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.

I murmur, rushing over to Roger and taking my eldest baby up

me and giving me a little hug as Rafe rests his

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 I’m could be accused of

that. I just… like being

Rafe’s sweet head and turning

reaches a hand out

Rafe’s hand, leaning over to kiss it. ” But we were busy! Mom was doing all

the baby, and Rafe sits

all stay very still for a moment, watching the siblings meet for the first time, but suddenly Rafe gives a little cry of disgust and turns his

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

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

completely. Rafe turns his head, peering at his sister like she’s a little alien or a completely foreign species, which makes me

I hear Cora

she mouths to me, and I laugh

rubbing his back while

against her cheek I

it too?” I breathe, suddenly very

his sister for the first time. Ariel squirms a little in her

what is it?”

and grinning, “just like with

up straight and looking down into her arms at her

babies. “What do you think that

Sinclair murmurs, peering curiously

down at my fresh new baby. “Is it enough to be born and then get a new bond in

asks, his voice dry. “She’s going to have