Meg looked at me as though she thought I was insane.
"Do you mean to say that you think you might be expecting?' she questioned.
I nodded as I felt my stomach tossing. "All the signs point to it Meg." At these words I could feel my heart soar; I hoped beyond hope that it was true.
Meg took my wrist and lead me quickly and excitedly into the dormitories, her golden locks bouncing as she went. "There's a doctor here now actually," said Meg. " He is looking at Andre's wrist that he sprained yesterday."
We reached the end of the dormitory where we found Madame Giry sitting in the back, chatting with some of the girls, all of whom were gathered around her. I smiled; she had always been just like a mother to me, ever since I had come to live here at the age of seven.
"Maman, Christine has something incredible to tell you!" exclaimed Meg.
Madame turned, surprised."What is it Christine?"
"I think.. I think I may be with child Madame." I said quietly, hardly believing the words that were coming out of my mouth.
I had never seen Madame Giry stand up so quickly. She began to give orders in the voice she generally used during rehearsals.
"Meg, get Christine a glass of water! Jammes, run and fetch the doctor, he should be in the manager's office! Christine dear, sit!"
I chuckled, but sat down as she had said, not having any kind of desire to defy her. My stomach had calmed down at bit, though it still had a dull ache. Madame came over and put a gentle arm around my shoulder. Then at almost the same instant, Meg came in with the water(which I drank gratefulley) and Jammes came in with the doctor.
After a brief examination and a listing of symptoms, the doctor gave me, with the eagerly listening ballet girls, his prognosis.
"Vicomtesse," he said with a smile."My congratulations. You are 1 and 1/2 months along. Now you should take this medication once a day until the sickness stops." He picked up his bag. "I'll see you in a few weeks."
As soon as the door closed a good number of squeals erupted from all the girls in the room. Madame Giry hugged me tightly, along with Meg.
"Christine dear, this is wonderful news. I can hardly believe it! It shall be like having a grandchild." said Madame.
"Yes," agreed Meg. "I can't wait to see Raoul's face when you tell him."
I smiled widely at the thought of that; Raoul would be overjoyed! I looked up at the clock, seeing that it was nearly time for Raoul to arrive. But before I could turn to go out the door and tell him my phenomenal news, I pulled Madame Giry and Meg aside, and told them of the letter that I had found on my dressing table. I saw a flicker of fear in their eyes, but they promised to let everyone know to be careful at the next performance.
I walked quickly out of the dormitories and into the grand marble lobby, where I saw Raoul just entering the doors. He looked a bit stressed and exhausted, but when he saw me standing there, a smile overcame his features.
"Hello there Christine my darling. You look awfully gleeful, has something happened?" he asked curiously.
I thought fleetingly of keeping it from him, simply to cause suspense, but I was so excited that the words nearly burst from my mouth. "Raoul," I said, my very voice quivering with joy. "I'm expecting!"
I saw a pleasantly shocked expression slide across his features, and then a wonderful sparkle fill his beautiful blue eyes. We ran to each other wordlessly and once we reached each other he picked me up and swung me around, kissing me delicately as though I were a fragile piece of china.
"Oh Christine this is wonderful, simply wonderful!" he exclaimed as he sat me down. "A child of our very own!" He then turned to my onlooking friends, who had also been joined by Andre and Firmin.
"Congratulations to the two of you!" said Firmin jovially.
Both managers came down and congratulated us, and Madame and Meg came to give Raoul a hug. Raoul's smile could have turned heads and it was terribly contagious.
"We shall have a party and you shall all be invited!" he said gesturing around. "What a glorious a day!"
We then bid our goodbyes and walked outside into the cool afternoon. We climbed inside the carriage, but before Raoul set off, our lips met once again, but this time with a delightful, spinetingling passion.
"Can you believe it Raoul?" I asked as we broke apart. "A new life that we have created together. Everything always seems to turn out right for us, even through darkness."
"I hope it shall always be so Little Lotte. This is an amazing blessing, and its everything we've ever wished for." he said.
We traveled the twenty minutes or so that it took to get to our estate, consumed with chatter about nursery plans, names, and baby showers. The carriage came to a halt. But as I began to step down, Raoul put out a hand to stop me.
"Let me Christine, for you and our baby are in a delicate condition." He then proceeded to pick me up in his arms, take me inside and lay me gently on the rose colored chaise lounge in the parlor. He then went into the kitchen to tell Jacque and Caroline excitedly of our news and that we would like to have our supper in the parlor. I then watched with amusement as he came in with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a blanket.
"Raoul," I chuckled. "You don't have to wait on me just yet." I said as I took the cocoa. "The doctor says that it is good for me to do as I normally would until the eight month or so."
He looked at me with a wide eyed expression, then smiled sheepishly. " Yes, I suppose you're right. Then how about we go for a ride, eat out dinner, then plan on how to tell Lucien and Phillipe our news?"
"That sounds perfect." I said as I got up, noticing that Raoul was watching my every move.
We went to change into our riding apparel, then went out into the twilight and saddled my bay riding horse, Molly, and Raoul's white riding horse, Harry. We mounted and I grinned as I surveyed how dashing my husband looked in his black riding breeches and hunter green shirt. Though I sometimes rode side-saddle, my father had taught me to ride properly. I looked slyly over at Raoul.
"How about a bit of a race? Just a short one, I want to be careful."
He laughed. "Alright. but don't go too fast, I don't want you to fall and get hurt."
We took off at a steady canter down the smooth trail, laughing as the tiniest snowflakes fell on the oak trees, and the sun began to set behind the green hills.
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A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you like this! I'm sorry that its been so long since the update, I've been incredibly busy with not a chance of slowing down until after Christmas. Anyway, please read and review! Thankyou for all of your lovely reivews, they keep me going, and I will try and use the spiffy new review reply thing next time. Until the next chappie, see ya and thanks!