Sitting on an exam table wearing a flimsy hospital gown, Samantha braced her arms against the chill in the room. The stress of her marriage, and worries about her sister, were keeping her awake at night, and wreaking havoc with her appetite.

A slight knock on the door proceeded Dr. Luna’s entrance. In her mid forties, Dr. Luna had been Samantha’s doctor since her teenage years. She’d prescribed every antibiotic she’d ever taken and held her hand through the death of her mother.

“There you are. We were wondering when we were going to see you in here.”

“Hi, Debbie.” The formalities went away a long time ago, which made it even easier to walk into the office.

Debbie hugged her before taking a seat on a rolling stool. “It’s good to see you.”

“Life got a little crazy.”

“I know. It’s not every day I see my patient’s faces in the tabloids. I can’t believe you’re married. I didn’t even think you were dating anyone.”

“Blake and I didn’t wait once we knew what we wanted.” Which wasn’t a complete lie, but certainly not the truth. So far, the line had worked on everyone Samantha had delivered it to. “Part of the reason I’m here is to get on those birth control pills we talked about.”

Debbie smiled. “Of course. You’ll wonder why you waited to take them once you start.”

They talked about the pro’s and con’s of the pill for some time before Debbie asked, “So what else is bothering you?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t had my usual energy lately. At first, I thought I was just being lazy, on an extended honeymoon. But my appetite is gone most of the day and I’m more tired than normal.”

Debbie scribbled a few notes on her chart. “Any fever?”

“No.”

“Cough?”

“No.”

“Nausea, vomiting… change in bowel habits?”

“A little queasy. But I think it’s just because I go so long between meals.”

“Hmmm,” Debbie stood and removed her stethoscope from around her neck. After listening to her lungs, she said, “Lay back.”

Samantha relaxed on the exam table while Debbie pressed on her belly. “Any pain?”

“No.”

“When was your last period?”

Samantha glanced at the ceiling. “I’m due any day.”

“When was your last one?”

“I don’t remember. I’ve always been irregular.” A sick feeling started to grow deep in her stomach.

Debbie tilted her head to the side. “What have you and Blake been using for birth control?”

“I’m not pregnant.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

Samantha sat up, unable to lay any longer. “Condoms. And we’ve never forgotten. We’ve blown through nearly every box he owned.” A nervous laugh left her lips.

“Condoms have a two percent birth rate.”

“Debbie, I’m not pregnant.”

The doctor patted her on her arm before reaching behind her and grabbing a cup. “You know where the bathroom is. Let’s remove pregnancy from possible reasons for your malaise so we can start looking for another source.”

Samantha hopped from the table, ignoring the slight tremor in her hand. “Fine.”

The next ten minutes were the longest in her life. Sam searched back in her calendar on her smart phone to the time before she and Blake had met, desperately trying to prove Debbie wrong before she walked back in the room.

But when the door opened, and Debbie stepped through the doors, Samantha’s heart plunged to the ground.

“Congratulations.”

Sam jumped to her feet, shaking her head. “No.”

“We can run a serum test, but these things are accurate. You’re pregnant, not sick.”

Everything stood still. The institutional style clock on the wall ticked away the seconds and the room closed in around her. Sam’s chest started a rapid rise and fall as she struggled to take a deep breath. Tears stung the back of her eyes. “But we were careful.”

Debbie patted her hand and encouraged her to sit back down. “I can see this is unexpected. Maybe you both wanted to wait to start a family, but it is what it is.”

What was she going to do? Blake trusted her. How could this be happening? They’d been careful.

“Sit down.” Debbie helped her on the exam table again. “Take a deep breath. Everything is going to be okay.”

“You don’t understand.” How could she. Debbie saw a newly married woman. Anyone else would be thrilled with the news of a baby.

“Then help me understand. What are you afraid of?”

The loving smile on Blake’s face turning to hatred when he learns of the pregnancy. All the trust and mutual respect would end the minute she told him the news.

“It’s not what we wanted,” Samantha whispered, lost in her thoughts.

“You’re not the first newlywed to get pregnant. I’m sure your husband loves you. He’ll understand.”

But he didn’t love her.

A tear dropped down her cheek.

“Samantha?”

Her gaze traveled to her old friend whose concern was etched into her face. “What’s wrong? You didn’t cry when your mother died, or when your sister ended up in the emergency room.” By now, Debbie was sitting beside her, her hands holding Samantha’s.

Sucking in her bottom lip and forcing her eyes to dry, Sam shook her head. “Women are emotional creatures. Especially pregnant women.” Oh, God. I’m pregnant.