Chapter 1: Introduction
Kindra's palms were sweating as she sat in the stiff plastic chair, her birthing plan clutched tightly in her hand. The obstetrician's office was a symphony of sterility—white walls, white ceiling, white floors, and even the air seemed to be scrubbed clean of any impurity. The only thing breaking the monochrome was the bright pink of her nails, which she had done just that morning to give herself a boost of confidence. It wasn't working.
"You're sure this is normal, right?" she asked her husband, Ethan, for what felt like the hundredth time.
He looked up from his phone, his eyes softening as he took in Kindra's anxious expression.
"Absolutely, babe. Dr. Smith is the best. He's going to make sure everything is perfect for our little one," Ethan reassured her, giving her hand a squeeze.
Kindra nodded, trying to smile, but her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest. She looked around the room, her gaze landing on the exam table. It was draped in white, but there were faint smudges of red and brown that she tried her best to ignore.
The tray of instruments on the counter caught her eye next. They were shiny and cold, their purpose unmistakable. She quickly looked away, her mind filling with a jumble of thoughts—some rational, some not.
"Kindra?" a voice called out from the doorway. She looked up to see Dr. Smith, his gray hair neatly combed back, his lab coat crisp and white. He looked serious, which Kindra tried to tell herself was a good thing. Doctors were supposed to look serious, right?
"Hey, Dr. Smith," she replied, her voice a little too high-pitched. Ethan gave her hand another squeeze.
"Good morning, Doc," he said, his voice steady and calm.
Dr. Smith nodded. "Good morning, Ethan. I hope you both are doing well. Kindra, you look a bit tense. How are you feeling?"
Kindra forced a smile. "I'm fine, really. Just a little nervous, I guess."
Dr. Smith's gaze softened. "It's completely normal to be nervous. You're doing great, Kindra. Let's take a look at your little one, shall we?"
Ethan stood up, letting Kindra move towards the exam table.