A Midsummer's Caress

Chapter 22

A week after Tara's attack, Harlow began feeling ill. Not able to drive herself and not wanting to bother her husband, she called and asked Gemma if she would take her to her doctor. Gemma was more than happy to help. Harlow was afraid she was getting the flu and didn't want to get her husband sick if she was. Germs spread like wildfire and she didn't want the chance of making Quinn sick who could then spread it to his brothers and make all of them sick. Harlow was a little steadier on her crutches although it was still rough to get around. Her appointment was in the morning to her relief. She wanted to find out what was wrong with her as quickly as possible. Gemma tried to reassure Harlow that whatever was ailing her wasn't going to be serious. Harlow tried to be positive but with her getting sick like she was, she was sure it was the flu.

Gemma helped her walk from the parking lot into the doctor's office. Harlow signed in and had a seat next to Gemma and waited to be called back. Twenty minutes later she was being called back. The nurse had her, uncomfortably, stand on the scale to take her weight. Once she had that, she ushered Harlow into an exam room where she took her vitals and a brief reason why she had come in. Harlow explained her symptoms and how long she'd been having them as the nurse took her vitals. Once the nurse had all she needed, she left to go talk to the doctor. Harlow sat in the exam room for another forty-five minutes before the doctor came in. He had her lay back on the exam table while he did a thorough exam including pressing on her stomach to see if he could tell what was wrong with her. He decided she needed a thorough work up so he ordered several tests including an urinalysis. That was the part of these exams she hated the most! He left to go write in her chart and then tend to another patient while his nurse took her blood and let her do her urinalysis.

Having blood taken didn't bother her. Seeing they were taking six vials of blood worried her, though. Once the nurse had taken her blood, she was pointed to the restroom where she could do her urinalysis. Harlow hated this part but knew it was a necessary evil to get to the bottom of why she was feeling so bad and vomiting like she was. The last thing she wanted was to get her husband sick who would just get his brothers sick. She did her business, screwed the lid tightly onto the cup, and washed her hands. The nurse had told her where to put her cup so she found the place then went back into the exam room to await what the doctor might have discovered. As she waited, she took her phone out to play a game on it to pass the time. She'd gotten so into her game, it shocked her when the doctor finally came back in with her chart. He sat down and looked it over once more before turning his attention to her.

"Well Mrs. Quinn we've discovered why you're getting sick. Congratulations, you're going to have a baby." The doctor told her taking her by surprise.

"Say what?" She asked.

"I'd say you're maybe four weeks along at this point. I'd set up an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible. I'll send you home with a prescription for some prenatal vitamins." He told her, "Congratulations again, Mrs. Quinn."

She couldn't believe what she'd just been told. Pregnant! This time it was Rane's baby she was carrying and not some other man's. Would her husband be happy about the new addition? They'd have to turn one guest room into the new nursery. At least this time she wouldn't be doing everything herself! The doctor left her alone as she sat there contemplating the news she'd been given. Another baby was not what she had even considered. A little while later, the nurse came in with her prescription and a pamphlet on becoming a mommy. Harlow thanked the nurse as she stepped down off the exam table. She didn't have to check out so she headed out into the waiting room where Gemma was still sitting. Once they were in the car, Gemma finally asked what she wanted to know.

"What did they tell you? Is it the flu?" Gemma asked.

"It's definitely not the flu." Harlow explained, "I need to head to the pharmacy to drop off a prescription if you don't mind."