APPOINTMENTS KEPT

Hannibal and Clarice waited patiently in the obstetrician's office. Clarice was anxious though not for reasons most women might be. She actually saw little need for this physician. Hannibal was a man of many gifts. Working the emergency room at Misericordia he delivered several babies, often times under emergency circumstances. She failed to see what this individual offered that her husband could not.

Hannibal sat quietly beside his wife his legs crossed and tapped his steepled index fingers gently against his lips. Simultaneously he considered the questions he might have for the physician, assessed the room temperature in relation to his wife's comfort and planned the evening meal.

"Are you quite comfortable Clarice? If you need something to warm you I can return to the car and retrieve your sweater."

Clarice placed a grateful hand on his thigh. "No, H…pregnant women are like furnaces. That's probably why they keep the thermostat lower."

"I believe when you remove your clothing and put on the paper gown they will no doubt provide your comfort might decrease considerably."

"No thanks H, I'm good."

Hannibal's focus shifted to a young boy he judged to be five or six years old leaning against his mother's leg. He was obviously curious about Hannibal and had not yet decided whether he should afraid. The boy's deep brown eyes were locked on Hannibal's flaming maroon irises. Hannibal smiled at the boy. The boy smiled and waved.

Hannibal waved.

Feeling brave the boy took two small steps away from his mother, careful to keep one hand in contact with her leg. The mother was speaking to another woman also waiting to be seen.

"What is your name young man?" Hannibal asked, heartened that the boy's inquisitive nature trumped his fear.

"Christopher…Christopher Hallett. What's yours?"

"Hannibal…Hannibal Lecter."

The boy smiled when he heard the name as it had a funny sound and his young heart felt no fear from it.

The boy's mother did not smile though to her credit she did not tear the child back to her either. The concerned mother's eyes covertly lifted from the magazine as she listened carefully and watched the exchange intently.

The boy reached out offering his hand and seeking Hannibal's. Hannibal took the young boy's hand and shook it very gently.

"I am very pleased to meet you." the boy spoke this sentence very distinctly with carefully pronounced syllables illustrating that this greeting had been practiced often.

"I am very pleased to meet you as well, Christopher Hallett. You are a very unusual boy…quite the young gentleman. Your mother has taught you well."

"Thank you. You have red eyes. When you look through them is everything red?"

Hannibal smiled at the innocence of the question posed and in explanation returned a question, "What color are your eyes, Christopher?"

"My eyes are brown." he stated in a disappointed tone as if now knowing maroon was possible, his own eye color was no longer preferred.

Seeing a teachable moment Hannibal spoke softly, "When you look through your brown eyes can you see only brown or do you see many other colors?"

"I see all colors." he stated proudly.

"I see all of the colors as well." Hannibal matched the boy's proud tone.

"I like your eyes. They look like fire."

Hannibal leaned closer to the boy and whispered as if sharing a personal secret. He was careful to keep his tone loud enough for the suspicious mother to hear. Softly, "I like your eyes as well, Christopher. They look like chocolate and that is one of my favorite things."

"I like chocolate too!" the boy excitedly offered, his former pride returned.

An aide entered the waiting area and called out, "Mrs. Lecter? The doctor will see you now."

The moment Clarice stood all eyes shifting to her. Aside from the boy who caught his attention, Hannibal had avoided eye contact, thus the couple had been fairly inconspicuous until now. Clarice didn't feel the burn of the stares, though she was well aware of them.

Hannibal stood and offered the young man his hand. His voice was gentle as he spoke, "I must go now but I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. It has been so very nice to speak with you, Christopher."

"It was nice to speak to you too…" he was embarrassed. He forgot the name.

His name offered with a smile, "Hannibal."

The boy smiled his voice cheerful, "It was nice to speak to you… Hannibal."

Before turning to join his wife, Hannibal leaned toward the boy's mother. "Your Christopher is quite remarkable for his age. You are no doubt a wonderful mother. My compliments to you for his manners, he is well-bred."

The young woman looked up sheepishly, "Thank you, Doctor Lecter. My good wishes to you and your wife."

"May I offer ours to you as well, Madam."

Turning back, Clarice reached out a hand. "H…Come."

Hannibal joined Clarice quite pleased at the exchange with the young boy.

Clarice suffered through the weigh in, the blood pressure, the medical history conversation and the brief meeting with the nutritionist where Hannibal brought up the subject of bacon. Clarice was not amused. They were then directed another room where Clarice was given the envious opportunity to change into her little paper gown. When redirected to the examination room she shook her head at the contraption she would have rest on and strap her legs into.

"Looks like a damned medieval torture device!" she complained.

"This too shall pass, my Love." Hannibal supported quietly.

Clarice, indignant and obviously irritated climbed up onto the examination table. Hannibal helped to steady her placing a firm hand on her back, holding an elbow for further stability. They awaited the doctor.

"I can't stand this, H. I don't get why you can't just deliver the baby."

"The State of Maryland revoked my license to practice medicine, Clarice."

"Who gives a damn? We could have had the baby at home. They can't tell you what to do in your own goddamned home!"

