Shattered Trust

Ch.16: The Doctor's Appointment

The morning of Claire's doctor appointment arrived, and she woke up feeling more nervous than ever. Her stomach was in knots, not just from the lingering nausea but from the fear of what the day might bring. She hadn't slept much the night before, her mind racing with possibilities and what-ifs.

Sarah had insisted on coming along for support, and Claire was grateful for it. As much as she tried to stay strong, the idea of facing this alone was overwhelming. With Sarah by her side, she felt like she could at least get through the day.

They met Claire's mom in the kitchen, who was already up and ready. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken concerns, but her mom did her best to keep things light, offering a warm smile as she handed them both some breakfast. Claire tried to eat, but the thought of food only made her stomach turn. She managed to force down a few bites, knowing she needed to keep her strength up.

"Ready to go?" her mom asked gently, noticing Claire's unease.

Claire nodded, clutching her phone tightly. "Yeah... as ready as I'll ever be."

They left the house in silence, the drive to the doctor's office feeling much longer than it actually was. Claire stared out the window, her mind racing with every possible outcome. Sarah sat beside her, occasionally glancing over with a reassuring smile, trying to offer comfort without saying too much.

When they arrived at the clinic, Claire's heart began to race. She felt like she was in a fog, everything around her moving in slow motion. Her mom checked them in at the front desk, and they sat in the waiting room, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slow.

Sarah reached over and squeezed Claire's hand. "Whatever happens, we'll get through it," she whispered, her voice full of determination.

Claire squeezed back, grateful for Sarah's presence. She didn't know what she would do without her best friend's support. "Thanks, Sarah," she whispered back, trying to summon some strength from Sarah's calm.

Finally, Claire's name was called, and her stomach dropped. This was it. The moment she had been dreading and anticipating all at once.

The three of them walked back to the examination room, where a kind-looking nurse asked Claire some routine questions before taking her vitals. Claire felt like she was going through the motions, answering automatically, her mind too preoccupied to fully process what was happening.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally entered the room. She introduced herself with a gentle smile and began to explain the process, outlining what they would do to determine whether or not Claire was pregnant.

"Do you have any questions before we start?" the doctor asked, her tone warm and understanding.

Claire hesitated, glancing at her mom and Sarah. "I... I'm just really nervous," she admitted, her voice shaky.

"That's completely understandable," the doctor said kindly. "But you're in good hands, and we'll take this one step at a time."

Claire nodded, taking a deep breath as the doctor began the examination. She tried to focus on her breathing, on anything but the growing anxiety in her chest. Sarah held her hand the entire time, offering silent support.

After the initial tests were done, the doctor explained that they would have to wait a little while for the results. The waiting was excruciating. Claire sat on the edge of the examination table, her legs swinging nervously as she tried to distract herself by talking to Sarah about anything but what was about to be revealed.

Finally, the doctor returned with a serious expression on her face, holding a small sheet of paper. Claire's heart pounded in her chest, her hands clammy with sweat. This was it. The moment of truth.