Chapter 90, can you believe it? Wow. Thanks for your support, gentle readers.
-Leesainthesky
Ch 90 Surprises
The typical gestation period for human beings lasts between thirty-eight and forty-two weeks. I was closing in on week thirty-seven.
I was miserable.
Doctor Garrett promised to stay with me from the thirty-ninth week on, cutting it close in my opinion, but unscientific calculations being what they were, I'd have to keep my fingers crossed and pray that the baby would wait until my friend was by my side.
"Elizabeth is a fine doctor, Gabrielle, however with the teachings I have gleaned from the both of you, you ought to put your worries to rest," he reassured me.
"I trust your ability, Erik, I do, but you've never really done this before," I said referring to an actual baby delivery.
We were walking through the rose garden where most of the bushes were bursting with spring blossoms. Erik paused, his solemn gaze lost in the distance, he opened his mouth briefly, but reconsidered, closed it and turned to face me.
I frowned and touched his arm. "Erik, what is it sweetheart?"
"Gabrielle," he began cautiously. "When I was in Persia, the Shah allowed me to study at the side of the court doctors. I have viewed birthing and I have studied a woman's anatomy at length."
Mine perhaps, but he'd already told me he'd never touched another living naked woman in his entire life. I supposed C-sections didn't count--not very sexy and all.
My husband's words puzzled me. "What do you mean, Erik?" I asked slowly.
"Let's sit." He indicated an ornate wooden garden bench flanked by two fragrant lilac bushes.
We sat and faced each other; Erik took my hands in his and began. "Gabrielle, I witnessed dissections of cadavers while under Dr. Garrett's tutelage. MY curious mind thirsted for knowledge of all things human. In some way, I suppose I wanted to see if others were so different from me. One woman had been carrying a child. She was very far along and a caesarian section became necessary to save the child, one of the Shah's numerous offspring. "
"How did it go?"
"They child survived, however the mother died. Concubine's lives are worth little in the eyes of the court.
"Women are brood mares. Primarily used to increase the dynasty," I spat with repulsion.
"Unfortunately, the mother may have survived had the physician taken more care handling her internal organs. I studied the procedure closely and deduced that there was a better way to achieve favorable results. I told the physician so--he did not appreciate my helpfulness, however the next time he deemed a caesarian necessary he insisted I perform it."
My expression must have expressed the shock I felt. Erik nodded gravely. "Yes, Gabrielle, and I succeeded in not only saving an heir, but the mother, too. Little did I know that the mother was a favored wife of the Shah. It was a test that would have cost me my head had I failed." His smug smile told of the satisfaction he gleaned from fooling fools who dared test his intellect.
"Oh yes, and thence forth, the Shah commanded I attend all difficult birthing, an unprecedented occurrence. It was a law of the court that no man, save the Shah and his physician, who was a eunuch, be allowed access to the royal twats. 'Course they assumed that I, too, had no sexual appetite."
An errant and rather loud snort escaped me causing Erik to raise his eyebrow.
"Your desires are passionate and simple, yet the depths of your experiences are un-plumbable aren't they, Erik? I wonder--if I were not a wellspring of future knowledge would you find me so engaging?"
"Gabrielle, my sweet, you are bright and cleaver and most appealing—and you love me. I am now a complete man. By God's grace, I hope you never have an opportunity to access the darker tomes in the library of my mind."
The day was warm and slightly muggy, yet I shivered at his nightmarish inference.
"You. Are. Amazing." I leaned over and kissed Erik's unmasked cheek. I was in awe of this man. Were there no endeavors he could not ace?
Acceptance, I though sadly.
"That was twenty years ago. Today we have ways to sterilize instruments and use antibiotics and medication for pain if need be. I can care for you should an emergency arise." He smiled sweetly at me, his eyes crinkled with affection.
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A few times in the coming week, my body treated me to a prelude of things to come. I'd been in the barn messing with the horses, helping Henri brush them and treating them to carrots from my garden. At first I ignored the series of small contractions, but when a full on gut-wrenching contraction pushed me to my knees, I cursed loudly from the pain and curled up in the straw trying to catch my breath. More followed just as Henri walked back into the barn and seeing me doubled over, he rushed to my side, ordered me to lie still and bolted to the house as fast as his sixty-seven year old legs would allow.
Soon Erik, followed by Marie, burst into the barn. He carried me to bed and administered warm compresses on my back and stomach while everyone waited. Eventually the contractions subsided and when they did, I realized what had happened.
"Braxton Hicks—er—false labor alarm, that's all," I told my audience."
"Ah, yes, false labor. It can be frightening, no? In one instance, a mere flutter then without warning, a crippling clench," said Marie while switching out another warm compress. I felt she was sharing past intimacies with me.
"I can hardly wait for the main event."
"You will fare well, Gabrielle, you are a strong woman."
I managed a wan smile. "Thank you, for your confidence, Marie. I hope you're right."
"She needs her rest now, Monsieur." Marie turned to address Erik.
"I agree. Close the drapes to the west side of the room, Marie. It will keep the room cooler. I'll wait quietly by the bedside and read. That way Gabrielle will benefit from my immediate assistance, should she require it."
"Oui, Monsieur DuPuis." She complied with Erik's request, drew the drapes and exited the room quietly.
Erik brushed his fingers over my temple. "Rest if you can, my sweet. I'll be here when you need me."
"Let the games began, huh?" I joked.
"That's my Gabrielle, always making light of things when she's nervous."
"What, you want me to scream, cry and kick my feet? A lot a good that would do," I grumped at him.
He chuckled lightly, continuing to sooth me with touch and with song and crooned me to sleep with a dreamy lullaby.
Ah, the power of Erik.
