A Light in the Dark

Chapter 34

Chapter 34 (Erik's POV)

Things had been constantly changing at Phantasma. Elaina showed me the nursery she had prepared for the baby. On one of the walls, she insisted on my painting something. I swirled music notes all around, and I saved the space in the center for her name, whatever they decided on naming her.

Truthfully, I was not painting it yet because we didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl. I had this gut feeling that it would be a little girl though, and she would be the most beautiful thing this earth had ever seen. Of course, I wasn't being prejudiced at all.

Elaina had the walls painted a pretty yellow color that complemented the dark wooden floors. The furniture was the same tint as the wood, and she had bought an abundance of toys and stuffed bears. Of course, I couldn't let her get away with buying everything even if I had given them the money. I had yellow and pink blankets made with Ys embroidered in the fleece and satin material. Plus, I had paid for an abundance of fabric for Erin. She had an offer from a New York designer to make clothes that would go to Paris. She took the job of course. It was amazing! She was only thirteen, but she showed so much talent. She had used the scraps from her larger dresses to make tiny clothes for the baby, and Elaina and Gustave couldn't have been any happier.

Everyday Elaina glowed more and more with happiness. Gustave fussed over every little thing she does out of fear that she may hurt herself. She insisted she wouldn't. He never trusted her though.

Just about all of the workers were in excitement for the baby to come. We had never had a baby around Phantasma - children of course but never babies.

One day as I was talking to Erin and watching her sew, Gangle came running into the room in a panic. He stumbled over his words over and over again making Erin laugh.

"Well, come on," I demanded, "spit it out!"

"G... Gustave requested the master's presence. The... The baby's coming!"

I took a quick look at Erin in disbelief, but the wide grin on her face let me know that what I has heard was true.

I smiled. "Thank you, Gangle."

He nodded and went on his way.

"I'm assuming you want to come too?" I said laughing as I watched Erin bounce out and get her coat.

She grinned and grabbed my hand. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

I laughed and let her pull me along to the house. We went upstairs and found Gustave pacing in his study. As we passed the bedroom, we could hear Elaina's piercing screams.

Erin winced as I put my arm around her. "I'm never having children," she stated in a horrified tone.

I laughed and ruffled her red hair. "Good."

She took off to go hug Gustave as I hung my walking stick and coat by the door.

"You're not in there to get an ear full?" I said laughing.

He rolled his eyes. "That damn midwife kicked me out." Then he continued his pacing.

"You seem a little nervous," I stated.

He suddenly went pale. "Do you ever just have that sense where you can tell something is wrong?"

My heart suddenly sank. I knew exactly how he felt. I had that feeling that night on the pier. I felt the need to pace too, and I started in the opposite direction as him so we wouldn't run into one another.

After a while, I looked up to Erin who was sitting in Gustave's office chair. She sat with a smirk on her face as she curled up in the chair.

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

She giggled. "Nothing. It's just that if I didn't know better, I would think you're twins. You look just alike when you're doing that."

Gustave grinned and spun her around in his chair until she was crying for him to stop because she was too dizzy. She tried to stand, but she ended up just flopping over in the floor. We all laughed until there was a sudden light tapping at the door.

"Entre!" he answered as he helped Erin out of the floor.

The lady who I assumed was the midwife stepped in. Sweat beaded her forehead, and blood stained her apron and skirt. I could see Gustave's chest heave as he took a deep breath.

"Yes?" he asked meekly.

Tears filled the woman's eyes as she looked at the floor. She stepped closer to him and stood on her tip toes to whisper something in his ear. She patted his shoulder when she finished and ran out the door.

Gustave's chest heaved for a moment, and his hands shook.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Erin asked in attempt to break the silence.

"A beautiful baby girl," he whispered shakily.

Suddenly tears streamed down his face, and he took his arms and knocked everything off of his desk with a scream. He picked up books from his shelf and started throwing them. Erin screamed and ducked in the corner. I leapt after him and tucked his arms under mine so I could hold him down.

"Gustave!" I yelled as I held his arms at his side. "Don't fight me!" He squirmed and violently shook in my embrace. After a minute or so, he calmed down and sunk to his knees. I fell behind him and held him close to my chest. "Now, boy, tell me what's wrong."

"No!" he cried as his fists hit the floor. "No, no, no, no!"

I decided it best to stop questioning him. I just stayed and held my son as he lay broken and quivering on the floor.