"CC, bathroom to the left in the master on the right." He followed her quickly there and watched as she threw the toilet seat up and lurched over it. He knelt down beside her, rubbing her back in slow circles as she continued to be sick. "Maybe we should pay a visit to the new OB/gyn, CC. This morning sickness is getting out of control- morning, noon and night? It seems excessive."
She made a sound that told him he didn't have to tell her twice. After she felt some relief from her insides, she flushed the toilet and leaned over the sink to wash out her mouth. Niles reached into the bathroom drawers he had already had stocked and handed her a toothbrush and toothpaste.
"So I take it dis is our bedwoom and baffwoom suite?" She asked through a mouth of paste lather.
Niles chuckled, "Yes, and what a wonderful introduction you've had."
CC spit, rinsed, and wandered out into the large bedroom, which already housed a large four-poster king bed with white linen bed clothing and large European pillows. "This is lovely, Niles. You couldn't have picked more perfect pieces to furnish the place."
"Well I did have your bank account."
CC smiled, she knew that just as much had come out of his personal savings as it had out of her very large bank account.
The next few weeks went by in a blur with production starting on Sheffield Babcock's new series. CC continued to suffer from sickness, and Niles finally convinced her a trip to the OB was necessary.
"CC your pregnancy is right on schedule, since you've just passed your first trimester I hope that these bouts of morning sickness will stop. However, it is important to keep yourself hydrated and well fed. Any major fluctuations in your fluid intake could affect the pregnancy."
CC looked to Niles who gazed decidedly worried back.
"Doctor, should we be worried?" Niles asked anxiously.
The doctor looked at CC's chart again with a slight grimace on her face. "According to the records CC's doctor from New York sent over, she has lost fifteen to twenty pounds. This isn't totally unheard of, especially with mothers who suffer heavily from morning sickness in their first trimester. We'll just want to keep an eye on any further weight loss. Do you keep a scale at home?"
Niles nodded and looked worriedly to CC, who sat silently in the chair next to him. He had never imagined at this point she would still be so sick. However, she was up even at night and often had trouble keeping small amounts of food and water down.
"Just be sure you're drinking about 16 glasses of water a day to replenish any that might be lost when you're sick. Come back if you start feeling any worse." The doctor explained carefully, making notes on CC's chart.
Niles shook his head frantically, obviously taking mental notes to keep a closer eye on CC's diet.
Two weeks had passed since the doctors appointment in LA, and since then CC continued to slowly deteriorate. Even Maxwell saw the impact on her at work.
"CC, maybe you should think about taking a few days off to recoup," Max asked cautiously.
CC sighed, "Maxwell, I really don't see the point if I'm gonna be throwing up anyway!" She said exasperatedly.
She arrived back home later that night to Niles in the kitchen preparing a chicken casserole. "Hiya, baby." She tossed at him putting her chin on his shoulder to peer into the boiler.
"Hi darling, how was work- have you been sick today?"
CC rolled her eyes. Did it always have to be about whether she'd lost her lunch or not? She was excited for this baby, but she had started to see the strain that it put on her relationship with Niles; he didn't seem interested in her anymore. She sighed and turned around to walk back into her bedroom.
Niles sensed something was wrong and turned around lightly grabbing her arm, "Hey, I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you asking about your delicate condition. I just wanted to know if you'd be up for a full meal tonight."
CC was fed up. His statement was sweet, but still didn't make her feel like he desired her anymore.
"No it's fine, I'm used to it. Diet this, diet that. Whatever, Niles. I'm going to change." She threw her briefcase on one of the empty chairs in the dining room and before she could turn around to head upstairs Niles was in front of her.
"My love, do you have any idea what you mean to me? Have you forgotten that you are the most precious thing in my life?" He put a hand up to cup her cheek and looked into her eyes to see if any of what he was saying was registering.
CC felt her heart soften. "Yes, Niles, I know, I love you too. I'm sorry I've been such a grouch lately." She put her head on his shoulder and felt his lips on the side of her neck. She raised her face to meet his before kissing him lightly on the lips. It was the first time in weeks that she felt they'd been so spontaneous. At three and a half months pregnant all she seemed to be able to do when she arrived home was sleep.
"I love you." She whispered again, deepening the kiss and reaching her arms up to circle around his neck as she lightly played with the soft curls of his hair there.
He felt down to the small of her back, pulling her closer, "I love you too, baby."
They continued kissing, and Niles walked them the few feet into the living room and lightly pushed her onto the large couch. He felt down her sides and she responded to his touch. "I've missed this part of us." She said in between kisses.
"I have, too."
An hour later they found themselves wrapped together in a throw blanket on the couch, lightly running their fingers over the other's skin. Niles touched her belly, and for the first time he noticing the firm roundness there.
He smiled softly to himself, laying his hand flat over the bump, "You're starting to show. Not much, but it's there."
CC smiled, "It, Niles? Don't you think 'it' at least deserves a nickname?" She chastised him lightly, "The baby looked like a bean on the ultrasound in New York."
He chuckled lightly at the name, "Bean it is, then. I better go check on the casserole. It probably should have come out of the oven five minutes ago." He got up from under her and she enjoyed the few as he walked away from her nude.
Many thanks to those who responded to chapter 1! Please read and review, as it fuels the writer's pen!
AG