Renewing our Vows

Chapter 6: The News

Each day, Alex leads me on a new excursion. He shows me he loves me when he grasps my hand tightly at the top of the Eiffel Tower, reassuring me that he will always be there to protect me and that he doesn't want me to be afraid. He shows me he loves me when he playfully swipes frosting down my nose in our baking class. He shows me he loves me when he pulls me tight against his chest, letting me stain his shirt with tears when we attend the opera and the music overwhelms me with its beauty. And at night, he shows me he loves me when he pushes me up against the door and makes love to me right there because the bed is too far and he needs me as soon as humanly possible. He shows me how much he loves me every night for the rest of the week. And every morning for that matter. Needless to say, I was exhausted. But I had never been happier or more satisfied in my life.

...

When we finally, reluctantly, return home, I make an appointment with an OBGYN to get the process started and make sure Alex could be there with me. During our first appointment, the doctor runs blood work and goes through the typical question and answer process. Now all there is left to do is wait a week for the results to come back. Logically, I know that everything would be fine and as soon as the birth control was out of my system, we would have no problem getting pregnant. I never had any issues with Norman or Dylan.

We sit on the couch in the waiting room, side by side staring straight ahead. I don't even realize I'm moving until Alex reaches his hand out to grasp my ankle, holding my leg in place. He straightens up and looks at me.

"I'm so nervous." I explain, though I realize that's obvious.

"It's gonna be fine honey," he replies before leaning in to kiss me.

The door opens then and a tall blonde woman approaches us. "Norma Bates, Sheriff Romero. We're ready for you." She says, smiling and holding our chart in her long slender arms.

"You ready?" He whispers in my ear.

"Ready as I'll ever be.." I reply back, smiling halfheartedly at him.

"So Mr. and Mrs. Romero," Dr Granger begins. "I'm sorry to have to deliver this news but it looks like your chances are not great."

I feel as though I've been punched in the stomach. This can't be happening. I glance over at Alex's face, searching for something that could possibly make sense. He must have an answer. All I see is confusion on his face.

"What exactly does that mean?" he asks.

"It means that if there is any possibility at all, the probability is extremely low. But I don't want you to get your hopes up. It would likely take a miracle if it were to ever happen. This is not uncommon with couples of your age."

Alex looks over at my face just as a tear slides down my cheek and he reaches out to take my hand, squeezing it tightly. I turn my head away from him, wiping my face with my free hand. I don't want him to see me cry. I know he will blame himself for this and I can't bear it.

I stand up, releasing his hand and turn to the doctor.

"Thank you, Dr. Granger," I say, reaching out to shake his hand. "We'll be in touch." He nods sadly at me before I turn and walk out the door, not waiting for Alex. It feels as though my body weighs 1,000 pounds as I walk through the waiting room and straight towards the car. I climb in to the passenger side and pull my knees up to my chest, staring out the side window and feeling completely numb. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him walk towards the car and hear the door open, feeling the shift when he slides behind the wheel and starts the engine. We drive the whole way home in complete silence. He sniffles quietly beside me when we turn down our road and I finally turn my head to look at his face. 

One tear streams down his cheek as he bites his lip, and quickly scrubs it away, clearing his throat. I reach my hand across the seat to run my fingers over his arm. When he pulls onto the gravel and stops the car, he leans back against the headrest, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

"Alex?" I whisper. 

Immediately he turns towards me, taking off his seatbelt before releasing me from mine and sliding towards me, pulling me onto his lap and holding me tightly. We stay like this for what feels like hours, crying and holding each other like our lives depend on it. 

After a while, our tears subside and we lay out on the seat, holding each other and eventually fall into a deep and troubled sleep.

*** I'm sorry this chapter is so short but I wanted to update tonight! I will continue on as soon as I can. Sorry about the turn of events but don't lose hope just yet ;)