Jack was awakened by the sound of his cell phone going off. He carefully moved his arms from around Elizabeth to check his phone because he didn't want to wake her up. He had heard her coughing a couple times since they went to sleep. He was a little concerned she may be getting sick. He watched her for a minute to see if she would wake up but she didn't. He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed his phone. It was 4:30 am. The message was from Mountie Training School. The storm had gotten worse and had stalled over Toronto. Training was cancelled until after Christmas. He smiled to himself as he put the phone down. He would be able to spend a lot of time with his beautiful wife. If she was getting sick, he could take care of her. He got settled in bed and put his arm back around Elizabeth. He fell asleep right away.

A couple of hours later, Elizabeth woke up coughing. Her nose felt stuffy and her sinuses and throat hurt. She sat up in bed, wanting to go get a glass of water but as she tried to stand up, she felt dizzy and fell back down on the bed, landing on Jack. He let out a startled noise, not sure what was going on.

"Elizabeth? Are you ok?" Jack reached over to turn on the light.

"No I'm not, Jack. I think I am catching what a lot of the children at school have. I'm sure you have heard me coughing." He nodded. "Now my throat and sinuses hurt and I am getting a stuffy nose. I wanted to get myself some water but I felt dizzy when I tried to stand up."

"Let me help you get settled back in bed, then I will get your water." Once he had helped sit up against headboard, he brought his hand to her forehead. "Your forehead is warm, Sweetheart." He told her with a look of worry in his eyes.

"I figured. I am feeling a little chilled."

Jack got up and walked over to her side of the bed. He tucked the blankets tighter around her, then went to get her some water. He was so grateful that he didn't have to go to work. "Here's your water." He handed her the glass. "By the way, I don't have to go to work until after Christmas."

"The storm is that bad?" She asked, her voice cracking.

"The storm intensified and has stalled over the city. They don't think the storm will end for a couple of days and then the cleanup begins."

"So we get to spend some quality time together." She said before coughing again. "Too bad I am getting sick."

"I am here to take care of you, Sweetheart. Anything you need just ask me. There is a small grocery store that sells some over the counter medications two doors down from here. I can go pick up some medicine for you, if you need anything."

"That's nice of you Jack, but I don't think there is anything I can take, since I am pregnant. A lot of medications can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy, especially in the early months."

"We can't have that."

"If this cold gets really bad I can call my OB/GYN and see if she has any suggestions. I think I should be ok though, as long as I get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. I can also take one Tylenol to help the fever."

"Sounds like a good plan and I will do anything to make sure you feel better."

"I know you will and I appreciate that so much." She leaned over to give a kiss on his cheek.

"We should try to get some more sleep, especially you." He slid back down on the bed and patted his chest as an invitation for her to rest her head there. She complied and soon she was asleep. Jack stayed awake for some time, listening to her breathing. She sounded like she was getting more congested. He was finding himself getting more worried about her. Eventually he drifted off to sleep but he kept one ear awake in case she needed him.

A little later, Elizabeth woke up again, coughing and sneezing. Jack noticed her trying to sit up and immediately helped her. Then he got out of bed to get her a box of tissues.

"Thank you, Honey." She said hoarsely. She winced as she blew her nose. "Ouch, these tissues feel like cardboard." She felt Jack move and looked over to see him putting on some sweatpants and a shirt. "Jack, what are you doing?"

"I am going to the store and get you some softer tissues."

"Jack that is so sweet of you but you don't have to do that. I can deal with these tissues. Besides, are you sure the store is open, with this storm?"

"The owner lives in an apartment above the store. He usually opens no matter the weather." Jack said as he sat down on the bed to put on some boots. "Now, no more arguments about me going to the store. I want to help you feel better. There is no need in making your nose sore any sooner than necessary. Is there anything else I can get you while I am there? I know you said cold medicine is out but how about cough drops? Or orange juice?"

"Orange juice would be great. Maybe some chicken soup in case we can't get any from the restaurant. I would also like some mint tea."

