Dr. Bundy held the oil lamp as close as he could to the opening of Christine's birth canal.
Erik was now at the edge of the bed, having handed the doctor the lamp, "What's the issue?"
"The scalp doesn't look right, and not just a soft spot issue," Dr. Bundy handed the lamp back to Erik. "Christine, I'm going to count to three and I want you to take a deep breath and push. Erik, get some towels."
Tears and sweat poured down The Soprano's face as she pushed on three. Rushing back with the towels, for the first time in all of his children's births, he caught a glimpse of the top of the head almost out. While jarring in of itself, he saw what Dr. Bundy mentioned about the scalp.
"No," The Phantom whispered. "Is one not cruel enough?"
"Erik! Erik! Oh my God, what's wrong?!" Christine cried.
He dropped the towels on the bed in front of her right foot. "Nothing!" He ran back to her side, holding a cup of water to her mouth.
She took a sip before speaking, "Don't lie! What's wrong?" She was quickly distracted and groaned. She pushed without being instructed to.
"Damn it! What are you doing?" Dr. Bundy yelled.
"I want my baby!" She gasped for air.
"You're only going to hurt yourself pushing out of sync!"
"There's something wrong. I want my baby! I want my baby!" The Diva began to sob.
"Angel, Angel," Erik wrapped his arms around his wife, kissing the top of her head.
Dr. Bundy stood up and opened his medical bag, his eyes meeting Christine's as he removed his pair of forceps. His voice was calm and level as he spoke, "Christine, I am going to need you to take some deep breaths and relax as best as you can. I am going to need you to work with me; don't resist anything I do and only push when I say. I'm going to save your baby and keep you from harm. Do you trust me?"
"I trust you," Erik spoke still holding his wife. He kissed her cheeks and forehead, before pulling away and readjusting the pillows under her back.
Christine held her Angel of Music's hand tight. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. "Sing to me, Angel. Sing as he does this."
