After a while of happy family time, Preston took charge and arranged a schedule of who would stay with me when and also who would take care of Lexine. We decided that when her school day today was complete, she would be brought over to see me for herself before one of them took her home.

Of course, Jake was staying with me first so that he could finish wrapping his head around the idea that he was going to be a father. Of course they all would be the baby's father too, with Jake being the biological one. He couldn't keep his hands off my stomach. Finally I scooted over to my left and had him lay on the bed with me. "If you are six weeks along, that means..." his voice trailed off. "It was the very first time." I said to him. Jake's grin became even wider, "Didn't take much for a stud like me to knock you up."  I swatted his arm lightly while I chuckled.

It was so comfortable laying there with him that I fell asleep with my head on his shoulder and his arms around me. I woke up feeling overly warm and Chase had the nurse take my temperature again. It was 100.5 this time and he recommended that Jake give me cool compresses to bring my temperature down. Jake was totally sweet about it and did his best. It worked and my fever lessened. The next thing I knew, Lexine was there to visit for a few minutes. I didn't give her a hug or kiss and pass the germs on to her. Brady had picked her up and Jake was going to take her home.

I explained to Lexine that I was sick with the flu and that I would be able to come home probably tomorrow. I had decided to tell her about the baby later when I was better and all the guys could be there for it. I had told Jake about my plan. He agreed and promptly texted the others to keep it quiet until then. It took most of my energy to smile and show Lexine that I was going to be ok and I was exhausted by the time Jake took her home. Brady continued to give me cold compresses and I lay back as Chase was explaining to Brady that I would be needing more sleep than I usually did. "It's a lot of work creating an entire human being inside of you. After Delphine is back home and feeling better, let's have a family meeting so that I can explain the changes that will be coming with a pregnancy." Chase turned to me, "Of course you already know all of that having been through it before."  

I smiled at him and nodded sleepily. He smiled back and traced my cheek with his fingertips, "I will be back later to check on you. If you feel up to it, I'd like you to try some clear liquids tonight." Brady pulled his chair up closer to the bed and leaned over to kiss my forehead, "My poor buttercup. I wish that I was sick instead of you." I patted his cheek and said, "Thank you Brady." I fell asleep again and woke up by an orderly delivering a tray of clear liquids to me. Brady was gone but Preston was there for me. There was apple juice, a cup of chicken broth and tiny can of lemon lime soda. I sniffed the juice to see if my stomach would behave.

Preston put a straw in the cup for me. I tried a sip and waited to see how it felt. It stayed down so I took another sip. Just to be on the safe side, I gave myself a break. I asked Preston to tell me a funny story of when he and the guys were younger. He proceeded to tell me about the time when they were teenagers, they all got drunk to see what it was like. To teach them a lesson, Mavis and Phil waited until they had passed out and dressed them like girls with full makeup on. "So when we woke up and saw each other, we were horrified and alternately laughing at what the other person looked like. Brady looked the most ridiculous. Phil had managed to put a big baggy granny dress on him, stuffed a pillow in his chest area and Mavis powdered his hair white. The best part was the granny glasses. They were the crowning touch!" I managed a giggle and looked up to see Chase watching and listening from the doorway.

He entered the room and came over to sit on the edge of my bed. "He didn't tell you the worst part sweetheart. My wonderful aunt used an all day lipstick on us and it took over a day for it to come off our lips." My eyes widened and I looked at Preston for confirmation. He nodded ruefully and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. Chase smiled big and said, "Oh, someone sounds better!" Preston spoke up, "She managed a couple sips of juice."

"Good girl! Keep trying drink as much as you can." Chase tilted his head as he looked at me thinking. "I'll be right back with something." He left the room in a hurry. I looked at Preston, "So what color was the lipstick?" He shook his head and said, "Bright pink." I laughed thinking about all of them with bright pink lips. Chase came back in with plastic cup that had two wooden sticks poking out of the top. He pulled them out to reveal a popsicle. The kind that you can split apart and share with someone. Before taking off the wrapper, he split the two halves apart. Handing me one half, I sniffed. It was yellow and I expected to smell lemon but I didn't. To my surprise it was banana. I gave it a cautious lick and it tasted good. Chase started to eat the other half.

