Author's Note: I do not own RockStar Games, GTA V, or any of its characters. No copyright infringement is intended. The following story is for entertainment purposes ONLY. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Summary: Michael's family keeps a secret from him, but he finally gets them to talk. Once he learns what it is and who it's about it raises more questions than answers.

CHAPTER 1: Put to the Test

Amanda's Sentinel is parked just outside of Dollar Pills pharmacy, grocery, and drug store in Vinewood located on Hawick Avenue. She left Tracey in the front seat, who didn't want to come inside, while she headed in to get what she needed.

"I'll be back soon," she assured her daughter.

To pass the time Tracey listened to the radio, specifically the Non-Stop Pop station, while scrolling through her iFruit phone. Before she knew it her mom returned with a small paper bag that she handed off to her. Amanda buckled up then checked for clearance over her shoulder while shifting gears to back out. The drive home between mother and daughter was silent as Amanda pulled the car into the driveway, parked, and cut the engine. She gathered up her belongings including her keys, purse, and cellphone ready to hop out of the vehicle until Tracey began crying.

"I'm so sorry mom."

Amanda sat back down leaning over as far as the console would allow to embrace and comfort her daughter.

"Honey, it might not seem like it, but everything is going to be all right."

She dug around in her purse in search of the travel size Kleenex, offering her one, that Tracey used to dry her eyes and blow her nose with.

"Thanks," replied Tracey.

Amanda smiled at her while lovingly rubbing and patting her daughter on the shoulder. "Now can we head inside?"

Tracey sniffled. She looked over her shoulder in search of her father's vehicle. "Is daddy home? I don't see his car in the drive or noticed it parked on the street."

Amanda offered her another tissue. "No. He had a meeting with Solomon Richards and won't be back until later."

Tracey flipped the visor so she could check out her appearance in the mirror. "Good. I don't think I'm ready to face him just yet." She looked like she'd been crying; her make-up was streaked and her eyes were puffy.

They both went inside heading straight for the kitchen where Jimmy was. He stood staring into the refrigerator with the door wide open.

"Your father isn't here is he?" asked Amanda.

Jimmy closed the fridge door. "Uh, no. What's in the bag?"

He reached for it, but Tracey took it off the counter before he had the chance to get it.

"Oh, touchy!" Jimmy teased.

Tracey placed it on the kitchen table taking a seat.

"Leave your sister alone!" Amanda scolded.

"Geez! What's the BFD anyhow?" he asked.

Amanda grew furious calling him by his full name, which is how he knew he was truly in trouble.

"JAMES CHRISTOPHER DE SANTA!"

She didn't mean to raise her voice, but she also knew being teased by her brother is the last thing Tracey needed.

Jimmy straightens up. "Chill mom. I'll back off. Just ⏤ what's going on?"

Amanda visibly calmed herself before speaking again. "The discussion we are about to have is strictly between the three of us, and does not leave this room. Understood?"

Jimmy could tell from the urgency in his moms voice that whatever the situation was, it was serious. Their discussion was cut short as the garage door sounded from Michael pulling in coming home sooner than anticipated. He was ready to announce his presence until he heard voices in the kitchen. He came in on the tail end of their 'private discussion'.

Amanda turned to look at Jimmy. "As for you mister. Keep your lips sealed. Not a word of this to your father."

Jimmy nodded his head in agreement. Michael moseyed around the corner into the kitchen.

"I thought we were done keeping secrets from each other. Now you got the kids keeping things from me?"

He walked up to his wife kissing her on the cheek.

"No. It's not like that…" Amanda claimed trying to talk her way out of it, but it was no use.

Michael states, "I just heard you tell Jimmy to keep his lips sealed about something. So what? What are we keeping from dear old dad this time?"

Amanda, Tracey, and Jimmy all clammed up averting their eyes from looking in Michael's direction.

"Nobody wants to tell me what's going on? Fine. We'll turn this into a guessing game."

Tracey looked over at her mom with pleading eyes hoping she'd intervene, but Amanda felt just as helpless as her daughter in this situation. Michael circled each of them like a predator stalking its prey while drilling them with questions. He refused to let them leave the kitchen until he got a straight answer.

"Whose first? Lets start with… Jimmy."

Jimmy's heart raced a little, and his palms became sweaty as his father approached him.

"Did you get fired from Burger Shot?"

Jimmy warily replied, "No."