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Adjusting to marriage and pregnancy as a twenty-first century woman stuck in a nineteenth-century world never ceased having its trials. Open minded as Erik was, he agreed with Madame Roux's archaic idea that women should remain in bed during their final month.
The morning after my false alarm, Erik met me with an early breakfast and instructions to stay put for the day.
"What, stay in bed all day? I'm not an invalid, Erik. Exercise is good for the baby," I protested.
"We should not take even the mildest of chances, Gabrielle. I shall bring you books, food, whatever you wish. You are usually more obedient when I send you to bed, dear."
"That's for fun, this is not fun, or necessary," I pouted.
"Very well then, eat your breakfast and rest a while. Perhaps we can walk in the garden or read in the library if the idea of being confined to the bedroom displeases you," he acquiesced.
The two of us having come to a compromise, I finished my breakfast and readied myself to join him in the library. An instant clap of thunder and subsequent downpour ruined any thought of a garden stroll.
Rain dribbled en masse down the panes of the library windows, creating an environment perfect for sitting and sipping herbal tea, munching macaroons and reading. I was enjoying a trashy romance novel I'd bought two years ago in the Chicago airport yet never read; while Erik hummed and perused the pages of some large leather bound medical book Elizabeth had gifted him with during her last visit to the manor.
The patter of Marie's footsteps popped the bubble of our snug little world.
"Monsieur DuPuis, Monsieur Khan has come to call," she announced, and waited for his reply.
I looked up from my reading and turned to Erik. "A visit from Nadir? I haven't seen him in months. Gee, I wonder what's up."
Shrugging, Erik ignored Marie's quizzical stare at my odd phrasing. "Please escort Monsieur Khan to the library and then prepare a tray of coffee and sweets, if you would Madame."
"Your wife makes certain we have an abundance of pastries in the house," she smiled and retreated to fetch Nadir, returning in moments with the dark Persian.
"Thank you, Madame Roux," he nodded pleasantly to Marie before turning his attention to Erik and me.
I was anxious to know if he'd discovered anything further about the mysterious Signor Vincenzo.
"Nadir, so very good to see you again," Erik said with affable affection. He stood and approached his old friend, welcoming him with a brief hug and the customary kiss French men are wont to do.
Nadir turned his attention to me. In an instant, his benign demeanor changed to one of amazed delight. "My dearest Gabrielle," he said eyeballing my girth." You have changed considerably since we last met. Motherhood suits you well, dear."
"You think I've changed? A gross understatement, Nadir," I laughed and embraced him, something that always made him a bit uncomfortable as Persian men didn't typically embrace women who were not their kin.
"I am also a wife. Did Erik have a chance to write you?"
"Married, you say?" His gaze darted between the two of us as he struggled to articulate a response.
"You see, Nadir, after locating Gabrielle in Hastings, I kidnapped her, returned to the manor and forced her into marital servitude," Erik explained clasping his hands behind his back and watching Nadir.
I hid a smile, observing the Persian's expression of concern.
"Indeed, he did," I said conspiring with my husband. "A woman in my condition and with Erik's considerable powers of persuasion, I dare not deny him."
"Oh Erik, after all these years can you still not govern your irascible urges?" He sounded deeply disappointed.
Erik's countenance broke. He laughed and waved an elegant hand at Nadir. "Friend, after all these years, you still cannot discern when I am having a bit of fun at your expense."
The Persian's ebony brows knitted into a puzzled frown. "You, Monsieur, are still an incorrigible trickster."
"How true, and you'll be pleased to know that Erik's irascible urges have been overridden by ones of a more amorous nature," I said, winking at my husband and rubbing my belly simultaneously.
Normally decorous in front of an audience, Erik swelled with masculine pride at my subtle compliment to his virility.
The Daroga, a man not entirely comfortable with my new-age-traveler openness, averted his gaze and cleared his throat while Erik maintained his highly pleased expression. "I take pleasure in your fruitfulness—regardless of your mirth at my ignorance. When did it happen—the nuptials?"
"April eighteenth, on the return trip to Paris, Plans for a celebration ceremony at the manor are in the works, after the baby is born," I replied.
"My friend, may your remaining years of happiness and your children be many." He bowed to Erik.
"And my fondest appreciation to you, Monsieur," Erik reciprocated the geniality. Practically choking on the "many children" portion of his blessing, I barely mustered a polite nod.
Marie entered with the coffee, a large plate of apricot scones, and butter from the morning meal. I helped myself to one half a cup of coffee with heavy cream and sugar, and a scone smothered in fresh butter.
After a good half an hour of banter about the economy, Erik's latest projects and other scraps of news, Nadir put his saucer on the service cart and leaned back into his overstuffed chair.
"The reason for my visit today is not merely one of a social nature. I have information for Madame DuPuis."
"Signor Vincenzo?" I jumped at his words.
"Not a great deal, but I think it may be of some interest to you both."
Erik sat with his legs crossed and the cup and saucer poised on one knee. "Continue only if the news will not upset my wife," he warned.
"I'm fine Erik, really." I shot him a quick look.
"I doubt my findings are, but I thought you would like to know."
"Please, Nadir," I implored.
"Well, it would seem," he said, accepting a second cup of the thick fragrant coffee, "that our Seignior Vincenzo spends a great deal of time at the home of Signora Lia Adolpho."
"The late composer Adriano Adolpho's widow?" Erik asked with a hint of suspicion.
"Indeed, the same."
The two men eyed each other and I couldn't make out if they were exchanging a secret code or a simple curious glance. "Signor Vincenzo is the manager of a popular opera house; what's so odd about his visit to a composer's widow?" I asked.
"Signora Adolpho's maiden name was Vincenzo," Nadir replied.
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Yes, for those who've asked, a baby's coming soon. Please review for me and thanks for reading.
-Leesa