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.

at him, “but I’m laughing at you, 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

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 concentrates

use the stair lift chair?” I ask,

she continues to lift herself up one step

Dominic just tie the other one up downstairs until this is all finished?” “Can you

looks fine to me just very pregnant and in the early stages of labor. And she

support but unable to keep a little smile from his mouth, clearly 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 to the top of

as Cora

where I place her toast on the side table before lifting Rafe more securely into my arms. Cora climbs into bed and then puts her hands out for

with a sigh after she gives Rafe a sweet kiss and musses his hair. “I’m perfectly healthy – there’s no reason to not do it at home, and

hospital,” Roger says, crossing his arms as he comes into the

him a little glare as she settles the blankets just how she wants them. “My sister, the magical healer, is here. 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

turn back to Cora when I hear her moan a little. ”

apart.” “Did your water break?” She nods, but doesn’t answer, clearly gritting her teeth through the

she…is she all right?” “I’m right here!”