From Heaven's Mind

Chapter Twenty-Three

Over a month had passed since Christine and Nadir had moved to America. It was an unusually warm February afternoon as Erik got back to the penthouse. When he arrived, he found Christine sat cross-legged on the sofa, wearing one of his shirts over a pair of old, baggy trousers, tucking into a sandwich.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, pressing a kiss to her temple and sitting down, putting his suitcase on the coffee table before them.

"I'm OK. Starving." She said, taking a bite of the chicken, sweet corn and… salami. Erik frowned.

"Christine, is that salami?"

"Yes, Nadir said I could have it."

"You don't like salami."

"I know, but I really wanted it." She shrugged, biting into it again. Erik decided not to argue. If it kept her happy, so be it.

Nadir came in with a box of groceries, throwing his keys onto the table.

"Hello Erik. This should last us for a few days. Unless Christine and Erik junior decide they're really hungry in the middle of the night again." He said, putting it on the table. Erik lifted an eyebrow.

"Erik junior?"

"Or Christine junior. Whichever you prefer." Nadir said, putting the food away. Christine joined him hastily.

"Did you get it?" She asked, hunting through the box. Nadir smiled and handed her a jar of chocolate spread. Erik stared as she seized a spoon and put a large dollop of the thick brown paste into her mouth, closing her eyes in satisfaction.

"Mmm… that is SO good."

She saw Erik's appalled look.

"Oh, sorry! Did you want some? Let me just get another spoon…"

"Christine, you can't eat that!" Erik said, pulling the jar out of her hands. She frowned, still clutching the spoon.

"Give that back!"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because it's not healthy. You're supposed to be eating nourishing food with plenty of vitamins, not chocolate spread and salami!" He said firmly. Christine looked at him, eyes wide. He half expected her to start sobbing at any moment. Then Nadir said,

"I guess this means she won't be getting the custard either."

Christine's face lit up.

"We put milk in custard. Milk is good for you! It says so on the packaging, and why would packaging lie?"

"She's got a point." Nadir added. Erik glared at him.

"Whose side are you on?"

"Christine's. Where do you want this stuff?"

"I don't care. Christine, no more, alright?"

"What about the custard?" She praised. Erik sighed.

"One bowl. That's it."

Christine set about preparing her custard before he could change his mind.

"How was your day?" She asked.

"Irritable."

"You said that yesterday."

"It was true then as well." Erik said, putting the kettle on. Nadir looked up from his unpacking.

"Is Therese getting that bar right yet?"

"No. The woman is tone-deaf; I don't know how the hell she got the part." Erik grumbled.

"She auditioned well."

"And she's gone downhill ever since. What do you want for dinner, Christine?"

"I don't mind." Christine said, stirring the thickening yellow sauce. Erik eyed it.

"You're having more than custard."

"As long as it doesn't have tuna in it, I'll have whatever you're having." She smiled.

Erik began to slice meat as Christine spooned up her custard. Nadir had his laptop open and was tapping quickly. When Christine had satisfied her craving, she began to cut up some vegetables for Erik and as Nadir finished his work, he began to prepare a sauce. They worked in comfortable quietness, this ritual rehearsed many times by now. In the twenty minutes that were left to let the food cook through, they sat around the kitchen table, talking amiably or animatedly discussing the day's work.

"Yes, I saw Zack and Katrina today. We're going to see a film tomorrow morning."

"I think I'll have it sorted within a couple of days, but you know what they're like, they hate to do anything useful."

"Obviously I can't change it now, it's been showing nearly two months, but that doesn't mean that I can't improve it."

After they had eaten and washed the dishes, Nadir went to his room to read a book whilst Erik and Christine lay on the sofa, talking about nothing in particular, the radio playing softly in the background.

"We haven't talked about names." Christine said. Erik smiled.

"Do you want to?"

"It's just we'll be able to find out the sex at my next visit. Do you want to know?"

"I'd rather be surprised."

"I'm glad you said that. I don't want to know either." Christine smiled. "But we should think about names."

"Do you have any ideas?"

Christine stared at the ceiling for a moment, picking a nail.

"Well… I like the name Marcus for a boy."

