Part Seven: Annika Muller The Woman
Section One: Reunited
Late-August 1992
Annika was laying on her back with her eyes closed contentedly listening to the sound of her child's heartbeat through the pair of stethoscopes midwife Adviga Pechkin used to conduct her check-ups. While she was listening to the sound of the child's hear beating, she could feel the little one stirring inside her womb, which made the tiny heart beat faster. The rapid whooshing sounds the child's heart made was hypnotic to Annika and if given the chance, she would listen to it all day long. After a bit of time passed, Annika removed the stethoscope from her ears and handed it back to Miss Pechkin, her face was overwhelmed with joy.
"Thank you for letting me use your stethoscope." Annika said happily.
"You are very welcome Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin said placing the item back into her medical bag and continuing with the rest of Annika's exam. "I have to measure your stomach."
Annika nodded and lifted her shirt up as Miss Pechkin took out a measuring tape and placed it from her under bust to just above her pubic area. When she was finished, she wrote down the measurement then shared it with Annika, "You have quite a large child Miss Muller, 53.5 centimeters."
"I know." Annika said with a slight giggle. "Most people think I am carrying twins, but I tell them there is only one child inside of me. They always look so shocked."
"Yes, your little one is going to be fairly large." She said as she continued with her examination. "I mean you are getting ready to enter the eighth month yet you appear as though you are in your final month. I may have to have you deliver in the hospital as a pre-caution."
"Oh." Annika said sounding heart broken by that news. "I was hoping to give birth here."
"Do not fret Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin said reassuring her. "We still have time to decide what to do. You may get a little bigger or you may stay the same, but right now it's too soon to tell what will happen, I just want you to be prepared for any possibility."
"I understand." Annika said cheering up somewhat.
"Also, and this is not cause for alarm." Miss Pechkin said. "I can feel that the child has not yet gotten into the birthing position."
"The birthing position?" Annika questioned.
"Yes." Miss Pechkin said touching her large stomach. "The head of your child it currently at the top of your stomach, but it should be at the bottom. But again, you are only preparing to enter your eighth month, there is still plenty of time for the baby to turn itself in the right direction."
"Should I be concerned?" Annika questioned.
"No." She again reassured her. "I will continue to monitor the child and if the little one needs help getting into the proper direction, I will do what I can to help."
"Ok." Annika said sounding unsure, but trusting what Miss Pechkin said.
"Are you experiencing any bleeding or cramping?" Miss Pechkin asked as she conducted the more invasive parts of Annika's examination.
"No." Annika said in a soft voice trying to relax as Miss Pechkin probed inside of her.
"Good." Miss Pechkin said. "During the last visit I had with you, I was concerned that you looked a bit pale. Have you had your blood levels checked?"
"Yes." Annika answered. "I did that on the same day the ultrasound was conducted."
"What was the outcome?" Miss Pechkin asked.
"My anemia has returned." Annika answered sorrowfully. "The doctor said my red blood cell levels are extremely low."
"That's probably because of your pregnancy." Miss Pechkin answered. "But you did mention that you've had struggles with anemia throughout your life, correct?"
"Yes." Annika said. "It got better when I was living in the United States, but it has returned."
"Did the doctor give you anything for your anemia?" She questioned.
"He gave me some really large iron pills that I must take three times a day." Annika answered.
"When did he give you that?" Miss Pechkin asked.
"On Friday of last week." Annika replied.
"It's Monday, so they should be starting to work." Miss Pechkin said. "I must say, you do look a little less pale. Are you feeling less weak and tired?"
"I do feel a little better." Annika said.
"Please continue to take that medicine." Miss Pechkin said as she finished up the invasive part of the exam. She then pulled off her rubber gloves and walking them over to a nearby trash can to toss them in. "It will be important to keep you and your child healthy."
"Yes Miss Pechkin." Annika said.
"You said you had the ultrasound performed." Miss Pechkin said walking back over to Annika.
"Yes, I did." Annika said.
"Did they find anything troubling?" She asked.
"No." Annika said happily. "The doctor said everything looked normal."
"Very good." She said cheerfully. "Did you find out the gender of your child?"
"I'm having a boy." Annika said happily.
"I thought you were having a boy." Miss Pechkin said happily. "Boys are usually larger than girls, although I think this is going to be the largest boy I have ever delivered."
"Really?" Annika asked.
"If your stomach is any indication, I would say so." Miss Pechkin said.
Annika looked shocked.
"Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin said resuming her exam. "Are you having any discomfort? In your legs, lower back, anything of that nature."
"My lower back always hurts." Annika admitted. "Also, at night it is a little hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in."
"Yes." Miss Pechkin said. "If you can, try to find or make a pillow to prop underneath your body so you can find some comfort in the night. As for the lower back pains, try to stay off your feet for an extended amount of time, that should alleviate some of the back pain. Do you have any other concerns?"
"I have been really wanting and eating apples a lot." Annika said. "Is that normal?"
"Cravings are very normal." Miss Pechkin said with a smile. "And apples are very healthy for you. So long as you are eating other food throughout the day, a few apples in-between meals shouldn't be harmful."
"Yes Miss Pechkin." Annika said.
"From what I can see you are progressing very well Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin said happily. "With the exception of the anemia, which is being treated, you are in good health."
"Oh, thank goodness." Annika said.
"You have about a month and a half remaining until your little bun is done baking." She said happily. "You and your little boy are doing well and I do not anticipate any difficulties."
"Ah that is good to hear." Annika said sounding very pleased.
"Because of your anemia I want you to take it easy at work." She said to Annika. "No more than four hours a day on your feet, the rest of the time you should be in bed resting. I will let Miss Vasnev know."
"But Miss Vasnev needs me." Annika protested.
"So does your son Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin said. "He needs his mother to be healthy so he can enter the world without difficulty."
"I understand." Annika said.
"Fear not, I've known Miss Vasnev for a long time." Miss Pechkin said with a comforting tone. "She will be understanding if you cannot work for very long."
"I know." Annika said. "She's just been so kind and I want to help her as much as I can."
"I know you do, because you are a good soul Miss Muller." Miss Pechkin sympathized. "But it's no longer just yourself you must look after. From now on your child should be your first thought."
"He will be Miss Pechkin." Annika said. "I promise."
"Very good." She answered. "I will be back next week to check on you. If you have any difficulties before then, please don't hesitate to stop by my home, it's around the corner next to the cafe."
"I remember Miss Pechkin." Annika said.
"I will see myself out." Miss Pechkin said gabbing her medical bag. "Good evening to you Miss Muller."
"Have a good evening." Annika said sweetly.
With that Miss Pechkin left Annika's room, while she got up and walked over to the table to grab an apple to snack on, before going back downstairs to relax with Ksenija for the evening. Annika walked downstairs and made herself comfortable in the big chair in Miss Vasnev's living room and propped her feet up on to the comfortable ottoman. Her ankles were terribly swollen, also her lower back ached terribly, then the little child inside of her was spinning cartwheels within her. It was wonderful that the little baby boy inside her was so energetic and full of life. She could barely contain her joy at the thought of finally meeting him and holding him in her arms for the first time. While she enjoyed feeling him moving inside her, she hoped that he would settle down soon. As Annika began to relax, she took a bite of the apple she held in her hand and like magic the child inside her began to settle down.
"I thought a nice sweet apple would get you to simmer down." Annika said tenderly caressing her stomach.
"He's kicking you again?" Ksenija said walking into the room and sitting down in a chair near Annika.
"Yes." Annika said. "He kicks me so much."
"Edonian boys kick like mules inside their mother." She said. "So anxious to get into the world and wreak havoc within it."
"I hope this little one will not be too much trouble." Annika said looking down at her large pregnant stomach. "I hope he has his father's calm temperament."
"I hope so too." Ksenija said reaching down into her knitting basket and pulling out her knitting needles and large ball of blue yarn.
Quietly the two women sat by the fireplace and enjoyed their down time. Ksenija was knitting quietly while Annika was lost in her own thoughts. While they were both silently enjoying their time together, there was a knock at the front door. Annika was going to get up to answer the door, but was immediately stopped by Ksenija.
"Rest Dear Child." She said sweetly. "I'll answer it."
Ksenija set the ball of yarn and needles down in her spot on the chair, then she stepped into the small foyer to answer the door. Once there she cracked the door open slightly. Peeking out, she saw a man in a bright red priest's cloak, with fiery red hair and dark blue eyes on the other side.
"Hello Father." Ksenija said kindly. "May I help you?"
"Hello Miss, I'm Father Alexei Muller." He introduced. "I was told that my Niece Annika Muller was living here."
"Ah Father Muller." Ksenija said shutting the door and unlatching the chain to open the door wide. "My brother Nikola has told me about you. Please come in."
Father Muller thanked her kindly then stepped into the house.
