Chapter 17 - Labor
Claire’s water broke eleven minutes after the hearing ended.
At first she thought the warmth was fear.
Then the contraction hit.
Her obstetrician looked at the monitor. “We’re having this baby today.”
Richard went pale. “Today?”
Claire laughed despite everything. “Dad, that’s usually how labor works.”
For the first time in forty-eight hours, he almost smiled.
The delivery room was locked down. Only approved medical staff entered. Officer Collins stayed outside. Lily waited with Megan and Richard.
Claire labored for six hours.
She refused to let Grant’s name be spoken in the room.
When fear rose, she focused on Lily’s pink dress folded over a chair beside her bag. When pain became overwhelming, she remembered her mother’s letter.
Love can make smart people explain away things they would never accept from a stranger.
Not anymore.
At 8:42 p.m., Claire delivered a healthy baby boy.
He cried immediately.
Claire cried with him.
“Is he okay?”
“He’s perfect,” the doctor said.
Richard brought Lily in twenty minutes later.
She walked toward the bed slowly, eyes wide.
“That’s my brother?”
Claire smiled. “That’s your brother.”
“What’s his name?”
Claire looked at Richard.
“Evan.”
Her father’s eyes filled with tears. Evan had been Marianne’s maiden name.
Lily touched one tiny foot.
“He’s really small.”
“So were you.”
“I was?”
“Very.”
For one beautiful minute, the world became small enough to hold in Claire’s arms.
Then Officer Collins appeared at the door.
Claire knew from her face that something was wrong.
“What happened?”
“Grant was being transferred to county detention.”
Richard stood. “And?”
“The transport vehicle was hit at an intersection.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“Is he alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
Collins hesitated.
“We don’t know.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
Claire held Evan closer.
May you like
Grant had escaped.
SOFT PINK
