Rylann woke very abruptly, sweating and trembling. Her hand flew to her stomach, lifting her t-shirt to reveal her belly. She sighed and relaxed. She dreamt about her wedding again, a dream she had relieved many times since that special day. The last several nights she had been having the dream, but didn’t think anything of it. Each time, the images would progress as far as where they were married, but she would always wake before they couples turned to walk down the isle. This time she watched carefully as she, Benji, Joel, and Jayde all turned to make their way through the guests. She gasped in shock as she saw that both she and Jayde had large, extending bellies in front of them. She didn’t understand the meaning of the dream; neither was pregnant at the time of the wedding. Jayde didn’t get pregnant until nearly five months following the wedding and Rylann was unable to have children. Rylann sat back in her bed and tried to make sense of the vision. After only seconds, she was overwhelmed with that feeling she had become so familiar with in the last week. She quickly rushed to the bathroom and met once again with the porcelain god. Rylann felt two hands sweep her hair off her neck and out of her face, and then begin to rub her back. She wiped her face and turned to face Amy who was sitting beside her on the bathroom floor.
“God, this is really starting to get annoying!” Rylann sighed in exhaustion.
“I know sweetie…I really think you should see a doctor, Benji’s worried and so am I.”
“I just don’t think it’s anything serious, it’s probably just the flu…”
“I would feel so much better if we knew for sure.”
“Well, it’ll take a few days to get an appointment anyway…”Rylann tried to continue her protest.
“Actually, I kinda called yesterday cause I was worried, they said they can see you this afternoon…please go Ry…” Rylann tried to think of some excuse as to why she couldn’t go, but couldn’t think of one. She had to admit she was a little curious about what was going on with her, but still hated the thought of visiting the doctor.
“I guess I have no choice…you’re coming with me right?” Rylann sighed in defeat.
“Of course…now why don’t you shower and then we’ll stop for a bite to eat on the way?”
“Ugh, don’t mention anything about food”
“Right, sorry…” Amy smiled weakly “C’mon, get cleaned up and I will inform the doctors’ office we’ll be there at 12:30.”
* At the doctors office*
“Uh! What is taking so long, it’s almost 3:00!” Rylann growled.
“Calm down Ry…they were concerned since you have been feeling like this for so long, they are going as fast as they can to get the blood work checked and get the results.”
“This is why I hate these places…they make you sit here for hours and worry about whatever is wrong with you…I can diagnose myself, Flu…it’s easy as that, can we please just go?”
“Ry, please…they’ll have answers for you soon.” Amy soothed. “Ry…are you, scared…like of what they might say?”
“No…not really, I guess…I mean, I don’t think I am…gesh, now you have me worrying Am!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you worry, I just meant…what if it’s something we weren’t expecting?” Amy replied apologetically.
As thoughts began reeling through Rylann’s mind, she was interrupted when the doctor entered the room.
“Mrs. Madden, we’ve just received your results…” Doctor Sanes began as she pulled a chair up to where the sisters were sitting. Rylann still grinned a little when someone referred to her as ‘Mrs. Madden’.
“Ok, what did they say? Is everything ok?” Rylann inquired, slightly nervous.
“Yes, everything is fine, we were just a little surprised by the results…”
“Please Dr. Sanes, just tell me.” Rylann replied with subtle agitation.
“Of course…Rylann, you’re 11 weeks pregnant!” Dr. Sanes said excitedly. Rylann’s face stayed emotionless as Amy threw her arms around her sister and hugged her tightly.
“Ry, are you ok? Did you hear her…you’re pregnant!” Amy smiled brightly.
“Are you sure? I mean…I was told I couldn’t have children,” Rylann finally spoke.
“We’re positive…haven’t you noticed any signs?” The doctor assured her accuracy.
“No, not really…besides feeling sick all the time lately.” Rylann answered honestly.
“Yes, that is a sign…what about your menstrual cycle?”
“That’s never been normal…but, you said I’m almost three months, shouldn’t I be showing or something?”
“Not necessarily…some women don’t show until their second trimester, you’re very petite, you won’t gain much and that may be why you are not showing. Do you have any other questions?” Rylann stayed quiet for a moment, absorbing all the information she had just received. She turned her head to face her sister and smiled weakly.
“How am I going to tell Benji?”
“Aww, Ry…we’ll figure that out later, he’s going to be thrilled!” Amy beamed.
“I know, but what if…” she didn’t need to continue; Amy knew just what she was concerned about.
“Doctor Sanes, Rylann has experienced two extremely difficult miscarriages, what are the chances that will effect this pregnancy?” Amy asked softly, while holding Rylann’s hand tightly.
“Well…it really shouldn’t have much of an effect. I am aware of the miscarriages and they were unnatural loses, meaning that Rylann’s system should be able to maintain the embryo. Of course, we’ll have to watch her carefully, but I have full confidence that she will be able to carry this baby to term.”
The women continued to discuss different aspects of what to expect and made an appointment for Rylann’s first checkup and ultrasound before leaving. Rylann was excited, she honestly was, but she couldn’t help but have slight apprehension about being pregnant again. She knew Benji would be thrilled; all he has ever wanted was a big family. After trying desperately to conceive for the past year, going as far as seeing a fertility specialist, they felt that ever having children of their own was a hopeless case. The ride home was quiet as Rylann planned how to tell Benji at the perfect time in the perfect way….