Accidental Surrogate

Henry nods and looks consideringly at the kids. “Will you let me do a bit of research, son?” he asks, smiling at them, “and get back to you on it? I hate to be cryptic, but I want very much to make sure that I’m right before I send you on a wild goose chase.”

“I think that’s just fine,” I sigh, reaching down and gathering my daughter up into my arms as Rafe rolls over and starts to burble at Jesse, who gives a little squeak of happiness and starts to laugh, reaching to grab at his cousin’s shirt. “I don’t think I have the energy to hear anything new just now.”

“You’re right,” Cora sighs. “We should let you get some rest. But…could I just…”

And I look up to see my sister clutching her hands against her chest, biting her lip, clearly dying to hold the baby but not wanting to make me giver her up if I don’t want to.

“Cora!” I laugh, holding Ariel up, “of course you can!”

Cora sighs happily as she gathers Ariel into her arms, murmuring sweet things to her. Of course, she was holding Ariel before – but this time it’s as an aunt, not a doctor. “Hey, sweet baby Ariel,” Cora coos, smiling down at her first niece as tears gather in her eyes. “I’m so excited to meet you!” She leans forward and kisses Ariel on her head. ” I’m going to be your favorite,” she whispers.

“No way,” Roger counters, leaning close to study our little girl. “She’s going to be a daddy’s girl, so favorite clearly transfers to nearest uncle.”

Cora just rolls her eyes at him but I smile, loving it to see my family play- fight over who is going to love our daughter the most.

Cora and Roger take a few more minutes with Ariel before passing her to Henry, who rocks her gently as I lean my head against Sinclair.

“She’s very beautiful, Dominic, Ella,” Henry says, looking up at us with moist eyes. “How lucky you are.”

“We are lucky,” Sinclair agrees, leaning forward to scoop Rafe into his arms, as he’s getting a little rambunctious with Jesse. “Little family of four. Sounds familiar, dad?”

his own happy baby.

my eyebrows at my brother-in-

blushes, instantly

of that ends right now,” I say, pointing my finger at the men in the family. “Ariel is going to have enough trouble growing up as the youngest girl cousin with Rafe and Jesse – I’m not going to

windows. “As progressive as we’d like to be,” he says quietly, “I do wonder how pigeon-holed she’s going to be by dint of being

only do so much – Ariel’s going to get all sorts of messages about who she’s supposed to be from the rest of the world as well

best,” Cora says with

says, his voice considering.

I ask, turning towards him,

says, hesitating, looking me up and down and clearly assessing how presentable I am, “they

I say, my eyebrows going up as I turn towards the windows again, realizing that Henry is right. Our people – they’ve been gathered for a long time, hoping for a glimpse

Cora protests, putting her hands out, “Ella should be allowed to

right,” I say, working to sit up and swinging my feet over the edge of the bed. “They’ve all been so nice, wanting

voice worried. “As

good, Cora, to go step onto the

her eyes

to Sinclair. “Honestly, this

rolls her eyes at me, clearly objecting to the plan, but three minutes later I’m dressed in a very pretty white robe, my hair neatly tied back, my crown perched on my head honestly as a practical afterthought rather than a serious accessory. My hair is not the neatest it’s ever

to me and wraps an arm around my waist, Rafe on his hip as we leave our bedroom. As we walk down the hall with Cora, Roger, Jesse, and Henry following close