Surrogate For Alpha Dom

Ella

The morning of the moon ceremony finds me, unsurprisingly, in the kitchen. Eating.

Rafe is with me this time, giggling happily as I dance happily around the room with him, singing about how delicious carrots are as I pour some baby carrots out from their bag onto a plate and begin to munch on them..

–

I’m just getting to the part of the song – which I’m making up as I go along about how they’re good for your vision and help you make friends with rabbits when I hear an odd, familiar sound out in the hall.

I gasp, spinning towards the door as the mechanical hum grows louder, and I’m nearly run over when Henry wheels into the room.

“Henry!” I gasp, tears instantly lining my eyes, stumbling in my hurry to hug him close, almost falling into his lap.

“Steady, girl!” Henry laughs, putting out his hands to catch me and help me find my feet, laughing a little. He beams up at me and I’m laughing too, shaking my head at myself as I lean down to give him a proper hug and then a kiss on both cheeks.

“We missed you so much!” I gush, my heart in my throat as I pull away. “I’m so glad you’re home and in time! A miracle!”

“Certainly took some doing,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me. “I rode in a cargo plane to get here – this little man had better impress.” He shifts his gaze, then, to the baby in my arms.

“Oh!” I say, standing up straight and remembering my manners. “Henry, may I please have the pleasure of introducing you to your grandchild?”

“Nothing would give me more joy,” he replies, his own eyes wet now.

first time, trying hard no to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment. “This is Rafe Henry Sinclair,”

a beauty, Ella. Wonderful.” He shakes his head, staring at my son. Though I’m overwhelmed by the moment, part of me

stairs and look towards the

1. it.

the other. Sinclair bends down low to give his father a long, warm

as we all buzz around

1/3

raising my

“I say, pointing between Henry and Sinclair, “go into the living room, take the baby, and relax. I’ll bring in

nod and comply, heading out of the room. A few minutes later I follow them carrying a silver tray heaped with coffee and food. My stomach rumbles as I look down

wonderful, Ella,” Henry says fondly, looking down at his grandchild when I enter the

room.

I’m easily persuaded of that,” I say casually, putting the tray down on the coffee table and sitting close next to Sinclair. “Would

it’s all the same to you,

see

little bowling ball when you were born. With the same shock of

up, with Henry telling us all about the harrows of his travel back to us, how much

I gasp,

no,” Henry says, looking between us. “It wasn’t a secret, was

“I

say, my eyes filling with tears again at the thought of seeing my friends.

him glance at the door. He’s torn, I know, between wanting to spend time

say, giving him a nudge and a smile.

sure?” he asks, glancing at me

Then he smiles and pats the arm chair next to him. “You come sit by me,