I got Masson's new bedroom cleared out quickly; working on nervous energy, I suppose. I would have to hire some men in to move the piano, and I didn't want to leave Christine to take the coffin to the lair, so I dragged it downstairs and set it up by the front door. I'd see to it as soon as possible.
I ran downstairs to ask Silke where I might find linens for Masson's bed.
"YAY! BIG BOY BED! BIG BOY BED!" He darted up the stairs. By the time I got back upstairs, he was bouncing up and down and shrieking with delight. I sat on the bed and gathered him up.
"Here, Big Boy." I set him down with his pillow and pillowcase; that would keep him busy for awhile. I completed the rest of the bed, and had his books and toys arranged on the shelves; he was still wrestling with the pillow. He did not like to give up when he put his mind to something.
"I'm going to look in on Mama, Son."
He raced out ahead of me, dragging pillow and case behind. "MAMA! My bed is there, and my books and toys!"
"Ssshhh! Masson! Mama is resting!" I scolded.
"It's alright," Christine lied, obviously awakened. I helped her to scoot into a sitting position as Masson and Christine climbed onto the bed. "So, your big boy bed is all ready, and you use the potty like a big boy." Christine rumpled Masson's hair and drew him in for a cuddle. "I think you're ready to be a big brother. What do you think?" she asked him solemnly.
Masson nodded emphatically.
"I'm glad you're ready, because guess what? Your new baby is coming."
"NOW?" Masson's eyes and mouth were round and huge.
"Soon, my big boy. Perhaps the baby will be here tomorrow."
Masson placed his chubby hands on Christine's tummy and tried to jiggle it. "Mama, get it out now!"
"The baby has to come at his own speed, Darling."
Masson placed his lips to Christine's tummy. "Hurry!" he called. "What is his name, Mama?"
"I don't know, Masson. We don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl until it's born, so once we know, then we'll decide about the name."
I grimaced as I watched the huge toddler climb all over Christine's belly, but she smiled and cuddled him. It appeared he was doing her no harm, so I kept my mouth shut.
"Christine!" Masson suggested.
"Oh, no! How will we keep all the Christines straight?" she laughed.
"Mama Christine, baby Christine, kitty Christine!"
"We'll see. Go get your bath with Papa now, it's almost time for bed, my big boy."
"NO! I want to wait for the baby! NO!"
I caught him by the arms as he clung to Christine. He nearly tore her gown from her shoulders as she reassured him. He was having none of it, swinging and kicking. The last time he had a fit that vicious, he was much lighter and easier to hold. I wrestled him into the bathroom and took some impressive lumps while I ran his bath.
"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! MAAA-MAAA!" I knew the signs; he was about to make himself ill. I tried to soothe him, but I'm sure he couldn't hear me over his own shrieking. I had a momentary thought: what if my voice never returns?
Finally out of options, I plonked him into the tub. The water shocked him silent for a moment; then he began to wail.
"Paa-puuh-huuh…" My fat wet boy crawled up my shirt and wrapped around me. "I waa-haant to suh-hee the ba-huuh-beeee."
"And so you shall, Masson. Don't worry, Son, the baby will be here for a long time." I walked back and forth across the bathroom floor, bouncing and patting him. "But it's no place for little boys when babies come. We don't want to distract Mama."
"I'm a big boy, I'll be quiet," he bargained.
"Masson, it's not even a place for big boys. Papa will hold Mama's hand for awhile, but then a nice lady will come and help Mama; Papa won't even be there. It's a thing for ladies, when babies come."
"When the baby gets out I can see it?" he sniffed, sucking his fingers again.
"Oh, yes; everyone will see the baby then—of course we'll get to see the baby first, because you're the Big Brother and I'm the Papa."
Well, that sounded just fine to him. He klunked his head down on my bony shoulder, sucked his fingers and swung his feet. We took a few more turns around the bathroom before I refreshed the water and he acquiesced to a bath.
It was a quick bath; as soon as he was dressed for bed he dashed back in to see Christine in case the baby was there.
"MAAAA-MAAAA!" Masson's howl shot through me like lightning; all the hair on my body stood up. I dropped towels and toys, abandoned the wet floor and flew to the bedroom. I skidded to a halt, nearly falling over Masson, clutching Christine (the cat). I stared dumbfounded at the empty bed.
"Bloody goddam hell!" I swore, completely forgetting about the boy. I tore from the room and downstairs, mind reeling, unable to come up with any explanation whatsoever. I almost crashed into Christine as she rolled through the dining room.
I grabbed her by the arm. "Where in bloody blazes are you going, woman?" I squeaked. "Call your son! He's hysterical!"
"What? I got tired of lying around," she protested, as if it's perfectly fine to disappear from your childbed without a word to anyone. "I wanted to walk around, there's no harm."
"For god's sake, Christine," I sputtered.
