"JUST SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU. SHE'S MY WIFE, I CAN TELL WHAT'S GOING ON JUST BY LOOKING AT HER." The father's bellowing voice rattled the household. "Get the child somewhere quiet... Hurry now..." "But, her legs!" "We'll worry about them later. Do as I told you, and get her out." The midwife nodded rapidly and held the premature child close to her chest. She exited the room, and left the fishwife with Frex.

"Sir, she's gone-" "SHE IS NO SUCH THING. SHE'S JUST TIRED-" "But Sir, look at the way she doesn't move." The fishwife had a point. Melena had just given an early birth and she must've been tired, no question. But the way she would just... Lay there... It was unnerving, and made you shiver. As if she were: "Dead. You're wife is dead."

At the doorway stood a small female child, the age of 3. Her big, round, brown eyes peered into the room ever so delicately. As not to go noticed. Elphaba could hear voices. "She can't be!" That of her fathers. "I'm so sorry Sir... Would you like to see your newly born daughter?" That of a strangers. She could hear shoes pounding and clicking across the floorboards, walking her way. She made sure to press herself up against the wall to stay invisible. It worked. They passed right by her, and she was able to slip right into the room with her mother in it.

"Mommy Mommy! Wake up!" Elphaba giggled, running over and tugging at the bed. "Mommy!" No response. Not even the sound of breathing. She struggled to climb up onto the bed, but eventually managed, feeling quite proud of her small task achievement. "Mommy! Mommy...?" Her eyes searched the body before her. Something felt awfully wrong... Elphaba stared harder, her green hand reaching out to touch her.

"Mommy!" Panic risen in her voice. She was ice cold. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall given the chance. Was she... Dead? The eldest daughter lay her head down on her Mothers chest, no warmth radiating off it. No response. 'Why is she like that?' Elphaba thought to herself, getting showered in her own tears. They streamed down her face, down her neck and caused small burns to run down the paths they've created. The pain that came from them didn't bother her.

She wanted her Mother back more than anything.

She wanted her alive.

She wanted her response.

She knew she wouldn't get it. It was over. Slowly, Elphaba's small hand made it's way to her Mother's vast one. She clutched it in her own, threading her fingers through her Mother's dead ones, and began to clear her throat.

"You were the best Mom ever."

"Elphaba? Sweetie, get away from your Mother." It was no use trying, Frex could see the sadness in her eldest daughter's eyes. She knew. "You're awfully smart to have figured it out..." He chuckled, his eyes dull and lifeless. "I don't want to be smart if it means this..." Elphaba whimpered. Her Father walked forward with a bundle in his arms, and bent down.

"Look Fabala, it's your sister. Nessarose." "Nessarose." "That's it. Do you want to hold her?" Elphaba nodded, and reached her arms out. "Careful, she's a little hurt..." Frex made sure to say, handing his newest daughter to his eldest. Elphaba nodded and held her close, peering down at her scrawny face. Suddenly, her eyes opened. Elphaba's face lit up with joy, but was soon filled with sadness at the thought of her Mother. Her gaze focused into Nessarose's eyes. Elphaba sighed and took a deep breath.

"You're the last living proof of Mama..."

And with that, the family was changed... For good.