Hello readers!
Some of you knows I've been following a treatment for pain in the past few months... Well...we discovered that the treatment, though taming some of my pain, actually makes me sicker... So, now I'm in the slow process of cleaning my system of that poison and I guess the right word would be "withdrawal". Needless to say I'm going through some rough times. This is really hard on me and I miss plenty of school, which sucks...
Now, I hope my chapters does not contain too many mistakes, concentrating has been really hard. Some of you will ask me: Why the hell do you write when you feel like this? Well, the answer is simple: I need to write in order to keep a small semblance of control. Writing is like the air I breathe and I can't keep it from my lungs. Now you know. ;)
Okay now, here's your chapter for today. :) Truly hope you will enjoy yourselves! xD
Kaya
Chapter 53
Catherine was breathing as calmly as she could, talking to the baby as she caressed her belly with shaking hands. She was telling him or her that though she was anxious to see its face, now was not the time to come to the world. But the pain persisted…
Half an hour later, a breathless Erik came back with a doctor, who also happened to be the one announcing to Catherine she was pregnant six months ago. The man was obviously unnerved by Monsieur Lavoix's singular appearance and he had a doubt concerning his true identity and not only because of the mask he wore, but because of the place where he took him.
As soon as they arrived, Catherine sobbed with relief, unable to help herself. Erik knelt by her side, placing a hand on her stomach, the other to her sweating forehead. First thing he did after that was to tell her how much he loved her.
-"I-I d-don't want t-to lose our b-baby, Erik. I d-don't want to d-die. I c-can't leave y-you alone…"
-"Shh, shh, calm down, mon amour, it's going to be alright."
He did not sound all that convincing. He was unable to hide the fear he felt in his trembling voice. During that time, the doctor rose Catherine's legs, bending her knees and examined her without as much as a warning. The young woman was given her husband's hand which she squeezed tightly as she felt the man's cold fingers touching her.
-"Is my b-baby alright?" She finally asked with a shaky voice
-"It was a shock that caused the contractions, obviously." The doctor said after a moment, staring at the Phantom suspiciously. "But was the cause emotional, like a quarrel, or physical, like a fall or a punch in your stomach?"
She hesitated for a moment or two. Catherine could not tell the doctor it was the duke of Reinhardt's fault she was so upset, not in front of her husband. Yet, lying would help no one, especially not her or the baby.
-"The former…" She answered, swallowing hard, not giving any details
Erik actually gasped and stared at her. He was not only angry, but deceived. She was supposed to run errands, not quarrel with who knows who. He thought she was going shopping, or something of the sort, for their baby. She certainly would have told him if she went to see her aunt or Christine…unless she went to meet with the viscount, then she would have said nothing to him. That probably was it! Now he wondered what the boy did to upset her so much it put his child's life in danger…
-"Well, it was quite irresponsible of you." The doctor growled. "Not that I expected anything else from you…"
-"Will my wife and baby be alright?" Erik asked, ignoring the older man's nasty comment
-"I cannot be one hundred percent sure, of course, but the child should not keep any sequel from this." He answered, cleaning his hands with a clean cloth from his bag. "Though, Madame Lavoix will need to stay in bed for the remaining of her pregnancy. The simplest effort could provoke new contractions and this time nothing would keep that baby from being born. That means, no walking, and no…intimate relations…with your…husband."
The nasty doctor glanced in the Phantom's way when he finished his not-so-subtle sentence. It made no doubt in his old mind that the masked man was responsible of this all. Erik, for his part, did not care about what the other man was obviously thinking. His wife was the only thing important to him, along with their baby.
Catherine's eyes had filled with tears at hearing the man's words. This was all her fault. Why did she go to Friedrich Reinhardt's home anyway? He probably did not even listen to anything she said and now she would have to stay put for three months. She would hate herself for the rest of her life if anything happened to her child!
-"I'll take care of you, my love." Erik murmured in her ear as he folded his arms around her shaking form, trying to forget about his anger
-"Now, take this." The doctor interrupted, handing Catherine a foul smelling potion. "It should stop those superficial contractions and relax you and the baby. If you spend the night without any contractions, the baby should be born in this in three months."
Nodding, Catherine hoped he was right. She gulped up the smelly mixture, trying not to be sick at the bitter taste.
-"What are the two of you doing here anyway?" The doctor asked rudely
Erik stood up, tall and dangerous, eyes narrowed. He could not suffer some people's curiosity. This old man had no right and the reasons why they were there certainly were none of his business. Just as he was about to answer something nasty, Catherine's shaky voice emerged from behind him.
-"M-my husband and I…had a rendez-vous here." Catherine explained, trying to sit up and Erik immediately came to help her, massaging the small of her back tenderly, carefully. "It was easier to meet here, since I don't know the city enough to find, for example, a restaurant or a park…"
-"Oh." The doctor made, not really convinced. "Well, you cannot stay here. Do you have a carriage?"
-"I have just a horse." The Phantom answered with a frown
-"Your wife, monsieur, cannot ride a horse in her condition, even less now than before." He sighed. "Alright, come with me, my coach is right outside. I shall take you back to the De Chagny's. You still live there, do you?"
