Saving Abby by Steena Holmes

followed behind and rubbed his hands together as he stared at her. Claire couldn’t tell if he was smiling or worrying.
    “What’s wrong?” Claire forced the words past the lump in her throat.
    “Nothing, absolutely nothing.” Abby reached out to squeeze her hand before pushing past her to step into her office.
    Claire sat back down on her chair with Josh beside her, and they held hands. Josh’s grip was firm, as if knowing she needed the grounding while they waited for Abby to get comfortable.
    Dr. Shuman stood at Abby’s side.
    “What is going on?” Claire asked again.
    There was a palpable tension in the air and goose bumps materialized all over Claire. Something was wrong. Something horrible. And Abby needed Dr. Shuman for support.
    She was dying. Or . . . something equally terrible. There was no other explanation.
    “Claire, honey, I don’t know how to say this.” Abigail cleared her throat. She stared down at her desk, at a sheet of paper she held in her hands. “We’re going to wait on the blood work to come back for confirmation, but I ran some tests with your urine sample.” She looked up and gave a weak smile. “A few tests, actually. And then made Will come and do more tests to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.”
    Dr. Shuman placed his hand on Abby’s shoulder and squeezed.
    “Cut the crap, Abby. What is going on?” Josh leaned forward.
    Tears sprang to Abby’s eyes as she looked from Josh to Claire.
    “We’re going to wait on the blood work—” Abby repeated before her phone rang and Rebecca’s voice came through the speaker.
    “Dr. Shuman, you’re needed at reception.”
    “Oh, bloody hell.” The older doctor pursed his lips together as he headed to the door. “You come see me before you leave, you hear?” He left before they could say anything.
    “Abby . . .” Claire’s chest was tight, and it was getting difficult to breathe.
    Josh put his arm around her and made her lean into him, which she did willingly. She needed his strength right now because she had a feeling whatever her friend was about to say would have her collapsing on the floor.
    “Okay. I know I told you that if you were ever to get pregnant, that it would be a miracle, because that was the only option left. Well,” she said. “Honey, I would say God just gave you a miracle.” A wide smile spread across her face as she leaned forward, her hands reaching out to take theirs.
    Claire just sat there, not understanding what Abby had just said. She looked to Josh, who sat there equally confused.
    “What are you saying?” Josh asked, his voice raspy.
    “I’m saying you’re having a baby.” By now, Abby’s face was flushed, and she pressed her hands over her heart. Tears welled up, and for a moment, a brief moment, time stood still for Claire.
    You’re having a baby.
    You’re having a baby.
    I’m having a baby!
    Claire thought those words over and over to herself. Did Abby just tell her she was pregnant? How was that possible?
    “How?” she whispered.
    “You’re asking me that?” Abby threw her hands in the air. “Maybe that cruise was exactly what you needed. A time to relax, unwind, and stop trying so hard. I’ve heard of this happening, but I’ve never witnessed it directly. Couples try for years to have a baby, they get extremely stressed, and then when they finally give up or make the decision to adopt . . . it’s like they’re free, and it gives their body permission to do whatever it needs to.”
    Claire shook her head. “There must be a mistake. The blood work will come back and tell you differently.”
    Josh’s grip around her shoulders tightened.
    “I don’t think so,” Abby said.
    Claire didn’t want to believe it. “What about the high protein in my urine?”
    “This time, there was none. The urinalysis did confirm that you’re anemic, which we already knew.” Abby leaned back in her chair, folding her hands together with a satisfied look on her face.