Page 66 of Here You Are

“Cassie, I know we discussed pregnancy as being unlikely, so I’m assuming there was no birth control plan in place? It really doesn’t matter either way, I just want to know how big of a miracle this baby is trying to be.”

“No. No birth control. Because I thought…”

Ben stands up next to the table and puts his arm around me for a squeeze.

“She thought it wasn’t even a possibility. Like, she didn’t even want to take a test because ‘she knew’ it would be negative. I tried to tell her about my super swimmers. She didn’t believe me.”

I have a feeling Ben will be talking about his sperm for the rest of his life. This poor, innocent baby is going to know that the sperm that created them faced a lot of adversity in their quest to find the egg.

My doctor continues. “I know exactly how your thought process worked, Cassie. Don’t worry about it. And although ‘super swimmer’ isn’t the exact medical terminology, Ben is right that some men have better motility, so that is probably part of the explanation here. What's important is that we get your prenatal care started right away, since your baby’s measurement is already around twelve weeks. You're just about out of the first trimester already.”

I look at Ben, and his jaw drops. Finally, an appropriate reaction from this guy! We are both doing mental math when my doctor says, “The date of conception would be right around the first week of July. We measure from the last period, so that is how you get to twelve weeks.”

Ben and I stare at each other, saying nothing.

“Does that make sense?’ Doctor Hunk inquires.

I nod my head. “Yes. That was the first time we slept together.”

Ben groans. “Of course, that would be the time I got you pregnant. Our child is off to a bad start from conception. Hopefully it’s not a boy, or he will be genetically predisposed to performance issues.”

“Ben, can we re-focus here?” I ask, pointing to the doctor.

Doctor Hunk just shrugs and says, “I hear weird things all the time. You can’t scare me. So, I take it this is a newer relationship?”

Ben chimes in. “Yes. We’ve known each other for a while. We are neighbors. We didn’t become romantically involved until recently. In other words, my luck finally turned around. It’s too soon to tell if it’s a boy or girl, right?”

“You're correct. We’ll have you come back for another ultrasound in about a month, and they should be able to tell you at that time, if you decide you want to know.”

I’m still reeling from actually being pregnant, so I have no idea if I want to know. Ben replies to the doctor and says, “It’s up to Cassie. I found out with my girls, but I’m open to whatever.”

The doctor turns to Ben and asks, “You already have children, then?”

“Yes.” Ben’s grin turns huge, beaming like he always does when he talks about his girls. “I have three girls: 14, 10, and 4. Their mom passed away shortly after the youngest was born.”

Doctor Hunk nods his head once and says, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks,” Ben replies. “I’m just so happy for Cassie because she wanted this so badly. I know the circumstances aren’t ideal, and it’s a fast jump ahead in our relationship. I keep telling her we will figure it out together, no matter what happens.”

Doctor Hunk then turns to me and says, “It sounds like you got a surprise pregnancy with a good guy. I’ll get your next appointment set up. I have a folder here with all of the prenatal information you need, suggestions for vitamins, and things to avoid.”

This triggers a gasp to escape from my mouth. Since I had no idea how far along I was, it didn’t even occur to me to panic about what I had been eating and drinking.

“Oh, no. I definitely drank while I was pregnant. Is the baby going to be okay?”

“How much did you drink?”

“Probably a glass of wine or two, several days per week. I haven’t had a drink since I found out, and not for a couple of weeks before that because I was feeling so nauseous, nothing sounded good.”

“You’re just fine, then. Almost all pregnant women have consumed things they wouldn’t have had they known. Just abstain from any alcohol now and get started on your prenatal vitamins. I have zero concerns about it. Dad, any questions from you?”

“Is there something you can do to help Cassie with her nausea? She has barely been able to eat.”

He nods and says, “Yes, there are several things you can do, but most women start feeling better in the second trimester. Do you want to try something now or wait a week or two and see if things improve?”

“I want to wait. I don’t want to take anything if I don’t have to.”

“It’s perfectly safe, but I respect that decision. If you change your mind, just call the office, and we can send something in for you. Anything else?”