A/N: A look at things from Eric's perspective. I'll apologize in advance for getting the song stuck in your head; it was playing in the background while I was writing, and quickly found itself on the page. :P
I own nothing.
Baby, you're all that I want when you're lying here in my arms.
I'm finding it hard to believe, we're in heaven.
And love is all that I need, and I found it there in your heart.
It isn't too hard to see we're in heaven.
You're all that I want.
You're all that I need.
"Heaven" by Bryan Adams
Heaven
I woke up just before dawn.
There was a slight breeze bringing the scent of dew-kissed grass and springtime inside.
I smiled to myself; the boys must have left the door open again. Pam would surely be calling out to them soon to chide their carelessness. She was constantly chasing after the toddler, and those rascals weren't helping the situation by leaving temptation open to him.
Ah, Pam. My love.
I could hear her breathing softly next to me, still asleep. That's good. She needs the rest.
This most recent pregnancy was wreaking havoc on her beautiful body. She insisted that it was because she was forced (Forced? Ha! If memory serves, she seemed very willing at the time...) to bear the burden of yet another son of mine. I don't agree. In fact, I'm certain that this is the darling girl we've both been secretly yearning for (secretly because it's not befitting a Viking king to pine for such things), and that Pam must be pouring so much of herself into our little gem that it's taking its toll on her. If our daughter is even the slightest fraction as breathtaking as her mother she'll be the most beautiful child in the world.
Peering over the edge of the raised platform of our bed I could see our youngest son, not quite two years old, sleeping contentedly in a cocoon of soft furs nestled in the cradle nearby. Moving slowly so as not to disturb her, I turned back to gaze upon my beautiful wife while she slept. Her long, golden hair lay in soft waves, framing her gorgeous face like the halo of some fallen angel. By the gods, she was the most perfect creature in existence. For what was probably the ten billionth time, I thanked them that they saw fit that she should be mine. I wanted to touch her, and pull her close so that I could hold her, but I didn't want to disturb her now that she was finally able to rest. Besides, the boys would be interrupting her peace and quiet soon enough. You'd think we never fed them the way they constantly demanded food.
Suddenly, her breathing changed.
She was probably uncomfortable and cramping again. It always pained me to see her suffer even the slightest bit. I'm not sure who would be more relieved once this child decided to grace us with her presence, me or Pam.
Her eyes began to flutter open, and after a moment of looking at the ceiling with a curious expression, she turned her face toward the half open door.
Uh oh. Here it comes. Those boys are in for it now.
She never said anything though, she just lie there pensively, so I seized my opportunity and pulled her close to me. It's terribly unfortunate that she's wearing that awful, restrictive frock again. I've tried convincing her countless times that I'm more than enough to keep her warm at night, not to mention all of the wonderful pelts I've brought home, but she keeps arguing with me about modesty in front of the children or some other such nonsense. I settled for simply kissing her mouth gently, then prepared to doze off for a bit with her in my arms.
Not much time passed before I heard the boys scuffling around outside. I was sure she'd call for them this time, but instead she started drawing in quick, short breaths - practically gasping - it scared the hell out of me. I sat up partially to comfort her.
"Is our little bundle of joy causing you grief again, my darling?" I asked her quietly as my hands reached for the precious bean.
"Are you interrupting your mother's beauty sleep again, small one? You'll have plenty of time for that nonsense once you've arrived, you know? You should let us all rest a while longer. We could use it this morning."
Interesting, from the look that crossed her pretty face the instant I asked that initial question (her eyes snapped downward, widened in surprise, and her eyebrow raised up), you'd think she didn't know that we were expecting again. Peculiar.
Just at that moment the boys came running in through the door and the din accompanying their entrance woke the youngest. The shock of it affected Pam further, and froze her features in what can only be described as an expression of horror. I'm not sure why this morning seems different to her from any other since most of our days begin this way now (not that I'm complaining).
As our children clamber atop the bed, wailing at Pam to fix them something to eat, I can't help but admire how much they resemble her with their fair hair and beautiful faces.
Then it hit me.
A sharp pain in the center of my chest.
Oh, no. I knew that this was too good to last. I'm not ready to leave Heaven yet.
Please.