Disclaimer: No one but ALW owns POTO. Even Leroux didn't get a piece of that pie. Thank you, Susan, for being my beta-proofreader, and helping me knock off this last chapters. The end is here. This weekend my computer decided to go belly up and I have been suffering withdrawl of the worst kind. A dear friend of mine has allowed me to get on and post this last chapter and to her I am grateful. Writing this story has been an adventure that I wouldn't trade for the world. I have met many new people along the way, and it has been wonderful. Thanks to all of those people who have taken the time to beta for me, and without them I wouldn't have made it this far.
To those who have read this story, thank you from the bottom of my heart. And to those that took time out to review; it was a delight to read your comments. They are: Kelsismom; Chapusera; inkblottales; Keyklee, and Pertie, with MastersofNight working hard to catch up and a new reader, contriago. Welcome.
Previous chapter: Life went on. Erik and Kristine made strides every day to get past their loss. Work continued, and while in Paris, she told Erik she was pregnant. Life couldn't get any better. Or could it?
Epilogue--Chapter 50: Welcome to our world, little one.
Meg and Nadir watched over the couple, visiting whenever they could as the months ticked by. Nadir talked it over with Meg, and when the baby was due, he wanted her to be there for the delivery. He knew just how much this friendship meant to the women.
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Anne and Charles were there as often as he thought would be acceptable without seeming to hover. He even tried to keep a handle on how much she spent for baby things, begging her to wait until they had a healthy baby before she bought out the stores. He feared the worst, and didn't want to be crushed if anything happened, and he perused all the things she had bought which were stacked up in the corner of the family room. He didn't think he could go through this again and survive if something unfortunate did happen to his daughter or the baby she carried.
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The construction work had been completed in the cabin for the baby's room. (Had he known what her parents had been buying, Erik would have had a spare room built onto the cabin.) The Hornrod brothers had been there earlier in the week, installing state-of-the-art monitoring equipment so Erik and Kristine could hear the baby in every room of the house; there was also the portable monitor for when they were outside on the porch. They even had one installed next to the toilet in the bathroom. Erik even had a baby cam installed so he could pick up his phone and see the baby when he took breaks while working. They had used unisex colors to decorate the room, and musical notes had been painted on the walls, depicting lullabies that one could sing along with the words. A delivery truck had now just left after placing into the room a custom-made, double-seated rocker that Erik had designed. It allowed one or both parents to sit together and rock the baby. Erik wasn't about to miss any time watching or helping Kristine with the baby. His whole life now revolved around that one thought.
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Marget and François sent over instructions to Anne and Charles, requesting that they pick a gift out in their name. The two women spent many hours on the computer, writing back and forth, searching for ideas on the Destlers' gift. They came up with a combined plan to buy a car seat, highchair, baby swing and stroller, if this met with Erik and Kristine's approval. Of course, it did. Anne was thrilled to go shopping to get just the right items for Marget. Photos were taken on Anne's cell and sent to Marget for the last time before the gifts were delivered. Marget was happy. They had secretly purchased tickets and were planning on flying over just before Kristine's due date. They so wanted to be there for the blessed event.
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The months went by, and for the most part, nothing unusual happened during Kristine's pregnancy. Meg joined Kristine and Erik at Lamaze classes. Meg was their backup, just in case Erik wasn't home when Kristine first went into labor.
It was during this time that Kristine stayed away from their grieving classes. It would only make the other couples, who suffered from their own losses, feel worse seeing her carrying a child. She in no way wanted to cause anyone any more pain. She had heard from one young woman who seemed to be adjusting well, and she had been excited to hear Kristine was expecting. They called each other twice a month, and that kept her caught up on the group.
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Then things started to happen and took on a comical aspect when Meg told the stories. Marie and Gerard were traveling when Meg wrote her mother about Kristine and her false labor alarms. She went on to relay the episodes in a letter to her mother:
There had been three false alarms, not even one successful one. On the last false alarm, the doctor stated that if by the end of the week this baby hadn't arrived, he would go in there and retrieve it. When Erik told me of this all he did was laugh. He said he accidentally laughed in the doctor's office and got the death stare from her. Then she shot one at the doctor. After that, Erik exclaimed, 'She waddled out of the emergency room to the car in a huff.' Erik told me that they went back home to wait it out.
