A Second Chance

by: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 10: Support

Over the next month, Catherine managed to get herself, and Lindsay, back on track. Sara's pregnancy was continuing positively. Ecklie had been on holiday, so Catherine had volunteered to take over the day shift to give herself a break from nights, but always on the same night every week, would ask Sara to mind Lindsay whilst she went out for a couple of hours and tonight seemed to be no exception. With her hand gently against Sara's bump, Catherine gave a soft smile. "Will you and Lindsay be ok for a couple of hours again tonight?"

"Yes, but where do you go? What do you do?"

"Just a meeting."

"But it's been every week. Who do you meet with?"

"Some people. I don't really know them that well."

Sara sighed. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but...you're not seeing anyone else are you? I-I'm only asking because you never tell me and, well... Not that I think you ever would, but it kinda worries me and with my hormones and the weight I put on..."

"Sweetheart, you look beautiful," Catherine replied, touching Sara's stomach, "And so do our babies. I'm not seeing anyone else, I would never, ever do that to you. The truth is, I... I've been going to AA."

"AA? But... I mean, I understand with what happened before, but well, I thought, since I came back, you hadn't wanted to drink like that anymore," Sara said, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, but, like I said, with the hormones and weight, if I didn't ask, it was going to be ugly later."

Catherine held Sara close. "I haven't, but I don't want to feel like that again. I don't want to put Lindsay at risk again, or you and the twins, so I'm trying to protect myself from that happening."

"I understand, but I'll always be here for you to talk to, okay?"

Catherine nodded, kissing Sara gently. "I guess missing one night wouldn't hurt..."

Sara shook her head. "No, you go and get that support and talk to me when you need to. It's only an hour."

Catherine nodded, kissing Sara's gently. "Thank you," she smiled, before leaving.

Catherine returned an hour and a half later, grocery bag in hand as she walked inside. "I'm home."

Sara was lying on the couch, a rag on her head, sipping Ginger Ale. She waved from her spot, not daring to move much.

Catherine quickly placed the shopping away, then knelt beside the couch. "Feeling sick?" she asked softly.

Sara nodded. "I think I just threw up twice my body weight."

Catherine gave a sympathetic smiled, kissing Sara's bump twice. "You two need to stop making Mama feel sick."

Sara sat up slowly. "I've never been so sick."

"Well, you do have double the hormones, honey."

"Will you sit with me?"

"Of course," Catherine smiled, moving next to Sara, pulling her close.

Sara leaned against her. "I just want to stop feeling sick!" she whined, leaning her head into Catherine's neck.

"I know you do. I could call your midwife, see if she can help."

"Would you?"

"Sure," Catherine smiled, reaching for her phone. She'd saved the number in case of emergency. After a short conversation, Catherine smiled. "She's coming over."

"Good," Sara said, resting against her. "Lindsay's sleeping by the way."

Catherine kissed Sara's cheek. "Thank you. Did she seem ok to you?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, just tired."

Catherine nodded, pulling Sara closer until the midwife arrived half an hour later. "Hi Sara," she smiled.

"Hi..."

"I understand you've been quite sick tonight."

Sara nodded. "I know it comes with the territory, but it's been really bad tonight."

"It happens sometimes. Roll up your sleeve."

Sara did as she asked.

"Sharp scratch," the midwife said before giving Sara an injection, "there. You should start feeling better soon."

"What did you give me? What will it do?"

"Catherine said you're not much of a fan of injections so I thought it best to not warn you. It's an anti-emetic. It's perfectly safe and will stop the nausea."

Sara nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You should feel a lot better very soon. Is there anything else you need?"

Sara thought a minute. "Other than a bed, because I'm suddenly tired, I think I'm ok."

The midwife nodded. "You take care, and make sure you call if you need anything," she smiled before leaving.

Catherine entered the second the midwife left. "All ok?"

Sara nodded. "Just exhausted."

Catherine placed a gentle kiss against Sara's forehead, leading her to bed. "You wake me if you need anything at all."

Sara smiled.

