We've Been Here Before

"You okay in there Marcy?" Sasha called sympathetically through the door as she heard her retching into the toilet. Anne looked over at Sasha full of concern.

"You didn't have it this bad did you?" Anne asked as pointed to the door.

"I mean, I had morning sickness but never this severe or this late into the first trimester." Sasha said, biting her lip, "Can I send you out to get some things I think will help Mar-mar?"

"You got it, commander." Anne said, giving her a quick kiss. They both winced when they heard Marcy vomiting.

"I'll text you the list." Sasha said as Anne grabbed her keys and hurried to the door.

"I'll be back in a bit! Hang in there Mar-mar!" Anne called before shutting the door.

"Hey Marbles? Can I come in?" Sasha asked once it sounded like Marcy had finished. She heard a weak affirmative groan and she entered. Marcy was hunched over the toilet with tears streaming down her face as she gulped for air. Sasha knelt beside her and started to brush her hair out of her face. She grabbed one of Anne's scrunchies by the sink and pulled Marcy's hair back into a ponytail. Marcy clung to the bowl as she started to heave. Sasha wiped away her tears once she had stopped.

"I can't do it." Marcy sobbed weakly as she clutched her stomach. Sasha grabbed a washcloth and ran in under some cold water before gently holding it to the back of Marcy's neck. She let out a sigh of relief.

"We'll get through this Mar-mar, I promise." Sasha said, kissing her shoulder.

"Where's Anne?" Marcy asked shakily.

"I sent her out to get something to help with your nausea." Sasha said as she gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Don't you have work soon?" She said before putting a hand to her mouth and leaning forward suddenly. Sasha held her hair back as she retched again.

"I was able to reschedule a couple of appointments. You've got me for a little longer." She said dabbing at Marcy's eyes as a fresh stream of tears rolled down.

"What about-?" Marcy started again.

"Anne's mom is picking him up from Preschool today. She's going to watch him for a while until Anne or I can take him home." Sasha reassured her. "Can I get you anything?"

"Could you make some of that Lemon Ginger Tea?" Marcy asked as she leaned against Sasha.

"You got it." She said, kissing the top of her head as she got up. She checked her phone and texted the list to Anne before filling the electric kettle. She flipped the switch and leaned against the kitchen counters as she waited. Marcy eventually hobbled out of the bathroom and sat down at the table. The kettle began to whistle and Sasha prepared her tea.

"Thanks Sashy." Marcy said gratefully when Sasha handed her a cup. She blew on it before sipping it experimentally. She let out a contented hum and Sasha kissed her on the cheek.

"Better?" She asked as she joined her at the table. Marcy nodded. Their phones buzzed. "That was fast." Sasha smiled as she texted Anne back. "Hey Mars, do you mind if I start getting ready for work? It sounds like Anne will be back pretty soon."

"Go. I'll be fine." Marcy said, smiling weakly. Sasha kissed her again and left the room. She stared down at her cup of tea lost in thought. What seemed like only a moment later the door to their house swung open and Anne rushed in with a grocery bag.

"Marcy!" Anne cried happily when she saw her sitting at the table. She hurried over and started sifting through the bag. "Okay, so take one of these and if that doesn't help try one of these in about an hour." She said pulling out pill bottles. She reread the labels. "All of them should be safe to take during pregnancy but I can call our doctor to double check." Anne said as she pulled out her phone. Marcy reached a hand over to stop her.

"They are." Marcy said as she looked through them, "I read the studies about them. Thanks Anna-banana." Anne beamed.

"Oh, speaking of which, I did grab bananas too. They're also supposed to help with nausea." She said, pulling them out of the bag and setting them on the table. Sasha reentered the room.

"I'm going to head out. Are you two going to be okay?" Sasha asked as she kissed them both on the cheek.

"We got it from here." Anne said with a confident smile. Marcy gave a thumbs up. Sasha waved as she left. Anne turned back to Marcy.

"How can I help?" Anne asked eagerly as she rested her hand on Marcy's.

"I think I'm good for now." She replied as she opened one of the bottles and took a pill with her tea. "Could we maybe watch a movie or something?"

"Of course." Anne said getting to her feet, "Do you want to watch War of the Warlocks or maybe marathon the Cynthia Coven series?" She stopped as her phone buzzed. "Sorry, this should only be a minute." She said before answering it. Marcy looked out the window. It had started to rain. Anne covered the receiver and turned to Marcy, "One of my co-workers called in sick and we have a big field trip coming through today."

"Take it." Marcy answered before Anne could ask.

"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?" Anne asked with a hint of concern.

"I'll be fine. Go teach some kids about frogs." Marcy smiled. Anne turned back and gave her answer. She hung up and started to pull on a jacket.

"Call or text me if you need anything." Anne said as she headed for the door. Marcy nodded and waved as Anne left. The rain was coming down harder. She got up and wandered over to the window to look out. She sipped her tea and sighed. She felt like she was going through a constant roller coaster of emotions since the pregnancy began but right now she felt completely alone. Her phone started to ring. She glanced at the caller id before quickly answering it.

"Yes, this is her." Marcy answered, "When did that happen?" She asked as she started to pace. "No, I can go pick him up. It's no trouble. I can be there in twenty minutes." She hung up and started texting Anne's mom. She then hurried to the bathroom to get herself cleaned up. Marcy sighed as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and she still looked pale with dark bags under her eyes. A few minutes later she left looking slightly more put together. She didn't bother drying her hair as she pulled on a coat. The roads were ugly but she made it to and from the preschool safely. Marcy held her son's hand as they reentered their home.

"-And that's why I threw up." Troy excitedly recounted to his mother.

"Honey, why did you eat the bug in the first place?" She asked as she helped him take off his small rain jacket and boots.

"Cause I was being a frog." He stated as if it were obvious.

"But you aren't a frog." She said checking his temperature just in case. He sneezed.

"I can be a frog!" He argued as he demonstrated an uncoordinated hop. Marcy couldn't help but smile. "And I can croak!" He said before letting out a ribbit.

"When did my little boy turn into a frog?" Marcy laughed gently. She put a hand to her stomach and screwed her eyes shut as she fought off the sudden wave of nausea. He looked at her with worry.

"Mama still sick?" He asked. Marcy focused on her breathing for a moment before responding.

"Just a little." She said before picking him up. "Why don't we sit down and read you a story till Mama feels better?"

"Where's Mom? Where's Mæ̀?" He asked as they sat down on the couch.

"They're at work." Marcy said as she kissed him on the top of the head. She reached over to grab their copy of The Halfling before hesitating. She saw the two newt stuffed animals laying beside it. She picked them up instead. "Did I tell you about the time I went to another world?"