AN: THANKS FOR READING.

D: LAW AND ORDER SVU AND ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE.

CHAPTER 53 NEW LIFE

I watch him open the main door of the building. He allows me to go inside first and hurries to turn on the light. I just stand there looking around to notice that we are in a very elegant small reception. A large desk with a computer and a couple of telephones is right in the middle and on the large white wall behind it there is a huge sign in the shape of the sun.

—Private clinic?— I ask noticing the different closed doors that have different doctors names on them. Different specialties.

—Yes, mine is number 8.— he says pointing to the door of said practice. —Come in please.— He says so cordial.

—This is nice.— I praise the place as I get inside.

—Well, I like to work in comfortable places.— I remain silent. I had already figured out it will be a fancy place just by the zip code. This neighborhood is one of the most exclusives in the city. I am sure he has only wealthy patients here. I think he wouldn't really need to work at the Mercy.

—Please make yourself comfortable while I wash my hands and take out my equipment.— He says when entering his office.

—Thanks... Ahm...— Fancy or not, the peculiar smell of a doctor's practice surrounds me. I try to focus on something else because I know that it will turn my stomach into a washing machine. But that only gets my mind to the fact that I won't be able to carry my pregnancy with Dr. Beresford. I can't spend my whole pay check on medical check ups. I gotta eat something. And, my insurance won't cover this.

—Ready.— He reappears with his white rob on. —This will be quick. I will just do a general check-up, okay?— He places a small briefcase in a table that's beside the typical exploration bed.— Come sit here. —He says pointing to it. I get up, take off my coat and sit on the bed. He takes out his stethoscope and puts it on his neck. Instinctively, I lie down staring at the ceiling. I feel him lifting my sweater a little.

—Let's see. It doesn't show much yet.— he says placing his warm hands on my skin. Well maybe they are not so warm but my skin is ice cold. How can it not be showing yet? My blouses already are too little for me. I notice it, daily.

—Is that... bad?—

—No, that's totally normal. It will take a while.— He applies some pressure in certain areas of my belly. —This is more your body reacting to the fact than the embryo itself.— For some reason, I do not like that word ... embryo. —Inflammation.—

—Is that bad?— I ask... again.

—No, you retain a lot of fluid, that's why you get inflamed, it is also something normal.— He explains to me with his nice calm voice. He takes the stethoscope and places it in his ears to then place it against my skin. It is a little cold but bearable. Out of nowhere, my stomach roars and I can feel the blood rush to my face. Why exactly now?

—I am sorry.— I say.

—Don't be.— He says giving me a nice smile. — You have only eaten that excuse of a breakfast.—

—Yes.— The cookies and the milk. My stomach roars again just remembering the food.

—Well, someone is protesting in there.— He says in a funny tone.

—Well, it protests very often.— I let him know while I relax.

—It needs help to grow. You'll help it right? You will eat as you should, and take the vitamins that I prescribe accordingly, right?—

—Yes.— I answer. —But, I don't think I can afford... ahm... you.— I say with sincerity.

—Olivia, I'm not charging you.— He complains.

—This is your job. Of course you are.—

—Your insurance would cover it at the Mercy. We will just do it here.— He explains what seems he has already thought about. —Don't worry about that, okay?—

—I can't accept that...— I say.

—I've already explained you that it is my work duty.— He pushes. —Now, sit down and let me listen to your heart.— He does not allow me to fight back, so I sit down and let him lift my sweater a little to listen. I really do not know what he will listen because as far as I know I have nothing left in there.

—Take a big breath.— He commands as he puts the stethoscope against the skin of my back. He asks me to do it three times which doesn't help much because the office smell makes me nauseated again.

—Ready, how do you feel?.—

—Iugh— I say sticking out my tongue in a grimace of disgust.

—Pregnant. You feel pregnant.— He manages to make me smile with his comment. Yes, I guess I feel pregnant.

—You are better than I expected Liv. You are taking the vitamins I gave you the last time, right?—

— Yes.—

—Good. Everything is in order, and if you follow my instructions, it will stay like that during the next eight months.—

—When will the nausea end?—

—Let me explain you, the placenta is releasing a hormone named HCG throughout your body, this is the cause of the morning sickness that many women experience in the first trimester of pregnancy.—

—This is not morning sickness... it is all hours sickness.— I complain.

—That is because of your diet. It will get better.— He says making me remember the whole groceries I just bought. —I have a couple of lollipops that help to remove nausea.—

—lollipops?—

—Yes.— He takes something out of his drawer and gives me one. I feel like a little girl who has behaved herself at her doctor's appointment.

—So it.. is the... embryo ... is it okay?— I ask with a little uncertainty.

—Yes. The new life inside you have been very busy these days. This fertilized egg implants itself in a place in the uterus, where it will continue its rapid development.— He explains. —Once there, it divides into cell layers and officially becomes an embryo. These layers of cells will transform into your baby's body parts; such as the nervous system, skeleton, muscles, and other organs.— He sits at his desk and starts explaining everything to me ... but really my mind only concentrates on the first words:

" The new life inside you."

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: THANKS FOR READING. LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINIONS.

STAY SAFE. XO.