"Please Father." Ksenija said kindly. "Allow me to take your cloak."
Father Muller took off the red cloak and handed it to Ksenija.
"Annika is in the next room." She said hanging the coat on a nearby hook. "Please follow me."
Ksenija led Father Muller into the tiny living room and Annika's blue eyes looked up from the fire and over to Ksenija and the unexpected visitor. She wanted to jump up and into her uncle's arms, but she was too far along in her pregnancy to accomplish such a move. Annika did manage to spring up from her chair and waddle over to her uncle, throwing her arms tightly around him.
"Uncle Alexei!" Annika said happily.
"Oh Annika!" Father Muller was surprised to see his niece so heavy with child.
"How are you Uncle?" Annika asked joyously as she let go of him.
"I am well." He answered looking at her very pregnant stomach. "So, it was true, you are with child."
Annika didn't say anything to his comment, meanwhile Ksenija Vasnev walked around Annika and Father Muller, to grab her knitting project.
"You two have much to discuss." Ksenija said softly. "Please Father Muller and Annika, sit and talk. Would you like some tea or coffee Father Muller?"
"Uh, no thank you." He said addressing Miss Vasnev.
"Very well." She conceded. "I'll just be in the next room, should anyone need me."
With that Ksenija disappeared into the next room while Annika returned to the comfortable chair and Father Muller sat in the chair left vacant by Miss Vasnev.
"I'm sure you must have questions Uncle." Annika said softly.
"I do indeed." He answered. "But before I ask, I have to apologize for not seeing you sooner."
"You don't need to apologize Uncle." Annika said sweetly.
"I do need to apologize Dear Annika." He said remorsefully. "I tried to find out what happened to you for months, but no one in our family would tell me anything for the longest time. I tried to contact Mr. Wesker, but he has been away on assignment and I haven't seen Dr. Vasnev or Snow White either. I was concerned something terrible had happened to you, especially once I heard you were brought back to Edonia."
"I didn't mean to make you worry about me Uncle." Annika said sorrowfully.
"No Dear Annika." He said tenderly. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I am just happy you are safe and cared for."
"Yes Uncle, we are very safe and happy here." She said touching her stomach.
"I'm glad Annika." He said with a smile.
"How did you manage to find where we were?" Annika asked.
"Believe it or not Mother told me where you were." He said sounding surprised. "Your father still does not allow me back at the inn, but I was at the church in town on business when Mother came in for a confession. When she saw me, she told me about everything that happened to you."
"How did she know where I was?" Annika questioned.
"She said that Dr. Vasnev told her." He answered. "He told her shortly after you arrived here in the capital."
"That was kind of him to let her know I was safe." Annika remarked.
"Mother said to tell you she thinks about you and your baby every day." Father Muller said sweetly. "She sends her love and still wishes you and the child well."
Annika was beaming. She couldn't believe that her grandmother would send her love or wish her and her son well. She always seemed like such a traditional Edonian grandmother. Always eager to follow the will of the man of the house and do as he commanded. All throughout Annika's life, she was told by her grandmother to always obey the man of the house even if she didn't agree; so, for Ekaterina to bend that rule even a little was astonishing.
"If you see her again." Annika said sweetly. "Send her my love in return."
"I will Dear Annika." Father Muller said. "Now, my first question, how have you been doing in the months that I have not seen you?"
"I am well Uncle." She said happily. "I have found a lot of good people here who are very kind to me and not just Miss Vasnev either. I have a friend who works at the café nearby who is kind to me. I have a very dear midwife who will help me deliver my child, and a quiet a few of the customers from the shop are always very sweet to me."
"I am happy you have met so many good people here." He answered. "How far along are you in your expectancy?"
"Soon I will be going into my eighth month." She said touching her large stomach.
"Annika, I have to know." Father Muller hesitated to ask his next question, but he had to know. "Is the father of your child… Is it Mr. Wesker's child?"
"Yes." She said with happy smile answering his question. "It is his little boy I am carrying."
"Does he know about the child?" He asked.
"I never had the chance to tell him." She said with a hint of regret in her soft voice.
"He should know about his child Annika." Father Muller implored. "You must to tell him."
"I." Annika hesitated. "I would like to tell him Uncle, I really would. I have no passport. Father destroyed it when I came back. And even if I had a passport, I can't afford to go back to the United States. I would call him and tell him, but telephone calls out of the country are far too expensive to make and I barely have enough money to cover the things I will need once the baby arrives."