Catherine helped the brunette change, kissing her softly as they lay down. "Mmm, you look beautiful underneath me," she smirked.

"Yeah, I bet. And I'd love you to use a toy on me," she whispered in her ear, "take me. But not now."

"I know now isn't the right time. Honey, you remember a month ago when you said you had something else to ask me?"

"Yeah?"

"What was it?"

Sara bit her lip. "I, uh, I wondered if...maybe...we could try something along the lines of a...harness?" she asked, turning red.

Catherine kissed Sara gently. "Of course. Never be embarrassed to ask ok?"

"It's just...new."

"It's new for me too, so we can try it together, ok?"

Sara nodded. "What do you want?"

"Right this second, sleep."

"No," she said, rubbing her belly. "Here."

Catherine moved her hand to Sara's bump.

Sara smiled. "What do you want?"

"I would love to use a harness on you, if that's what you're asking."

Sara smirked, placing her hands over Catherine's. "What do you want here?"

"Well, I... was that a flutter?"

"I don't know..."

Catherine's hand gently stroked Sara's belly. "Are you two playing?" she asked, with a smile, "I..I got you something."

Sara smiled. "What?"

Catherine reached into her top drawer, pulling out a small box, handing it to Sara.

Sara curiously took the box, opening it.

It contained a small, simple white gold band. "I... it's not a proposal, there's still too much in both our heads to sort out for that yet, but it's a promise ring. I promise I'll always love you, and be here for you, and the twins. Whatever you need."

Sara smiled, kissing her deeply. "Thank you so much. I think I should wear it on a chain though with the way my fingers are swelling."

Catherine smiled, returning the kiss before nodding. "I've got a spare," she said, moving to find it before placing the band on the chain, doing it up for Sara before laying back down.

"I love you. Now will you tell me what you're hoping for?"

"I love you too," Catherine smiled, placing her hand back on Sara's bump, "I'm just hoping they're both healthy, but I think you've got one of each hiding in there."

Sara smiled. "That's what I think too."

Catherine kissed Sara's cheek. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes."

"Good," the older woman smiled, pulling Sara closer, "Try and sleep, ok?"

The brunette nodded, snuggling under the covers.

Catherine held Sara close as they both drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Sara tossed and turned all night before finally having to get up around 3am, being sick.

Catherine stood when Sara didn't return, walking into the bathroom to rub her back. "Worn off?"

Sara nodded, hanging her head over the toilet.

Catherine sighed, getting Sara a glass of water. "I'm sorry, honey?"

"Yeah?"

"It will get better, I promise you. Did you want me to take tomorrow off?"

"Can you? What about work? You don't have to, really."

"I said I'd be here for you. I'll call Nick, ask him to cover."

Sara nodded, sipping the water. "But you can't do that every day."

"Well, for now, I can. Because there's no way you can look after yourself and these two tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Today, sorry. Half asleep."

Sara nodded. "But what's so important?"

"I just meant if you're this ill. But what's so important to me is my family and that means you and these two and Lindsay."

"Are you sure? What if it never goes away? You have to go back to work sometime."

"We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it, ok sweetheart?"

Sara nodded, leaning against her.

Catherine held her close. "Still feel sick or back to bed?"

"Bed," she said, standing shakily.

Catherine supported Sara back to bed. "How long has it been since you kept anything down?"

"Hmmm, lunch yesterday."

"Then you're probably shaking because you're dehydrated. I'll call the midwife back in the morning."

Sara sighed. "I'm sleepy."

"Then sleep baby," Catherine smiled, kissing Sara's forehead.

Sara nodded, snuggling against her.

Catherine lay a hand on Sara's stomach as she fell asleep, staying awake to keep an eye in the brunette for the rest of the night.

The brunette sighed, falling into a light sleep.

When morning finally arrived, Catherine rose carefully to prepare breakfast for Lindsay and make some dry toast for Sara.

Sara, meanwhile, cuddled Catherine's pillow in her absence.

Catherine walked in a few minutes later. "Sit up, very slowly and eat this slowly too. I don't want you to get up for at least half an hour after you've finished it, unless you feel ill, ok?"

