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.

no to be overwhelmed by the

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

hear footsteps on the stairs and look towards the door, smiling when I see Sinclair

1. it.

back as Henry turns his chair, raising one arm towards his son, the baby still held in the other. Sinclair bends down low to give his father a long, warm hug and I

for the next few minutes as we all buzz around each other, trying to do nice

1/3

laugh after a minute, raising my hands

the living room, take the baby, and relax. I’ll bring in coffee in a moment. Then we’ll catch up.

few minutes later I follow them carrying a silver tray heaped with coffee and

looking down at his

room.

easily persuaded of that,” I say casually, putting the tray down on the coffee table and

up at me. “I mean if it’s all

to see

you,” Henry says, smiling at my mate. “You, too, were a little bowling ball when you were born. With the same shock of black hair.”

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

I gasp,

Henry says, looking between us. “It wasn’t a secret,

me. “I didn’t

filling with tears again at the thought of seeing

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

giving him a nudge and a smile.

you sure?” he asks, glancing at me first and

His father says, waving his hand at his son. Then he smiles and pats the arm chair next to him. “You come sit by me,