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.

parents,” she says, shaking her head at us and smiling as she comes into the room.

are we supposed to like…do with him?” he asks, gesturing to the baby as Sinclair comes in after Ella, shutting the door and grinning at us. Rafe fusses, starting to blink

close and reaching for the baby, which I gladly

do,” Roger sighs as Ella folds her legs beneath her on the bed and Sinclair pulls a chair up to the bedside, completing our little group of six. “The rest…we’re going to

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

says, looking dubiously between Rafe and

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, I still

say I didn’t like him,” Roger murmurs, sighing and leaning against

sudden and all of our eyes turn to him as his own gaze fastens on his cousin, his eyes going wide

I mean, he honestly probably

coos, leaning forward so

very

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

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

better be,” Roger murmurs.” Because they’re going to be together a lot. It’s going to be very inconvenient if

smack on the chest.

as Sinclair sits Rafe on the bed, letting him

softly, her voice a little

“What?” Sinclair asks.

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

looks at me and Roger and I just shrug, fine with it if Ella is. I don’t see Roger’s response, but I don’t hear a protest, so I

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

very, very still for a moment as he stares at his

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

of us parents take a sharp intake

feel it – each

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

his new cousin, who

her mouth for a split second before she reaches down and gathers Jesse back up into her

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