"Frightening when your loved one disappears on you, isn't it?" she murmured pointedly, waddling toward the stairs and calling for Masson. The boy sped downstairs and into her arms, cooing her name softly. Neither of us took him to task for patting her breasts as he assured himself that she was not lost.
While Masson 'helped' Christine stretch her legs, I floated into the kitchen for a glass of wine. Silke pressed me into a chair and force fed me something; I don't know what, I only knew she wasn't going to let me up until I was a good boy and cleaned my plate. I insisted I felt ill; she insisted she didn't care. Tough woman.
Anci wandered in, asked after Christine and proceeded in her direction. In a few minutes I heard a bit of sniping and went to mediate.
"I was just trying to help!" Anci insisted the moment I appeared.
"I don't want her helping me, Erik!" Christine snapped.
"I don't care what you say, Christine, she's the only woman here with any experience besides you, so there's nothing for it. She'll stand by until the midwife comes."
"Says who?" she growled. God, she'd turned snippy in a heartbeat.
"Say I, Madame Rouen, and you're in no position to argue it. Come along upstairs now, before I get cross." Strangely, something pleased Christine about the tone I took with her, and she accepted my help with a twinkle in her eye. I settled her back in bed with Masson and Christine right beside her. I installed Anci nearby in the big comfy chair and thanked her for her kindness.
"OOH! ERIK!" Christine gasped, once again sending me out of my skin. Anci approached, and she and Christine exchanged something wordless. Christine reached for my hand.
"Masson, darling, give Mama kisses. Madam Anci will take you for hot chocolate and a biscuit before bed."
"Mama," he whined, "I want to wait for the baby." He worked his big baby eyes and sucked on his fingers.
"Darling, the baby won't be here for a long time. You want to get your rest in your big boy bed now, so you'll be ready to help me once it comes." She smiled, but I noticed she was squeezing my hand ever tighter.
"NO!" he frowned.
"Masson…"
"NO!" he kicked out, landing a glancing, completely accidental blow to Christine's hip. Immediately he realized his terrible error, and began to wail his apology. No matter, I hauled him up and out, and gave him a swat for his trouble.
"No chocolate and biscuit. Straight to bed, Sir."
"Papa, no! MAA-MAA!"
He was overwrought, over-tired, and all it needed was a bit of rocking for me to get him to sleep. Please let the baby be here by morning, I prayed, though I had no idea whether it was likely or not. I tucked him into his big boy bed and returned to Christine.
Anci bumped into me, going as I was coming. "I am sending for the midwife."
"What? Already?"
Anci shrugged.
"Oh, Jesus Christ." I entered the room like a sleepwalker. Christine smiled with relief and reached for my hand as I crouched beside the bed. "Christine, please tell me the truth. Is everything alright, or is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just surprised it's nearing the hard part so quickly."
"Does it hurt much?" I worried.
"Yes, it hurts very much," she admitted, "but not all the time, yet."
"Jesus." I fretted.
"Poor Erik, it's much more fun making babies than having them, isn't it? Don't worry."
Easier said than done, I reflected. I kissed Christine's hand helplessly.
"He went off to sleep, then?" she asked.
I nodded. "He's overwrought."
Uncharacteristically, the momentary silence between us felt strange. "Erik, listen. I've asked Silke," she patted my hand, "if something should happen, to take Masson and the baby."
I snatched my hand from her, horrified. "Christine! If something should happen? You said nothing's wrong! What are you talking about?"
"No, nothing is wrong, Darling, but…anything could happen. It only makes sense to take precautions. I would have preferred Manon, but she is a married woman. Besides, it's best for Masson that he stays here, in his home, with the people he knows."
"No! No, I won't hear this!" I began to pace. "What do you mean, parceling out our babies and talking of dying?"
"Erik," she sighed. "Erik, come here." She held out her arms to me and I rushed into them. Crushing me to her, she stroked my head gently. "You must promise me you'll let Silke take care of you, too. I know she's not been with us long, but she's got a big heart, and you can't raise the babies alone."
"No! No one but you is raising our babies! I beg of you, no more!"
"Listen to me, Erik!" she insisted. "I need to know that you'll be alright!"
"But I won't be alright! Don't say these things, Christine!"
She grasped my head fiercely and forced me to look at her. "You will be alright; you can do this if you must. You're strong, Erik! Tell me you'll be alright!" She stared at me, willing the words from my lips. How long she held me thus, I don't know.
At last: "I'll be alright, Christine." I surrendered.
Satisfied, she pulled me close again."Come, hold me. Maybe we can catch a bit of sleep," she whispered. I spooned up with her. Incredibly, in a matter of minutes her breathing came regular and I realized she'd dropped off to sleep.
Before I dozed, I thought that it wasn't a lie Christine had extracted from me, but a promise. God forbid she didn't make it through; I would be alright. I had to.