Okay so it is nearly 2AM and I have finally finished this chapter, I have not proof read it yet but I feel like you all deserve an update as it has been far too long which I apologise for. And I don't know when I will be in the mood to or have time to go through it (proof reading is not one of my strong points, and I hate it with a passion. I cannot stand reading my own writing for too long) I have read through bits of it and had people's opinions on some of it so hopefully it won't be too bad. And when I have read though it and corrected mistakes I will update it, so you can wait until then if you wish to.
Thank you all for your continued support. I hope the next chapter will be on sooner than this one.
"Good morning Mrs McCord… Mr McCord" The female doctor smiled and gestured toward the chairs on the opposite side of her desk for the couple to sit down, as the brunette, middle aged woman sat down herself.
"Good morning Dr Roseaan" Elizabeth replied, a slight nervousness hinted in her tone-of-voice once her and Henry were sat on their own seats, her hands going down to the handle of her purse bag fiddling with the loose threads of the worn out leather hinting at her obvious tension which had been eminent in her voice just seconds ago.
"Good morning" Henry took one of Elizabeth's hands, halting the fussing of her bag. He rubbed his thumb over the back of her slightly trembling hand. She didn't know why she was so nervous, Elizabeth already knew that she were pregnant. Maybe it was just the fact she had an idea of how risky a pregnancy could be in the early forties, or that a job as stressful as hers could have consequences on the developing baby. Either way, baby, stressful job, and mid-age, was not a good combination and definitely not three things that should be put together.
Noting at the apprehension her patient was showing Dr Roseann decided to reassure the blonde before going into the logics and difficulties of a pregnancy with Elizabeth's circumstances "Okay, so as you say. You are pretty much one hundred percent sure you are pregnant, and we have took a blood sample to confirm it." The brunette leaned backward in her chair, relaxing herself as to create a more informal atmosphere which she hoped would help calm the blonde at least in the smallest "I'm not going to lie, this pregnancy is risky. But with regular appointments, monitoring, and support from your staff and family, I am sure you will have a fairly straightforward pregnancy."
Elizabeth simply nodded; her tension had reduced a little. But still very much there. Her bones tight with anxiety, sitting straight and stiff in her chair and not allowing herself to relax and calm down at her doctors words. Doctor Roseaan had been her doctor since she was in her early 20's, despite moving around to different states and areas of the country. Elizabeth wasn't one who needed to go to the doctors regularly and if it was an emergency she would go to the emergency doctors or the emergency department at the hospital. So otherwise she could travel to see her own doctor, the one who knew her. That also meant that Doctor Roseaan had been her doctor through all three of her previous pregnancies, she knew Elizabeth's anxieties from all her pregnancies. It was just an added bonus that her speciality was Midwifery, having trained as a midwife before being a doctor.
"You had a stressful time in the CIA, but your pregnancies been successful and you had no problems. So with monitoring and listening to your body, I think this pregnancy will also go fairly smooth. I will book a scan for eight weeks when we have your results so we know how far you are."
Elizabeth nodded "Thank you doctor" The blonde was somewhat at ease from her doctors reassurances, though she would always be cautious and careful and worrying. It was a mother's priogratvie. And she only wanted what was best for the tiny foetus growing inside her.
Henry who had been listening to Dr Roseaan intently the entire time decided to speak up following his wife, repeating her thanks to the doctor. He smiled gratefully at the woman in front of him before speaking "Yes, thank you Dr Roseaan" He was also worried about all the risks following a mid-age and stressful pregnancy, but he had kept his unease at bay for the sake of Elizabeth. He didn't want her worrying more. However, the doctor had calmed down his concerns considerably.
"No problem, is there any concerns in particular you would like to raise? Or symptoms that are causing issues?" She decided to ask before booking an appointment for the end of the week for the conformation appointment and post-conformation discussion.
"Apart from the morning sickness, the constant need to pee and hormones making me swim in a pool of emotions, you know the usual pregnancy symptoms…" Elizabeth let out a gentle laugh and continued "They aren't really causing a problem"
The doctor nodded, making a note in Elizabeth's written file to type up after the appointment "And how about with your job? It must cause at least a little inconvenience?"
