Erik hurriedly carried the small girl in the house as he was afraid she might fall ill in the chillier weather of the summer night, and he did not know how much time had she spent on that cool ground before he found her. He wanted to know her inside the house the fastest he could, and hurried with her to the bathroom to wash her from the dirt she got on her skin. Oh, she was so dirty the poor thing. The tiny girl whimpered a bit in his arms, as she was most likely cold, tired, hungry and in fear. Erik tried to hush her a bit, so that he won't be nagged by the Daroga, but he was soon stopped by familiar baritone, otherwise kind of pleasant, but in these kind of cases, very annoying male voice from behind his back.

- Erik! What are you doing? - As he turned his head, he noticed Mohammed standing there in the hall in his sleepwear.

- Just go back to sleep, Daroga, I don't need help.

- Is that a baby in your hand? – The nosy fathead hurried closer to Erik and noticed the small child hugged close to him.

- Yes, but as I said, we are perfectly fine, so you should go back to sleep.

- No, Erik. – The Daroga groaned in displeasure. – Where is that child from? It is not your son…

- It is a girl.

- Where did you get a girl child, did you steal her from some…

- Would you shut your damned face? – Erik caught the Daroga's arm and dragged him to the bathroom and shut the door. – You will wake up Christine.

- She had searched for you before. – The Daroga sighed.

- What did you tell her? – Erik asked suspiciously.

- I tried to save the situation by telling her you were in the bathroom.

- Good. – He nodded ominously. -As if you dare to say anything, Erik will not be pleased.

- Erik, where is this child from, I ask again.

- I found her. – Erik turned on the taps to fill the sink with water to bathe the infant, who had fallen silent in his hands, examining him curiously.

- Found…? Where?

- In the forest where I buried Beau.

- Erik, this child is not yours. Are you going to just raise her instead of your son?

- Why the Hell would I not? – Erik carefully put the baby in the soapy water, gently rubbing her body.

- But maybe her parents will search for her…

- Of course, exactly that is why they left her under a bush in the forest, naked, because they wished to return to get her. – Erik pouted.

- That very much sounds like she was abandoned. – Mohammed admitted. – But still, it is not the right act, Erik. This baby is not just yours to do as you please with her.

- Why? Should I take it back to the forest for wolves to eat her?

- No. But you did not want a child if I remember correctly. There are many people who do wish for a baby, you could give her up for adaptation.

- So you just suggest I take her to the nearest orphanage and leave her to her fate?

- Erik, it is a crazy idea to adopt a child at this age. You have admitted me you did not want it, you were complaining about being tired and in pain. Why would you do that?

- For more things. At first, Christine was so excited for a new child. She adores babies and children, and even though she had suffered endlessly during these months, she still wanted the baby. Erik's suffering and inconvenience about a baby is nothing compared to Christine's. If she suffered so much and still wanted a baby, Erik shall want the baby as well, just as much. Secondly, I felt sorry for the poor thing under that bush and I did not wish to leave her there to die. Other times you would have been the first to tell me I was a heartless bastard for leaving her there.

- I did not say to leave her there, but it is not a right thing to lie to Christine about the baby and tell her it was her child, as you sure wish to do.

- Why? Is it hurting anyone? You heard the doctor, that level of excitement could easily cause my wife to get more ill. Do you, perhaps, wish to walk in the bedroom and inform her about she gave birth to a half dead child who looked like Erik, and we are already through his funeral, and here, by the way, is a baby girl for replacement?

- No. It is your job to tell her.

- I am not telling. What she doesn't know about, isn't going to hurt her.

- Erik, telling lies about such an important issue is sure a wrong thing to do.

- I am not telling lies, I am just not telling some unimportant details.

- What if she finds out by herself?

- She won't. She doesn't know about Beau, and if she will talk to me about him, I will know who to kill.

- Erik!

