Chapter 31 Got It
Alison walked into the doctor's office, nervously twisting her fingers as she sat down across from the doctor.
The doctor glanced at her and asked, "You're not married, are you?"
Alison shook her head awkwardly.
"Alright, first a urine test, then an ultrasound," the doctor said, handing her a form. Alison went off to get the tests done.
After more than an hour of running around, both the ultrasound and urine test were completed. Seeing the two lines on the ultrasound report, Alison knew she was really pregnant.
She gently placed the report in front of the doctor.
The doctor picked up the ultrasound report, glanced at it, and pointed to the chair opposite. "Have a seat."
Alison sat down silently, her face pale. She was still wrestling with the decision of whether to keep the baby.
The doctor finished reviewing the report and images, then pointed to the medical bed behind a screen. "Lie down over there."
Alison reluctantly walked over and lay down.
With her eyes closed, she felt the doctor gently massaging her lower abdomen. After a while, the doctor stopped and said, "Alison, it's a miracle you got pregnant."
"Huh?" Alison looked at the doctor, confused by her words.
The doctor seemed to understand Alison's confusion and explained, "Your uterus is severely retroverted, which makes it very difficult to get pregnant. Some people with milder conditions than yours have tried for years to have a baby. Miss, I suggest you keep this child."
"But I..."
"Go home and discuss it with your boyfriend. Some people can't have children no matter how hard they try, while others get pregnant when they least expect it. Life is unpredictable. The decision is yours, but that's my advice."
"But I was injured before and took some medication. I'm worried it might affect the baby." Alison was already leaning towards keeping the baby, but she had other concerns.
"What medications did you take? Tell me," the doctor said, washing her hands and sitting down to listen.
Alison listed the medications, nervously twisting the hem of her shirt as she waited for the doctor's response.
"Did you take a lot of the anti-inflammatory drugs?"
"Not much, because I often forgot due to being busy. But I did use the topical medication every day."
"The medications you took shouldn't affect the pregnancy. You're lucky. The previous doctor probably avoided prescribing anything harmful to pregnant women, knowing you were a female patient."
"Really?" Alison finally smiled, still a bit incredulous.
"Yes, keep the baby. As a doctor, I really don't recommend terminating this pregnancy. From what I see, you might be carrying twins."
"What?" Alison stood up abruptly, unable to believe it.
The doctor pointed to the ultrasound report and images. "Look, you have two gestational sacs in your uterus. Many people would give anything for that. But if you don't want them, you need to decide soon. The fetuses are already over forty days old, and it will be risky to terminate the pregnancy later. That's all I have to say. Nurse, call the next patient."
"I... I'll keep them," Alison decided firmly.
"Good. Read up on pregnancy, take care of yourself, and come in for regular check-ups," the doctor advised.
Leaving the hospital, Alison was determined to have these two babies. She felt a sense of relief she had never experienced before.
These children felt like a gift from above, something she couldn't refuse.
Alison quit her job at the ice cream shop and opened a small flower shop. Though it was only about 200 square feet, business was good enough to support herself and save for the babies.
The person who had taken her photos never contacted her again, and the emails stopped.
Sometimes, she wondered how that person knew her email address.
It felt both familiar and strange.
But looking at the clear sky, her world seemed bright and hopeful.
There were things she should forget, but couldn't.
She couldn't forget the pain Jack had caused her in the woods.
It hurt, but she couldn't bring herself to hate him.
Now, she was carrying his children.
Her fate seemed so unlucky.
Once the babies were born, she was determined to find that person. She couldn't go to a nightclub with a big belly; the bouncer wouldn't let her in.
The flowers in her shop were delivered by farmers from the outskirts of the city. A phone call was all it took.
She always smiled, making people feel comfortable, which brought in many repeat customers, especially office workers.
She had gotten used to living alone, going to prenatal check-ups alone, and the strange looks from doctors and nurses at the hospital.
She was determined to bring these two babies into the world healthy and strong.
She didn't dare contact her old classmates or Jackson, afraid they would see her current state—unmarried and pregnant, too embarrassing.
Her belly grew bigger by the day, and in two months, she would give birth.
Alison asked the lady from the neighboring store to help and hired a young girl named Laura Harvey, who was only eighteen, uneducated, and from a small town. She had been struggling to find work in the city.
Alison found the girl reliable and felt comfortable leaving the shop to her when she went into labor.
She taught Laura how to order stock, arrange flowers, and sell them. Laura was quick to learn and soon managed on her own.
Alison loved the flower shop; it brought her peace. With this shop, no matter what happened, she could at least provide for her children.
"Alison, it's time to eat," Laura called after trimming the new roses. Alison had handed over most of the shop's tasks to Laura.
Alison looked at her belly, finding it hard to even sit down.
The two little ones inside were kicking, making her belly round like a ball.
She slowly stood up, holding onto the flower stand, as the babies continued to move around.
Their little hands and feet were so active. She wondered if it was the brother or sister kicking her.
Alison hoped for a daughter, thinking girls were closer to their mothers and more well-behaved.
Just as she steadied herself and took a step forward, a sudden pain hit her belly.
The pain was so intense she couldn't move.
"Alison, are you okay?" Laura asked.
"Laura, I... I think I'm going into labor." She had no experience, but the timing seemed right, and the pain made her think it was time.
Laura immediately put down her utensils and ran over. "Alison, I'll grab your things. We need to get to the hospital." Alison had always treated her like a sister, never shortchanging her, even providing food and lodging above the flower shop. Laura was very grateful.
Without experience, Alison was scared. Both she and Laura were clueless, so they closed the shop early and headed to the hospital.
Giving birth was a joyous occasion.