And then there were her cravings, and Erik's near-nightly runs into town for ice cream, or more chocolate chips, with butterscotch chips to be melted in the microwave with a little milk and walnuts added before it was all stirred together. There were even worse things to be eaten that Erik refused to think about or mention to anyone. They were making do and getting by. Erik had even started taking her on long walks around the property to end up spending time at their little pond sitting on the bench. They talked over baby names. Since they had no idea of the sex, two sets of names were picked. That was the way they wanted it.
Near the end, Kristine was ready to deliver because she was so swollen and tired. To relieve Erik, her mother came over every day and let him go bond with the men for a while. She knew he wouldn't leave once the baby was born.
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It was decided that the group would get together one evening and have an inside picnic so Kristine would be comfortable. She had been out of sorts all day. No chair or sofa worked that made her feel comfortable. When the last person left for the evening, Erik helped Kristine into bed. In an attempt to relieve the pain in her back, he surrounded her with pillows, helping her to lie down. It still made no difference.
He climbed into bed with her and decided a deep back rub would do her a world of good. He thought it couldn't hurt. Adjusting her on the pillows, Erik started to massage her lower back. It was hurting so, and for some reason, this did help some. His hands worked magic, and even in this position she felt comfortable enough to drift to sleep. Erik brought a blanket around to cover her, keeping her warm. He slept beside her until she stirred. He would gladly sleep on a bed of nails if necessary, if that were the only way she felt she could rest.
Suddenly, in the wee hours of the morning, Kristine shook Erik awake and said in a firm but beautiful voice, "Call the hospital and tell them we're coming. The baby wants to be born…. NOW!"
"What, my angel, the baby wants what?" Erik said, still half asleep.
"Erik! I said the baby wants to be born now! Get me to the hospital. Wake up, Erik Destler, we're having a baby!" Her voice was very firm and demanding but still lovely all the same.
Erik shot up out of bed and grabbed his cell. Dialing frantically, he reached the hospital and left word that he was bringing Kristine in for her delivery. They said the doctor would be called and to get right in. Erik started to panic when he went to help her out of bed and saw the large wet spot soaking into the mattress. He didn't realize how much water would be expelled. Well, he was sure they would have to get a new mattress. The things men think of when in a panic mode, when babies want to be born!
He rushed around, grabbing her packed bag. These things have been in there for over a month, he mused. With the bag in hand, he gingerly guided Kristine to the Jeep and started to speed into town. He hit every bump on their dirt road before turning onto the paved street on the edge of town.
"Thanks loads for that bumpy ride, Erik!" she said through gritted teeth.
"Well, my angel, you said to hurry, and I can't miss every hole in the road, now, can I?" he shot back.
"I know! You understand this isn't the softest riding auto we own. So, refresh my memory -- Why are you using it, anyway?" Her anger held firm.
"They were the only keys I grabbed at the time, my darling!" he said through his teeth, as his temper crept up.
At about that time, she had a very hard contraction and screamed in pain. He slammed on the brakes and stopped the car in the middle of the street and turned to her to see what he needed to do.
"Damn it, Erik! Don't stop! What's the matter with you? I need to get to the hospital. I don't want our baby born here in the Jeep. Move it, will you?" was all she said as she stared him down. Another contraction hit, and he sped off towards the hospital.
Erik parked the car in the emergency stall and rushed around to get her out and inside to admissions. There the nurses were, waiting to take her to the delivery suite. They instructed him to move his car before he came inside to clean up for delivery.
After parking the car, Erik dialed her parents to join him for the delivery of their grandchild. He had no idea his parents had arrived in town that very day. They wanted to surprise the couple. Surprise would be an understatement, with everything that was happening now.
He even remembered to let Meg and Nadir know to come to the hospital. As Erik scrubbed down in preparation for the baby, he went back over one of the Lamaze classes they had taken.
Meg had also been there. It was a precaution, just in case the baby made an appearance in record time. It caused him to panic, thinking he could be stuck somewhere, unable to get back and help in the delivery of their baby.
