Chapter 22 #2
He finds what he’s looking for in my file then closes it as he looks at me.
“Well, your urine test came back positive, so you are pregnant.” His voice is calm as he tells me the news.
I look at Madison, who gives me an unsure smile.
“I’d say you’re roughly five weeks along.
” Dr. Swafford says with a kind smile. Five weeks…
this happened in Tennessee. Jesus, our very first time. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
“But...um…can’t urine tests be wrong?”
He crosses his arms. “You can get false negatives, but not likely a false positive. The blood test will take a few days, but I can tell you with certainty that you are pregnant.”
“How?” I mumble. His eyes go wide as he looks at me. I shake my head. “I mean, I’m on the pill. How did I get pregnant?”
He takes a deep breath, letting his hands drop in front of him. “Well, as you know, the pill isn’t one-hundred percent effective.” I nod as I stare blankly at him. His eyebrows draw together. “Did you skip any?”
“No.” I frown as I shake my head.
“Well, some medications can impact the protection of the pill,” he continues.
I blink. “Antibiotics?”
“Yes, some antibiotics can. Were you taking them around the time you conceived?”
I nod as I look at Madison. Her eyes are wide as she listens to the doctor.
“That’s probably your answer then.” Dr. Swafford grins. He pulls a pamphlet from a bin on the wall and hands it to me. It shows what my tiny baby looks like at this stage, what’s developing, and how I may feel. “Are you having morning sickness?” he asks.
I swallow hard as I look at the tiny figure inside the pamphlet. Madison is now standing beside me, looking down at the pamphlet too. “Yes,” I mumble softly.
“Make sure you stay hydrated and try crackers or pretzels for the nausea.” He hands me a bottle.
“These are prenatal vitamins. Take one every morning. They help with the development of the fetus.” When I don’t move, Madison takes the bottle from him.
I can’t pry my eyes away from the tiny figure in the pamphlet.
“If the morning sickness gets any worse, call me. Leah?”
I finally snap out of my haze as Madison nudges me. “I’m sorry. Yes, I understand.”
He smiles and tucks my file under his arm. “Good. Do you have any other questions for me?” I shake my head. “I’d like to see you back in about four weeks.”
“Four weeks,” I mumble as I look down at the pamphlet again. “Thank you.” He nods and leaves the room. In a daze, we head back out to the lobby and make my next appointment. My mind is racing, but my body is numb as we walk out to the car in silence.
“I’ll drive.” Madison says taking my keys. I’m gripping the pamphlet and the prenatal vitamins tightly as she starts the car.
“Are you alright?” She asks as we pull out of the parking lot.
“I don’t know,” I tell her, still in a state of shock.
“I’m terrified that Aaden and his family are going to hate me.
But look at this picture, Madison.” I sniff as I hold the pamphlet between us.
“This is what’s inside of me. I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now.
” Tears spill down my cheeks as I stare at the picture again. Madison reaches over and grabs my hand.
“I really don’t see Aaden doing that. He loves you, Leah. He’s moved you into his home; he wants a life with you.”
I wipe my cheeks. “That’s how he feels now. Telling him that I’m pregnant could change everything. What if he hates me?”
Madison laughs. “Aaden could never hate you.”
I wipe my face again. “But what if he does? I don’t want to lose him, but I’m already in love with this baby.
I mean, look.” I tell her as I shove the pamphlet in her face again.
“That is inside of me, and it’s mine and Aaden’s.
I’ve never wanted anything so much.” Madison takes a right intoa parking lot and pulls between two big trucks.
She turns to face me, taking both of my hands in hers and squeezing.
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through.
” She sniffs. “But I’m happy. I’m happy for you.
I want you to be happy, Leah. This is a baby, your baby, and I’m here for you, even if that means being a father to this baby myself.
” She laughs through emotional tears. I throw my arms around her and hold my best friend tightly.
We sit there for a long while, just crying and hugging each other.
Finally, she pulls away and places her hand on my stomach. “I get to be the cool aunt, right?”
I manage a small laugh of my own. “Of course, Auntie Madison.” She wiggles with excitement, wipes her cheeks, then throws her arms around me again.
Instead of going back to Aaden’s after dropping Madison off, I went to my apartment.
I needed to be away from everything that reminded me of Aaden so I could think.
I plop down on my couch with some ice cream and a movie.
‘Nine-Months’, how fitting for the situation I’m in.
It’s comforting being back in my own apartment with my own things.
I think about my future, my life with Aaden, and my life without him.
Even though I don’t want to lose him, I decide that even if he never wants to see me again, I want this baby, and I will raise it completely on my own if I have to.
I will not lose my mother and my child in the same year.
I drag the blanket from the back of the couch over me as I drift off to sleep.