Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Just having fun with Lisbeth Salander.
Here it is, the latest chapter. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed, I encourage the rest of you to review please.
Chapter 14
Lisbeth was happy; she was sailing with Mikael, when she first learned about his surprise she was skeptic. Today was her second day and she already had taken to the experience. She felt so peaceful, it was just she and Mikael disconnected from the world.
Sailing turned out to be something Lisbeth found contentment in. They spent three days sailing and the rest touring the near towns. It was bliss; she remembered the lazy days they had when only hunger or the need to use the restroom would distract them away from the bed and its pleasures. They alternated sweet lovemaking and the rough playing she liked so much. It was a beautiful summer for both of them. They were able to do all the couple stuff he secretly wanted. The people from the different towns were not interested in them. They hugged, kissed and took some pictures. Sally was reluctant but he convinced her that no one else would see the pictures ever; they were for his eyes only. She accepted but made him swear that he would not put them around the house. She loosened up and he captured some pictures where they were at the beach, she was laughing her heart out.
His favorite picture was one in which she was touching her belly and was giving him a small smile. She was wearing jean shorts and a white tank top; her hair was a little longer and was framing her face. All of her piercings were still in place, she wore no make up but her face was radiant. They walked around and took more pictures; in one of them he was hugging her from the back, his face in the crook of her neck and she was smiling openly for the camera. That was one of the few pictures she let a stranger take of them.
Lisbeth loved how Mikael would caress her belly and talk to it. In the beginning she thought he looked silly but now it kind of grew on her. She read in one of her books that by the 6th month the fetus was able to hear sound. She commented that to Mikael and he started speaking to her belly.
He made a silly knocking gesture, "Are you there? I know you can't talk to me yet but I can so I will. Prepare yourself for endless chatting." He had a ritual, every night he touched her and talked about a topic, something or other, it ranged from their visits to town to his work at Millennium.
The first time the baby kicked was during Mikael's talk time. Lisbeth was reading a novel; it was about feminism and the influence of women in different historic wars such as the American Revolution. Mikael was talking about dinosaurs of all things; he was in the middle of explaining the differences between a T-Rex and other relative. She was not aware of the fact that he knew so much about the extinct creatures.
"So you see, sometimes people mistake them but..." She felt a jab inside of her. She then looked at Mikael who was beaming with happiness. She could not help but return the smile.
Since then the baby had been active, a lot in fact. The smile Mikael wore whenever the baby kicked was amazing. It felt real whenever she felt the baby move, yes it was uncomfortable and the need to urinate had increased. However the feeling she experienced was just indescribable.
Inevitably they had to go back to reality but that summer strengthened their relationship. Lisbeth looked more secure and not as scared to be pregnant as in her first trimester. She was open about her fears of motherhood and Mikael assured her that they were bound to screw up but so did many other parents.
Their apartment was as they left it. The cleaning crew was very precise and left everything in the right place. It was late in the evening, they traveled by train and Lisbeth was exhausted, she was approaching the end of her 7th month. All she was looking forward was to a pint of chocolate ice cream and her bed. They showered together; he bought the ice cream but found her sound asleep. Mikael undressed and kissed her hairline.
He returned to Millennium two days after they arrived to Stockholm. Lisbeth continued her research work until mid October. The baby was due the last week of that month. She was tired of being pregnant and was very moody. She wanted that baby out. Her due date came and went, nothing, Mikael and her went to the hospital, she felt some discomfort but it was a false alarm. Doctor Holm decided to wait until the first week of November, if nothing happened he would induce her.
It was November 4th and nothing, Mikael tried to appease her but she almost bit his head off when he explained that the baby would come when he was ready.
"Are you fucking kidding me? He needs to be out." It was as if baby waited for her to say the words. Her water broke and Mikael was very happy to finally take her to the hospital.
When they got to the hospital, Lisbeth was in pain, her contractions were very painful. The whole cab ride was crazy; she kept yelling, "hurry up". Mikael was very calm and collected he was in control of everything.
One of the nurses checked her in, she was assigned a room, she was instructed to walk and let gravity take its course. She was pacing and Mikael was holding her. According to Dr. Holm everything was normal, nothing to worry about.
Lisbeth had walked, drank ice, yelled at everyone including Mikael.
"Don't breath too hard", in another situation it would have been hilarious but Mikael was tired, they had been in the room for about 10 hours and nothing yet. She was dilated but not enough for the birth to take place. Mikael asked whether it was time for the induction, the doctor replied that they would think about that possibility if the baby's heart beat dropped.
