Another short sigh escaped Alex's lips and her glossy hazel eyes rolled as she sat in silence beside her Dad, Alex hadn't seen anything of the doctor since being called into her office. To make matters worse, her father was continuously tapping his foot on the wooden floor as well as repeatedly clearing his raspy throat. Every single tap set Alex on edge, and her teeth clenched as the grating sound of the saliva being expelled from her father's throat rumbled down her ear. "How much longer?" She thought aloud twirling her long locks, Alex winced as she readjusted herself in the hardback chair. Her back felt tense and it ached along her spine as she rested against the hard wood, and the nagging pain in the temples of her forehead pulsed. She carefully massaged them whilst groaning in discomfort, Jerry caught a glimpse of this and observed her behaviour cautiously.
"Hey, you alright?"
Alex nodded, "yeah my head is just killing me!"
"Maybe your dehydrated, have you had any water?"
"Anything I eat or drink I vomit back up."
Jerry's face repulsed, "nice…"
"Why are you in here anyway," Alex barked, "why can't I have Mom or Mason?"
"Because if this has anything to do with your magic, do you think either of them would understand it?"
Alex's eyes rolled, "maybe not… But why would this be my magic?"
A puff of hot air flew from Jerry's lips, "magic does strange stuff," he shrugged, "your Grandpa once got Haemorrhoids from leaving his wand in his back pocket for too long."
"I did not need to know that…"
Alex's gaze trailed around the room, she wandered at the plastered brick walls and their rugged clay surface, their ruddy colour bright yet earthen. But as the door swung open Alex's attention was soon turned to Dr. Butcher as she sauntered into the room. Alex couldn't help but feel at ease in her presence, there was a sublime plumpness to her cheeks, it made her warm smile illuminate the room. Dr. Butcher approached her desk and Alex admired her in awe, her clear and glowing ebony skin radiated even in the rooms dim lighting and her silky black locks looked perfect despite being scrunched up on top of her head.
"Sorry for the wait," Dr. Butcher chirped, "how are you Alex, still feeling like crap?"
Jerry's eyebrows flew to his hair line but a smirk crossed Alex's face, she admired Dr. Butcher's confidence and no bullshit attitude, she couldn't help but compare a part of Dr. Butcher to herself. "Pretty much…"
"So tell me sweetie, how are you actually feeling?"
Alex's shoulders shrugged and her eyes darted down at the floor as she slumped in her seat, she could feel the doctor's and her father's eyes studying her. "Uh, well I've been getting these really bad cramps…"
"Bad cramps, like period cramps or?"
"Kind of, they sorta come and go, sometimes they start in my back, other times they start in my stomach and I'm nauseous too, like all the time."
Dr. Butcher slowly nodded along with Alex's words, remaining completely focused, and absorbing every word she said, "okay," she sighed, "and is there anything else?"
Alex sat in thought for a brief moment, 'yeah actually, I can't use my magic anymore!' But forcing a weak smile she replied, "no, that's it."
"Alright then, I think we should take some bloods and then we'll go from there."
Alex's body went cold, "take some bloods?" Raw panic emerging in her voice, "what with a needle?"
"Well, it'll be erected from the tip of my wand, but yes that is how blood tests are traditionally taken. Why is there a problem?"
Alex squirmed in her seat as she felt her stomach cramp, her heart fluttered in her chest and on instinct she grabbed her fathers hand.
"Alex has a slight fear of needles," Jerry began to explain, "but you've got nothing to worry about honey."
Alex stared blankly at her father as he gave her another warm and reassuring smile, but all Alex could focus on was the violent thumping in her chest and the slender spine magically emerging from Dr. Butchers wand. Her eyes widened and she gripped her father tightly by the hand, imbedding her nails into his soft skin. Sweat dripped from her brow as she watched Dr Butcher edge her way over with the needle, Alex's stomach flipped and she looked down at the floor, "just a small pinch Alex," the doctor warned her.
Alex's teeth clenched as a small pinch turned into a burning sensation running down her arm, she lay her head in the crick of her fathers neck and closing her eyes tightly shut she silently prayed for it to end.
"And… Done!"
