Ch. 63
The doctor came and went, but his visit did not put Laurie's mind anywhere at ease. Walter was fine -- the doctor just recommended rest for him so Laurie knew he was okay -- but Laurie had also asked the doctor about the possibility of her being pregnant, and that was where her worries started. The doctor took Laurie's blood for tests, then asked her questions in the mildly disinterested tone that those who had been long in the medical profession were prone to use. The doctor's inquiry made Laurie stop and really think, and that was when she realized she was late. She tried not to panic when the thought first struck her, and just smiled politely at the doctor as he informed her that the results would be known to her the next day.
After the doctor left, Laurie sat down and thought wildly of her predicament, half-tempted to wake Walter but knowing very well that he needed rest. Laurie tried to eat lunch as she worried. Finally unable to take it, she decided to go to the store and take matters into her own hands. A home test was never as accurate, but it would have to do if it would give her the peace of mind.
Laurie returned early afternoon and checked on Walter, who was still asleep. Laurie took the test and paced the room afterwards as she waited for the results. She jumped when the phone rang, then quickly ran to answer it, hoping that it wouldn't be long.
Unfortunately, it was her mother.
"Hello?" Laurie asked, tensely.
"Laurie," her mother sounded cheerful. "You should come visit your mother."
"I'm a little busy," Laurie said, peering at the test. It hadn't changed color yet.
"Goodness, you can bring your Walter if it will make you come out here."
"Walter's sick -- I need to take care of him."
"I'm sure that was his idea, was it?"
"No," Laurie snapped. "It was mine, because I love him and am concerned for his well being."
"All right cupcake, suit yourself." Sally sounded utterly at ease.
Laurie scowled.
"Mom, is someone there with you?" Laurie asked, suspiciously.
Sally paused for a moment.
"Only Dan, dear."
"Why?"
"For a visit, honey -- for goodness sake."
"If he's there, why did you want me to come see you?"
"I just thought you might want to see each other, that's all, Laurie." Sally sounded astonished. "What's gotten into you? You sound so demanding."
Laurie had to keep her hand from shaking as she saw the color change on the indicator she was holding.
"You're starting to act like your boyfriend," Sally laughed. "Laurie?"
Laurie groaned to herself, not even bothering to withhold her emotion.
"Laurie, are you okay?"
"Mom," Laurie shook her head. "Oh, Mom."
"What is it? You're scaring me."
"I think," Laurie sighed and closed her eyes. "I think I might be pregnant."
Sally inhaled sharply, and Laurie could hear it over the phone.
"Hold please," said her mother. "Dan, could you excuse me for a moment? I need to talk to my daughter about some private female matters."
"Sure," Laurie could hear Dan's voice and even muffled it sounded bashful.
"All right, he's gone," said Sally after a moment. "Laurie--"
"I don't know for sure," Laurie was horrified to find her voice as shaking. She was bewildered by her own response. When she had discussed the possibility with Walter, she hadn't minded -- was excited, even. But now, with her most likely pregnancy looming over her, she was left in a state of panic.
"Are you late?"
"Y-Yes."
"Have you taken a pregnancy test?"
"Yes, just now, and a doctor's test too, this morning."
"And both came out positive?"
"I haven't gotten the doctor's results yet."
"Does he know?"
"You mean Walter?" Laurie corrected her, even in spite of her distressed state. "I haven't had a chance to talk to him."
"Keep it from him until you're sure."
"What?"
"First you need to decide if you're going to keep it," Sally told her. "Also, if you want him around--"
"Mom--"
"It's not too late to find a replacement. If you time it right, you could even fool some idiot into thinking it's his--"
"Mother." Laurie's eyes burned. "That's disgusting."
"Oh, Laurie," Sally's voice was a near whisper. "I'm just looking out for you, is all."
"No," Laurie shook her head furiously even though her mother couldn't see it. "Don't give me this poison, Mother. Not now."
"Well what am I supposed to do, Laurie?" Sally sounded truly exasperated. "You never give me anything. I can only work with what little information I have."
"I don't know," Laurie said. She wanted her mother to just stop talking to her. "I wish you could be a little more supportive."
"Fine," Sally's voice went cold. "I support you, Laurie."
Laurie frowned and felt worse, somehow.
"I support your decision to run off as you did, to go live with your father," Sally continued. "I support your relationship with your deadbeat cur of a boyfriend. I support--"
Laurie didn't realize that she had slammed the phone down until she wondered why her hand hurt and noticed she was still holding tightly to the receiver that was resting on the hook. She pried her hand away and made an exclamation of disgust as the phone started to ring. She unplugged the phone and stood near it while crying silently. Laurie struggled to compose herself and with a few shaking breaths calmed down enough to walk to her room with a clear head. Laurie hoped that Walter was awake now, but he was still sound asleep. Laurie watched Walter for a moment before she climbed into bed with him and pressed into his very warm body. His fever seemed to have lessened from before but was still present. Laurie sighed into Walter's shoulder and listened to his breathing. She closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep, waking promptly when she felt Walter stir next to her.
"Walter?" Laurie asked, as she rubbed her eyes. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, actually," he said, looking relatively bright eyed. Laurie glanced at the clock and was surprised to find that it was still afternoon. The conversation Laurie had with her mother seemed like on a different day.
Laurie climbed out of bed then put her hand on Walter's forehead, which seemed to be at a normal temperature.
