BK 4 - Chapter 20 - Doctor Visit
When Alex and Kiersten arrived at his parent's house, it surprised him to see Valerie and Cat. He changed his mind about asking about a doctor when he realized they were discussing Roger's funeral arrangements.
"Hey, kids. I didn't think you would be back so soon," Melanie said as she dried her eyes. She could tell something was on Alex's mind.
"We had something we wanted to talk to you about, but it can wait," Alex replied. He started to pull Kiersten out of the room, but Valerie stopped them.
"No, please stay. We just finished up, and we need something good to talk about," She said with a small smile. Alex hesitated, but Cat pulled them over to the table.
"Come on. I can feel your nervousness from across the room. Tell us what's wrong," Cat said as they sat down. Kiersten squeezed Alex's hand.
"Okay, well, there's a chance that Kiersten may be pregnant. We want to speak to a doctor to see if I can mark her and if there will be any impact on the cub." Melanie, Cat, and Valerie exchanged a look.
"How do you both feel about the possibility of having a cub?" Melanie asked, trying to hide her excitement. She would love to be a grandma.
"After talking to Lisa and Jayce, we actually feel pretty good about it. That's why we're taking precautions." Alex answered.
"That's amazing. I would love to have a little grandcub," Melanie said excitedly. Kiersten smiled with tears in her eyes.
"I know it's fast. We only met yesterday, but I'm hoping there's already a little one in my belly." Kiersten said, putting her hand over her abdomen. Cat put her hand on top of Kiersten's.
"We all hope that, sweetie. I know the perfect doctor we can call." Cat pulled out her phone and placed it on speakerphone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Dr. Parkins. This is Cat Galloway."
"How many times do I need to tell you to call me Anisha? What can I do for you?"
"My grandson Alex and his mate Kiersten may have a cub on the way, and they have some questions for you. Can we come by your office?" Cat asked hopefully.
"I'm not in the office today, so I'll stop by. Where are you?" Cat gave her Melanie's address and hung up.
"Is that the same Dr. Parkins who comes to the group homes?" Alex asked.
"Yes. She's been a huge help to everyone at our group homes." Cat answered with a smile. Alex blushed slightly. When he was a cub, he had a crush on Dr. Parkins even though she was about fifty years older than him. She was tall and thin with skin the color of milk chocolate, dark brown eyes, and long curly black hair. She was a werepanther, and her mate was a werewolf. What Alex liked about her was her kind nature. She always made him feel safe.
The doorbell rang about thirty minutes later. Anisha walked in, smiling at everyone. She loved the werelion family.
"It's nice to see you all again. Alex, it's been a while." She said, shaking everyone's hands. Alex smiled at her and turned to Kiersten.
"Hi, Anisha. This is my mate Kiersten." He announced proudly.
"It's nice to meet you, young lady. I understand you may be pregnant." Kiersten felt at ease immediately. Anisha had such a sweet demeanor she felt herself smiling.
"Yes, Dr. Parkins. Alex and I forgot to use protection, and I haven't been marked yet." She said nervously. Alex put his arm around her shoulders.
"Please call me Anisha. Let's see if we can determine if you're pregnant or not first. Shifters grow rapidly, so even though you haven't been marked, the cub should still be the size of a human fetus at about six weeks. Melanie dear, is there a room I can use to do an exam?" Anisha asked, patting Kiersten on the shoulder reassuringly.
"Sure. Alex, show her the downstairs guest bedroom." Melanie replied.
Alex led Anisha and Kiersten to the bedroom. He was going to leave them alone, but Kiersten didn't let go of his hand.
"Please stay," She said. He had hoped she would say that but didn't want to be pushy. Anisha winked at him as she opened her medical bag.
"I need you to lay down and lower your shorts just enough to expose your lower abdomen. I'm going to do an ultrasound." Anisha used some hand sanitizer to clean her hands before putting on a pair of gloves.
Kiersten laid down with Alex's help. She unbuttoned her jean shorts and lowered them. Alex pulled a chair over and sat beside the bed before taking her hand.
