CHAPTER 10

The doctor's expression was grave as she finished Monica's examination, but seeing the worried looks in the young couple's eyes, she smiled, "Okay, so far your baby seems to be fine, but I can't say the same for her momma."

Andrew's grip tightened on the little angel's hand. Though Monica's expression had turned more peaceful with the news of the baby's health, his anxiety was through the roof at the mere thought of anything being seriously wrong with Monica, "What's the matter with her? What do we need to do?"

"Hyperemesis gravidarum," Dr. Matthew's explained as she took a seat on the stool across from her patient, who was now sitting up on the table, "Basically, it is a severe form of morning sickness that affects a very small percentage of women. Though the cause of the disorder is not completely clear, it could simply be elevated hormone levels and left untreated, it can be quite serious…to both mother and baby."

Monica shot a frightened glance at Andrew as her free hand rested protectively against her belly, "But the baby is all right?"

"For now and we want to make sure it stays that way. You are severely dehydrated, Monica, simply due to your inability to keep much down. I would like to admit you to County General for the night to get some IV fluids into you. Then we will try an oral medication that will hopefully help settle your stomach. If it works, you will have to stay on it for the duration of your pregnancy."

Though trying to take it all in, Monica's mind had stopped on the name of the hospital, "You…you have to admit me?"

"Just for the night hopefully, for fluids and rest. Your exhaustion is a part of the condition, so resting whenever you can and feel the urge to do so is important,"

Dr. Matthews rose to her feet with a reassuring smile, "Monica, you can get dressed and I'll be back with your paperwork for admittance to County."

As the doctor left the room, Monica's frantic eyes found Andrew's, "Andrew! The hospital? We can't…we don't…"

"Monica, Monica, shhh. It's okay," Opening his wallet, he pulled out an insurance card and winked, despite the concern on his face, "I found it this morning when I was paying for the groceries. It's fine, Angel. He's taking care of us."

Barely able to comprehend it after all of Tess' harsh words, her troubled mind moved to the next problem, "But I have to work tonight. Allie-."

"Hey, hey," Rising from his chair, Andrew rested his hands on either side of her neck, "I've already taken care of that too, okay? Angel, I don't want you focusing on anything more than feeling better right now, all right? Stop worrying about everything else; I have it. I promise. You aren't alone in this anymore."

Emotion lodged in her throat and threatened to choke her, "The hospital…."

"And I'll be right there with you," He understood her so well; she hated all things medical from a patient's perspective. His hand held her cheek, "I owe you an apology."

Her brow furrowed and she shook her head, "An apology? Andrew, you haven't done anything…you've been wonderful!"

"I let Sam and Tess dictate what they thought I should be doing. I should have fought them on it. I never should have allowed them to keep me away from you and that was my fault. I love you and I should have been there. I'm sorry, Angel. I should have been there."

Her smaller hand reached up to cover his, "You're here now and that's what matters."

"Maybe so, but it will take me awhile to forgive myself. You've been sick and I haven't been here," Andrew didn't finish the rest of his thought. The thoughts that said had he not found her, had not gotten her help…he could hardly fathom what could have happened to her and the baby. They were angels and this was unfamiliar territory, and her fatigue from the illness and the pregnancy itself had kept her from thinking straight about what she should be doing to take care of herself.

"I don't want you to feel that way." The little angel frowned as she looked up at him with great concern. It nearly made him chuckle.

"Well, I can make up for it now," He replied easily, putting his own guilt aside in order to erase the worry on her face, "C'mon and get dressed. I'll help you." Her exhaustion was still so evident and he was looking forward to some IV protein putting some color back into her cheeks. She even swayed slightly as he helped her down from the table and he said a silent prayer that the medication they would try with her would allow her feel more like herself sooner rather than later.

By the next afternoon, things were quite improved much to Andrew's relief. The night in the hospital had Monica looking more like herself; her face was not nearly as drawn and the dark circles beneath her eyes were not as prominent. She even managed to keep down some soup once they arrived home at the little apartment under his watchful eyes.

"It was very nice of Allie to give me last night off work," Monica leaned back on the sofa, feeling a wave of happiness at the feeling of his arms instantly wrapping around her, "but I'm sure she will need me tonight."

"Well, she can't have you," Andrew replied evenly, "A hot kitchen is no place for you to be in your condition, Angel."

