Pregnancy

• I was informed that you were found practically passed out in your apartment, that you had vomited a lot and were having bouts of chills.

• Yes. I was fine and I ended up getting very dizzy, I vomited a few times.

times.

• And you're feeling better? - She approached me, checking the empty IV and then removing the access from my arm.

Yes, I think so. - I pinched my arm with absorbent cotton to keep it from bleeding.

it wouldn't bleed.

She took a clipboard and started to check the results.

• Are you on any medication?

• No. Do you drink or smoke?

• Do you drink or smoke?

• No.

• Have you been eating often?

• Hmmm... - I swallowed dry, taking a little longer to answer. - The truth is that I'm a bit scattered about my eating. - I smiled down.

She nodded negatively, as if disapproving.

• This has, in fact, aggravated your symptoms. What was the date of your last period?

• A little over a month, my period never kept a proper flow.

correct flow.

• Yes, I understand. Well, Nicole, you are anemic and your blood sugar is low. The fainting must have occurred due to a sudden drop in pressure. - I nodded as she spoke. - Your blood test also shows that your Beta HCG is positive for pregnancy.

• What? - I asked, smiling as if it were a joke.

• Your blood test is positive for a possible pregnancy.

• No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no... No... No... What are you saying? - I took a deep breath and got off the gurney.

• Do you want me to call someone? - She finally looked at me, taking her eyes off the exam.

• No," I shouted. - I don't want to see anyone! I want to redo this exam.

• Okay. If you want, we can do a transvaginal ultrasound exam.

• Sure. - I assumed rather rudely.

• Just a moment. I'll bring the equipment here. Would you like me to ask someone to come stay with you? Your drawing room is full.

• No, I just want to get this over with and go home. Please," I whispered. My voice dropped a few decibels-don't say anything to anyone. I need some time to assimilate all of this.

• All right," she said, opening the door. - Medical confidentiality. I'd better go

pee. -Then she gave a wink.

The test had to be wrong! I remember well the day Luck and I had sex, we used condoms. My anemia might have altered the test, you never know. My hands were sweating cold, I was restless. I was getting up and down on the gurney, that test was wrong.

I spent minutes, which seemed like hours, days, years, like this.

she had installed everything. I lay down on the gynecological stretcher, which was hidden behind a curtain. I felt a little embarrassed to be exposed like that, but I wanted to get it over with. She sat down on a stool in front of me. I watched as she put the gel on the equipment properly encased with a condom. She said:

• The exam is not painful, only a small portion of women experience discomfort. Only a small portion of the transducer is placed inside the vagina. Don't worry, it won't hurt. - She smiled sweetly.

I was so anxious that I couldn't even smile back. Why did she have to say that a small part of me felt discomfort? What if I was in the minority statistic? I just nodded.

She inserted the transducer calmly, but I couldn't help but feel invaded. I moved uncomfortably.

• You need to relax," she said. - I won't hurt you, but you need to

need to relax your body.

• Okay," I said, closing my eyes.

Again she entered. But that was terrible. Anything to prove her wrong. I squeezed my eyes shut as if time was going to run faster.

Bop bop bop bop.

Here it is," she said, smiling. - Those are the beats, can you see?

I opened my eyes and saw a little blur on the screen.

• No, no! Oh, God! - That was the first thing I could say. It didn't even sound like a beat, more like a noise. I put my hands over my mouth as I cried. - Is it a baby?

• Yes," she said. - And it measures five millimeters, its weight is about a grain of rice.

Then she took off her equipment.

• It's about five weeks old.

• No, no, no... - I was in shock. - What am I going to do now?

I cried softly. The doctor, who seemed to be moved, came closer, stroking my shoulders.

• If you like, I can ask someone to come in. The people in the waiting room are very nervous. It will do you good to have someone to share this with.

I didn't answer. I was in shock. And all I could do was cry.

Minutes passed while she printed out the ultrasound paper, the physical proof that this was really happening.

• Here it is! - she said, handing me a white envelope. - You will need to start prenatal care as soon as possible and take the necessary vitamins and eat properly so that you don't get sick again. This could be very harmful for you and the baby.

I couldn't answer, I just nodded and put my exams on the table beside me.

• You will probably need someone to help you if these drops in pressure continue, and accurate medical follow-up. Other than that, you are doing well and are being discharged. - Then she left, leaving me alone. Yes, I have definitely come to the conclusion that life is not fair. How could this be happening to me? What was I going to do? How was I going to tell Madeleine? How was I going to tell Luck? Yes, I was screwed.

I buttoned the last button of my jeans and put on my shirt. Which they had brought for me, because the previous one was covered in vomit. When Alice opened the door, I had no reaction. Did she know? Did she suspect?

• Hey, you almost gave us all a heart attack! - said Vivian, who entered

behind her.

I let out a sad smile.

