The next day, Erik awoke to the sound of violent coughing. He turned his head to see that Rebekah wasn't beside him. Despite the early hour (it was still dark outside), he got up out of the bed to search for his wife. He found her curled up in a blanket beside the fireplace shivering. He rushed over to her shaking form and held her in his arms. Her skin was flushed and hot, and her eyes were red. She turned away from him to cough again, and he held her tighter as she hacked up a storm.
In between coughs, she managed to get out a "Sorry for waking you up." Erik just shook his head.
"No trouble at all, my dear." He held his hand to her forehead. She was burning up. Quickly, he moved her from the floor to the couch, and then he went to retrieve some more blankets. After he had wrapped them around her, he hurried to fetch the kettle to prepare some hot water for tea. After all those cough attacks, her throat had to be raw.
When the water was boiled, and the tea was ready, Erik sat on the lounge beside Rebekah with his arm around her. She sipped her tea in between coughs and shivers. Finally after about an hour, the coughing stopped long enough for the couple to have a conversation.
"Merry Christmas," Rebekah said with a smile on her sickly face. Erik smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Merry Christmas to you, my love," he said. "Would you like your present now?" Rebekah nodded her head as enthusiastically as she could.
"And while you are over there," she said, "get yours. It is in the left side of the tree."
Erik obliged and returned to her side with two wrapped boxes, one dressed in bright green and the other in silver. He handed the silver one to Rebekah, and they both tore in, tearing the shiny paper off their gifts. Rebekah stared in awe at the two bracelets in her hand. They both had beautifully carved wooden beads and a silver charm.
Erik pointed to the one with the paintbrush charm and said, "This one is yours." Then he pointed to the other which had a flute charm and said, "This one is for our baby."
Rebekah placed her hand on her stomach and tried not to cry. "Oh Erik," she choked, "they are beautiful!" Erik stroked her cheek and smiled. Then he looked down at his gift. Gingerly, he took the wooden box with the figurine into his hands. He traced the details of the man playing the piano with his fingers, smiling. He turned to Rebekah, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Open it," she sputtered. He did as he was told, and music began to play. He recognized the tune as his own, and he smiled even more. Closing the box and setting it beside him, he took Rebekah's chin in his hand and kissed her. When he pulled away, he helped her put her bracelet on. By now, it was beginning to lighten outside, so Erik decided to make breakfast. For himself, made eggs and toast, and for Rebekah, he made cinnamon honey oatmeal. They both ate on the couch, and talked about their gifts and how much they loved them. It was during this time that Rebekah dropped her bowl, causing it to shatter on the ground, and cry out in shock. Erik was on his feet in a second, his brows knotted in concern and confusion.
"What is it?" he asked. Rebekah looked up at him with her mouth hanging wide open.
"My water just broke."
