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“Yes,” Steph confirmed.
“Well, then, as soon as you get back to Scott House, you can tell everyone all at once how you are,” Hannah pointed out. “And I’ll call Ashley and Jess to let them know after the doctor has told us what is up with you.”
“Thanks, sis,” Steph said as she sighed in relief, suddenly feeling terribly tired.
Hannah’s phone rang and she pulled it from her pocket.
“Oh, It’s Vince.” Hannah pointed at the phone. “I have to go outside the clinic to take this.” She looked at Steph questioningly. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Of course.” Steph waved her off.
As Hannah left the room to take a phone call, the air in the small examination chamber felt close and confined. The hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional clatter of a distant gurney filled the silence.
Steph sat back with her feet stretched in front of her. Her thoughts drifted through the haze. With Hannah out of the room, she had a moment to absorb her peculiar situation. What could have caused her to faint? Her health had been relatively stable, and she didn’t remember feeling ill before the incident.
The door swung open and a doctor entered. He wore a white coat that rustled softly with his movements. His features were kindly, and his eyes held a warmth that put Steph at ease.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Victor,” the doctor greeted her, checking her chart. “I’m Dr. Reynolds. Your sister mentioned that you fainted?”
Steph nodded, her voice a mere whisper. “I did, but I don’t know why.”
Dr. Reynolds proceeded to ask her a series of questions about her health, any recent changes in her life, and her medical history. Steph provided what answers she could, but her memory was muddled.
After some discussion, the nurse called Dr. Reynolds away to get Steph’s test results. As he left the room, Steph couldn’t shake the lingering unease. Why had her body betrayed her like this?
The minutes dragged on, and Steph felt a growing sense of isolation. The silence in the room pressed in on her, and she closed her eyes, trying to find solace in the darkness behind her lids.
When Dr. Reynolds returned, he carried a folder in his hand. The expression on his face was more serious than before, a hint of concern in his eyes.
“Ms. Victor, I have the results of your tests,” he began gently. “Your vitals seem stable, and we couldn’t find any immediate health concerns.”
Steph’s brow furrowed. “So, why did I faint?”
Dr. Reynolds paused for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. “During the tests, we discovered something else.”
Steph’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
The doctor’s expression softened into a kind smile. “Ms. Victor, you’re eight weeks pregnant.”
The word hung in the air, and the room suddenly charged with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Steph’s mind raced. She was pregnant? The news felt like a thunderbolt, an unexpected revelation that turned her world upside down.
Eight weeks pregnant. Steph couldn’t believe it. The realization struck her like a sudden storm. Then, a memory flickered through the haze of her thoughts. The Bahamas trip that Max had surprised her with nine weeks ago. The romance of that vacation, the shimmering waters, and starlit nights, the tender moments between her and Max. Could this be the result of that trip?
Steph’s hands trembled as she placed them on her abdomen as if trying to comprehend the life growing within her. A mixture of emotions swirled within her—surprise, fear, and a hint of something else she couldn’t quite define.
As Steph waited in the reception area for Hannah to return from her long telephone conversation, anxiety gnawed at her. Her mind raced and her emotions were in turmoil. She wasn’t ready to tell her family about this yet. She had her own relationship woes, and Steph wasn’t sure if this was the right moment to share her own unexpected news.
When Hannah returned, her red hair flowing like a river of fire, she looked at Steph with expectant eyes. “What did the doctor say?”
Steph’s voice wavered. “I need some supplements for the dizziness, but it’s nothing serious. I’m just a little dehydrated, and you were right—it’s probably that crazy diet. I also have an appointment for a checkup soon. I have to take it easy for the rest of the day.”
Hannah nodded, concern evident in her violet eyes. “Good to hear. We should get you back home, then.”
Steph hesitated for a moment, her mind a battlefield of emotions. Then, she managed a faint smile and averted her gaze. “Hannah, when we get to Scott House, would you please let everyone know? I want to go straight to bed. I think I need a little time to myself today.”
Hannah regarded her sister with understanding. “Of course, Steph. You know where to find me if you need anything.”
As they left the clinic, Steph’s mind raced with thoughts of the tiny life growing inside her. Her world had shifted dramatically in a matter of hours, and she needed time to process this newfound reality on her own. Her family’s reactions could wait. For now, she wanted to come to terms with this life-changing news privately.
