**Chapter 2: Life's Routine**

Dorothy woke up to the sound of her alarm blaring in her ear. She groggily reached over to turn it off and sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Lucas was already up and getting ready for a business trip. They exchanged a quick kiss, and he handed her a cup of coffee. "Have a good day, dear," he said, grabbing his briefcase. "I'll be back tomorrow." Dorothy smiled and took a sip of her coffee. She settled into her routine, getting dressed and heading to the kitchen to make some breakfast. As she poured herself a bowl of cereal, she thought about her day ahead. She had a meeting at work and a few tasks to complete, but nothing out of the ordinary. After breakfast, Dorothy headed out the door, feeling comfortable and confident in her routine. She had been working as a substitute teacher for a few years now, and she loved the flexibility it provided. She was able to pick and choose her assignments, which allowed her to spend time with her friends and pursue her hobbies. As she walked to work, Dorothy couldn't help but think about how much she loved her life. She had a wonderful husband, a comfortable home, and great friends. What more could she ask for? She felt grateful for the stability and security that came with her life, but a small part of her wondered if there was more to life than this routine. At work, Dorothy spent the day teaching a group of high school students. She was passionate about her subject matter, and she loved seeing the light bulb go off in her students' heads when they finally understood a difficult concept. After work, Dorothy headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. She ran into Blanche, who was shopping for ingredients for a dinner party she was hosting that night. "Hey, girl!" Blanche exclaimed, giving Dorothy a hug. "What brings you to the market?" "Just picking up a few things for dinner," Dorothy replied. "I'm making pasta tonight." Blanche nodded. "Sounds delicious. I'm making something a bit more elaborate. I'm having a few friends over for dinner." The two women chatted for a bit, catching up on each other's lives. As they parted ways, Dorothy continued shopping, feeling content and at peace. That evening, Dorothy made dinner and spent some time reading a book. She felt a sense of satisfaction and comfort in her routine, but as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She had been feeling a bit tired lately, but she had written it off as stress or a virus. As she settled into bed, Dorothy thought about her life and how much she loved it. She felt grateful for her husband, her friends, and her comfortable home. But as she drifted off to sleep, a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered that something might be amiss. The next morning, Dorothy woke up feeling a bit more refreshed, but the fatigue lingered. She got dressed and headed to the kitchen to make some breakfast. As she poured herself a bowl of cereal, she noticed that she was feeling a bit...different. Her breasts were tender, and she felt a bit queasy. Dorothy pushed the thoughts aside, telling herself she was being paranoid. But as she headed to get ready for the day, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She brushed her teeth and washed her face, but as she looked in the mirror, she felt a wave of doubt wash over her. What if something was wrong? What if she was...pregnant? The thought sent a shockwave through Dorothy's body. She felt like she had been punched in the gut. Pregnant? It was impossible. She and Lucas had been careful, and she was on birth control. But as she stood there, staring at her reflection in the mirror, Dorothy couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she never could have imagined.