CC sat in the office with Maxwell feeling decidedly uneasy. She had a particularly bad morning, having showered and immediately thrown up right afterwards. She nibbled on crackers and sipped on her fourth glass of water of the day, but didn't feel any more improved.
"CC, Fran is coming for lunch if you'd like to invite Niles along." Maxwell said from over his glasses while he looked over the new contracts for their actors.
"Yes, I'll call him." She replied distracted by the swirling in her stomach.
Maxwell looked up and put his pen down, "CC, you don't look so good-"
CC immediately turned and vomited into the wastebasket she kept close to her desk. Maxwell got up and left the office to fetch her another glass of water. By the time he returned CC was looking pale, slightly green and sweating profusely.
She stood up to take the glass of water and felt the world pull out from under her.
"CC!" Maxwell cried, as the glass dropped to the floor and shattered she fell gracefully into the crook of his arm. He lowered her into the chair and quickly pressed the call button on CC's phone. The speakerphone came to life and their secretary's voice rang through the office.
"How can I be of assistance, Ms. Bright-"
Maxwell cut her off, "Charlotte, please could you ring an ambulance? CC is unwell and I believe it would be a good idea to get her to hospital as quickly as possible. After you ring them, could you get a hold of Niles and have him meet us there?"
"Certainly, Mr. Sheffield, right away."
Niles was dishing with Fran over the newest soap and a box of mallomars while the twins napped when the Sheffield Babcock secretary called. Fran saw his face morph from relaxed to mortified. He felt his head spin off its axis with worry. Fran put a hand on his arm to reassure him that everything would be okay. She promised to follow him there as soon as Gracie arrived from school to watch the babies.
Niles drove to the hospital in record time and rushed into the ER to the front desk, worry etched deeply into his face, "Yes, my wife, CC Brightmore, was checked into the ER and I'd like to see her, please. She is pregnant."
The nurse looked towards her charts and found CC's room number, "211 down the hall, first door on your right."
Niles walked quickly and pushed open the door to find CC sitting up in bed with IVs attached to her arm. She was awake and looking horrifically pale, but conscious. He made eye contact with her and she registered the look of concern on his face.
"Niles.."
He moved to the side of her bed, where Maxwell was awkwardly standing. "I'll just let you to have some privacy," Maxwell said, not giving Niles a chance to respond. He was too busy looking over every inch of CC to make sure she was okay anyhow.
"Oh my love, are you okay? I was worried sick driving over." Niles felt her hand to make sure she was really warm and safe.
"I'm fine, Niles, I just got too dehydrated and my damn blood sugar dropped too low. Poor Maxwell probably didn't know what to do with me." She laughed nervously, "I am so sorry I worried you. I'm feeling better, I hope they let me the hell out of here soon."
Niles looked up at her IV bag and to the heart monitor on her left, "CC this is exactly where you need to be right now. I'm so glad Maxwell had the wits to call an ambulance. I can't stand to think what might've happened if you had been alone."
"Don't worry Butler Boy, I'm perfectly fine, and so is your hell spawn." She smiled squeezing his hand in reassurance. "The doctor was in about twenty minutes ago and did an ultrasound to make sure that everything as okay."
"You saw the baby?" He asked, hating that he missed anything.
CC nodded, "And saw and heard his or her heartbeat, it was strong the doctor said."
Niles put his head down, trying to reign in his emotions. When had he become such a ball of hysterics? "Since I finally had something worth living and fighting for." He thought to himself.
CC's OB/gyn came in an hour later with her chart, "Hello, CC. So sorry you are still so ill. I've come to the conclusion that you must be suffering from preeclampsia. It isn't anything to be too worried about, many first time mothers experience it. What it means, however, is that we need to increase the monitoring of your food and fluid intake. I'd like to see you on a weekly basis until we can get your ketones and hydration levels back up to speed. Your blood pressure was off the charts when the EMT picked you up, so it is important that you are constantly checking your stress levels and work load amount. I know you are a busy woman but your health should come first. I also think it is a wise idea to keep you here a few days. After you go home, I'd like you to remain on bed rest for at least a week. From what your husband said at your first appointment, you're a sitcom producer? Must keep you busy..."
CC glared jokingly at Niles, "Yes, well, Merry maid doesn't know what a real day of work looks like." The doctor looked at her confused, and then decided to dismiss her comment.
"I will be checking back in tomorrow to see your progress, but it looks like your vitals are already much improved." She smiled at the couple and nodded her head before leaving the room.
Niles looked at her disdainfully, "Did you hear what she said, Babcock? She said you need to take it easy. No work, no Maxwell, no series for a WEEK."
CC rolled her eyes. "Niles, come on. You know how much work we have to do. I'm sure the doctor won't mind if I do some work from our bedroom. I can still make calls and fill out paperwork and stay in bed. I'll just need to set up a constant courier between home and the office. I'm sure Maxwell won't mind." He could already see the wheels turning in her head trying to figure out how to make a home office work.
Niles frowned, "CC I love you, and I love your work ethic, but this is our baby we are talking about. You must learn to take it easy from here on out."
CC sighed, not willing to argue any longer with her stubborn husband. She stayed at the hospital for another two days, and went home with vows from Niles promising to take care of her.