Clara swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. "Okay," she managed, her voice barely a whisper.
The blood draw was quick. Then came the wait, which felt like an eternity. Dr. Evans returned, a gentle smile on her face, but her eyes held a deeper, knowing look. She held up a small, printed slip.
"Clara," she began, her voice soft. "The test is positive. You're pregnant."
Clara's breath hitched. Hearing it confirmed, officially, out loud, was different from seeing the lines on a home test. It made it irrevocably real.
"Based on your symptoms and the positive test," Dr. Evans continued, "we're going to do a quick ultrasound right here to get a better idea of how far along you are and to check on things."
Clara's heart hammered against her ribs as she lay back on the examination table, the