Alex looked up and gawked in amazement as an array of colours and codes erupted from Dr Butchers wand, she delicately wavered her finger over the text manoeuvring it up and down as she began to read. "Cholesterol's fine, a little high but nothing to worry about. Glucose levels look good, blood counts okay, liver and thyroid function seem fine too." There was a pause, Dr Butchers eyes narrowed as she edged closer to the levitation text in front of her, "hmmm…"
Alex swallowed, her throat quickly became dry and raspy, taking deep breaths she felt a cold sweat come over her as she felt the sensation of her airways narrowing.
"Doctor?" Jerry prodded, "what can you see?"
"Alex, sorry to ask this in front of your Dad, but when was your last period?"
Alex's cheeks burned, all she could manage was moving her gaze from Dr Butcher to the direction of the floor. She sat in silence as her dad and the doctor laid their eyes upon her, "well if you don't mind me saying sweetie," Jerry began sensitively, "but she mentioned yesterday about having her… You know…"
"Is that right Alex?"
Alex remained silent, she could still sense Dr Butcher holding her stare but soon enough Alex's stomach fluttered as the quietness became uneasy.
"Alex, I'm sorry to ask this stuff but I need to know about your flow. How would you describe it, heavy or light?"
"Oh god!" Alex whined, "I'm not doing this." Throwing her arms in the air Alex abandoned her seat, "actually I feel fine now so I'm gonna-"
A familiar wave overcome her, first a tightening sensation in her back which gradually migrated to her front. Alex gritted her teeth and moaned, her abdomen burned and she became ridged, grasping on to her stomach as her eyes stung with fresh tears.
"Alex," began Dr. Butcher, "you need to listen to me. I need you to take some deep breaths ok, take one deep breath in through your nose and then breath it out through your mouth, okay? Like this breathe with me Alex." Dr. Butcher began to demonstrate the exercise, Alex copied her, letting out small cries as she did so. Eventually the pain faded, and Jerry assisted Alex back into her seat, Dr Butcher crouched down below Alex and took her gently by the hand, "Alex baby, I know your scared, I know this is uncomfortable talking about this in front of your Dad but I really need to know when was your last period?"
A solitary tear of shame rolled down her rosy left cheek, "I cant remember…" Alex croaked, "I came off my IUD a few months back and went on the birth control pill. Things haven't been the same since."
"So I'm taking it that your sexually active?"
Alex nodded.
"Alex honey, your bloods are clear." Dr Butcher paused, squeezing Alex's hand tightly, "And I'm not sure this is the news you'll be wanting to hear, but you're pregnant."
Alex became isolated in a blank stare, falling into a state of complete loss of power her shoulders dropped and her dark eyes glossed over with tears. Her cheeks, lips and eyebrows gradually drooped as her fearlessness faded from her presence. No one had ever witnessed Alex so vulnerable. The vacation in Puerto Rico, after her first break up with Mason, her second breakup with Mason, and even her third breakup with Mason. Yes, these troubled times left her with a sense of helplessness but she always held some dignity, she always managed to show her strength and carry on, defying all odds and maintaining her decorum and reputation. Alex prided herself on the position she had created for herself in society, strong, confident, witty and honourable. Of course, she was not perfect. But who was. And of course some elements of her past left her branded as rebellious, but this became a part of her character. Though, being able to shock others by doing good and up keeping her moral values was something Alex secretly thrived on. Everyone expected people like Justin to be good and do the right thing, but a cocky trouble maker like Alex saving the world multiple times and repeatedly proving her self worth was very pleasing to Alex.
However, this time was different. Alex didn't have to prove herself to anyone. There was no evil power to fight, no family members to refute, Alex didn't need to put on her usual facade. In that moment the whole world had dulled, to Alex, in that moment no one outside of the room existed. It was just her, the doctor and her father. She could reveal all of her true emotions without worrying that her reputation will be tarnished. Alex's breathing was stuttered and her face became flushed. In a continuous battle to pull herself together, she took deep ragged breaths but each breath she took a new and louder sob emerged from her lips.
She glanced at her Dad, his disappointment was evident, it was written on his face. It even dripped from his voice when he asked, "are you sure? She just said she's on birth control." He then turned to Alex, "how could you let this happen?"
The guilt filled her eyes with more tears and she turned her head in shame.
