Thank you to the amazing response from chapter one and I deeply apologise for taking so long. I've wrote different versions of this chapter, constantly trying to make it better so I hope it works okay. Don't forget to let me know what you think by reviewing and they mean a lot especially as I am new to writing Bess and Henry, so the feedback is greatly appreciated.
I have tried to make Elizabeth's pregnancy as accurate with her symptoms as possible. My best friend recently had a baby and I was by her side (despite still being with her partner) during it all and the other night we spent hours talking about pregnancy so I could get as much information on it as possible. (Warning, Elizabeth suffers from pretty bad morning sickness. In case you don't like reading about sick like me, who just about managed to write it.)
Thank you to all that reviewed and messaged me with tips and support for the first chapter, I loved the feedback and will defiantly use it as much as I can for my chapters.
Side note- I would like to point out that I do have a learning disability so as much as I try to make sure that everything is spelled correctly and that it all makes sense, sometimes that might not be the case. Especially as my spell check sometimes doesn't pick up on my mistakes or suggests completely different words to what I was actually using. Just though I'd let you all know just in case it gets frustrating that some things isn't right.
"Oh my god" The blonde whispered more to herself than her husband standing next to her, as her blue eyes observed the two blue lines on the white stick. Thoughts running through Elizabeth's head of 'How can I be pregnant?', 'I can't be.' But deep down inside the middle aged woman knew that what she seen in front of her eyes was in fact the real result, Elizabeth knew she were pregnant.
"Henry…I…" Two hands situated on her shoulders, as Elizabeth began to speak not being able to form the words she wanted to say from the very clear shock and unexpectance of the pregnancy. Softly, Henry massaged the tense knots that were usually there, this time even more so. He wanted to relax her and comfort his wife, because Henry knew that Elizabeth was clearly in distress over this. She needed to know he was there to support her through this.
Slowly and somewhat shakily, Elizabeth turned around to face him, specs of tears in the corners of her eyes. She honestly didn't know whether they were from shock, happiness, or worry, or maybe even something else.
"It's going to be okay, I promise." He tried to reassure, however Elizabeth shook her head in disagreement not believing his words.
"How can it be okay? We don't have time for the kids we have already, and how am I meant to explain to Conrad I am going to need time off? And you will need to also, nobody is going to be happy when they lose two members of the team for a while. Plus, it will cause confusion while I have to brief the temporary Secretary of State and when we change back they'll have to brief me." She huffed as the blonde took a break from her panicked rambling. Elizabeth walked over to their bed and flopped down onto it and into a seating position, covering her tear stained eyes with her hands. "It's all such a mess." Came a mumble from her lips, as hands continued to cover her face.
Henry slowly walked over to her, before sitting next to his wife on the bed. He could honestly understand why Elizabeth felt like this, but he knew it would be okay. Because everything, somehow turned out okay in the end especially when it came to them two. And bumps and surprises down the road was normal, and something they proved together time and time again they could beat with one another at their side.
He wrapped an arm around Elizabeth, pulling the woman closer to his side. Her hands settling down to her lap as her head fell onto his shoulder.
"we will work this out." He placed a comforting kiss on her lips before continuing with his calm and soft tone "I promise." Elizabeth simply nodded in response before moving her head off his shoulder and turning her head toward him.
"I think we need to tell the kids." Knowing that she would have to tell at least Blake today in case of something happening like needing to cancel a meeting due to morning sickness, but Elizabeth wanted their kids to be the first to know. She also didn't want them feeling like they had been keeping a secret from them, so now was the best time. "I'm going to have to tell some of my staff and I want the kids to know first, plus I don't know how long I will be able to keep it from them without them accidentally finding out." Elizabeth continued explaining, gaining a silent nod from Henry in agreement, understanding the reason for her decision.
"Okay, why don't you get dressed and I will round up the kids and make you some breakfast." He stood and placed a kiss to the line of her hair before walking off, out of the bedroom.
xx
As Elizabeth entered the kitchen, she seen her three children sitting at the table eating their breakfast while texting on their phones and having a conversation amongst one another, while Henry was busy making her and his breakfast
"Good morning everyone." She announced into the room before walking over to Henry as they exchanged a kiss, the kids all saying 'good morning' in union as the couple turned around to look toward the three of them.
