THE CURSED LUNA
Chapter 46

Amira pov

Here I am, still lounging in bed, rolling from side to side like a lazy cat, and guess what? My usual abdominal pains have decided to take a vacation. Seriously, I've been dealing with those annoying twinges ever since the doc dropped the pregnancy bomb on me.

Honestly, how did I even end up in this situation? Clutching my pillow like it's my lifeline, I finally dragged myself out of bed, my eyes scanning for my pajama shorts. Last night was a wild one, and I somehow managed to kick them off. I spotted them on the floor and bent down to grab them, only to take a nosedive right onto the ground.

"Ouch! That hurt more than my heartache."

I got up, brushed off the embarrassment, and headed straight to the bathroom. Glancing at the clock, I realized breakfast was just around the corner.

With a heavy sigh, I stretched out my muscles, trying to shake off the lingering pain when suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Oh snap, could that be my breakfast?

"Ma'am Emily, good morning. Your breakfast is served."

"Thanks! I'll be down after I freshen up."

Strolling to the bathroom, I couldn't shake off the whirlwind my life had become since I discovered I was pregnant. Morning sickness, those delightful abdominal cramps, and a level of exhaustion that could rival a sloth had become my everyday reality. But today? Today felt a smidge better. Maybe I finally caught up on sleep, or perhaps my body was just getting cozy with the little human taking up residence inside me.

I cranked up the shower, letting the warm water rinse away my tiredness. As I got dressed, I caught my reflection and couldn't help but grin. Sure, my hair looked like it had survived a tornado, and my eyes were a bit puffy, but there was this undeniable glow that made me feel like a goddess.

Downstairs, the heavenly scent of fresh coffee and scrambled eggs danced in the air, making my stomach growl like a hungry beast. I plopped down at the table, and my housekeeper poured me a steaming cup of liquid magic. "Feeling better today, Ma'am Emily?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine concern.

"Absolutely, much better, thanks!" I replied, savoring my first sip of coffee like it was the elixir of life.

As I munched on my breakfast, my thoughts drifted. Who was the father of this little bundle of joy? I had my hunches, but he'd ghosted me since that unforgettable night. Should I reach out? Did I even want to? Just as I was spiraling into my thoughts, my phone buzzed on the table. I hesitated, my heart doing a little dance of excitement. Was it him?

I was praying for a familiar name, and there it was, "Tris" lighting up my screen.

"Hey Tris,"

"Guess what? I'm on my way to scoop you up because we have a little hospital adventure ahead. The doc just spilled the tea that those pregnancy results? Not yours, darling! So, off to the hospital we go!"

I rubbed my eyes, half-convinced I was still in some bizarre dream. But Tris's overly enthusiastic voice on the other end was way too real to ignore.

"Tris, hold up! What are you saying? The pregnancy results aren't mine?" I echoed, trying to wrap my head around this wild revelation.

"I know, I know, it sounds insane! But I just got off the phone with the doctor's office, and they said there was a mix-up with the tests. You're not pregnant, Em!" Tris blurted out.

It felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Not pregnant? But what about all those symptoms? The morning sickness, the fatigue, the cramps?

"Tris, this is all so confusing. I've been feeling everything...," I trailed off, my thoughts spiraling.

"I get it, I get it. That's why we need to figure this out. The hospital is going to run more tests and get to the bottom of it. I'm on my way to scoop you up. Be ready at 10!" Tris declared, his tone both commanding and comforting.

The call wrapped up, and honestly, I was still trying to wrap my head around his words. It felt like he was just spewing nonsense. The doctor had just told me I was pregnant, and now there's some kind of mix-up? I plopped down in my chair, blinking like a confused owl, almost ready to burst into laughter for no reason.

I guess I'll just sit tight for Tris to show up, even though my sense of humor seems to have taken a vacation.

There I was, sitting in the middle of my own mental circus, my eyes wandering around the room like they were on a mission. Everything felt like a scene from a weird movie, where the walls were too familiar, the furniture too cozy, and the sunlight streaming in felt like it was mocking me from a distance.

Then, my gaze landed on that pregnancy test kit just chilling on my nightstand, still in its untouched packaging. I had impulsively grabbed it, thinking my period was playing hide and seek. And then came the doctor's confirmation... But now? I shook my head, trying to shake off the confusion. This whole situation felt like a twisted prank. But Tris's excitement on the phone was too real; she wouldn't joke about something this serious.

Just when I was about to spiral into my thoughts, the doorbell rang. Tris. Right on cue.

I stumbled to the door, still feeling like I was in a fog, and swung it open. Tris stormed in, looking like she meant business.

"Alright, let's figure this out," she declared, shoving a to-go coffee cup into my hands. "You need a caffeine kick."

I took a grateful sip, feeling a little more alive.

"Thanks, Tris. I'm still trying to make sense of all this," I confessed, trailing behind her to the car.

