Chapter 9
The Journey Home
Around eight months later Erik had finished his business is Persia and they were on another ship, heading home, or to wherever they would call their home, maybe Hungary, maybe Greece, neither cared, both were caught up in the glee of impending parenthood, and it was just weeks away. Christine had her fears, about being a mother and about having the baby but Erik had calmly sat her down, nuzzled her cheek and reassured her easily with his sweet words and hypnotic voice.
One particular evening Christine was not feeling well, and was laying down in their cabin as Erik took a stroll around the deck to clear his mind. He himself had insecurities about the coming baby, mostly concerning his face, and his wife indeed had tried to reassure him but he was not so easily tempted into serenity. Gripping the railing he felt heat fill his face as he thought of what the Vicomte might do, knowing Christine was about to have his baby, it was at that moment that he vowed to give his life if he had to to protect Christine and their child. Sighing, he went back inside to their cabin and froze in shock.
"Christine?" He called, went to the bathroom, knocked and then opened the door, she was not there. Panicking he busted out the door into the hall and began searching for his wife when suddenly he heard someone calling him. "Monsieur! Monsieur!"
"Oui, oui, my wife, where is she?"
"Sick bay, monsieur, she is having the baby!"
"What!" Erik cried, storming off to there the sick bay was, 1 floor beneath. "But she's early!"
He found the wretchedly small room and knocked, the small, old face of the doctor peeped out and smiled at him. "Ah, glad you could join us, Monsieur."
"Is she all right?" Erik asked as the doctor allowed him inside, he froze upon seeing Christine, laying there in great pain. "Oh, darling I'm so sorry I left you."
"No, Erik it's . . . All, right.. Yes, all right." She gasped in her pain, reaching out for his hand. He took her's, mindless of how she violently squeezed his. He turned to the doctor, concerned. "Is it all right, that she is so early?"
"Oui, it is only by two weeks, she and the baby should be fine." The doctor said reassuringly, then went to check her. "Mme, this baby really wants out, no? All right I need you to sit up a bit more, there, that's good, now, I need you to push from where you feel the pain! Good, push!"
Erik kept his eyes on her sweet, red face, reached into his pocket with his free hand and wiped some sweat from her brow. She collapsed momentarily and whispered. "Whatever would I do without you, Erik?"
He shook his head. "Tssshhh, concentrate."
"All right Christine, another push." Six pushes later. "One more!"
Stunned, Erik looked over at the doctor as a cry sounded and felt the air leave his lungs as he gazed upon the sweet, red child in the doctor's arms. A girl! "Oh, my darling." He whispered, kissing his wife's cheek. "You did splendidly."
She didn't reply, just sat breathing a moment.
"Monsieur? If you will come take her a moment, I need to check your wife out." Erik nodded, kissed her hand and went to the doctor, carefully took the baby from him and smiled down at the little angel in his arms, shifted his grasp to better accommodate her.
The doctor knelt between Christine's legs and poked around a bit, Erik looked over, his smile draining from his face at the doctor's expression. "Monsieur?"
"Something . . . Isn't quite right." The doctor murmured, Erik felt the feeling drain from him and Christine froze.
"There's another one."
"Don't be ridiculous Christine," Erik said, turned to the doctor. "What is it?"
"She's right, there is another, Mme, push quickly for I am afraid this one is trapped."
Christine obeyed and Erik went and sat in a chair in the corner, dizzy with the shock of this revelation. "Dear God."
"One more Mme!"
To all's relief and surprise another cry sounded and Christine began to weep, laughing a little. "Ok, that's all."
The doctor held the baby up and said to Erik. "Tu voir un fils!"
"A son?" Erik whispered. "I . . . We have a son!"
Christine took the little boy and Erik moved his chair next to her bed. "Oh Erik, thank you so much!"
"No, cheri, thank you!" He kissed each baby and then they switched, adapting to the feel of both twins.
"Have you two names for them?"
"Oui," Erik breathed. "Julien et Julia."
Mwa ha ha ha. Kudos for the idea. I felt slightly inspired as I am madly in love, Fred so yes, they have twins.
CD