Don't Let Go

Part 17

Doctor- Hi, I am Doctor Lopez, are you Elizabeth Cooper?

Betty- Y-Yes, you can call me Betty though. (softly)

Doctor- (smiles) Betty, beautiful name. Before we get started let's just talk for a minute. How old are you?

Betty- F-Fifteen. (softly)

Doctor- (nods) Are you in school right now?

Betty- Y-Yeah. (softly)

Doctor- Good. Are you in a relationship with anyone?

Betty- No. (softly)

Doctor- Are you having sex with a lot of people?

She shook her head before looking down at the ground and beginning to tear up.

Doctor- (softly) Was it an assault?

She nodded.

Doctor- (softly) Someone you're close to?

She nodded again.

Doctor- Did you talk to the authorities about it?

Betty- (nods) He's in jail now. (tears)

Doctor- (nods) Do you have family supporting you at home?

She nodded.

Doctor- That's good...I know you're young, so this is probably extremely scary but you can decide whatever you want to do with this pregnancy.

Betty nodded once again as she took a deep breath.

Doctor- The first thing I'm going to do is an ultrasound so we can take a look at the baby and your uterus to make sure everything is going smoothly. I need you to just lie down and lift your shirt up to your bra line, then we can get started.

She did as she was told before gripping onto the table tightly. The doctor walked her through everything before putting the gel on her abdomen. Then she put the wand over the girl's stomach and turned on the screen. Within seconds the small bean popped onto the screen with the heartbeat beginning to sound, causing Betty to break down in tears.
Immediately the doctor took her hand.

Doctor- You look to be about 13 weeks along. I don't know if you are thinking about getting an abortion, but if you are, I would recommend setting up an appointment now since you are almost out of the first trimester.

She nodded and wiped her tears before speaking softly.

Betty- C-Can you tell if the baby is healthy? Would you be able to notice any genetic disorders?

Doctor- From what I can see the baby looks perfectly fine, but we will take a blood sample to be sure...Are you asking because the person that did this to you was a family member?

She nodded slowly.

Doctor- Genetic disorders and birth defects are more likely to happen with incest, but that doesn't mean it will happen.

Betty nodded again while taking a deep breath.

Doctor- I'll print some pictures for you while I grab a nurse to take a blood sample. I'll be back soon.

Betty- T-Thank you. (softly)

Doctor- No problem, sweetie. Just relax.

Betty continued to lay down and look up at the ceiling while tears were rolling down her cheeks. She barely even noticed the nurse walk in to take her blood...she was so distracted by the child growing inside of her.

Doctor Lopez walked back in once the sample was taken to see the young girl crying, and she immediately walked over to her and took her hand.

Doctor- Sweetheart, it's okay...why don't we sit you up.

She pulled Betty up but continued to hold her hand while looking at her.

Doctor- Do you want to talk through some options of what to do?

She nodded.

Doctor- You can get an abortion, but as I said, we will have to set up an appointment today.

Betty- I d-don't think I can get an abortion. (cries)

Doctor- Because you don't want to?

Betty- (nods and cries) Mhm.

Doctor- That's okay...I can give you some pamphlets about adoption? There are many families that would love to adopt babies, so that is always an option.

Betty- But what if the baby has some sort of defect? People won't want it. (cries)

Doctor- Unfortunately that is true, but we don't know if your baby will have any defects. The tests will come back in a few days. But you could also keep the baby. (softly)

Betty- (cries) I d-don't know if I can.

Doctor- I understand sweetheart, I'm not saying that you have to, but it is an option. And you have time to decide, okay?

She nodded and wiped her tears.

Doctor- Is there anything else you need from me right now?

Betty- I don't think so. (softly tears)

Doctor- Okay, here are your pictures. I'll call you with the test results later today, then we can book the next appointment.

Betty- (nods) T-Thank you. (tears!

Doctor- Of course, honey. Take care of yourself.

Betty nodded and walked out of the room with the pictures in her hand. Then she immediately ran out to the car where Fp was waiting.

As soon as she jumped into the car, he saw the tears in her eyes. And even though Fp wanted to console her, he knew it would be better for him to give her some time. But as soon as they got back to the house and got out of the car, Betty fell to her knees and sobbed.

Fp- Betty!

He ran to her and got down on the ground, wrapping his arms around her.

Fp- Sweetheart...

Betty- I c-can't! (sobs)

Fp picked her up and brought her into the house, laying her gently on the couch. Then she pulled the pictures out of her pocket and handed them to the man in front of her. He looked at the pictures and sighed before rubbing his hand on hers softly.

Betty- I can't do it. (sobs)

Fp- Honey...you don't have to do this if you aren't ready. You're still young, and if you're not ready to let that go yet, I can help you figure out how-

Betty- I can't do this right now...I need some space. (sobs)

She got up and took the pictures from his hands before heading to her room. And for hours she just laid in her bed with tears in her eyes while she looked at the pictures of her baby. But when she heard the knock on her door, she jumped before wiping her tears.