"Laura wasn't the only one mentioned in your nightmare," Christine replied, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears.
Erik nodded and turned to face her. Taking his hand in hers, he placed a kiss inside her wrist.
"Christine, I'm prepared to tell you everything. Believe me when I say this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I will understand if you want me to stop or you wish to leave during any part of this, but please promise me you'll hear me through, in its entirety. I've never had to divulge this before, so forgive me if there are times when... when it takes a moment," he whispered, his eyes burning into hers.
She nodded and returned the gesture. "I promise."
Erik turned towards the window and began the tale that could quite possibly end any future with the woman before him.
O O O O O O O O O O O
It was 1991, fifteen years ago. Erik Dumas, a real up-and-comer in the architecture business, had fallen in love with Laura Appleton, an elementary schoolteacher in Sacramento, where they both resided. It had been a whirlwind romance, one that seemed to only exist in the movies.
Erik, a handsome man of twenty two years, had finally gathered the courage to propose to his love, and she had confirmed that nothing would make her happier. Actually, this was not entirely true.
There was something that would have made both of them happier: a child. And not just one child, a whole family. They began trying immediately after the wedding, anxious to complete the picture.
The wedding had been absolutely beautiful, attended by family and close friends. Daniel Debienne had been Erik's best man, as well as representative for his family, as he had no other. Erik had sung a song composed for his bride, and there was not a dry eye in the church.
They decided to relocate to Glens Falls, New York, finding it to be an adequate place to raise a family. It did not take long for them to achieve this, as they were quite good at practicing. Laura soon became pregnant, and Erik had never known a time when he had been happier.
Laura had been so excited about her pregnancy, claiming at once she knew it would be a girl.
"A woman knows, Erik!" she had laughed. And he had laughed right along with her, although he secretly hoped it was a girl as well.
It had been a beautiful June day when Laura began labor. Erik had rushed her to the hospital, even forgetting her suitcase in the hurry (Debienne actually had to retrieve it). Everything was progressing as it should. Erik stayed by her side throughout the tedious day, wiping the sweat from her brow and gently singing lullabies to calm her.
The world had turned the day to dark when the doctor came in for the last checkup. "Oh no, this doesn't look good," she had said, marking the official start of the nightmare to come.
"What? What is it? What's wrong?" Erik asked, panicking.
Laura turned to her side, a low moan escaping her lips. "Erik, I don't know if I can do this."
Erik planted a kiss to her forehead. "Yes, you can. You can do this, Laura. Our daughter is finally coming into this world, you can do this, baby."
The doctor grabbed the chart and hit a button on the wall. "I'm concerned about where the baby's head is right now. I need to get her into the O.R. for a cesarian section."
Erik raked his hand through his hair. "This can't be happening. oh, God. This can't be happening!"
"Mr. Dumas, we are going to do everything we can to save this baby," the doctor said as she left the room with Laura and the nurse.
It had only been twenty minutes, and yet it felt like hours. Hours since he'd seen his wife, since he'd heard anything about the baby. Since his world had begun to fall apart.
Just as he got out of his seat to find out what was happening, the doctor came in looking completely exhausted. "Mr. Dumas?"
Erik looked up, immediately noting her state and the lack of positivity in her tone. "Yes?"
"We were able to save the baby-"
"Oh thank God!" he cried, relief pouring throughout his body. "Is she alright? Healthy? Ten toes, ten fingers?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes, she's perfect. Mr. Dumas, we were able to save your daughter, but there were complications..."
"What sort of complications?" he asked.
"Maybe you'd better sit down," the doctor said.
Mere seconds later, anguished cries sounded throughout the lonely white halls.
O O O O O O O O O O O
Sorry for the lack of updates. I wrote myself into a hole in the last chapter and it took a while to find a way out. I already have the next few chapters written and will be uploading them sometime this week. Thanks for reading.