"So, what's the big announcement?" Stevie asked as she leaned back in her chair, awaiting the upcoming declaration, her siblings also sitting in a waiting stance.
"Well you don't waste your time in asking do you?" Elizabeth sighed, she was honestly so nervous about telling her kids. She didn't know how they would react, and with them all grown up or nearly they surely wouldn't want a baby around the house disrupting their lives. And on top of that Stevie was of age to have her own kids, and Alison was nearing the age, it was only a matter of time before they found somebody and started their own family.
Elizabeth felt a reassuring hand placed gently on her shoulder.
"Do you want me to tell them?" He asked his wife quietly, however still loud enough for the kids to hear, prompting Alison to speak up.
"What's going on? You're starting to scare us." The young brunettes voice was laced with worry, mimicking the look on her face as her brows creased in concern and her dark brown eyes showed the deep apprehension she was feeling.
She shook her head, silently telling her husband that she can tell the kids. Elizabeth took a deep breath, and stood up straighter as she prepared herself to tell their kids the big news. The nerves danced around her stomach like butterflies fluttering inside her as the blonde fought to keep her breath at a steady pace as the anxiety tried to get to her. She had to tell them now, so bracing herself, Elizabeth began to announce it with a 'ripping off a bandit technique.'
"I'm pregnant." The three young adults looked at her and Henry, Alison's mouth the slightest bit agape in shock, Stevie's eyes wide in astonishment, Jason blinking trying to process the information just presented to him.
Alison was the first to speak, after finding the words. "Are- Are you- serious?" She stuttered, unsure on how she was meant to react, trying to register what has been said.
Elizabeth silently nodded as Henry began to speak. "Yes we are."
"We know it's quite a shock-" She looked at Henry before looking back to the kids "-it was to us."
"When did you find out?" Stevie asked with curiosity.
"Literally just this morning-" Elizabeth began, Henry continuing what she was saying
"But we decided that you should know as soon as, especially as your mother will have to let Conrad and Russell know, we wanted to tell you before they found out."
Stevie nodded as Alison stood from the table, holding her phone in her hand, concentrating on the screen as she began to speak. "It's getting late I need to leave now." She tilted her head up to look at her brother as the brunette tucked her chair in "Jason are you going with me today?" Her younger sibling nodded and stood up in tow. The two of them walked to their parents, Alison giving her mother a kiss on the cheek and a tight hug. "Congratulations."
"Thanks Noodle." Elizabeth hugged her back and placed a kiss on her hair line of her forehead.
However, Jason just walked past them not saying a word or looking at them. Clearly he was the one taking the news negatively. But Alison needed to get them to school, and the morning wasn't the time to have a discussion with their son. It would just put him in a worse mood plus they didn't have the time right now. Elizabeth and Henry still needed breakfast (there was no way Henry was going to let her leave without eating something first) and Henry still needed to get washed and dressed. So they would just have to wait until after school.
Having also noticed Jason's behaviour, Stevie waited until the door had shut before getting off her chair and reassuring her parents. "Don't worry, Jason's just shocked. He'll come around." She smiled at them before placing a kiss on her mother's cheek and hugging Henry. "I've got to go, I'll see you later. Congrats!"
Henry and Elizabeth said a 'thank you' in union as their oldest left the house, leaving the two of them alone.
"Okay, I know you need to go. But I want us to have breakfast first. So-." He walked over to the cooker getting their food out and turning around revealing the food to Elizabeth "-I made egg on toast."
"Ooh we haven't had that in ages." She smiled grabbing one of the plates that Henry had but on the counter. She then took it over to the table, grabbing a knife and fork and sitting down. Henry doing the same.
They began tucking into the breakfast Henry had made for them, Elizabeth letting out a moan from how good it tasted. This was one of Henry's secret specialty meals and they hadn't had it in so long, she had really missed it.
Henry heard it and grinned "I'm guessing you like it?"