- I told as I told. – He barked as he washed the tiny child, then dried her with a soft and warm towel. The baby did not like being bathed at first, but after a time she started to enjoy the warm caress of water, and the gentle touches of this kind man.

Erik was mindlessly babbling to her as he caught himself, then he started reciting some nursery rhymes to calm the tiny girl. He found it strange to nurse a baby girl again after these long years, he did have only boys for a time, Mahtab was a baby so long time ago. He smiled at the cute little human, putting a diaper on her, then also dressing her in the baby shirt Christine had shown him on his Birthday. "It became a quartet." It did, indeed.

The next morning, after feeding the baby some warm gruel, when the doctor returned to check on Christine, Erik hurried to him eagerly with the small child in his arm. He excitedly gestured to him to follow him to his study as they needed to talk. The Daroga shook his head in disagreement, but did not say a word. Erik showed the child to Bonsanté to find out her age and if she was healthy. After some minutes of checking, Bonsanté turned to Erik and nodded.

- She might be a week old, or even less. She is healthy, her lungs are strong and she really looks and acts like a normal baby in her age.

- Oh thank Heaven! – Erik wiped his forehead with his handkerchief in relief. – And don't tell Christine about… my son.

- It is a matter of medical secret. A doctor never tells about these issues if not directly asked by the patient.

- I am glad. – Erik nodded.

When the doctor checked on Christine and informed Erik about his wife being much better, Erik stepped in the bedroom with the baby girl in his hand to finally show her to the mother.

- Good morning, Christine, my love of my life.

- Oh, Erik… good morning. You are so good to me. – She smiled. She really looked much better than the day before, her cheeks got redder, and her eyes shone with love and happiness.

- The doctor told me you were feeling better.

- I am.

- So I brought our baby to you to look at her. – Erik sat down to the side of the bed and put the child in Christine's eagerly reached out arms. – Here she is.

- Oh, how beautiful. – Christine was examining the baby with affection.

The girl had huge blue eyes, as any newborns, and had no hair at all. She was a rosy colored cute little thing, and instantly filled Christine up with love. She pulled her close to herself and kissed the baby's forehead gently, then cooed.

- Hello there, my sweet little daughter. – After some moments of silence, she seemed to be thinking about something though, and the smile disappeared from her lips.

- What is wrong, my love? – Erik noticed Christine's sudden mood swing.

- Nothing, I just… am thinking.

- Of what, my sweet little wife?

- Remembered like… our baby was a boy.

- Boy? Oh no, she is a female, certainly.

- I remember that the doctor told me it is a boy. I felt lousy, and after I fainted… but I think he said it was a boy.

- Maybe you don't remember it right, dear, you were exhausted and ill.

- And… maybe you called the child…"him' as well, when I told you I had no milk…? "We will raise him on gruel…

- Christine, Erik was exhausted and worried, and he is much used to having boys in his family, maybe this is why he messed up. But this baby is a girl, for sure.

- Finally I have a little princess. – She smiled widely again. – I can dress her in pink.

- Of course, my dear, she will have the sweetest dresses ever.

- Did you name her yet?

- I am just unintentionally calling her Belle. But if you have a better idea, I am open to it.

- Belle? – Christine smiled happily. – I think this name suits her completely. She is beautiful as a little angel.

- I am pleased you like my idea of a name, my dear.

- Very much so, my husband.- Christine giggled. – Papa. – She added with a small laugh.

- Oh, yes. – Erik chuckled. – Papa of four small miracles.

The Daroga did not really appreciate the idea of Erik not telling the truth to Christine about the babies, but he could understand it in a way. He knew Erik wanted the best for Christine, and she was weak and sensitive about tragedies in her life, as her father's death still burned her soul and made her cry sometimes. What would happen if she found out her newborn son only survived 2 hours? Maybe it is really better this way as Erik and fate had turned the events? Maybe truth isn't always the best solution?