"Sorry there isn't another half for you Preston but you don't like banana." Chase said to Preston. Preston just gave him a dirty look, "You know that I do like banana Chase." I gave him a pitying glance, "I'd share with you but I have germs." Preston gave me a kiss on the cheek, "I know my dear. At least I can depend on one person in this room to think about me."

"I think about you! Consider not getting the popsicle as punishment for making her cry." Chase told him. Preston nodded his head and said, " I do deserve that." I shook my head, "It was a misunderstanding." Preston laid his hand on the top of my head, "You are far too forgiving. No wonder we love you so much." I pulled the popsicle out of my mouth, "I love you too. And I'm loving this popsicle right now."

Chase scanned my forehead, "Well, it looks like your temperature is back down. If this stays down you can have another one and in the morning we can try some toast and juice. If that stays down you can go home by lunchtime tomorrow." I smiled as I finished my popsicle and he threw it away for me. "Can I go to the bathroom please?" Preston unplugged the IV machine for me and Chase made sure that I was steady on my feet before walking with me across the room. Preston pushed the IV machine. They waited outside the door for me and walked me back to bed.

"Is someone staying here with me overnight?" I wondered.

"Yes, I am. After all I can't leave my favorite patients." Chase said.

I was puzzled for a second, "You have another patient in the hospital?"

Chase laughed, "Yes, silly. Right here, patient number one." he beeped my nose, "and patient number two." pointing to my stomach. I had to laugh too, that one had gone right over my head. "Where are you going to sleep Chase? In your office?"

"The couch over there pulls out into a bed." Preston told me. I put my hand on his, "You should probably go home and get some sleep. You look tired." He gave me a loving smile, "I'll spend about half an hour more here before I go home," he paused to pull out his phone and read something, "Wyatt said to tell you that Lexine is fine, she ate dinner and played for a while before getting a bath and going to bed."

"Oh, good. I hope that she sleeps through the night without me."

"If she doesn't, we can handle it." Preston said confidently. I relaxed, they really could handle it. I asked for another popsicle and Chase went to get it. When he came back, I split it with Preston this time. After we finished, it was about time for Preston to go home. He kissed me on the forehead before he left. I felt a little sad that I wasn't at home with the rest of them but at least I had Chase with me. I scooted over and he sat next to me while we watched tv until I fell asleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up and Chase was asleep in the pull out. I needed to go to the bathroom again so quietly, I  tried to unplug the IV by myself. Unfortunately I wasn't quiet enough and Chase woke up.

"What do you need sweetie?" he asked me.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ok, lets get you there."

I used the bathroom and he helped me get back into bed. His hair was mussed and his clothes were rumpled but he still looked so handsome to me with his green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. "Chase?"
"Yes, sweetie?"                                                                                                                                                                                "I love you so much."                                                                                                                                                                    "I love you too."

I was woken up in the morning by a nurse taking my vitals. Chase was out of the room and the pullout bed put away. She smiled at me and got me to the bathroom once she was done. In there, I brushed my teeth and put some deodorant on. I hadn't showered and I hoped that I didn't smell bad. When I came out, Chase was waiting for me. "Good morning sweetie. How are you feeling now?"

"I feel better."

"Good, if we keep this up you can go home at lunch." he said smiling happily. Breakfast was just toast and glass of juice which I successfully kept down. I did feel slightly queasy afterwards but the feeling passed when I drank some soda. I was so excited about the thought of going home. I missed the rest of the guys. Chase called a nurse over to get the IV out of my hand, "I think that you are hydrated enough now. Are you feeling any nausea?" he asked me as the nurse skillfully pulled the IV tube out and placed a cotton ball and bandage in place before leaving with a smile.

I admitted that I felt some after eating breakfast but that it had passed. "Let's try keeping just a tiny bit of something in your stomach. That should help with the morning sickness. How long did you have it for when you were pregnant with Lexine?" I thought back for a few seconds, "I think that the morning sickness was done by the end of the fourth month."

Chase nodded, "We should expect around the same then for this one. Wyatt is on his way here and will probably be able to take you home later. If you can I'd like for you to continue to sip liquids so that you stay hydrated." I nodded and agreed to do that. "Alright then sweetie, I'm off to do my normal shift and I'll come see you at lunch before I discharge you." He kissed the top of my head and left the room.