As we drove to the hospital, Tris filled the air with her chatter, trying to pull me out of my spiraling thoughts. But my mind kept circling back to the burning question: whose pregnancy results were actually mine? At the hospital, a cheerful nurse greeted us and led us to a quiet examination room.

"The doctor will be with you shortly," she said, flashing a warm smile.

Tris squeezed my hand, giving me a little boost of reassurance.

"We'll tackle this together, Em."

I nodded, attempting to muster a smile.

But just as we were settling in, the door swung open, and the doctor walked in, looking like he had just delivered bad news.

"Emily, I'm really sorry about the mix-up. We've re-run the tests, and it's time we talked about the results..."

His voice trailed off, leaving me hanging in a cloud of uncertainty.

I shifted in my seat, giving a shy grin as I glanced at Tris, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"What's so hilarious, Tris? First, I was blindsided by the whole pregnancy thing, and now the results are a total mix-up?"

"Let's do a do-over on that test, doc."

The mood shifted dramatically, and he took a moment, carefully selecting his words.

"Emily, the follow-up tests show you have a rare genetic condition. You're feeling symptoms that mimic pregnancy due to a hormonal imbalance, but honey, it's definitely not pregnancy." Confusion hit me like a ton of bricks.

"What do you mean?" I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper.

He leaned in closer, his gaze piercing through me.

"You have a condition called ovotestes, which is a form of intersex. It means you possess both ovarian and testicular tissue."

Tris squeezed my hand tighter.

"What does that mean for Emily?" she demanded, her tone unwavering.

He went on to explain that my body was producing both estrogen and testosterone, leading to this hormonal chaos. The symptoms I'd been feeling-abdominal pain, mood swings, and fatigue-were all tied to this imbalance.

I sat there, trying to wrap my head around this revelation. Intersex. Hermaphrodite. Terms I'd only heard in hushed tones or as insults.

But the doctor's voice was gentle, informative, and completely free of judgment.

"As we delve deeper into this, I want to stress that intersex is a natural variation in human biology. It's not a disorder or a flaw."

I nodded, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me: shock, curiosity, and a sprinkle of fear.

"What's next?" I asked, glancing at Tris and then back at the doctor.

"We'll collaborate to manage your hormone levels and tackle any related health issues," the doctor replied. "And if you're up for it, I suggest chatting with a therapist to navigate how this impacts your identity and overall well-being." I inhaled deeply, feeling a surge of determination.

Suddenly, Tris and the doctor burst into laughter. Just kidding, Emily! But seriously, that pregnancy test? Not for you...

I rolled my eyes, chuckling right along with them. "You two are a riot. For a hot second, I thought I was in trouble."

The doctor was wiping away tears of laughter. "Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves. But for real, Emily, that pregnancy test? Total false alarm. You're not expecting."

I shook my head, still giggling. "I should've known better than to trust a bargain bin test from the drugstore."

Tris flashed a cheeky grin. "Hey, at least it sparked this little escapade."

Clearing his throat, the doctor got back to business. "Now, let's zero in on your actual health issues. We'll run some tests to figure out what's going on."

As he kept talking, I felt a swirl of relief and intrigue. What was causing my weird symptoms? And what did it mean for my health?

After a battery of tests, Dr. Lee dropped the bombshell: I had a rare condition-not intersex, as he had joked-but a quirky hormonal imbalance.

"It's manageable," he reassured me. "We'll team up to replace the right fix."

Leaving the hospital with Tris, I felt thankful for my buddy's support and the doctor's know-how.

As we stepped outside, Tris shot me a sly look. "You know, Em, this little adventure might not be about a baby, but it's still a wild ride."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Only with you, Tris."

I was totally frozen when we hit the parking lot. "What's up, Emily?" Tris asked, looking all concerned with that furrowed brow of his. I casually tossed the car keys his way.

"Here, take the keys and drive. I'm exhausted," I said, strutting over to the passenger seat while Tris just stood there, probably trying to figure me out. "Come on, Tris, take the wheel. I need to kick back and rest my head."

Tris caught the keys and raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to pass out on me, are you?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

I settled into the passenger seat, closing my eyes. "No, I just need a break from... everything."

Tris chuckled and got into the driver's seat. "Alright, alright. I've got this."

As he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I didn't have to think or worry; Tris had taken control.

We drove in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the occasional passing car.

Then, Tris spoke up, his voice soft. "Hey, Em? You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever's going on, we'll face it together."

I opened my eyes, looking over at him. His expression was genuine, his eyes filled with concern.

I smiled, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Thanks, Tris. That means a lot."

We drove a bit further, the silence between us growing thicker.

Suddenly, Tris turned onto a familiar road. "Where are we going?" I asked, sitting up straight.

"My place," he replied, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I've got just the thing to take your mind off things."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

Tris just chuckled and kept driving, leaving me to wonder what he had up his sleeve.

As we pulled into his driveway, I felt a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation. What did Tris have planned?

And would it be enough to distract me from the chaos swirling inside my head?