Never Again, Again
Chapter 24
Christine could tell that Hannah was scared but she was also a very brave girl. After the exam and blood work, Christine waited patiently with her in the exam room. Her personal OB-GYN, Dr. Adams had agreed to check Hannah and as soon as she walked back in, she greeted them with a smile.
"Hannah, I'm not sure if its happy news or not, but you are not pregnant." Dr. Adams said. Christine squeezed Hannah's hand and smiled at her.
"But…did something in me get hurt and that's why I haven't had my period yet?" Hannah asked.
"There was trauma, yes, but not to the point that you are physically damaged forever. It will take time for your body to readjust and heal. And of course, it caused a great deal of stress. I am sure your mom can agree, but stress can affect menstrual cycles, especially in younger people." Dr. Adams answered.
"Hannah, are you okay with this?" Christine asked.
"Yeah…I mean, I didn't want a baby. I was worried about what would happen to me if I was pregnant." Hannah said.
"Hannah, sometimes…I've seen it with other patients who were sexually assaulted, they are almost saddened to find out that they aren't pregnant. It doesn't mean they loved their rapist or anything of the sort, but…a baby is something all your own. Your mom can tell you about how its true love. Is…that what's wrong? I can tell something is off and so can your mom." Dr. Adams asked. She was sitting across from Christine and Hannah and was looking at Hannah in the eyes.
"Would…something be wrong with me if I was actually kind of hoping…" Hannah asked.
"No! Hannah, there is nothing wrong with hoping you'll be a mother but we want you to wait until the time is right for you. When you're older. Your father and I would have helped you and would have taken responsibility for the child but you still need time to be a child yourself." Christine said as she put her arm around Hannah and pulled her closer.
"I just can't imagine after going through what I did that I will want to be with someone to even have a baby." Hannah remarked.
"And this would have been your chance to be a mom?" Dr. Adams asked.
"Yeah…and I know it seems crazy." Hannah remarked.
"Sweetheart, its not crazy. I can see where you would get this idea. But…we have a counselor for you to see and in time, you will change your mind about being with someone. Hopefully, in a few years. You will find someone who will make you forget all the pain you went through." Christine told her.
"I can't image that." Hannah said.
"Well, I promise it will happen. You just need to be patient. See that counselor. Talk. Trust your mom and dad." Dr. Adams said.
"Okay." Hannah said. Christine could tell that she was less than convinced but they could only get her the counseling and help she needed.
She drove her home and as soon as they walked in, she shook her head at Mike, communicating that Hannah was not pregnant. They would talk later about Hannah being slightly disappointed that she wasn't. Mike would not fully understand it, but Christine could see it from Hannah's perspective even though she had never been raped. All Hannah really needed to do now was heal.