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?”

Roger just laughs, scooping up his own happy baby. “You know that makes

ask, raising my eyebrows at my brother-in- law

and blushes, instantly

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 tolerate any

with the plan. Sinclair surprises me, though, by sighing and turning towards the 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 a Princess. The world will enjoy a tomboy Princess for a couple of years, if

lean closer to him as I realize that he’s right. Our family can only do so much – Ariel’s going to get all sorts of messages about who she’s

Cora says with a firm nod, and I turn to

Henry says, his voice considering. “Before you take your

turning

and clearly assessing how presentable I

up as I turn towards the windows again, realizing that Henry is right. Our people – they’ve been gathered for a

Cora protests, putting her hands

edge of the bed. “They’ve

hesitates, her voice worried. “As your doctor

self-healer,” I say, my voice dry as I get to my feet, “I’m good, Cora, to go step onto the

gasps, her eyes going wide at

robe,” I say, rolling my eyes at her and handing the baby off to Sinclair. “Honestly, this whole thing will take four minutes, and then I’ll be back

my crown perched on my head honestly as a practical afterthought rather than a serious accessory. My hair is

baby 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 behind, I frown a bit at Sinclair’s crown and then Rafe’s – which he