with child is a beautiful thing.”
“So Christopher keeps telling me. I'll have to talk to Mme Olivier about it.
She's a genius. She'll be able to create something suitable, I'm sure.”
“No doubt,” Mrs. Turner agreed. “Now then, I can see you have something on your mind. What's worrying you?”
“I have a funny feeling in my belly,” Katerina said. “I hope it doesn't mean
anything is wrong.”
“What does it feel like?” The midwife asked.
“It's hard to describe. It tickles.”
“Does it feel like bubbles?”
“It did for a while. Now it's more like soft thumping, as though someone were tapping a finger. Oh, there it goes again.”
“Where?” She placed her hand on Katerina's belly. Katerina guided her to the
spot where a rhythmic little impact was repeating.
The midwife giggled. “Oh, how lovely.”
“What is it?” Katerina asked.
“Your baby has hiccoughs!” she exclaimed.
Katerina gasped. “What? That's the baby?”
“Yes, dear. You're well into your fourth month. It's not surprising you can feel it.”
Katerina placed her hand on the spot. “Goodness.”
She was still in awe when Mrs. Turner left. Alone in her parlor, she
experienced a growing awareness of a sensation she hadn't expected this time a
month ago. It was a feeling of… excitement. The little bump in my belly is my child, mine and Christopher's. Soon, only a few months from now, I will deliver
this little person and it will be ours, our son, or our daughter. I will experiencethe joy of watching Christopher be a father. He'll be wonderful at it.
As though her thoughts had summoned him, Christopher arrived, his dark
hair rumpled by the spring breeze. “Hello, love,” he said, kissing her forehead.
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close for a much longer
kiss, mashing her lips to his and squeezing him tight.
“Well, well,” he said, “it seems you're feeling all right.”
“Yes, wonderful. Here, give me your hand.” She pressed his fingers to her belly.
“What, Kat?”
“Hush. Just wait.”
He waited. Long moments later, a little squirming sensation fluttered under his fingers. His eyes widened. “What was that?”
“Our baby.”
“Oh, Lord.”
“I know. Isn't it amazing?”
His smile grew huge and beautiful. “Yes. I can't believe it. Oh, love, you should see yourself. So happy. Are you happy, Katerina?”
“Yes. I think I finally am. There's a baby here.” She pressed her hand over his. “A baby who is part of you and part of me.”
“Yes. I love that.” He lowered his lips to her forehead.
“Has there ever been such love?”
“Not that I know of,” he replied. “Well, every couple probably feels this way,
but it's special because it's us.”
