Title: Happily ever after
author: Cindy Ryan
Tim rose quickly to his feet kicking his chair out of the way. He gently took Lucy in his arms and pulled her away from the wall settling her back in the chair. She was really pale. Tim heard Grey pick up the phone receiver.
"I'm calling an ambulance."Wade said as he dialed 911. "Second time in less than two weeks that fainted. She needs to be checked out."
"I know."Tim agreed worriedly as he checked Lucy's vitals. "Pulse is a bit weak."
As Grey relayed the necessary information to the 911 operator Tim tried to rouse his fiance. The illness had worried him now it'd been kicked up a notch. In the time Tim had known Lucy she'd rarely been sick. A head cold on occasion but nothing like this. She hadn't missed a day of work when she'd been his rookie.
"Babe?"Tim called as he touched her left cheek. "Lucy? Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
Tim tried once more with the same result. He heard sirens coming closer. Tim scooped Lucy up into his arms and stood. He turned back to Grey.
"Tell Dispatch I'll meet them in the parking lot."Tim instructed and then he left.
Lucy awoke to find herself in the emergency room. She tried to sit up but a firm hand on her right shoulder pushed her back.
"Easy."Tim said from Lucy's right.
"Oh God, I passed out again."Lucy murmured as she laid her head back on the pillow.
"Doc ran some blood tests when we got here."Tim explained as he brushed a stray hair away from Lucy's face. "Should have the results soon."
"Good, I can't take on Acker if I'm sick."Lucy stated voicing her earlier thoughts.
"One thing at a time, babe."Tim cautioned.
"Officer Chen? Officer Bradford?"A thirtish blonde nurse asked as she approached.
"Yes."Tim acknowledged.
Lucy noticed the nurse was pushing an empty wheelchair. For a moment she thought she was being released.
"Am I going home?"Lucy asked as she pushed herself up a little.
"Not yet. Dr. Osten would like to speak to both of you in his office."The nurse stated.
Fear coursed through Lucy but she tried to swallow it down. Tim helped her into the wheel chair. As she met his gave Lucy saw the same worry and fear in his eyes.
Dr. Michael Osten was an African-American male in his early forties with glasses and a beard. He smiled kindly at them as they entered his office. Then he looked at their nurse escort.
"Thank you, Becky. I'll let you know when I'm finished."Osten stated.
"Of course, Doctor."The nurse acknowledged as she left.
"You have the test results?"Tim asked as he sat in one of the visitor's chairs.
Lucy reached over and took Tim's right hand in her left. She needed the connection. Needed his strength.
"Yes."Osten responded as he looked at the medium sized computer tablet in front of him. "I understand the two of you are engaged?"
"Yes."Lucy replied tensely. "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing that seven months won't cure."The doctor said with a smile. "Congratulations."
Tim thought the floor was going to open up and swallow him. He understood the doctor's words but his brain just wasn't comprehending. Looking over Tim could see the same shock on Lucy.
Were they really?
"Doc?"Tim asked weakly. "Are-are you saying that she's..."
"Pregnant."Osten finished with a smile and nod. "Yes, approximately ten weeks."
Lucy felt tears roll down her cheeks. All her symptoms made sense now. Belatedly she also realized that she'd missed her last menstrual cycle. Baby...she and Tim were going to be parents...happiness crashed over Lucy and then just as quickly reality as she remembered Acker and their current situation.
Feeling the walls closing in on her Lucy stood. Before she could bolt from the room Tim's strong arms wrapped around her pulling Lucy into a tight embrace. She buried her face against his neck.
"Oh my God, Tim."Lucy cried quietly. "A baby...now..."
"We'll be okay."Tim promised huskily. "This is a good thing, babe. We'll be okay."
Lucy felt her knees go weak but Tim's support kept her standing. His promise echoed through her spinning thoughts 'We'll be okay.' How could that be with Acker threatening their future?