Now And Always.(Sequel to Acceptance)

Pregnant?!!!

  Ryan had come here immediately after work. There had not been much to do in the office today coupled with him not being able to get his bearings. He had told his new secretary  to cancel any impromptu activities  and told her he was fine when she asked after his health.

   He explained his predicaments to the doctor and was told several tests would be conducted. His urine,  saliva and blood had been collected and he was told to wait for the results.
He tried not to act jumpy or anxious. But he was made up of flesh and bones. No other person in his situation would sit still. He tried not to think or expect the worst but it was futile. His husband had called earlier to ask how he was faring and even delivered flowers to him at the office this morning.

He smiled at the thought of Quinn being loving and caring  and tried to keep his mind buried in their memories. This was their third year of living together as couple. It had not been a bed of roses but still they never stop making an effect to keep it progressing. They had discussed about adopting a kid or opting for surrogacy but it  never stuck. Quinn owned a studio. He had finally become a photographer and was doing a fine job out of it. He was currently in a contract with a Fashion show and was doing his utmost best. Quinn loved his job.

Ryan's name was soon called by a tall, slender nurse with strawberry blonde hair. He smiled at her which she reciprocated  and led him down the fluorescent lited hallway and in front of a door.
She knocked,  twisted the knob and pushed the door open. The kind nurse nodded at him to go in before turning to leave.

  Ryan inhaled deeply, brushed off an invisible dust from his trimmed suit and stepped in. He closed the door gently behind him and walked further into the moderately furnished office.
Behind the doctor's desk was Doctor Reynolds, a brown skinned elderly woman. Her thick,  coarse hair was packed into a thight bun on her head and a pair of glasses rested on the bridge of her nose. When she beheld him,  she gave him a calm smile and Ryan couldn't help but smile back. Her smile was contagious.

" Have a seat". She ushered him to the leather sofa instead of the swivel chair opposite her.

Ryan did as he was told and tried to remain still.
She stood up from where she sat and came to join him in a sofa opposite him.

"Mr Macomb,  is it? ", she began. Her voice was sonorous,  a contrast to her appearance 

Ryan nodded.

She smiled. " You can call me Gwen. It's best we get the formalities out of the way, don't you think? ".

Ryan didn't argue. "sure", he nodded."
He looked curious and anxious. If Gwen noticed, she didn't say.

" Without prevarication,  it's safe to say you are pregnant ".

An incredible and unbelievable expression found its way on Ryan's face.

"Is this some kind of sick joke? ", he looked bemused.

Gwen didn't let her calm expression waver. She placed the  test results on the table.

" Judging from the symptoms and test results, it shows you are in your first trimester and eight weeks pregnant ".
Ryan reached for the sheet of paper and stared into it. His heart was beating wildly in his chest. She was right. The pregnancy test showed he was pregnant but something was not being addressed here. The fact that he was a man was being tossed out of the window.

"How... is this even possible? ", his voice was barely audible.

" Believe me when I say I'm stunned too. In all my years in this field, I have never encountered something as this.  Men gets pregnant these days. So,  think of it as a miracle because it do happen ".

Ryan swallowed and raked his hand through his hair. He still couldn't believe what was happening.

" The next step now,  is to choose your practitioner that will guide you  throughout the whole term of your pregnancy. And mind you, there will be a high rate of miscarriage since you are a man", she encouraged.

He released a dry laugh. " I thought I was going to die".

Gwen gave him a sympathetic look. " You are in charge of another being now. It's logical to avoid negative thoughts and look on the bright side".
Ryan nodded.

" If you think it's overwhelming for you,  there is always a second option ",
His stomach churned with anticipation, panic and fear.

" Abortion isn't an option "

She nodded at him. " I thought so too"

Ryan finally stood up. " Thanks for
being considerative. It means a lot".

She copied his actions. " You have my number, you can call me anytime. But, the earlier the better".

Ryan gave her a genuine smile and she walked him to the door.