In sync, Elizabeth and Henry both spoke. Giving different answers. Elizabeth answered with a "No" while Henry landed on a firm "Yes" causing the blond to turn her head toward her husband and protest against his disagreement "How would you know? I'm the one literally going through it." She spoke with a harsh voice, her mood swinging from relatively calm to mad at her husband in a matter of seconds.
Henry's mouth fell slightly agape at Elizabeth's sudden outburst; he was only going by what she had told him. Which to Henry sounded like his wife's pregnancy symptoms was even in the slightest, an inconvenience "Well… you did say that yesterday you threw up twice from the smell of coffee, which is present at work all the time. You told me that you had to stop in the middle of paper work… several times for your bladder. I would say that is quite inconvenient" He calmly fought his case, causing Elizabeth to sigh and calm down.
"You're right, I'm sorry" Elizabeth gave him an apologetic smile, Henry moving his hand to hers and rubbing his thumb over the top of it. This time to reassure her that she didn't need to apologise, rather than to reassure her nerves like before.
"Okay, well I think that's it, I will sort everything out and then I will probably see you next week" Dr Roseaan spoke and stood up from her seat, walking around to the other side of the table to shake Henry and Elizabeth's hands once the couple had gathered their things and stood from their chairs. "It was good to see you both" She smiled at the pair, as she spoke and shook hands with them.
"Thank you, Dr Roseaan" Elizabeth shook her doctor's hand in response and offered an equally warm smile at the female.
"Yes, thank you" Henry said at his turn to shake her hand, and soon the couple left.
Reality hit like a ton of bricks, when the middle aged duo left the room to find Elizabeth's security detail waiting outside the room, standing around the waiting room, and in a stance down the hall.
Elizabeth let out a long, irritated sigh in frustration before turning toward Henry "Back to Madam Secretary life it is" Henry could hint the annoyance and slight sadness in her voice, he knew Elizabeth had grown to love the job but he also knew with a baby on the way she would rather just be a mother than have to work all the time.
Henry wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's waist, pulling her side to his as he spoke softly into her hair in a whisper so only she could hear "I promise we'll have a fun evening"
Elizabeth moved her head up to meet his eyes "Promise?"
"Promise" They exchanged a quick kiss before walking out of the doctors surgery, the couple going different ways. Henry to the war college and Elizabeth getting into the car to go to the state department, ready to start their busy day at work.
It was at 3pm that Elizabeth had been called to the White House to meet with Conrad and his chief of staff, causing her nausea to return as nerves danced around her stomach. She stood at the door of the Oval Office, her hand gripping hold of the metal door handle as she determined whether she needed to run off to the bathroom or get this probably horrible meeting over and done with. Deciding to get it over and done with, knowing there wasn't an immediate threat she was going to throw up; Elizabeth opened the office door and hesitantly walked into the room.
She walked in to find Russel and Conrad standing at the President's desk, previously looking at a piece of paper. However, now they had directed their eyes toward the blonde who had walked into the office. Elizabeth turned around and closed the door before walking toward them, greeting to them as she approached "Good evening Mr President, Russell" She paused as she stood still when close enough, taking a deep breath trying to calm down her nerve and pregnancy related nausea.
Conrad instantly noticed Elizabeth's tension, having been her boss and friend for over 10 years "You okay Bess?"
Elizabeth nodded and placed her hand unconsciously on her stomach, admittedly she wasn't feeling the best and it she was getting more and more nauseous "Yeah, I just feel a bit… sick"
"Okay, well we need to talk. But if you need to leave, you know where my private bathroom next to the office is. You can use it. Let's go and sit down on the couch" His voice was soft and kind trying to create a calm atmosphere and to show Elizabeth he was there for her.
