Part 7 ~~
Rating
: PG
Note * hyperemesis gravidarum I didn't make that up... I actually did a
little bit of research ;) so it's a real thing incase you didn't know.
The next
day, Buffy in a hospital gown, sat nervously in the hospital room waiting for
Dr. Rose Morano to return with the results of the tests. Her head was burning
up. All she wanted was to get the hell out of there and get in bed. At least she
had Angel to calm her down. He held her hand with his right and with his left he
slowly rubbed her back. It didn't stop her from being nervous or scared that it
was taking so long, but it was soothing and made her feel a bit more relaxed.
When the doctor finally walked in with the results Buffy's
heart started racing again. She was extremely anxious to know what was going on
with her body. The doctor had a straight face on. *Which I suppose is, what
to keep me from panicking? I think a smile would work a lot better!* Buffy
snapped inside her head. Dr. Morano glanced once more at the chart and said
gently, "Would you like the not so serious news first or the pretty serious
news?"
"They're both serious?" Buffy asked quietly.
The doctor replied quickly, "But neither at this stage
is life threatening."
"Um, the not so serious."
"Ok. Well, Ms. Summers it seems that you have a fever.
With a lot of rest and liquids you should be able to get over it quickly. It's
very important you get plenty of rest. I forgot to mention that there is some
happy news for you two." She smiled. "Ms. Summers you're
pregnant."
Buffy felt extremely happy that she and Angel were going to
have a baby, but she was so nervous about the serious news. Angel smiled at her
and she returned him a tiny smile. "That is...good. I'm super glad."
Angel asked, "What is the serious news?"
"Well, morning sickness. That's normal, but Mr. Conner
you mentioned that Buffy lost weight in the past week?" Angel nodded at the
doctor. "That's the start of hyperemesis gravidarum. It's starts with
weight loss during morning sickness and can lead to kidney, liver, heart or
brain damage. It could result in hospitalization." *Oh, god.* Buffy
thought. "Right now since you're only in the first week of morning sickness
it could go away. So when you get home I want you to stay in bed except for the
bathroom and if you want to eat dinner at the table that's ok too. It would be
good to move around a little. If in two weeks you haven't gained some weight or
you're losing more I need you to report back here and you'll be
hospitalized."
Buffy let out an exasperated breathe. "Uh-huh, so how
would you treat hiperemesis gravdarim?" Angel squeezed her hand lightly.
"You would be given intravenous fluid up to five to six
liters per day. You will also be given anti-nausia medication. 48 hours after
all symtoms and vomiting has ceased you'll fast to prevent rapid regress."
"Oh." Buffy whispered to Angel, "That makes me
feel a lot better."
Angel frowned and looked at the doctor, "You didn't have
to freak her out by telling her every detail."
Dr. Morano quietly responded, "I'm terribly sorry. I
didn't mean to frighten you Buffy. The best way to prevent this and to make
vomiting occur less, is to eat light meals. Herbs will help and lots of water is
very good for you so you don't dehydrate."
"Ok. I'd like to change please." Buffy stated.
"Of course. Good day." The doctor said and left the
room.
Buffy got up and walked to the closet for her clothes. She
got her pants on and her bra. Before she put her shirt on Angel had wrapped his
arms across her abdomen. He quietly asked, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. I mean the hyme whatever it's called... kind of
freaked me out a bit, but I'm ok. Besides she didn't say it was that bad
yet." She rested her hands on his.
"You are happy that you're pregnant right?"
Buffy turned around and looked Angel in the eyes, "Of
course. I'm extremely happy. I'm thrilled. It's just covered up by pain and
worry."
Angel's eyes widened in concern, "You're in pain?
Where?"
"Oh, it's just a headache. Kinda comes with the fever.
Like the doc says with lots of rest the fever will be gone in no time."
"Just checking." Angel whispered and slipped the
shirt on her. "Let's go home."
Buffy smiled, "Home sweet home."
On the right side of the bed, Buffy was tucked under red silk
sheets and a soft red comforter. On the floor at the side of the bed was a bin
filled with some water. On the dresser was a glass of water. Angel was lying
down beside out of the covers, looking down at her. He kissed her forehead. He
practically whispered, "You comfy?"