"Wow," she said, "Your fever seems to be gone."
"I rarely get sick," he told her. "When I do, it never lasts long."
"Well, I still think you should rest, in any case," Laurie said with a forced smile. Walter gave her a sharp look.
"What's wrong?" he asked immediately.
"I just had a bad conversation with my mother," Laurie told him as she dug into her eyes with the palms of her hands.
"What about?"
Laurie took her hands away and looked at Walter. She felt a stab of pain when she recalled her mother's words. Laurie climbed back into bed next to Walter and put her head on his shoulder.
"Laurie."
Laurie sighed deeply.
"I told her I might be pregnant," she admitted.
"Why on earth would you do that?" Walter asked in an astonished tone.
Laurie made a frustrated sound and pressed her face into Walter's neck.
"I was worried," she told him in a muffled voice. "I went out and got a home test. I was waiting for the result when Mother called. I was so shocked when I saw what it said that I ended up telling her."
"I see."
"I don't know Walter, the home tests are never a hundred percent accurate, are they? The doctor took some blood before he left the house -- he said he was going to let me know tomorrow."
"You seem upset."
"I am upset, Walter. I could be pregnant. I probably am."
"Why?" he asked her in a soft voice. "I thought you said you wouldn't mind."
"I know," Laurie frowned. "But now I'm scared."
"Don't be. What is there to be scared of?"
Laurie looked into Walter's eyes.
"I guess, just... everything that could go wrong," she explained, finally.
"I'm not going to leave you if that's what you are afraid of."
"No," Laurie took Walter's hand and held it tightly. "I just mean... we're pretty young, aren't we? And this whole trouble with my mother. What about crime fighting? I wouldn't be able to go with you anymore."
"It will be all right, Laurie, don't worry."
Laurie tried to argue, but seeing Walter's calm expression, she couldn't help but relax a little.
"All right," she sighed. "Are you hungry? I'll make you dinner."
"I'm starving," Walter admitted. That made Laurie smile. She ruffled his hair and left him in the room to prepare dinner, then fed it to Walter in bed despite his initial protest.
"You are not going to get up for anything," she told him, and he didn't argue after that.
"How long are you going to make me stay here?" he asked her, after he had finished eating.
"Until you're better," she said. "Or at least for the rest of the day. Knowing you, you'll say you're fine even when you're on the brink of death."
"True," he agreed in a mild tone.
Laurie couldn't help but laugh. After she took care of the dishes, she returned to Walter's side on the bed and sat with him quietly for a while.
"Oh," Laurie suddenly said, as she remembered the night before. "Walter?"
"Yes dear."
Laurie paused to give Walter a smile.
"Do you remember anything about last night?" she asked him.
Walter raised his eyebrow.
"How can I not remember?" he asked, with a wink.
"Oh," Laurie laughed when she realized what Walter meant. "After that. After we'd fallen asleep. You woke up and told me something. Do you remember?"
Walter's brow furrowed and he didn't say anything for a few seconds.
"Oh, the picnic dream," he said, brightening.
"Yes," Laurie nodded. "You said something about a picnic. But do you know what else you said?"
"No."
"You said you finally knew," Laurie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And you wouldn't tell me what it was."
"Oh." Walter frowned. "I don't remember."
Laurie sighed and lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. She felt Walter stroking her hair after a moment and when she heard him humming softly she smiled.
"Walter," Laurie asked. "If I am pregnant, would like like a boy or a girl?"
"Boy," he said, almost instantly. Laurie turned to give him an odd look and he shrugged. "I was thinking about it yesterday."
"Mm," Laurie smiled. "I have no preference, actually."
"Good." Walter lay down next to her and put his arm around her.
Laurie drifted off to sleep soon after, then woke up the next morning, a little surprised by the fact that she and Walter had both gone to bed with the lights on. She sat up and regarded Walter, who was getting dressed. She wondered when he had managed to bring in a change of clothes but didn't question it.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked him, gently.
"I'm going to work," he told her.
"And you think you're well enough to go?"
"Oh, yes."
Laurie sighed and shook her head, but she got out of bed and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She heard the phone ring in the other room, then Walter answer it. He came in after a few moments and sat down. Laurie set down a plate in front of him and looked at him.
"Did you plug the phone back in?" she asked him.
"Yes," Walter said. "It rang almost immediately after I did. It was the doctor."
"Oh?" Laurie asked, suddenly having to find herself sit down too.
"You're not pregnant."
"Oh," Laurie put her face in her hands. "Wow."
Walter gave her a small smile and started to eat. Laurie took a few deep breaths before she looked up again, feeling immensely relieved. She retrieved her own plate and ate as well, and after breakfast walked Walter to the door.
"I'll see you later Walter," said Laurie, giving him a kiss.
Walter paused and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Laurie asked him, alarmed.
"I remember now what it is I finally know."
"What is it?"
"Who Agent Orange II is."
"Who?"
Walter told her.
"Are you sure?" Laurie asked, feeling queasy.
"I am pretty certain, yes."
"Are we going to look for him tonight?"
"Yes, I think we are going to have to."
Laurie nodded.
"All right," she said. "I'll try to get myself ready for that one."
Walter gave her a sad smile.
"You don't have to go," he told her.
"No," Laurie said, firmly, "I do. And I will."
Walter nodded, then left the house after another kiss. Laurie watched him leave and felt just a little disappointed. She couldn't figure out why.
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To be continued...