"I will leave you two be" Russell spoke up; he knew the two of them needed to have this meeting without him. They didn't need both Russell and Conrad, and it was clear that she didn't need both of them there when she was sick. Conrad nodded, Elizabeth forming a small smile which Russell returned, before he walked out and closed the door.
As soon as the office door was shut Elizabeth and Conrad walked over to the sofas sitting on one across from each other.
"I wanted to apologise for my reaction to your pregnancy yesterday-" Conrad started, breaking the secondary silence in the room. Elizabeth looked up from where she was watching her fingers twiddle around with each other, once she heard her bosses' confession. Once he had her full attention Conrad continued "It was a bit of a shock but I know, I've seen you have three kids. I know you can do this. And I am here to support you, anything you need just ask. I know you will want some time off so I have created a list of temporary replacements already, I want you to decide who you trust and can work with and anybody else that isn't on the list we can certainly consider" Conrad leaned forward giving Elizabeth the paper he had been looking at when she walked in, he had picked it up on their way to the couches.
Elizabeth took the paper with a deep breath, the nausea still becoming more intense. She looked through the list for a few seconds before putting the sheet down on the cushion next to her and clearing her watery throat before responding to the list Conrad had presented to her "Well I think I could work with them all. However if I had to pick somebody, it would be my Chief of Staff. I have worked with Miss Toliver for two years and we have quite a good work relationship. I know she would keep me informed-" Elizabeth had to close her eyes and take a breath before she could continue, Conrad instantly knowing she was feeling worse. When she had been in the CIA and was pregnant with Jason Elizabeth had to leave for a month due to constantly being sick, he knew how Elizabeth went when she was about to be ill, he had also helped her during her morning sickness a couple of times when Isabelle wasn't around.
Just like he had unfortunately predicted, Elizabeth shot up from the sofa rushing off toward the bathroom that Conrad said she could use and instantly emptying the contence on her stomach once leaning over the toilet. A few seconds later Conrad was kneeling down beside her a cup of water in hand as he tried to rub her back in soothing circles until she had presumably finished and lifted her head up. Silently he lifted the cup for her to take, the blonde responding with a whispered "Thank you" as she gratefully took the cup and had a couple of sips of water.
"I remember your last pregnancy you were sick, if you need time off-"
Elizabeth cut of what Conrad was about to say, she didn't need time off. Jason was all day every day, hardly eating or drinking because she could only keep crackers and plain biscuits down. Compared to the pregnancy before this was classed as a walk in the park so far, she knew it would take its toll on her eventually but for now she was okay "No, it's okay. I don't need time off." Elizabeth took another sip of water.
"Okay, but if you change your mind the offer is always there" Elizabeth simply nodded and flushed the toilet; she then began to slowly get up with a little help from the president. "Now, I want you to go home" Elizabeth once again nodded, she knew she wasn't going to win this. Ultimately he was her boss and the president and his word went, and a part of Elizabeth was more than happy to obey this request. She really needed the rest.
At 5PM Elizabeth walked through the doors of the house, Henry entering with her as Conrad had asked him to come to the White House and go home with her. He took her bag and took off her coat placing them where they were stored when she was at home, before Henry took his own coat off and hung it up.
He then pulled Elizabeth into an embrace, placing a kiss to her forehead "You go and rest and I will make something simple for dinner. I will also get the kids to come in and keep you company if you want" Elizabeth sighed, she really wanted to see her youngest daughter. All their children could make her smile and Elizabeth loved them all equally but she just really wanted Alison at that moment. Plus Jason wasn't even speaking to her, so she doubted he would want to look after her.
"If you see Ali ask her to come in please" She asked weakly.
Just as Henry nodded there was a voice coming from the stairs, their brunette daughters' "I'm not in trouble am I? I heard you wanted to see me." Both Henry and Elizabeth turned to face their daughter as she came down the last few steps and landing in the lounge with her parents "Gosh mum, you look terrible. Are you okay?" Alison's features turned into a frown as she looked at her mother's pale complexion, and the weak facial expressions she wore. The natural brightness of her blue eyes dull.
