Hey everyone,
Thank you to the few people still interested in this story that I pitifully neglect. One quick note, I realize that the previous chapters are written in the past tense and that makes it painful to re-read. I maintained that style for this update since I had already started this chapter. For all future chapters, I will be using proper tense. Once again, thanks for sticking by the story and as always comments and critiques are welcome.
Esmeralda slowly meandered towards Notre Dame taking her time and putting off the inevitable as long as she could. Eventually, she reached the cathedral and began the march up the stone stairs.
"Quasi? Are you there?"
"Esmeralda! Oh, boy am I glad to see you!" Quasi leaped from landing to landing with a grace that contradicted his hulking form.
She had worn as much clothing as she could, but there was nothing she could do as his arms enveloped her in a warm embrace. He jerked away as if he had been burned and his eyes stared at her protruding stomach.
"Don't be mad" Esmeralda pleaded with her best friend.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked looking up at her with a mixture of hurt and confusion.
Looking down dejectedly she tried to explain, "I didn't quite know how, and the longer I put it off the harder it got. I'm sorry."
Esmeralda couldn't quite manage to look at him yet, the shame of her secret kept her gaze lowered, which is why she missed the array of emotions crossing Quasimodo's face. Hurt lacing his voice he began stammering.
"Did I do something, I thought you didn't want to be my friend anymore, or you were too busy with your new life to be friends with someone like me."
Hearing him refer to himself the same way he used to when he was still under Frollo's manipulation broke something inside of her and she knew she would do whatever it took to make this right.
She grabbed his hand and looked him straight in the eye,
"No, don't ever say that. Of course, we are still friends, you are the most loyal and sweet friend anyone could ever ask for, I don't deserve you. You did nothing wrong, I just panicked because it was such a surprise and I was," she paused looking for the right way to phrase it, "I was scared. Please forgive me, dear friend."
Gently Quasimodo enfolded Esmeralda in his arms again and she knew she was forgiven. She hugged him tightly back and for a brief moment the stress and anxiety of her pregnancy were forgotten in the comforting embrace, but like a wave it all came crashing down again and she realized that as hard as telling Quasimodo about her pregnancy was, it would not even compare to telling him that the baby might be his.
With the baby due any day now, Esmeralda's emotions are more confused than ever. The reality of potentially breaking her husband's and best friend's heart is even more real. Despite her best attempts at distancing herself from her unborn child, the little life growing inside her slowly melted her heart, one hiccup, and kick at a time. Esmeralda finds herself talking to the baby, whispering to the child about everything from mundane chores to her feelings about the potential fathers. The child becomes her only confidant and forges bond between the two. Eventually, everything comes to a head when Phoebus has to leave town for a couple of days.
"But why do you have to go? Don't they know your wife is about to give birth?" Esmeralda demanded with her hands on her ever growing hips.
"I know, I know, but it is only for a couple of days. I'll be back before you know it."
"What happens if you're not here, what am I supposed to do without you?" Tearing up Esmeralda turns away.
Phoebus slowly pulls her into his arms and presses her back into his chest waiting for her to relax before continuing.
"You know I need this job, with the baby coming we need all the work I can get. I would not leave unless I had to. You are going to be fine, our baby will be fine. It is all going to be fine." He gently reassured her, "If you are really worried about being her alone, ask Madam Elderia if you can stay with her, or ask Quasimodo to come stay with you."
That is how when Esmeralda found herself clutching the hand of her best friend as she prepared to bring her child into the world.
Sweat is beginning to bead on her upper lip, and she is doing all she can to breathe deeply and wait for Madam Elderia.
"I wish there was something I could do for you, I hate seeing you like this." Quasimodo lamented watching Esmeralda.
"Oh, Quasi I know you would if you could." She answered as she clenches his hand as the next contraction passes.
"You're doing great, hold on just a bit longer Madam Elderia, will be here any moment." At this point, she is not sure if he is reassuring her or himself.
Finally, this much-anticipated midwife arrives and within an hour Esmeralda is holding her screaming daughter.
"Look Quasi, isn't she perfect?" Esmeralda asks as she strokes her tiny head. He looks at the pair and answered honestly, "I think you both are." Quasimodo and Esmeralda gaze down at the calm sleeping baby. Esmeralda is contemplating sleep herself when he shatters the peaceful atmosphere with a simple question.
"Esmeralda, could she… could she be mine?"
