Irene’s face lit up. «You are ? Oh my God, this is such wonderful news! Come here!», she said, standing up. She gave Tina a big hug and did the same with Bette. «I knew you wanted to start a family, but I didn’t think it was this soon», she told them.

«Well, the time was right so we did it», Bette explained, pleased to see Irene so happy for them.

Both women then noticed a strange look on Irene’s face. «Is something the matter?», Bette asked, worried.

Irene shook her head. «On the contrary, Bette… I have some news of my own… My doctor called me today to tell me that the hospital made a mistake with my blood test and… well… I’m not dying… In fact, he said I could live another 25 years if I take care of myself…», Mrs Stone told them. She laughed when she saw their stunned expression. «You look like me when he told me the news», she went on.

«God, you should sue those bastards for putting you through this hell», Bette first said. Then, it really hit her. «You’re not going to die ? You’ll really be here for the birth of our baby?», she said.

Mrs Stone laughed out loud. «If I don’t get hit by a bus, I certainly will»

Bette stood up and hugged her tight. «Thank God, Irene… Now we have two reasons to celebrate tonight ! Hope you’re hungry!», Bette asked her.

«I’m famished!», Irene replied, taking Tina by the waist. «Lead the way!», she yelled, laughing.

&&&

«God, I never thought I would finish that article on time», Tina said as she stepped out of her car. Bette had been waiting for her at the hospital for fifteen minutes now and she had started to worry. Tina was now two months along and she had an appointment for an ultrasound with Dr Grant.

«You’re here now, that’s all that matters», Bette said as she slipped her arm around Tina’s waist. They made their way to the fourth floor where they waited for about twenty minutes. Tina’s name was finally called and a nurse brought them to an examining room. She asked Tina to lie down and told her the doctor would be there shortly.

Tina took Bette’s hand in hers. «Excited?», she asked.

«I think I’m way beyond excited…», she replied, smiling down at the woman she adored.

«Good morning you two», they heard Dr Grant say as she came in the room, carrying Tina’s file in her hand.

«Good morning doctor», Bette answered.

«So, Tina, how are you feeling?», Dr Grant asked, reviewing her file.

«A bit tired, but otherwise, I’m good», Tina replied.

«A little fatigue is normal at this stage», she told her. Dr Grant sat next to Tina on a stool and put the jellylike substance on her abdomen. Then she took the transducer and moved it over Tina’s stomach to visualize different parts of the baby and her uterus.

Bette and Tina watched her and waited for her to speak again. Their blood ran cold when they saw the doctor’s smile suddenly disappearing.

«Dr Grant, what is it?», Tina asked. But the doctor silenced her with her hand, increasing their worries. They looked at each other, fearing the worse.

The doctor frowned, then looked at them with a strange expression on her face. «I don’t know how to tell you this…», she began.