Michael eyed him intensely searching his sons face for tell-tale signs of lying.

"I believe you. Moving on. Amanda."

Michael walked up to his wife doing the same to her.

"Are you cheating on me again?"

She took a deep breath in before earnestly replying, "No."

Michael leaned closer towards her while narrowing his eyes.

"I believe you."

Tracey knew she was next. She felt so uneasy, but tried to remain calm as her father approached her.

"That just leaves you." He placed both hands on his daughters shoulders before asking, "Did you drop out of college?"

A wave of relief washed over her knowing he guessed wrong.

"No," replied Tracey.

Michael walked back over towards the fridge in sight of everyone.

"I believe you."

She was hoping that would be the end of it. Only then did she realize he swiped the small paper bag off of the kitchen table. Tracey's eyes grew wide with fear.

"Since no one actually wants to tell me what's going on. I think I have my answer. What have we here?" asked Michael.

He proceeded to open the bag revealing its contents. His eyes grew wide.

There was shock and anger behind the tone of her fathers voice. "A… pregnancy test?!"

Before Tracey could answer for herself her mother interjected.

"Yes. My period was later than usual. I figured it was stress, but then I thought maybe not so I got the test."

Amanda decided to sell her lie. She put on a performance for her husband even going as far as placing a hand on her lower abdomen while making her way over to him. Michael's demeanor softened as did his tone.

"If you thought you might be pregnant why didn't you just say so?"

Amanda replied, "I was worried what you would think; that you thought we were too old to have another baby."

Michael drew her in for a hug. "Well, lets find out."

"Right now?" asked Amanda.

She was taken aback as she quit embracing him. That wasn't the reaction she thought she would get from her husband. Michael turned the box over glancing at the directions.

"Yeah, why not? According to this it doesn't take more than a few minutes."

He and Amanda head up stairs to take the test.

"Wait here kids," their father called from upstairs. "Who knows maybe when we come back down I'll have news that I'm gonna be a dad again."

Thankfully their parents were not in ear shot when Jimmy mumbled a remark under his breath.

"Yeah more like a granddad."

Tracey glared in her brothers direction elbowing him in his side.

"OW!"

She was a nervous wreck and her brother wasn't helping.

"You asked for it."

Jimmy rubbed his side where his sister hit him.

"Moms plan to cover for you is great except for one small flaw. How's it gonna look when she doesn't have a baby in nine months, and you do?"

Tracey hadn't even thought about that as a look of distress came over her. Jimmy usually took pleasure in his sisters misfortune, but this time he didn't.

"I'm sorry. I'd say dad won't kill you, but I honestly don't know."

Michael and Amanda were inside the bathroom awaiting the results of the pregnancy test. She was seated on the toilet with the lid down while he was standing. He actually looked anxious while the timer counted down on his phone.

"That's it. What does it say? Are you pregnant?"

She tentatively picked up the test to review the results. Michael got grabby eagerly taking it from her to see for himself.

"Its… Negative."

Amanda stood up, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Are you disappointed?"

Michael let out a long drawn out sigh. He turns to look at he and his wife's reflections in the mirror.

"Maybe we are too old to have another kid."

Amanda kisses him on the lips then he smiles at her.

"Then again maybe not."

She slaps him playfully on the shoulder. "Michael! Be serious."

He laughs. "I am! Nah, I'm not disappointed. I'm happy with the kids that we've got."

Amanda reaches for the knob of the bathroom door to let herself out, but Michael stops her.

"Unless… well, what about you? How do you feel about having more kids?"

She stood frozen in her tracks while coming up with a quick reaction and response off the top of her head. Her shoulders slumped and her head fell as she lied.

"There was a time when I thought that I did, but that time has passed."

Michael didn't like how quickly his wife's demeanor turned sad. She actually started to cry.

"Mand? Mandy, don't cry."

As Michael comforted her she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and couldn't believe her husband was buying it. Then again she did put on a hell of a convincing performance.

That night at the dinner table the De Santa's hardly exchanged a word among themselves. The only words that were uttered during dinner were, "Pass the salt."

Michael leaned back in his chair patting his full stomach.

"That was delicious. I don't think I could eat another bite."

Amanda got up from the table to collect their plates, cups, and utensils.

Jimmy quips, "Stop acting like mom cooked when all we did was order pizza." He trudged upstairs to retire to his room to play video games.

Michael looked across the table at his daughter who had a spaced off look. "Trace? You all right?"

