Chapter 31: Chapter : Epilogue

5 Weeks Later “Hey guys!” Dr. Ruby greets us bright and early on a Saturday morning for my six-week postnatal appointment. “My goodness,” she says peeking at Judd in the infant seat slung over Lyle’s arm. “He’s gotten so big already.” She smooths a hand over his head, careful not to wake him. “Looks just like his momma.”

Her observation has me beaming.

After a few minutes of small talk with my husband, she directs him and our son to a waiting room before asking me to follow her to her office.

Dr. Ruby starts by asking a series of questions pertaining to my mental health, which so far has been fine. Thank goodness.

“And you’re still breastfeeding?”

“I am.” I smile, proudly.

“How’s that going?”

“He likes to eat.” I laugh. “No issues there.”

“No problems with breast infections?”

I shake my head. “Not since the one I saw you for a few weeks ago.”

“That’s great,” she says. “And have you had your period yet since delivering?”

I shake my head.

“But you have stopped bleeding?”

“Yep.” I sigh with relief, so glad that part’s over with. “Stopped right at about three weeks after he was born.”

“Good deal.” She jots something down in her file. “And what are your plans as far as birth control goes?”

“Uh…” I shrug. “I think we’re just gonna go with the pull-out method for now.”

“It’s your choice, of course,” she says, “but it’s highly recommended you wait at least eighteen months before getting pregnant again to avoid an increased risk of complications.”

I nod. “Okay.”

She gives me a side eye. “The pull-out method is not very effective,” she adds, tapping her pen on the desktop.

“I guess I could try a low dose birth control.”

Dr. Ruby sighs with relief. “I think that’s wise. You really do need to give your body ample time to recover. It’s just been through quite an ordeal.”

“Makes sense.”

“Okay, let’s go get your physical exam done, and if everything checks out, you’ll be given the all clear.”

“Uhhh…” I hedge, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. I knew this topic would eventually come up. “All clear…for?” I ask, playing dumb.

“Sex.” Her answer is so matter of fact.

“About that,” I say, chewing my lower lip. “We might’ve already done it…”

Whatever she’s thinking is hidden behind that killer poker face of hers. “Did you use protection?”

“No…”

“All right, well, before I can put you on birth control, we’re going to have to do a pregnancy test.”

“A pregnanc—why?” I ask, flustered. “If I haven’t had my period yet, that means I’m not ovulating, right?”

“Not exactly. It is very possible to get pregnant on your first ovulation after pregnancy, in which case, you would not have a period.”

“But that’s like…rare, right?”

She shrugs. “It happens.” She turns around and opens a drawer to retrieve a cup. “Go take a walk down to the bathroom. You know where it is by now.” She shakes her head and laughs. “Leave it in the little door.”

Although I’m sure this is more as a precaution than anything else, I must admit I’m nervous. I expected to get fussed at over the possibility of hurting myself for having sex before I was cleared. A possible pregnancy wasn’t even on my radar. But now that she’s explained it, I feel more than a little stupid.

After providing my sample, I go back to her office and wait.

It doesn’t take long before Dr. Ruby returns with a complimentary baby bag identical to the one I received at my first appointment for Judd looped over her arm.

“You’re joking.”

“I assure you,” she says, passing me the bag, “I do not kid about these things.”

My heartbeat gets louder. I can hear it echoing in my head. “I’m pregnant?”

She nods. “Congratulations.”

“For Lyle,” I muse, not realizing I said it aloud.

“Well, I would hope so,” Dr. Ruby says, chuckling.

“Shit.”

“Well,” she says, attempting to lighten the mood, “at least this time we can get a due date based on the date of conception.”

After my exam, we head to the waiting room to retrieve my husband and child.

Lyle immediately recognizes the little diaper bag full of free shit. “What’s that for?”

“Your daughter,” I say dryly, renewing our debate.

“My da—” His jaw drops. “Nooo.”

I nod. “Surprise!”

“You’re pregnant?”

“Apparently.” I shake my head, still not sure I believe it myself.

“This is incredible!” He wraps his arms around me, grinning like a fool.

“It is?”

“Fuck yeah.” He swings me around before setting me back to my feet. “Judd and George will be the best of friends.”