More than a Crush

Scene 20 : A new Beginning

After Zac and I returned to LA from our honeymoon in Hawaii, life was settling into a new rhythm. Zac had started filming his new movie, conveniently located not too far from home, and I was focusing on taking the next steps in my career. I decided it was time to find an agent. Unsure where to start, I called Lena, hoping she might know someone in LA who could help me.

A few days later, thanks to Lena's connections, I secured an agent. But amidst all the excitement of getting an agent and starting to plan the next steps of my career, something else was happening—something unexpected. At first, it was just subtle: a bit more fatigue than usual, waves of nausea that came out of nowhere, and a general feeling of being off. I brushed it aside at first, blaming it on jet lag or the stress of adjusting back to normal life after the honeymoon.

But as the days passed, the symptoms didn't go away. Instead, they intensified. Mornings became a challenge, with nausea hitting me hard, and by the afternoon, I was constantly fighting the urge to nap. Zac started noticing too. He'd watch me with concern, asking if I was alright or if I needed anything. His worry became more apparent each day.

"Are you sure you're okay, babe?" he asked one evening, his brow furrowed as I curled up on the couch, exhausted. "You've been really tired lately, and you didn't even touch your lunch."

I gave him a reassuring smile, though deep down, I had a sneaking suspicion of what might be happening. "I'm fine, Zac, really. Probably just adjusting after the honeymoon, like you said."

But truthfully, I wasn't as calm as I seemed. I knew there could be another reason for the way I was feeling, one that was becoming harder to ignore. I was late. My mind kept wandering back to the possibility, and each day it seemed more real. I didn't want to get Zac worked up until I knew for sure, so I decided to take action without him worrying more than he already was.

One afternoon, after another wave of nausea hit, I picked up my phone and called Starla. She picked up on the first ring, her voice warm and familiar. "Hey, sweetheart! How are you?"

"Hey, Starla," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was wondering if you could take me to the clinic. I think... I think I might be pregnant."

There was a brief pause, and then she responded with a mix of excitement and calm. "Of course, Nora. I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't worry, everything's going to be just fine."

That afternoon, Starla and I arrived at the clinic. The waiting room buzzed with quiet conversations and the distant hum of medical equipment. I sat beside Starla, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. My hands rested on my lap, fidgeting, and I kept glancing at the clock, trying to steady my racing heart.

Suddenly, I heard a voice call out, "Nora Efron?"

I stood up, glancing at Starla before following the nurse into the exam room. A few moments later, Dr. Grey entered, a warm smile on her face as she greeted us. "Hello, Nora, Starla. I'm Dr. Grey. What can I help you with today?"

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've been feeling off lately... fatigue, nausea... and I'm a few days late." I took a deep breath. "I think I might be pregnant."

Dr. Grey nodded understandingly. "Alright, let's run some tests and find out for sure. I'll take a blood sample, and we'll have the results shortly."

She took the blood sample swiftly and excused herself, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Starla's comforting presence. The room felt heavy with anticipation, and I couldn't keep my fears bottled up any longer.

"What if Zac doesn't want a baby right now?" I asked nervously, my hands twisting in my lap. "We've just gotten married, what if he thinks it's too soon, and it scares him off? What if he's not ready to be a father? Or worse, what if he doesn't want the baby at all? What if he... wants a divorce?"