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Half a month later.
I didn't have high hopes originally.After so many disappointments,I had grown accustomed to expecting the worst.
In the bathroom,I stared at the pregnancy test strip as its line grew darker—a sign that suggested I might finally be pregnant.
Unable to contain my excitement,I picked up the phone and called my husband.After his last visit to the hospital, he had immediately returned to work.
"Honey,I think this time...I'm pregnant,"I said.
On the other end of the line,my husband hesitated.He had been through this with me too many times before,so he tried to temper his emotions."Why don't you go to the hospital tomorrow and confirm it?Home tests aren't always accurate."
Listening to my husband's words,I thought it made sense.After all,we hadn't succeeded several times before.
After hanging up the phone,my father-in-law suddenly opened the door and came into my bedroom.
"Amanda,this is the soup your mom just made for you.Drink it while it's warm."
My father-in-law's sudden voice startled me.After all,I was his daughter-in-law,and this was my bedroom.He had never done something like bringing soup before.
"Okay,thank you,Dad."I adjusted my nightgown to ensure I looked presentable before taking the bowl from him.
But instead of leaving, he lingered, as if there was something else on his mind.
"Dad,is there something else?"I asked.
"Are you...pregnant?"he asked cautiously.
"Ah?"I had just hung up the phone with my husband,and I hadn't had time to tell them.I was going to wait until I went to the hospital for a test tomorrow.How did he know?
"I saw this in the bathroom."As he spoke,he took the pregnancy test strip out of his pocket.
I clearly threw this test strip into the trash can.
"Well...Dad,we are not sure yet,"I said.
Hearing my answer,his eyes sparkled."Then it is!That's right!This time,it's definitely going to work!"
His enthusiasm was contagious,but I couldn't shake my unease.What if it turned out to be another false alarm?That would be embarrassing for everyone.
"Well,Dad,it's better to go to the hospital for confirmation tomorrow.It's hard to say for sure now,"I said.
"It won't be wrong.This time,it will definitely happen.Trust me."
I frowned slightly."What do you mean?"What did this have to do with him?
"I mean,I'm still in good health and can help you take care of the baby,"he said.
"Oh."Although he seemed a bit strange,I didn't think too much about it.After all,they had waited so long for this moment.
When I got up early in the morning,my mother-in-law was nowhere to be seen.
My father-in-law was waiting in the living room.When he saw me come out after getting dressed,he stood up and was about to leave.
"Dad,I'm going to the hospital."
"I'll go with you."
"You?"I always felt it was a bit inappropriate to go to the hospital for this kind of thing with my father-in-law."Well... if you're worried, you can ask Mom to go with me."
"What does she know?I'll go with you.Besides,I can drive,so it will be more convenient,"he said.
Since he was so enthusiastic,I didn't say anything more.Saying more would make me seem ungrateful.
At the hospital,I had a blood test done,and the results came out quickly.Looking at the data on the examination form,I confirmed that this time,I was indeed pregnant.
My father-in-law was overjoyed.On the way home,he hummed a cheerful tune and stopped by a sea cucumber shop to buy two boxes.
When my mother-in-law saw us come back together,there was a flash of surprise in her eyes."Where have you two been so early?"
She didn't even know where we had been.
"We went to the hospital,Mom.I'm pregnant,"I said.
"Really?"My mother-in-law was also full of surprise and grabbed my hand.
My father-in-law beside her said proudly,"Of course!"
"Well,the money hasn't been wasted after all,"my mother-in-law said in her usual way.
"Amanda,don't stand there.Sit down quickly.If you need anything,ask your mom to do it,"my father-in-law said.
With that, he helped guide me toward the sofa.