-"No." Catherine answered, rising her chin. "I moved to my husband's home, outside Paris. But if you could, please, take us to my aunt's, we would be grateful."
Erik had to admire how his wife handled this and going to Elizabeth's place certainly sounded better than going to the vicomte's. Carefully, he tucked his precious wife into his cloak and lifted her into his arms. The contractions had stopped, thank goodness, but Catherine was still crying silently in the crook of his neck.
Catherine could not stop thinking about what might have happened that day. She could have been raped by someone she once considered as her friend and worst of all, she could have lost her baby, she still could, nothing was sure, as the doctor said… I'm so sorry, Erik, she thought, her heard breaking a little more, hating herself for being so stupid.
The doctor did not offer much help as he led the Phantom and his wife to his coach. It was a chance Erik was strong… Soon enough they were on their way to Madame Giry's home. Catherine could not stop her tears and it tore her husband's heart. They were both relieved her aunt's place was not very far from the old Populaire.
Madame Giry had quite a shock when she saw Erik and her niece, in his arms, in a bundle of black fabrics and tears, on her doorsteps. Her heart actually skipped a beat. What happened? Without even asking the question which was burning on her lips, she quickly let them inside and the Phantom immediately brought Catherine to her old bedroom.
Erik laid his beloved on the bed, dutifully removing her shoes and stockings, making her wince in pain. Though it pained him to see she was hurting, he could not help but be relieved it had nothing to do with their baby slowly calming in her womb. He knew the pain came from her bad leg. Removing his gloves, Erik warmed his hands and began massaging her calf and knee tenderly. It was then Elizabeth appeared in the doorway. She sat beside Erik, watching her niece she as grimaced with pain.
-"What happened?" Madame Giry asked, at last, trying not to show how worried she was
Erik did not answer immediately, humming softly and, soon, Catherine was nodding off. He stopped his lullaby, but not the massage on her leg. He sighed, turning to his old friend, doing his best not to burst in tears.
-"She almost lost the baby." He mumbled in a whisper. "The doctor said it was because of a shock and she revealed she quarreled with someone."
-"With who?"
-"She did not tell…" He frowned
-"Stress is not good in her condition." Madame Giry counted. "Where were you in the mean time?"
-"Not with her, obviously." He hissed, not liking what his old friend was implying. "She left home before I even woke up."
-"And you did not look for her?"
-"She said we would join each other at the house by the lake, where I needed to go later…" he continued. "Don't make me feel even guiltier, Liz, I really don't need that at the moment…"
-"E-Erik…?" Catherine's sleepy voice whimpered
-"I'm right here, angel." He whispered, leaning closer to her, kissing her lips lightly
Madame Giry decided to take her leave and once the door to the room was closed, the Phantom lay beside his wife, placing a protective hand on her swollen belly. Tears trailed down his face, not stopping at the mask. He had been so scared. Even knowing that this was not the right time, Erik decided to ask what had happened to upset her in such a dangerous way. Catherine did not answer her husband's question. She simply could not tell him about Reinhardt's reprehensible behavior. Not now, at least.
-"P-please, my love." She mumbled. "Can we go home?"
Erik's serious face softened, he did not have the strength to deny her something so simple. He would question her on another moment, when she was rested and calm. Kissing her, he then left the room promptly, running downstairs where he found Elizabeth waiting. He asked her to find them a coach that would take them home. She accepted to do as he asked but stopped him before he could return to his wife.
-"Can I come with you?" Madame Giry asked and he nodded without much hesitation
-"I could use your help." He said. "Besides, Catherine might prefer the company of her aunt instead of her short tempered husband, from time to time. Maybe she will confide with you…"
Half an hour later, a coachman was at the yellow door, waiting for his passengers. Installing his wife in the carriage, surrounding her with many pillows, covering her with several blankets, Erik sat beside her on the carriage's floor. Madame Giry took place across from them, staring at her pale niece, trying to hide her worry behind her mask of cold ballet mistress.
Erik was tenderly caressing Catherine's rounded stomach with one hand, massaging her hair with the other, hoping she would fall back asleep. She turned her head toward him, her eyes red and swollen from all the crying. She found that his own were not better by much. And this is my fault, she thought, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her once more.
-"I love you." She murmured huskily. "If something had happened to the baby…"
The Phantom effectively interrupted whatever Catherine was about to say with a soft kiss on her parted lips.
-"Nothing happened and nothing will happen." He whispered. "And if it had been the case, I would and will take care of you and love you, no matter what."
Kissing her once more, Erik began singing softly, trying to sooth and calm her. With each note, he felt her breathing calm down. She slowly fell asleep and Erik sighed. If anything happens to either of them, I will die, The Phantom admitted to himself, a tear pouring from under his mask. Then his thoughts turned to the mysterious quarrel… If he ever found out who did this to his wife, that person would suffer his wrath. He calmed slightly when he felt the baby move under his hand. It reassured him and he permitted himself to doze off.