"This isn't going to hurt. It will just feel a little cold. Are you ready?" Anisha asked.
"Yes. Thank you for doing this and coming so quickly." Kiersten replied softly.
"It's my pleasure. You've joined an incredible family, and I'm always willing to help when they call. I'm going to squirt some gel on you, and then you'll feel a light pressure." Anisha sat her portable ultrasound on the bed and then squirted a small amount of gel on Kiersten's lower abdomen.
Kiersten bit her lip nervously while squeezing Alex's hand. She felt the gel and then the pressure. As she waited for Anisha to give them an answer, Kiersten heard a soft sound like a drum underwater.
"What's that?" She asked anxiously.
"That is the sound of your cub's heartbeat. It looks like you're going to be parents. Congratulations!" Anisha answered, smiling at Alex, who stared at her in shock.
"We...we're going to be parents?" He asked softly.
"Yes. I can't tell you if the cub is a girl or boy, but there is definitely one in there." Anisha continued looking at the screen. "Alex, this right here is your cub. I'll print a picture out."
Alex looked at the tiny spot on the screen that looked like a little bean. His heart felt like it was going to explode. Anisha handed him the picture she had printed, and he felt tears running down his face.
"I'll give you two a minute, and then we can talk when you come out. I'll let you tell your family." She said as she tossed her gloves and the paper towels she had used to clean Kiersten away before leaving the room.
"What does the picture look like?" Kiersten asked.
"Like a tiny bean. I can't stop looking at it. I can't believe we're going to be parents. I love you," Alex said, watching her face. It was the first time he said it, but he'd felt it since they first touched. She smiled as a tear ran down her cheek.
"I love you too. Let's tell your family and find out if you can mark me." Kiersten stood up and fixed her shorts. Alex pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply before they left the room. When they reached the living room, Alex saw Anisha smirking while Melanie, Cat, and Valerie were all waiting anxiously. Alex started laughing.
"We're having a cub!" He said loudly. All three women started laughing and crying at the same time as they swarmed around him and Kiersten.
"I can't believe it. We needed this wonderful news. I'm so happy for both of you," Valerie said, kissing each of their cheeks. Her heart broke a little, knowing Roger wouldn't be there to see his great-great-grandchild.
"I'm assuming you have more questions," Anisha said as she smiled at the couple.
"Can I mark Kiersten while she's pregnant?" Alex asked anxiously as he sat on the couch, pulling Kiersten beside him.
"I recommend marking her as soon as possible. Doing it at the beginning of the pregnancy will be easier on her body." Anisha answered, looking between the two of them.
"Will there be any impact on the cub because I was human when I got pregnant?" Kiersten asked.
"No. Your cub will grow big and strong as if you were a werebear the entire time. Were you born blind, Kiersten?" Anisha asked carefully.
"I went blind as a child when my mom put bleach in my eyes," Kiersten replied softly. She couldn't see the tears and looks of horror on everyone's faces.
"There's a good chance that after you're marked, you'll be able to see when you're in bear form. I doubt you'll get your sight back when you're human. However, your bear may at least be able to see, so you'll be able to see through her." She said, hoping that she was giving Kiersten good news. Anisha sighed in relief when her face lit up.
"Really? I might be able to see when I'm a bear. That would be amazing." She threw her arms around Alex as tears of happiness ran down her face. Cat, Melanie, and Valerie looked at her with mixed emotions. They were all thinking if only they had been able to rescue her as a child, she wouldn't have endured so much trauma. However, they were also thankful for whatever brought her into Alex's life when it did. They clearly needed each other.
Everyone promised they wouldn't break the news about the cub so Alex and Kiersten could tell people. Roger's funeral would be in two days. Valerie asked if they would mind announcing at the memorial service afterward. She said that after a hard emotional day, everyone was going to need a little light. Alex and Kiersten both agreed. They left soon after to return to the pool house. Alex was going to mark Kiersten. He planned to kick his sister and Jayce out so they could have some privacy.
