"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"The Results"

That was the last Summer saw of Jay. It was hard to be hurt & loved by the same person. He loved her deeply, yet he also hurt her deeply. The past month had been long & everyday Jay was growing more &  more controlling. It got to the point where Summer was greeted by surprises. Sometimes they were good surprises like random bouquets of flowers. Other times, she was met by bad surprises like a slap or a broken dish after summer. The past couple weeks had escalated out of control to where Jay made it a habit to slap her just about everyday. Summer knew the bruises on her body would heal in a week or so, but the scars in her heart would take far longer to recover from the pain it experienced.

Jay drove off right when Summer headed for the stairs. He was ashamed & embarrassed. And although he was heartbroken, he knew this was the best thing for the two of them. Summer was right, they were no longer the same people from 7 years ago. They both had changed. Jay had hated who he was becoming. At least he'd have a fresh new start. They both would. Devon left the scene after giving Summer a hug. He loved both Summer & Jay & it tore him apart seeing the pain between them.

Summer reached the top of the stairs & looked up at Dennis who was waiting at the top step for her.

Dennis: I'm proud of you...
Summer: I'm proud of YOU. How is it that you were so confident in playing that game back there?
Dennis: Winning state champion a few years in a row kinda helps.

Summer hugged him.

Dennis: Haven't lost my streak just yet.
Summer: What happens now?
Dennis: I don't know.
Summer: I'll arrange to pick my stuff up with Nat while Jay goes to work.
Dennis: Do you need help?
Summer: You've done so much for me already. You saved my life today. I know you're waiting on an answer from me...
Nat: Sum, I'm sorry. Someone's on the phone for you.
Dennis: Go ahead. Maybe we'll meet for dinner.
Summer: I'll call you.

George & Nat urged Summer to bring all the abuse forward to Jay's boss so that there could be a disciplinary action made against him. Summer wanted this to be over & done with, but knew she didn't want him hurting anyone else the way he hurt her.

Before dinner with Dennis, Summer arranged for Nat to help her pack up the rest of her things at Jay's house once he left for work. She thought her final goodbye was enough & she didn't want to have to repeat the process over again. She knew it'd be too painful for everyone all around.

Nat: This house doesn't look as grand as it did the first time I came in.
Summer: I remember that day.
Nat: Now it's just kinda sad.
Summer: Yeah...
Nat: But hey, your boy came in clutch with that chess game. George was impressed. I was impressed. And... his southern drawl is just hypnotizing.
Summer: He's very sweet. And kind.

Summer's phone started buzzing. It was the hospital calling her with the results. Summer excused herself & went into the other room to take the call.

Summer: But I don't see how I can't just get the result over the phone.
Nurse: We apologize, Miss Harper. There's actually another test the Doctor would like to have you take before we can release the results. We were wondering if you could come in today. We have an opening in the next hour.

Summer turned around to see Nat packing up her clothes.

Summer: I'm kinda busy in the middle of a move.
Nurse: I see. It's the only way we can get a clear result.
Summer: Ok, I can come in.
Nurse: Great, we'll see you here in the next hour.

Summer returned to where Nat was.

Nat: The hospital?
Summer: Yeah. They need me to come in.
Nat: I can drive you.
Summer: I think I need to do this myself. Thank you though. I just don't know when I can come back for my stuff.
Nat: You know what, I can have George help me tonight. I have like 3 more boxes to go. George & I can come pick everything up later.
Summer: That would be a huge help. Thanks, Nat.
Nat: Bitch, you know I'm here for you.

Summer gathered her things & went to the hospital. She wasn't scared anymore. Knowing that things were finally over between her & Jay gave her a new confidence & strength. She could think a bit clearly now. If she was pregnant with his baby, she'd raise her baby up on her own. She thought of her sister & how Serena was managing. But what about Dennis? What were they? Friends? More than friends? That part still hung out of balance, but she knew whatever lay ahead for her & Dennis would be far better than how things would've turned out if she stayed with Jay.

She reached the doctor's office & was called in right away. She had come to terms with this pregnancy & was accepting her situation. She started planning out details in her mind as she followed the nurse down the hallway & into the examination room. She began thinking of baby names she liked. She started imagining what this baby would look like. After the nurse took her vitals, she left the room & Summer waited for the doctor.

Dr. Patel: Hello Ms. Harper, thank you for making time to come in. How have you been since the last time I saw you?
Summer: Well, actually a lot has happened. But I think things will be better from here on out.
Dr. Patel: That's good to hear. Well, we have your results, but we wanted to do one more test. This test proves to be the most accurate.

Dr. Patel explained the following test to Summer & stepped out so that Summer could put on the medical robe. Dr. Patel performed a transvaginal ultrasound on Summer. She was a bit uncomfortable, but the test was over before she knew it. Dr. Patel sighed & turned the screen around so that Summer could see the results. Dr. Patel carefully explained all that was going on in the ultrasound.

Summer: Wait, where's my baby? Aren't you able to see something by now. I should be about 2 months along.
Dr. Patel: Summer, this is the sac wall. And although there is a fetus...
Summer: Doctor?
Dr. Patel: I'm afraid there is no heartbeat.