"Like it? I love it." She smiled at him, however straight after it turned into a frown. Henry also noticing her go significantly pale.
"Are you okay babe?" He asked, frowning himself due to concern over his wife.
She placed her hand on her stomach, taking a few deep breaths before speaking "I feel sick all of a sudden." She said stammering over her words. Henry was about to say something when Elizabeth got out of her seat as fast as lightning and running up the kitchen stairs to get to the bathroom, Henry following as fast as he could.
She had arrived at work, an hour later than Elizabeth was hoping for due to her horrible morning sickness taking over the rest of the morning. However, it had now luckily gone away for now so she had managed to get to work. Despite an over worrying Henry insisting she take the day off until she got to see a doctor, which being Secretary of State she would be able to be seen that day. But her busy schedule just didn't have room, and there wasn't enough time to cancel any of today's things so it would just have to wait until tomorrow.
Blake rushed over to the lift upon getting notified of her arrival, a bag of fresh bagels from the café in hand and a cup of coffee… oh shit caffeinated coffee. Good job she was planning on telling him and Nadine straight away about the baby, or else she would have to think of an alternative reason as to why she wouldn't be drinking the coffee, which wouldn't be good going by the reference she wasn't meant to be a good liar.
As soon as Blake was stood in front of her Elizabeth could smell the bagels and felt the nausea ride into her stomach as bile raised into her throat causing her to physically gag and turn as pale as a ghost. Blake obviously noticed due to him asking in a rather concerned tone "Ma'am are you alright?" He frowned as he watched his boss who was defiantly in distress and clearly unwell.
"I want to see you and Nadine in my office before the meeting." She managed to say before adding "And I need to go." She said stuttering with a cough before running off to the bathroom in her office before she embarrassed herself by being sick in front of her staff.
Blake turned around with a frown as his eyes followed the Secretary as she turned the corner to her office. Before deciding it was best to go and tell Nadine who was still in her office prepping for this mornings' meeting that Elizabeth wanted to see them both.
Just as she was coughing up the last of the sick and heaving a few times, Elizabeth heard a knock on her office door. Grabbing a cloth from the side and wiping her mouth, she stood slowly and carefully in case of dizziness and flushed the toilet. Then rinsed her mouth and washed her hands before leaving her office bathroom and opening her office door to find Blake and Nadine standing there, both with a look of worry on their faces.
Honestly it was bad enough Henry and her kids over worried about her, but on top of it her staff did too. She understood and she didn't mind it really. But Elizabeth didn't want them to worry so much, she was fine. She was quite healthy for somebody in their late 40s, sure a little stressed and over worked but that was just part of the job and well if she was still physically healthy then Elizabeth would be fine.
"Come in." She moved to the side and gestured for them to come in.
Her two staff members walked into the room silently toward her desk as Elizabeth closed her office door, before walking past them at a faster speed than the two turtle pace people. She got to her desk and turned around to face them, leaning on the wooden structure.
"Okay there is no easy way to say this, and there is no point beating around the bush so I'm just going to say it-." Nadine and Blake looked at her, both wearing frowns of concern mixed with curiosity as Elizabeth took a breath before continuing what she was saying. "I'm pregnant."
The two of them just stared at Elizabeth in absolute shock and bewilderment, which may have only lasted a few seconds to a maximum of a minute. But to Elizabeth felt like hours. However, when it came to one of them speaking first Nadine decided to speak up. Even if a little stuttery "Well uh congratulations."
"Thank you, Nadine." She gave a small smile and turned her head toward Blake who was still clearly in shock. "Blake? Are you okay there?" Elizabeth had to admit though, Blake's shocked face was somewhat funny and she couldn't help the little smirk that formed over her features.
After a few seconds he blinked a few times and cleared his throat, stuttering over his words and clearly very awkward and nervously he spoke "Uh yes ma'am… um congratulations."
"Thank you Blake. Could you also make sure there's no food in the meeting room, as you might have worked out I have pretty bad morning sickness. Which doesn't help with this job." She walked around to the other side of her desk as she spoke before looking back at the two "And Nadine can you get me a meeting with President Dalton and Russel Jackson as soon as please, I think they should know about this today rather than later."
