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.

she says, shaking her head at us and smiling as she comes into the room. “Are you totally freaking

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

and reaching for the baby, which I gladly hand off to her. ”

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

Sinclair says kindly, smiling down at Rafe who yawns and looks around at us sleepily, a little confused. “They sleep a lot their first couple of weeks. And then, after that, they find ways to tell you what

should trade,” Roger says, looking dubiously

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, I still

him,” Roger murmurs, sighing and leaning

out 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 noticing him for the

mean, he honestly

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

face very curious. Rafe lets out another little squeak, more demanding this time, and reaches out his hands towards

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!

better be,” Roger murmurs.” Because they’re going to be together a lot. It’s going to be very inconvenient if they don’t like each

chest. “They will. Besides,

Rafe on the bed, letting him lean forward and

softly, her voice a little awed, “next to each other

“What?” Sinclair asks.

if she’s speaking from instinct. “Let’s

me and Roger and I just shrug, fine with it if Ella is. I don’t see Roger’s

and Ella very gently, very tentatively places Jesse next

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

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

four of us parents take a

– each and every

each other for a spilt second and then all of our eyes dart back

saying hello to his new cousin, who just sighs and

for a split second before she reaches down and gathers Jesse

wide-eyed at Ella. “Yeah, I think it’s fair to