly, I always forget that part…” Roger just groans, turning away and covering his face with his hands. “He’s watched too much Little House on the Prairie,” Cora murmurs, rolling her eyes at me. “He thinks a home birth is all boiling water and screaming and blood everywhere – ”

to be fine,” I say, smiling at Roger’s turned back, but I turn back to Cora

five minutes apart.” “Did your water break?” She nods, but doesn’t answer, clearly gritting her teeth through the pain. I murmur to her consolingly and reach

god,” I hear Roger murmur, coming quickly to my side. “Is she…is she all right?” “I’m right here!” Cora growls,