Page 232 of The Baby Twist
“Yes.”
“Any unprotected sex?”
“Nope.”
“Okay. Good. But since you missed your shot last month, we do need to draw your blood and run a quick pregnancy test just to be sure there isn’t a little peanut growing inside you.”
“I can assure you, Dr. Gregario, that there is no little peanut inside me.”
“I believe you, but we still have to check. Our lab only takes about ten minutes to run the test. I’ll send my nurse in to draw your blood, and I’ll be back in with your shot.”
He walked out of the room. I hopped off the table, grabbed my phone from my purse, and checked my emails. After the nurse drew my blood, I waited.
The door opened, and Dr. Gregario stepped inside empty-handed. He walked over to the table and gripped my hand, which I thought was odd.
“Marley, you’re pregnant.”
My heart started racing faster than the speed of light, and dizziness swept over me.
“Excuse me? That’s impossible. Oh my God. I’m going to pass out.” I quickly lay down on the table.
“Slow, deep breaths, Marley. You said you didn’t have unprotected sex.”
“I didn’t!”
“Either you did, or the condom broke. You did skip your shot last month. Are you okay?” he asked as I started hyperventilating.
“No, I’m not okay!” I shouted. “Your test is wrong. Run it again.”
“I’m afraid the test is right. Perhaps you don’t remember having unprotected sex.”
“No. No. No.” I placed my hand on my forehead. “I DID NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX!”
“Breathe, Marley. This isn’t good for you or the baby.”
I stared at him when he said that, and suddenly, tears poured from my eyes.
“It’ll be okay.” He patted my hand. “You have options. You realize that, right?”
I slowly nodded as he helped me sit up.
“That a girl.” He squeezed my hand. “You’re around five weeks. So, I’ll tell the girls to squeeze you in for next week, and we’ll officially start your OB care.” He smiled. “That’s if you plan on carrying the baby.”
“What do you mean, Dr. Gregario?” I started to cry again. “I could never have an abortion, no matter how bad things are.”
“Phew, I’m so happy to hear you say that. I’ll see you next week, Marley.”
I walked out of the room, scheduled next week’s appointment, and walked down the street, all dazed and confused. How could this have happened? I hailed a cab and took it back to my apartment. I was grateful Penelope and Olivia were still at the café because I needed time alone to think and clear my head. The baby had to be Charlie’s because of the timeline.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I smacked the sides of my head with my hands.
Although it was only four o’clock, I took a bath, changed into my pajamas, and ordered an extra-large pizza. When the pizza arrived, I took a couple of pieces over to the couch and turned on The Notebook, my go-to movie when I was upset.
The door opened, and the girls walked in, laughing about something. They stopped when they saw me on the couch.
“She’s eating pizza and watching The Notebook,” Penelope whispered. “This isn’t good.”
“Mar?” Olivia walked over, sat next to me, and placed her hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
