Paradise Of The Mad (a Manxman Mpreg Story)

Chapter 11

Two days later, when Ralsch had just finished a work shift, the Health Scanner installed in the locker room detected some anomalies in his body function and informed him of such. When he asked for details, the thing produced some statistics and graphs and garbled scientific jargon. He could not make head or tail out of them except for an instruction to consult a doctor at a panel clinic. With an irritated sigh, he showered, got changed and left. Fortunately for him the clinic was just a few blocks away.

When he arrived at the department he was assigned a doctor straight away. One of the few perks of being employed by the town that he liked. Though Ralsch did not like the thorough scanning and the tests that followed. Finally he got to Dr. Kelley who sat him down for the results.

"I've done all the necessary tests, and good news, they are all positive." She said with a professional smile on her face. Ralsch stared at her with suspicion. An anomaly in his system is good news? "You're two weeks along. Congratulations!" she sweetly informed him, looking at him as if Ralsch expected be happy with the news too.

"Excuse me?"

"It's amazing isn't it? You want me to contact your fertility doctor?"

"Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?"

Dr. Kelley hesitated. "I am saying you are pregnant, Mr. Houzton. Two weeks now." She smiled at him with wide-eyed encouragement.

"Who's pregnant? And what two weeks? Did you confuse me with the person before?" Ralsch gestured towards the door.

"No, I'm not." The woman answered, her professional happiness evaporating rapidly. "Didn't you... you have an artificial womb, aren't you? And undergoing fertility therapy with your doctor? I'm telling you it was a success and you are now carrying a child."

"What are you talking about?" he repeated. Ralsch could feel his patience slipping away. "Look, this is getting crazy and I don't have the time for this. You're making a mistake." Ralsch rose from his seat and head to the door.

"Mr. Houzton, I'm definitely sure this is not a mistake." Dr. Kelley stood up too. "Please sit down, I think it is important to figure things out now."

"Let's see here, ma'am" Ralsch raked his hand through his hair in frustration. "First, my artificial womb is not active. It's been lying dormant for years and I've never done anything to change that. Second, the last time I saw a doctor was weeks ago after an injury, and I was cleared for work two days later. You can't confuse that for fertility therapy or whatnot. And third, why would I try for a child now? I'm single, my job took all of my time, and my place is a one-room studio. There's no way I could afford it. Oh, and fourth, I think your machines need some major overhaul. Alright? See you." He turned for the door.

"Look, Mr. Houzton, if you don't believe me, why don't we go over this again? I could show you the scan results if you want. I had confirmed it again and again. It's proper procedure. And for your information, I specialize in artificial pregnancy. Why do you think you were assigned to me, and not a general practitioner? Your Health Scanner must have detected the appropriate changes, and so you were directed my way for further consultation."

Ralsch stood stock still in front of the door. He still could not take what was happening. Him? Carrying a child? That's just crazy. No way. He stared at the doctor. She stared right back with all the seriousness of a heart attack.

"Alright. But make it quick." He finally gave in, knowing it was a job requirement to stay on top of his health checks. With resigned huff he walked back.

She led him back into same treatment room and the machines and nurses. With exaggerated patience Ralsch went over it again, feeling like a fool. In a minute now the woman will tell him it was all a mistake on her part and apologize. Then he would tell her it was all right and leave the blasted clinic. Yeah, that was what would happen.

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