The months passed somewhat slowly. Everything seemed to be going somewhat well up until this point. Christine had awoken that morning feeling like death warmed over.
She rested a slender hand on her rounded stomach. It had definitely become as big as she'd expected - if not bigger. This usually didn't bother her.
But this morning? Just the prospect of getting out of bed made her feel more than a little weary.
She stroked it lightly, murmuring nonsense to her bump as she braced herself for it. The only comfort that she had in this situation was the fact that Erik had begun to take more time off work for her.
She wasn't entirely sure she'd be able to manage if she didn't vaguely hear him messing around in the kitchen. She'd probably just lay in bed all day and suffer.
Christine sighed shakily and slowly pushed herself up, cringing when she felt the almost immediate dizziness. She took a few deep breaths before continuing.
She just needed to get to Erik. That was all. He would be able to help her. Even if that meant just bundling her up and taking her to the hospital.
Which with the way she happened to be feeling, that was the only logical next step. She didn't want to lose her babies due to laziness or stupidity.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and carefully stood, cradling her belly more properly now. She headed out of the room, moving slowly.
Perhaps it felt like she was moving more slowly than she actually was to her sluggish brain. Her free hand braced herself against the wall as she continued, just to ensure she didn't tumble.
Relief began to build up in her when she finally reached the kitchen, leaning heavily against the doorframe.
"Erik.. somethin's wrong..." Christine mewled weakly, bottom lip wobbling.
There was a low curse as the man in question threw the spatula down, turning on heel to face her. His eyes seemed to soften further when really took her in.
Erik closed the distance between them within seconds, long fingered hands cupping her cheeks.
Christine closed her eyes and leaned into them with another low whine. His hands were almost always cool to the touch - but it felt even better right now. It was like a balm to her heated cheeks.
"Shit, darling. Shit. Let me turn the stove off and then I'll take you to the hospital." Erik finally spoke, his tone more worried than she expected.
It did nothing to calm her nerves. She felt tears spring to her eyes as her bottom lip wobbled. She simply nodded, unable to find her voice again.
He did just that before carefully guiding her to the couch. He helped her put her shoes on and grabbed a fluffy blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders instead of a coat.
There was a brief moment where he had to slow down long enough to put his own shoes on and get the car keys. It felt like it had taken a century but in the back of her mind she knew it hadn't.
She tried to stand up but Erik stopped her, scooping her up in his arms instead. Under any other circumstances, she would've complained about the babying.
But this morning? She didn't. She simply clung onto him and nuzzled her face into the side of his neck.
The car ride was nothing more than a blur to her. Her mind was preoccupied with other things. More important things. Scary things.
She didn't even realize that they were at the hospital until he guided her inside and a blast of cool air hit her.
The vague smell of disinfectant made her stomach turn and she swallowed thickly. She didn't like that in general but it was worse in this state.
Erik got her checked in and they were forced to wait in the waiting room.
But not for as long as Christine was expecting. Probably because there was hardly anyone else there.
She refused to acknowledge that it might be due to her being high risk and the circumstances that brought her in.
Christine didn't want to acknowledge that she might not be walking back out of the hospital.
She didn't want to acknowledge that they'd most likely admit her for what little remained of her pregnancy.
Because she could easily go into labor early.
It was just too much right now.
Meg felt numb. Absolutely numb. There had been a brief period of happiness when her pregnancy test had turned up positive. But it had faded rather quickly.
Perhaps she should've discussed this sort of thing with Nadir. It would've made this easier to swallow if they hadn't been constantly all over each other.
After all, Nadir had every right to feel somewhat uncomfortable about this sort of thing. She couldn't blame him if he ended up leaving her for a period.
But being alone scared her. She couldn't even rely on Christine because she had to worry about herself and Erik wasn't the most comforting.
Not to people who weren't Christine, at least. That woman truly had that many wrapped around her little finger. She could deny it all she liked but it was the truth.
She shook the thoughts off and tossed the test into the garbage can impulsively. It was followed by the box and buried with as much as she could manage. Without it looking weird, of course.
She didn't even know how to bring this up and so she decided to shove it to the back of her mind. Maybe she could slowly hint at it and go from there.
Maybe she could test the waters in some sort of way. Ask hypothetical questions and all that.
Maybe that would just make it worse. She didn't know.
She just wanted to stop thinking for now and enjoy things before it blew up in her face.