"Gee, thanks noodle-" The blonde started with a hint of sarcasm and fake offence, she knew she must look absolutely rubbish and it wasn't like anybody she knew would hold their opinions back. But it was good, at least they were honest and not afraid of potentially offending her "I'm okay sweetheart, just been a bit ill that's all. And you're not in trouble, I just wanted to know if you want to go and watch a film in mine and your dads room for a bit with me?"
"I love that idea, and it means I can show you my new favourite film. It's about fashion" Ali said enthusiastically as she and Elizabeth walked up the stairs to the master bedroom, Henry going into the kitchen to cook the dinner.
As he walked into the kitchen, the noise of Jason's video game from the TV room filled the air in the adjoined kitchen. As Jason had been off about the news yesterday and not speaking to Elizabeth or himself since, Henry had guessed that Jason was not happy about the new arrival to the family and decided to go and speak to him. He had given his son enough time to adjust to the announcement and had given him time to himself. He walked from the kitchen and into the TV room, his youngest kid not even noticing that he had walked in, eyes glued to the TV screen while his hands blindly crafted around the remote. It was only when Henry moved behind the sofa, distracting Jason with a hair ruffle that the young teen turned around after pausing the game.
He glared at his father, a frown knotted on his forehead at the distraction Henry had caused "What?!" His voice was harsh, angry, and disrespectful to his dad.
Henry ignored the comment, letting it slide this once as he wanted to connect with his son. Not push Jason away "Look kid, I know it's a shock finding out your mom is pregnant. And at your age you don't want a little brother or sister around the house. But it wasn't planned, these things just happen."
"Hold on so I have to have a safe sex talk, so I don't get a girl pregnant. But when it's you and mom it's 'oh well we accidentally had a baby, oh well these things happen?!'" The teen kept his voice raised as he spoke to Henry.
Just as Henry was about to respond to his sons' remark a voice in the background interrupted him "Me and your father are adults and are married, so yes it is different for us." She spoke with a stern tone as the blonde walked toward the males, Henry turning around and placing a kiss to her forehead.
"Why aren't you in bed watching a film with Ali?" He whispered to her, not wanting Jason to hear their conversation and the concern over his wife at that current time.
"She is setting up the DVD and I needed some water so I came downstairs."
Jason interrupted the couple with a loud huff "It still doesn't change the fact that you tell us not to be irresponsible when having sex, but then you go off and be irresponsible during sex."
"Jason, things happen that can't be controlled like your mother falling pregnant. Like I said it wasn't planned and we were responsible."
"Not that it's any of your business considering you are the kid and we are the adults. And as such we don't have to justify anything to you."
"You know what you said to me when we had the sex talk? If you can't guarantee you won't get the girl pregnant-" He paused for a second before continuing "don't do it." He punctuated all the words before standing up and walking toward the kitchen stairs, his parents turning around.
"Do not walk away from us young man." Henry said with a raised voice, causing Jason to stop and turn his head toward them.
"We are the adults here; we make the rules for you. We do not have the same rules as you as we are older and the parents, when you get married you will understand. Until then, you do as we say. You live in our house you live by our rules, we try to make it fair but if you are just going to push us and say the rules are not fair now, we can easily show you what unfair is. It is illegal for you to have sex at your age, and when you get to that age when you can we would support you if something like this happened, same as the girls if it happened to them. Like we said, these things do happen. And like I just said when it happens by accident me and your dad will help, but until you are married or in a long term relationship and are of age the advice of 'if you can't guarantee you won't get the female pregnant, don't do it' remains." Elizabeth spoke this time, making sure their son understood. He simply nodded and walked up the stairs, not looking back at the pair.
Once back upstairs Elizabeth and Alison sat on her and Henrys bed, leaning against the headboard at the top of the double bed. As the movie played, Elizabeth decided to engage with a conversation with her daughter. They hadn't really talked about the pregnancy and despite her daughter being caring, and supportive Elizabeth wanted to make sure that her daughter was okay with it all and to be able to reassure her of any worries her youngest daughter has.
