Page 71 of Baja
Sukie counters with a grin. “That’s because you’re being ridiculous.”
We headed out to the car and arrived at Doctor Collins’s office early, but since she had a cancellation before my arrival, she saw me immediately. She asked a dozen questions, drew blood, and made me pee in a cup.
That was ten minutes ago.
Now, Sukie and I are waiting for my test results.
“What the heck is taking so long,” I grumble, looking at my watch for the hundredth time.
“Mom. It’s only been a few minutes. You’re worse than a toddler when going to the doctor.”
I would argue, but Sukie’s right. Luckily, I don’t have to wait any longer because there is a soft knock on the exam room door before Dr. Collins joins us again.
“Sorry about the wait, Alice. I had one of the nurses double-check one of the tests I ordered for you.”
A wave of unease washes over me, my heart quickening as I contemplate the worst-case scenario. What if, after all this time obsessing over the prospect of menopause, I find out it’s something far worse? My mind races with possibilities that make my stomach churn. Yet, as I scrutinize Dr. Collins’s face for any sign of distress, I find nothing—her expression remains calm and composed, offering no hint of impending doom.
“Is everything okay?”
Sukie is on her feet in seconds as she stands beside me.
Dr. Collins smiles. “Everything is perfect. You’re completely healthy, Alice.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “So, am I going through menopause?”
Dr. Collins’s smile gets bigger. “Just the opposite, actually. Congratulations, Alice, you’re going to have a baby.”
“Excuse me!” Sukie practically squawks.
Meanwhile, I’m too stunned to form a coherent thought.
Dr. Collins’s smile drops as she looks at me with concern. “Alice, are you all right?”
“How in the world can I be pregnant?” I ask. “There is no way I can be pregnant. I’m supposed to be going through ‘the change,’ not having a baby.”
“Alice.” Doctor Collins’s face softens. “It’s perfectly normal nowadays for a woman in her forties to have a baby. In fact, you’d be surprised by how many of my patients wait until later in life to start a family, all for different yet valid reasons.”
Beside me, Sukie waves her hands. “Wait, wait, wait… my mom is pregnant? For real, pregnant?”
“Yes, Alice is pregnant,” Dr. Collins confirms. “I had the test run twice.” Then, she focuses her attention back on me. “If you’re okay with it, I’d like to do an ultrasound to determine how far along you are. You said earlier you hadn’t had a period in three months and that it had been irregular for longer. An ultrasound will give us a better idea of your due date.”
All I can do is look at the doctor as if she’s grown a second head and nod because this entire situation is surreal. At any moment, I’m going to wake up and learn that this was all a silly dream.
“Okay, Alice. Just lay back on the bed and lift your shirt for me,” Dr. Collins instructs gently. I settle onto the hard mattress, feeling the cool air brush against my skin as I raise my shirt.
The room fills with a low hum from the sonogram machine, creating a backdrop of anxious anticipation.
Dr. Collins rolls her chair closer. She squeezes a generous amount of the translucent goop onto my bare stomach, the cold gel sending a shiver through me. With a steady hand, she picks up the wand. She deftly glides it across my skin, applying gentle pressure and rolling it in sweeping motions.
As seconds tick by, unease creeps into my chest, each beat of my heart pounding louder than the last. If it weren’t for Sukie’s firm grip around my hand, grounding me in the moment, I’d likely spiral into panic.
The reality of this situation settles heavily on my shoulders. Having a baby was never part of my plan. To be utterly honest, the thought of raising another child at this stage of my life is daunting, and I feel a swell of apprehension wash over me.
What about Nash?I mean, we had a conversation. I asked him if he wanted kids. He knew where I stood on the subject, and our stance was the same. Nash loves children but does not express any desire to have any of his own.
How will he take the news?
Will having a baby be a deal breaker?
