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.

his grandfather’s arms for the first time, trying hard no to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment. “This is Rafe Henry Sinclair,” I say quietly, watching

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

footsteps on the stairs and look towards the door, smiling when

1. it.

to give his

the kitchen is filled with happy noise for the next few minutes as we all buzz around each other, trying to do nice things for each other and make sure

1/3

laugh after a minute, raising my

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

heading out of the room. A few minutes later I follow them carrying a silver tray heaped with coffee

really is wonderful, Ella,” Henry says fondly, looking down at

room.

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

quickly, looking up at me. “I mean if it’s all the same to you, I’ll hold him a little

see the bond forming between

a little bowling ball when you were born. With the same

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 get here in time for the ceremony. He also catches us up on the lives of our friends who we unfortunately had to

gasp,

between us. “It wasn’t a secret,

says, smiling at me. “I didn’t want you to be

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

wanting to spend

nudge and a smile. “We’re perfectly all right here on

he asks, glancing at me first and then his

smiles and pats the arm