Unexpected Inheritance

26

Miranda had been stubbornly working at the clinic despite Ben's constant reminders that she needed to slow down. But when the contractions started—real ones, not the Braxton Hicks she had brushed off before—she had no choice but to admit it was time.

Ben was practically buzzing with excitement as he helped her settle into one of the birthing suites. "Our son's about to be the first baby born in the new clinic," he said proudly, adjusting the pillows behind her. "That's history right there."

Miranda shot him a look between breaths. "Oh, great. Put that pressure on me while I'm in labor."

Chloe, who had shown up the moment Ben called, chuckled as she checked Miranda over. "You're progressing nicely. Looks like baby boy ready to make his debut."

Tuck arrived not long after with Meadow in tow, the little girl bouncing excitedly while Tuck just looked like he'd rather be anywhere but witnessing another birth.

"Don't faint this time," Miranda muttered between breaths.

Tuck crossed his arms, muttering, "Not my fault there was so much blood."

Meadow climbed onto the chair beside the bed, eyes wide. "Mama, brudder coming?"

Miranda nodded, breathing through another wave of pain. "Yeah, baby. He's coming."

Ben stayed by her side, whispering encouragement, rubbing her back, and, of course, getting his hand crushed when contractions hit hard. He was grinning the whole time, even when Miranda cursed him under her breath.

"You're enjoying this way too much," she muttered through gritted teeth.

"I mean... a little," he admitted, smoothing her hair back. "It's just—I can't believe we're doing this here."

Miranda exhaled, gripping his shirt. "Yeah? Well, I can't believe we're doing this again."

Meadow, eyes wide, clutching her stuffed horse as Miranda groaned through another contraction looked up at Ben, her little face scrunched in concern.

"Why Mama hollerin' so much?"

Ben bit back a laugh, glancing at Miranda, whose expression very clearly warned him not to say anything that would piss her off right now. Instead, he crouched down beside Meadow. "Well, baby brother is getting ready to come out, and it's a lot of hard work for Mama."

Meadow blinked. "Brudder being bad?"

Miranda exhaled, her voice tight. "Yes."

Ben chuckled. "Nah, he's just taking his time."

Tuck, who had been lingering by the door, took one look at Miranda's increasingly tense expression and decided now was the time to make his exit. He clapped his hands together. "Alright, Meadow, let's go play outside for a bit."

Meadow hesitated. "But Mama—"

"She's got Dad and Chloe," Tuck assured, already guiding her toward the door. "Come on, we can race."

Meadow perked up. "Okay. But I win."

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see."

Ben smirked, rubbing Miranda's back. "You know, he handled that pretty well."

Miranda exhaled through another contraction. "At least one of you had the sense to run."

Ben grinned. "Not a chance, baby. I'm in this with you."

"I meant me,"

"Miranda, now wouldn't be the best time for you too run,"

"I meant I should've ran that night in the cabin. Now instead I let you get me pregnant again," She groaned