"I can tell him Annika." Father Muller said compassionately.
"No Uncle." Annika answered emphatically. "If anyone tells him, I want it to be me. And I want to tell him in person."
"Perhaps I could convince him to come to Edonia?" Father Muller said. "Arrange a meeting so you can tell him yourself."
Annika didn't answer.
"Would this be something you'd want Annika?" Father Muller asked.
"How would you convince him to come here Uncle?" Annika asked in turn.
"I don't want you to worry about that Annika." Father Muller said. "You let me worry about that part."
Annika didn't say anything.
"If I can convince him," Father Muller said. "You will be ok with telling him in person?"
"Of course, Uncle." Annika said softly. "Nothing in the world would make me happier."
"Ok." Father Muller said with a slight sigh of relief in his voice. "I'll think of something."
"Uncle Alexei." Annika said softly.
"Yes, Dear Annika."
"Are you disappointed in me?" Annika asked. "Ever since Mr. Wesker and I were together, I have often worried that you would be cross or disappointed in me and I don't think I could bear it if you were."
"Oh Annika." Father Muller said getting up and kneeling down next to her. "I could never be disappointed in you."
"But I am a fallen woman Uncle." Annika said with no emotion in her voice. "I am having a child without being married. My father and the rest of our family has disowned me. And to many people, I have not only sinned, but I've sinned with an American. I am corrupt beyond redemption and my child is an affront to God."
"Annika, I…" Father Muller sighed but then said compassionately. "Please don't ever speak about yourself in such a way ever again. I don't think of you as a fallen woman and the child inside of you is one of God's miracles, not an affront."
Annika smiled as she tenderly touched her large stomach, the child inside her was stirring again. She was happy there was at least one person in her family that still loved and cared for her, despite her being pregnant out of wedlock. There was a brief moment of quiet between then then Father Muller asked, "Do you love Mr. Wesker, Annika?"
"I do Uncle." She said sweetly. "With all my heart and soul."
"Then this child was made with love and will be born with love." Father Muller said. "I love you as if you were my own child Annika and I will love your child just as much as I love you. I can't imagine how difficult your life and the life of this sweet child will be here in Edonia. Both of you will endure many hardships. But I refuse to abandon you or my great nephew."
Father Muller stood up and went back to his chair and sat down.
"Mother told me that you stood up to your father in the moment he disowned you." Father Muller said.
"I did." Annika said with a trace of pride in her voice. "I told him that I would never treat my child the way he has treated me."
"I'm so proud of you for standing up to Misha." Father Muller said. "He has always been such a terrible father to you Annika."
Annika said nothing to his true statement.
"I wish you were my daughter." Father Muller said sweetly. "Perhaps if you were, we would both be happier with our lives."
"You are not happy Uncle?" Annika questioned.
"Sometimes I am." He answered with almost no emotion in his voice. "I am happiest when I am with you and that is how I felt when I was around your mother too."
Annika looked over at her uncle and smiled.
"I've never told anyone this Annika, but I was deeply in love with your mother." Father Muller confessed.
Annika looked at her uncle in shock.
"I loved Teresa with all my heart." Father Muller said softly. "I even asked her to runaway with me, but she said she had an obligation to your father and could not disgrace our families, so she refused."
"I wish she would have runway with you." Annika said softly.
"I do too." He said with a slight tremor in his deep voice. "She was a loving and kind soul. She deserved better than to be married to Misha. It always seemed so unfair."
There was another short moment of silence between them.
"Teresa was a delightful woman." Father Muller said softly breaking the quiet moment. "I know she would be proud of you and the strong wonderful woman you have become."
"Do you think so Uncle?" Annika asked.
"I know so." He said his voice breaking again. "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her or miss her terribly."
Another moment of silence passed between them. While the two sat quietly, the child inside of her began to kick again.
"He's kicking me again." Annika said touching her stomach. "Would you like to feel him Uncle?"
"Do you mind Annika?" Alexei asked.
"Not at all Uncle." She said cheerfully.
Alexei got up and walked over to Annika then kneeled down next to her. Annika took his hands and placed them to her large stomach, immediately he felt the child inside of her moving around and tears welled in his dark blue eyes.
"Misha has no idea what he has lost." Alexei said with his voice wavering slightly. "This is the most amazing blessing on earth. When the child is born Annika, please allow me to perform his baptism."
"Of course, Uncle." Annika said happily. "I wouldn't dream of having anyone else perform it."