Chapter 6 - THE PREGNANCY
Claire’s obstetrician, Dr. Maya Collins, did not dramatize the situation.
She took family history.
Then explained that suspected close biological relationship could affect genetic-risk counseling if confirmed.
Not every pregnancy between related adults results in fetal abnormality.
Risk depended on degree of biological relationship and specific recessive variants.
The genetic counselor also corrected a misconception Ethan brought into the appointment.
He had searched online.
Too much.
He arrived convinced the pregnancy was almost certainly medically disastrous.
The counselor stopped him.
“Shared biological parentage increases certain recessive-risk concerns. It does not convert every pregnancy into a predictable outcome.”
She explained baseline risk.
Carrier overlap.
Screening limitations.
Diagnostic versus screening tests.
Claire listened carefully.
Then asked:
“Are you telling me what to do?”
“No.”
“Good.”
The counselor nodded.
“My job is to make sure fear is not the only information in the room.”
That sentence stayed with Claire.
The wedding had been fifteen seconds of fear swallowing everything.
The medical process would be slower.
She needed slower.
Claire heard only fragments.
Half-siblings.
Shared father.
Carrier screening.
Genetic counseling.
Diagnostic options.
Dr. Collins said:
“First, confirm the relationship before building decisions on an unverified story.”
Claire almost laughed.
Everyone kept returning to proof.
She wanted certainty faster than biology could provide it.
Ethan attended one appointment only after Claire asked him.
They sat apart.
He looked at the ultrasound screen.
Tiny movement.
Neither spoke.
Afterward Ethan said:
“I don’t know how to be here.”
Claire answered:
“Neither do I.”
He looked at her.
“I still love you.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“Don’t.”
“I’m not asking for anything.”
“Then don’t say it.”
He nodded.
The relationship had not become disgusting because they learned a possibility.
Their history had not changed.
Their knowledge had.
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That distinction mattered emotionally.
Legally and medically, the new knowledge changed everything going forward.