"No." She looked at him. He sighed.

"Marcus was my father's name. We're not calling our son Marcus."

"That's fine." She smiled, stroking his hand, tracing circles on the pale skin. "What about you? Any names coming up in that genius mind of yours?"

"I hadn't thought about it." He admitted. "Perhaps… Ronald?"

"Do you hate our child?" Christine said, looking at him. "I'm not calling my child Ronald."

"I know. I just wanted to see the expression on your face." Erik smirked. Christine rolled her eyes and lightly hit his chest.

"What about girls?" She said after a moment.

"What about them?" Erik murmured.

"Names. Any girls' names?"

"Not really."

"I like Dana. Dana's a nice name." Christine said vaguely. "Or Sophie."

"Hmm."

"Are you asleep?" She asked.

"Not quite. Give me a few minutes."

"You should have said that you were tired! Let's go to bed."

After calling goodnight to Nadir, they made their way to bed. Christine pulled on one of Erik's shirts whilst he was in the bathroom and when he came out he eyed her.

"Would you like to go shopping for some bedclothes?"

"No. Your shirts are comfortable."

"Yes, but I do need them on occasion."

"Buy some more then." She smiled, slipping into bed. Erik sighed and climbed under the covers. Christine instantly curled up to him, resting her head on his chest.

"You're comfortable too." She told him.

"I'm glad that I provide such great service to you." He said dryly.

"It's a compliment, Erik." She scolded. "Take it as one."

"Fine. Thank you."

"There. Wasn't too hard." She smiled sleepily. Erik rolled his eyes, but smiled. As he tried to sleep though, all he could think of was baby names.

It happened in March. Christine, Nadir and Erik were sat in the living room, watching television when Christine gasped. Erik jumped.

"What is it? What's wrong?" He said quickly. Christine clutched her stomach.

"I… I think the baby just kicked!"

"What?"

"I felt something!" She said, laughing delightedly. She pulled her shirt up over her stomach and felt carefully. For several tense minutes nothing happened. Erik touched her growing belly tentatively and they waited.

They felt it at the same time. Christine screeched happily and Erik's jaw dropped.

"Did you feel that? I felt it! It kicked!"

"I… it's…" Erik said, completely stunned. Nadir hurried over to feel as the baby kicked for a third time. Christine grabbed the phone.

"I have to tell everyone!"

She walked quickly around the kitchen as the phone dialled. Nadir looked at his boss, who was sat on the edge of the sofa, his mouth still open in shock.

"Are you alright?"

"Kicked… it kicked."

"Yes, that's what they do." Nadir smiled

"I know that. I just… it's really there." He shook his head. It was no use trying to explain.

Max peered at the computer and sighed, closing the window. He couldn't face answering another email. Typical – nobody talks to you in a week and then five people at once, all wanting information about the opera house right that minute.

"Everything alright?" Rebecca asked, putting a cup of coffee on the mat beside the computer. Max nodded and stretched.

"Yup. Just despairing and avoiding doing work."

"That's the Max I know and love." Rebecca said vaguely, sitting down with her book. Max glanced at her and smiled. She eyed him.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking how cute you look when you're reading."

"What do you want?" She asked suspiciously.

"What makes you think I want something?" He said, in a hurt tone. Rebecca smiled.

"Because you always want something."

Max laughed.

"Suspicious girl!"

"I am what I am. When are Meg and Tom getting back?"

"The film finishes in an hour. We've got a while." He said, checking his watch. "Want to do something?"

"Sure. We could watch a video or something." She said, closing her book.

"Cool. I'll get popcorn, you choose a film. No chick flicks." He warned. Rebecca smiled sweetly.

"But I thought that you liked 'How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days' and 'Love Actually'"

"Becky…"

"Fine, fine."

She flicked through the DVD's thoughtfully. Eventually she selected one and put into the machine, as Max arrived with glasses of coke and a bowl of popcorn.

"What've we got?" He asked, sitting down beside her.

"Labyrinth. David Bowie and puppets. There is nothing to hate about this film." Rebecca said, taking a handful of popcorn.

"I worry about you sometimes, Becky."

