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Novelo Rectangle

The alarm wasn’t supposed to go off yet. Sarah squinted at the glowing numbers on her phone’s screen, her hand fumbling to silence the shrill beeping. 5:30 a.m. The room was still dark, except for the slivers of gray morning light creeping in through the curtains. She sighed, her chest tightening with a strange mix of anxiety and excitement. Today was the day she’d find out for sure. It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. At 44, Sarah had already experienced pregnancy four times, each one as unique as the children who followed. There had been the cautious anticipation with her first, the joyous chaos of the second and third, and the quiet, more measured acceptance of her fourth. That last one had been different—she had carried that child for a friend. But this… this felt different. Could she be the same mother she had been for her other three? These thoughts raced through her mind, a swirl of nerves and excitement. She turned over in bed and looked at Mike, her husband of five years. Their story was straight out of a fairy tale. They had met as teenagers and fallen in love at first sight, but life pulled them apart—friends changed, and their young love never stood a chance. Then, years later, Mike found her on social media. They reconnected, and once again, their love reignited instantly. Mike had three children from a previous relationship, while Sarah had her own three&nbsp; children from a past marriage, which had ended four years before they reconnected. As she gazed at him now, fast asleep beside her, she thought about how special this child would be. Mikes face, relaxed and softened by sleep, looked much younger than it did during the day when the weight of work and life pressed on him. She smiled and reached out to gently touch the tattoo by his eye, remembering the scar it was placed there to disguise. He stirred but didn’t wake, his breathing deep and steady. Mike didn’t know about the appointment. It wasn’t that Sarah didn’t want to tell him—she did. But something held her back, as if sharing her suspicion, this possible new reality, would make it too real, too quickly. Could it really be possible? Another child, at her age? They had never thought it likely, especially with Mike’s health issues. Keeping it quiet felt like a way to protect him from disappointment, just in case. The truth had begun to seep in slowly, like water through a crack. The cramps she felt nagged at her thoughts. The missed period had been the first clue, but Sarah had brushed it off as stress or early menopause. That seemed more likely, didn’t it? But then came the changes in her body—subtle at first, but now undeniable. A familiar tenderness in her breasts, and that distinct kind of exhaustion she only remembered from pregnancy. Three days ago, she had lashed out at the kids and Mike in a way that startled her. It reminded her of an outburst she’d had with her firstborn, which had made her think, I’d better see a doctor. She pushed herself out of bed, careful not to wake Mike, and quietly sidled to the bathroom. Her reflection stared back at her—much the same as it had for the past decade, though perhaps a little more tired. Her long, coarse dark hair framed her face in a disheveled halo, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit impressed by how youthful her complexion still looked. I look like I’m thirty, she thought with a faint smile. She wasn’t young anymore, but she felt stronger than she had in years. As she brushed her teeth and splashed water on her face, her mind drifted to the appointment later that morning. The test. The confirmation. She could already imagine the doctor’s neutral expression, the calm delivery of the news. The same news she had heard four times before. But it wasn’t the news that worried her. It was everything that would come after. She got dressed, pulling on a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt, and headed downstairs to make breakfast. As the familiar smell of bacon filled the kitchen, her mind raced through the possibilities. Could she really do this again? Another baby, at 44? Mike would be thrilled, no doubt. He adored their kids, and every time they thought they were done, he’d joke about trying for “just one more.” But then reality would set in, reminding them of his health issues. Sarah remembered Mike’s upcoming appointment with the urologist. It would be nothing short of a miracle if she were pregnant and Mike’s health concerns didn’t need addressing after all. But it was best not to get his hopes up too soon. And what would the kids think? Only one of Mike’s children lived with them, while all three of Sarah’s did. Mike’s youngest, Adam, was 15 and kept mostly to himself, not particularly close to his stepsiblings. Maybe that would change when Sarah’s eldest, Kevin, started high school next year. Then there was Ava, 12, with her fiery, independent spirit. Sarah knew Ava would love the idea of another girl in the house. Jason, the youngest at eight, was the joker of the family, always making them laugh. He would make a fantastic big brother. But would they really understand? Or would they resent the idea of a new sibling, another baby to divide their parents’ attention even further?Sarah poured herself a glass of chocolate milk but left it untouched as she sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around the glass, her gaze drifting to the family photos on the wall. There they were, smiling and happy—pictures from last year’s beach vacation, Adam’s middle school graduation, Jason’s messy hair and infectious grin. They were happy. Their life was good. Stable. So why did she feel like she was standing on the edge of something big, as if everything was about to change? Her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it and saw a text from her sister, Leah:How are you feeling? Any news? Sarah typed back quickly: Going to the doctor later this morning. I’ll know for sure then. Leah responded almost immediately: I knew it! You’ve got this, Sarah. Everything will be fine. Sarah smiled, her fingers hovering over the screen. Leah had always been the more optimistic one. She had been there for every pregnancy, every challenge, every triumph. She knew Sarah better than anyone. But even Leah didn’t fully grasp the uncertainty and fear that came with being an older mom. Before she could reply, the soft sound of footsteps caught her attention. She looked up to see Jason standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and