AN: More potentially uncomfortable dical monts after ☽...☾ line, in case you skipped last!
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I exhaled slowly, my thoughts a total blizzard of conflicting emotions. Pregnant... carrying Jace’s child...
Even if I already really knew, to be congratulated for it is not really what I want to hear.
"How far along am I?"
The answer could only be a couple weeks, based on her mories. But I had to ask anyway - just to keep up the small charade of being ’unaware’ about the exact timing.
It just seed like the thing you are supposed to ask. In this situation.
"From what I felt and saw during the examination, I would estimate you to be over a month along. Perhaps two."
My mind reeled back at that revelation. Pure white from the lights I was near filled my sight as my vision tunnels.
Slowly I blink back color into the world. It didn’t make any sense at all!
> Two months... but that’s not possible. How could it be? <
Vrika looked up at as I appeared in my mindscape and I could feel its shock. Not at what was being discussed...
But because I’d chosen my old ’human form’ this ti instead of the fox. Cream colored twin-tails trailing as low as my thighs.
Wrapped in fine red silk in cuts unlike any the humans here seem to wear. Floating and looking down imperiously over the creature I’ve grown quite comfortable with.
Enough to treat as both a voice of conscience and as my confidante.
> Right? Helene only had her impregnating sex... just this last ti. At the very least, two months ago she has no mory of being with Jace that way. Or is... did she maybe... <
The wolf whimpered and growled, not liking where I was going with it already. Not that I like any of my few possibilities, either...
But the world isn’t really waiting for to panic in my soul, with my wolf.
"I saw from your forms that you don’t have insurance or much dical history to share. That’s not uncommon for won in our community or in your position. Don’t worry - we can still provide you with excellent care throughout your term."
Her tone is still professional, but very kind. She doesn’t just start asking about a pack or a mate, which I certainly appreciate.
Because while I would have easily answered before, I’m now much more uncertain... about everything.
The blue edges of my vision show off the pack roster. It suggested Jace was the father, but is that also not sothing I have unduly taken as ’obvious’?
"So... I’ve been pregnant for two months? You’re sure?"
"That matches the hormone levels we’re seeing. It’s very early, which is good - it ans we can start prenatal care right away."
Dr. Lang studied my face seriously - and clearly I wasn’t holding my emotions back that well. Her hand scratches her chin, as if she is thinking of a solution.
"I can see you’re surprised. Would you like to see for yourself? An ultrasound would give us a clearer picture of the developnt."
Too stunned from her ’doubling down’ on the certainty, I rely nod. There is no reason for her to lie to that I can think of...
On the other hand, that could an I am rely unaware of a good reason to do so. I just don’t have the ntal fortitude to think past it being the truth right now...
> But more proof can at least keep from denying it. <
"Excellent. The ultrasound will help us confirm the gestational age, check its positioning, and ensure everything is developing normally."
Once more she makes use of that handheld computer before looking up at .
"You provided your urine sample a while ago, but have you drunk much liquid since then? Your answer will determine which transducer I use today."
"Only a sip or two of water."
She nods at my weak but certain response. Dr. Lang then rolled a dical machine with a monitor screen from the corner of the room toward the examination table.
As she positioned it beside , I caught sight of a sleek, embossed logo on its side. A small stylized crescent moon alongside the word [Lunarizon].
My breath audibly caught in my throat, making the other woman look over.
> Kyrie Voss’s company. Of course. <
A part of wanted to bolt, to put as much distance as possible between myself and anything to do with the enigmatically restrained Alpha who had already invaded so much of my life. My thoughts.
Feelings and desires.
"Ms. Lomdi?"
But another part... the part that had grown used to the comforts and securities she has ’indirectly’ provided the past few days... whispered that this was a good thing.
That Kyrie’s involvent was a sign of greater safety - of protection. I close my eyes and steady my breath.
> I don’t know what to think. Whether as my patient savior or as an inevitable mistake. She seems impossible to escape. And now I’ve just learned this, too... it also makes her seem impossible to approach. <
"I’m fine, doctor. So emotional things are just hitting ."
She notices my gaze when I open my eyes again. Still on that logo and still picturing orange flickers waiting.
"This is one of our newer models. Specially calibrated for werewolf tissue density. Regular ultrasound equipnt doesn’t always give clear readings for our kind."
She didn’t seem to find it unusual that I was staring at the machine as she talked. Probably assud I was just nervous about the procedure.
Besides, this woman is likely to be a Ricoat in the first place. And of course, that Alpha’s company is the one designing dical technology that works better for our kind.
> Stupid perfect CEO... <
"I’ll need you to lie back down and get in the stirrups once again, I’m afraid."
A slight frown grows on my face. The few pictures of this procedure that the books showed off did not seem to require this?
"I can guess what you’re thinking. If you’d like to wait until another visit, we can do a transabdominal ultrasound instead. At that ti, I’ll need for you to have a full bladder so we get the clearest images."
My brain struggled with how everything connected together, so I rely nodded. A handy skill in statecraft to move past potential unnecessary delays.
"But you have a way to do it now?"
☽...☾
"Transvaginal. Insertion of a probe would be much like the two exams before. Though I will admit the ultrasound gel is... viscous. Thicker and stickier than the lubricant from before. So-"
"I’m sorry to interrupt, but will this truly help prove the tiscale you described?"
The werewolf doctor smiles and nods. And gives the answer I needed to hear.
"Absolutely."
As I get back into the spot, with this uncomfortable bending of my knees, she turns on the machine. A soft hum filled the room as the screen illuminated.
"This is the transducer I’ll be using. I’ve placed the disposable cover on already."
What looked like a wand connected to the machine by a thick cable was raised for to see.
"This gel I’m applying to it will feel cold, but it’s necessary to prevent air pockets from affecting the image clarity."
Dr. Lang warned, uncapping a bottle and showing it to as she talked about what was coming. The clear substance was indeed cold.
Or so I learned when yet another dical device was inserted inside . I flinched more from the unfamiliar sensation than actual discomfort.
Altogether not that different from either of the other two exams... though she was right about the stickier sensation. Over the minutes, the screen filled with grainy black and white images that ant nothing to my untrained eye.
But she would occasionally stop and press buttons to save different images as she manipulated the probe. Noticing I’d grown more curious and less withdrawn, she began talking more while her eyes were fixed on the screen.
"At this stage, we’re looking for several key markers. Clear views of the gestational sac, which is the fluid-filled structure that contains the embryo. The yolk sac, which provides it early nutrition. And hopefully the fetal pole, which is the first visible sign of the embryo itself."
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