Zoe was now one week from her pregnancy and everybody could tell it was taking toll on Zoe as she was struggling more and more each day, even though she still refused to take a break and the Braxton hick contractions were becoming more common even when treating patients.
Zoe and Max arrived at work with Max driving again as Zoe's bump was too big to fit behind the wheel. Zoe and Max walked and went up to reception.
'Got a large parcel for you Zoe' Louise said putting the box on the desk.
'Thank you Louise' Zoe said going to take the parcel off the desk.
'No you don't, not in your condition.' Max said taking the box of the desk before Zoe had a chance to.
'Really Max, you won't even let me carry a box' Zoe said
'No, I don't want you out doing yourself, or putting pressure on yourself or our baby' Max explained to Zoe as he kissed her on the check.
'Ok, your right and thanks Louise' Zoe said before Max and Zoe made their way to the office.
Zoe opened the door as Max went and out the box on the desk.
'Whats in the box' Max asked curiosity getting the better of him.
'A toy for our little girl' Zoe replied moving the box over on the desk.
'Can we open it' Max asked like an excited child.
'Later at home' Zoe said sitting down in her office chair.
'Fine, I will see you later' Max said kissing Zoe before leaving the office.
Connie came Into office 10 minutes later with a smile like the Cheshire Cat.
'Hello' Connie said cheerily as she entered.
'Hello, how you feeling?' Zoe asked Connie.
'Good thanks I'm just a little tired, you?' Connie asked Zoe.
'Im good thanks, just want this little one out now. I was really tired at the beginning of my pregnancy as well' Zoe told Connie placing her hands on her bump.
'I wasn't with grace' Connie replied sitting behind her desk.
'Has anyone noticed yet?' Zoe asked.
'No but I'm wearing baggy tops, you can really tell if I wear my usual things' connie told Zoe as she straightened her top out to revel her bump.
'Aww, I wish mine was that size' Zoe told Connie causing her to laugh.
'You will have your amazing figure back to normal soon when your baby is born' Connie told Zoe.
'Yeah, I just really want to meet her' Zoe said.
'I know the feeling' Connie said.
'You sure your alright you look really tired?' Zoe asked concerned as she did t want Connie fainting for exhaustion like she did.
'Yeah I'm fine just not sleeping much at the minute' Connie told Zoe.
'Ok, you can be in cubicle all day today' Zoe told Connie.
'No I wil...' Connie was saying before Zoe cut her off.
'No, Connie you will be in cubicles, remember when I fainted from exhaustion and whacked my stomach on the trolley I was lucky I didn't lose my baby but I was further into my pregnancy, i don't want you risking that Connie.' Zoe told Connie kindly but firmly.
'Ok, but only today, will you be alright in resus as it's a lot to take on and especially with you being due in a week? Connie asked resting her hand on her small bump.
'I will be fine? Right I best get on with work, I will see you later and take it easy' Zoe said standing up.
'I will and you take it easy too' Connie told Zoe as she walked over to the door.
'I will try' Zoe said before walking out of the office.
Zoe went into resus and got on with her work. Zoe was treating a women who was involved in a hit and run. She had broke her ankle, had lacerations on her face and arms, suspected broken back and neck, suspected concussion and serve bruising to her chest and abdomen. The lady was conscious and was fully aware at what was happening.
Zoe ordered a neck, back, head, chest and abdomen CT scan, as well as a X-ray, normal bloods, L, F, T's, U's and E's.
Once the scan was back and showed that her neck, head and back was clear they removed the collar and Zoe started to clean the lacerations on her face. They were the only two in resus. Zoe was half way through cleaning and stitching her lacerations when she got a Braxton hick contraction. Zoe stopped what she was doing and leaned over, put one hand on her stomach and breathed through the pain.
'You alright?' The patient asked concerned.
'Yeah fine thanks' Zoe said as she continued to breathe through the pain.
'Im going to call for help you don't look fine to me' the patient said.
'Theres no need to' Zoe said but it was too late the patient had already called for help.
The only person walking past resus was Guy Self so when he heard someone call for help he rushed in to rues and was shocked at what he saw.
He rushed straight over to Zoe's side who was still bending over with a hand on her bump.
'Zoe, what's wrong?' Guy asked cornered.
'Nothing, I'm fine thanks' Zoe said standing up a little keeping her hand under her bump.
'Is it the baby, are you I'm labour?' Guy asked worried.
'No, it's just a Braxton hick contraction' Zoe told Guy.
'Just a Braxton hick contraction? Those drain all the energy from you' Guy told Zoe as she sat on the seat behind her as Zoe looked exhausted.
'I know and I will be fine' Zoe told him.
'I see want Connie said about you being difficult, come on you can go to your office' Guy told Zoe.
'But I'm treating a patient' Zoe said not wanting a break.
'I will get someone else to do it, you wouldn't mind would you?' Guy asked the patient.
'No, as long as Dr Hanna is fine I don't mind' the patient said worried for Zoe.
'See, even the patient agrees' Guy told Connie.
'Fine' Zoe agreed.
'Come on, I was going to your office any way.' Guy told Zoe as he out his hand out to help her. He was surprised when Zoe reached out for her hands, so he gently helped pull her up of the chair. Zoe was a little uneasy on her feet so Guy put his hand around her waist to support her. Luckily no one had seen this not even Max.
They slowly walked to the office with Guy supporting Zoe and Zoe leaning into him. When they got in the office Connie was sitting at her desk doing admin. Zoe and Guy walked into the office with Guy still supporting Zoe around the waist.
Guy gently lowered Zoe on to the sofa, so she was leaning against the arm of the sofa.
'Zoe what's wrong?' Connie asked concerned.
'I had another Braxton hicks contraction, the patient shouted for help even though i told her I was fine, Guy came in and came over to see if I was alright, i told him I was fine. I sat down and when Guy helped me up I was unsteady on my feet from the exhaustion, so he supported as I got up and walked and he made me come here.' Zoe explained to Zoe.
'I told you to take it easy' Connie told Zoe.
'I was, well as much as I could, any way how are you?' Zoe asked Connie.
'Im good thanks, been doing admin for most of the day' Connie told Zoe.
Guy walked over or Connie's desk and hugged and kissed her.
'I will see you later' Guy told Connie before leaving the Office.
Zoe and Connie carried for on talking for just under 1 hour till their shift was over. When they were ready to leave Connie helped Zoe up of the sofa and supported her as she was still unsteady as she had been sat down for quite awhile.
They walked out of the office up to reception where Max was waiting. When he seen Connie supporting Zoe he rushed to support her himself.
'Before you ask what's wrong with Zoe she had a Braxton hick contraction, which drained all her energy, she's been sat down for a while so when she stood up Zoe was quite unsteady on her feet so I helped her to prevent her fainting' Connie explained to Max.
'Thank you' Zoe told Connie.
'Your welcome and take Zoe home and have an early night' Connie told them.
'I will, night everyone' Max said.
'Night' Zoe said leaning Into Max as they left the ED.
When they got home they went straight to bed.