XIX. Pregnancy

Zuri looked in the full-length mirror. She smoothed the burgundy material over her stomach. It had been a month since she had come down here with Erik. She had yet to have her cycle. There was only one thing that she could think of that would prevent her cycle. Oh Erik would either hate her or would be mad with her. But hell, what should he expect with them having sex so much.

He was much more lenient now, she noticed. He let her go out whenever she wished and let her cook and make food that she had not been able to make in a while. He bought her many new things, including clothes, materials to sew, yarn to knit, and various ingredients for her cooking.

What would it be like to be pregnant? Eventually she would have to tell him. Within two months he would notice if not sooner. What would he do when he found out? It panicked her but she decided she would visit Antoinette to see what she would think about it.

Venturing up towards the main part of the opera house she thought over many things but mostly what it would be like to be a mother. Erik had verbally, very verbally, expressed that he did not want a child. She hoped that he would change his mind.

Pushing the button to open the passageway, she entered the darkened hallway. Finding her way to Antoinette's room she knocked eagerly on the door. She only had to wait a few minutes before the door opened swiftly. "Zuri. What are you doing here?"

"I have something to tell you." Zuri replied while Antoinette led her into the room.

"I'm pregnant."

"You are pregnant?"

"Yes. I don't know what to do."

"You don't think he would be mad with you."

"Why should he?" She crossed her arms then huffed. "He helped make this child last I heard. I haven't slept with anyone else."

"Are you planning to hide it?"

"How can I hide it! I will eventually become bigger. I am going to wait a bit to tell him. I don't know how I will tell him."

"He will have to understand and accept this."

"I am worried about his response."

"Don't worry about it. Everything will be fine. Tomorrow I will send for my daughter and we will go out and get some things for your pregnancy."

Zuri nodded. She remained silent for a few minutes. "I best be going back."

"Why?"

"I have to set the mood. He needs to be in a good mood when I tell him."

"Be careful. Do you want me to walk you back down?"

"I'm fine. I'll be careful."

"Zuri," Antoinette said sternly, "tell him soon. You will probably need to move back up here soon so you will be comfortable."

Zuri nodded. "I will." She then left.

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate them. I wrote this story nearly a year ago so I do plan to do a rewrite simply because I am not happy with the plotline. Thanks again!