Buffy smiled, "Yep, thanks. I've got all that I need.
Bin, so I don't need to run to the bathroom, glass of water for when I'm thirsty
and my loving fiance."
"Extra pillow?" He kissed her hot forehead.
She quietly giggled, "No, sweety I'm fine. Really I am.
Don't take this the wrong way honey, but if you don't stop asking me if I need
anything I'm never going to rest."
He smiled, "You're right. I'll stop asking, but if you ever
need anything? You know I'll give you anything you need."
Buffy smiled and whispered, "Just hold me."
Angel wrapped his arms around her waist. Just as she closed
her eyes they shot open. She burst out of Angel's embrace and leaned to her left
and puked into the bin. She groaned as she lay back down in his arms. She
sighed. He kissed her cheek, "My poor baby. I'm
sure you'll feel better once this fever is gone."
"Uh-huh..." Buffy mumbled under her breath
sarcastically, "Right. I wish."
Angel stood up.
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked nervously.
He cupped her warm cheek, "Shh, I'll be back."
He left and minutes later he returned with a cold, wet towel.
He put it on her forehead. "There... better?"
Buffy nodded. Then strange emotions bombarded her. She felt
anger and hate at the discomfort the pregnancy was causing her, making her hand
suddenly close into a fist. Angel noticed and wrapped his hand around her hand.
She relaxed a little. She felt really happy right now and smiled. Her love
smiled back at her. Then suddenly she felt really sad. Upset. Her eyes got warm.
Tears threatened to drip down her cheeks. She blinked rapidly and her bottom lip
quivered. Angel warmly looked into her eyes and softly he whispered,
"Honey, what's wrong? Are you in pain? You want aspirin?"
Then as if Angel's voice was the trigger the tears trickled
down her cheeks, poured onto her shirt. Angel gently rubbed one tear away with
his thumb. She sobbed. She practically threw herself at his chest. Her body
shook as she bawled nonstop. She barely got air into her lungs, gasping for
breathe between sobs. Angel's eyes got watery. He rubbed her back, kissed her
head desperate to make her feel better. To make her stop crying. It hurt to see
her cry. He was relieved it wasn't pain. He knew it had to be hormones. Finally
the sobs began to lighten. She sniffed a few times and hastily wiped her eyes.
When she looked up at him her eyes were puffy and red. Angel
smiled at her trying to make her feel better. He softly said, "You want to
watch Friends? It'll cheer you up for sure."
She mumbled, "No thanks."
"Uh, I could sing... one of Phoebe's songs." He
began singing, "Smelly cat... Smelly cat..." and hummed the rest.
Buffy elicited a slight giggle. Angel asked again, "You ok?" She
looked blankly at her... then paled a little more. He stared at her,
"Buffy?"
She leaned forward and puked on him. Angel jumped back
unintentionally. Angel stood up and took off his shirt. Quietly she said,
"Sorry." Then she cried again.
Angel tossed the shirt away and quickly went back to her side
by the bed. She leaned into him. "Hey, shh. It's ok sweety. Really, it's no
big. It's just one shirt." He rubbed her back. "God, Buffy... I hate
seeing you cry. I want to make you feel better, but I don't know how to ease
this... what you're going through."
Buffy whispered huskily, "I know."
She then kissed him, her tongue dueling with his. He kissed
her back and she moved her hands to his chest, then to his jeans. Buffy then
straddled him. Realizing what Buffy wanted Angel gently nudged her off him
making her whimper for him. "Buffy, we can't. I'm not going to make love to
you when you're like this."
"Please..." she sniffed. "I know this will
really make me feel better. Please, Angel." She rubbed her neck.
More firmly now, but gently. "No, Buffy. You have a
fever and your body is in bad shape right now. You need to sleep. And not with
me in the action sense of sleeping."
She whimpered again. He shook his head. "Fine."
She pouted then pulled the covers over her. Angel got
underneath the covers. She leaned in and put her head on his chest. Listening to
the soothing sound that was his heartbeat. *Mmm...That's nice.* She
thought and drifted off to sleep.
Angel seeing her eyes closed he smiled and rubbed her arm.
Soon drifting off. Finally she was going to get some rest.
