Chapter 2- A Second Time
As Christian grew he began to look more and more like his mother. He had her shorter and slender figure, but was still very masculine. His hair was always a mess because he could do nothing with it, as it just sat atop his head like a brown mop on a watermelon.
Christian's full name was Christian Matthieu and so Erik took to calling him by his middle name, and Rene never complained. Finally the child grew to where he preferred the name Matthieu and was therefore called by that name alone.
On Mattheiu's second birthday Rene gave him his present in the best way possible. She informed her son that she would be having another child. She asked Matthieu if he would like a little brother or sister, and all he could reply was a question of whether the new baby would play with him and his blocks.
Seven months into the pregnancy, Rene went into labor. She knew that something was wrong. Madame Giry (as the child was being born in her quarters once more) called for the best doctor around.
Erik was able to watch the doctor inspect his wife, and tell her that the baby was going to be born prematurely. He watched the labor, although Madame Giry had commanded him not to do so. In comparison to the last birth, this one was a terror. Rene had little to ease the pain, and nothing to comfort her.
At one point the doctor called Madame Giry out of the room. Only Madame Giry returned. She looked around the room, and called out to Erik, telling him to come and see Rene. Erik came out of his hiding place, without hesitation.
Madame Giry had a grave look on her face, and Erik could see that her face was salt stained and red. She walked up to Erik and held his hand in her's. See looked up at him, and in her thick accent said, "Erik, Rene is having some serious complications. She is not able to deliver the child correctly."
Erik stared at Madame Giry hearing the words, but not quite comprehending them entirely.
"The doctor says that if they try to save the baby, Rene will bleed to death from the inside." Madame Giry said, her eyes watering. "If they attempt to save Rene than, the baby will not survive."
Erik stuttered out a response. "I don't… understand." He said, taking his hands out of Madame Giry's. "What does this mean?"
Madame Giry looked at Erik with remorse. "Erik, Rene wishes to give up her own life to save her child."
Erik shook his head. He kept repeated that it wasn't true, but there was no denying it. Rene was going to die.
Madame Giry left the room, and went to retrieve Matthieu from his play date with her granddaughter. Erik walked over to the bed where Rene lay, colorless, and grimacing in pain. He sat at the foot of the bed, just as he had almost three years ago when his first son was born. This time he was not smiling.