clutching his favorite stuffed Sonic. His messy brown hair stuck out in all directions, and his pajamas were a size too small, making him look even bigger than he was. “Mommy?” he said, his voice still sleepy. “Why are you up so early?” Sarah smiled and held out her arms. “Come here, baby.” Jason shuffled over and climbed into her lap, nestling against her chest. She kissed the top of his head, breathing in the familiar scent of soap, shampoo, and the faint smell of sleep. He was still so little, so innocent. What would it be like to do this all over again? To have another baby in the house? “I couldn’t sleep,” she said softly, running her fingers through his hair. “What about you?” “I had a dream,” Jason murmured, his eyes half-closed. “I was flying… like a bird.” Sarah chuckled, her heart swelling with love. “That sounds like a wonderful dream.” He nodded sleepily. “Do you think I could fly someday?” “Maybe,” she said, kissing his forehead again. “You can do anything you set your mind to.” They sat in silence for a while, Jason’s small body warm and comforting in her arms. For a moment, Sarah let herself forget about the appointment, the test, the future. Right now, it was just her and Jason, in the quiet of the morning, before the rest of the world woke up.But as much as she tried to push it away, the thought lingered at the back of her mind. This was more than just another pregnancy. It was a crossroads—a moment that could redefine everything. By the time Mike woke up, Sarah had already dropped Jason off at school and was on her way to the doctor’s office. She’d kissed Mike goodbye as he groggily rolled out of bed, muttering something about his morning meds and music. He had no idea what she was about to do. The drive to the clinic passed in a blur, her thoughts swirling in a million directions. She tried to focus on the road and the everyday world around her, but her mind kept drifting back to the question that had been haunting her for days. What if I really am pregnant? What then? She pulled into the parking lot, turned off the car, and sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel. The clinic was small and familiar. She had been here countless times over the years for check-ups and ultrasounds. But today felt different. Today felt like stepping into the unknown. Taking a deep breath, Sarah got out of the car and walked into the clinic. The waiting room was quiet, with just a few people scattered in chairs, flipping through magazines or scrolling on their phones. Sarah checked in at the front desk, her stomach churning with nerves, and sat down to wait. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Every minute felt like an eternity.Finally, her name was called. The nurse led her to an exam room, where the doctor would meet her. Sarah sat on the chair near the desk, her hands clenched in her lap, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at the sterile white walls, her eyes tracing the posters about prenatal care, her mind racing with thoughts of the future. The medical equipment around her seemed to blur together, and for a brief moment, she felt like she might pass out from the weight of it all. The door creaked open, and Dr. Patel, her longtime physician, walked in, wearing the same calm and reassuring smile she always did. “Sarah, how are you feeling today?” she asked, her voice gentle but steady. “I… I’m not sure,” Sarah admitted, her voice shaking just slightly. “I think I might be pregnant.” Dr. Patel nodded, her expression compassionate but professional. “Let’s find out for sure, shall we?” The next few minutes felt like an eternity. The test was quick, the procedure familiar—Sarah had been through this enough times to know how it worked. Yet this time felt different. The stakes felt higher, the uncertainty sharper. She tried to calm her breathing, her mind alternating between hope and dread. And then, in what felt like no time at all, Dr. Patel turned to her with a soft smile. “Well, Sarah,” she began, her voice kind but firm. “It looks like you’re going to be a mother again.” Sarah’s breath caught in her throat. There it was—the truth. The confirmation she had both dreaded and longed for. She was pregnant. Her mind raced as she processed the words. Pregnant. Another child. At 44. For a moment, she could barely breathe, her emotions a tangled mess of excitement, fear, and disbelief. Dr. Patel watched her carefully. “How are you feeling about this?” she asked, her tone soothing. Sarah exhaled, leaning back in the chair as her thoughts tumbled over each other. “I don’t know… I didn’t expect this. I mean, we weren’t even trying. I’m excited, but…” She trailed off, unsure how to articulate the overwhelming blend of emotions swirling inside her. “I understand,” Dr. Patel said, her voice steady. “This can be a lot to take in, especially at this stage in life. But you’ve done this before, Sarah. You’re strong, and you have a support system around you. We’ll monitor everything closely, of course, given your age. But there’s every reason to be hopeful.” Sarah nodded slowly, her fingers trembling slightly. “I just… I didn’t think it was possible, especially with Mike’s health issues. And the kids… I don’t know how they’ll take it. Or how Mike will. He’s got his own health to worry about.” Dr. Patel smiled gently. “Take it one step at a time. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Let yourself process this news, and when you’re ready, talk to Mike and the kids. I’m sure they’ll support you, just as they always have.” Sarah swallowed hard, her mind still spinning. “Yeah… I’ll do that.” After a few more minutes of discussion and reassurance, Sarah left the clinic with a stack of pamphlets in hand and a thousand thoughts swirling in her head. As she stepped outside into the cool morning air, it all felt surreal. The world around her was just as it had been when she arrived, but everything had changed in an instant. She walked to her car, opened the door, and sat behind the wheel, staring blankly at the dashboard. She was pregnant. A new life was growing inside her. How would she break the news to Mike? To the kids? The questions felt endless, but one thing was clear: her life was about to shift in ways she couldn’t yet fully grasp. Taking a deep breath, she started the car and began the drive home, her thoughts no longer focused on the road ahead but on the new, unexpected path her life had just taken.

TURNING POINT

TylaB

TYLA BOOTH

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