I do not own the song Never Alone by barlowgirl.
Meg's pregnancy progressed well, there were no major problems, she was just very tired and quite large. However, for the safety of the baby and the mother, Erik put Meg on bed rest about two weeks into her ninth month.
Meg lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. It wasn't as if she could look in front of herself anyway. A massive shape domed the silk comforter atop her and obstructed any forward vision she may have had otherwise.
"You know, mon petit bébé, if I didn't love you, when you get out of me I would very much like to strangle you. But I do love you and wouldn't do that," she reassured her stomach quickly, "so don't fear. Your Papa and I shall see that no harm ever comes to you."
"That is quite true," a voice floated into the room and Erik came in with a tray of food and a smile. Erik had been uncharacteristically happy ever since Meg had agreed to be his pretend wife. His temper rarely rose. If it did, it was hardly ever at Meg and when it was he would disappear into his music room for a few hours only to emerge with a smile. It had begun to unnerve Meg. It was unusual for anyone to be so happy all the time, let alone Erik! Then again maybe after "dealing with Raoul" as he put it, Erik had learned to keep himself in check. Still, it made Meg slightly curious as to the real reason.
"Hello Erik," Meg struggled to sit up and was instantly aided by Erik. Lovely as the help was, Meg was not crippled, only pregnant. In front of her, a spread of breakfast foods made her mouth water: toast, hot cereal, cold milk, strawberries, and an orange. It made her stomach growl. Meg was so hungry! She ate the cereal and toast in no time, gulped down half her milk and ate most of her strawberries before she paused. "Thank you by the way," she said with a full mouth.
"Think nothing of it." Meg shrugged and scarfed down the rest of her food.
When she finished, she sighed and leaned back against her pillows. "I feel as if I am eating for a small army."
Erik chuckled and cleared away the dishes then took three books off of a small bookshelf. Wearily, Meg pointed to a copy of Jane Eyre, it was one of her favorite books. After climbing onto the bed, Erik sat next to Meg, letting her lean against his shoulder and he began to read. "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour this morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so somber, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor exercise was out of the question." The quiet, but animated, words that came from Erik's lips brought a smile to Meg's. The few times when the world seemed to melt into puddles were when Erik read so devotedly to Meg. They had found that reading lulled the child in Meg's womb. Although, when Meg tried to read by herself, it didn't work near as well as when Erik read. Perhaps it was his voice, which made every word musical, that lulled the child into the current blissful state.
Erik finished two chapters before stopping and looking down at Meg. Just as he had suspected, she had fallen into a fitful sleep. It worried him that she was no longer getting a restful sleep; he had begun to think that the child was going to come soon. Lucky as they were that Meg had entered her ninth month and the baby would have a very good chance of surviving, there was no one other than Erik and Meg down in the lair and the Phantom of the Opera couldn't very well leave for help. He could be killed, or something could happen and Meg and the child could both die. Erik needed to figure out a way to get someone to help. As much as he didn't want to, once again he needed the Viscountess's help.
After checking that Meg was in as deep a sleep as she would be, he wrote a note and placed it beside her bed then left the lair quickly. The quicker he got this over, the sooner he would be back at Meg's side. The dawn was just breaking and Paris was just awakening. The sun began its silent ascent over the horizon bathing Paris in a sweet pink light touched with gold. As quick as he could, Erik walked to the DeChangy estate and knocked on the door. Marie answered the door and instead of shutting the door she graciously ushered him into the parlor. Without his even asking, Christine was in the room within minutes holding little Katrina.
"Hello Erik," she smiled warmly, "what brings you here at such a early hour?"
"I'm sorry but Meg was asleep and well I didn't want her to know that I was here."
"That's fine, but why are you here?" Christine laughed softly, "I don't mind but it is unlike you to visit unless Meg is with you or you need something," she raised an eyebrow.
"Well," Erik began, "I am worried about complications while Meg is giving birth and I was hoping that I could persuade you to come back to the lair incase I should need someone's help." When Christine paused Erik barreled on. "Raoul could come and so could Katrina. The three of you would have your own room and wouldn't be bothered. It's just that I am very worried about Meg's safety and since her mother… well you were the only one I could think to come to."
With a smile Christine held up a finger to say hold on a moment and she rang a bell for Marie. The blonde maid skidded into the parlor and stood at attention, "Marie would you please bring the Viscount in here?" Marie nodded and just like Christine appeared in minutes, Raoul did the same. A look of concern sat upon his handsome features but when his eyes found Erik, that concern was replaced with a distant coolness.
"Christine what did you want?"
"Erik has made a proposition and I am going along with it, he and I only needed to know if you would be or not? Erik?" Christine was no longer the naïve child she had once been, for the first time in a long while Erik saw her as the woman she had become. No longer did she cower in fear of the shadows. She had backbone and determined will that was not easily swayed, but the thing that had stayed the same was that her friends and family came first.