"You are in your thirties Clarice and although you are a very active and healthy woman there are risks associated with any pregnancy. I would not take a chance with your life or that of our child due to some misplaced vanity on my part. I will be present at the birth and will watch over the physician to be certain you are receiving the very best medical attention. You have no worries. I will see to it that all is as it should be."

If he were being completely honest with Clarice he would admit to her that trust was an issue for him as well. Hannibal would be forced to trust that this Doctor had the knowledge and the experience necessary not only to deliver the child safely but also to address any problems that might arise. He had done copious amounts of research and this obstetrician had the schooling and experience he sought. Hannibal also had extreme reservations when he considered another man anywhere near his wife.

The doctor entered. She was a very tall woman of medium build with a pleasant face. Not attractive but pleasing in a friendly and caring way. She extended her hand to Hannibal. It was a very large hand for a woman.

"Doctor Lecter, Mrs. Lecter I'm Doctor Walters but for our purposes I would prefer first names if that doesn't offend. You can call me Karla."

Hannibal took her hand. "Of course Karla, I am Hannibal and this is my lovely wife Clarice."

"I am very pleased to meet you both. Do you have any questions or concerns before we proceed with the examination?"

"I have many questions, though they can wait. Please proceed." Hannibal said as he considered the doctor carefully.

Karla directed her next question to Clarice. "Do you have anything you'd like to ask or discuss?"

"No…no questions, I'm good." Clarice mumbled still not entirely convinced this doctor was needed.

Hannibal explained, "My wife and I are of a different mind where pre-natal care is concerned. She believes I am capable of seeing to her health and delivering our child. I believe it is best for her care to be administered by a specialist."

The doctor was busying herself examining Clarice. She spoke as she prepared Clarice for a pap smear. Hannibal moved to stand beside his wife's head to provide her with medical privacy.

"Clarice I understand why you would like your baby delivered by your husband. It's only natural. If we have a smooth delivery with no complications as a physician Hannibal can assist me. I would be more than happy to have him receive the baby from you, cut the umbilical cord and bring the baby to you himself. There must be no complications however."

"That would make me feel a lot better about this, thank you Doctor." Clarice dropped her head back as the doctor reached for the speculum.

Hannibal stroked her hair and spoke softly in her ear until the process was completed.

"Good news Hannibal and Clarice. The uterus is of normal size and shape and the cervix is well formed with no abnormalities. I looked at all of your pre-appointment blood work and urine analysis and everything fell within the normal range. You are on your way to a beautiful healthy baby. Would you like to see the baby? We can do an ultrasound?"

"We can see the baby today? That isn't another appointment?" Clarice was finally interested in something the woman had to say.

"Not only can we see the baby today but if he or she isn't too shy, we should be able to determine the sex of the child as well."

"Now I'm excited! Clarice said her voice bursting with emotion.

The doctor wheeled a machine beside Clarice and moved the gown to the side to give her access to the abdomen. She squirted a gel over Clarice's belly bump and moved the instrument around searching the area. She began marking sections on the monitor.

"Well, the baby is about ten inches long…that's about what we would expect. I don't see any abnormalities or physical anomalies. Well, I must say…the baby is not shy at all. Do you want to know the sex of you baby or do you want to be surprised?"

Clarice looked at Hannibal and questioned him, "I hate surprises, H…what about you?"

"I leave that to you my Love. The decision is yours." Hannibal had read many ultrasound images. He already knew the answer though he kept it to himself allowing her the excitement of the decision. His heart was already pounding.

"I want to know. What is it a boy or a girl?" she held her breath.

The doctor smiled widely. This was her favorite part of the job. "Hannibal…Clarice…it's a boy."

Clarice's eyes welled as she looked at the image of her son. Suddenly this baby was very real. She reached for her husband. He held her close. "Clarice…we will have a son?"

"Yeah H…you know what that means right?"

Hannibal kissed the tears from her cheek, "No...what does it mean my Love?"

Clarice wrapped her arms her husband's neck and pulled him close to her. She whispered in his ear. "It means that in five months you will have an heir, Hannibal Lecter IX. Your family line will continue. It doesn't end with you. The men who killed your family didn't succeed…the family will continue…you will pass your family history to another generation."

Hannibal buried his face in his wife's neck. He wanted this moment to be private. He whispered quietly through silent tears. "Thank you…Clarice...Thank you."

Hannibal and Clarice left the office holding each other tightly.

When Nico was certain the pair had left the parking complex, he exited the vehicle wearing a black suit and tie. His hair was swept back from his face. He walked up the reception desk of the office.

"Excuse me, I am Doctor Hannibal Lecter's personal assistant. In all of the excitement the Lecter's misplaced the card informing them of their next appointment. Would you be so kind as to repeat the date and time for me so that I may arrange their transportation?"

"Certainly I'll make another appointment card."

Nico waited patiently. The receptionist handed him the date and time of the next appointment. He placed the card in his inside jacket and patted it for safe keeping. The date and time of Hannibal's surrender fixed. This deadly appointment one that the merciless man would most assuredly keep.

Until the next chapter, my friends,

LH