Page 15 of Conail (Members From Money Season 2, #150)

By the end of the first trimester, she ended up stuck in bed with feeding tubes.

And the power of an immense amount of money meant she did not have to go to the hospital.

Everything was done at Eleanor's elegant townhouse.

The doctor and nurse came diligently to check on her and limited her visitors to two a day.

"Your blood pressure is getting to be a problem. I have a feeling it has to do with the intense nausea."

"What's the medical term? Hyperemesis gravidarum. See? I managed to say it without twisting my tongue."

Dr. Manning's lips twitched in spite of the gravity of the situation. The woman had a wonderful sense of humor and never complained.

"I would like you to relax, and I mean remain horizontal, flat on your back with your head pillowed by all these wonderful pillows and not think about anything more strenuous than the weather.

" She glanced out the window at the snow coming down.

The weather report had called for a white Christmas, and they had been on the ball for once.

It wasn't the sticking kind, which meant it was not cold enough yet.

She rose and indicated for the nurse to take Yasmine's vital signs.

"I'm going to leave Nurse Williams here to monitor your condition. If there are any changes, I'll be here in a jiffy."

"Thanks, Doc. I guess it's safe to say that my holiday is shot to hell."

"Something like that." Dr. Manning squeezed her hand, indicating that Eleanor should follow her from the room.

"How bad is it?" Eleanor asked as soon as they had descended the stairs and stepped into the white and gold salon.

"As I said, her blood pressure is troubling, but it's steadily going down.

She has the worst case of nausea I have ever encountered and is losing fluid.

" Charlene accepted the cup of coffee gratefully.

"Nurse Williams is not just a nurse, but a midwife as well and is the best. She'll see to it that Yasmine gets some rest."

Eleanor put away her coffee and stared out the window, a frown touching her forehead.

"I never expected it to be so bad. I was sick as a dog when I was carrying Conail, but it only lasted three months, and by the second trimester it disappeared as if by magic. That poor girl." She stared sightlessly out the window.

"Hopefully things will improve by the end of the first trimester." Finishing the coffee, she put the cup away and reached for her coat.

"Thanks for coming out, Charlene." Eleanor forced a smile as she followed her to the door.

"Call me if there are any concerns."

"I will." Shutting the doors behind the woman, Eleanor went to the foot of the stairs and stood there looking up uncertainly.

She had assured Maeve that they had everything under control.

She had even mentioned to her son the gravity of the situation and he had just shrugged fatalistically and responded that it's best if Yasmine miscarried at this early stage.

She had looked at him in despair and anger and stormed out of his office. But she was not giving up. And it was time for him to get personally involved.

*****

"Dr. Manning said I should stay." Nurse Williams stared at the woman in confusion. "Ms. Smith's condition has improved a little, but she still needs monitoring."

"And I appreciate your dedication to the job. I really do." Eleanor was busy hustling the woman out of the suite. "But I am here, and I can do my part. If there's anything amiss, I'll be sure to call."

"Ms. McLaughlin, I know you're paying my salary--"

"And a very generous amount it is." She bundled the woman into her jacket and headed towards the doors.

"Which means, I get to call the shots. I've already gotten the approval from Dr. Manning and the assurance that if anything goes wrong, I'll pick up the phone.

I want Yasmine to have a nice holiday without feeling as if she's hovering at death's door. Enjoy your holiday."

She practically pushed the woman out and locked the doors behind her.

Clapping her hands, she smiled as she contemplated the next phase of her plan.

She and Maeve had discussed this at length.

Yasmine was still feeling poorly, but the tubes that had tied her to the bed had been removed.

She was now able to take in solid food or rather, plain soup and tea.

She had a function to attend and had every intention of being present.

It was the annual charity ball for autistic and Down syndrome children -- one that was near and dear to her heart.

She was not going to miss it. It was time for her son to become personally involved and she was going to see to it that he could not say no to her request.

