Claudia was waiting in the doctor's office. She was split between impatience and stress. She asked herself a thousand questions. The door opened. The doctor sat down in front of her.
C: So?
Dr. Claudia, you are pregnant.
Claudia blamed it. It could be a possibility. This news flooded her with happiness, but deep inside her, deep inside her, she knew it was not possible now. She did not want to be pregnant, she could not.
Dr. Claudia, are you all right?
C: Yes, sorry. It's just that this news is a shock, I knew it was a possibility but ... I was hoping it was a false alarm.
Dr: I understand. With what happened to ... I mean ...
C: Amanda.
Dr. Claudia, you feel guilty and that's normal. Basically you feel like you want to replace Amanda but you know it's wrong. The only question is, do you feel joy for this pregnancy?
Claudia blew a big blow.
C: That's wonderful news, of course. Even if at my age it is risky.
Dr: Is your husband aware?
C: Not yet. If it could remain discreet.
Dr: Nothing will come out of this office. Know that you will have a personalized follow-up and you will be followed very closely.
C: I did not think I could get pregnant at that age.
Dr.: Anything is still possible as long as you have regular cycles.
Claudia nodded. She came out of the doctor's office completely shot. She had to announce it to Michael and Emmalin. Given their pace of life, how would it be possible to welcome a new child? She returned quickly. She did not want to tell Denise at the moment. She wanted to talk to Michael about it.
Emmalin had just gone on vacation with her friends. She walked hand in hand with Michael.
C: Listen honey I ... I have something to tell you.
M: I'm listening to you.
C: I ... I had a little fright, and this fear was confirmed.
M: What? What is happening ?
C: Honey, I'm pregnant.
Michael gaped. His eyes went from Claudia's belly to her eyes. He did not realize the news yet.
M: Are you pregnant? Really ?
Claudia nodded. Michael came to take her in his arms.
M: I can not believe it.
C: I have trouble understanding too.
Michael broke off, took Claudia's head between his hands and kissed her lovingly.
M: I love you!
They returned hand in hand. Michael was excited about this news. Claudia a little less.
C: Honey, I think you do not realize it.
M: You wear our child sweatheart, of course I realize.
C: No wait, wait ...
Claudia took Michael by the hand and they sat down on the couch.
C: Michael, sweatheart, this pregnancy is risky.
M: Risky?
C: My age is that there are risks for me and for the baby.
M: Okay but you will be better and above all more followed.
C: Yes. But is not it crazy?
M: You're pregnant with our baby. It's not crazy, it's just ... wonderful.
Claudia smiled at him.
C: I know. I'm talking to you about having a child at this time in our life. I am very taken by the support group. And now that you are starred, you have a much more sustained pace of work.
M: It is true that it will require a very good organization. You doubt ?
C: Yes. Can we accept that our life is completely turned upside down? I mean, we will inevitably be less patient, tired faster. There will be lack of sleep, all the worries that will be there with the arrival of this baby. Can we really manage? And if you leave?
M: I thought you know, it's the first thing that came to mind when you told me. I would like to be present near you every day of this new adventure.
C: We both know that nothing is safe. You know, when the doctor told me this news, I was invaded by a lot of happiness. I'm so happy to know that I'm wearing our child honey. But I ask myself a lot of questions and I need to think.
M: I understand. Know that ... I'll follow you, whatever you decide.
C: No, this decision will be ours, both of you.
Michael nodded.
C: We are going to think each one on our side and we will make a decision both.
They kissed tenderly and returned to their occupation. But their thoughts were turned to that baby Claudia was waiting for. Michael had so much desire for this child. Claudia did not really know if she felt up to this challenge. She thought of the future. Deciding to keep this baby meant a lot of things. That evening, when they were going to bed, they decided to talk again.
M: Forgive me for being so excited earlier.
C: No, honey, I understand. You know, I'm so happy with this news.
M: So what are you worried about?
That's all. How will I manage the pregnancy, the birth, the arrival of this new little one among us. How will I succeed in managing sleepless nights, toothache? Will I be strong enough to protect my baby, without being distressed every minute of the day? And let's not forget that we are committed for at least twenty new years Michael.
Michael reacts that indeed, would not it be crazy to have a child now? But it was not necessary to make such a decision on a whim.
M: Honey, if you do not feel able to carry this child, bring it into the world and be able to raise it, I can not ask you such pressure.
C: That's what's contradictory Michael, because I feel perfectly capable of all that.
M: Really?
C: Yes. But the question is, do we really want this child?
M: Yes Claudia, I really want this child.
Claudia perceived a certainty in Michael's voice. Seeing his wife be puzzled he explained.
