Accidental Surrogate

“So you’re all right? You’re both all right?” My mate asks, pressing his forehead to mine, still reeling from the strange news of the Dark God’s gift.

“We are,” I say, nodding, sure of it. And then I shift again, passing the baby to him. “See for yourself, new papa,” I sigh, placing the little girl in her father’s arms.

On Sinclair’s face, and through our bond, I see his heart absolutely melt. ” Oh god,” he sighs, shaking his head as he stares down at his little girl. “I’m a gonner, Ella. This one she’s already got me in the palm of her hands, even as I hold her in mine.”

“Don’t worry,” I sigh, curling up next to him, indulging in the sight of my mate the one I love most in the world falling in love with our tiny daughter, as I’ve already done. “I won’t tell her the power she wields.”

“It will be our secret,” he says with a nod and a little smirk on his lips. We’re quiet for a moment, studying her, when suddenly I realize that she doesn’t have a name.

“What do you think?” I ask quietly, resting my head on his shoulder. “Is she an Emma? Or an Eloise?”

My mate’s smile deepens as he looks up at me, and I already know his answer before he says it, because it’s precisely the same as mine.

Those names are great – but they’re not hers.

“Nah,” Sinclair says, grinning at me before turning back to his little girl. ” She’s totally, completely an Ariel.”

“I know,” I sigh, tracing a finger down her cheek. “Welcome to the world, Ariel Sinclair. You are already so, so loved.”

And Ariel stretches her mouth in a wide yawn before snuggling down in her father’s arms, happy and content. Sinclair and I both laugh to see it, and I know that his heart, like mine, is so very full. I pass my joy and love down the bond to both of them, and am totally thrilled when Ariel gives a little tentative pulse of love back as she gets used to her new surroundings.

The next hour or so is busier than I’d like, with the doctors returning to the room so that I can finish the after- business of labor and ensure that our sweet Ariel is healthy and happy. But even as I feed her for the first time, and deliver the placenta, and take a shower, and am completely exhausted through it all, I can’t stop smiling and turning towards Ariel in the room, eager to keep my eyes on her.

My baby – my little girl. I’m so filled with excitement that she’s here, that she’s mine. God – her whole life is out there in front of her, and I just can’t wait to see her live it.

Once the doctors have given us the final okay – at least for now, the nurses, of course, will be on hand all night in case we need help with anything – we settle in together as a family. Roger comes into the room with a tearful Rafe on his hip as Cora finishes bundling Ariel into a swaddle and hands her off to Sinclair. Henry wheels into the room after Roger with a sleeping Jesse in his lap, looking excitedly for his first granddaughter as he closes the door behind him.

“Mama!” Rafe shouts, his voice so terribly sad it breaks my heart.

baby,” I murmur, rushing over to Roger and taking my eldest baby up into my arms. “It’s all right, we

Ella,” Roger murmurs, smiling at me and giving me a little hug as Rafe rests his head against my chest. Henry and Cora come close, Cora wrapping her arm around Roger’s

ever,” I sigh, shaking my head. He really is my little Velcro baby pretty much always with me. But, then again, it’s not entirely his fault

know if I mind that. I just… like

little guy,” I murmur, stroking Rafe’s sweet head and turning to where Sinclair walks over with the baby.

reaches a hand out

murmurs, smiling at his son and taking Rafe’s hand, leaning over to kiss it. ” But we were busy! Mom was doing all the work to bring you a

and Rafe sits up straight to

meet for the first time, but suddenly Rafe gives a little cry of disgust and turns his head away, pressing his

at Rafe’s tiny jealousy and I stroke his head some more, murmuring sweet things to him as I carry him over to our freshly-made bed, the rubbered sheets and soiled linens thankfully already changed. I sigh a little with gratitude, thinking that it’s perhaps a little nice to be queen for things like this. And then I sink down against my pillows, taking

to be nice to sissy, Rafe,” I whisper to him as he peers at his father, clearly allowing his curiosity about his baby sister win out over his jealousy. Sinclair sinks down on his side of the bed and moves so that his side is pressed against mine. Henry wheels close, handing Jesse up to Cora as she

so that he can see into Sinclair’s arms more completely. Rafe turns his head, peering at his sister like she’s a

is Ariel,” Sinclair whispers to his son, and I look up to my other side when I hear Cora gasp. I grin when I see her pressing her hand to her chest, her eyes squeezed nearly

mouths to me, and I laugh and nod eagerly, turning

back

against

too?” I breathe, suddenly

smiles at his sister for the first time. Ariel squirms a little in her swaddle,

what is it?” Cora

to her and grinning, “just like with Rafe

says, standing up straight and looking down into her arms at her

between the babies. “What

the dark, brother,” Sinclair murmurs, peering curiously at Jesse now.

too much?” I ask, suddenly anxious, looking down at my fresh new baby. “Is it enough to be born and then

asks, his voice dry. “She’s going to