A/N: To answer Veridissima's questions: Josh's shooting isn't connected to his work, I just threw it in there on a whim. It won't be coming up again within this storyline. Josh and Leo do work with the Governor, and Donna used to work for Josh, but after they got married and had Luke, she moved to work on Abbey's staff within the Governor's office.
This chapter will be more of a collection of moments throughout CJ's pregnancy; I'm kind of playing off the title (which actually came from a Civil Wars song), and the idea that 'pressing flowers' is like saving memories, so the chapters will be snapshots. I think this story will be five or six chapters, spanning throughout the lives of the Zieglers.
Also, my fantastic friend Kristina (Queen. Kristina. 93) deserves credit for helping me with the baby's name; she shortened my list and helped me with pairing the first and middle name :)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of The West Wing, just the baby!
"I'm going to kill you."
Toby Ziegler had heard those particular five words too many times to count within the past two weeks, and each time, he shook his head, sighing quietly and holding his wife's hair back as she hunched over the toilet. The morning sickness struck at the eight week mark, and it came after CJ with a vengeance.
She moaned softly and leaned back, flushing the toilet and rested her head against his shoulder.
"This sucks," she lamented, and Toby murmured in agreement, kissing her temple lightly. "Can it be the second trimester already?"
"Only another four weeks," he answered, and CJ sighed.
"You realize that's a month, right?" she asked, twisting to look at him, eyebrow rising. "A whole month of mornings in here, on the floor, puking."
"As sexy as that mental image is, babe, I'd really rather not imagine it more than I have to," Toby said, and his wife rolled her eyes. "C'mon, let's get in the shower. We've gotta get to work."
When CJ arrived at work she still felt queasy; sitting at her desk, she nibbled on some saltines and tried to focus on what she was reading. A headache was brewing by the time her boss's wife walked in, a knowing look on her face.
"Morning sickness?" Abbey asked, sitting on the couch and crossing her ankles, one eyebrow rising upwards. CJ nodded, swallowing her bite of cracker and chasing it down with ginger ale.
"I'll feel better in about an hour," she said, settling back in her chair. "The nausea only lasts until around ten thirty. It's only in the mornings, thank god, and not all day."
"I only had morning sickness the first trimester with all three of my girls; I hope that's your case too," Abbey said, sympathy in her eyes. "Are you sleeping enough?"
CJ nodded, massaging the back on her neck with the palm of her hand.
"I'm generally out by nine fifteen," she said, almost embarrassed.
"That's good CJ!" the governor's wife reassured her, the physician side of her coming out. "Sleep is the most vital part of pregnancy. Once you get into the second trimester you shouldn't be as tired, but make sure you're still sleeping at least eight hours a night."
CJ nodded, grateful for the advice. It was hard not to have a mom to turn to with questions; Abbey filled that role, but was also able to be a friend throughout the process.
"So how's the sex?"
CJ almost choked on the ginger ale she'd been drinking; spluttering, she looked at Abbey, whose green eyes were flashing with amusement. The older woman was clearly enjoying her reaction; CJ swallowed, gasping in a breath before she answered.
"I haven't really felt like- well we haven't- uh-"
"Well it's incredible, when you finally find the time," Abbey remarked, cutting her off. CJ swallowed, torn between amusement and embarrassment. "At least, it was for Jed and I when-"
"Mrs. Bartlet," CJ said, cutting her off by holding up her hand. "These are details I really don't need to know about my boss. Or you, for that matter."
"CJ, you must have known that pregnancy sex is better," Abbey replied, her eyebrow cocking upwards again.
"Yes; I just didn't need the image of my boss and his wife having it," CJ said in return, and Abbey let out a laugh, her head tilting backwards, thick auburn tresses tumbling with her laughter.
"Sometimes I forget how much younger you are than us," Abbey said, shaking her head. She stood fluidly, brushing the creases out of her pantsuit, shooting CJ a smile. "Try tea, in the morning. It might help with the nausea."
"Thank you," CJ said, exchanging farewells with Abbey before the brunette left, leaving CJ to her thoughts. Maybe it was time to see what all this 'pregnancy sex' fuss was about.
"That was incredible."
CJ and Toby lay sprawled out on the bed, panting. CJ let out a short chuckle, curling her body against her husband's and resting her head on his chest.