M: I want this child since I came back from Iraq. I was lost and needed to hang on to something, to someone, to move forward. And I wanted to become a father again. But I never dared to talk to you about it.
C: Then I can not take that away from you, and ...
Claudia took Michael's hand and laid it on her belly.
C: This little angel did not ask to be there. And we are at fault both hum?
It made them laugh.
C: So we both know our decision.
When Claudia had put her hand on her belly, Michael had felt so much happiness. He realized little by little what would happen in the coming months. They both had tears in their eyes. They kissed tenderly and took each other in their arms. So it was a new adventure that was starting. Claudia fell asleep in the arms of Michael who was already beginning to want to protect her every moment of the day.
It was necessary to announce the news to Emmalin on his return from vacation, which was very happy to have a little brother or a little sister. And as she had told her parents, she would be there to help them with this little piece of cabbage. Claudia was then able to announce it to all her band of friend who welcomed this news with astonishment but really well and everyone was so happy for Michael and Claudia.
However, for the moment, it did not really show that Claudia was expecting a child. So it was difficult for both of them to project themselves. One evening, while Claudia was preparing dinner, Michael came to take her in his arms. He put his hands on Claudia's belly.
M: It's hard to imagine that you're waiting for our child, nothing is visible.
C: That's normal, this is just the beginning of my pregnancy Michael. Have you already forgotten how it's going?
Claudia teased him. She knew that Michael was afraid of being deployed and missing part of her pregnancy and in the worst case the birth of her baby.
M: It's a bit far all that, it's true.
C: Honey, we'll have to be a little patient.
M: I know.
C: Will you succeed in not overprotecting me?
M: I want nothing to happen to you, I want to take care of you and make sure everything goes well.
C: I'm fine, you have no worries to have.
But Michael was already worried. Especially since in the back of them, they had not recovered from the disappearance of Amanda. But would they recover one day?
Despite her pregnancy, Claudia continued to live normally and help everyone around her on a daily basis. So she was trying to help Denise overcome this kiss with Getti and will be there especially for her best friend watching over her when the latter gets her motorcycle accident. She cooked for the romantic dinner that Trevor organized for Roxy and above all, was always at her daughter's school, especially when it came to Queen, her new boyfriend. She will also always be there for her daughter and her husband when Emmalin learns that Emmalin is the person in charge of drug trafficking on the base.
A few weeks later, Claudia's mother came to visit them. Given the family situation in which she was with Claudia's father, she decided to wait a little before announcing her. She announced them before they left. Claudia's parents were surprised at this news, but also happy to hear that they would be grandparents again.
Claudia's belly was slightly rounded, but under her clothes no one could guess. They still wanted to keep this happiness a little longer for them. So when Paolo arrived, they said nothing to him. But Michael would never have imagined that he would try to touch Claudia, to want to kiss her without her consent. When he was telephoned to warn him of what had happened, he was panicked. He arrived in the kitchen completely lost.
M: Claudia! How are you ?
C: That's ok Michael ...
In the eyes of Michael, she lives a lot of fear, but not only for her. But the officer was still in the kitchen, they could not argue freely. Michael then took Claudia in his arms. She was shaking and trying to regain normal breathing. When the officer came out, Michael could finally worry about the baby.
M: Honey, are you sure you're ok?
C: Yes it's ok. I do not feel anything special.
M: How's the baby?
C: I think verything is okay.
M: I would like you to go for an exam to be sure.
Normally, Claudia told her that it was not necessary. But for the first time since the announcement of her pregnancy, she was afraid for her baby. She realized that she could lose it at any moment. This reinforced his anxiety. They had lost Amanda for weeks, she could not bear losing her baby.
C: Okay.
Michael accompanied Claudia to her gynecologist, outside the base. Indeed, they had wished that Claudia be followed by someone who is gold of the base in order to be discreet. The examination revealed that everything was fine, the baby's heart was sticking very well and everything was normal. They were reassured. But on returning, Michael saw that Claudia was not well.
M: Honey, everything's fine, you do not have to worry anymore.
C: I was scared Michael.
Claudia had tears in her eyes. He took her in his arms.
M: I'm here, do not worry.
C: I was so scared for the baby.
M: I know. But you do not risk anything any more?
C: Ok.
Claudia managed to recover not badly from what had happened to her. She could have counted on Michael, of course. Little Sara Elizabeth pointed her little nose in the Burton family. Joan and Roland were so happy. Michael was moved when he met the little girl in the hospital. He realizes then that in a few months, it is him who would welcome a baby with Claudia. Joan went home some day later. That day, Roland's mother came to help them with the baby.