"Okay and Ma'am Daisy is also pregnant, she told us all yesterday. During the meeting when you was at the White House." Elizabeth took a deep breath and sat down at her desk chair, she defiantly wasn't expecting that. And now somewhat knew what it was like for Blake and Nadine when she dropped the pregnancy bombshell just now.
"Okay, I would like a meeting with her. Just to make sure everything is okay for her and anything we can do to make the pregnancy and when she has the baby to be a little bit easier for her."
"Of course, I will let her know. Actually you have 5 minutes free after briefing, you could just ask her to go with you to your office." Elizabeth nodded at Nadine's words "Okay I will phone Russel Jackson for your meeting and tell Daisy." Nadine turned around and left the room, leaving Elizabeth and a slightly awkward and silent Blake.
"I will um go and make sure that there is no food in the meeting room. Unfortunately I can't guarantee the same about the coffee." He had guessed that due to him having coffee when she had to run off that was partly the reason for her being ill.
"Don't worry, I will just run into here if it gets too much." She smiled and Blake left her office, going into the meeting room.
As she heard the door close Elizabeth decided to take the moments peace to herself, finally getting her mind fully around the idea she was pregnant. Placing one hand on her stomach, which at this current moment apart from the slight early pregnancy bloating was barely even a bump. She gently ran her hand over her stomach in a sense to bond with the tiny baby that was inside her. This child might have not been planned, but Elizabeth already knew she loved it. She couldn't wait to go on the journey of raising a child again, nurturing it, caring for it, watching it grow from a baby into its own independent person.
It was like an unexpected, unplanned miracle that just as she was preparing to say goodbye to her two oldest daughters she would still get to enjoy another child grow up. Okay, now she was hoping for a girl because she really didn't want to be in a house with three boys. As much as she loved her husband and son, Elizabeth really didn't want to be in a house full of boys.
The blonde continued to run her hand over her stomach until there was a knock from the meeting door, signalling that it was time for the meeting and that the coast was clear for there not to be any food about.
Elizabeth got up and walked out of the room into the next where everybody was waiting for her, all sitting in their usual seating arrangement. She sat down in her usual place, finding a pile of papers for her to look through during today's agenda's. Nadine leaned in toward Elizabeth's side, whispering just enough for her to hear but nobody else in the room to be able to. "How are you feeling now?" The brunette asked, with genuine concern and a slight tone of sympathy. Clearly she knew what it was like from when she had her son.
"I still feel a bit nauseous but I'm okay." She smiled at Nadine for the concern over her, making sure nobody heard.
"Okay, well I have got you a meeting with the president and Russel and I have told the staff you have a little bit of food poisoning in case you have to leave."
"Thank you Nadine." She once again smiled at her staff member before looking up, the entire team waiting to be able to start the meeting after realising that Elizabeth and Nadine were talking amongst one another.
"Okay so what's first today?" Elizabeth asked, signalling the start of the meeting.
Daisy was the first to speak. And of course there was something media related to talk about, there always was.
"Okay well, for once I actually have some good news. That speech the other day is still getting loads of hits and positive feedback online." Daisy announced with a smile.
"That's good, we actually have something positive in the media for once." She looked over at Matt who looked like he was desperately waiting to tell her something. "Matt you look like your about to explode if you don't say something." A few members laughed as Elizabeth had one of her joking smirks on, Matt going slightly red with embarrassment with her choice of words.
"Yes, um…" He cleared his throat before he began to speak properly. "I have nearly finished your speak for the trip to Russia to sign the new trade agreement. I emailed you a draft of it, so whenever you have time…"
Elizabeth cut in before he finished "…I will read it as soon as I have time, which as long as there isn't another world crisis I should be able today. Thank you Matt, and I'm sure it's amazing work like normal." She turned her head around to Jay who hadn't said anything today "Jay would you like to add anything?"
