Prologue

I hold my breath untill I hear the baby cry. I count. One. Two. Three. Why isn't she crying? I am not conscious of the pain I should feel at all. "Why isn't she crying?!" I feel like I screamed it, but probably all that escapes from my dry mounth is a weakly whisper. Nobody says something. "What's going on?" I am scared. I hate to admit it, but I am. Nobody awsners. What the hell is going on? I wait. And wait. "It's okay, honny." A voice behind me says. Anthon takes my hand and kisses it gentle. Then I sigh, so relief I never felt. She is crying. I smile. It grows into a laugh. A doctor lays her down on my belly. As I wath her, a feeling of joy comes over me. I'm filled with love again, just like it has to be. "Aphrodite." Anthon whispers, his face next to mine. "How do we call her?" I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I imagine the love all in me is one red object, and soon the change into red letters. As I open my eyes I have read them. I sigh and kiss her forehead, as soft as possible. Then I whisper; "Welcome to this world, Ophelia."