Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 385 – Long Miles

I gasp a few hours later when I see the gigantic RV that rolls up out front of the clinic.

“Seriously?” Hanks says, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at it, somewhere between impressed and revolted by the extravagance. “The gas mileage on that thing must be horrible

“Ohhh,” I say, laughing and swatting him on the arm with one hand, the other holding Rafe’s carrier where he’s already bundled and ready. “Don’t spoil my fun, Hank – you’re just jealous because you’re not coming.”

“Yes,” Hank murmurs, giving me a good-natured side eye. “Yes, there’s absolutely nothing I want more in the world than to be cooped up in a tin can with Roger and Cora for forty-eight hours. You’re right.”

I laugh when I consider this point, stepping closer to Hank and wrapping him in a one-armed hug that he’d probably rather avoid. But we’ve grown a lot closer in the past few days, working together, and well? If he’s going to be my friend, then he’s going to have to get used to a great deal of affection.

“You’ll be all right here when we’re gone?” I ask, pulling away.

“Ah, don’t worry about me,” Hank says with a little smirk and a shrug. You guys have bigger things on your plate.”

“When I come back,” I say, looking at him seriously now, hoping he understands how much he means to me – to all of us. “We’re going to do big things, okay? Help a lot of people. With the gift, and with your skills.”

“That’s all I want, Ella,” Hank says seriously, giving me a nod and a little smile that’s likely the most emotion I’m going to see from him anytime soon. But then his eyes drift to Cora and Roger who come through the door of the clinic and I know…well, I know that what Hank says about this being all he wants is a little bit of a lie. And my heart aches for him because I know now, for sure, that he’ll never get it.

I purse my lips a little, trying not to let him see me pity him. But he catches me in the act.

“Don’t,” Hank sighs, shaking his head at me. “I’m good, Ella. I really am.”

“I know,” I say, putting a hand out to his shoulder. He gives me a sad little smirk before turning back into the clinic – intent, clearly, on busying his mind so that he doesn’t have to think about her. Cora and Roger call brief goodbyes to Hank before coming to my side to admire the RV.

“It’s huge,” Cora says, her eyes wide.

“It’s not so big,” Roger says with a shrug. But Cora and I both roll our eyes at him as Sinclair parks the vehicle and climbs out of the driver’s seat. Cora and I didn’t grow up with much as kids, and we’ve certainly never been on a vacation like this – with a whole fancy vehicle reserved just for us.

I’m so incredibly excited I can barely contain it.

pushing a button that activates a little metal

her with me to Sinclair’s side. ” Is it nice? Are there enough beds? Is

his head as Henry maneuvers himself onto the lift. “Just go in, Ella,” he says, nodding

do as my mate suggests, hurrying up the steps and gasping with excitement again as I look around. It’s absolutely gorgeous inside, and everything is

her eyes as wide as mine as she climbs in after

with me as we wander around the space, admiring the gorgeous kitchenette with its white leather table space, the little living area that comes after that, the adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that makes the most of the minimal space allotted to it. But I really

its king-sized bed, and

from his carrier and groaning as I sit down with him on the bed which is

Cora says, smirking at me from the doorway. “What do you think you’re

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

says, her

then I groan as I remember Sinclair’s promise to her – a big bed for her

the doorway behind Cora. “The couches transform – one into a queen for me and you, and the other

into the pillows. “Can I sleep in here with Cora and Roger? I won’t take up much space –

filled with his and Cora’s stuff which isn’t much, considering we haven’t had access to any of our possession since we left the bunker. Roger places the bags on the ground and snaps his fingers at me when he straightens up. “Up, Ella. That’s my

it,” I

keep the mischief out of her eyes even

her for playing

making them all laugh as I huff my way back to the living room. “But this queen-sized bed better be comfortable,” I say to my

the main living area

has already settled himself at the front of the RV, locking his chair into a space where the passenger seat should be. He gives me a little wave before turning back to a set of maps. I take a moment to admire the ingenuity of the vehicle and how cleverly it’s been made accessible for

Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and looking down at Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around at all

I say, meaning it as I give him a big smile. “How

tomorrow,” Henry calls over his shoulder and Sinclair nods in agreement. “Oh,” I say with

part

I say, glancing out the

face back to him. “It’s all right, Ella,” he says softly. “You can relax. Enjoy it.