“Noted.” He laughed.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little. You?”
“A little.”
He reached over to grab my hand, and smiled.
“All in, Unicorn.”
“All in.”
The two of us walked inside hand, in hand. As messed up as the situation was, I was glad to be going through it with someone like Owen. He had a calming effect on me, sometimes just seeing him was enough to make me feel better.
I filled out all the necessary paperwork, and shortly after they brought us both back to a room. I was instructed to pee in a cup, and then a nurse came in to draw my blood. She asked about my last menstrual cycle, but I told her that I hadn't missed any. She said it wasn't as uncommon as most people may think.
My urine test came back positive, and since I didn't know my conception date they gave me the option of getting a vaginal ultrasound. I chose to do it, and a few minutes later an ultrasound technician came into the room with a rolling cart. She explained what she'd be doing, and then she asked me to go into the bathroom to change into a gown.
When I returned, Owen was talking to the technician about his tattoos. I shook my head giving him a knowing look, and he shrugged his shoulders. I couldn't take this man anywhere without him being ogled by a pretty woman.
I laid back on the bed, and Owen moved his chair so that he could sit beside me. He held my left hand, while the tech stood to my right. I watched as she adjusted the knobs with ease, and Owen gave my hand a little squeeze.
“I still don't understand how this happened.” I said, to no one in particular.
“You were on the pill?” The technician asked.
“I was. I am. I mean I never missed a dose.”
“Sometimes thinks happen the way that they're supposed to happen.” She smiled. “Are you ready?”
I nodded my head, and she asked me to place my feet up on the stirrups so that she could insert the wand. It was uncomfortable for sure, but not as bad as I was expecting. It wasn't long until I heard a swooshing sound that she told us was the baby's heart beat. She took measurements, and different images at different angles, and when she finished she left the room so that I could get cleaned up.
When I reemerged from the bathroom with my clothing back on, Owen stood to pull me into his arms. I let myself relax against him, inhaling his familiar scent.
“Are you alright?” He asked, softly.
I nodded against him as a tear slid down my cheek.
“Knock, knock.” A male's voice said from the other side of the door before pressing it open.
Owen and I pulled apart, and the man extended his hand to introduce himself.
“I'm Doctor Shaw.” He said.
Owen took his hand in a firm shake, and then I did the same. He gestured towards the chairs, and we all sat down before he opened the file he held in his hands.
“After looking over your chart, and seeing the ultrasound images it appears that you're just under eight weeks along.”
My heart immediately sunk into my stomach. This was Derek's baby. I crossed my arms over my belly, and tried to keep my tears from falling. I felt Owen's hand on my shoulder and then I couldn't help it. How could something that I wanted only months ago suddenly cause me so much pain? I knew in my heart that the chances of Owen being the father were slim, but it didn't change the way that I was feeling right now.
“Are- are you sure?” I asked.
“The vaginal ultrasounds are very accurate, Ms. Locke. Is something troubling you?”
“I was on the pill.” I said, digging around in my purse for the small circular container. “I've never missed a dose! I have a timer on my phone. Every day at noon like clock work.”
“May I see that?” He asked.
“Sure.” I answered with confusion, before handing it to him.
He turned the container over in his hands, studying it. He opened it next, and did the same with the pills. I watched as he popped one out, and flipped it over looking at it intently.
“Where did you get these?”
“The pharmacy. My ex always picked my prescription up for me.”
He shook his head with concern.
“I'm not sure what these are Ms. Locke, but they aren't birth control.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, with disdain.
“The packaging is mostly correct, but the pills themselves have nothing on them. No numbers, no letters. There should be something on them.”
“I don't understand, how could something like this happen?”
“Which pharmacy did you use?”
“It was in Raleigh. I haven't had to refill it yet, because I have a ton of samples.”
“Samples?”
“My ex said that the office would give them to women who didn't have insurance.”
“It's possible, but usually not without being seen as a patient. A man can't just walk into a center like ours and request it.”
“Son of a bitch!” Owen said as he stood.
He ran his hands through his hair, and shook his head with evident anger.
“This was all him. All part of his plan to get his hands on my dad's business.”
My eyes grew wide with understanding. Derek. Of course it was him. He admitted that he only wanted to marry me to get a leg up on Owen. If we were married, and having a baby he was a shoo-in. Would he really stoop that low though? And where the hell would he get fake birth control pills?
Dr. Shaw stood then, and gave me a sympathetic smile.
“I have other patients to see. If you'd like, you can set up your next appointment at the reception desk.”
“Thank you.” I said, my own voice sounding far away.
When he left the room I turned to look at Owen.
“I'm so sorry.” I cried softly. “I'm sorry that this baby isn't yours, and I'm sorry that I've complicated your life so much.”
He sighed, before dropping onto his knees in front