Just as Jay was about to speak Nadine spoke up "Um ma'am I just received an email from Russell Jackson in all caps saying 'What has she done? We just got a call from the Chinese President saying that it wants to end our trade agreement due to the one we are about to start in Russia.'"
"You have got to be joking." Nadine shook her head as Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh. "How did they even find out? They weren't even supposed to find out until after both President Dalton and Russia sign off on the agreement." Elizabeth stood. "Okay I am going to have to sort out this mess." She began walking toward her office "Blake get me Mr Chan in five minutes, Daisy I needed to talk to you quickly."
Daisy quickly got up with her tablet in hand and followed Elizabeth into her office. As soon as she was in Elizabeth walked over to her desk, sitting on the side of it. And gestured for Daisy to sit down, following her hand gesture the woman sat down and looked at her boss. "I know Nadine told you, and I am sorry you didn't find out from me. And…" She rambled nervously before Elizabeth cut her off.
"Congratulations." She said softly, a warm smile covering her features. "If there is anything I can to do help just let me know." Daisy nodded and stood up gathering that was the end of the conversation. "Also, I think due to you being pregnant you will probably work this out soon anyway so I may as well tell you." Daisy turned back around, nearly already being at the door as Elizabeth continued. "I'm also pregnant."
Unlike everybody else that just looked at her in shock, the female spoke immediately after the words came out of Elizabeth's mouth. "I defiantly wasn't expecting that."
Just as Daisy finished speaking Russell and Blake barged into the room "Russell Jackson ma'am." Blake announced, pointing to his side at the man who just charged into her office without warning or knocking.
"Thank you, Blake." Blake left, closing the door behind him. She turned her head toward the other door, noticing Daisy had taken Russell as her que to leave. Leaving her and Russell alone, ready to roast her for the trade agreements mess. On top of it he was holding a cup of coffee, one of her many food/drink aversions that she was already beginning to smell causing her to already feel the nausea. This meeting was defiantly not going to be fun.
Elizabeth stood from her desk and walked around to the other side of her desk to where her chair was, however not sitting down yet.
"What the hell is going on, your meant to be making trade agreements. Not risking us losing them." He ranted at her with a slightly raised voice, the annoyance clear not just by how he spoke but the frown he wore on his features.
"And that's what I was about to do before you barged in, Blake is getting minister Chan on video call and Russia hasn't said anything about cancelling the deal. Which in case they do I will make sure to speak to them before they get the chance to." She argued back despite the ever growing nausea thanks to the morning sickness and the added of Russell's coffee. She took a deep breath as she finished speaking trying to keep the nausea at bay.
"Well then get on the phone to him. Then we are going to the White House so you can tell our President what is going on." He said before walking over to her side of the desk so he could speak to Minister Chan as well when he came onto the video call, making the smell of coffee even stronger literally right under Elizabeth's nose. Totally oblivious to Elizabeth's paling face Russell continued "So what did you…" Before he could finish Elizabeth rushed into her office bathroom and vomited into the toilet. Russell being concerned, cautiously slowly walked toward the bathroom and knocked on its door despite it being open.
"Are you okay?" He frowned with worry, unknowing to what was going on.
"Do I look okay?" She asked while gagging. Russell placed the cup on the floor and went to get some water from the usually had coffee table and brought it over to her, kneeling next to her and rubbing her back.
"I'm guessing this is why you needed to talk to me and Dalton." He had a soft tone to his voice, unlike the one he had moments ago as he had a go at Elizabeth before.
Keeping her head over the toilet, Elizabeth nodded before turning her head to him and saying. "I'm pregnant." Russell sighed, they could talk about this another time. He could tell she didn't need a lecture right now, he could tell Elizabeth was suffering and didn't need him to have a go at her as well.
"Okay, well your certainly not going to be able to talk to minister Chan. So head to the White House and I will talk to him." Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest but Russell gave her a warning glare to tell her to not go against his order. Instead she just nodded and Russell handed her the glass of water he had got for her, handing it to the blonde. Elizabeth took a few sips before standing up.
"Thank you Russell." She smiled and walked out of her office.