Erik repeated his plight to Raoul but in shorter words. Raoul studied Erik for a moment; Erik thought that just maybe, the coldness in his gaze was replaced with understanding. Surely it was. Raoul could understand being worried about the woman he loved and for sure Raoul would go to the ends of the earth for Christine. Even if that meant going to the man he saw as his enemy. Maybe the fop was human after all, perhaps just as human as Erik was. That didn't excuse the foppishness though; Raoul was a fop and always would be.
Raoul drew a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out in a great whoosh. "I suppose I could come. Do you have a spare cradle for Kat though?" Erik nodded.
"Yes we have an extra."
Christine smiled slightly and sent Raoul upstairs to pack. "Will you be needing the extra?" Erik shrugged and told her he wasn't sure but had to be getting back incase Meg woke.
"Can you get there okay?" Christine nodded and with a warm smile got up reassuring Erik that they would be there within the hour.
Marie ushered Erik out and he made his rapid departure to his home. It didn't take him long to get there and when he did, he found Meg was awake. Up and moving and awake. "Meg!" Erik exclaimed, jumping from the gondola and running to her side, "What are you doing up?"
With a small shrug Meg answered, "You were gone and I was hungry. That and I had to use the restroom." Grinding his teeth Erik gave a sharp nod. "Where were you anyway?"
"Out," as he clenched and unclenched his fists Meg looked at him suspiciously then just shrugged and ate her apple then Erik helped her back to their room and helped her into bed.
"Will you sing for me?" Meg looked up at him hopefully.
With a sigh, Erik nodded and got his violin and began to sing one of Meg's favorite songs. "I waited for You today
But You didn't show
No.No.No"
Meg's raspy alto joined with Erik's rich tenor.
"I needed You today
So where did you go?
You told me to call
Said You'd be there
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?
I cry out with no reply and
I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone.
And though I cannot see You
and I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life oh
We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me
and though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen
I cry out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone
We cannot separate
You're part of me
and though You're invisible
I trust the unseen
I cry out with no reply
and I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone"
When Erik opened his eyes he saw Meg had hers closed and her hands were covering her face. Convulsive sobs tore through Meg's small but swollen frame. Erik gathered her up in his arms. Her hands clenched at the starched white of his shirt making it wrinkle just a bit. Pale, long fingers smoothed Meg's disheveled hair in a quiet attempt to quell Meg's tears. After a short while, Meg's eyes dried and she looked at the fabric in her hands.
"Oh Erik, I miss Maman so much and now she isn't even going to be here for my child to come into the world. This baby isn't going to have anything other than two parents. No family other than us. And oh Erik, I'm so confused about so many things. I don't know how to be a good mother. I don't know what to say. How will I raise this child not knowing how to do all the small things that made my mother seem so perfect? Maman was special to me, she knew exactly how far to push me to make me do my best. How am I going to know when to stop and when to keep pushing? Who is going to tell me when I am messing up?" she looked up into Erik's eyes.
"I am darling." Erik said softly.
"As will I," Christine walked into the room with little Katrina. "And this child and you will have family. He or she will have a tante and oncle. Raoul and I aren't so horrible. Are we dear?"
Raoul hobbled into the room laden down with the small family's bags. "No, we aren't," he gasped. "Erik would you show me where to put these?"
Erik reluctantly got up and left to show Raoul a spare room where he, Christine, and Katrina would be sleeping. Glowing the way only a mother could, Christine sat next to Meg and propped Katrina into a sitting position against her side. "Now what are all these worries Meg darling?"
Meg hung her head, "I don't know." Christine tilted Meg's face up to meet hers and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I'm afraid, Christine, I am afraid of messing up something. I don't know how to be a mother."
A smile crossed Christine's face, "Neither did I. I was completely terrified but do you see Kat complaining?" Meg looked at Katrina who had her little hand in her mouth and was sucking on it. With a small, weak laugh, Meg shook her head. "Now darling, you had best get some sleep. Raoul and I are here and Erik would never let anything happen to you. You should have heard him begging me and Raoul to come just incase you needed me as I did you," she hugged her, "Sleep mon ami." Meg obediently closed her eyes and fell into another one of her fitful sleeps.
Two days passed with nothing happening. Surprisingly, Erik and Raoul got along. Unsurprisingly they still avoided each other, but when they had to be in the same room they exchanged pleasantries. On the third night however, Erik was woken by a violent shaking.
"Erik, Erik, wake up!" groggily, Erik opened one eye to meet Christine's frantic brown gaze.
"What is it?" he asked. Then a rush of shock, surprise, and fear coursed through him. The warming presence that should be beside him was gone. The weight that should be across his legs was gone. Meg was not in bed!
"Meg is in the kitchen, she collapsed!"