"With all due respect, Alex is nineteen Mr. Russo. She's technically an adult in the eyes of both mortal and wizard laws."
Dr. Butcher was right, and Alex knew it. Naturally Alex hated upsetting her father, but his reaction wasn't the entire reason for her upset. She was grieving. She was grieving the last months of her adolescence, her youth. She had plans. Big plans. But how could she fulfill her dreams with a child?
She talked of going to Europe and visiting art galleries, like she had planned to do in high school. She had even talked about living in London for a while, it'd be a chance to learn about Mason's childhood, meet his old friends. But did a child fit in with that plan?
"So what now?"
Dr Butcher smiled softly, "well, first Alex we'll need to do some more tests." Alex rolled her eyes, "I know you don't like the idea of that," the doctor continued, "but we need to find out what these pains are and how far along you are."
"The father," Jerry interjected, "he's a werewolf…"
"I see, we'll definitely need to carry out some more tests then. Hybrid pregnancies are extremely rare and can be tricky."
"Hy-bread… what?"
"A hybrid pregnancy is when-"
"Wait," Jerry interrupted, "if you don't mind Doctor, but the father is waiting outside. I think he should be here to hear all of this."
"Of course!" Dr. Butcher rose from her position, "I'll get him for you, give you both a minute to take all of this in. Who am I looking for?"
"Mason," Alex croaked.
Alex lost focus and zoned out in to an empty space, she didn't hear Dr. Butcher exit the room, she didn't even hear her father until he clamped his hand on top of hers. "Alex?" She turned to him, tears still glistening in her eyes, "honey?"
"I'm scared Daddy…" Her voice crackled as more tears fell and trickled down her cheeks, Jerry trapped Alex's frail frame in his arms and she snuggled in.
"It'll be okay." He squeezed his arms a fraction tighter and Alex's breathing relaxed, her body melting into her dad as every muscle lost its tension.
She couldn't bring herself to remove herself from her fathers embrace, not even when Mason burst in through the door, doe eyed and with Dr. Butcher in tow. "What's wrong, is it serious?" He rushed to Alex's side and took her hand as she pulled herself away from her fathers arms, "what is it love?"
Her hands trembled in his grasp, her mind wandered to the feeling of her hands, clammy sweat seeped from her pores and she couldn't help but be afraid that he'd notice the cold being emitted from her skin. Alex's skin crawled, she could sense fear in the hair on the back of her neck. It was like invisible fingers running up and down along her spine. She stuttered for a moment, the words getting trapped in her throat, "I- I'm pregnant."
Alex's heart sank, Mason's face went ridged as he dropped her hands. He diverted his eyes and quickly rose to his feet, Alex watched as he gripped on to his neck before rubbing it aggressively, "but how?"
"If you don't know 'how' then we have a problem…" Jerry mumbled.
"No obviously I know how but I don't understand, I thought it was nearly impossible for crossbreeding to happen?"
"Well it did so congratulations," Dr. Butcher plonked herself behind her desk, "you're going to be a dad! Now getting back to Alex-"
"Wait, you said this can be tricky?" Jerry's eyes narrowed, "how, what's going to happen to Alex?"
"Mr. Russo, you have to understand, I can't give you any definite answers until I have fully examined Alex. But Hybrid pregnancies, although rare, are known to be unpredictable. There have been past cases where the mother has had a completely normal pregnancy and went to term, there has been cases where the child has been premature and there has been cases were the mothers powers have been impaired and that somehow changes the pregnancy."
"Impaired how?"
"They can inherit whatever powers the father has, their powers could impact the length of the pregnancy, it's also been known that due to the stress of labour the mothers powers can cause complications. And in some cases, it's been noted that the mother has lost her powers."
A cold wave embalmed Alex, "what, permanently?"
Dr Butcher shrugged her shoulders, "there's no way to know. There's only ever been one wizard who studied Hybrid's and he vanished. Sure, he wrote a couple of theses and textbooks but that's all we have to go on. Now whenever a hybrid pregnancy occurs all we can really do is closely monitor the mother and just go from there, which is why I really need to examine you Alex. Could you follow me please?"