"Since we did I become Becky?" She asked curiously.

"Since I decided it suits you." He said cheerfully.

Rebecca rolled her eyes but didn't comment, flicking past the film trailers.

"Did you call Christine yesterday?"

"I did indeed."

"Is she nervous? Her due date's in just two weeks."

"She's excited more than anything. Absolutely over the moon." Max said, slurping his drink. The June weather was hot and uncomfortable.

"I can't wait to see the baby!"

"Well, they're coming back in September. You can see the baby then. Or we can fly out once the baby's born." Max said.

"I guess I could get time off work." Rebecca had been filling her time between show auditions by taking a part-time job at a music school. Max had been taken on full-time at the opera house in advertising and public relations. Not ideal, since he was hoping to direct, but he was getting a lot of experience this way.

The film began and they turned their attention to the screen.

"Rosa, Rachel, Julia or Tristan, Alexander, Michael." Christine said, writing out their final names list. She glanced at the clock and sighed, placing a hand to her swollen stomach. Erik and Nadir would be back from work soon, but nothing had happened yet.

"OK, baby. You're three days late. That is both bad and irritating. Because if you're not out soon, there is going to be BIG trouble. Daddy isn't going to be pleased and when Daddy's unhappy, he gets very grumpy. So if you could save Mummy and Uncle Nadir a lot of trouble and just get a move on, it'll be best for everyone."

She paused. Nothing happened. She pouted.

"Well fine. Be that way." She muttered, just as Erik and Nadir came back. They both paused.

"Who are you talking to?" Erik asked. Christine stood up. It looked like it took a lot of effort.

"I was giving the baby a pep talk. But it's either ignoring me, or it's mocking me." She said, kissing Erik. Nadir glanced at her stomach.

"Still nothing? No mother's intuition kicking in to give you a hint?"

"No. I've got zilch." Christine grumbled. She looked down at her stomach and said loudly, "I know you're in there! You were kicking!"

"Maybe we should call the doctor." Erik frowned. Christine shook her head.

"No point. It'll come in its own time. It's just… taking its time."

"If it's not arrived by tomorrow evening I'm calling the doctor."

"Fair enough but I doubt it'll help."

They settled on the sofa, Nadir witching on the television to check the weather forecast.

"Rain due tonight." He commented.

"Good. It's too hot." Christine said. Erik checked the time.

"Is anyone hungry?"

"Starving." Nadir put in and Christine nodded. "But all we've got is a tin of tomatoes."

"Well, we might as well eat out. It could be our last chance for a while." Erik said. "I'll call a restaurant. What do you want?"

"Italian." Christine said and Nadir agreed.

"…And we'll have a bottle of the house red and a glass of iced water." Erik finished giving the orders. They all handed their menus in and Nadir grinned at him.

"Very generous of you, Erik."

"Nonsense. You'll have to put up with a screaming baby at all times of the night for the next month and a half. This is bribery, pure and simple." Erik said.

"At least he's honest about it." Christine said.

The drinks arrived a few moments later and Nadir proposed a toast.

"To Christine on a well-managed nine months of pregnancy."

"To Erik on a well-managed putting up with me for the past nine months of pregnancy." Christine smiled, lifting her water. Erik smiled.

"To the baby. Praying for a safe delivery."

They clinked their glasses together and Christine drank some of her chilled water before rubbing her stomach.

"I feel so huge. My back is killing me."

"It can't be much longer, can it?" Nadir said. "Can't doctors give you something to hurry it along?"

"Yes, but they won't for just three days. If I'm a week late they'll probably do something. But I'm hoping it'll have arrived before a week." Christine said.

A few minutes later she had to go to the bathroom. The baby was pressed against her bladder so hard she had to go at least eight times an hour. She chose not to share this information with Erik and Nadir. After all, they were about to eat.

As she washed her hands, a woman who was reapplying her lipstick smiled at the bump.

"When's it due?" She asked, kindly. Christine laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Three days ago."

"God, that must be awful!"

"It's not a bundle of laughs." Christine admitted it.

"Do you know what it is?"

"No, we're waiting to be surprised."

