Page 68 of Scarlet Promise

Dr. Simmons smiles at me. “Positive. The blood test I’m sending to the pathologist will also back my findings and check to make sure your hormone levels are fine.”

She writes something down.

“We’ll do a scan and another checkup in two weeks, but yes, you’re pregnant.”

I… Nope. No. My brain can’t compute this. Too many things scramble up my brain, and I try and get it all into order.

“So there’s no mistake?”

“You missed your last period?—”

“They’re always a little irregular, especially when I’m stressed and?—”

“The pelvic exam revealed the changes in the uterine lining are consistent with pregnancy. Combine that with your sore breasts, fatigue, nausea, and the results of the urine test with our handy pregnancy tester, I’m telling you, you’re pregnant.” Dr. Simmons smiles. “Congratulations.”

We talk nutrition, the importance of rest, and getting the right vitamins. Protein. The things I can and can’t eat.

She opens a drawer in her desk and rummages through it.

“Here, take this.” She hands me some pamphlets, and she writes some things on a sheet of paper and hands me that, too. “Read these when you’re no longer in shock, and there’s a list of books I recommend.”

“Okay.”

“Nutrients and vitamins should be from your food first and foremost, but I still recommend supplements. Folic acid and the rest. I have the list to get in one of the pamphlets. I’d start them pretty much now.”

“Okay.”

Her gaze touches on the ring on my finger, and she sighs.

“Alina, I know how much you’ve been through and the plans you and Max had. Not anything solid, but that idea of the future you both wanted and…” She clasps her hands and leans forward. “Perhaps this isn’t what you expected right now or planned for. I can see you met someone else, and that’s good. But even if you’re married, if you don’t think this is the right time, then you do have options.

“Nature may take care of the options for you, too. My point is, these are very, very early days, so we can do whatever you wish. You have time. And…” She hands me her card. “Call my personal service if you want to deal with this, okay?”

I nod, taking the card. “No… No. It isn’t that. I just…”

“It’s a lot,” she says.

“It’s a lot, yeah. I just need to think and let it settle.”

“So this is a good thing?”

“I think… I think it is,” I say.

I’m still in a daze when I leave the clinic.

Gus opens the car door. Albert bounds out and toward me, barking. I kneel and hug him, burying my face in his fur.

“Oh, Albert…” I whisper. “This is so out of the blue…”

Gus clears his throat. “If you don’t want to go home immediately, we could go to the park. There’s a nice one not far from here.”

I nod. “Can…can you drive around a little first?”

“Of course.”

“And stop at a pharmacy?”

“Miss Alina, I’m here at your service. And Mr. Albert’s.”