I took the long route back to my grandparents' house, driving aimlessly through streets that were both familiar and distant. The rhythmic hum of the engine was the only thing keeping me grounded as I tried to process the whirlwind of revelations that had come crashing down on me today. I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror and almost didn't recognize the person staring back. Was I still Seren Grey, the person I'd been my entire life? Or was I someone else entirely now that I knew the truth?
I pulled into the driveway of my grandparents' house, the place I had always thought of as my safe haven. The quaint cottage-style home looked exactly the same, with its cozy front porch and the garden my grandmother lovingly tended. For a moment, I sat in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel, unsure if I was ready to face them. But I had to. They deserved to know, and I needed their support now more than ever.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and made my way to the front door. The sound of my footsteps on the gravel path felt unusually loud, each step echoing the anxiety and uncertainty that swirled inside me. I hesitated at the door, my hand hovering over the doorknob, before finally pushing it open.
"Seren, is that you?" my grandmother called from the kitchen as soon as I stepped inside. Her voice was warm and familiar, a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt.
"Yeah, it's me, Nana," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady.
I found her in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup on the stove. The aroma filled the room, reminding me of all the times she'd comforted me with a meal and a hug. Today, though, I wasn't sure if soup could fix what was broken inside me. My grandfather was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper as he always did. He looked up when I entered, his face lighting up with a smile.
"Well, there's our boy," he said with a chuckle, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. "What brings you back so soon? Thought you'd be out all day."
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I… I need to talk to you both about something important," I said, my voice wavering despite my efforts to keep it steady.
My grandmother turned off the stove, sensing the seriousness in my tone. "What's wrong, Seren?" she asked, concern etching lines on her face. She gestured for me to sit at the table, her eyes never leaving mine.
I sat down, feeling the weight of the world pressing on my shoulders. "I… I went to the doctor today," I began, my hands trembling slightly as I clasped them together. "I've been feeling really sick, and I didn't know what was wrong. They ran some tests, and…" I paused, swallowing hard. "They told me I'm pregnant."
For a moment, there was complete silence. My grandfather blinked, as if trying to make sense of what he'd just heard. My grandmother's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
"Pregnant?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But how…?"
I took another deep breath, knowing I had to explain everything. "The doctor said I have something called Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome. It means I have a womb… and I can get pregnant. I didn't know. My parents knew, but they never told me."
The shock on their faces deepened, and I could see my grandmother's eyes welling up with tears. "Oh, Seren… I'm so sorry," she said softly, reaching across the table to take my hand in hers. "We had no idea. If we had known…"
"It's okay, Nana," I said, squeezing her hand. "I didn't know either. I just… I needed to tell you both because… because I've decided I'm going to keep the baby."
My grandfather leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "That's a big decision, Seren," he said after a moment. "Are you sure about this? I mean, you've just found out, and… it's a lot to take in."
I nodded, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over me. "I know it's a lot, but I've thought about it. I can't explain why, but I already feel connected to this baby. It's like… it's a part of me, and I can't just give that up."
My grandmother's tears spilled over, and she got up from her seat, coming around the table to wrap me in a tight hug. "We're here for you, Seren. Whatever you need, we'll be here," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
I hugged her back, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. I had been so afraid of how they would react, but their support was everything I needed in this moment.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice muffled against her shoulder. "I don't know what I'm going to do, but I know I want to do this."
My grandfather got up from his chair as well, his expression softening as he joined the embrace. "You're not alone in this, Seren," he said firmly. "We'll help you every step of the way."
We stood there for a long time, holding each other in the quiet kitchen. For the first time since leaving the doctor's office, I felt a sense of peace. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew I wouldn't have to face it alone. I had my grandparents, and now, I had a new life growing inside me. And for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of hope.