The Mystical Attraction of Alpha

It takes a little over two hours, but finally the last of the doctors leaves, the door clicking shut behind them.

“Finally,” Roger sighs, falling back into the linens of the freshly-changed bed. “Now we just have to get our stupid family to leave and we’ll get some sleep – ”

“Excuse me,” I say, glaring over at him. “If you think you’re tired -”

“Fine fine,” he sighs, turning his head to grin at me. “You’re right. What can I get you, my love? Do you want anything?”

The doctor officially gave me and Jesse a clean bill of health after I delivered the placenta and Jesse had his first feeding and full check-up. It was, of course, a relief to have everything turn out right and relatively easy -especially in comparison to Ella’s experiences – but now that they’re all gone?

Honestly, it all feels very real.

Like now I have to be a mom, and Roger has to be a dadall by ourselves.

“I don’t know,” I say, laughing a little and looking between Roger and our little baby. “Honestly, it’s all kind of weird, isn’t it? All of this fuss and then they just…leave you alone with a baby. To do what you will.”

“I know,” he says, looking at me with wide eyes. “I’m glad you know what to do. I’m totally lost.”

“I don’t know what to do!” I protest, laughing and shaking my head.

“What!?” he breaths, sitting up sharply.

“I’m just a doctor, Roger!” I say, laughing harder now and feeling a little hysterical as well as exhausted. “People come to me pregnant, but then I send the babies home with them! I don’t know what to do with a kid – that’s Ella’s department.”

“Well then,” he says, looking anxiously towards the door. “I take back my previous words. Ella has to stay – for like, ever.”

“Or at least until this kid is six -”

“Can we push to seven?” Roger asks, looking at me with real anxiety that just makes me laugh harder.

There’s a little knock on the door but suddenly Roger and I are laughing too hard to answer it. It cracks open anyway and Ella again peeks her head in.

thought I heard the hysteria of new parents,” she says, shaking her head at us and smiling as she comes into

to like…do with him?” he asks, gesturing to

suppose to love him,” Ella says, coming close and reaching for the baby, which I gladly hand off to her.

as Ella folds her legs beneath her on the bed and Sinclair pulls a chair up to the bedside,

down at Rafe who yawns and looks around at us sleepily, a little confused. “They sleep

should trade,” Roger says, looking dubiously between Rafe and Jesse. “Yours

and looks at me like she’s considering the idea but I just laugh and shake my head. “You can’t take my baby, Ella,” I say, crossing my

Roger

a surprised little screech all of a sudden and all of our eyes turn to him as his own gaze fastens on his cousin, his eyes going wide like he’s

I mean, he

Rafe?” Ella coos, leaning forward so that Rafe can meet Jesse face-to-face

sweet nephew really does lean forward to see Jesse, his face very curious. Rafe lets out another little squeak, more demanding this

his son with a fascinated and pleased expression. “He really does want to go to

says, laughing a little as she beams at her own baby. ” He’s your new cousin! And I think you’re

Roger murmurs.” Because they’re going to be together a lot. It’s going to be

him a light smack on the chest. “They will.

as Sinclair sits Rafe on the

down,” Ella says softly, her voice a little

“What?” Sinclair asks.

says, almost beyond herself, as if she’s speaking from instinct. “Let’s just…try

is. I don’t see Roger’s response, but I don’t hear a protest, so

Rafe on his back and lays him out on the blankets, and Ella very gently, very tentatively places Jesse next to him, close enough for Rafe

Rafe stays very, very still for a moment as he stares at his cousin. And then he begins to

touch, when Rafe’s fingers brush against Jesse’s cheek,

parents take a sharp intake of

we all feel it – each and every

and then all of our eyes dart back to our

little, saying hello to his new cousin, who just sighs and closes

a split second before she reaches down and gathers Jesse back up into her arms. ” Did you