#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

him?” he asks, gesturing to the baby as Sinclair comes in after

says, coming close and reaching for the baby, which I gladly hand off to her. ” And, you know.

legs beneath her on the bed and Sinclair pulls a chair

little confused. “They sleep a lot

says, looking dubiously between Rafe and Jesse.

grins suddenly and looks at me like she’s considering the idea but I just laugh and shake my head. “You can’t take

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

turn to him as

mean, he

Rafe?” Ella coos, leaning forward so

to see Jesse, his face very curious. Rafe lets

son with a fascinated and

she beams at her own baby. ” He’s your new cousin!

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

on the chest. “They will. Besides, shut

as Sinclair sits Rafe on the bed,

her voice a little awed, “next to

“What?” Sinclair asks.

beyond herself, as if

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 Sinclair gently flips Rafe on his back and lays him out on the blankets, and Ella very gently, very tentatively places Jesse next

stares at his cousin. And then he

the moment they touch, when Rafe’s fingers brush against Jesse’s cheek, and Jesse’s little eyes flutter

us parents take a sharp

all feel it – each

around at each other for a spilt second and then all of our eyes dart back to our kids, who are still touching, just barely, skin to

new cousin, who just sighs and closes his eyes

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

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

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