After their first night together, Erin had found herself being wooed by David, being brought effusive bouquets and boxes of chocolates, and other things to tempt her and make it more overt that they were a couple. Aaron had seen her receive a few of those gifts over the last two weeks, and every time their eyes met, he would give her a cold look, as if he couldn't believe that they were really a couple, despite all the outward appearances.

Still, Helen had been quietly encouraging her, asking about how her pregnancy was doing, and if she was settling into a good rhythm with David, now that they could be more open about their relationship. It was good to have her presence, and Erin made note to see about arranging her a larger than normal pay raise when her yearly evaluation was completed. "Oh, good, you're here, Erin."

She cocked her head to one side as she looked at her assistant. There was an excited gleam in her eyes, and that told Erin there was something more at play then just a normal gift from David, though his gifts had been anything but normal at this point. "What has he given me this time?" she asked as she beckoned for Helen to follow her into her inner office. Erin's eyes widened to see the latest bouquet on her desk, as it was an effusive mix of brightly colored lilies and baby's breath. "This is gorgeous."

"And that's not all. I had to sign for this, and I'd like it to get to you before I misplace it somehow."

That was the moment Erin noticed her assistant was holding a thick box out towards her, and she picked it up before giving her a questioning look. "What's this?"

"I'm assuming it's jewelry of some sort, maybe a bracelet? It's much too large to be a ring."

She nodded a little as she pried the lid off the box, a tiny gasp escaping her lips when she saw the bracelet that was resting on a bed of crushed purple velvet. "This is so gorgeous," she murmured. "But there's no way that I can wear this at work. It's so large."

"And it looks handmade, too. Oh, put it on, Erin, and let's see how it looks on your wrist!"

Erin chuckled as she picked up the wide bracelet. "I don't think that I can close the clasp. Would you do the honors?" She held the bracelet out with her left hand, and Helen nodded as she hurriedly closed it around her wrist. "David certainly has excellent taste. I'm going to have to build an outfit around this, in order to show it off," she said as she ran her thumb over the body of the unicorn, a small smile spreading across her lips at the cool feel of the silver.

"I see he's buying you more unnecessary gifts."

Any pleasure Erin had felt at receiving the bracelet melted away at the sound of derision in Aaron's voice, and she looked up at him as he entered her office, a glower on his face. Helen took a step closer to her desk, and Erin was grateful for the protective move, even if she didn't think it necessarily warranted. "Did you need something, Aaron?" she asked, keeping her voice smooth and controlled.

"I wanted to turn the latest report in with Helen, but she wasn't at her desk. Instead, she's in here, fawning over some ridiculous, over the top, gift that you've managed to sucker out of my best friend. I would not have taken you for a gold digger, Erin, but if the bracelet fits."

His own voice was just as measured as hers, which was somehow worse, and she felt her stomach begin to roil in her effort to control her emotions. "David has been generous to me, yes, but there is no need to be vulgar about things. Yes, he has more money than I do, but I also have three children that I have to look after, and soon will have a fourth."

"That's my baby…"

"No, it is not!" she spat out, her voice louder than she would have liked as she shot to her feet and slammed her hands down on her desktop, glaring at him, even as the edge of the bracelet dug into her skin. Wincing a little, she flared her nostrils to get a few deeper breaths into her lungs, feeling like she was rapidly spinning out of control. The metallic taste of bile began to fill her mouth as their contest of wills dragged on, neither one budging out of their glares, even as Helen reached out to touch her free hand lightly. "I have told you, and I have told the Director, this is David's baby. His name is going to be on the birth certificate. Quit trying to judge me for sleeping with three men in the same small span of time."

Erin tried to draw in a deep breath, only to have it stop far short of a full breath. The blood drained from her face as she weaved on her feet a little, her hands automatically going to cradle her stomach as she fumbled backwards into her chair, very nearly slipping out of it and onto the floor. "Erin? Erin! What's wrong?"

She could vaguely hear Helen's voice, but it sounded like she was a thousand miles away. Turning her head, she looked up into the younger woman's face and shrugged. "I don't know, but there's something wrong with everything. My heart is racing so fast."

Helen took hold of her hand, holding on firmly as she spoke once more. "Why are you just standing there, you imbecile! Call 911! She could be losing the baby!"

Erin knew that she shouldn't be speaking to Aaron in that tone of voice, but couldn't find the energy to reprimand her as she focused on trying to take calming breaths, her free hand absently stroking her stomach. "Helen, someone has to call David. I, I need him here."

"You're going to hospital, and that's that, Erin. He can meet you there as soon as we know which one you're headed to, all right?"

She tried to nod, feeling like her head was much heavier than it should be. In the background, she could hear Aaron talking to someone, and from the bits and pieces of conversation that she could parse, she figured out that he was talking with emergency services, and a little flush of relief spread through her system. "You also need to call Alan. I have the children, and they shouldn't come home from school to a dark house. Who knows how long I'll be kept for observation." There was a weird, thready, tone to her voice, and she knew that that was not a good sign. Gripping Helen's hand a little tighter, she tugged her down closer to her. "Please, Helen. Take care of my children."

"Of course, ma'am," she replied, her face pale from fright and shock. She had never seen her assistant that pale, and her lower lip began to tremble as she came perilously close to crying. "Oh, don't cry, Erin, please. Everything is going to be all right. You just need to focus on your breathing in order to try and lower your blood pressure until the paramedics arrive. Okay? We'll do it together. Just focus on me and how I'm breathing." She tried to nod, watching as dark spots clouded her vision before she completely passed out, slumping back in her chair as she lost all awareness of her surroundings.