Brittany glances at the clock, realizing it's time for her OB-GYN annual checkup. She turns to Quinn, who is busy behind the bar, and says, "Hey, Quinn, I've got that doctor's appointment. I'll be back in about an hour or so. If anything comes up, just send me a text."
Quinn, wiping down a counter, gives Brittany a nod of understanding. "Sure thing, Brittany. Take your time, and let me know if you need anything." Brittany nods appreciatively, and with a small wave, she heads out of the bar, making her way to the medical center.
Upon arriving, Brittany checks in at the reception and takes a seat in the waiting area. Magazines and brochures about women's health topics surround her, offering a distraction while she waits for her turn. The atmosphere is calm, and soft background music plays, creating a soothing ambiance.
As Brittany's name is called, she follows a nurse to the examination room. The doctor, a friendly and professional woman, discusses various aspects of Brittany's health, addressing any concerns or questions she may have. The annual checkup is thorough, covering different aspects of women's health and well-being.
After the examination is complete, Brittany leaves the medical center feeling reassured about her health. The sun is still shining as she makes her way back to the bar, grabbing Quinn a doughnut on the way back.
Two days later, Brittany receives the message from her OB-GYN, and her face scrunches up with concern as she reads the news of an abnormal result. Frustrated, she mutters to Quinn, "Ugh, seriously? I need go to my doctors office again this afternoon. My money's on Santiago giving me an STD or something worse. Have you seen some of his wild stories on Instagram?"
Quinn, looking up from the drink she's preparing for a customer, raises an eyebrow. "You're jumping to conclusions, Britt. Just go to the doctor, get checked out, and see what they say. It might be nothing."
Brittany sighs and exclaims to Quinn, "This is why I don't do one-night stands. It must be something!" Her anger and worry are palpable, reflecting the unexpected turn her life has taken after the encounter with Santiago. Quinn, concerned, places a comforting hand on Brittany's shoulder. "Brittany, this is why we use protection. You should be more careful." Brittany, nods in agreement and responds by saying, "don't worry, I'm being careful. I haven't had sex since..." Quinn is caught off guard by this admission and nearly chokes on her water in shock.
Quinn, wide-eyed and shocked, responds, "Wait, you haven't had sex since Santiago? That was like five months ago!" She coughs, recovering from the unexpected revelation. Her curiosity piqued, she leaned in and asked, "What about Rory? You went on several dates with him last month, right?" Brittany took a moment, considering her response. She sighed and explained, "Well, no. Rory and I didn't... you know, take it that far. We've been on a few dates, but things didn't progress to that level. So, it's been a while for me, regardless." Quinn nodded, relieved to hear that Rory wasn't involved in this situation.
"Look, don't stress too much until you see the doctor. It could be a false alarm, and even if it's not, there are treatments for many things. You're taking the right steps by getting it checked out," Quinn reassures her friend, trying to provide comfort in a challenging situation.
Brittany headed to her doctor's office after lunch, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The atmosphere in the waiting room was a blend of sterile white walls and the low hum of the air conditioning. As she sat in the chair, flipping through a magazine, the nurse called her name.
Inside the examination room, the doctor explained that there were some abnormal results in the previous blood tests. Brittany listened attentively as the doctor carefully explained the situation.
"Miss Pierce, we noticed some abnormal results in your recent blood tests from your OB-GYN. However, it could be due to clinical errors or external factors. To ensure accuracy, we've decided to re-do the blood tests. It's a precautionary measure, and there's no need to worry."
Brittany, feeling a mix of concern and relief, sought reassurance. "But, is everything okay? Should I be worried?"
"I understand your concerns, Brittany." her Doctor replies, "However, it's quite common to have discrepancies in test results, and it doesn't necessarily indicate a serious issue. We're just being thorough. Rest assured, we'll have the new results tomorrow, and I'll personally call you to discuss them."
Brittany, appreciating the doctor's explanation, left the office with a mix of relief and curiosity, eager to get answers and put any concerns to rest. The day unfolded with a sense of anticipation as she awaited the call that would hopefully provide clarity on the situation. Maybe Santiago didn't give her an STD after all as quickly she swiped through his Instagram stories as she made her way back to the car.
The following day Brittany and Rachel were cozied up on their couch, engrossed in a trashy TV show, trying to unwind after a long day. The room was filled with the melodramatic dialogues from the show when suddenly, Brittany's cellphone rang, shattering the serene atmosphere.
Brittany, glancing at the caller ID and recognizing the doctor's number, felt a jolt of nervous anticipation. She answered the call, trying to keep her voice steady. "Hello?". On the other end, the doctor's calm and reassuring voice came through. "Hi, Miss Pierce, I have the results from yesterdays blood tests."
Rachel tried her best not to eavesdrop, her eyes couldn't help but dart around the room. In the process, she noticed a conspicuous red stain on her otherwise pristine, expensive vegan rug. Rachel's gaze locked onto the wine stain, her eyebrows furrowing in dismay. She had a momentary mental debate about whether to interrupt Brittany's call or wait until it was over.
As Brittany hung up the phone, Rachel couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She immediately launched into an angry tirade about the wine stain on her beloved vegan rug. "Brittany, what the hell happened to my rug? Look at this stain! Do you know how expensive and hard to find this vegan rug was?"
Brittany, caught off guard, looked over and noticed the conspicuous red stain, "Santiago" she muttered. Rachel's eyes widened in surprise as Brittany uttered Santiago's name in response to the mysterious wine stain on her rug. "Santiago? What does he have to do with this? Did he ruin my rug?"
Brittany, slightly flustered, her voice cracking with emotion and tears streaming down her cheek, confessed, "He did give me something."
