6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
C HAPTER SIX
RORY
As I stepped through the sterile double doors, a familiar chill ran down my spine, sending shivers of apprehension through my veins. The antiseptic scent that hung heavy in the air greeted me like an unwelcome acquaintance, its sharp tang invading my senses.
Callie linked my arm with hers as we walked. The hospital corridors stretched out before me like endless arteries, a labyrinth of linoleum floors and fluorescent lights that seemed to flicker with uncertainty.
My throat was dry and no amount of swallowing could make it wet again. My tongue felt like sandpaper, rubbing against the roof of my mouth as I tried to get words out.
"I'm nervous," I finally whispered.
"It's okay to be," Callie said. "But home tests aren't exactly the most reliable so we need to be sure."
I had taken four more tests the day before. They were all positive. I had a feeling this was going to be positive as well but Callie insisted. Besides, once the doctor told me how long I'd been pregnant, it would confirm what I already knew.
That Raphael was the father.
We walked up to the receptionist. She was young and wore glasses, her hair pulled up into a neat bun. She had a friendly smile on her face as she turned to us. "Hello, can I help you?"
"Yes," I said. "I'm here to see Dr. Williams."
She typed away on the computer.
"What's the patient's name?"
"Aurora Quinn."
She nodded. "Yes, we have you down for an appointment. Go ahead, it’s the third door on your left," she said, gesturing to the corridor on the left.
I thanked her and turned, letting Callie lead me away. She was a lot more cheerful than I was. She had insisted on coming along, not wanting me to be alone during the appointment.
I didn't protest. Truth was, I was glad she was here.
Dr. Williams' office was the last door on the left. I knocked and stepped in. A short, middle-aged woman was sitting behind a desk, reading over a file. She looked up when we entered.
"Hello," she greeted. "Which one of you is Aurora Quinn?"
"That's me," I answered, stepping forward.
She gestured for us to take a seat. Callie and I sat across from her.
"Well, Aurora," she said. "What brings you here today?"
"I-" I placed my palm over my belly. "I'm pregnant."
She smiled. "Well, congratulations," she said. "Have you come in for a check-up? You seem like a healthy young lady."
"I did take a pregnancy test and it was positive," I said. "I just want to confirm and then find out how far along I am."
"Of course," she said, typing on her computer. "Well, there's nothing much we can tell without a proper examination. Why don't you follow me and we can go do that now?"
I stood, feeling weak in the knees. The doctor led us into a room which was larger than her office. The walls were painted white and a long chair-like bed was positioned in the middle.
"Please pull up your top and lay down," she instructed.
I pulled up my sweater and tank top, exposing my belly. I lay down on the bed and a nurse walked in. She was holding a machine in her hand.
"We'll have to perform a transvaginal ultrasound to get a better picture," Dr. Williams explained as she washed her hands.
She rubbed some cold gel over my abdomen and then pressed the probe against me. A loud thumping filled the room, followed by a whooshing sound.
"That's the baby's heartbeat," the doctor explained.
"Wow," Callie muttered.
"And that," Dr. Williams pointed to the screen, "is the fetus."
I glanced at the monitor, my chest feeling tight. There was a small blob on the screen, the size of a bean. I was having a baby.
"Based on the development, I'd say you're about seven weeks pregnant," she said, smiling. "Would you like to hear the heartbeat again?"
I nodded. The sound echoed through the room again. I listened carefully. My child's heartbeat.
"You should think about finding an OBGYN soon," the doctor said. "There's a list of doctors in the waiting room. You can look through the list and make an appointment."
"Thank you," I said, staring at the little bean on the screen.
I had no idea how I was going to break this news to Raphael.
My head spun.
I didn't want to break the news to Raphael.
Dr. Williams spoke again, "You're free to get dressed and go see the receptionist. She'll hand you a list of recommendations for an OBGYN."
I sat up, nodding. She smiled, handed the nurse the probe and then exited the room. Callie helped me dress. I still couldn't quite comprehend everything.
"How do you feel?" Callie asked.
"Terrified," I replied honestly.
I tried to imagine myself holding a baby, nursing and raising one.
"Don't be scared," she said.
"Yeah right," I snorted.
"You're not alone," she said. "You've got me."
I smiled. Callie had no idea how much it meant to me that she was by my side. She was the only family I had.
We walked to the receptionist and the young lady handed us a list. We decided on an OBGYN and I made an appointment for the following week.
Once that was done, we headed out of the hospital. The sunlight hit my skin and I relished the warmth but my head was spinning.
I was pregnant.
With Raphael's baby.
"What if you don't keep it?" Callie asked, pausing in her steps.
"What?"
"If you decide not to keep it, I will fully support your decision," she said. "Besides can you imagine having a little Barlowe? That baby would be-"
"B-baby?" a voice asked.
I froze, turning around to see Rylan standing in the hospital's entrance. My eyes widened. What was he doing here?
He was alone. He walked up to me and grabbed my wrist. "What baby?" he asked, his voice hard.
"What are you doing here, Rylan?" I snapped.
"I-" he paused. "A friend of mine wasn't feeling so good so I brought her in for a check-up. Don't change the subject."
"You can't keep showing up everywhere," I growled, yanking my hand away.
"I said don't change the fucking subject, Rory!"
"Do not talk to my sister like that," Callie snapped, pushing him away from me.
"What baby?" Rylan demanded. Then his gaze softened. "Rory, is it...is it mine?"
Bloody hell. The last thing I needed was for him to find out. I glared at him, wanting nothing more than to strangle him. "Are you kidding me?" I snarled. "You think the baby is yours? Are you that stupid?"
"Your sister just said it was a little Barlowe," he said. "That means-"
"That doesn't mean it's yours," I took a step back.
"Then who-" he paused. "Rory...did you- fuck my brother?"
"Get lost," I spat. "This is none of your business," I added, grabbing my sister's hand and marching off.
"Rory!" he called but I ignored him, dragging Callie along.
We made it to the car and I got in, slamming the door shut and resting my head on the steering wheel. Callie was panting beside me, her cheeks flushed.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
I screamed into the air, the sound muffled by the windshield.
"Rory-"
"I have no idea what to do," I said. "My life is literally falling apart. Rylan just found out. Rylan hates his brother. This is only going to end badly."
"You shouldn't be thinking about that, Rory. Right now, you have to think about the baby."
I placed my palm over my belly. The baby. This was real. I was going to have a baby.
I started the engine. "Let's go home."
Callie nodded and I pulled out of the parking spot. The whole drive home, all I could think about was the tiny blob that was growing inside me and its father, who I was so sure was not ready for the news.
Not at all.