"I already got the tea for you but I will get the rest of things you said you would like." He finished putting on his boots and came back to the bed to kiss her. "Stay in bed while I am gone. Try to keep warm."

"I will. Be careful out there."

"You know I will." With a final kiss, he hurried out of their room. Elizabeth laid back down and said a quick prayer that her illness wouldn't get too bad. Then she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep. She rested for a while before she began to feel nauseous. She slowly pulled herself up and reached over for the bag of Cheerios she had packed to help with the morning sickness. She didn't think she was nauseous from that though; she felt it was because of the cold she was getting. Unfortunately, the dry cereal was helping her upset tummy. She quickly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, ignoring the dizziness she was feeling. She dropped down on her knees in from of the toilet and vomited. When she finished, she felt so weak and dizzy; trying to stand up only made her feel more nauseous.

A short time later, Jack returned from the store. As he thought, the store was open and he was the only one shopping. He picked up the things they had discussed and also bought a bouquet of festive looking flowers. He hoped it would cheer her up. He walked into their bedroom and was surprised to not see her in bed. "Elizabeth?" He called. He heard a noise in the bathroom and rushed in to find Elizabeth throwing up. He crouched down beside her, pulled her hair away from her face and rubbed her back. When she finished, he sat down on the floor and pulled her into his arms. She was shaking so he rubbed his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her.

Elizabeth snuggled closer to Jack, letting his body warm her up. "Thank you, Jack." She whispered. She slowly moved her head so she could give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Morning sickness?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. Maybe. I tried to eat the Cheerios I brought but it didn't work. I have been in here for a quite a while. Every time I tried to get up, I would feel weak and dizzy and then my stomach would revolt again."

"Let me help you back to bed. Then I can make you some mint tea and toast if you feel up to eating."

"Yes, I would like to try to eat something."

Jack slowly helped her stand up. She waivered a bit on her feet as she felt another wave of dizziness hit her. Jack steadied her and put his arm firmly around her waist. They slowly made their way back to the bedroom. Once she was settled in bed, sitting up with her back against the headboard, Jack sat down next to her. He reached a hand out to her cheek and caressed it. She looked pale and her eyes were glassy. "How are you feeling now?"

"A little better, especially now that you are back." She gave him a weak smile.

"I'm glad. You have me worried. Promise me you will let me know if you feel any worse. Don't keep it to yourself."

"I promise." She said.

"Good. Do you want tea and toast now?"

"Yes I would, please."

"I picked up a thermometer when I was at the store. Let me take your temperature first before I go to the kitchen." He got up and went to get the bag he brought into the room along with her flowers. "I bought these for you, hoping they might cheer you up." He handed her the bouquet.

"Oh, Jack! There're beautiful. Thank you." She buried her face in the blooms. "I can still smell them!"

Jack smiled as he took the thermometer out of its packaging. "That's good to hear." He handed her the thermometer and watched her put it under her tongue. When it beeped, she glanced at it. "100.5" She told Jack.

"Not too bad. You should stay in bed today, get some rest and keep warm. You don't have to sleep unless you want to. We can watch some more Christmas specials or I can get us some DVD's to watch."

"That sounds heavenly. I will love to cuddle with you today." She took his hand in hers. "When I was little I used to love to be cuddled when I was sick. When I was in my teens, I hated it. I just wanted to be left alone. Since I fell in love with you, I want to be in your arms because you make me feel better."

Jack pulled her closer to him and gave her a kiss. "I'm glad I can make you feel better. I hate seeing you sick so if I can do something, anything to help you feel better, I'm glad to do it." He gave her one last kiss, then left to make her toast.

Elizabeth put her head back against the headboard and closed her eyes. As much as she hated the fact she was getting sick, she was happy that she was with Jack. She would be spending time with him and would let him pamper her like she knew he wanted to. He had mentioned it a couple of times since she told him she was pregnant. She knew she made the right choice because if she was home, she would be miserable and lonely. Just then, she heard Jack coming back in the bedroom. She opened her eyes and gave him a smile. He put her tea down on the nightstand and handed her a plate with her toast. "Thank you again, Jack."

