Chapter 10
Sadie
Sadie stepped up to the counter of the receptionist’s desk and noted that the name plate declared her name to be Jean. The dark-haired woman greeted her with a warm, friendly smile. “Hello. How can I help you?”
“Hi. My name is Sadie Swallow, and I have an appointment with Dr. Johnson.” She’d found his name online and checked his reviews. Everyone stated that he was a wonderful family practice physician, with most people giving him five out of five stars.
Jean checked on her computer to confirm the appointment. “Yes. I see you right here. I need you to fill out some paperwork for me, and I’ll need a copy of your driver's license and insurance card.” She handed over a packet of papers on a clipboard with a pen.
“I’m self-pay. I spoke to someone last week about it.
” She hoped the receptionist knew what she was talking about because if it cost more than what she was originally quoted, she might have to reschedule.
Normally, Sadie would have gone to a gynecologist to get on birth control, but with no insurance, a specialist bill would be way more than a regular family doctor.
Again, Jean checked the computer. “Oh, yes. I see there’s a note right here. We’ll collect your payment after your visit.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She handed the woman her driver's license, then surveyed the half-full room to find a seat.
She crossed the room and took a seat near a corner, next to a fake tree that looked like it could use a good dusting.
She set her purse on her lap, then balanced the clipboard on top of it and began filling out what felt like an endless stack of papers.
It took about fifteen minutes, but she finally managed to finish them.
She took the forms and the clipboard back to the reception, who said that she would be called back in a little bit.
Sadie resumed her seat and pulled her cell phone out of her purse.
She pulled up the latest book she’d been reading and settled in to wait.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before she heard her name called.
The nurse led her down a hallway where she was instructed to step up on the scale to check her weight.
From there, she was taken to an exam room and told to have a seat in a chair so the nurse could check her vital signs.
Once she was finished, the nurse gathered her things and told her the doctor would be in shortly.
A soft knock on the door announced the doctor’s arrival just before the door swung open and he slipped inside.
He carried a small laptop balanced on his left arm and extended his right hand in greeting.
She guessed him to be in his late forties, maybe early fifties, with the light sprinkle of gray at his temples.
His warm brown eyes matched his friendly smile as he introduced himself.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Johnson.” His eyes shot to her forehead.
She shook his hand and replied, “Hi. I’m Sadie.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sadie.” He set his computer on the short counter and took a seat on a rolling stool. “Do you care if I ask how that happened?” He pointed to her stitches.
“I was attacked last night while getting into my car.” Her hand gently prodded at the area.
His brows formed a deep V as he frowned. “Seriously? Did they catch the guy?”
“Unfortunately, they did not catch the man.” She was fine letting him assume the police were involved and looking for the attacker.
“Other than the stitches, are you doing all right?”
“Yes, thank you for asking.” She really didn’t want to continue discussing her attack or her attacker.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He turned to his computer, then said, “It says you are here today to get on birth control?”
“Yes.” She gripped her hands nervously in her lap.
“Okay. I’m going to ask a few routine questions to start. When was your last period?”
“Uh,” she tried to remember, but was coming up blank. She’d been so busy with all the crazy stuff going on in her life, she hadn’t given it much thought until now. Her heart started to race, and she felt her face flush as the implications started to take root. “I, uh,” she stammered again.
The doctor looked up. “Has it been a while?”
She laughed nervously. “Yes, I guess it has been. I’ve had so much going on in my life that I haven’t really thought about it.”
“What kind of things are going on in your life?”
“Well, several months ago, my brother was killed. Then I was having issues getting custody of my five-year-old nephew. We moved to Redemption not long ago. I’ve started a new job.
” She ran a hand through her hair. She wasn’t about to tell him that she’d been kidnapped, drugged, and forced to have sex with a stranger.
No. No way was she divulging that bit of information.
God only knew what kinds of questions he would have with that.
“Well, as you know, stress can affect your cycle. How about we do a pregnancy test first, just to rule out the possibility, before we start you on birth control? How does that sound?”
“Sure. Sounds good.” She didn’t feel nearly as confident as she pretended to be. In fact, she was pretty sure what the test result would be, although she was going to live in the land of denial until she heard the words from the doctor.
The doctor stepped out of the room to send his nurse to get her.
The nurse took her to a small bathroom, gave her a cup to pee in, and told her to set it on the little shelf in the wall.
Once she was done, someone would retrieve the sample through the little door that opened on the other side.
Sadie did as instructed, then washed her hands before returning to the exam room.
By the time the doctor returned with the results, she was a nervous wreck. Her stomach was nauseous again, but she wasn’t sure if it was her nerves or something else. The door opened, and in slipped the doctor. He was smiling, so it had to be good news, right?
“The test results indicate that you are definitely pregnant.”
“What?” Her voice cracked as his words sank in. Pregnant. “Are you sure?” She couldn’t be pregnant. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening.
“Yes. The test turned positive rather quickly.” The doctor gave her his full undivided attention. “Is this not good news?”
“It’s shocking news. Unexpected news.” But was it really unexpected considering she’d had unprotected sex with Darren more than once? Oh God! Darren! How was she going to tell him he was going to be a father? And Kylie! She was going to be devastated.
“You have options if this pregnancy isn’t what you want.” He turned to fully face her.
“No!” The look of compassion in his eyes was almost enough to cause her to break down and cry.
But she couldn’t do that until she was home and alone.
“I want this baby. That isn’t even a question.
” As soon as she said the words, she knew and felt them to be true.
She’d always wanted to be a mother, but ideally, she would have been married and in love with the father.
“Is it the father? Does he not want the baby?”
Honestly, she didn’t know if Darren wanted the baby or not. It didn’t matter because she was keeping it. She could raise it by herself because she’d practically raised Oliver all by herself since he was a baby.
She rubbed her forehead. “Um,” how to word this without making her look like a slut? “The father and I are not together, so I’m not sure how he’ll take the news. Regardless, I want this baby.”
Dr. Johnson smiled like he was happy with her decision. “Well, then, congratulations. Do you have an obstetrician in mind?”
“No. As I said, I just moved here recently and don’t really know a lot of people. In fact, I found your name online and checked out the reviews.”
“Oh, well, then. I could give you the name of an excellent doctor if you need one.”
“That would be great.”
“Dr. Hartford was the doctor for all four of our pregnancies. He’s amazing.
I think you’ll like him.” He made a note in her chart, then asked if she would like to determine how far along she was.
When she agreed, he stepped out and had her undress from the waist down.
His nurse accompanied him when he returned.
Taking a seat on his rolling stool, he helped her place her feet in the stirrups.
He did his exam, then assisted her back into a seated position.
“From what I can determine, you appear to be around three months along, but your OB will be able to pinpoint it better.” He removed his gloves and tossed them in the trash.
“That sounds about right.” She’d done the math in her head and was guessing she was around twelve weeks or so since she was with Darren.
“You can go ahead and dress now. When you’re finished, you can go to the front desk, and they’ll give you information on Dr. Hartford.”
“Oh, thank you. I appreciate it.” She had no idea how she was going to afford an OB, but she’d figure it out.
Dr. Johnson offered his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Sadie.”
“You, too, Dr. Johnson.”
She quickly dressed and went to the front desk for the information and settled her bill.
She made it to the elevator before the tears started to fall.
Her world had just been blown apart. What was she going to do?
How was she going to finance this pregnancy and delivery?
How was she going to tell Darren? She’d promised him she would tell him if she turned up pregnant.
As the numbers above the elevator doors counted down, she remembered Cutter was going to be in the lobby waiting for her.
She quickly swiped at her cheeks and heaved a deep breath.
She needed to make it home before she fell apart.