Eleanor dialed her son's number with a resolved determination. As the ringing continued, she rehearsed her words in her mind. She needed to convey the urgency and importance of the situation without evoking his usual fatalistic attitude.

When he finally answered, she didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"We need to talk," she started, her voice unwavering. "I'm on my way out and need you to come and check in on Yasmine."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Eleanor could almost hear him weighing his options.

"Isn't there supposed to be a nurse to see to her?" he demanded impatiently.

"She had a family emergency." Eleanor sunk down on the sofa and pressed her lips together as she spun the lies. "And Charlene had to go out of town. I have given the staff the usual time off. There's no one here in case she needs anything."

The pause again.

"What about her family?" he asked tersely.

"An event at the farm. Her mother is hosting the annual small town farmers' gala and is completely swamped.

So is the rest of the family." She waited with bated breath, praying that he would feel guilty enough to want to appear.

"She's being brave, darling, but I don't want to leave her in case something happens.

I promise to return as soon as I possibly can. "

There was a pause again and this time it was lengthier.

"All right. Give me a few minutes." His voice was cold with displeasure, but at least, he had agreed to be here.

"Thank you, darling."

With the call ended, Eleanor took a deep breath and prepared herself for the evening ahead.

The charity ball was an event she looked forward to every year, and this time, it held even more significance.

She had to be strong, not just for herself, but for Yasmine, Maeve, and everyone who depended on her.

As she dressed for the event, her thoughts kept drifting to the plans she had laid out.

Her son's involvement was crucial, and she would make sure he understood that fully.

Tonight was just the beginning -- a step towards healing and solidarity.

*****

Yasmine figured she could at least venture downstairs. Eleanor had explained that she had to attend a function, and she had sent the woman on her way. Just because she was suffering, doesn't mean everyone should suffer along with her.

And she was tired of being an invalid. The beautiful rose and gold room that had delighted her so much when she first got here, was starting to feel like a prison.

She hadn't been out in more than two weeks and was feeling on edge.

Her stomach was sore, and her mouth tasted foul.

She had to be brushing every few minutes.

Everything tasted like crap to her, and she longed to drink a cup of coffee and eat a good meal.

Even the thought of her beloved fried chicken made her feel like gagging.

Nothing tasted good to her. And this was just the first trimester. She had six freaking months to go and was wondering if she was going to make it.

The place was as silent as a church and just as neat.

Eleanor told her she had given the staff the holiday off, which she found very strange.

She had no idea rich people did such a thing.

When Yasmine had expressed her surprise and blurted it out in her own blunt manner, the woman had laughed and did not look in the least bit offended.

"My husband started the tradition. We would send the staff on their way and manage on our own. Usually, we would take off to some warmer climate for a week or more. Even though he's no longer here, I still continue to honor his wishes."

Yasmine thought it was admirable. She admired Eleanor. The woman did not put on airs and was genuinely friendly and nice. She had opened her home to a perfect stranger when she did not have to. And was making sure that Yasmine was well taken care of.

It was the first time she had the opportunity to explore downstairs, and she found herself wandering from one elegant room to the other, her mind buzzing as she took in the priceless arts on the walls, the antique furnishings.

Surely that's a genuine Picasso painting on the pale white and gold wallpaper in the living room.

And she would recognize the Jackson Colby painting anywhere.

Moving slowly over to the grand piano, she studied the bold splashes of colors that was his trademark.

She admired his style and often wished she had half or even a quarter of his talent.

Her gaze passed over exquisite object d'arts, sculptures by Jason Colby and several artistically carved spun glass from a very famous glassblower.

Leaving the room, she went into the kitchen and stood there in the arched doorway, staring at the stark black and white room with its modern appliances.

Taking a deep breath and stepping inside hesitantly, she managed to make some Lipton soup and defiantly added roast chicken that had been left over.

Grabbing a few crackers just in case, she wandered along the long hallway and turned into the library.