In a few days Christine got stronger and stronger, and a week had to pass until the doctor finally said Christine was healthy again. Of course she had to take care of herself, but at least she was now free to go all around the house without help as she pleased, and Belle was in perfect health as well. She ate normally and gained weight in the right pace. She was really a cute child, she did not cry a lot like Noel, and thank Heavens, she slept nights through. She did not cause extra trouble. Belle was Erik's dream child. Just the right behavior for such an old father.

The other three children arrived home on 24th June, after a month of absence. Erik missed them dearly, and went to visit them as much as he could, and informed them about their little sister whom they got eager to see. The father was so happy to have them back home, he felt the house so empty without them. They adored baby Belle, and Erik suddenly had an idea how to make babysitting even easier for himself: he noticed Mahtab being extremely fascinated by her sister, and caught her stroking the baby's face often, singing her songs.

- Mahtab dear… do you like the baby?

- Yes, very much so. – She nodded.

- Do you want to help with feeding her?

- Of course! – She clapped. – Am I allowed to?

- Yes, now you are old and responsible enough to be allowed to help with nursing a baby.

She was so happy Papa and Mama needed her help in this very important issue. She soon learned how to warm up milk, check its temperature not to be too hot for the baby, changing diapers, and even bathing Belle. Erik was so surprised yet proud of Mahtab that she did not show disgust over changing diapers. She seemed to be so mature about it as a real mother. She loved to dress Belle, and Christine smiled as she heard Mahtab liked how beautiful colored small dresses Belle had. Maybe Belle's wardrobe will make her want to dress like a girl finally as she is supposed to? Having another girl child shall maybe help Mahtab realize the beauty of being a woman?

This illusion shattered though on a beautiful, but really hot afternoon in August. Erik was sitting in his favorite armchair in front of the fireplace in the drawing room, reading a book, and the children were playing around the house. Christine was relaxing on the couch, rocking Belle in her arms, softly humming to her, when they suddenly heard a scream. It was a frightening scream and Erik jumped up from his armchair to investigate what had happened. He ran to the direction from where now he could hear desperate cries for help, and now he was able to realize it was Mahtab.

- Where are you? What has happened? – Erik asked in horror.

- In the bathroom… . Mahtab cried.

- What is wrong? – Erik tried to open the door, but it was closed. – Mahtab, open the door please. I can't help if you lock me out.

- Papa, I am dying… - She appeared in the halfway opened bathroom door with a pale face.

- What do you say? What is wrong?

- I don't know… - She swallowed back some tears. – I am scared.

- Mahtab what has happened?

- I am bleeding. – She showed her bloody hands to Erik.

- Bleeding? Did you cut yourself?

- No.

- Then…? Oh God… - Erik slapped his forehead in a sudden realization.

- Am I going to die soon, Papa?

- No, dear, it is… completely normal, but please go to Mama and tell her what has happened, will you?

- Why can't you help me?

- Because it is not a man's job to take care of such happenings. Mama knows well what it is and will explain.

- But I am a boy as well, just we should talk as a man to a man.

- No, Mahtab, you have to talk to your Mama as a girl to a girl. Trust me.

Mahtab washed her hands and walked to Christine to the drawing room to discuss this strange illness that has bothered her. Erik scratched his head. Well, Mahtab was already nearly 13, it could be expected. But why did not Christine tell this to her in advance instead of waiting for her to freak out about her first time? It sure has to be a horror for a girl to find it out, and that was one of the reasons he thanked God to be born as a male. It is really not the father's job to discuss periods with his teen daughter. What are mothers for?

There was some soft talking could be heard from the drawing room, but soon there was another cry then a painful sob on Mahtab's voice. Oh, God, what was that now…?

- Erik, please come and comfort her. – Christine opened the door.

- What is wrong?

- She did not really take it the right way. – Christine sighed.

- What have you told her?

- I just told her that it was a totally healthy thing, and it indicated she was a healthy girl, and this is the first step of becoming a woman.

- And?

