8- Weeks, 9- Months

08. Weeks

"And I realized that after I'd waited two weeks longer that my period was later than usual," Anna explained to the male doctor, "So I took one test. My sister helped me take two more. All three came out positive."

"I see," Dr. Lennon said, writing something on his clipboard, "Well then. Only one way to be sure."

Anna swallowed. Her feet were in stirrups. Marc was on her one side; Daniel was on the other. They both reached for a hand. She squeezed them.

Dr. Lennon was older, greyer than Billy Guerin. He was an old pro, as far as Anna was concerned. She trusted him. He would know exactly what was what. At least, she hoped so.

On the screen to Anna's right was a black shadow. As Dr. Lennon went deeper with the medical tool, towards her uterus, Anna squirmed in discomfort. To think pap tests were bad! He glanced at the screen and smiled, "Ah, there we go. Those are your-"

"Ovaries," Daniel said, "And her uterus is near the top."

Dr. Lennon nodded, "I see you've done this before."

Daniel shrugged, "I have a daughter."

"And that," Dr. Lennon said, pointing, "Is the heart. As you can see, the baby kind of looks a bit odd, but it has yet to form properly. It is still early. But it does have fingernails!"

Marc echoed, "Wow..."

-

09. Months

Dr. Lennon gave Anna a wide smile, "You are exactly three months pregnant. Congratulations."

Anna stared at him with her mouth open.

"Now then, I'll see about a appointment for next week," Dr. Lennon said, taking the clipboard and leaving the room, "Be back in a moment. You may get dressed now."

The second the door closed behind him, Anna began to cry. She hunched her shoulders, her entire body shaking, and buried her face in her hands. This had to be all a bad dream, and soon she would wake up, she had kept thinking.

But now, it was all so real- she had seen it. The baby. It had a heartbeat. It had fingernails. It...it was living within her, and in a few months she'd be pushing it out, raising it, giving it a name...it was all too soon.

Anna slowly got up out of the chair, "I'll...I'll see you guys in a few minutes."

Marc and Daniel nodded, knowing to wait for her in the lobby with Kris, TK and Max.

Appointment made and completely changed, Anna ran out into the lobby. The five boys rose from their seats in the waiting room. Anna stood there, silent for a moment, before crashing into Max Talbot. Tears fell like rain from her eyes as she pushed her face into his shoulder. Max wrapped his arms around her. Four other pairs followed.

As much as she didn't want to admit it, she needed them.