She snapped back to reality at the mention of her name. "Hmm? Oh yeah. Fine. I'm going upstairs, too. I don't feel very good."

Michael got up from the table leaning on the kitchen island. "What's with her?"

Amanda threw the dish towel at him. "I'll go find out. You do the dishes."

As she headed upstairs Michael called out to her, "I THOUGHT THAT'S WHY WE HAD A MAID!"

Amanda knocked on Tracey's bedroom door. "Honey? It's mom. Can I come in?"

While waiting for her daughter to answer her, Amanda, heard Michael turn on the television, and the distinct sound of ice being put into a glass. She doesn't really care if he does the dishes or not; she just hoped that he would stay downstairs. Tracey unlocks the door cracking it open just enough to let her mom in. Amanda found her daughter curled up in fettle position on the bed.

"Sorry about earlier. I'll go to the store and get you another test," said Amanda sitting on the edge of the bed.

Tracey sat up. "I know he won't feel or react the same way when I tell him that it's me."

Amanda looks at her daughter. "Honey, your father…"

Tracey grew upset. "No mom! We both know how he is; that he tends to overreact to things. I still can't believe you're as cool as you are about this." She rest her head on her moms shoulder. "I want you to tell me that everything is going to be okay. Even if it's not."

Amanda held Tracey's hand. "Sweetie, I love you, and everything is going to be okay. When the time comes your father will understand."

Tracey turned to look at her mom. "How? How do you know he won't disown me or kick me out?"

Her mother sighed. "Because he's your father and he loves you."

The next morning Tracey's head was buried in the toilet while she puked up her guts. Michael sees as he passes by the bathroom.

"Aw! Honey, I thought we talked about this."

He makes his way over to his daughter who appears flushed and drained of all of her energy. He lovingly rubs her back in a circular motion to try to sooth her.

"You don't have to throw up to look skinny. You are beautiful just the way that you are, and I don't know who convinced you otherwise. But believe me when I say you're NOT fat."

He offers himself for support in helping her up off the floor to a standing position. Tracey hugs him clinging on tighter than usual.

"I love you daddy."

He hugs her back. "I love you, too."

She stores the memory of this happy moment in her mind for later, so she can replace it with the angry one, for if and when she's finally ready to tell him that she's pregnant.

"Are you gonna be okay?" he asks.

She looks at him reassuringly in the eyes while nodding her head 'Yes.' Michael heads downstairs to the kitchen. He pours himself a cup of freshly brewed coffee with cream and two sugars. Amanda comes down asking if he has seen her exercise ball.

"Yeah. It's in the living room." She turns to head in there, but Michael stops her.

"Hey, c'mere."

Amanda obliges. She acts coy trying to be flirty. "Yes darling?"

He chuckles at her then sets his cup of coffee down. Michael places his hand on his wife's forehead.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

He runs his hand across her forehead, caresses her cheek, and moves it to her throat. Then he gently squeezes just under her jawline. Amanda gets a little nervous from the look in his eyes; under the impression he is trying to choke her.

"Michael…"

He releases her from his grip.

"Nope. You don't feel warm like you're running a fever, and your glands aren't swollen. You aren't sick."

She backs away from him confused.

"Sick? No I'm not…"

He interrupts her.

"Did you or Jimmy get food poisoning from dinner last night?"

Amanda doesn't like this line of questioning, but knows she better respond.

"I can't answer for our son, but no I didn't. Why do you ask?"

Tracey stood frozen at the top of the stairs eavesdropping on her parents conversation.

"I'm asking because our daughter is upstairs sicker than a dog." Amanda's heart raced as he continued. "At first I thought it was just induced vomiting from her eating disorder. Then I speculated food poisoning, but figured if that were the case why aren't we ALL sick."

As he stepped closer towards his wife she could sense the tension forming in the room between them.

"I am only going to ask you this once."

Amanda swallowed hard knowing exactly what he was getting at.

"Are you…" but what Michael said next was the last thing she would have guessed he'd say. "...giving our daughter some sort of diet pills?"

Amanda was flabbergasted and outraged at her husbands false accusation, but also a little relieved.

"How dare you! Of all of the things you accuse me of doing you think that I would do something THAT irresponsible?"

Tracey ran to her bedroom slamming the door closed behind her. She felt awful; and not just because of the morning sickness, she knew her mother could only keep covering up for her for so long. Then came a knock on her door. She didn't even think to ask who it was before granting them permission to come in.

