The Pieces

Chapter 3

June 29, 2025

I heard the knock on the door as my doctor came into the room “So Miss Brown what seems to be the problem”

“I’ve been nauseous for over a week and it’s been really bad. I’ve had to call in sick to work more times than I can afford and work extra shifts to make up for it but I just feel terrible. The other day my friend offered me some food and I just threw it back up but it tasted good.” I replied and rubbed my hands together nervously.

“Are you sexually active?” Dr. Hunt asked

“Well about a month ago I blacked out drunk and woke up n***d in a bathtub so something might have happened then.”

“Just to make sure I’m going to have them run a blood test there’s a possibility you could be pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” I stared at the floor just surprised, “Okay I’ll get the blood test.” A nurse came in a drew the blood they needed. My doctor told me she’d call but until then don’t do anything rash.

I hovered near the phone waiting to hear the results and finally my doctors office was calling me “Hello?” I said as soon as I answered the phone.

“Is this Kenzie Brown?”

“Yes it is?”

“Your blood test results came back and it shows high levels of hCG in your blood which is a hormone secreted from the female body when she is pregnant.”

“So I’m pregnant?”

“Yes, the doctor wants to set up a follow up appointment with options and what you need to do moving forward.” I finish the conversation and dial my mom’s number.

“Mom can I come over? I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, sweetie I love you see you soon.” I drove there, my emotions torn between joy and terror. Tears were streaming down my cheek as I rode to my mother's house on my scooter. My mind was racing at what I had just heard. Mom left the porch light on for me.

I ran inside and when my mom saw I was crying she just hugged me as I told her everything. “I don’t know what I’m going to do?”

“Whatever you choose I’ll support you and we’ll help in any way we can.” We stood there hugging and it was then I chose I was going to keep my baby all the way and that I could do it no matter how hard it got.

August 2028

We rushed inside the emergency room and were sent to a room with Thea as the nurses did their evaluation and paged a doctor to come in. My mother was speaking to another nurse about what happened as I stayed with Thea. “Hello, I’m Doctor Kennedy and I will be helping you today…” his voice dropped at the end as he saw who it was.

“She fell while she was at the playground and she hit her head pretty bad apparently.”

“Apparently? Weren’t you there?” he replied sounding a little upset

“She was with my mother, so you can act professional or get another doctor here quickly,” I snapped back. “She isn’t your daughter she’s mine”

“You don’t know that.”

“Fine, as far we know she isn’t your daughter but she is mine so either you treat her like any other patient or I’ll request another doctor.”

“The other doctors are with patients I’m the only one who’s free right now.”

“Then if you want the girl who you think is your daughter to feel better, be a doctor and help her.” I stood up and moved away as he moved closer rechecking some vitals. I put my hand to mouth, watching him with Thea making sure you didn’t try to sneak some of her DNA while she was here. My mom came back into the room “That’s Dr. Peyton Kennedy he will be helping Thea,” I told her.

“So he’s the one who got the lawyers to request paternity test for Thea?” my mother said quite loudly.

“That would indeed be me,” he replied quickly “She’s going to need stitches and it will most likely scar but she doesn’t have a concussion”

“It’s okay that’s fine,” He got out the things he need to do stitches and when he was finished and started to walk out of the room I said “Thank you” and he replied with, “Just doing my job.”

“Mommy, my head hurts” I quickly turn around and go to my daughter.

“Thea, you’re okay sweetie. You hit your head and had to get stitches but you’ll be fine.” I look at my mom “I’m going to talk to the doctor”

I walk out of her ‘room’ and find Dr. Kennedy “Miss Brown is everything okay?”

“I called the hotel and you booked room 312 and I also have the 4 digits of card number, its 8725. So far I can’t prove I wasn’t in that room but I’ll keep trying the front desk is looking to see if I rented any other rooms I’ll be checking my cards to see if the numbers match up. You should do the same. I paid for the room I stayed in so if your card matches then we weren’t in the same room.” I turn away then turn back “Just so you know, I will be fighting this request don’t expect quick results.”

July 29, 2025

“Sorry Alison, I have an appointment with my OBGYN today I’m not available until after,” I held the phone haphazardly as I grab all I need I look at myself in the mirror looking at the small little bump “I’m not missing this appointment, This the one where you can find out the gender.” I take one more look, smiling softly even though this also terrified me. “I’ll come in as soon as I can.” I grab my keys and get in my SUV still a little saddened that I had to sell my scooter so that I could get a car it’s not the safest for a pregnant woman to ride a motorcycle let alone a scooter.

I arrive at my doctors office where my mother is waiting for me “Hey sweetie are you excited?”

“Kinda, but I’m mainly stressed about money. I need a bigger apartment but in order to afford this I’d need to move into a smaller one.” I sigh as we enter the doctor’s office and check in.

“You can always move back in with us, we understand children are expensive and you’re on your own but you aren’t truly alone. You’ve got your family and we will always support you and your baby. We only want what’s best for you.” My mother says while we’re waiting.

“I’ll consider it but if I moved back in it wouldn’t be for long just to save up some money and move back into my own apartment.” I replied and we discussed this and spoke of how much money I’d need up until we were called to go and see the doctor.

“Hello, Miss Brown and…”

“My mother Mrs. Deborah Brown,” I finished.

“Looks like you’ll be seeing Dr. Madeline Pursel for your monthly check-up and we will be having an ultrasound today that could determine the s*x of the baby do you want to be informed or wait?” said Nurse Callaghan

“We want to find out,” I said gulping as I felt another crash of reality. This was really happening and I was alone even though my family offered to help, this baby only had one parent and that could mess them up for life.

The doctor came into the room once they had finished the vitals and we chatted for a while about what I had been eating, how I’d been sleeping, if I was drinking enough water and etc. Then, I got the ultrasound and when they told me I was having a girl I was so happy.