Chapter 3
As the sounds of footsteps echoed outside the exam room, Cameron felt her stomach turn.
It wasn't the nausea that was now so familiar to her, but a sickening notion that she was about to end a chapter of her life that hadn't even truly begun.
She'd cancelled her previous two appointments at the other clinics.
Cameron remembered when she'd taken her roommate to a similar clinic; they'd been first year interns, sleep deprived and worried about student loans—her friend had shown nothing but relief the whole time they'd been at the clinic.
Cameron didn't feel relief right now. Instead she felt short of breath, and she wondered if the hormones coursing through her veins were beginning to cause anxiety attacks.
It was the easy option—House had made it clear he didn't envision a future for the two of them, let alone if the two were to become three. This way she'd be able to move on without any permanent reminder of her affair with House.
Then again, terminating this pregnancy wouldn't erase the memories—the memories were what kept her up every night. In the three weeks since they'd broken up, she hadn't had a full night of sleep.
She was eight weeks along now, and she couldn't help but remember everything she'd ever learned about fetal development. All the medical cases they'd had involving fetuses and newborns came to her mind—the memory of the prevalent bond between every parent and child was overwhelming.
Every person she'd ever loved had always left or been taken away too soon; she'd been alone all of her life. This wasn't just a pregnancy she was about to give up.
"Allison?" a female voice asked, bringing Cameron out of her reverie.
"Dr. Cameron," she corrected politely.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Cameron," the woman apologized. "I'm Dr. Wyatt," the woman introduced herself, holding out a hand.
Cameron shook the doctor's hand, forcing a smile. "No problem," she reassured the woman.
"I'm assured you're well aware of what this procedure entails?" the woman asked delicately.
"Yes, I'm aware…" Cameron replied before she stopped and took a deep breath, a strange feeling flooding her being. "But I'm afraid I've changed my mind."
The doctor smiled, scribbling on a prescription pad. After a few seconds, she handed a slip of paper to Cameron. "I understand. Here's a prescription for some pre-natal vitamins… good luck, and congratulations."
"Thank you," Cameron replied, realizing the strange feeling that had overcome her was relief.