She led the way to the examination table with Alex hesitantly trudging behind her, as she gestured to the bed Alex climbed on and lay back. She stared motionless at the ceiling, her heart hammering against her chest, she flinched at the sound of Dr Butcher pulling on her gloves, "I'm just going to feel your stomach now Alex." She began pressing down firmly around various spots of her abdomen, and Alex tensed at the feeling, her stomach swirling in anticipation.
What was she even looking for?
What would this tell her?
Alex was half expecting Dr Butcher to announce, 'yep, definitely a baby in there!' She wanted to smirk at the idea, her usual self would even voice the idea and hope everyone would find it as funny as she did. But on this occasion Alex actually liked the idea, she needed the clarification. She needed something to help her actually comprehend that the blood test was true, that she was in fact actually pregnant.
"Ow!" Alex winced as the doctor held her hands steadily in one spot, she shifted on the bed until Dr Butcher eventually pulled away.
"Okay, now I need to carry out a cervix exam." Alex immediately felt her cheeks blush, "I'm sorry honey but it's routine, we do this for everyone. I can draw the drape across so you can have some privacy? Then it's up to you if you want someone with you during the exam."
Alex gave small nod, "I'll be right out here, give me a shout when you're ready." As the doctor approached her desk, she clicked her fingers and instantly the blue drapes around the examination table rushed together. Clicking her fingers a second time, a pen and pad appeared in front of her, "so Mr Russo, is there any family history I need to be aware of, or is Alex allergic to anything?"
"No and no, she's okay with everything."
The doctor began to scribble on to the paper, "so she doesn't take any medication, apart from her birth control which clearly proved to be very useful…"
"No, I don't think so."
"Mason, is there anything in your medical history I need to be aware of, or anything in your family?"
Dr Butcher peered over to Mason, his face appeared completely fallen, he stared - mouth buckling, "what does that have to do with anything?"
"It is your child Alex is pregnant with, or am I mistaken?"
Mason wormed in his seat, "no, I can't think of anything."
"And do you have any allergies?"
"No."
"Okay, and are you a mut or purebred?"
"Purebred."
"Well, that's lucky. With Alex being the family wizard, if the baby develops werewolf powers it'll be a purebred like you. If Alex had still been a wizard in training, because her powers wouldn't have been as pure, it would have made the baby a mut."
"So what will be baby be? Wizard, werewolf, both?"
"It'll be impossible to say, you'll have to wait until he or she reaches the age where they'll develop their powers. So what's that usually, about the age of twelve?"
"Are you seriously saying we'll have to wait twelve years to find out what they'll be?" Jerry's jaw dropped and he looked back and forth between Mason and the doctor, "there's no test to tell us sooner?"
"No, there's nothing. We'll just have to wait and see, then again, there is even a chance the wizard and werewolf powers can cancel each other out which would make the child mortal."
Mason suddenly felt wretched and cold, he couldn't bring himself to muster any words. He could feel Mr Russo's eyes burning into him and shifting in his seat, Mason directed himself away from Jerry's glare.
"I'm ready," Alex's small voice called from behind the curtain.
Dr Butcher rose from her seat and dragged open the drapes, revealing Alex perched on the edge of the table. She swung her legs and fidgeted in her sickly sea green gown, from the corner of her eye Alex spotted her father and Mason ogling her from their seats. Their faces so serious and stern, as they fixated on to her. Alex wheezed as a dull ache migrated across her chest, she diverted herself away and began watched Dr Butcher.
"Alex would you like anyone beside you whilst I carry out the examination?"
"No thanks, this is already awkward enough. I don't need to risk anyone else being near the business end…"
Stifling a laugh Dr Butcher positioner herself at the end of the table, "just lie down and try to relax sweetie, it won't take long."
Staring up at the ceiling Alex fought a rising panic, she tried to blink away her tears as the uncomfortable sensation she was feeling began to build. Biting her lip Alex gripped the examination table and tightly squoze her eyes shut.
It felt as if an eternity had passed, a deafening silence filled the room, but Alex was certain she could hear her heart hammering against her chest. "Hmmm…" Alex's eyes snapped back open.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice thick with fear, "is it bad?"
"Not necessarily, but I am going to have to transfer you."
"Transfer me, but to where?"
"A delivery suite, you're in labour Alex."
Hello!
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