The Marriage Contract

Chapter 8

To be reunited with her aunt and cousin after such a long time was an emotional moment for Sophia.Her aunt couldn't believe how a few years  have turned her niece in a beautiful mature woman. The amount of hugs exchanged could last for one whole year! They stayed in one room and spent the night talking about almost everything until late in the middle of the night. Sophia felt really good that she treated her aunt to the little getaway, the least she could do after everything her aunt had done for her. 

Sophia was surely enjoying the pampering and spending time by the lake. She had forgotten about all her troubles back in the city. She had still felt a little nauseous every now and then, and she had promised her aunt that she will get an appointment to go see a doctor as soon as she arrived in the city . 

Two days went by fast and it was already time to say their goodbyes. Sophia promised that she will soon come see them as she also missed being in the countryside away from the busy life of the city.Making her way back home on the metro got her thinking about her job. She will have to hand in her resignation by the end of the week and meanwhile she will have to check the newspaper for a new job. Suddenly she started feeling depressed again and was praying that soon everything will be sorted and she can live a normal life again. 

 As soon as she arrived home she checked her voicemails, one was from the landlady reminding her that her rent was due soon and one from William saying he will see her on Monday. She still had five days left before handing in her resignation, nobody and nothing can change her mind , she thought as she unpacked.

 She opened the windows to allow some fresh air inside the house and the smell of barbecue from her neighbor’s apartment made her stomach queasy and she ran into the bathroom . She started throwing up . She couldn't understand why such a delicious smell could affect her stomach.

 Must be the long trip!,Sophia thought as she wiped her face on her towel.

 She checked her phone for the number of the  hospital that she usually go to and called to booked an appointment to see a Doctor. She was asked to come tomorrow afternoon . She was glad that her usual Doctor will be able to attend to her.

Sophia called Alexandrine to tell her about the trip and to ask her about the latest gossips from the office.

 " Nothing new my friend! Just extra loads of work!", Alexandrine said on the other side of the line.

 Sophia told her about her trip and how she wished it was longer.

 " Met any cute men there?", Alexandrine asked her and Sophia had to laugh.

 " I knew you would  ask such question!", Sophia said still laughing, " and No! Didn't have time to check anyone out! I was busy concentrating on myself for a change!", Sophia said .

 " Trust you! You are not getting any younger my friend !", Alexandrine said .

 " Look who's talking!", Sophia answered.

 " Well I think I have found the perfect man! I'll tell you when we meet and when will that be? Thursday lunch , is that ok , it should be you are free!", Alexandrine said.

 " Since you said so, Thursday it is!", Sophia said smiling. 

When they hung up , Sophia wondered who that perfect man was! 

  Alex, crazy Alex!, she thought smiling as she grabbed a book and lay down on her bed.  Sophia prayed that tomorrow she doesn't get any bad news from the Doctor as she drifted away to sleep.

" Sophia Carson", Sophia heard her name being called.

She picked up her bag and walked towards the smiling nurse who was waiting for her in front of the Doctor's consultation room . She greeted the Doctor and sat down . After explaining the symptoms to the Doctor he ordered for her to do a blood test and to come back in two hours for her results .

Sophia wondered what she will do whilst waiting for her results as she walked out of the hospital.She decided to hang around the mall just looking around the shops . She was not in the position to spend  money ,since she could be jobless by next week.

 She walked to the mall which was not far from the hospital . She sat down in the little coffee shop and ordered a coffee and a sandwich .

For the second time the coffee didn't taste good and the she couldn't even eat the sandwich .

 what's wrong with me!, she questioned herself and then she remembered the program she once watched about the first stages of pregnancy.

  Oh no  not that ! I can't be , No!,  Sophia said to herself as she remembered the lady who had morning sickness and she disliked to eat everything that she once loved.

 Not me !! What if?! What will I do?,  Sophia stared blankly at the wall. 

 " Alex , I need to call her!", Sophia said as she grabbed her phone .

 She dialed Alexandrine's number but it only rang.

" Alex pick up !", Sophia said softly as she tried calling her  friend again.

" Alex please call me as soon as you see this message", Sophia texted Alexandrine.

 She asked the waiter to bring her a bottle of water which she managed to drink half of it.

She checked her watch she was impatient to go back to the hospital. Sophia was scared that the Doctor will tell her that she was expecting a baby. She was not ready for such a big responsibility!To make it worst the dad was a one night stand and she had not even seen his face.

 What will I do?!,She asked herself as the thought of abortion crossed her mind. 

 I'll cross that bridge when I get there ..if ever!, She thought as she paid the waiter and left.

Sophia made her way back to the hospital . She was a bit early but she rather be there  that in the mall.

She saw the nurse from earlier and asked her if her results were ready and she checked the files in front of her and said yes with a big smile . 

" As soon as the Doctor is free you can go in", she said still smiling.

Sophia sat on the chair crossing and uncrossing her legs ,as she waited anxiously for her name to be called. She was glad that she  didn't have to wait long when the door opened and the Doctor told her to come in.

 " Sophia take a seat", the middle aged Doctor said as he took his seat behind his desk.

" You are fine ,except a little anemic which I will give you some pills to take it is normal in your condition to lack vitamins...", The Doctor said and Sophia interrupted him .

" My condition?", Sophia asked worryingly, at the back of her mind she knew what the Doctor was about to say .She had that feeling that all her suspicions were about to be cleared by the Doctor.

 " A good condition, you are pregnant! Congratulations!", The Doctor said smiling.

 Sophia didn't smile but she was not in shock either , she was numb as she stared blankly at the Doctor. She didn't know if she should  cry ,laugh or just run out of the Doctor's room. 

 " Sophia are you ok?", She heard the Doctor asking her.

 " Yes Doctor! I'm sorry was lost for a minute there! I'm pregnant !!", She said trying to pull on a smile.

 " Yes , I will give you some vitamins to take , please if you suffer from continuous morning sickness do come back and see me . Being anemic is not good for you nor the baby. I have booked your first appointment with the gynecologist so you could start seeing your baby's progress. Congratulations again!", The Doctor said as Sophia  took the Doctor's hand for a handshake and he handed her the prescription and her appointment with a Gynecologist the next day.

Sophia walked over to the pharmacy and the only words going around in her head were" You are pregnant!".