A few more weeks after Claudita had found out she was pregnant, and she was already beginning to show. She was nearly 4 months pregnant and Cleitus couldn't get enough of her. Whenever they were together he was always touching her stomach in an affectionate way. Even when they made love, he loved to kiss her swollen belly and speak to their child.
On one particular morning Cleitus had risen early and kissed his wife as he prepared to meet with Alexander. Claudita remained in bed, feeling incredibly ill as Cleitus dressed.
"Cleitus," Claudita whispered softly, as he finished washing his face from the bowl. She tried to sit up in the bed, but was overcome with a fierce pain in her belly. Cleitus heard her wince, and immediately rushed to her side.
"Claudita, my love, what is it? What's wrong?" Cleitus asked her, his hands reaching for their child.
"Cleitus, no! It hurts, please… help me," she begged. Cleitus pulled back the sheets off of Claudita to reveal that her night dress was soaked in blood, and there was also blood stains on the bed.
"I'll fetch the physician," Cleitus said, kissing his wife on the forehead and rushing out the door.
"Don't leave me," Claudita sobbed, as she was hit with another sharp pain in her abdomen, and could feel herself losing more blood. Alexander was walking past her room and heard her sobs, he quickly rushed in to see what was wrong and noticed the blood. He rushed to her side and held her.
"By the gods, Claudita, what is happening?" he asked, as he held her tightly. Claudita continued to sob into him.
"The baby, Alexander, my child. Something is wrong," Claudita said, sobbing harder into him and holding onto Alexander more tightly. Alexander brought her face up to look at him.
"Be strong Clau, like I know you are! I love you, now you need to be strong," Alexander told her, kissing her on the forehead. A few moments later, Cleitus returned with the physician, who hurried to attend to Claudita. Alexander swiftly stood to allow the doctor access. He stood with Cleitus at the end of the bed. The doctor quickly examined Claudita, who was still losing blood and in pain. He tidied up the blood and got her to change into a fresh gown, as the stained sheets were removed.
"What's wrong with my wife?" Cleitus asked. The physician stood and made his way over to Cleitus and Alexander, his head bowed solemnly.
"Claudita has suffered a miscarriage. She has lost the baby, General. I'm deeply sorry, there is nothing I can do. Here is a tonic which she must take morning and evening. It will help with the pain. Once again, I am so very sorry," he said, as he closed his bag and left the room.
Alexander and Cleitus stood together in shock. Cleitus never thought that she could lose their child, and so quickly. Alexander placed his hand on Cleitus' shoulder, as Cleitus looked to the floor trying not to show his emotions.
"I'm sorry Cleitus, for the both of you," Alexander headed over to Claudita, who's sobbing had stopped and who was now laying back down in the bed wiping at her tear stained face.
"Clau, be strong. I'm sorry my love," Alexander kissed her forehead again, and left the couple. Cleitus quickly moved over to Claudita and pulled her to him, holding onto her tightly. He breathed in her scent and was overcome with emotion. He let a few tears fall.
"Claudita, oh Claudita. I never should have brought you here, for that I am sorry," Cleitus told her, as he continued to hold her. Claudita was silent. She was still in shock, and couldn't believe what had happened. Her child, their child, was gone. In an instant. It just didn't seem real.
"I'm tired," were all the words she could muster. Cleitus nodded and pulled back from their embrace.
"Then I shall stay with you," Claudita shook her head slowly.
"No Cleitus. I just need to sleep," she told him, with a sad and distant look in her eyes. Cleitus leant in and kissed her deeply before he stood to leave.
"The second I am free, I shall be back to tend to you," he told her, before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
Once he had left, Claudita sank down lower in the bed and pulled the blanket up over her shoulders tightly. She still didn't know what she felt, all she knew was that she needed some sleep.