"Anything for you, Sweetheart." He got up to change and then he climbed back into bed with her. He put his arm around her, helping to keep her warm while she nibbled on her toast.

Elizabeth finished eating and placed the plate on her nightstand. She drank some tea, then snuggled into Jack's warm and comforting embrace. Jack kiss her head, then ran his fingers though her soft hair. "Jack? I'm not sleepy right now. Could we see what's on TV?"

"Of course. We can do anything you want. I am just happy you are here with me." He reached over to grab the remote and turned on the TV. He found the channel they were watching the night before and there was a commercial on telling them what programs they were showing that day.

"Look, Jack! They are showing some of the Christmas animated specials I loved to watch as a child."

"I did too. Want to watch them again?"

Elizabeth giggled. "I would love too. I never get tired of watching them. Besides we will be watching them again in a couple of years with our baby."

Jack grinned. "Yes we will so we have to make sure the specials are appropriate for our child." They looked at each and burst out laughing. "Come here, Sweetheart." Jack gently pulled her closer to him. She laid her head on his chest. He continued to stroke her soft hair; he loved running his fingers through her hair, taking in the vanilla scent of her shampoo. He smiled when Elizabeth let out a soft moan, clearing enjoying what he was doing.

After they finished watching the first program, Elizabeth sat up slightly in bed and looked at Jack. "I'm getting hungry. Could we order room service for breakfast?"

"Of course we can. I'm glad you are feeling better and want something to eat. I will go get the menu." He kissed her, then ran to the other room for the menu. He was back in less than a minute, jumping into bed and pulling her towards him. "I bet eggs are out, in case this is morning sickness."

"You're right. I don't want to take any chances with eggs. I was thinking maybe pancakes but the order comes with three. I don't think I can eat that much."

"I have an idea. How about we share the pancakes and also order the breakfast bread basket sampler. That way if you get full from the pancakes but want a snack later, you could have a muffin or a bagel."

"That's great idea. Could you also order the fruit plate? I like eating some fruit in the morning with breakfast."

"Of course I can." He said then picked up the phone and called room service. He put in their order and also asked for a carafe of hot water for her tea as well as one with coffee. "Food should be here soon. We can have breakfast in bed."

"I'd like that very much. I don't feel much like getting out of bed unless I have to." She laid her head back on his chest and they continued to watch TV. The next program was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

"This was one of my absolute favorites as a child." Jack told her. "I love the song." He started singing along with the show.

She listened to him sing, in his rich voice she loved so much. She could imagine him singing to their baby. "I like this one too, but my favorite is Rudolph, followed by the one with the mice based on the poem T'was the Night Before Christmas. I also like Frosty."

"Me too. I don't think I have seen the one with the mice."

"Maybe it will be on later. Or I could try to find it on the internet." She was about to say something else when they heard a knock on the door. "That must be our food."

"I will be right back, Sweetheart." Jack quickly went to the living room and opened the door. He returned a couple of minutes later with the tray. "I am going to get us an extra plate and a tea for you. Then we can eat."

"Could you please bring me some orange juice?"

"Of course I will." He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek then left the room.

Elizabeth took the plastic covering off her fruit plate and grabbed a piece of melon. It tasted so good. Jack entered the room as she was taking a bite of a strawberry. Her eyes were closed as she savored the flavor. When she opened her eyes again, Jack was grinning at her. "I was so hungry I decided to start without you." She returned the grin.

"That's quite alright, Sweetheart. Like I said earlier, I am just happy you are hungry. Both you and our baby need to eat." He got back into bed and removed the cover on the pancakes. He put one on a separate plate and handed it to Elizabeth. "Do you want me to cut a second one so you can have half?"

"Thank you, but no. I want to eat this one first along with some more of my fruit and then see if I am still hungry."

"OK." They ate in silence while watching another Christmas special. Elizabeth ended up being full after the one pancake and fruit, so Jack ate the remaining two. When he was done, he brought the tray back out to the living room but left the bread basket in the bedroom in case they got hungry later. He got back into bed and held Elizabeth close. Eventually, she fell asleep in his arms.