"Something funny there, CJ?" Toby asked, raising an eyebrow at her laughter. She snorted again, burying her face in his neck and trying to breathe through her giggles. "I feel like I'm missing something."
"Just thinking- about something- Abbey said," CJ managed, punctuating her sentence with breaths. "About pregnancy sex."
CJ could hear her husband's eyebrows rising, and she rolled her eyes at his comment.
"You discussed pregnancy sex with the First Lady of New Hampshire?"
"Keeping asking questions and there won't be any more pregnancy sex to discuss."
"Damn it!"
Toby was wary of entering the bedroom upon hearing his wife's curse; in the opening weeks of the second trimester, her mood swings were frequent, and he rarely knew how to comfort her. Last week, she'd started crying because her blouses weren't organized by color.
"CJ?" he asked tentatively, opening the door and entering, finding his wife in the bathroom, tears in her eyes. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"I can't get my pants to button," she replied thickly, the tears shining in her eyes reflected in her voice. Only recently had she begun to show at all, the tiny bump proof that they were really going to have a baby. "They fit last week, and now they don't."
"CJ, you knew this was going to happen," Toby tried, but that was clearly the wrong thing to say; more tears welled up in her eyes. "I just mean-"
"I can't believe you don't care! My figure is gone, Toby! Because of you!" she cried, and Toby swallowed. He really hoped the mood swings weren't going to last the entire pregnancy.
"CJ, you're beautiful. I don't care what your figure looks like; you're carrying our baby, that's all that matters to me," Toby said, meaning it. In a matter of seconds CJ melted, tears flowing down her cheeks. "I wasn't trying to make you cry-"
"These are happy tears, you idiot," CJ said, though a gentle laugh left her mouth as she smiled, coming forward to press her lips to his. "Our baby."
"Almost halfway there," he reminded her, one hand caressing the soft swell lightly, enjoying her quiet sigh.
"Twenty two more weeks," she replied, smiling at him. "Only twenty-two more weeks."
"Toby!"
He ran into the living room from the study, glasses half-off his head and eyes wide, worried something was wrong.
"What is it, what's wrong?" he asked, out of breath. CJ was sitting on the couch, book in one hand, the other pressing against the side of her expanding belly. "CJ what's wrong with the baby?"
"Just come here," she said, motioning for him to join her on the couch. He came tentatively, sitting beside her and allowing her to manipulate his hand. She rested it on the underside of her bump, and after a moment of complete silence, he felt it- the tiny kick against his palm. He looked at her, eyes wide with surprise, as though asking for confirmation. She nodded, tears sparkling in her eyes, and he swallowed, pressing a little harder, waiting for another kick.
"Is this the first...?" he asked, and CJ nodded, wiping at the tears that trailed down her cheeks. Tenderly he reached up and brushed them away, leaning towards her and covering his mouth with hers, the kiss gentle. He didn't have words to describe his love for her; his kiss said it all.
"She's an active baby," she remarked when they separated, shifting slightly. "She's going to be a soccer star."
"Or a ballerina," Toby added, and CJ conceded with a nod.
"She can be whatever she wants," she declared, and Toby sealed her words with a kiss.
"I haven't seen my feet in months," CJ moaned, pressing her hands into her lower back, the constant ache lessening only slightly. Everything was swollen; her ankles, her feet, her hands, her fingers. She had to wear her rings around her neck on a chain because her fingers were too swollen for the bands.
She was two weeks from her due date, and she was more than ready for it. She'd started to carry lower, and she felt similar to a beached whale. She'd taken maternity leave a week prior, and her deputy, Annabeth Schott, had taken over Press Secretary duties for the next three months. Toby was working until she delivered, then had three weeks of paternity leave.
She just wanted this baby out, now.
"You look ready to burst," Donna teased, adjusting Luke in her lap, his big blue eyes taking in his surroundings. The nine month old had thick, curly auburn hair inherited from Josh, and was constantly putting things in his mouth. At the moment, he was fascinated by his own fist.
"That's encouraging Donna, thank you," CJ said, rolling her eyes at her blonde companion. "Abbey, any compliments you'd like to throw in there?"
"You're wearing two different shoes," the brunette replied mildly, and CJ's eyes widened in horror. She looked down to check and was confronted with her massive belly; glaring, she looked at the older woman, who burst into laughter. "Oh, you should have seen your face CJ. They match; I was simply teasing."
