Unexpected Inheritance

22

Miranda Bailey never slowed down for anything, but pregnancy had a way of reminding her she wasn't invincible. Being a small-town doctor with an intern under her wing gave her the rare luxury of stepping back when she needed to. She trusted Chloe enough to handle routine checkups and patient care, so on the days when pregnancy was winning—when her feet ached, her back throbbed, and the baby seemed determined to rearrange her insides—she settled into her office, tackling paperwork and supervising while Chloe took the lead.

Chloe had proven herself to be more than capable, and Miranda took a quiet pride in watching her work. The younger woman moved through patient rooms with confidence, handling everything from sore throats to minor injuries with skill. Miranda still kept a watchful eye, ready to step in if needed, but for the most part, Chloe had things under control.

"You're doing good work," Miranda admitted one afternoon as she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly absentmindedly.

Chloe grinned. "Coming from you, that's basically a gold star."

Miranda rolled her eyes but smirked. "Don't let it go to your head."

Chloe laughed, heading off to her next patient while Miranda propped her feet up on a spare chair.

Ben noticed the change in her pace. He'd often find her at home, curled up on the couch, papers in hand, but not doing much else. He never once mentioned it; instead, he quietly supported her, bringing her meals and making sure she got the rest she needed, even when Miranda stubbornly tried to keep going.

When the day finally came for Miranda to go on maternity leave, it was a bittersweet moment. She had always been the backbone of the clinic, and handing over the reins entirely to Chloe felt like both a relief and a small leap of faith. Chloe was more than capable, of course—Miranda had seen her grow and develop into an exceptional intern. But the idea of stepping away from her clinic, even temporarily, was a huge shift.

Chloe rose to the challenge. With Miranda at home, the clinic was entirely in her hands. She handled patient checkups, managed appointments, and kept everything running as smoothly as possible. Of course, Miranda made herself available by phone, and Chloe didn't hesitate to call when something needed her input.

Miranda still felt the itch to be involved—she'd check in daily, making sure Chloe wasn't overwhelmed and that the clinic was still operating up to her standards. But with time, she started to relax. Chloe was doing a great job, and the town had embraced her, trusting her care just as they had trusted Miranda's.

At home, Ben made sure Miranda actually took the break she was supposed to. He kept her off her feet as much as possible, reminding her that she'd spent her whole life taking care of others—now it was time for her to let others take care of her. It wasn't easy for her to let go, but knowing the clinic was in capable hands made it just a little bit easier.

One night, as they lay in bed, Ben had his usual routine of talking to Miranda's belly. His deep, soothing voice rumbled against her skin as he told their daughter about his day, about how her big brother was getting even better at roping, and about how he couldn't wait to meet her. Miranda listened, running her fingers through his hair.

Then, out of the blue, she asked, "Where were you born?"

"I was born at home," he replied. "So was Rosalind. Most people in this town were born either in the old clinic or at home. The town's been around for so long, and for the longest time, that's just how it was. Hospital births weren't all that common. It wasn't until the newer generations came along that more folks started heading to the hospital to have their babies."

"And what do you think about that? About home births? Would you want me to give birth at home?"

He took a deep breath, considering the question carefully. "Honestly? I don't know. It's your decision. But I think I'd be happy either way. As long as you're safe, and she's safe. I know some women feel more comfortable at home, with the people they love around them." He paused. "But I also understand if you want the hospital. I just want you to feel good about it."