Sara nodded, sitting up slowly. "Did you call her?"

"Yeah. She's going to pop 'round after I drop Lindsay at school."

Sara nodded. "If I felt better, I'd see about working again," she said, taking a small bite.

"Only if you get medical clearance. If you don't, it's not a drama if you can't go back."

"But I want to go back!" Sara argued. "Just maybe not until everything is over..."

"You need to stay calm. If you're lucky, I'll bring you some files you can help with."

"Ok," Sara said, continuing to eat.

Catherine placed the mug she'd been holding down. "Peppermint tea. It should settle your stomach."

Sara smiled, taking a sip. "Mmm..."

Catherine smiled, kissing Sara's head. "Just going to check on Lindsay. I'll be back in a few minutes," she smiled, then disappeared.

Sara set the cup down, continuing to nibble on the toast.

Catherine laid out Lindsay's uniform, the gave Nick a quick call, returning ten minutes later. "How are you feeling?"

"Little better."

"Good. Nick is fine to cover so it looks like you're stuck with me."

Sara smiled. "I'm not complaining."

"I should hope not, too," Catherine smiled as Lindsay entered after knocking.

"Hey Sara," she smiled.

Sara smiled widely, placing her hand on her stomach. "Ok, that I can feel."

"Really?" Catherine asked placing her hand just below Sara's. "Hey babies," she smiled as Lindsay sat down next to her.

"Can I feel?"

Sara smiled. "Yeah. I didn't really notice last time."

Lindsay smiled as Catherine placed her hand where hers hand been. "Does it hurt?"

The brunette shook her head. "No, but it does feel weird."

Lindsay smiled, hugging Sara. "I was just coming to say see you after school and I hope you feel better today."

Sara hugged her gently. "Thank you. Have a good day at school."

When Lindsay asked Catherine to leave the room a few seconds later, she nodded, obliging and once she was safely out of the room the young girl hugged Sara again. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"Helping me get my Mommy back, and giving me an extra Mommy too."

Sara smiled, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek. "You're welcome. Now you'd better go."

Lindsay nodded. "Bye Sara," she smiled, quickly leaving to go to school.

Sara nodded. laying back on the bed.

Catherine arrived home an hour later, letting the waiting midwife in, showing her through. "Hi Sara. How are you feeling this morning?"

"A little better. I was sick earlier."

The midwife nodded, beginning to check Sara's vitals. "Kept breakfast down?"

"Yes."

"That's great. Your blood pressure is a little high. We'll keep an eye on it."

"Ok."

"Bed rest, plenty of fluids, but if you find you can't keep them down, call and I'll arrange for you to go into hospital for a drip. Ok?"

Sara sighed. "And I was hoping I'd be able to go into work...ok."

"You need to be able to keep food and drink down first."

She nodded. "I know."

"I'll leave you to it and pop in tomorrow, same time," the midwife smiled, leaving.

Catherine showed her out the way she returned, cuddling up to Sara.

Sara sighed, yawning.

"The more you rest, the sooner you'll be well," Catherine said softly.

Sara smiled, snuggling close.

"We could spend the rest of the day here of you really want."

Sara rested a hand on her stomach, drawing patterns.

Catherine watched with a smile. "What are you doing?"

Sara shrugged, pulling her shirt up and rubbing her stomach.

Catherine smiled, placing a hand on the lower side of the bump as if supporting it, kissing Sara's hair.

Sara smiled, her other hand resting under Catherine's. "Mmmm..."

Catherine smiled, nestling into Sara's hair as her thumb gently brushed the brunette's bump. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," she said, caressing her ring. "And this was so sweet."

"I just want to make you feel loved and secure. I know how vulnerable pregnancy can be, and I needed you to know you won't be alone. I will be here for you no matter what."

Sara turned closer to Catherine, kissing her gently, hugging her tightly. "Thank you."

"You really don't have to thank me for anything honey. Just having you here in my arms, loving you is reward enough."

Sara smiled. "I love you."

"I love you more."

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