"Well, best of luck." She blotted her lipstick and threw the tissue into the bin before disappearing. Christine put her hands under the dryer, the hot air blasting the water droplets away.

Their meals had arrived when she returned to the table. Erik looked her over.

"Everything alright?" He asked.

"Fine."

"Are you sure?" He pressed. Christine looked at him flatly.

"Actually I just had the baby in the bathroom. I'll go and get it later, so we can finish our meal first."

"No need to be so sarcastic. I was only asking." He said, looking rather hurt. Christine knew that he was putting it on and ignored him, starting on her carbonara.

Christine and Nadir were looking at the dessert menu (Erik didn't particularly care for desserts) when Erik's phone began to ring. He answered swiftly.

"Yes? I see. No, don't do that; just make sure that it's replaced before tomorrow night. There are spares in the cupboard." He lifted his gaze heavenwards. "Tony, it is not a problem. No, she hasn't had it yet. I'll tell her. Goodbye."

He hung up and looked at Christine.

"Tony sends his best wishes."

"That's sweet of him. Black forest gateaux." She decided. Nadir had chosen blackcurrant sorbet. They gave the waitress their orders and Erik drained the remains of his wine.

"I've decided to turn down any new offers from the New York Opera House." He said. Nadir and Christine both looked at him. "I'm going to take a year off. I want to help Christine with the baby."

"Erik, we talked about this. You could take up work at the local opera house." Christine said gently. Erik shook his head.

"No. I don't want to miss this. I can work in opera later. I could start writing one in the year off. But I'm not going to do any proper work this year."

"Are you sure?" Nadir said. "That's a lot to give up."

"I'm not giving it up. I'm merely putting it on hold." Erik said firmly. "And don't worry; I'll still have plenty of work for you to do."

"I never have any fear of that, Erik." Nair winked, sipping his wine.

The desserts arrived and Erik glanced at Christine. She was frowning down at her gateaux.

"Has the dessert offended you in some way?" Erik asked, amusedly. Christine didn't reply. Her hands were on her stomach. Erik looked at her more closely. She was rather flushed.

"Christine? What's wrong?" He said, touching her hand. She looked at him quickly.

"I… I think you'd better call the doctor."

"What? Why? What's happened?"

"I think my water just broke." She whispered. Erik stared at her and then wrenched out his mobile phone, dialling the emergency number.

Nadir helped Christine to stand and the waitress came over, looking worried.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked anxiously. Before Nadir could reply Christine had given a gasp and stumbled. Erik threw the phone at Nadir, who began to talk to the person at the other end whilst Erik helped Christine to a chair, where she whimpered. The waitress watched in terror and signalled to the manager, who was stood by the door. He looked over the scene in confusion.

"May I help you?"

"My wife has gone into labour. We've called an ambulance." Erik snapped. The manager paled as several other diners looked over curiously.

"Erik!" Christine cried. "Erik, it hurts!"

"The ambulance is on its way but it's just started raining and you know what the traffic is like." Nadir said.

"A doctor! We need a doctor!" The manager shouted hysterically. If Christine hadn't been in quite a lot of pain, she would have rolled her eyes. How likely would it be that there was actually a doctor in the restaurant? There wasn't of course but the waitress tugged the manager's sleeve.

"I've got a friend four blocks over, she's training to be a midwife, she's almost finished her course. Shall I get her?"

"Yes, do." Erik said, not letting the manager answer. The waitress darted to the door as the diners chatted excitedly. Christine swallowed hard and looked at Erik. He knelt beside her.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah… it's not so bad now." She said with a weak smile. "I wasn't expecting it, that's all."

"The ambulance shouldn't be too long." Nadir promised.

"I hope not." Christine said, rubbing her stomach.

Erik watched her, fear stabbing into his heart. He was by no means a religious man. But he was praying silently then.

Keep her safe. Keep them both safe.

A/N: It's all drama, drama, drama this chapter! And more expected next chapter. I've been doing my research and everything, looking into signs of pregnancy, development and all that. Very proud of myself right now!

This chapter is fondly dedicated to Danielle, Julie and Caitlin!

Lotsa luv

Katie