Growing (Tessa)

“ Home is where I am with you.”

Jackson's grin only grew wider with that statement, his arm wrapping more securely around Tessa as he bend down to place a soft kiss on the side of her head. Perhaps this would all be okay after all. With Tessa by his side, he could do the dad thing.

"Senator Blake, Miss Grey, how nice to see you," a smiling attendant greeted them before they had even made it to the reception desk. Jackson had been told the hospital took its VIP clients seriously and he could see it was the truth now.

"I hope you've had a pleasant journey. Doctor Smurti will see you shortly but is there anything I can get you in the meantime? Tea, Coffee, desserts?" As she spoke, they passed a sign denoting the way to the cafeteria where every mother's pregnancy cravings could be satisfied.

Tessa was grinning as Jackson had kissed her head. She was ready to start this family with Jackson. Tessa really knew that they both would have to sit down and talk to Dominique about this. Everything was going to be ok and Tessa was even willing to come and spend the last part of her pregnancy with Jackson. That way he wouldn't have to be worried about her.

She smiled as the attendant was standing in front of them. Tessa really didn’t know anything about that hospital. As Jackson was the one who set this up. Which she wasn’t made about it. As she knew that Jackson would get to see their baby. “ Yes I had a pleasant journey.” As she had to fly in from LA.

They passed the cafeteria and Tessa was getting some of her cravings. “ Chocolate potato chips would be nice.” This was one of her cravings as she loved peanut butter and mayo sandwich. Which she knew that this was all normal.

"One helping of chocolate covered potato chips, coming right up," the attendant confirmed without batting a eye. She had clearly seen every type of pregnancy craving that ever existed. The bubbly attendant kept up a stream of reassuring comments until they were directly in front of the doctor's office. gesturing for the couple to wait a moment, she peeked in, making sure the doctor was ready before ushering Jackson and Tessa into the room.

And as if on cue, a cardboard platter of chocolate potato chips waited on the edge of the doctor's desk.

"Good day, Senator, Miss Grey. It's an honor to meet you both. I'm Dr. Smurti Varma and I'll be your gynecologist throughout this pregnancy."

"Hey Doc," Jackson greeted, moving forwards to shake the older woman's hand warmly but not letting go of Tessa. "Glad we're in such good hands. What's on the agenda for today."

"Today is just going to be very routine," the medical professional reassured them, inviting the couple to take a seat. She also motioned for Tessa to start on the chips if the Fox executive felt like it. "We're going to talk a little bit and get to know each other. I can answer any and all questions you have about the pregnancy and..." she paused, as if she was about to open a box of presents for them.

"We'll see if we can get a heartbeat from the little guy."

Tessa was excited when she knew that they would get what she was craving. As she wanted something salty but also sweet. Her eyes lit up when she saw the chocolate potato chips. She smiled as the doctor introduce to them. “ Hello Doctor.” Now she was watching to find out what they were going to be doing. As Jackson was the one to set this all up. But she knew that it would be just routine. And there was nothing to worry about. She had been through this once. Tessa started to eat on her chips. They were going to get to know each other.

She heard as the doctor said they might be able to get a heartbeat from the little guy. “ Or it could be little girl.” Tessa was just excited that she was carrying Jackson baby. Finally she was happy. And was able to put her past behind her. But she had hoped that they could hear the baby.

Tessa knew that she would be happy if it was a boy or girl. She then picked up her chips as she knew what was going to be happening. Tessa then was being helped into a chair. Now she knew that cold gel would be coming next. But she knew that it would help her see the baby. Tessa was grinning as she was thinking about seeing the baby. But it was starting to fade away when it seemed like something was wrong. Now she was starting to worry. As Jackson was asking if the baby was alright.

“ Is there something wrong?” Tessa was starting to freak out. As this was something that has never happened to her before. She was watching the ultrasound and seen that there was nothing. Which she was confused and wasn’t sure what. She hated not knowing what was going on. Which she was hoping that it would be all explained.

Dr. Varma's gaze swiveled from Tessa to the ultrasound, then back again, eyeing the bowl of chips the young witch had recently been eating. When she spoke next, her voice was calm, clipped and meant to put everyone at ease.

"Now now,' she began, looking to both Jackson and the young mother. "There's no need to panic. I just have a few questions to ask you, Tessa. Is that okay?"

When Tessa nodded, the gynecologist began.

"When was the last time you experienced morning sickness?" she began, following up with questions of craving, when Tessa's baby bump had started to show and if she had gone for an ultrasound before this? The doctor also asked how many tests Tessa had taken to confirm a pregnancy which the Fox exec had answered correctly.

Having noted down all the information, Dr. Varma took a step back, siting down in her chair. She indicated for the nurse to cover Tessa back up.

"I'm afraid there has been a... misunderstanding," she began, looking towards them both with an appropriately regretful look on her face. "It's my misfortune the deliver the news, but you guys are not pregnant."

Tessa was starting to get worried but she felt a little better when the doctor told her there was no reason to panic. The doctor then began to ask her questions that were important. And she was giving an answer to everyone of them. The nurse then covered her back up. Now she was starting to get worried again. Because she didn’t like where this was heading.

She then heard that she wasn’t pregnant. Her heart sank after the doctor told her. Everything was happening when she was pregnant with Dominique. So now she was confused. Tessa wasn’t sure how to form the words. All she wanted to do was cry and just hide. There was so many feelings that she knew that was going to come out. And she can only guess what Jackson was going through. As she knew that he was excited to be a father. Even though it was something that wasn’t planned. “ What happened?” Was it because of her? There was so many questions that needed answers.

How could she not be pregnant. Tears started to form in her eyes as she knew that she couldn’t keep them back.

Tessa didn’t know what to do or how she would even look at Jackson. She knew she was pregnant and now she wasn’t. The way the doctor was talking about was she may have been pregnant and lost it. Now she was wondering if she had a miscarriage because all of the work she was doing. And this wasn’t helping her at all. The way that Jackson had looked when he found out. It was something that she couldn’t handle. The tears were coming. It wasn’t like she had to hold them back. As she just had the most horrible news. A mother who was childless. She had lost her little boy or girl.

Was she going crazy as her body told her that she was pregnant. She was in a wheelchair being wheeled out. Because it was too much for her to walk. Jackson then took her back to her hotel without saying goodbye. Not even to see how she was even doing. That is what also was killing her inside. It seemed like she never had any luck in life. First Damien and now Jackson. Was this going to be another repeat? Tessa was now up in her room. And she was even wondering if it was even worth staying. She knew that she could always get a flight home. Better to mourn in her on home.

She would be in contact with Fox tomorrow. As she was going to explain that she was taking time off work. And then once she was a little better she would explain. Tessa knew that she might had to seek professional help. Because she was starting to wonder about herself. Maybe she was working too hard or maybe she just wanted to be pregnant so bad. All she knew that this was the worst feeling in the world.