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“Thank you.”
Once that’s out of the way, Dr. West focuses her full attention on me. “So, your urine test was positive. I see you’re not that far past when your last period was due…” she hums as she scans the information in my chart.
“I…um…had a miscarriage last year, so I, um, was worried and wanted to come in as soon as possible,” I stammer.
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” she murmurs, still studying her tablet. “Oh. Oh my. Yes. Okay.” She casts a glance at Gray.
“Gray wasn’t the father of that baby,” I whisper, absolutely mortified. I’m sure the details are colorful and unflattering.
“Well, okay then.” She sets her tablet on the counter and unwraps the stethoscope from around her neck and listens to my heart. “Sounds good.” Next, she wraps a cuff around my arm and checks my blood pressure. “Are you nervous?” she asks me.
“A little,” I admit.
A warmer smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Try to relax. We won’t be doing a lot today.”
She unwraps the cuff and sets it aside.
I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly.
“I’m going to do a blood draw to double-check, and we’ll call you in a couple days with the results. Otherwise, I want you to manage your stress. We’ll get you on some pre-natal vitamins as well. Your blood pressure is a little high, so I’ll want to monitor that. How do you feel otherwise?”
“Tired.”
“Morning sickness?”
“Not really.”
Gray sits forward. “Are we going to see the baby today?”
Dr. West shakes her head. “Not today. We’ll confirm the pregnancy with the blood test and in a few weeks, I’ll have her come back for a scan. We should be able to see something then.”
“Oh.”
Gray looks so disappointed, I feel bad for dragging him here. Why couldn’t I have just handled all of this like a damn adult?
The doctor talks to me for a few more minutes. Going over diet and expectations.
“Let me take your blood pressure again.” She reaches for the cuff, and I stick out my arm.
“Better,” she says when she’s done. “But still a little high. I want to keep an eye on that.”
“I’ve never had high blood pressure before that I know of.”
“Are you under a lot of stress?”
I shrug. “I wasn’t expecting this, so it’s been a bit of an adjustment.”
“How’s work? Physical therapy can be a high-stress environment.”
“Ah, I’m between jobs at the moment.”
“That in itself can be stressful,” she says sympathetically. “Do you think you’d benefit from talking to someone?”
My cheeks heat up again. “I have a therapist I can call.”
“Good.” She turns toward Gray. “Do you mind stepping into the hallway for a moment?” While she says it as if it’s a pleasant request, she opens the door, indicating no isn’t an answer she’ll accept.
Gray’s eyes meet mine. “Is that okay?”
I nod quickly.
He nods and steps out of the room. Dr. West closes the door behind him.
My stomach knots.
“How are things at home, Serena?”
“Ah, well, I just moved into my friend’s house. I’m living with her and her sister.”
“So you don’t live with your partner?”
“No, not yet.”
“Okay.” Her shoulders relax.
“My apartment was in downtown Empire and not really safe or baby-appropriate, so my friend invited me to live with her,” I explain.
“That was nice.”
“Yeah, she’s a good friend.” I lift my chin toward the door. “It’s closer to Gray’s apartment too.”
“How is your relationship?” she asks carefully.
“Good.” I blow out a breath. “We haven’t been together that long, but he treats me very well.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She pauses, studying my face. “Were there any problems when you told him you were pregnant?”
Her questions are slightly vague. Designed, I think, so that I won’t feel defensive. I’d be offended if I didn’t understand why she was asking. “Not from him.” My lips tremble into a sad smile. “I can guess what information is in my file.” I nod to her tablet. “So this brought up some feelings connected to that for me.”
“I understand.” She raises an eyebrow as if she wants me to continue.
“Gray was…excited. Happier than I expected him to be.” I curl my hand over my stomach. “He’s been trying to do whatever he can to make things easier for me.”
“Such as?” she prompts.
Wow, she’s not screwing around. “Uh, my bills. He wanted to take over some payments while I’m between jobs. Clearing out my apartment. He hired people to do that for me.” Hired is a white lie. But I don’t think “asked his biker brothers to help out” will ease her mind. “Found and paid for a storage unit.”
“So, he supports you living with your friend?”
“Yes.” I pick at little white balls on my cotton gown. “He never thought my apartment was safe enough.”
“Good.” Finally, she seems satisfied. “I’d like to have you return in a couple of weeks and we’ll call you if there are any issues with the blood test.”