That morning, Claudia woke up shortly after Michael was getting ready in the bathroom. When she sat down, she felt something unusual. She jumped. Michael heard it and worried himself directly. He arrived near her.
M: Honey, how are you?
C: Yes, I was surprised that's all.
She had just put a hand on her belly and looked at Michael with a smile.
C: The baby has just moved.
M: That's right?
Claudia took a hand from Michael and put it on her belly where they felt the baby move. They smiled at each other, more in love than ever. Michael came to kiss Claudia tenderly.
M: It's so wonderful to relive all that with you.
C: I just did not want to relive it one day. I had forgotten how magical it is.
They then took each other in their arms.
Claudia's belly was well rounded and she could no longer deny being pregnant. She was enjoying every moment of happiness that offered her this pregnancy surprise. That day was a special day because Claudia had an appointment for her fifth month ultrasound. Michael had taken his half day to be with her. He did not want to miss anything. The gynecologist asked the usual questions and found that everything was fine for Claudia. They settled for ultrasound.
G: Do you feel your baby moving?
C: Yes, it moves well, even a little too many times.
G: It shows that he is in good health. So let's see if he will show us his most beautiful face.
Claudia and Michael saw their baby on the screen. They were very moved. Claudia had an appointment for me each for a specialized follow-up due to her advanced age for a pregnancy. Their baby had grown big and they could see every detail of his face, his little fingers, his legs.
G: It is growing well and growing well, it's perfect. Everything is in its place and there is no particular problem.
C: Thank you.
There was a white and the gynecologist smiled slightly.
M: There is a problem?
G: Not at all. Last month I did not know. But are you wondering whether or not to know the sex of the baby?
C: That is to say, we have not really thought about it. Can we know today?
G: Yes, I can tell you with certainty today.
Claudia looked at Michael. The latter was excited to want to know but did not show it to Claudia.
C: Would you like to know honey?
M: Do what you want to do sweatheart, but it's true that he titillated my curiosity.
Claudia smiled at him.
C: To know that he knows ... I have more than a wish to know.
M: So, here we go.
Claudia turned her face to the gynecologist.
C: We would like to know please.
G: Are you sure?
M: We have never been so sure of ourselves.
G: Okay.
The gynecologist captured an image of the baby to show Michael and Claudia.
G: It's a little boy.
Claudia had tears in her eyes. She was so happy. Michael was speechless. Claudia was waiting for a little boy. At that moment, he was the happiest in the world. The examination was finished and they went home. They took each other in their arms and they cried together. They then broke off and kissed affectionately.
M: I am so happy.
C: Me too.
M: What an adventure ...
C: It's not me who would say otherwise. I did not dream of reliving so many emotions with the arrival of this baby.
Emmalin welcomed the news wonderfully well. She was very happy to welcome a little brother in a few months. She was already looking forward to him being here.
The same evening, Michael and Claudia found themselves in their room. Once in bed, their discussion revolved around this little boy who would arrive soon. Michael loved to keep his hand on his wife's belly. He had the impression to take full advantage of Claudia's pregnancy and especially the preparation for the birth of his son.
C: I'm glad you can live this pregnancy entirely with me.
M: If you knew like me too.
They kissed each other.
M: Claudia, I'm just happy.
C: Do you realize? A little boy.
M: It's true that we are not used to boys, but he will be more than loved by his dad, his mom and his big sister. All this will only be happiness.
C: I love you.
They kissed each other lovingly.
Despite all this happiness, Michael and Claudia had to manage Emmalin's love at this time. Indeed, the latter was really close to Logan, his correspondent in the army. Emmalin had lied to his parents. She had been punished but finding that the more they wanted to deprive her of seeing Logan, the more she would disobey them. Michael and Claudia then raised the punishment, without knowing that it would pose them some worries.
When Michael heard about his transfer, he was worried. Claudia was in her eighth month of pregnancy, the trip to Brussels could be risky. When he went to pick her up at Hump bar, at Betty's memorial party, he was worried and Claudia saw him immediately. Michael explained everything to her. Claudia was happy for Michael. But they returned quickly. Michael told her that he felt like giving up Amanda but Claudia found the words to calm him down and restore his confidence. Michael was worried about something else.
M: Are you sure it'll be ok?
C: Michael, I do not risk anything, even if it's a long trip. Well I may tire a little but nothing dramatic. And then I will give birth in Brussels, it does not matter.
M: Okay.
Came the discussion on Emmalin. How was she going to handle the news? She managed her very badly. She ran away with her boyfriend. Claudia anguished very quickly. In its state, such stress could be catastrophic.