Not bothering to put a shirt on, Erik leapt from the bed and dashed into the kitchen. There, in the middle of the floor, Meg lay in a crumpled heap with a puddle of water under her. Adrenaline surged through Erik's veins in an icy rush and in a burst of strength, he picked her up and carried Meg into the bedroom. Gently, Erik laid her down and her eyes fluttered open. She opened her mouth to say something, but a white hot pain streaked through her body. In agony, Meg cried out and gabbed at the blankets, clenching and unclenching till the pain passed.
Erik muttered to himself for a moment. "Raoul, heat water, find string, preferably from my medical cabinet, and get towels." Raoul scurried out of the room as Erik assumed commander mode.
Christine went to Meg, "Meg," she smoothed Meg's hair, "Meg, are you alright? You collapsed."
"If this pain means I am okay, then I am just peachy!" Meg groaned as another pain coursed though her body. Through gritted teeth, Meg told Erik "You get this baby out of my body now or I will Punjab you with your own lasso."
Erik knew it was an empty threat, but he didn't like Meg this uncomfortable. "I'm trying Meg, but it's kind of up to this baby how fast things go."
Meg moaned in pain and squeezed Christine's hand as waves of pain crashed over her, making tears squeeze out of the corners of her closed eyes.
Half an hour passed in a blur of pain before Erik finally said he saw a head. "Meg you are going to have to push down and hard okay?" She nodded. "Christine, when she starts to push, count to ten, then you can stop Meg. Now push!" Meg's face turned a bright shade of red and sweat poured down her face and neck as she bore down, trying to push this infernal baby out.
"Ten," Christine said quietly, wiping Meg's forehead with a cool cloth.
Meg breathed heavily before Erik told her to push again. "One more time Meg." Meg pushed a third time and Erik quickly cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby to Raoul to clean. After the baby was clean, Erik went to get up but Meg cried out again.
"I thought I was done!"
"Erik, she's still having contractions." Christine said confused.
"And would you look at that?" Erik said almost amused, "There is another head."
"Bloody hell," Raoul whispered to the little baby in his arms.
"Don't you dare teach that child to curse," Christine reprimanded her husband, wincing at the pressure Meg put on her hand.
"Push Meg," urged Erik. Meg pushed, but tiredly, at the count of five, she stopped and gasped for air. "Meg you have to push this baby out."
"Erik, I'm so tired." Tired lids began to close on Meg's eyes.
"Meg no! Christine you have to keep her awake. Meg if you sleep, this baby might die. Please push."
Meg's eyes flew open but didn't lose their tired coating. Wearily, she pushed and pushed. After what seemed like an eternity, Erik gave the baby to Raoul to clean. He cleaned Meg up and kissed her gently on the forehead. "You were incredible amoureux."
Raoul brought the babies over and placed one in Meg's arms and the other in Erik's. "Two little girls," Erik said softly, rocking the pink bundle in his arms.
A sharp cry broke the bliss and Christine hurried out of the room and Raoul followed laughing, "Kat's appetite waits for nothing."
Erik and Meg laughed and gazed down at the little bundles in their arms. "We have children." Erik breathed reverently. Meg nodded amused.
"Yes dear, yes we do."
"But what are we going to name them?"
"Let me sleep on that," Meg gazed tiredly at Erik. "I am so tired." Erik nodded and scooped the baby out of her arms, and with a little girl in each arm, walked out of the room.
Christine and Raoul stayed out of Meg's room and let her sleep, while in a state of utter bliss, Erik drew two cradles into the music room and played soft French lullabies to the girls to keep them quiet. The children had much in store for them. They would grow in a nurturing environment and, hopefully, Erik would be able to start teaching them anything they desired when they got older.
Meg woke up a few hours later and fed the babies. When they were back in their cradles, she looked up at Erik with shining eyes. "Audrey Mae," she pointed to the baby with sea green eyes, "and Charlotte Rose," she pointed to the baby with brown eyes.
Erik smiled and sat down on the bed next to Meg, whispered "I love you," and kissed her gently while sliding a large diamond ring onto her finger.
Translations: tante: aunt
Oncle: uncle
Ami: friend
Amoureux: sweetheart (awwwwwww)
A/N: okay thank you all sooooooooooo much for the lovely names i had such a hard time picking the names... and i know audrey mae or rose werent mentioned in the reviews but -guilty shrug- i am thinking about finishing it now... my dad was bugging me today about finishing it. if i finished it here, there would be an epilouge (sp?) but i dunno. i am having problems coming up with a continuing plot line for this and i have so many ideas that i want to write but i am afraid that if i start writing them and am unfinished here then i will lose my... muse i guess? that has happened to me on quite a few occasions. thinking about an EOW, a EOW time travel, an EC and an EC modern... lemme know what you think. personally i think i should finish. unless you all can come up with ideas... -poke prod-
anyway please review! i love you all so much for it!
Much love,
kat