Chapter XV- Agony

"Oh, God, no!" Meg yelled, in the carriage as they barreled down the road. Another contraction rippled through her, and Meg tried her best not to scream. "Mama, Mama, it's too early! It's too early!"

She gripped Erik and Madame Giry's hands and squeezed, needing something to anchor her.

Madame Giry quietly slipped off Meg's rings and handed them to Erik. He pocketed them, and rubbed Meg's hand supportively.

Meg's body relaxed and she cried out in relief. Madame Giry took charge. "Time the space of the contractions," She growled to Erik, who speedily took out his pocket watch.

Madame Giry leaned out the window of the carriage and yelled at Jean-Paul and Caressa to drive faster, for God's sake!

When they finally got home, the contractions were about five minute apart, and each bump in the road caused Meg extreme agony.

Caressa and Madame Giry somehow managed to get Meg up the stairs and into the bedroom, Erik following behind helplessly, ready to catch Meg if she fell.

They laid Meg down on the bed, then Caressa shooed Erik out of the room.

"No men allowed!" She explained, her head peeking out from the doorframe. "If we need anything, we'll ask."

And with that, the door was closed in Erik's face. He felt angry. Damn it, if he wanted to come in, he should be able to come in!

Jean-Paul ran up the stairs, and looked around, hay still clinging to hisvest after putting César away.

Erik shoved his hands in his pockets, grumbling. …And worrying. Like a normal soon-to-be father. Jean-Paul patted him on the shoulder, and then sat down on the floor, across from the door.

Erik soon followed his example. They strained to hear anything, but no baby cries. Not yet.

It was about noon when Erik started to feel nervous. Did it always take this long?

Oh, God, what if the baby was stillborn?

He buried his face in his hands, and this time there was no Meg to comfort him.

The door opened, and both men jumped to their feet and rushed to the door. "Calm down, we just need more ice," Caressa said, handing the cup to Jean-Paul, who started the heroic venture to the ice box.

"She's doing fine." Caressa said, correctly interpreting his silence. "It's just taking a little while longer." She smiled as Jean-Paul returned with the ice. "…Shouldn't be too long now." She said, taking the ice and closing the door with a smile and a snap.

Jean-Paul slid back down to his original spot, sitting against the wall, across from the door. Erik, again, joined him on the floor. The butler drew out a rather large piece of wood and a pocket knife from his overcoat, and handed it to the master of the house.

Erik glared at him. "Something to keep your hands busy." Jean-Paul said, innocently. They both sighed, and Erik took the wood and tool and began to carve.

It was seven o'clock when Erik had carved most of César's head and neck out of the wood. He had decided that he would carve him rearing.

Maybe the baby would like it. Maybe it would think it was a toy, or something.

The cries from the next room finally stopped, and Erik dropped the knife, and they both rushed to the door, pressing their ears to it, listening.

And that was when they heard the baby's cries. Erik breathed a sigh of relief, and Jean-Paul patted him on the back wildly, telling him "Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations!" over and over.

Erik grinned like a fool, and the door opened. Caressa stood there, beaming. "Well, Erik, you escaped death and got a beautiful daughter in the same day."

That was when she handed Erik's mewling daughter. Caressa gently laid the baby into Erik's arms….

His mouth opened in surprise… delighted surprise?

He was a father! He was a father!

Erik moved the blanket so he could see her face. He sighed with relief- she wasn't ugly. She was beautiful.

My God, she was beautiful! She had a full head of hair. Curly hair. Dark hair. His hair. She had beautiful eyes. Blue eyes- but he could just tell they were going to be green. Meg's eyes.

This was his child. This was his daughter.

Love burst out from every part of his body. Erik smiled at Caressa, and then glided- as if on cloud nine- to Meg.

She looked exhausted. Her eyes opened and closed, slowly. "Is… is she alright?" She said, just as slowly as her eyelids opened and closed.

Erik nodded. She was unable to say anything. She smiled.

"What should we call her?" She said; content. "Charlotte?"

"Christine?" Meg scrunched up her nose. She didn't want that name at all.

"Elissa," he said, looking down at his daughter, remembering the note he once wrote to the managers, recommending Meg.

…the newest Elissa in 'Hannibal'…

"Elissa," she nodded in agreement. Erik slid onto the bed, next to his wife.

He had never seen that look on her face before. She was looking up at him with pure love and devotion. She said once that he looked at her in the same way, but he didn't actually believe it…

He loved how she was looking at him, right at that moment. It made him feel loved.

He leaned down and kissed Meg, never feeling so happy at that moment in his whole life.

A/N- :Wipes eyes:

I'm sorry if Erik was OOC in this chapter… but I am of the opinion (after reading Phantom) that Erik likes children. Well… at least, his children.

Okay, if anyone wants to chat Phantom with me, please IM me at XxoCindyrellaoxX, because some of the people who have read this story have not read Phantom, so I don't want to give away the ending.

I'll see you guys at the ending…

:Sigh:

It's the end of a saga!