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.

place Rafe in his grandfather’s arms for the first time, trying hard no to be overwhelmed by the beauty of

says, looking up at me, touched, and then down at the baby. “He’s a beauty, Ella. Wonderful.” He shakes his head, staring at my son. Though I’m overwhelmed by the moment, part of me reflects that I’m glad Henry met Rafe while the baby is in a good mood.

stairs and look towards the door, smiling

1. it.

give his father a long, warm hug and I bite my lip to see it. Sinclair

noise for the next few minutes as we all

1/3

minute, raising my hands and

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

with coffee and food. My

Henry says fondly, looking down at his grandchild when I enter

room.

coffee table and sitting close next to Sinclair. “Would you like me to take

it’s

eagerly, touched deeply to see the bond forming

like you,” Henry says, smiling at my mate. “You, too, were a little

my lip, pleased to hear these sorts of details that Sinclair wouldn’t know. “Do you have pictures?” I ask, curious. Henry nods eagerly and promises to show them to me next time I’m over. We spend a pleasant half hour catching up, with Henry telling us all about the harrows of his travel back to us, how much he wanted to

gasp, excited.

looking between us. “It wasn’t a secret, was it?”

me. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed if

I say, my eyes filling with tears again at

kisses my hair, but I also see him glance at the door. He’s torn, I know, between wanting to spend time with his dad and the duties I know

a smile. “We’re

he asks, glancing at me first

says, waving his hand at his son. Then he smiles and pats the arm chair next