"Your son is trying to kill me! Aghh I want this monster out." Mikael was not surprised, it was bound to happen, Lisbeth had felt pain before but even he wanted the baby out. This was exhausting.
Finally after 15 hours of pain, anger and threats she was ready to push.
Dr. Holm entered the room and said "let's rock and roll, we'll have this baby out in no time." Lisbeth merely glared at him and did as she was ordered. With every push she let out a curse. Sometimes she cursed the doctor and the nurse but most of the time her anger was directed to Kalle Fucking Blomkvist.
"I hate you so much, do not even think we are ever having babies again!"
"Be happy while you can Blomkvist once I can stand up on my own you are dying!"
"I HATE YOU, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHAT SEX IS UNLESS YOU HAVE A VASECTOMY PERFORMED."
After 30 minutes a cry filled the room, this time it was not Sally's, it was shriller if that was possible, his son was crying for the first time. She collapsed in the bed, she heard the baby cry and saw the nurse cleaning him. While the nurse cleaned the baby she delivered the after birth.
Mikael who was impossibly quiet just stared at him, Mikael was behind Sally. All the time he had tried to calm her down. Now they were both awestruck, the nurse handed the baby to Lisbeth, he was quiet, his face was red and he was frowning. She thought he was beautiful, Mikael voiced her feelings, "he's beautiful Lisbeth." Mikael kissed her softly.
The baby started crying and the nurse told her to try breastfeeding. Lisbeth decided to breastfeed the baby, it was a little painful, the baby started sucking and the milk flowed. Mikael Blomkvist never felt so blessed, the woman he loved bore him a child; a beautiful creature that gave more meaning to his life from the moment he took his first breath.
The baby transfixed Lisbeth; this experience was the best feeling. She loved this little chubby boy. She never thought she could feel for someone like this, perhaps it was the hormone rush. It was different from the love she felt for Mikael, he was her support and her rock. This baby boy was hers to protect and love, he was defenseless and needed her to be his guide and love him unconditionally.
The baby sucked for another five minutes and then the nurse took him to the infant nursery. Lisbeth was reluctant to see him go.
"Why do you have to take him away?" she asked, apparently they needed to put him in the records and do a more detailed newborn exam.
Mikael asked if there was something wrong with him, the nurse assured him they just needed to record his weight and other measurements.
Another nurse helped Sally clean up and get more confortable, she asked Mikael to go check on their son. She was a little paranoid; she did not want to leave the baby unsupervised.
When he came back he confirmed that the baby was fine in his bassinet, yes it was the correct baby and he saw when the nurse put his Blomkvist-Salander bracelet.
They had to decide on a name, Lisbeth had no idea. She just wanted a name that would fit with the little boy.
"How about Alrik?" Mikael said
"I don't like it, he does not look like an Alrik" was her response.
"Christopher then, that's a nice name." Mikael looked at Sally and saw her make a face.
"Blomkvist, that is a horrible name."
"Well you try then, you are shooting down all my suggestions."
She glared at him, and stuck her tongue out. They argued back and forth until she fell asleep. Mikael was annoyed at her disapproval and lack of name suggestions.
The next day when the nurse brought the baby Mikael looked at him and said "Aaron, that's his name." Lisbeth looked at the baby who was breastfeeding and nodded. He looked like an Aaron. They named him Aaron Mikael Blomkvist.
Aaron and Lisbeth spent another two days in the hospital. By late afternoon the little family was at home. It was interesting to see a crib next to their bed. Mikael bought the Ikea crib the day before; they did not prepare anything for Aaron. Mikael bought diapers, other baby products and formula. They already had clothes that Annika bought as presents. Aaron had toys and bath products, courtesy of Millennium and the idiotic table.
That first night at home was tiring, Aaron was not fussy but he had a way to make his wishes known. Every three hours he woke his parents up, Lisbeth woke up to feed him, and she rocked him and hummed softly to him, which soothed little Aaron. Mikael also woke up because he could feel Sally moving around.
He took over and paced with his son around the room while she slept some more. He observed Aaron, he had blue eyes but almost every baby at his age did. He looked like any other 3 day old. He could not see any features from neither his Sally's nor one of his. Lisbeth swore up and down that Aaron would have his eyes; he replied that he already showed her bad temper and stubbornness. She just smirked at the comment.
