Valencia!

Ten

Valencia sat quietly in the backseat; eyes focused on the blurred city outside the car window. Mrs. Sydney’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I can’t believe you got an appointment so quickly.” Her mother smiled proudly. “Doctor Helen is an old colleague of mine. She made an exception to fit Valen in before I have to head back home.”

They stepped out of the car in front of a sleek, glass-fronted medical annex. The morning air felt heavy despite the sunlight, and Valencia couldn’t quite shake the nervous flutter in her stomach. “You doing alright, Valen?” Mrs. Sydney asked, giving her a gentle look. Valencia offered a small laugh. “Just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“Don’t be, dear,” she said reassuringly. “You’ve got both your mom and me here, and this kind of thing is routine. You’re in good hands.” They entered the building and rode the elevator up to the clinic. The waiting room smelled faintly of lavender and antiseptic. After a few minutes, a nurse stepped into the room and called out. “Valencia Isles?” She stood and followed the nurse into an exam room, where she took a seat on the paper-covered table. The room was sterile and cool, but her hands felt clammy.

“I hear you’re here to talk about birth control options,” the nurse said pleasantly. “Before we begin, we’ll need a quick urine sample.” She handed Valencia a small cup. “It’s just a formality,” her mom said with a warm smile. Valencia nodded and took the cup, heading toward the restroom. She tried to brush off the anxiety tightening her chest.

When she returned and placed the sample in the small pass-through window, she rejoined her mother and Mrs. Sydney in the exam room. The minutes passed slowly until the door opened again. “Anna! It’s so good to see you!” Doctor Helen greeted with bright warmth, pulling Valencia’s mother into a quick hug.

“You look wonderful, Helen. What’s your secret?” her mom teased. “Oh, you know . . . Botox and retinol,” Helen joked, making them all laugh. Her mom gestured to the other two women. “This is my daughter, Valencia, and our close friend, Sydney.”

The introductions were exchanged, and then Doctor Helen turned to the file in her hand, her expression lighting up. “Well, girls, I have some good news.” Valencia blinked, unsure of what to expect. Her mother raised a curious brow. Doctor Helen smiled wide. “Anna . . . you’re going to be a grandma!”

The air in the room stilled. “I’m sorry, come again?” her mom asked, her voice carefully neutral. Doctor Helen’s smile faded as she looked between them, suddenly unsure. “Valencia . . . you’re pregnant.” The words landed like a punch to the gut.

Valencia’s breath caught in her throat. Her knees threatened to buckle as she reached behind her for the exam table. Mrs. Sydney was at her side in an instant, looping an arm around her waist for support. “It’s okay, Valen,” she whispered gently, but the tears had already started to fall.

Doctor Helen stood frozen, clearly sensing the moment had taken a turn. Her mom stepped in calmly. “Would you mind giving us a few minutes, Helen?” “Of course,” the doctor replied softly before excusing herself and slipping out the door. The moment the door clicked shut, Valencia collapsed to the floor, sobs shaking her entire frame.

Mrs. Sydney followed her down, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Her mother crouched in front of her, taking her trembling hands in her own. “What am I going to do, Mom?” Valencia cried, mascara streaking down her cheeks. “It’s Maximus’s . . . isn’t it?” her mom asked gently.

Valencia nodded, burying her face in her hands. “I can’t do this. He’s already having a baby with someone else. I’m not ready to be a mom . . . I just started college!” She dissolved into another wave of tears, her grief uncontainable. “It’s alright, honey,” Mrs. Sydney murmured, rubbing slow, soothing circles on her back. “Let it out.”

Her mother reached forward, brushing the damp hair from Valencia’s face. “Sweet girl, I know this wasn’t the news you expected. But we’re here. We’ll support you every step of the way.” “We sure will,” Mrs. Sydney agreed, her voice full of quiet strength. After several more minutes, her mom helped wrap up the appointment, speaking on Valencia’s behalf while she pulled herself back together.

Doctor Helen returned briefly, her expression tender. She gave Valencia a gentle hug and slipped her a small card with her personal number. “Call me anytime, sweetheart. You’re not alone in this,” she said with a reassuring smile. They returned to the apartment in silence, the car ride filled only with the hum of the engine and the occasional sniffle. Back in the comfort of home, her mother ushered her to the couch, tucking a blanket around her shoulders.

There were still so many questions to answer . . . so many choices ahead. But for now, Valencia let herself rest, surrounded by the quiet love of the two women who had refused to let her face this alone.

Later that evening, Valencia lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind too full to settle. The shadows shifted as headlights passed on the street below, but everything inside her felt still, almost suspended. Pregnant.

The word echoed over and over in her head, sounding both foreign and impossibly real. She had barely spoken since they returned home, and neither her mother nor Mrs. Sydney had pushed her. They had just stayed close, bringing her tea, wrapping her in warmth, holding space for her shock.

There was comfort in that. In knowing she wasn’t alone. But the weight of what came next was still hers to carry. The bedroom door creaked open, and Tylon stepped in, closing it behind him with a soft click. He looked unsure, a glass of water in one hand, worry carved into his brow. “Your mom said you were awake.”

Valencia sat up slowly, her voice quiet. “Yeah. I can’t sleep.” He crossed the room and sat at the edge of her bed, handing her the water. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not ready,” he said gently. “But I’m here. I always will be.” She stared at the glass for a long moment before setting it on the nightstand. “It’s Maximus’s,” she said softly. “From . . . before we left.”

Tylon nodded, saying nothing at first. Then, after a moment, “Are you going to tell him?” Valencia’s stomach turned. “I don’t know . . . He’s got someone else. He’s already starting a family. I don’t even know if he deserves to know.”

“Maybe,” Tylon said carefully. “But what about what you need? You don’t have to figure it all out tonight. But I think you’ll want to decide on your own terms. Not out of fear. Not because of him. Just because it’s your story now.” Valencia swallowed hard. Her throat ached. Her heart ached.

But he was right. This was her story now. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m scared.” “I know,” he whispered. “But you’re not alone.” A silence settled between them, this one gentler. Not empty . . . but full. Full of everything unspoken, everything still unfolding.

And even though she was terrified, even though the path ahead felt uncertain and heavy, Valencia closed her eyes and finally let herself breathe. Tomorrow would come. And whatever it brought, she would face it . . . one heartbeat; one choice at a time.