Disclaimer: It's probably obvious, but I don't own any of the HSM characters or their related elements.

Author's Note: Had to break this in two for space and timing reasons. Part II is already up, so don't feel like I left you hanging here!

Written November 30, 2006

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Chapter 7 – The Results

Part I

"You haven't told him yet."

Sharpay glared at me reproachfully as she packed Matthew and Dylan into their carseats. I opened the passenger door and got in. "Well…"

She grumbled at the straps on the seat. "Well, what? Tell him, Gabi! I think he'd want to know! He's sort of involved!"

Matthew suddenly kicked out. "Mama, too tight!"

"Oh, sorry, baby." She kissed him on the forehead and loosened the straps slightly. "It's just your Aunt Gabriella is making Mommy so mad."

"So mad!" shouted Dylan, and I cringed. "I just can't tell him, Sharpay!" I said. "It's… complicated."

"How complicated can it be?" She got into the driver's side and started the car, pulling away from the curb. "'Hey, Troy. I might be having a baby.' Sounds pretty easy to me."

"It's not that simple," I said.

"Yes it is," she said. "Look, you had all these problems last time when you weren't talking. So talk! It's not something you should be hiding anyway. It's stupid to go through all of this by yourself."

"Stupid!" shouted Dylan, making Matthew laugh. Sharpay braked for a traffic light and shot them both a stern look.

"No, it's just…" I sighed and told her what Dean had said. "I can't tell him now. Whether he wants to or not, it could affect how he does at work. And work's really important to him. You know that."

"Well." She paused, tapping her nails on the steering wheel. "You're important to him too." She looked at me. "I think you should tell him as soon as you can, Gabi."

"I was going to tell him after the appointment today. After I finally find out."

"You'd better." She tapped her nails again, staring at the road ahead.

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After the examination, Dr Garber swung the curtain around the table as I put my clothes back on. "Your family doesn't have a history of ovarian cancer, do they?" she called out.

"No," I said, zipping up my jeans and putting on my shoes. "I don't think so, anyway." Pulling the curtain back, I looked at her. "I think we're all just fine. Everybody in my family seems healthy as an ox."

"That's great." She typed the information into her computer, her brown curls bouncing. "Ovarian cancer's just one of other things that could cause increased HCG. There's not really any consistent symptoms for it, so I just have to be more suspicious about your exam if your family has a history." She flashed me a grin. "And your exam looked fine, so you're probably perfect."

"Or… pregnant."

She laughed again. "Well, for some people that is perfect. But when we get your bloodwork back in a few days, we'll know for sure."

What? "A few days?"

She waved a hand. "Yes. The lab does it. Someone'll give you a call when we have the results."

Oh… you have got to be kidding me. "I didn't realize." I could hear the disappointment in my voice. "I just wanted to know as soon as possible."

"Well…" She looked at me, and then suddenly grabbed a form. "Okay. Maybe I'll put a rush on this, so you'll find out a bit sooner." She made an anguished face. "But it'll still be up to them to call. No guarantees when that might be, just maybe a little bit earlier."

She paused. "But listen, Gabi. The blood test is pretty definitive. So even with that suit reading… you'll know for sure now. You'll just have to wait a little longer."

"Okay." I sighed. I'd have to avoid Sharpay for a while: telling Troy would have to wait just a bit longer. "Thanks for everything, Dr Garber."

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Traffic back to the office was unusually busy. I scrambled into work forty-five minutes late, hoping to sneak in and pretend I hadn't been late at all. But coming out of the elevator, I saw one of the admin assistants look up and smile directly at me. "Hey, Gabi!"

"Hi," I said, slightly uncertain. She was a dippy blonde who'd never been this friendly to me before. "It's great news, honey," I heard her call out as I walked away.

Great news? Still walking, I looked back at her strangely. What did I miss at the morning meeting? Wait—did that issue I coordinated pick up an award? I'd packaged it up and sent it out for consideration almost a month ago. Maybe we'd finally heard back.

The excitement rose higher and higher as I headed for my desk. More people were stopping to smile and nod at me already. Chandra from accounting even called out "Congratulations!" I grinned, nodding back in thanks. Getting to my cubicle, there was even a wrapped gift waiting on my chair. Wow—this was bigger than I thought.

Excitedly, I tore the gift open while picking up the phone to dial Troy: I wanted to tell him just as I found out, so he could cheer with me when I knew exactly what it was.

He picked up on the first ring. "Hello?"

But I had suddenly lost my voice.

Inside the package was a soft yellow duck toy, and a small ceramic rattle. And the brightly colored card on top read Congratulations, mom-to-be!

"Hello?" Troy's voice sounded faint. "Who's there?"

And without saying a word, I hung up.