Topic: family

Sophie looked at Ronan, trying to muster up a convincing smile as he sat beside her. “Before we get started here, do you want anything to drink?” The couple stood silent. Dr. Foster continued “We have tea, coffee, an assortment of juices, sparkling water, regular water, and sodas. Anything spark your interest?” “Um, we’ll both just have a water” Ronan said, his voice trailing off. “Perfect, coming right up” Dr. Foster said as she scooted back her chair to get their drinks. Sophie grabbed Ronan’s hand and interlaced her fingers with his. “Sophie, you know that whatever happens today could never and would never change the way that I look at you” Ronan said as he kissed the back of Sophie’s hand. Sophie looked at him and nodded. Dr. Foster walked back into room 7 with two glasses of lemon water and placed them on the table and sat back in her chair. She let out a huff and reached in front of her for her tablet. She adjusted it closer to her face and double tapped the screen. “Ronan and Sophie Lister” Dr. Foster murdered to herself as she swiped through her tablet “Ah yes, here you are. So I see that you filled out the questionnaire from” her voice trailed off “a few months ago when you were here last, is that correct?” They both nodded their heads. Dr. Foster locked eyes with Sophie “I also see that this is your fourth time”. Sophie looked down at her pregnant belly and touched it, then looked back at Dr. Foster wide-eyed. “You will have a moment to look over and edit your answers on the questionnaire if need be. We highly recommend doing this because after you sign the papers all your answers are final”. Dr. Foster takes the tablet off the stand and reaches across the table to hand it to Ronan. Section one of the questionnaire assesses both parents careers past and present, habits, lifestyle, daily activities, desirable traits, intellect, and education level. Section two of the questionnaire focuses on the child in the future household; parenting rules and discipline, schooling options, future extracurriculars, and expectations. “Everything’s all here” Sophie says reluctantly as Ronan passes the tablet back to Dr. Foster. “Great, I’ll go ahead and print off two copies for you both to sign along with the medical procedure compliance waiver just in case. In the meantime, I’ll page my colleague, Dr. Monahan to let him know that you’re coming to the laboratory for the simulation”. Dr. Foster pulls together two clipboards with the required documents and passes them to the couple- “For the record, I think you two would be amazing parents. Look at you, such a happy couple. You just need to remember that if it doesn’t want to be born, that it isn’t a reflection on either of your behalfs. In the end, it’s for the betterment of the fetus and I’m sure as loving parents you would only want what’s best for it”. Her not so encouraging words made Sophie wince and reach for her stomach. She wasn’t sure what made her more uncomfortable; either the doctor referring to her baby as an “”it” or the idea that the baby may not want to be born. Ronan and Sophie both signed the questionnaire and the medical waiver and passed the clipboard back to Dr. Foster. A knock came at the door and Dr. Foster jolted up to answer it. “Hi Dr. Monahan, here are their signed forms, would you take them over to the simulation hub?” “Yes of course, please follow me” Dr. Monahan hesitated and looked at the sheet “Mr. and Ms. Lister”. Ronan helped Sophie out of her chair and held up her denim jacket for her to put on. They held hands as they followed the doctor to the simulation hub.