Once inside the quaint room, I stared at the exam table and metal stirrups.
“Have a seat. I’ll draw your blood first.”
“Is that really necessary?” I sat in the corner chair. “Salem’s been taking excellent care of me.”
Milly tied an elastic band around my arm, which painfully bit into my skin. After taking a few deep breaths, I averted my gaze while she slapped my arm and then drew blood.
“What symptoms have you experienced?” she asked. “Tell me everything.”
“In the early months, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes after eating, my stomach burns. Lying down doesn’t help, and I get sick from it. Salem said to stop eating greasy foods, but it also happens eating salad.”
“Acid reflux. Your hormones are out of sync, so it’s perfectly normal. Uncomfortable as hell, but nothing to worry about. Eat smaller and more frequent meals, and don’t drink with food if you can help it. Tiny sips are fine, but get your fluids betweenmeals. And don’t lie down and nap after eating.” She set the vial on a metal tray near her. “What about sleeping patterns?”
“I suppose I’ve been sleepier than usual.”
“Any dreams?”
I jerked my head back.
Milly cleared her throat. “It’s not unusual for your animal to communicate with you in dreams. That’s why I ask. Pay attention to those dreams. If they’re distraught, that’s never a good sign.”
“No dreams that I remember. I don’t sleep well, which is why I’m always sleepy.”
After the second blood draw, she pulled out the needle and covered my arm with a small Band-Aid. “What about your wolf? Any sign she’s awake or might come out?”
I shook my head. “It’s been really quiet these past months.”
“Good.” Milly rolled out a machine. “Hop up and we’ll have a look-see.”
After climbing up the steps, I sat on the exam table and felt nervous butterflies when I touched one of the stirrups.
Milly chuckled and pushed them down. “We won’t be using those today.” She pulled out the end of the table, lengthening the cushioned part so I had something to rest my legs on. “You’ll need to remove your shirt. The pants are up to you, but I’d suggest pulling them down unless you want jelly all over them.”
While she switched out the lights and turned on a monitor, I pulled off my blouse and reclined. Nothing was more humbling than having a complete stranger examine my body in a nonsexual way.
Men had sexualized me my whole life, and over time I’d come to resent my features. What was once a gift had become a curse. Now my stomach, breasts, and feet were larger, and I loved my new physique. I no longer had to watch calories to maintain a specific hourglass shape.
I squealed when Milly squirted clear jelly all over my stomach.
“Have you had one of these before?” she asked.
“Salem doesn’t have the equipment.”
While I’d helped Salem during medical emergencies, having tests done on me was entirely different. The sterile environment and medicinal smells didn’t help. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
It’s only a test. Milly would never hurt me. Everything’s fine.
A tolerable heat radiated from the device she placed against my belly. While staring at the screen, she moved it around.
“There you are,” she murmured.
I twisted my head to look, but the screen was out of view. “What do you see?”
“A healthy-looking baby. I thought maybe you were carrying small, but it looks the right size.”
While she moved the device around, anxiety flooded my veins.
Does she see something wrong? Why is she so quiet? Oh, please let this baby be okay. Please, please, please.
