Chapter Thirty:

Nearly a year passed since the three had moved into their new home. Erik and Michelle were once again expecting and Erik, being the intelligent man he was, suspected that they were going to have twins. In fact he was sure of it when her six months turned into seven. She had a bigger stomach than the last pregnancy and she was constantly irritated with her weight.

Michelle grew was even more moodier than her last pregnancy and it did not help that she didn't get more than three or four hours of sleep a night. Erik was always attentitive, as usual, and took special care of her. He also made sure Fawna, who was speaking and a bit over a year old, was taken care of.

When finally the day came for Michelle to give birth, Erik was ready. He would not deliver twins, even if he had delivered Fawna, he did not want to risk the babies or Michelle. So he had made the doctor was notified and came well before her water broke.

When it finally happened, Erik rushed Michelle into their bedroom and told the maid to keep Fawna busy while Michelle was giving birth. The doctor set to work preparing while Erik held his wife and whispered softly in her ear. "Erik. I don't know if I can wait." Michelle wept as pain gathered in her abdomen.

"You can angel. Wait a little longer." He whispered softly.

She grasped his cravat and pulled him down so she could stare eye level with him. "You try giving birth! It..is..not..fun!"

He suddenly burst out laughing at her sudden outburst. "I think I can say that it does not look fun."

"Don't be cute Erik!" She whined as the doctor now situated a towel between her legs and put another one beside her.

A nurse entered the room and rushed to help the doctor. "Madame," the doctor interrupted, "are you ready?"

"Doesn't it look like it!" Michelle half-screamed and half-questioned.

The doctor only smiled at her outburst, having seen too many emotional and moody women in his lifetime of seeing pregnancies through. "Then we will proceed. Push madame."

Erik had never heard his wife scream as loudly as she did on her first push. He could tell she was already having troubles with being able to push out the first one. "Nurse get some pillows to prop up her lower back." The doctor said as he looked up. Erik helped Michelle sit up then helped her onto the small pile of pillows. "Push once more please."

Michelle grasped the sleeves on Erik's shirt and twisted the fabric as she cried out in pain. Tears fell down her cheeks as she continued pushing. Pain rocketed up her thighs and abdomen as sobs began wracking her body. "Almost!" The doctor shouted. Michelle's back arced and in an instant she felt something wet and sticky slide between her legs. "Nurse! Get ready to clean up this one."

"What is it doctor?" Erik asked the older man.

"A boy. Looks normal."

Erik sighed a relief then turned to Michelle and wiped her sweat-soaked forehead with a damp cloth. "It's almost over angel. One more."

He heard her cry softly. "I don't think I can do it."

"Of course you can angel. I know it. One more time. I know it must hurt, but it is almost over."

"Are you ready madame?" The doctor questioned her.

Michelle nodded, though felt a terrible feeling overcome her. She grasped hold of the fabric of his shirt and pulled as another scream exited her mouth. "Erik!" She screamed his name as she continued pushing. Once again she felt the familiar excruciating pain in her abdomen before their final child was expelled from her body. Tears fell down her cheeks as Erik gently kissed her dampened forehead. "It's a girl. Perfectly normal little girl."

"Can I see them?" Michelle asked.

"We will let you see them once you get a bath madame. I am sure you will feel better after a quick bath." The doctor replied.

Michelle nodded then felt Erik get up from his position, walk over to the bathroom and open the door, then picked her up gently and carried her to the bathroom.

xxxx

When Michelle was situated in the tub, Erik came back out to see the nurse rocking his children. "May I see?"

"Of course monsieur." The nurse answered. She handed him his son first. He looked down at him and smiled. As his oldest daughter was blessed with his wife's looks, the twins had his dark hair and amber eyes. He was beyond happy that his children had not inherited his curse.

He gently handed back his son and took up his new daughter. She yawned at him and he smiled. He then gently handed her back and went to help his wife out of the tub.

xxxx

Michelle was aching as Erik carried her to the bed. "Their perfect angel. Beautiful."

"I'm glad." Michelle replied.

They both suddenly heard twin cries as the nurse came over towards Michelle. "I believe they are ready to feed."

"Yes." Michelle agreed as she unbuttoned the straps of her gown. She propped herself up against the headboard then accepted their daughter and cradled her against her left breast. She then took her other child and cradled him against her other breast.

The nurse smiled then left as Erik watched Michelle nurse their new children. "What shall we name them? It is your turn angel."

"Since they have their father's looks, how about Erik and Erika?"

"You want to name them after me?"

"Of course I do."

He smiled and gently kissed her forehead. "I appreciate that so much angel."

"You are welcome."

"Daddy." A small voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Fawna. What are you doing here?" Erik asked his daughter as he picked her up.

"Wanted to see Mama."

Michelle held out her hand to her daughter, making sure to keep her new son firmly against her chest. "Hey sweety. These two are your new brother and sister."

"A brother and sister?"

"Yes."

"So we still outnumber Daddy!"

Erik laughed softly then said, "Yes you do. However, I am glad to be outnumbered by my girls." Fawna clung to his neck and smiled as she reached out to touch her siblings. Michelle smiled as Fawna touched her siblings gently.

"I think it is time for your siblings to go to bed."

Erik put Fawna down on her feet and said, "I'll put you to bed in a few Fawna."

xxxx

When Erik returned from putting Fawna to bed, he found his wife sleeping soundly. After quietly undressing, he carefully got into bed and pulled her against his body softly. "Mmm." She mumbled softly.

"Everyone is asleep."

"Except us." Michelle replied.

He laughed then nuzzled her neck softly. "Go on angel. You deserve a good night sleep."

"Finally, I be able to sleep for more than four hours."

Erik laughed again. "Yes angel."

"Erik."

"Yes."

"I don't want to have children for a while. At least a year or two. It doesn't mean, however, that we can't have sex."

He smiled then kissed her neck softly. "I love you angel and do not worry. Three children will do for now."

"Good. I love you too." She replied then fell asleep almost immediately.

Erik smiled as he watched his wife sleep soundly. He was glad nothing had gone wrong and that his new children were alright. He felt so lucky to have Michelle and could feel nothing but happiness as he tightened his hold on her and fell asleep feeling happy and fulfilled.

A/N:

Well I cannot believe it is over...for now. I plan to write a sequel. It will probably be about the same length or more. Anyway, thanks for the reviews. I appreciate you all.

Your obedient author,

Pyrite