Page 46 of Reuniting with Lucy
“Lucy Parker?”
Kate’s eyes narrowed at Lizzie, who shrugged. “I guess she means me,” Lizzie said, taking a slow step toward the nurse, obviously not knowing how to play this out.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Lucy said, slamming the magazine shut and setting it on the table.
“Ah, thank goodness,” Lizzie said with a sigh of relief. “I thought I was going to have to go back there. Nooo idea what I was gonna say.”
“Lucy!” Kate said. “What the hell? Is the whole family here?”
“I think it’s just us,” Lucy said.
Kate looked from Lucy to Lizzie. “What’s goin’ on?” she said.
Lizzie raised her eyebrows at Lucy. It was a simple gesture, but Lucy intuitively knew it meant, I’ll do whatever you want me to, just lead the way. Her sister would walk through fire for her. Or, in this case, admit to having some made-up gynecological issue. Lucy couldn’t let her take the fall.
“I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine,” Lucy said with a shy grin.
“You’re pregnant?” Kate said. “But I thought—”
“That’s what I was told,” Lucy said. “Guess I should have gotten a second opinion.”
“You never got a second opinion?” Kate asked.
“Not really,” Lucy said. “Since I found out, I’ve only been to the doctor a couple of times.”
“Lucy,” Kate said. “You’re supposed to go every year.”
“Well, sure. But, like, when you’re older, right? I mean, I’m young. I didn’t think I needed birth control, and I barely ever have periods, so I figured, what’s the point?”
“I’m just gonna…um…oh, I know. I’ll go tell the nurse Lucy’s on her way,” Adam said, all but running away from them.
Kate snickered before turning serious again. “Lizzie, did you know about this?” she asked.
“Uh, I don’t really go all that regularly either,” Lizzie said. “Not my favorite place.”
“You guys,” Kate said. “Sure, it’s no picnic, but you gotta do it.”
“Anyway,” Lucy said. “One time, the doctor said my infrequent periods probably meant I wasn’t ovulating. To me, that pretty much confirmed the original diagnosis. The second time, I only saw a nurse, and she just did the exam and left.”
“That’s nuts,” Kate said. “But also, fantastic. I’m so happy for you.” She stood and hugged her.
“Thanks,” Lucy said. “It’s not one hundred percent. That’s why I’m here. I want to be certain before I tell anyone, including Jack. So, when I say it’s a secret…”
“We won’t say a word—promise,” Kate said, speaking for Adam.
The nurse cleared her throat. “Lucy?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry. I’m coming.” Lucy and Lizzie followed the nurse to the exam room.
“I’ve never been so nervous in all my life,” Lucy whispered to Lizzie, who put her arm around her and smiled.
“It’ll all work out. I just know it.”
Within ten minutes, Lucy had peed in a cup and had the nurse confirm she was pregnant. First hurdle cleared. A few minutes after that, the doctor came in.
“Hello, Lucy,” the doctor said. “I’m Dr. Anders. I hear you’re going to have a baby.” Dr. Anders was a pretty middle-aged woman. She was calm and confident, and her demeanor immediately put Lucy at ease.
Lucy answered all the doctor’s questions regarding her medical history and relayed her concerns about what the UNC doctor had said all those years ago.