They had lain on the floor with Kristine between them as they talked over her during the exercises. He remembered how he had bickered with Meg about how silly some things were, and they had laughed. But not Kristine; she said she felt like a guinea pig in between two mad scientists that were experimenting with her. They both laughed harder, but she still remained stoic, She felt so ugly and out of sorts! Erik told her that she never could be ugly, to him. Instead, she was the most beautiful woman in the world who was carrying his child — their child. He asked her, 'What more can I want than this?' She smiled and said nothing. She just needed to have her ego stroked, as most women craved as they neared the end of their pregnancies.
Meg came bouncing in and commented to Erik, "I guess this is it. Let's get this show on the road. I want to hold my niece or nephew. Say, why didn't you want to know the sex of the baby when you guys had those sonograms?"
Erik shot her a harsh glance and said, "I don't care what sex the baby is. I just want a healthy baby and for Kristine to live. I'm scared, Meg. I could lose her this time." Erik dropped his head so she couldn't see his tears.
"She's not going anywhere. There is too much for her to do after the baby's born. I ought to punch you for saying this, so get that notion out of your head, Destler." Meg was very serious. She knew things could happen that were unforeseen, but not this time. Please, God! She turned so Erik couldn't see her tears as she pulled on her gown over her outfit.
They stepped out into the room and met Charles and Anne. They had gone into another room to prepare. Kristine lay there, panting and sweating through another hard, deep contraction. The doctor came in and said things were on schedule. He thought that in about 20 minutes or so there would be a new life entering their world.
Erik moved over to his wife's left side and Meg to the right. Another deep contraction hit, and Kristine screamed, gritting her teeth and crushing his hand. Erik told her to focus on the opposite wall, just above the doctor's head, and do her breathing. He counted out loud. She did the best she could, and the doctor told her to bear down on the next one and push. Meg dabbed her face with a dry cloth and was getting antsy. Anne and Charles gave their support as they watched from the side. Kristine locked eyes with her mother in between the contractions. Anne just nodded. She understood. Only a woman who had given birth could relate to the same feelings in another. Kristine felt this bond.
Two deeper contractions came, and then the doctor said the head had crowned and for her to really push at the next one she felt. Glancing up to meet Erik's eyes, she said she loved him. He leaned down to kiss her, and here came the next contraction. His kiss was a short peck mixed in with a grimace from Kristine as she pushed hard. His hand felt as if it would fall off, and so he changed hands to get blood into the first one. Where do women get this strength during childbirth? I figure she could bench press 400 pounds easily.
Erik glanced over to Meg and watched as it looked as if she was having a contraction. Her face was contorted as her breathing matched Kristine's. Would this experience turn Meg off from having children? Erik hoped not. Maybe, by the time she held the baby, she would change her mind.
The doctor said for Kristine to push very hard to get the shoulders to move past the opening. Erik saw him take a knife and start to cut his wife. This was unacceptable, and he had started to move when Anne got his attention and waved him off. She made an okay sign with her hand, and Erik wrinkled his brow to that.
She whispered, "He has to do that to get the shoulders to pass through the birth canal, or the pressure could rip her badly if he doesn't. Patience, Erik."
"Well, then, he should speak up then and let a person know what's going on," Erik said in a huff.
The doctor looked up at him and said, "Fine!"
Every so often, the doctor interjected something. Erik was pleased to hear everyday words spoken, not the usual doctor's lingo, as he called it. At least those in the room could understand things better. It's not every day a man watches his wife have a baby and knows what is going on.
One last contraction came, and Kristine pushed and breathed a slight sigh as relief washed over her. Erik looked down to see his baby in the doctor's hands. He held his breath, hoping everything was in order. His hope was that all toes and fingers were there and that his baby was breathing properly. He knew his deformity was from an accident and wasn't genetic. That was his greatest relief.
"Kristine and Erik, I'd like to introduce you to your son," said the doctor, and he placed the baby on her stomach. He said, "Erik, take these and cut the cord right here," and Erik did. His hands were shaking, but he made a clean cut.
Kristine asked to be pushed up with the help of Meg and Erik, so that she could see their baby. She touched his little hand and caressed his little head.
"I want to kiss him. Please, Erik, help me?" she implored. Meg helped her up and Erik brought the baby up closer for her to kiss. Tears of joy fell onto the baby's reddish skin. He felt so good to Kristine. Erik leaned in and kissed his little head and gazed into his wife's eyes with a longing he couldn't deny.
