**Chapter 7: The Doctor's Visit**

Dorothy sat nervously in the waiting room, flipping through a worn copy of People magazine. She had been to this doctor's office countless times before, but this visit felt different. The receptionist called her name, and Dorothy stood up, smoothing out her dress. As she entered the exam room, Dr. Thompson greeted her with a warm smile. "Dorothy, it's great to see you. What seems to be the concern today?" Dorothy took a deep breath and explained her situation, trying to convey the mix of symptoms and worries that had been plaguing her. Dr. Thompson listened attentively, nodding along as Dorothy spoke. When she finished, the doctor asked a series of questions, taking notes on a clipboard. "I see," Dr. Thompson said. "Well, let's take a look." The physical exam seemed to take longer than usual, and Dorothy found herself growing more anxious by the minute. What if it was something serious? What if it was...? Finally, Dr. Thompson finished the exam and sat down at her desk. "Dorothy, I think it's a good idea to run a pregnancy test," she said, her expression neutral. Dorothy's heart skipped a beat. A pregnancy test? Could it be? She hadn't been planning on getting pregnant, and at her age, it seemed...unlikely. But as she thought back to her symptoms, she realized that it was possible. The fatigue, the queasy feeling, the aches and pains – they all seemed to be pointing to one thing. Dr. Thompson handed Dorothy a small cup and a stick. "Just pee in the cup, and we'll get the results in a few minutes," she said. Dorothy felt a mix of emotions as she followed Dr. Thompson's instructions. Excitement, fear, uncertainty – they all swirled together in her chest. She tried to calm herself down, telling herself that it was just a test, that it didn't necessarily mean anything. But as she waited for the results, Dorothy couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was about to take a dramatic turn. She thought about Lucas, her husband of many years. He had always been her rock, her partner in every sense of the word. How would he react to this news? The nurse came in a few minutes later, a friendly smile on her face. "The results are in, Dorothy," she said. "Let's go talk to Dr. Thompson." Dorothy's heart was racing as she followed the nurse back to the exam room. She felt like she was walking on air, like her feet weren't quite touching the ground. What would Dr. Thompson say? What would the results be? As she entered the exam room, Dr. Thompson greeted her with a warm smile. "Dorothy, the test is positive," she said, her voice gentle. Dorothy felt like she had been punched in the gut. Positive? Could it be? She was pregnant? The words swirled around in her head, refusing to sink in. But as she looked at Dr. Thompson's smiling face, Dorothy realized that it was true. She was pregnant. The thought sent a mix of emotions through her – excitement, fear, uncertainty. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing for sure – her life was about to change in ways she never could have imagined.