AUTHORS Note: I apologize for the two year Hiatus, I actually went to Japan and have been on full deployments on a destroyer for the past two years. I've been working on this now and than when I had the time, and only finished up to chapter 8. After serving three consecutive tours overseas I'm finally back stateside and hoping to finish it, but it maybe a long road. Thank you for all those who continue to read this story and I appreciate the patience. Let's Begin..
"Madeline?" Christine called timidly from the other side of Madeline's home. "Madeline?" She called again as she began tapping on the hard wood rapidly. "Madeline? Are you there? Christine moved her body closer to the door as she pressed an ear to the door, in hopes of hearing anything. Instead of hearing any sounds, she felt the movement of the hard oak door and snapped backwards in surprise. "Christine?" Madeline spoke with pure confusion before she began again. What on earth are you doing here child, you know that you will surely catch your death out here. Why don't you come in dear?"
Christine smiled appreciatively as she scurried into the house and found her way into the arms of the familiar couch in the living room. "To what do I owe this impromptu visit, little Christine?"
"Well…" she squirmed into the couch, further burring herself deeper and deeper. "I came to see Madame Giry; I wanted to know why she stopped taking care of my papa and why she left without saying goodbye." Christine rushed through the rest as she turned her head away ashamed and embarrassed. Ashamed because she only came to visit the women who saved her life to inquire upon her nurse, and embarrassed because her father sent her in his stead. He was still unwell as of late, his heath declined in correlation to Madame Giry's abrupt disappearance.
Madeline displayed a small knowing smile and quickly discarded it as she went to face the little girl's profile. "Ahh yes dear, as I understand it Madame Giry was called away for business, but she will be back within the week and than she will be staying with me for month until the baby is due. You could come back with in a week's time? She will return by then."
"Thank you Madeline!" Christine chimed as she flashed one of her million dollar smiles, as she continued; "I apologize for not visiting sooner as well Madame, but I promise I will come a calling more often to make sure you and the babe are doing okay!"
"That would be very helpful Christine. Thank you. Please give your father my regards and a speedily recovery."
"Of course Ma'am, I will see within the week!"
Madeline shut the door gently behind her as she fluttered back inside her home a wicked smile set perfectly in place. She finagled her sleeve until a hidden key slipped in-between her fingers as she speedily headed towards her destination. Madeline chuckled lowly as she entered the corridor and swiftly unlocked the wooden door. Her laughter echoing through the dark cell as she looked upon her pitiful captive; she began to clear her throat "Your little friend came by today, wanted to know where you were and I told her just what she wanted to her. That you were away on business and that you would be back within a week's time. Hopefully by the end of the week you will learn your place, lest you want your daughter to take your place here." Madeline gestured her hands about the homemade prison as she chuckled to her self. "by the way I brought you some scraps...Enjoy" She dug into her pockets and threw scraps of food at Antoinette's feet as she left as quickly as she had come; the only sounds echoing through the hollow basement dungeon were her soft footfalls and Antoinette's cries.
"I can't believe it has been three weeks!" Christine giggled excitedly as she pressed her hands on Madeline's stomach feeling the baby kick back. "Wow he is so strong Madeline; he will be here soon."
"Yes any day now Christine and do not press upon Madam Destler to hard you will stress the baby." Replied Madam Giry as she continued " Now come here and help me prepare dinner, we are making meatloaf tonight." As she secretly poured drops of a yellow discolored liquid into the mixing bowl before placing Christine on the counter. Christine giggled and exclaimed " Do you really think the baby will come any day now Madam? I thought you said she had a week or more to go?"
"Well Christine that is the thing about babies, they are born on their own time when they are ready. He could come tomorrow, a few more weeks from now, hell he could even be born tonight!" She exclaimed as she passed the eggs to Christine.
Madeline watched as they chattered like this for some time going on and on about baby this and baby that. She didn't care much for being a mother, nor did she exceptionally like the idea of taking care of another person, but she was careless and Javert was not about to settle down with a ball and chain such as this. Then again they both had other plans in store for the future bastard. But first she needed to find out how long the little cherub was to be staying with her.
Christine, it was so nice for your father to let you stay her to assist me? How long did he want you to stay for? " She said sickly sweet, as Madam Giry and Christine were forming the meat to resemble a loaf.
"Just until you give birth Madam, Since my mother is deceased my father thought it would be of good educational value to be apart of a labor and delivery. Although I can stay as long as you wish and as long as you have need for me."
"Maybe you could stay the first two or three days after the birth to give me a respite but after that I would like to spend some quality mother bonding time with my son. That goes for you as well Giry, You can take leave for several weeks following my son's birth." At that Antoinette gave her a suspicious and leery stare that Madeline returned with a cheeky grin.