The nurse cleared her throat to get their attention, as she needed to take the baby to record the vitals and clean him up as the doctor finished up with Kristine. Meg wiped Kristine's face and took her own fingers to comb back her friend's damp hair, and she tucked it behind her ears.
When the nurse finished with the baby, she returned him to Kristine's arms. Erik hovered over his new family and beamed. Anne and Charles came over to see the baby, and she passed him to her mother's arms. Anne was in tears, trying to see the little angel as she held him close. Charles reached in and took his little fingers and looked at them. The baby curled them around Charles' index finger and held on with a powerful grip for a baby.
The nurse came over to ask the name for the baby's records. Erik looked at Kristine, and she back to him. They had discussed names and were ready.
"Charles François Malcolm Destler," they both replied in unison.
Charles shot his eyes up to meet Erik's and over to gaze on his daughter. He was pleasantly shocked to hear his grandson named after him. That was usually given to the father's father.
Erik said, "One Frenchman in the family was enough." They all laughed. He had discussed it with his father, and the man had agreed on whatever Erik decided. What they didn't know was that Erik and Kristine had put the two names into a bowl and drawn out the chosen one. That was only fair -- let fate make the choice. After all, fate had brought them together.
Erik flipped the phone open and called his parents. He could hear excitement in both their voices. His mother held her excitement down, wanting to tell him they were already there in Telluride, but she didn't. She had them stop off at the church to see the priest before she called Erik. They wanted to check on things for the christening, and it had to be held before they returned to Scotland.
Erik had no idea of the events being planned or where his parents really were, but his mother's lack of enthusiasm bothered him. He became annoyed and said, "Whatever, Mum." He then thought, How strange! The lack of communication had never been a problem with his mum before.
Meg went out to tell Nadir, but wouldn't let him touch her as she still hadn't held her nephew. Little Charles wasn't really her nephew, but try and tell that to the feisty little blonde beauty. Nadir was overjoyed to see his wife fuss on about baby Charles. Maybe there was hope for them yet in the baby department. She dashed back inside to see that Erik was holding his son and softly singing to him with Kristine looking on.
Later, when things settled down, Nadir entered the room to see little Charles in his wife's protective care. Erik had out his new digital camera and was taking video clips to send to James, Philippe and Patrice, and the Hornrods. He knew Sam would see to it that Jocelyn would see the photos. He would send clips to Marie and Gerard, too, wherever they were. He knew they would be jetting there soon to see the baby.
He took his phone and called the island number for Momma and told her of the baby's arrival, relaying the news that all was well with Kristine. The dear woman said she was pleased to hear everything had worked out well for them. She spoke to Kristine before ending the call.
Within twenty minutes, a loud voice could be heard coming down the hall. Marget's voice projected and boomed off the walls. She and François had sailed through the prep room to get to their son and his new family. Erik ran out to see if that was indeed his mother's voice. He couldn't believe it. Things had been odd earlier when he had talked to her, but he never thought they would fly in and surprise everyone. Excited and thrilled to see them standing there, Erik engulfed his parents with a bear hug. He guided them inside to view their new grandchild. Meg handed the little babe to Marget's maternal embrace. Tears streaked down her cheek as she gazed into her new grandchild's face. Erik had been given the most wonderful gift of all, his own family to love and cherish. That was the greatest dream a mother could have. His father watched with silent praise as the little child lit his heart with joy. His son had reached for the golden ring and found his treasure in Kristine. Along with this treasure, he had found hope and a family.
Days later, Anne and Marget finalized the arrangements for the christening at Kristine's request. In one month, all their friends would gather together to celebrate Nadir and Meg becoming godparents to little Charles François Malcolm Destler.
It was the end of a year that Erik and Kristine would never forget as long as they lived. From despair had come new life and contentment. Since their dreams had been realized, in came this new life to celebrate, and then there was one who never would be forgotten, but would always be there in their hearts to cherish forever.
Kristine had looked far beyond Erik's face to see this love he had to share with her and with it, their baby. There stood their future, bright with promise.
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The End.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure with Erik and Kristine, besides taking the time to read my story. If you are so inclined, please review.