"Hey, are you feeling any better?"

It was her dad. She rolled over unable to look at him. Amanda came upstairs in search of Tracey, and heard Michael's voice through their daughters bedroom door. She listened in.

Michael admitted, "Your mother's better at this sort of thing than I am."

He stood at the foot of Tracey's bed with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Listen, I love you…"

Tracey tried making herself as small as possible, burying her face deeper into a pillow to try to drown out her sobs. She spoke, but her words were muffled and Michael couldn't understand what she said. He had her repeat herself.

"Really?"

Her father stepped closer towards her and she invited him to join her on the bed. Between he and his wife Michael wasn't the most perceptive, but he could tell that Tracey was in need of a hug.

"Of course I love you. Why wouldn't I?"

Tracey composed herself using her hands to wipe her tears. It broke Michael's heart seeing his daughter so upset.

Amanda pressed her ear closer to the door, but heard nothing. She silently prayed that her daughter was summoning the courage to tell her father she was pregnant, and for her husband to have the patience and understanding that came with such a delicate subject matter. Jimmy came out of his room wearing his work uniform.

"Mom?"

He laughed at the sight of her with her ear pressed up against his sisters bedroom door. "What are you doing?" It dawns on him. "Is dad in there? Is Tracey doing it? Is she telling him?"

Amanda gestured for him to keep his voice down. "Shhh! What do you want?"

"Can I borrow your car to get to work?"

She whispered back, "Sure. My car keys are on the hook in the kitchen." When he didn't leave right away Amanda wondered why. "What are you still standing around for? I told you, you could use my car."

Jimmy scoffs. "And miss this? Are you kidding!" He pressed his ear against the door to listen in too.

Michael could tell that whatever his daughter wanted to say next was making her nervous because she was trembling. He tried to reassure her that it was all right.

"You can tell me anything."

His remark made Tracey laugh, and he enjoyed seeing her smile. She took a deep breath in before telling him.

Another moment of silence passed as Amanda and Jimmy stood there.

Why doesn't she say something?' she thought. Then she heard her husband scream through to door.

"YOU'RE WHAT!?"

Jimmy actually ran down the stairs.

"Later!"

Amanda called after him.

"Jimmy!"

When she turned around Tracey's bedroom door was open with Michael standing in front of her. He was pissed. He looked fuming mad; like steam was ready to come out of his ears and nose.

"Michael, I know what your going to say…"

He put up a hand to stop her. His voice was commanding and booming as he yelled.

"No. I don't think you do. Do you mind explaining why you failed to share with me that OUR DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT!"

Amanda stood there searching her mind for an answer, but she knew no matter how she responded that it wouldn't be good enough for Michael. He calmed down as he let out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm sorry. I just…" He trailed off redirecting the conversation at Tracey. "Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure that you're pregnant?"

Tracey scrolled through the apps on her iFruit phone pulling up Flo, an app that tracks your period, ovulation and pregnancy.

"Yeah. Unless this thing is off."

Michael scoffed. "Aw geez, you're trusting an app to tell you whether or not your pregnant. Whatever happened to going to the doctor or taking a pregnancy test?"

Amanda chimed in. "She would have if not for you assuming I was the one who was pregnant."

Michael whipped out his cellphone and began dialing a number.

"Who on earth are you calling at a time like this?" asked Amanda.

He gestured for her to lower her voice. "I'm on the phone. Hi, this is Michael De Santa." He stepped out of the room while taking the call.

Tracey looked at her mother. "What is he doing?"

Amanda joined her daughter on the bed. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Michael spoke on the phone for fifteen minutes straight before hanging up.

"Well, are you gonna tell us who that was or not?" asked Tracey.

"Yes," replied Michael. "It was the doctor. I called to set up an appointment for you to be seen by an OBGYN to know for sure."

Tracey started crying again.

"Oh honey," cooed Amanda trying to comfort her.

"No mom. They're happy tears." Tracey got up from the bed to hug her father. "Oh, daddy you really do love me!"

He wrapped his arms around her. "Of course I do." Michael used his thumbs to wipe the tears away that shed down his daughters cheeks.

"You're not angry?" asked Tracey.

Michael admits, "I was but now that I've had some time to think it over…"

Amanda interjected. "He still is."

Michael turned to look at his wife. "I am not!"