• What is it? You're not terminally ill, are you? - She hugged me

hugged me tight.

• No. - I sniffled. - Just silly anemia.

• It didn't look silly. I thought I was dying. I can laugh now, but it was really scary. Luckily I was with Matthew and he helped by carrying you.

• I appreciate that, girls. But it was no big deal, I promise to take better care of myself now.

• Yes, you will," said Alice. - Your mother is coming, Nicole. She took the first flight when Matthew called her to tell her what had happened.

• We couldn't even interfere. We didn't know what you had.

it wouldn't be fair not to tell her.

• Yes, I understand. - I'm screwed. - You're right. - My mom is going to kill me.

• Is this your exam? - she said, interrupting the conversation and taking the envelope with the ultrasound.

I walked towards her and took it from her hand. - Yes it is," she said rudely. - My exam. My life. My privacy.

• My what? - Vivian looked at me stunned. - Nicole, if you're sick, we need to know the truth. What's wrong with your exam?

• Nothing! - I screamed, hysterically. - I just don't want to show it to anyone. It's my test, I don't want anyone to see it. Why can't we just forget about it?

Nicole, you're scaring us. We don't have secrets from each other.

with each other. Whatever you got on your exam, you don't have to act like this. We've been friends for a long time, there's no reason to hide it.

• And why do you think I'm hiding anything? - I shouted once more

again.

• Because you're acting weird, defensive, and suspicious. - She gestured toward me as she quickly pulled the exam out of my hand. And I was speechless.

• Vivian, give it back to me now!

• Nicole. No problem, I'll get it back to you. - I said, opening the envelope and looking at it.

Vivian looked for a moment at the exam, and then at me. Again she looked at the exam, and then at me. Then she put her hand over her mouth. Her face was unreadable. I think she tried to speak, but lost her voice. She turned to Alice, who didn't take long to speak.

• Who is he? - she said, looking down.

• I swear. - I stammered. - I swear, I was going to tell you. It didn't last,

it was only once, so I didn't see the need to tell... I...

Vivian cut me off.

• We never hid anything from you! How could you keep it from us? I thought we were friends. We could have helped you.

• I don't know... - I tried to hold back the tears that clouded my vision.

• Do you even know who the father is?

• Damn it, Vivian, take it easy. - Alice came closer and dried my tears.

• Luu... Luuuck... - she said between tears.

• Luck Petrelli? - she added.

I nodded.

• Holy shit! - She put her hand over her mouth. - Did he abuse you? - she said, coming closer.

• No," I said in one breath. - I wanted to. But I don't understand. We took care of ourselves, this wasn't supposed to happen

• When did this happen? - Alice asked.

• On the night of our graduation.

Alice let out a low whistle.

• Luck is such a bastard. He can't see a hole he wants to crawl into. - He gave a sad smile.

• Now what are you going to do?

• I don't know.

• You're going to take it, aren't you? You can't keep this child, Luck would never take this child. And then there's Madeleine.

• Yes, I know," I answered. - But he needs to know.

Vivian laughed, but it was pitiful, unfortunate. - What is your problem? I'm serious. I might be wrong, but if you put the pieces together, you can see that he gave you a kick in the ass.

• Yes, I know. - I wiped the tears streaming down my face. - But he

needs to know.

• Okay, I'll wash my hands. You need to start facing reality. Look where this platonic infatuation has gotten you. You're beautiful, you could have had any decent boy in this town. But no, you had to experiment with the only person who sucks. And worse, get pregnant with him. And even worse, hope that he will take you and this child. Really, if you take this story any further, count me out. You had every chance to make the right choice and you just screwed up your life. And you know, even if you don't want to take it, that your best chance is to get rid of this baby. -I'll take you somewhere and no one will ever know this ever happened.

• You didn't have to be rude. And I don't think I'm the best person to say things like that. - Alice narrowed her eyes at Vivian, who was standing between us.

• I just said what you've wanted to say for a long time! You're not ten years old anymore, Nicole, grow up.

• I wanted to tell you, I swear, I just didn't know how. I was so confused. - I sighed deeply between sobs. - I never thought Luck would treat me like this...

• Nicole, please... - Alice said, smoothing my arms lovingly from top to bottom. - If he did something to you, if you didn't want to, or if he forced you, you need to tell us. There's no shame in it, but we need to know everything.

• No. - I said. - I wanted to! I told you, I wanted it, I wished for it. Why is it so hard to believe? - I wiped my face.

--- It's because we warned you. You didn't have to go this far to be able to see

you could see Luck's true face, which was there all along, you just didn't want to see it. I don't even want to think about how long this road is going to be for you. - Vivian said quietly, and then slammed the door.

• Hey, it's okay. - Alice hugged me. - She just needs some time. We all make mistakes.

I cried for a long time. We left and went home. She wanted to sleep

with me, but I preferred to be alone.