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“I know it doesn’t help when it comes to your own results,” Dr. Pan said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “But first day conceptions are virtually unheard-of here, even though our overall success rate is extremely high.”
Chloe tried valiantly to stop crying. She wanted to explain to the doctor that she had already been on the wrong side of all the good odds until now. Her fertility clinic back on Terra-58 had made all kinds of assurances after her first failure, quoting statistics that made it sound like nearly every patient conceived.
But Chloe hadn’t. And maybe she never would.
“It’s okay,” Dr. Pan told her. “You go right ahead and cry. This is an overwhelming time, and it’s always better to let your feelings out and face them.”
She relaxed against Dr. Pan’s shoulder and sobbed, glad to have permission.
After a few minutes, the pain began to recede, and acceptance set in.
“Thank you,” she told Dr. Pan, pulling back.
“You’re a teacher, right?” Dr. Pan asked after a moment.
“Yeah, so I’m not a fan of failing tests,” Chloe joked weakly, sniffling a little. “Not even pregnancy tests.”
“That’s pretty funny,” Dr. Pan admitted, a pair of dimples appearing on her cheeks. “I was asking because I love teachers. It was a teacher who encouraged me when I said I wanted to become an intergalactic physician, even though my own family laughed at me.”
“That’s great,” Chloe said. “And I was impressed when I saw you. You’re so young, too. I hope that doesn’t offend you.”
“Not at all,” Dr. Pan said. “They told me it was impossible for a Terran to learn the medical texts for all required species, because of our memorization caps.”
“But you can use a database,” Chloe said.
“You don’t always have a database,” Dr. Pan said, shrugging.
“So how did you do it?” Chloe asked.
“I memorized all the texts anyway,” Dr. Pan told her. “When they told me it was impossible, I chose to find out for myself. As it turns out, we’re capable of more than we think sometimes.”
Chloe nodded, one last tear streaking down her cheek.
Though of course the doctor couldn’t make her any promises, she could read between the lines.
She was trying to say that Chloe needed to believe in herself, and she wasn’t wrong.
“Oh, good morning,” Dr. Pan said suddenly, looking up.
Chloe turned to see that Jubal was standing in the door to the kitchen. She had no idea how long he had been there.
She tried to wipe away her tears, but there was no way she would be able to hide her swollen eyes.
Fuming, she moved to the sink and washed her hands and face, waiting for him to start ribbing her, or asking her what was wrong.
“Chloe, I want to make you my famous breakfast bake,” he said, his voice warm and gentle. “Unless you had something else in mind?”
Unbelieving, she turned to see him already preheating the oven, focused on his tasks in a way that told her he could only be giving her space and allowing her to recover without telling him anything.
“I’m not pregnant,” she said quickly. “Just so you don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m really sorry,” he told her sincerely, meeting her eyes. “But I’m also really looking forward to trying again.”
He winked at her, and she felt herself blush from her hairline to her toes.
“On that note, I think I’ll head back to the lab,” Dr. Pan said, her dark eyes twinkling. “I know Oberon has big plans for you today. If you ever need me, just let him know.”
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