"If I wasn't almost nine months pregnant I would so kick your ass. Ma'am," CJ said, glaring at her friend, but unable to stop the amused smile from crossing her lips. "You're just as bad as Toby."
"You can stop right there, CJ, we don't need the explicit details," Donna said, holding up a hand. CJ opened her mouth to protest when she stopped, eyes widening as pain flashed across her lower back.
"CJ?" Abbey asked, concern tinting her tone. "Are you alright?"
"Con- contraction," she gasped out after a moment, grasping the back of the sofa with white knuckles. It was more intense than any she'd felt so far, and she fought to catch her breath. She straightened, thinking she'd be fine for another few hours when a gush of fluid stopped her cold. "Oh my God."
"I'll call Toby," Donna said, shifting Luke onto her hip as she went to grab her cell phone. Abbey moved to CJ's side, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
"Just breathe CJ," Abbey said, and CJ tried, but panic filled her chest.
"I can't- we're not ready for a baby, I'm not ready for this, I can't do this I can't have a baby this is insane, I can't have this baby right now I can't, I can't-"
"CJ, look at me," Abbey said sharply, cutting off CJ's panicked rambling and forcing her to look into Abbey's serious green eyes. "You can do this, and you are ready. You and Toby are going to be wonderful parents, and you have all of us behind you. We all believe in you, Claudia Jean Cregg-Ziegler."
CJ took a deep breath, holding back the tears. She squeezed Abbey's hand, knowing the older woman understood.
"CJ, where's your bag? Toby, Josh, Leo, and the Governor are going to meet us at the hospital," Donna said, adjusting Luke on her hip. CJ directed her to the hall closet, and allowed Abbey to help her stand. Together, the three women and the toddler made their way to the car, Donna driving while Abbey held CJ's hand in the back, coaching her through breathing, and keeping one eye on Luke on her other side.
The men were already at the hospital when they arrived; Toby helped CJ out of the car and to the desk where there was a wheelchair waiting, while Jed took Abbey's hand, and Josh pulled Luke up onto his hip and Donna into his other side.
"Hey CJ," Abbey called just as they started to wheel her away. CJ turned, catching the older woman's eyes. "Remember what I said- we believe in you."
CJ nodded, smiling, and allowed Toby to push her to her room.
Thirteen hours later, the past nine months paid off. Baby Girl Zieger weighed in at 7.4 pounds, measured 18 inches, had ten fingers and toes, had thick chestnut hair, and big green eyes.
"She's gorgeous," Toby remarked as he sat on the edge of the bed, watching CJ feed her for the first time.
"And she's all ours," CJ replied, looking up at him, tired but happy.
Once she and the baby were settled they brought the Bartlets in first; they wanted to share her name.
"This is Eliza Abigail," CJ shared, passing her daughter to her godmother for the first time. Abbey's eyes shimmered with tears, and she swallowed, trying to find the words to thank her. "I don't think I could have done this without you, Abbey. Thank you for everything."
"She's a very lucky little girl," Abbey replied, brushing her fingers over the top of the baby's head. Eliza stirred, letting out a soft, sleepy sigh and burrowing further into Abbey's arms.
"She's beautiful; nice job you two," Jed remarked, nodding approvingly to the couple.
"Thank you, sir," CJ said, and Jed sent her that smile that told her now wasn't the time for titles. "I hope you don't mind that we didn't name you godfather, we already promised Josh-"
"CJ, there's no need for an explanation," the governor interrupted, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I call the next one."
"Jed," Abbey said, nudging his ribs lightly with her elbow, minding the baby in her arms. She shot him a mock glare, rolling her eyes as she handed Eliza back to Toby. "I'm sure you're exhausted; we'll send Josh and Donna in and then you should get some rest. You did great, CJ; you really did."
CJ glowed under the praise, cheeks turning pink as she watched Jed escort Abbey out of the room, his hand resting lightly against her lower back. The intimacy of the older couple was evident in every move they made; CJ hoped her marriage displayed that much love in thirty years.
Toby handed Eliza back to her, and CJ stroked her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in her baby scent.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking up at Toby. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he tilted his head in lieu of asking the question. "For giving me her. She's perfect."
Her husband's face creased with a smile, and he leaned forward, kissing her head.
"Anything for you."