Page 124 of Anchor
Reid sat beside her, one hand gripping hers, the other resting over his knee. His posture was rigid at first like he didn’t quite believe he was allowed to be here for this part. But when the faintwhoosh-whoosh-whooshof the heartbeat kicked in, his hand tightened on hers and didn’t let go.
Claire looked at the screen, throat catching. “That’s… fast.”
Tuck’s voice came from just behind the tech’s shoulder. “One-forty. Right on target.”
Claire turned her head slightly, catching sight of him now, dressed in black scrubs, chart in hand. The mostoverqualified PA in women’s and children’s medicine, and also the chief facility director of Chase Medical, watching his niece-in-law—at least that was what he called her—and nephew like they were both patient and family. Which they were.
Reid said nothing, still staring at the screen.
Claire whispered, “That’s our baby?”
Reid nodded slowly. “That’s our baby.”
The sonographer gave a quiet smile. “I’m just capturing stills here… Spine looks good. Femur length within normal range. Head circumference normal… Um, do you want to know the sex?”
Claire looked at Reid. “Do you?”
He raised a brow. “Do you?”
She nodded. “There have been too many surprises.”
Reid laughed. “Tell the lady what she would like to know.”
Tuck smiled. “It’s a baby girl.”
Claire and Reid stared at each other, both a bit overwhelmed.
Tuck stepped closer and peered at the screen, something tightening in his expression. His drawl, always thicker when he was tired or concerned, came low. “Placenta’s a little low.”
Claire turned her head. “What does that mean?”
He didn’t sugarcoat it. “Could be nothin’. Could be startin’ a previa.”
Reid glanced over. “What is that?”
Tuck sighed. “Placenta implants low, near or over the cervix. Could cause early bleeding. Could mean early bed rest. C-section if it doesn’t correct. Happens. But we’re catchin’ it early, and I’m gonna watch it like a hawk.”
Claire swallowed. “Okay.”
Tuck kept scanning the screen, then lifted a page in her chart. “Also, you’re anemic.”
“Am I?”
“Mhmm.” He fixed her with the full Tuck Hanlon Look. “Your chart says you’ve been losin’ weight, not gainin’. You takin’ your prenatals?”
Claire hesitated. “Mostly.”
Tuck arched a brow. “Mostly.”
She tried to smile. “I’ve been… working.”
He clicked his pen. “Claire, I’m gonna say this once, and I’m sayin’ it as both your provider and your kin. That child don’t give a damn how many hours you’re clockin’. You’re carryin’ a life. That comes first. Iron-rich foods. Three full meals. You miss a pill, you double up next dose. You don’t skip again.”
Her cheeks flushed. But his voice didn’t rise; it just landed with certainty.
Reid reached over and rested a hand on her belly. “We’ll do it together.”
Claire nodded slowly, everything catching up to her. “I’m sorry.”