"So, Noodle. Are you looking forward to being a big sister again?" She decided to go for an easy start, a general conversation instead of one that showed she was checking the situation with her daughter.
Alison turned her head toward Elizabeth, a genuine smile on her features "Yeah, I'm excited. I love young kids and looking after them, and I want to help. And if it's a girl you have to let me be the baby clothes picker."
She let out a light hearted laugh at her daughter's response, her own response coming soon after "Well, with you as their personal stylist I think she will be the best dressed baby in the whole world."
Alison smiled, however soon turning into a frown of curiosity. Hesitating for a few seconds before speaking "What does it feel like… Being pregnant? Knowing there is a baby inside you."
Elizabeth sighed and placed her hand on her stomach, looking down at her already slightly curved belly. She wasn't surprised she was already beginning to show, only a few weeks pregnant. After having three kids previously, her bump being slightly bigger and starting a little earlier each time. The blonde looked back at the brunette and began to explain her answer to her daughters question "It's strange, and amazing at the same time. It still feels so-" Elizabeth shrugged trying to find the word "Surreal, that a baby. A real human being is inside you. It gives you this pride that as a woman you can do the greatest thing, carry another life inside you."
Alison smiled at her slightly teary mother "I can't wait to experience that… one day" Both females let out a light-hearted laugh, Elizabeth wiping away the tears that were threatening to fall with her thumb.
"Good, because if you were pregnant at your age me and your father would not be happy. Plus you are not of age to have sex yet."
Alison looked downward and let out a small sigh, guilty about the time she had nearly taken a boy to her room to lose her virginity to. Ali was glad Stevie changed her mind and stopped them, looking back. At the time she was a little more than a bit angry at her older sibling for doing that.
Noticing Alison's sudden change in behaviour, Elizabeth immediately jumped to the conclusion her baby girl had already had sex "Have you had sex?" The blonde asked, an eye brow furrowed as she kept her voice calm; she didn't want her daughter to shut off when they were both connecting with one another. Something they could hardly do anymore with her busy job.
Alison's eyes widened and looked at her mother, quickly denying the question "No, no. I haven't-" The young brunette said quickly and rather panicked, not wanting her mom to think she had done that. However, she began to speak again more quietly "But, I um… I nearly did." Alison looked back down, avoiding Elizabeth's gaze.
The blonde sighed and wrapped her arm around her daughter's small frame, pulling her to her side and showing Alison that she was not angry with her. Alison looked back up at her mother, with sorrowful eyes, apologising to her with them "I'm not angry with you, yes I am angry you nearly had sex underage and upset that you hadn't told me. No matter how old you are I want to be there to be able to support you and so you are safe and don't end up regretting it." Elizabeth reassuringly smiled at her daughter who returned one and wrapped one of her arms around her mother, sharing a quick embrace before they pulled away again.
"I love you mom" The brunette spoke after the hug had ended.
"I love you too noodle" Elizabeth brushed her fingers though Alison's silky hair.
Suddenly there was a knock on the bedroom door and the three other members of the family were standing there, Henry with a stack of food "You don't mind if we join you?" Stevie asked, a small grin appearing on her features.
Elizabeth turned her head to Alison, awaiting confirmation from her daughter who nodded. The blonde turned her head back around to her family "Of course you can"
"First somebody wanted to say something" Stevie turned her head to her younger brother, eyeing him as she waited for him to speak. Elizabeth's eyes also landed on her son, one of her brows raised awaiting what he had to say.
"I am sorry for earlier, I didn't mean to have a go at you and dad. I'm just finding it difficult, a new baby in the house." He spoke sincerely, meaning what he had said. Jason walked over to the bed and got onto it sitting next to his mother and cuddling up to her, Elizabeth looked at Henry and Stevie in surprise at her son's uncharacteristic actions. But soon wrapped her arm around him, holding her baby boy close to her.
Soon Henry and Stevie joined them on the bed and the family enjoyed the rest of the evening in bed, snacking out on food, talking and laughing while watching Alison's film.