Chapter 60

It's time!

Poppy was in Erik's box. They were watching ballet auditions, or at least Erik was. She listened to his criticizing remarks. She felt so uncomfortable. Her stomach was not very big for her now being nine months, but it was still enough to show and make her uncomfortable. She absolutely refused to wear a corset. It hurt, and when she had been in her own time, read about what the people didn't realized. Wearing the damn cage endangered the child and mother. When she had explained this to Erik, he had been appalled. So she had the opera's seamstress let out some of her dresses, so that she didn't have to wear the corset. But even now, the loose and now comfortable dress was aggravating her. She knew her time was close; the baby had been still for the past few days. Antoinette was guessing that it was a boy, due to Poppy's past cravings. Erik wanted a girl; Poppy… didn't care. All she wanted was a healthy baby. Boy or girl. Girl or boy, she'll love ether one.

She sighed and fidgeted. Things were going great with the Opera House. She had heard people talking that Erik was the best manger the house has ever seen. But deep in her gut, she had a bad feeling, like when the chandelier had fallen. She heard the curious whispers about his mask. The only thing that kept them at bay was their respect and still ever fear of him. Erik was a fair man, he treated everyone equal. They all respected that, but there were still a few that was not satisfied and was getting too curious for their own good. Poppy had Erik about this, warning him. She told him don't panic but just keep an eye out.

She fidgeted again, and then sighed. Picking at a lose thread she felt a sharp pain go though her stomach. She stopped and felt it again. She then knew. It was time. She tightened her lips as another coursed though her belly. There was no need to tell Erik yet, for the contractions them died off. She let out a quiet, relived sigh. Thank god, Erik had not noticed. He had been bad enough when she started to swell a little. He didn't want her to walk down the lair by herself, or walk around too much. She had thought him sweet, but told him that just because she was pregnant, didn't mean she was helpless. Yes, true she had to go a bit slower, but she could still help him in the offices and such.

By the time the auditions were over, the contractions were more frequent. Erik started to walk out of the box, not noticing Poppy not following. But it didn't take long. He stopped and turned, Poppy still sitting in her chair, facing the auditorium.

"Poppy? Are you all right?" concern was in his voice.

"Shh. I'm trying to concentrate." Poppy gritted out between her teeth as another contraction ran though her.

Erik was kneeling at her side in a spilt second, "You… sure?"

She nodded. "The pains began awhile ago."

He stood, picking her up. "We need to get you to bed."

"I can walk," she warned.

"I know." He carried her into the hollow column in the box, for it was the fastest way to the lair. It took only ten minutes to get to the lair. He laid her onto the bed. "Lie still. I'll go and get Antoinette."

"Erik, you don't have to rush. It'll still be awhile," She gritted out.

"I'm just making sure there will be someone to make sure there will not be any problems."

Poppy smiled. There will be once Mme. Giry finds out that that Erik forgot not to bring her down here. She had told Erik that the lair was not a proper place for the baby to be born. Plus they would need a doctor or midwife. That meant someone other then Antoinette to come down to Erik's lair.

Erik hurried up the tunnel. He soon found Antoinette. She took one look at his face and knew.

"Where is she?"

"In the lair."

"Erik…."

Erik shot her an impatient look, "Now is not the time."

Antoinette sighed, "You're right. But you do know that it means that Maierline will have to go down there."

"I know. It will not matter soon."

Antoinette gave him a funny look, but he waved her away, "Go. Go get her. You know the way. Get her and bring her down." Seconds later he was gone, leaving Antoinette to go and fetch the midwife.

After Erik had Antoinette to get the midwife, he then returned to his wife. Poppy was sitting up in the bed, breathing in rapid, shallow gasps, her forehead filmed with sweat..

"Anything I can do?"

"talk to me."
And talk he did. Erik talked of his endless love for her and their unborn child. He talk just to talk. Taking her head he rubbed it and patted it. she in turned squeezed and cryied out each time a pain rolled though her. After an long time, he heard the sound of feet walking down the tunnel and sighed with relief as the midwife entered the room, followed by Antoinette. The next moments were busy; Maierline examined Poppy.

"Erik," Poppy whispered.

"I'm here, my love."

"You need to leave."

"No."

"I want—need you to leave. At least for the moment. I need to concentrate, and I don't want you to see this."

"Are you sure?"

Poppy nodded, not saying anything as she gritted her teeth.

Maierline turned to frown at him. "Go on. Everything is going fine. And she does need to concentrate now "

Regrettably Erik left to stand out side the door. Knowing that Poppy was suffering and knowing he could do nothing to ease her pain hurt worse than anything Erik had ever endured before. He began to understand why husbands preferred to pace in the parlor and smoke.

There were no screams, only an occasnal cry. Finally, it was over. The door opened and Antoinette beckoned to him. Numbly, he walked into the room. Poppy was holding a very small bundle. There was no noise. Poppy looked exhausted, but contented.

Trembling, Erik could only stare as Poppy held out a hand. Antoinette pushed him and he snapped out of it and walked over to her. He took her hand and lightly squeezed it. Her lips curved upwards in a tired smile as she brushed a finger over the baby's face. "She's so beautiful."

Erik tentatively caressed the baby's cheek with a fingertip. "She looks like you," he whispered. "Thank God." Indeed the baby had Poppy's features. But he also saw his self. She had thick black hair like him.

Maierline finished her work and rose, smiling. " I suspect that you're going to be occupied. So, I'll just find my own way back up"

Erik never looked up.

"Would you like to hold her, Erik?"

He was shocked by the idea. "I can't. I'll…"

Before he could protest further, she transferred the baby into his arms.

Erik held the tiny bundle ineptly, scarcely daring to breathe. The baby yawned, opening her eyes. The deep green fixed intently and wonderingly upon his. They were aware and sentient. She cooed up at him, her voice almost like his. Magical and beautiful. She squirmed and Erik's grasp automatically shifted to accommodate the movement. He heard a sound and glanced up to see Poppy smiling fondly at him, her eyes soft with love.

He moved to sit beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders to draw her close. She laid her head against his chest. he was unable to say anything, but he knew that words were unnecessary.