Turning in his embrace to look up at him, her dark eyes flashed with a combination of worry and complete stubbornness, "Andrew, it's my job. She's letting me…letting US stay here…"

"It's not your job anymore," His voice and expression were perfectly calm, but seeing her eyes narrow in challenge, he grinned, "It's my job now, Monica. Allie and I had a long talk yesterday and I will be the dish washer at the diner; not you," His finger traced along her jaw, "I want you taking care of yourself and our baby."

If he had expected her to be thrilled at this arrangement with Allie, he was sorely disappointed when he saw distress in her dark eyes instead, "Monica?"

"So, I'll stay here?" She asked slowly.

"You need to be resting, Angel. This pregnancy is a difficult one and we have to be careful. I don't want anything to jeopardize you or the baby." She looked away, fighting tears and Andrew's heart lurched at the suddenly ashen tone of her skin, "Monica?"

She looked up into his eyes and struggled to keep the tremor from her voice, "How will I know? How will I know if Sam comes to take you away again? When you don't come home? I don't think I can stand it, Andrew…sitting here all evening worrying if you're coming back…"

"Oh Angel," He had never considered it from her point of view; had not considered her greatest fears.

She drew in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, "I would never be presumptuous enough to think that this…you and me…that this is going to last. That they are going to let it last. I know that you believe the Father is providing for us and it seems He is, but Tess and Sam? If they find us, they won't allow us to stay this way and it doesn't matter how much you want to stay with me; you can't deny your true nature…our true nature." Her fingers reached up to comb through his blonde locks, "But if they come for you, I want to be there to be heard too. Even if we don't win the argument, I have to try to make them listen. My form is completely human right now…this baby is a human condition, but you…"

"But I…will be right beside you. I told you, Angel Girl, I am finished doing what they tell me to do."

"Andrew, you can't jeopardize your status as an angel because of me…" Monica was shaking her head, barely able to conceive what he was considering.

"Now wait a minute," He was frowning and his eyes were stern, "' because of you'? You're making this sound as if this whole thing is your fault. As if your angelic status matters less than mine and none of that is true."

"I instigated things that night," she replied softly, "I'm the one who is pregnant and human, unable to go back to my angelic status right now. You have options. You have a choice and you don't need to be in any more trouble because of…this mess. If they come for you, you need to go."

Though deep in his heart, Andrew knew she was trying to protect him, it also felt like it was a swift kick in the gut. Releasing her, he rose to his feet and ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "No. I don't."

Monica flinched at the chilly tone of his voice. She hadn't meant to upset him; she just wanted him to think clearly before he made any rash decisions, "Andrew, please, just listen…"

"No. I think you need to listen this time," He interrupted her as he paced through the small apartment, "You need to stop doubting me, Monica. Ever since I got here you have said a few things I just had trouble understanding: whether or not I was happy about the baby, now acting as if my status is more important than yours. Why would you think that your part in all this is not the greatest part of the plan? Has the Father not provided for you through all of this? Bringing Allie to you, a place to stay, leading me to you? Monica, if He hadn't wanted me to find you, if He had wanted to banish you, I wouldn't be here now. Don't you see that?" Looking at her, Andrew saw the great shame that filled her eyes as she lowered her head. Moving to her slowly, he knelt in front of her and with tender fingers, he lifted her chin, "An angel has never been with child, but YOU are, Angel. You have a new life growing within you as a result of our love. A mess? How can this baby be anything other than a precious gift? And I am every bit a part of this. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you and my place is by your side; if it weren't I wouldn't have been permitted to find you in the first place."

A teary smile crossed her lips, "I'm sorry. It's just…"

"It's just that you have been on your own with this for far too long, Monica, but that time is over. I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere. You have my word."

"I don't mean to doubt you…It's not even you I doubt." A quiet sigh and she looked into his eyes, "It's just all so overwhelming. The past eight months have felt surreal. Not being with you for most of it. I felt as if I were barely surviving. There was no one to even talk to about how I was feeling without you, other than Raphael and Adam once or twice. I shouldn't complain; I know you were going through the same things.

"Perhaps, but you are the one who most needs to voice her feelings," A tender smile crossed his face as he enveloped her into his arms, "Just one of your many charms."

"Do you have any idea how happy I am you are here with me?" Monica whispered as her head rested on his shoulder.

"I do because I am equally happy to be here. And I know you haven't been feeling well but I hope you can find some joy in this life growing inside of you; our little baby."

Suddenly in that moment, with his arms around her and her nausea temporarily subsided, a tentative smile burst across her face as she closed her eyes and held onto him more tightly, "Our little baby."