Accidental Surrogate

It takes a little over two hours, but finally the last of the doctors leaves, the door clicking shut behind them.

“Finally,” Roger sighs, falling back into the linens of the freshly-changed bed.

“Now we just have to get our stupid family to leave and we’ll get some sleep – ” “Excuse me,” I say, glaring over at him. “If you think you’re tired -” “Fine fine,” he sighs, turning his head to grin at me. “You’re right. What can I get you, my love? Do you want anything?” The doctor officially gave me and Jesse a clean bill of health after I delivered the placenta and Jesse had his first feeding and full check-up. It was, of course, a relief to have everything turn out right and relatively easy -especially in comparison to Ella’s experiences – but now that they’re all gone?

Honestly, it all feels very real.

Like now I have to be a mom, and Roger has to be a dadall by ourselves.

“I don’t know,” I say, laughing a little and looking between Roger and our little baby. “Honestly, it’s all kind of weird, isn’t it? All of this fuss and then they just… leave you alone with a baby. To do what you will.” “I know,” he says, looking at me with wide eyes. “I’m glad you know what to do.

I’m totally lost.” “I don’t know what to do!” I protest, laughing and shaking my head.

“What!?” he breaths, sitting up sharply.

“I’m just a doctor, Roger!” I say, laughing harder now and feeling a little hysterical as well as exhausted. “People come to me pregnant, but then I send the babies home with them! I don’t know what to do with a kid – that’s Ella’s department.” “Well then,” he says, looking anxiously towards the door. “I take back my previous words. Ella has to stay – for like, ever.” “Or at least until this kid is six -” “Can we push to seven?” Roger asks, looking at me with real anxiety that just makes me laugh harder.

There’s a little knock on the door but suddenly Roger and I are laughing too hard to answer it. It cracks open anyway and Ella again peeks her head in.

“I thought I heard the hysteria of new parents,” she says, shaking her head at us and smiling as she comes into the room. “Are you totally freaking out?” “Full meltdown,” Roger says, wiping a tear of mirth from his eyes. “What are we supposed to like…do with him?” he asks, gesturing to the baby as Sinclair comes in after Ella, shutting the door and grinning at us. Rafe fusses, starting to blink awake in Sinclair’s arms.

at Rafe who yawns and looks around

if Roger is inept, I still like him.” “I didn’t say I didn’t like him,” Roger murmurs, sighing

turn to him as his own gaze fastens on his cousin, his eyes

he honestly probably

you want to see the baby, Rafe?” Ella coos, leaning forward so that Rafe can meet Jesse face-to-face for the

delight when my sweet nephew really does lean forward to see Jesse, his face very curious. Rafe

god,” Sinclair murmurs, looking down at his son with a fascinated and pleased expression. “He really does want to go to him!” “This is Jesse,” Ella says, laughing a little as she beams at her own baby. ” He’s

other.” “Oh,” I scold, giving him a light smack on the chest. “They will. Besides, shut up, I want to watch this…” And the two of us lean forward as Sinclair sits Rafe on the bed, letting him lean forward and continue to reach for

her voice a little

herself, as

and Roger and I just shrug, fine with it if Ella is. I don’t see Roger’s response, but I don’t

Sinclair gently flips Rafe on his back and lays him out on the blankets, and Ella very gently, very tentatively

usually rambunctious Rafe stays very, very still for a moment as he stares at his cousin. And then he begins to turn, and almost gently reaches for Jesse

it – each and

for a spilt second and then all of our eyes dart back to

babbles a little, saying hello to his new cousin, who just sighs and

hands going to her mouth for a split second before she reaches down and gathers Jesse back up into her arms. ” Did you guys…” “Um, yeah,” Roger says, and I

I think it’s fair to say we all felt that.” “What was it?”