Amara was glad that she had taken the day off. Doctor Chang's office was busy. That only made her anxiety worse. She felt the need to throw up again, but was able to keep it under control this time.

Finally, the receptionist said that Dr. Chang was ready for her. Knowing that it had to happen sometime, Amara forced herself to go into the examination room, despite her anxiety.

"Are you ready to go?" Dr. Chang asked.

Amara nodded; she was too nervous to speak. She wondered if maybe she should have brought someone with her for moral support. No. Too many rumors would get started. Besides, if there was nothing to worry about, why spread the word?

As the doctor performed the test, Amara knew that there was something to worry about. Even if she wasn't pregnant, though she was sure she was, how was she going to keep something like this from happening again?

Once the examination was finished, the doctor stood in front of Amara, looking at her papers.

"Well, it looks like you were right to come see me," Dr. Chang said. "You are about six weeks pregnant. Congratulations!"

Amara didn't know what to say. A million emotions raced through her. On one hand, she had wanted to be a mom for a long time. But the father was engaged to someone else! And how could she care for it by herself?

She suddenly realized that it was mostly fear. Her parents would kill her. Her reputation would be ruined. She was on her own, unless Joshua wanted to help her. But what were the chances of that happening? Especially with Nicole in the picture...

As the doctor discussed her options, Amara fought back tears. This just couldn't be happening.
  
  
  
"Okay, what's going on?"

Amara looked up to see Gabby falling into step beside her. The two of them walked toward the elevators as Gabby continued.

"You've been acting weird all week," Gabby said as Amara pushed the button. "You weren't here on Monday, you were barely here yesterday because of how distracted you were, and during lunch yesterday you ran out for McDonald's even though I saw your sandwich in the fridge. It's time you tell me what's up."

Amara sighed and waited for the doors to close after the other person got off at the second floor. She and Gabby worked on the seventieth, so it wasn't like she was in a rush.

"I wasn't here on Monday because I was at the doctor's," Amara said. "I was distracted yesterday because--" she turned to her friend "--I'm pregnant."

"What?!" Gabby gaped at her. "Oh my gosh! That's great! I didn't even know you had a boyfriend!"

"Well, that's the problem," Amara said, "I don't."

Gabby stared, prompting her to continue, "I had a one night stand."

"Wha--are you serious?" Gabby actually started laughing. "You? Miss I-do-everything-right-all-the-time-and-annoy-my-best-friend-with-it?"

"Yes, and--wait, that actually bothers you?" Amara asked.

"Forget it," Gabby said. She grasped Amara's hands. "Who's is it?"

Amara opened her mouth to answer, but then the elevator doors opened. The two of them stayed silent as another group got on. Amara tried to ignore it, but Gabby was sending her frantic wide-eyed glances. They waited a few minutes until the others had reached their floor.

"So, who did you sleep with?" Gabby asked once they were gone. "No, wait. Let me guess."

Amara rolled her eyes. This could take a while, but they still had time.

"Was it Tyler from accounting?"

Amara shook her head.

"Scott?" Gabby pressed

"No."

"Ethan?"

"No!" Amara looked her in the eye. "It was Mr. Leonard."

"What? Amara..." Gabby's eyes were even wider now.

"I know!" Amara said.

"You slept with our boss and now you're carrying his baby?!" Gabby exclaimed.

Amara hated hearing it from someone else because that just made it all the more real.

"Yes!" She squeaked out. "And now I don't know what to do, so you've gotta help me!"

"Okay, okay, let me think for a minute," Gabby said. "Have you told him yet?"

Amara shook her head again, this time fighting back tears.

"What about your parents?"

"I haven't told anyone except for you," Amara said.

The doors opened to their floor, and Amara hesitantly stepped off. Gabby followed close behind her, then grabbed her by the arm. She dragged her to the ladies' room, which was thankfully unoccupied. Everyone was too busy this morning.

"Okay, don't flip out on me, this is just a suggestion," Gabby said. "Why don't you just get rid of it?"

"Gabby!" Amara snapped. "I can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because!" Amara crossed her arms. "It was my fault anyway. I got drunk. I had sex. There's no reason to make an unborn baby suffer just because I made the mistake of not being more careful. I shouldn't have gone out with him in the first place, let alone slept with him!"

"Well, think about it, Amara," Gabby suggested. "You and I both know that you weren't planning on even accidently getting pregnant before you got married. This way, you can avoid a lot of grief. No one else will have to know."

"I did a lot wrong that night, but I'm not going to make another mistake," Amara said, shaking her head. "Besides, it's his baby, and my parents' first grandchild. It wouldn't be fair to any of them if they didn't know."

"Well, as long as you know what you're doing," Gabby said.

The two of them wandered into the office, ready to punch in.

"That's the problem," Amara said quietly to Gabby. "I'm really not sure of what I'm doing anymore."