Page 94 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“I’ll try to rein it in.”

“Please do.” He sighed and headed toward the steps.

The door opened and a blonde girl came out, smiling. “Pierce. It’s so good to see you.” She gave him a big hug, and then she turned her curious gaze on me. “And you’re the alpha that changed his mind.”

“Oh, I still think most alphas are arrogant.” Pierce smiled. “But I give Seth a pass.”

“I see you haven’t completely changed.” She laughed and held out her hand to me. “I’m Trina, by the way.”

“Ah, yes. The glue that keeps the clinic running smoothly.”

“Did Pierce say that?” She eyed him. “I certainly don’t do it alone. You know when you left you made my work harder, right?”

“I couldn’t stay up here forever.”

I leaned forward. “I, for one, am glad he left.”

“I’ll bet you are.” She patted Pierce’s slightly rounded belly. “You’re showing early. It’s good you came up when you did.”

“I know. I don’t have that many big shirts. It was getting difficult to disguise.”

“Well, come up in the office and we’ll get some blood. I’ve got your cabin stocked with healthy juices and water. But I know you love your junk food, so I made sure there are some chips and cookies too. Just don’t overdo it.”

I smiled at Pierce. “He’s been eating salt-and-vinegar chips like crazy.”

He grinned. “I would eat them in my sleep if I could.”

“Those will make you retain water.” Trina shook her head.

“Everything makes me retain water. I’m bloated day and night.” He held on to my arm as we went up the steps.

She showed us into a small examination room, and Pierce got up on the table. “We’ll have you come in later in the week for the sonogram. The machine is a little wonky lately, so we’re having it looked at later today. Right now I just want to weigh you and get your blood. Are you taking prenatal vitamins?”

Pierce slid his gaze away. “Sometimes.”

She scowled. “Pierce. You know better. The baby needs those nutrients.”

“The pills are so big they gag me.” He bit his lip.

“Then crush them up and throw them in a smoothie or something. But you have to take them.”

“Fine.” He sighed.

She shook her head. “I’m surprised at you. You definitely know better.”

“I said I’ll take them.”

“I’ll make sure he does.” I moved closer to him.

“Okay.” Trina grabbed a needle from a tray nearby. “Hold out your arm.” She swabbed his skin with a cotton ball and inserted the needle.

Pierce winced and closed his eyes. She filled two vials with blood, and then she slapped a bandage over the tiny hole on his arm. “You seem a little thin. Have you been eating okay?”

He shrugged. “I’ve had more nausea than I expected this late in the game.”

“Hmm.” She crossed her arms. “Be sure and tell Dr. Peters about that. Morning sickness shouldn’t be a huge issue going into your final trimester.”

Her comment made my stomach clench with nerves. “I hate that the solar eclipse omegas aren’t examined until so late in the pregnancy.”