Chapter 482 – New Baby Cousin

Ella

I see a yawn stretch across Cora’s face and immediately stand. “You’re exhausted,” I say. “We’ll let you rest.”

“No,” Roger says, suddenly frantic. “You guys can’t leave! What if—what if the baby cries and Cora sleeps through it? I have no idea what to do.”

I laugh at my brother-in-law and shake my head. “We’re not going far, Roger,” I say, pressing against Sinclair’s side as he also stands. “We’re going to sleep across the hall after we make sure Henry gets home safely. You’ll be able to shout if you need anything.”

“Oh, thank god,” Roger murmurs, slumping back against the pillows and covering his face with a weary hand.

“So dramatic,” Cora says, rolling her eyes but laughing. I grin at my sister, kiss her cheek, and blow a kiss to sleeping Jesse, my new perfect nephew.

“You guys sleep tight,” I say. “And really—we’re here if you need us. Or even if you want us to take the baby in the rolling bassinet; he can sleep in our room.”

“We’ll be fine, Ella,” Cora says, rolling her eyes.

“They do this all the time in hospitals—take the baby to the nursery so the mom can sleep! I could—”

“Stop trying to steal my baby,” she laughs, flapping a hand at me. “Just because you miss having a newborn.”

“I do,” I sigh, clutching my hands under my chin. “They’re so cute and tiny then…”

“Come and take your meatball, Ella,” Sinclair says, laughing, holding out my perfect little Rafe. I laugh, taking Rafe and holding him tight.

“You’re perfect too, Rafe,” I say, kissing his head. “No matter how big you get.”

Sinclair and I then bid our goodnights and close the door, leaving my sister and her mate to a peaceful night with their new baby.

As soon as we’re alone in the hall, I lean against the wall with an excited sigh.

“What is it this time?” Sinclair says, grinning as I hold Rafe close.

“I’m just so excited,” I say, smiling up at him. “I get to do that again in what, six months? I love the newborn stage! I love the first night, when you can’t sleep because you can’t bear to close your eyes and stop looking at them! I’m so excited. I’m not going to be able to sleep.”

“You really were born to be a mom, trouble,” my sweetheart says, running a hand through my hair. I grin, nodding fervently. “Luckily,” he says, raising an eyebrow. “I do not at all mind the process of knocking you up. Not one bit.”

“Dominic!” I gasp, swatting him and covering Rafe’s ear. “Not in front of the baby!”

“Ella,” Sinclair says, laughing as I start down the hall. “We have sex in front of the baby all the time—”

“Yes, but that’s natural,” I say, laughing and throwing a haughty look over my shoulder. “Baby Rafe doesn’t need to hear all your lewd innuendos.”

“It wasn’t even an innuendo,” Sinclair murmurs, pulling me to him, a little roughly, in the dark room.

“Well, mind your manners,” I murmur, my voice low. “Because we have competition now for best Sinclair parents. And I am not losing to those two idiots in there.”

“Not a chance,” my mate says, laughing. “We’ve got them beat hands down.”

“I know, right?” I say, wrinkling my nose. My mate kisses me swiftly before swatting my rump.

“You get the baby ready for bed, I’ll make sure Dad gets home?” he asks, heading for the door.

“You got it,” I say, giving him a thumbs-up and a wink. Sinclair nods, smiles, and leaves me with the baby.

“Well, Rafey,” I say, laughing as I swing the baby over my head. “You have a new cousin today, and a new bond! What do you think?”

Rafe burbles happily, and I smile as I carry him to the changing table, getting him ready for bed.

“I’m very happy for you, Rafe,” I say sternly. “But if you like your new cousin more than your new little sister, just because you have some weird kind of bond? If that happens, we’re going to have big problems. Okay?”

Rafe grins, babbling as I pull up his tiny zipper.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” I say, pulling him into my arms. “And I’m holding you to it, even though you don’t even really speak English yet.”

When Sinclair returns about half an hour later, Rafe and I are cozily settled on the bed, playing with his blocks. I grin when my mate shuts the door.

“Don’t let me interrupt,” he says, removing his blazer.

“Please do,” I say, sitting up. “We missed you.”

My mate gets into bed fully dressed to be with his family. I smile, knowing this is our happy place.

“Are you sleepy? Hungry?” he asks.

“Both,” I say, shrugging. “But we should wait until Rafe falls asleep.”

Sinclair nods, glancing at his son before opening his arms. I cuddle close.

“I’d love you anyway,” I say quietly, “but I have to say, I really love that you’re basically a furnace of body heat that always keeps me warm.”

Sinclair laughs. “Glad I can be of service,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. “What made you think of that?”

“Don’t you feel it?” I ask. “It got so cold suddenly. I don’t know what happened.”

“I guess I didn’t,” he murmurs, “but apparently I’m a furnace, so maybe it makes sense that I—”

He stops, his jaw dropping as he looks at the window.

“What?” I ask, but I don’t tense because the feeling through our bond is joy and wonder. I turn to see what he sees.

“Oh my god,” I say, breathless. “It’s—it’s snowing!”

Huge flakes of snow drift down.

I watch for a moment before frowning. “Isn’t it…isn’t it way too early for snow?” I ask.

“Well,” Sinclair says, laughing. “When your mom is a demigoddess who controls the weather, probably not.”

“Ohhh,” I say, understanding. “Oh, that is so special,” I murmur, pressing a hand to my heart. “What a wonderful way to welcome your baby to the world!”

“Welcome, baby Jesse,” Sinclair sighs, pulling me close as we watch the snow. Rafe crawls to us and I pull him onto my lap.

“And welcome Princess Babygirl,” I murmur, laughing at the placeholder name. Sinclair laughs. “Cora doesn’t know it yet, but this is for you too. We love you so much already.”

I sigh, feeling the warmth of my mate and baby, and the new bond with my daughter growing—and I close my eyes, feeling blessed.