"Blake I am heading to the White House now, Russell is going to handle the call with the Chinese Minister." Elizabeth announced to Blake, who was busy arranging things on the computer. He turned his head around to look at his boss, before standing up.
"Okay, I will get your coat." He was about to turn and go into Elizabeth's office when she stopped him.
"No, it's warm out. I don't need my coat. I'll see you in a bit." She smiled and turned around, beginning to walk out before anything other than a "Bye ma'am" from Blake could be said.
When she finally got to the White House, after having to stop due to the motion of the driving causing her to feel sick again, Elizabeth still feeling slightly uneasy in her stomach made her way to the Oval Office. When she got to the door, noticing Conrad's assistant wasn't at her desk Elizabeth knocked on the door, hoping the president was there.
After an almost instant "Come in" from Conrad, Elizabeth walked into the room nervously and closed the door. Conrad smiled as he seen her "Hello Bess." He stood and walked over to the sofa, gesturing her to sit down, him doing so himself as he once again spoke "I heard you needed to talk to me."
Elizabeth cleared her throat and went over to the sofa's, sitting on the one across from him. The blonde shuffled in the chair, feeling uncomfortable, uneasy and edgy. Something Conrad instantly noticed.
"Elizabeth, are you okay?" He asked full of apprehension at his Secretary of State who seems to be in some kind of secret panic over something.
She knew the best way would be the same way she had handled the announcement all day, just saying it and getting it over and done with. So doing that, Elizabeth once again cleared her throat and spoke up "I'm pregnant, sir." She evidently scrunched up her face once she had said it, awaiting the defiant having-a-go-at she was about to receive.
"You're pregnant" Conrad more stated to himself than asking Elizabeth, trying to process the news. She sat there rigid, silently as he did. Getting more and more nervous by the second as she waited for her boss to say something to her.
He then looked at her, a frown of anger sprawled across his features. He was mad, defiantly mad there was no way you could deny that and Conrad hadn't even spoken yet.
"How on earth could you let this happen?" And there it was, the lecture Elizabeth had been dreading but just as well expecting. His voice was low with frustration, his eyes glaring at her as he stood up and looked down at her. Elizabeth looked down at her lap, like a kid getting severely punished by their parent. "I can't believe you could be so stupid as to fall pregnant now, you're the Secretary of State. It's not appropriate for you to have a baby now! We can't just find somebody off the street make them Secretary of State for a few months then catch you up when you get back. You have made relationships with countries and leaders around the world and in the Presidential party you work for. We don't have time to get somebody to make these relationships again only to have to put them into a new position or fire them straight after."
Elizabeth shot her head up, tears in her eyes as she got shouted at. However, she used her upset to turn into anger as she shouted back at Conrad standing up and glaring at him right back, standing her ground. "You think me and Henry planned this? You think we just thought 'hey let's have a baby, that's a pretty good damn plan when our country and world need me' hey? No, we didn't these things happen. We took the precautions if you must know and we were careful but you don't just stop sleeping with your husband because you have a high ranking job in the running of the country."
"Well you certainly didn't do a good job at preventing it." He fought back, Elizabeth rolled her eyes and began to walk out of the room.
"You know what, I don't have to answer to you. And I defiantly don't need this argument right now."
She was about to leave when Russell opened the door, instantly noticing a red faced teary but clearly angry Elizabeth and a fuming Conrad.
"I'm guessing you told him about the baby?" He whispered to Elizabeth, in case that wasn't the cause of Elizabeth's distress and Conrad's clear annoyance. Though if it wasn't then he would like to know what has caused the scene he had just walked in on. Elizabeth nodded before walking off and closing the door behind her. She headed back to work and spent the rest of the day by herself in her office, still annoyed from the argument. Once she finally got home she ate and went straight to bed, she was absolutely exhausted from the day of telling everybody. However, not before a private celebration of their unexpected miracle of their new baby.
I know Conrad is a bit out of character in this chapter but I just wanted to add a bit of drama to the chapter, and there will be an apology in the next chapter plus it won't affect their friendship in the story. So despite the small and rare piece I hope you liked it.
(Any mistakes you find and notify me on or any I realise later on I will update.)