In the following days they established patterns. Sally breastfed Aaron freely during the day, at nights after 12:00 PM she filled up bottles and Mikael who did the night shift. Mikael did not dare complain about the arrangements. Aaron took naps during the mornings and afternoons while at night he drove Mikael crazy.
Lisbeth could not believe Mikael; during the day her baby was an angel. She laughed when he told her that the baby was out to get him.
It was such a beautiful laugh, unguarded and sincere. He could not help but join her. Little Aaron had changed her; she was more secure and happy to be around. Mikael believed she looked peaceful. Lisbeth Salander would always be a strong woman, capable of great feats but motherhood was keeping her grounded, less angry and more accepting of her love for other people especially Mikael.
He did not know it but that Aaron was not the only reason why Lisbeth was more peaceful. During the past week Lisbeth had realized that this was real, that her happiness was not fabricated or about to disappear. She knew she was insecure about her relationships to other people but an event this week signaled the beginning of Lisbeth newfound confidence.
It was three days after they were back home; Berger had called. She first congratulated him on the new baby and then asked for a favor. She needed him; they were needed at a meeting. If gone according to plan this meeting would expand Millennium's publishing branch. Lisbeth knew all about this, Mikael coordinated every detail. This meeting meant an advance for the magazine and for Mikael's career as an editor and journalist. There was only one problem the CEO's wanted to meet at France and the meetings would be held over a period of seven days. Lisbeth was sure he would go; she would support his decision, after all Millennium was his life.
Lisbeth heard the conversation; she did not feel any guilt when spying these conversations. She had to be alert, this woman was important in Mikael's life.
"I won't," he answered without wavering, "I won't leave Sally or Aaron alone."
"Do you understand that this opportunity comes once in a lifetime? This could mean our chance to become one of the most important Swedish magazines in circulation." Erika was trying to appeal to his professional ego and dream.
"Still no, Erika you have to understand, Lisbeth and Aaron are more important, they are my reasons. I do not want to leave them, you know the baby cannot travel; Sally and I are just starting to improvise a schedule. She and Aaron need me here, and a meeting in France will not change my mind."
"If they want to do business with us then there will be more opportunities."
Lisbeth heard Aaron crying, so did Mikael, "listen, I have to hung up, Aaron is crying and I think Lisbeth is sleeping."
Lisbeth soothed her boy and waited for Mikael to enter the bedroom. He hugged her and Aaron, "Who was that on the phone?" she asked. She acted as normal as possible; inside she was conflicted.
"Erika, something about a meeting or other. You take a bath and relax, you look a little overwhelmed, go unwind. I'll take over.
She took that bath and organized her thoughts. Mikael chose her and Aaron over Millennium, she knew him, that magazine had been his driving force for about twenty-five years. Lisbeth finally understood, Mikael would always choose her first. It was simply silly, after all he did, and she realized he truly loved her after he canceled a job opportunity. She reflected on their relationship, she tried to be as logical as possible.
Fact, he had sought her out when she broke links with him, at that point they were just friends and had a brief interlude as lovers. He might have felt guilty or indebted; after all she saved his life.
Fact, he helped her when she was investigated by Swedish police forces for the crimes of his friends. Until this point a person could infer that Mikael considered her one of his closest and dearest friends.
Fact, he looked for her and rescued her from Zalachenko's property when she was injured. He could leave and call the police but he stayed and protected her.
Fact, he singlehandedly organized a campaign for her freedom. He risked his life and the life of others to ensure her happiness. Here she could no longer mask his actions as friendly.
Mikael was the one who sought her and convinced her to give a chance to this relationship. He never gave up on her, not even when she misguidedly abandoned him. She realized that Mikael loved her unconditionally and she felt the same way. She was finally confident enough to admit to herself that this man accepted her and considered her and their son priority number one. She was ecstatic; these facts gave her the strength to know that she could live happily with Mikael and their son. She recognized that Mikael chose her as his partner and that from now on she had to accept this reality and bask on the beauty of it.
Lisbeth became aware that she could completely trust Mikael. This choice he made today coupled with all his actions from the moment he rescued her from her father's clutches to the moment he held her sweaty head while she was giving birth to their boy were acts of love. She needed to reciprocate and love him and Aaron freely without her insecurities. It would not be easy, she had to change a psychological state of mind in which she was worthless of love and happiness. Mikael and Aaron were helping her overcome these distorted cognitions every day.