Well, Gerry decided it had been way too long since he had made cheesecake, so Cherry Cheesecake for everyone! YAY!
Recap:
He kissed her gently, whispering "I love you, Christine. Rest now, I will watch over you all."
Christine woke up to the sound of one of the babies crying. Before she could rise, Erik was right by her side with the crying infant. "It's little Vivi, dear. I think she's hungry." She took the baby right away. "Thank you dear. I can't believe you heard her first!" Erik laughed "You know I sleep very lightly anyway, my love! I've had one ear open the whole time! I want you to rest as much as you can." Then they heard soft noises from the other bassinet. "Ah, I think my boy is feeling left out!" Erik said, but as he picked up the baby he understood exactly what the matter was. "Oh, well, no, I think he needs changing." Christine chuckled "Are you still as proud of your boy now that you know what changing his diaper is like?" she asked. "I'm always going to be proud of my son, no matter what sort of mess he makes." He responded in a voice that was so soft and loving that she understood he was speaking more to the baby than her.
After his changing, little Erik let them know that he too was hungry. So they traded children, Vivi needing a change as well. Erik said after the changing "Well, dear, I'm glad there are two of us. I don't know how well I could handle two little ones like this!" He heard a soft snore, and turning, he realized that Christine and little Erik had both fallen asleep. He smiled and moved to take his son and lay him back into his bed. He laid him down and whispered "I love you both" to the sleeping children. Then he gently laid back in the bed, smiling when Christine instinctively snuggled closer to him. A peaceful smile stayed on his face as he fell asleep.
As the next few days passed, the household got into a routine that centered around the babies' care. Erik, Antoinette, and Meg worked together to keep the babies changed and taken to Christine for feedings. She tried to get up to help, but Erik and Antoinette both told her to stay in bed. When the doctor came after a week to check the twins' health, he agreed that bed had been the best place for her, but now she could resume a somewhat normal routine.
Christine asked "Doctor, when can we move back to our home in the country? I really want to take the twins home soon." The older man smiled and said "Mrs. Khan, I'm sure you feel ready, but I think the carriage ride out to the country is still a bit much for you. Besides, I would like a little bit warmer weather before you take them out for a long trip like that. It's only March, and there is still just a bit of a chill in the air. I would say wait until the first of May to take them home, then it should be plenty warm outside. And you will be well enough as well." When he saw the frown on her face, he chuckled and said "Don't worry madam, you will be home soon enough. Besides, I will need to check the children again when they are six weeks old, and that will be the first part of May. But short outings on warm days will help your cabin fever."
Erik nodded at the doctor's words. He had thought that waiting until warmer weather would be better as well, but he knew Christine would have said he was just being overly protective. But with the doctor's words, he knew that he could keep her here for a little longer, although he knew she was more than ready to be home.
After Doctor Laroux left, and the children were fed and changed, Christine could tell the babies were ready for a nap, and Erik could tell that his wife was ready for a rest as well. He was prepared to do anything to make her stay in bed and rest, but she made it rather easy for him. She smiled at him and said "Darling, why don't you sing for me and the babies? I haven't heard you sing since before they were born. I'm always singing to them, but I think it would be wonderful for them to hear your voice." He smiled and agreed. He brought the bassinets closer to the bed so that the babies could be laid down easily once they were asleep. Then while Christine rocked little Erik from her spot in the bed, Erik started swaying with Vivi as he sang:
"Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses abandon their defenses ...
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor ...
Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender ...
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ..."
It didn't take long for both of the babies to fall fast asleep, so they were swiftly laid in their beds. Then he kissed Christine on her forehead as she drifted off to sleep herself.
A few days later, Erik walked in to find Christine dressed up and working on dressing little Erik. "My dear, what's the occasion? What are you planning?" He asked curiously. She smiled at him and said "Erik, it's a beautiful day outside! It's warm, with only a little breeze. I was hoping we could take the children out for some fresh air." He smiled, knowing that she had felt cooped up for too long, and answered "I think that's a wonderful idea, sweetheart. Allow me to put on my mask, and we can leave as soon as you and the children are dressed."
As they walked through town, people stopped to admire the children as they lay in their stroller. Erik and Christine couldn't help but feel proud of their beautiful children. They stopped at a café for coffee and a seat in the warm sunshine. Christine cooed at the babies, and laughed when they each made cooing and burbling noises in return. She looked up and saw Erik staring at her. "Erik is something wrong?" she asked with concern in her voice. He smiled and replied "No, dear, quite the opposite. Everything is right. I'm the happiest of men."
They heard a voice calling their names, and they turned to see Raoul and Abigail de Chagny walking towards them. Erik and Christine took note of the happiness on their faces, and then noticed that Abigail was obviously with child. Erik immediately jumped up, offering Abigail his seat. "Vicomte, it's good to see you both. I see congratulations are in order!" Raoul smiled. "Yes, thank you. Abigail insists on walking every day, even though I keep trying to tell her she should be resting." Erik and Christine laughed as Christine said "You evidently are having the same argument that Erik and I had as I got further along!" The expecting couple laughed and Abigail shyly asked "And who won the argument?" Erik smiled down at his wife and said "She did, of course."
As they walked home, Christine looked at Erik and, remembering their conversation that had been interrupted at the café, said "You have made me the happiest of women, my love." After they made it into the privacy of the garden of their home, Erik took Christine into his arms and kissed her, completing their happiness.
I'm so happy that they are so happy!
So I'm thinking we will have a little epilogue, just to finish off the tale. And aren't we a little happy for the fop?
Gerry has made extra lemon bars seeing that we are close to the end. But you have to show Gerry some love. Go on and review.