- She cries that she doesn't want bigger breast and blood all over her. She is a boy.

- Oh, it was to be expected. I try my best to calm her. – Erik sighed then walked into the room.

Mahtab was laying on the couch, her face buried in one of the cushions and sobbed so hard it gave Erik pain in the heart.

- Mahtab… - He called out softly. – We have to talk.

- Yes. – She sat up, looking at Erik in fright.

- Mahtab… what Mama said was true.

- I don't want it.

- It is not about wanting it or not, dear. It is just nature. That's how it works. Women and girls have to face this fact and can do nothing about it.

- But Papa, you told you liked me as a boy.

- I do. But God created you as a girl. And girls work this way. You have to accept it.

- Can you do nothing about it? Papa, I don't want my breast turn big. I don't want to bleed in every month. Mama said it happens every month.

- It does. – Erik nodded.

- I want to be a boy, have my voice deeper, and walk around in pants.

- Mahtab you can still walk around in pants. This won't change it, you just have to be prepared of this bleeding. There are things you cannot change, but well we can work on your voice turning deeper with a technique I am going to teach you. It won't ruin your vocal chords, but will make you sound more mature and manlike if you wish.

- Really? – She dried her eyes.

- Yes, dear. We will work on things we can help with, but not on the things we cannot. You just have to get used to them, but still can be a boy if you wish. Let's just say you will be a unique man.

- Sounds better than what Mama said. She said I will turn out to be a woman and my whole body is going to change.

- Some changes will occur, but you still can be a boy if you want to. It does not matter what your body looks like, it does only matter what you feel.

- And we really will work on my voice?

- Yes.

- Papa…?

- Yes, Mahtab?

- There may be something else as well.

- What else?

- Papa, real men… so… I don't feel like a real boy until something else changes.

- What should change?

Mahtab leaned closer to Erik's ear, and softly, nearly inaudibly whispered:

- I would like to pee standing like you and the boys. On field trips you have so easy jobs, and I always have to squat or sit on the toilet. I don't feel like a boy.

- Boys sit as well sometimes.

- But not always.

- Uh… well… - Erik scratched his head. – If that is what you really want, we can work out a solution.

- It would mean a lot to me. Boys do that.

- All right. I will teach you.

All of Christine's hopes and dreams of Mahtab finally will act right as a girl did shatter when she found out that Mahtab now was able to go to the bathroom against a tree just like the boys. She was bragging with it, as it was some kind of great thing to do so. She found it disgusting. Why on Earth would Mahtab do that and how?

- I can do nothing about Mahtab thinks boys are boys because of the fact they urinate this way. – Erik shrugged. – It is just a new thing she wanted to learn as she wanted to reassure herself of being a boy. I will have to scold her about doing it so openly though.

- Did you not tell her it was against nature?

- It isn't. You can do it as well if you know how. And I agree with her it is more practical sometimes. Why does it bother you if she feels better like this? She was always a unique thing. She did not start being weird today.

Christine did not like the fact that Mahtab acted and dressed like a boy anyways, but this was just too much for her already that the child made up so weird habits and wanted to stop her from doing it by telling none of the boys were allowed to use the bathroom that way. Erik snorted at her that she may not indulge in his own bathroom habits and shall only bother about her own business. She wanted to explain that she only wished to spare the child's pure soul, and turn her to be a normal girl finally. She was shocked about the response she got from Mahtab to the announcement when she informed her daughter about her.

- You just envy us because you are not able to do so Mama.

- How dare you? – Christine lost her patience and slapped Mahtab real hard. – I have enough of this nonsense! You are not a boy! Enough, understood? Stop being crazy!

- Christine stop! – Erik arrived just in time to make Christine release the girl from her desperate grip. She was shaking Mahtab's shoulders with such a force it made Mahtab nod unintentionally. – Have you lost your mind?

- You don't love me! – Mahtab pointed at Christine accusingly, then stormed out of the room.