Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 481– A New Family

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.

at us and smiling as she comes into the room. “Are you totally

tear of mirth from his eyes. “What are we supposed to like…do with him?” he asks, gesturing to the baby as Sinclair

suppose to love him,” Ella says, coming close and reaching for the baby, which I

and Sinclair pulls a chair up to the bedside, completing our little group of six. “The rest…we’re going to need some

little confused. “They

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

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 arms. “Even if Roger is inept,

Roger murmurs, sighing and leaning against

turn to him as his own gaze fastens on his cousin, his eyes going wide like he’s

mean, he honestly probably

see the baby, Rafe?” Ella coos, leaning forward so that Rafe can meet Jesse

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

at his son with a fascinated and pleased expression.

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

Because they’re going to be together a lot.

giving him a light smack on the chest. “They

Sinclair sits Rafe on the bed, letting him lean forward and continue

them down,” Ella says softly, her voice a little awed, “next to

“What?” Sinclair asks.

beyond herself, as if

and I just shrug, fine with it if Ella is. I don’t

his back and lays him out on the blankets, and Ella

usually rambunctious Rafe stays very, very still for a moment as he stares at his cousin.

the moment they touch, when Rafe’s fingers brush against Jesse’s cheek,

four of us parents take a sharp intake of

we all feel it – each and every one of

all of our eyes dart back to our kids, who are still touching, just barely,

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

Ella says, her hands going to her mouth for a split second before she reaches down and gathers

head to see him staring wide-eyed at Ella. “Yeah, I