She argued, "Michael, I know you!"

"ENOUGH!" shouted Tracey. She let out a groan of frustration. "ARGH! You guys argue over like everything! Even when it's not about you! If I knew this would be that big a deal I wish I never would have told either of you I was pregnant!"

Amanda tried to get her to calm down. "Easy. If you are pregnant I'm pretty sure stress can't be good for the baby." She got up from the bed standing beside Michael.

He made Tracey a proposition. "How's this? If you are pregnant, from now on your mother and I won't argue."

Michael wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder while smiling trying to be convincing. A lightbulb went off in Tracey's head. She wasn't the brightest, but she knew how to recognize a good thing.

"Really?"

Michael shook his head in agreement. Amanda held up her right hand. "We promise. No more arguing."

Tracey dug through her nightstand in search of something. "Prove it. Swear on the Bible."

Both Michael and Amanda placed their hands on the Bible while swearing to never argue with each other again.

Michael peeled back the covers before getting into bed. He laid down next to his wife while cuddling with her as they both lay awake.

"No arguing for nine months. Think we can pull it off?" asked Amanda. Her head lay resting on his chest so she felt it vibrate as he laughed. "What? What's so funny?"

He stopped laughing and sat up raking his hands over his face. "Oh, I'm almost afraid to ask."

She sat up too. "Ask me what?"

He laughed harder then composed himself. "Not you. Tracey." He turned to look at his wife. "This is a hell of an after thought, but whose the father?"

He could tell by the puzzled look on his wife's face that she didn't know herself.

"Y'know. I didn't think to ask."

Michael mocked her. "You didn't think… our daughter comes home from college. Knocked up! And you ⏤ didn't think to ask. Are you serious?"

Amanda knew their discussion was turning into an argument so she got up.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

She took a bed pillow for herself before leaving the room. "Downstairs. To sleep on the couch."

Michael's eyes were heavy with sleep as he sat up in bed. The clock read 2:47AM; it was the middle of the night and he had to use the bathroom. On his way there he heard Tracey get sick again so he went to check on her. Amanda was already with her, holding back their daughters hair as she dry heaved. He stood in the doorway in nothing but his wife beater and boxer shorts with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Tracey lifted up her head while holding her stomach. "Why do they call it morning sickness if it lasts all-day?"

Her mother rubbed her back. "I don't know." Amanda looked at Michael. "Satisfied!"

He rubbed his eyes. "No. It doesn't satisfy me to see our daughter this way. I know there's nothing I can do." He joined them in the bathroom leaning up against the wall. "I hated seeing you this way when you were pregnant."

Amanda helped Tracey stand up. "You gonna be okay?"

Tracey shook her head. "I think so. I'm wanna lay back down. I'm so tired."

Amanda ushered Tracey back to her room tucking her in like she did when she was a little girl, and kissed her "Good night" on the forehead.

"If you need me I'm right across the hall." She closed her daughters bedroom door.

Michael stood behind her. "Does this mean you're coming back to bed?" He wondered because he always slept better with her by his side.

"Yes," replied Amanda. "I can't stand sleeping on the couch being that far apart knowing that she needs me."

Michael set the alarm for 10:00AM figuring that gave them enough time to get ready since the doctors appointment was scheduled at 12:00PM. He and his wife laid back down to get some sleep while they both still could. He closed his eyes, but before he knew it the alarm went off. He reached over to stop it noting Amanda was no longer in bed beside him. Rather than swing his legs over the side to get up he rolled over and fell back asleep. A while later he felt himself being shook awake. He lifted his head off the pillow to see who was disrupting his sleep.

It was Amanda. "C'mon! We've gotta hustle if we're gonna make it to Tracey's doctor appointment on time!"

Michael glanced over at the clock; it was 11:30AM. He flew out of bed to get ready not bothering to shave or brush his teeth knowing they were already pressed for time. He slapped on some deodorant, threw on a clean smelling shirt, and shorts, and slipped on his flip-flops.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs calling out. "LETS GO LADIES!"

Amanda came up behind him. "We're ready when you are."

She scared him half to death. "Geez! Give me a heart attack why don't you?" he said grabbing his chest. "Is Jimmy coming?"

Amanda heads towards the garage. "Nope. He's got work."

Tracey was already in the garage waiting for them. "What took you so long daddy?"

Michael pressed the button opening the garage door then unlocked the car to get in. "I over slept, but I'm here now. Let's go!"

