Page 18 of Echos and Empires
As they approached the medical center, Emma’s grip on Alex’s hand tightened. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, a soothing gesture that said more than words ever could.
“In we go. I’ll bet you a kiss I can get you in without a wait.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” she laughed, realizing a little more of her worry slipped away.
The sterile scent of disinfectants assaulted Emma’s nostrils as they entered the doctor’s office, the harsh fluorescent lights casting an eerie glow on the white walls. Her heartbeat quickened, the clinical atmosphere returning her anxiety. Alex’s hand remained firmly clasped around hers, a tether keeping her grounded amidst the turmoil of her thoughts.
“Hey, Teegan, my partner isn’t feeling well, and she’s been sick for about a week. Taking her back like ER protocol because her vitals aren’t completely stable.”
Teegan—a middle-aged woman with round glasses and thick black curls only nodded.
“Told you,” he grinned. “You can wait to kiss me at home.” He teased before pushing open a door three doors down that didn’t have a clipboard hanging on it.
She barely had a moment to situate herself on the paper-covered chair when the door swung open again.
The doctor, another middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, greeted them with a curt nod. “Emma is it? You’re thinking that was a fast.” She sat in a chair opposite the bed. “I’m doctor Madeline, and when women come in, we tend to react as fast as possible given how few of us there really are.” Madeline turned on the computer and then looked back to Emma. “So, what brings you in today? I see Alex has deemed it worth coming in on his day off.”
Emma swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. “I’ve been feeling off lately. Nausea, fatigue, just not like myself.” Alex’s hand tightened around hers, a silent show of support.
The doctor nodded, typing rapidly on a keyboard she didn’t even look at. “Any changes in appetite? Sensitivity to certain smells or tastes?”
“No, not really.” Emma’s brows furrowed as she thought back over the past few weeks. “I’ve been eating new things, but not smelling anything different.”Except Ranger’s wet dog smell.“Well, I did smell my dog’s wet fur long after he left the room. Does that count?”
The doctor’s expression remained neutral, but Emma caught the flicker of something in her eyes. “I see. And your last menstrual cycle, when was that?”
The question hung in the air, the implication behind it suddenly crystal clear. Emma’s heart stuttered in her chest, her mind racing with possibilities she’d been too afraid to consider.
“I... I’m not sure. It’s not really been regular…ever.” Her voice sounded small, even to her own ears.
The doctor set down her pen, leaning forward slightly. “Emma, I’d like to speak with you privately, if that’s alright.”
Alex’s grip on her hand tightened. She knew his protective instincts flared to life underneath the calm exterior. He turned to Emma, his hazel eyes searching hers, silently asking if she wanted him to stay. Emma could see the reluctance etched in every line of his face, the desire to shield her from whatever lay ahead.
But she knew this was something she needed to face on her own, at least for now. With a small nod, she squeezed his hand, a silent reassurance that she would be okay. Alex held her gaze for a long moment before finally releasing her hand and standing up.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” he murmured, his voice low and fierce with promise. He shot the doctor a warning look, a clear message that he would not hesitate to intervene if necessary.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Emma turned back to the doctor, her heart in her throat. The weight of the unknown hope pressed down on her with enough force to crush her.
Doctor Madeline’s gaze was gentle, but Emma couldn’t shake the feeling of unease settling in the pit of her stomach.
“Emma, based on your symptoms, I’d like you to provide a urine sample. It will help us rule out certain possibilities and get a clearer picture of what’s going on.”
Emma’s heart pounded against her ribcage, the implications of the doctor’s words slowly dawning on her. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. “You think... you think I might be pregnant?”
The doctor’s expression remained carefully neutral. “It’s one possibility, yes. But let’s not jump to conclusions until we have the results. UTI’s also appear in much the same way, and if the way Alex speaks of your tight-knit group, I wouldn’t rule that out.”
Emma didn’t have a chance to be utterly mortified before Madeline continued.
“The sample will give us a definitive answer and with how important kids are, I refuse to jump the gun. And knowing Alex, if he were in here, he’d tell the whole clinic.”
With shaking hands and a small laugh, Emma accepted the small plastic cup the doctor offered her after pulling it out of a cabinet. She made her way to the adjoining bathroom, her mind reeling. As she closed the door behind her, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Wide, frightened eyes stared back at her, the gravity of the situation etched into every line of her face.
Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn’t deny the signs any longer—the nausea, the fatigue, the subtle changes in her body. As she provided the sample, her mind raced, piecing together the symptoms she’d been experiencing over the past few weeks.
Fear and anticipation swirled within her, creating a tumultuous emotional landscape. What if she was pregnant?How would her men react? They had talked about starting a family someday, but the reality of it happening now, in the midst of them still settling in, would they still want it? It’s not like they took precautions to prevent it.
How did I not think of this?