Rachel, still focused on the stained rug, responded with a mix of annoyance and curiosity, "But did he also spill the wine on my rug? Because if he did, he owes me a new one."
Distraught and emotionally drained, Brittany had retreated under the covers of her childhood bedroom where she had been the past five days. The familiar surroundings offered a sense of solace, a temporary escape from the whirlwind of emotions engulfing her. The room, adorned with remnants of her teenage years, was both a comforting haven and a silent witness to her struggles.
Her mom, would drop in every few hours, quietly knocking on the door before entering. With a gentle touch, she would check on her daughter, offering words of comfort and support. The air in the room carried a heaviness, a tangible tension that mirrored Brittany's internal turmoil.
"Sweetheart, I brought you some tea," her mom would say, placing a warm mug on the bedside table. "Take your time. We're here for you."
Brittany's responses were mostly muted nods or brief glances, revealing the depth of her introspection. The covers acted as a shield, shielding her not only from the physical world but also from the weight of her thoughts.
As the hours passed, the room witnessed a silent dance between grief and introspection. Brittany's mom, though concerned, respected her daughter's need for solitude. The periodic visits were a reminder that she wasn't alone, that a support system surrounded her.
In the quiet moments between these visits, Brittany grappled with her thoughts and emotions, contemplating the complexities of recent events. The room, once a backdrop to teenage dreams, now became a sanctuary for introspection and healing.
Quinn arrived at Brittany's mom's house, greeted by the warm smile of Whitney, Brittany's mom. A brief exchange of pleasantries took place, Quinn expressing gratitude for the welcome and inquiring about Brittany's well-being.
"Hi, Whitney! How's everything?" Quinn asked, a mixture of concern and anticipation in her voice.
Whitney, with a supportive demeanor, replied, "We're taking it one step at a time. She's in her old room; you can go on up. I think she'll be glad to have some company."
With a nod of appreciation, Quinn made her way upstairs, guided by the familiar layout of Brittany's childhood home. The atmosphere seemed different now, carrying the weight of recent events. As Quinn approached Brittany's bedroom, she took a moment to gather her thoughts, preparing herself for the delicate conversation ahead.
A gentle knock on the door preceded Quinn's entrance. "Britt, it's Quinn. Mind if I come in?" she asked, her voice a soothing presence through the closed door.
Brittany's response was a soft acknowledgment, allowing Quinn to enter. The room, dimly lit, held an air of both vulnerability and resilience. Quinn took a seat beside Brittany, ready to offer the comfort of a friend during this challenging time.
Quinn, understanding the depth of Brittany's emotional turmoil, decided to offer more than just comforting words. With a sense of compassion, she gently climbed into bed beside Brittany, creating a space where they could share the weight of the moment.
As Quinn settled in, Brittany turned toward her, seeking solace in the warmth of their friendship. Fresh tears streamed down Brittany's face, and Quinn instinctively wrapped her arms around her friend, providing a comforting embrace.
In the dimly lit room, Quinn spoke softly, "Britt, how bad is it? What happened?"
Brittany, her voice strained by the weight of the revelation, began to open up. "It's life-changing, Quinn. I didn't expect this, and now everything feels so uncertain. I'm scared." she listened attentively, absorbing Brittany's words and offering a supportive presence. In the quiet of that shared moment, their friendship became a source of strength for Brittany, providing a sanctuary where vulnerability could coexist with resilience.
Recognizing the need for a moment of levity amid the heaviness of the situation, Quinn gently interjected with a touch of humor. "You know, Rachel is still pretty upset about that rug. She's convinced Santiago spilled the wine on purpose.'"
Brittany, despite the weight on her shoulders, managed a small, wistful smile at Quinn's attempt to inject a bit of humor into the conversation. In that fleeting moment, the tension in the room eased ever so slightly, reminding them both of the resilience that could be found in shared laughter, even in the face of life-altering challenges.
Brittany, her voice muffled from being under the covers, sighed and said, "I don't even know who spilled the wine. It's all a blur." Quinn, placed a comforting hand on Brittany's face and replied, "Honestly, it doesn't matter. We'll figure out the rug situation later. Right now, let's focus on you and what you need. Do you want to talk about it?"
In a hushed tone, Brittany explained to Quinn that the doctor initially suspected clinical errors with the blood tests, but after retesting, it turned out the results were correct. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes revealing a mix of emotions, before finally uttering the words, "I'm pregnant."
Quinn, taken aback by the unexpected revelation, offered a supportive smile, "Pregnant? Wow, Britt, that's... that's a lot to take in. How are you feeling about it?" Brittany, wiping away a tear, replied, "I don't even know, Quinn. It's overwhelming. I mean, I never expected this, especially after what happened with Santiago." Quinn gently squeezed Brittany's hand, "We'll figure it out together, okay? You're not alone in this."
In a hushed tone, Brittany revealed to Quinn, "I need to book an ultrasound, but I can't bring myself to go." Sensing Brittany's unease, Quinn responded with a comforting assurance, "You won't be alone, Brittany. I'll be right there with you the whole time. We'll face this together, whatever the outcome. You don't have to go through it alone." Brittany, appreciative of Quinn's unwavering support, managed a small but grateful smile, knowing that she had a true friend by her side during this challenging moment.
After spending some time hugging and shedding tears, Quinn gently pulled away and told Brittany, "I'll take care of booking that ultrasound for Friday. You just focus on taking care of yourself." Brittany nodded, still overwhelmed by the emotions swirling within her.
Quinn left the room and headed downstairs to talk to Whitney about the unexpected turn of events. She offered her support and assured Whitney that they would navigate this journey together as a family. The weight of the moment hung in the air, and both women prepared for the uncertainties that lay ahead.
AN: Some of you guessed it! ;D