The ride to the doctors office was filled with silence apart from the music being played over the radio, specifically the Los Santos Rock Radio station. They sat idle at an intersection waiting for the light to change. Amanda threatened to change the dial, but Michael stopped her.

"Hey! Use the presets."

Amanda apologized. "Sorry."

Tracey snickered in the back seat. Michael looked at her through the rearview mirror. He flashed back to when she was a little girl and use to ride in a car seat. He missed the days when he'd glance back there to check on her, and wonder what she was laughing about. He'd ask, "What's so funny princess?" He knew of course because he use to make funny faces at her in the mirror while they were stuck at a light. Tracey would giggle while swinging her legs in her seat. She always gave the same answer. "You daddy, you!"

Michael never imagined he'd drive that same little girl to the doctor to find out if she was pregnant. His flash back ends as a car horn blared behind them alerting him the light had changed. Amanda could tell how much restrain it took for her husband not to roll down the window, and shout some sarcastic remark, as the other car sped past them impatiently. Instead, Michael took a deep breath in as he reached for his wife's hand to hold for the remainder of the ride.

Having reached their destination Michael pulled into a parking space then let everyone out. As they approached the entrance of the building to head in he makes a comment to his wife.

"This brings back memories I bet."

She smiles at him. Amanda recalled the day she found out she was pregnant with Tracey. She was surprised, but overjoyed nonetheless. Michael holds the door open as they all go inside. The waiting room was predominantly made up of all women as the De Santa's took a seat, with Tracey in the middle, and her parents on either side of her.

"Do you want either of us to go back with you?" asks Amanda.

Michael volunteers his wife. "You go back with her. I don't mind waiting out here."

He searches an end table for some suitable reading material, but decides against it noting they are all women's magazines. A nurse comes out holding a clipboard glancing at it once more before calling out a name.

"Tracey… De Santa?"

Tracey and her mom got up to follow the nurse. Amanda handed Michael her purse not wanting to take it back with her. He knew better than to place it on the chair next to him or on the floor so he just held it in his lap for safe keeping. A heavily pregnant woman, sitting across from him, reading a magazine, glanced up looking at him questionably.

Michael smiled at her. "Hey, how's it going?"

The nurse led Tracey and Amanda to an exam room informing them that the doctor would be with them momentarily. Tracey seated herself on the doctors table while her mother took a seat in a chair. Between the two of them Amanda didn't know who was more nervous; herself or her daughter. She knew they could endure a prolonged wait despite being set up in a room. Luckily it wasn't long before the doctor knocked on the door.

Tracey didn't know if she should answer. "Should I tell them to come in?"

Her mother answered for her. "Come on in!"

The doctor entered the room introducing herself. "Hello. I'm Dr. Courtney Barnes." She sat on the stool rolling over to the computer, logging in as she double checked all of the information in comparison to the nurses notes. "Being a first time patient would you please verbally confirm the following information as I recite it off to you?"

Tracey nodded her head in agreement.

"Address?"

"Portola Drive, Rockford Hills, Los Santos."

"Date of birth?"

"June 20, 1991"

"Emergency contact?"

"Amanda De Santa"

"Relation?"

"Mother."

It went on like that for a while as Tracey confirmed any and all medications that she took or were allergic to, her medical history, and her last monthly. Tracey asked to see a calendar to be sure her period math was correct.

The doctor informed her, "You wanna date back to the first day of your last period."

It dawned on Tracey that she had her phone with her so she pulled up the Flo app.

The doctor asked, "Has it been more than a month?"

Tracey showed the doctor her phone for herself.

Dr. Barnes released a chuckle. "That app is only so accurate. It's a good thing you came in to see me." The doctor finished her examination of Tracey concluding she was five weeks along. "You'll need to schedule another appointment in a week so I can reexamine you. I can schedule you at 8AM, 10AM, or 12PM which time do you prefer?"

"Afternoon. I'm not really a morning person," replies Tracey.

Dr. Barnes types into the computer replying cheerfully, "Okay I have you scheduled for your next appointment at 12PM Thursday October 24. See you then! The nurse will show you out."

Author's Note: (added 4/27/2020) A reader provided me with a helpful tip that I should change the format of my writing so that it's easier to read. Before everything was squished together, but now I included line breaks for dialogue. "Thank you!" Helpful tips are encouraged because I want to be a better writer.