Muggle!AU
WARNINGS: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts/actions, birth of a diseased child, major character deaths.
Written for Myths and Legends OWL: Bluebeard: A marriage, a 'saviour'. Sleeping Beauty: A stolen/otherwise lost baby, a 'sleeping curse'
The day was suitably stormy. It was not yet raining but the wind was wild and the clouds were dark. Penelope stood in the weather, letting her tears run. She didn't notice her hands and feet going numb, not at all. She could only feel the pain in her head, the pain in her heart.
She was gone; her little angel. The cheerful moments, the excitement, the smiles; it was all gone in a moment.
The day they found out, it was the most wonderful day in the world. The joy she'd seen on her husband's face – something not seen often – was a moment to be treasured. Now, that moment was only pain.
It's not fair, she thought. Why us?
She felt the presence of someone behind her but she didn't turn. She didn't want to speak to anyone; she didn't want to hear words that meant nothing.
The person didn't speak. He stood beside her in silence, actions that she found a comfort. She didn't turn to see who it was, knowing it was her husband; her dear Marcus. She just stared at the dark horizon; drowning in her thoughts.
She stayed there all night. She didn't sleep, didn't eat, she barely moved. She stayed long after the rain started, long after it stopped once again. She stayed there until her legs gave way and she was caught into the waiting arms of her husband. Still, she stared silently, watching the sun rise and waiting for the pain to go away. It never did.
The words echoed around her. She could see her husband's pale but happy face.
"Congratulations, you're pregnant."
Penelope looked down at her flat stomach. Soon it wouldn't be flat. Soon it would be round and full. Penelope was crying, she knew it. Tears of joy ran down her face and she lay back, soaking in the feeling of happiness and excitement.
"We are so blessed."
She turned at the whispered words and saw Marcus lowering himself onto a nearby chair.
"We are so blessed," he said again before turning to face her. "I am so blessed." Marcus leant forward and placed a kiss on Penelope's mouth. "My beautiful wife. You amazing, beautiful woman," he said once he leaned away again.
Penelope chuckled and linked their fingers together. "It wasn't just me, you know."
Marcus' smile widened even more, if possible, and pride shone through. "Who thought I could make a child, a little baby."
Penelope squeezed his hand and smiled softly. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too, my beautiful love."
The house was cold, empty. Penelope walked through the door in a daze. She was guided up the stairs, past the bedrooms, and into the bathroom at the end of the hall.
"I'll run you a bath," Marcus said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Penelope didn't move. She stood still where she was and watched with blank eyes and Marcus turned the bath water on. The sound of the water rushing out of the tap barely penetrated through the haze surrounding her.
Marcus picked up the Lavender bath salts, emptying the bottle into the warm water. The aroma filled the bathroom within moments but it didn't remove any tension. Penelope wasn't sure if anything could.
When the bathroom was filled with steam and the bath ready to go, Marcus stepped towards her. He ran a hand through her hair until he was cupping the back of her neck.
"Do you need anything else?"
Penelope shook her head but she didn't move to undress, staring at the bath blankly.
Marcus placed a kiss to her lips. She didn't respond. He sighed but left her alone, shutting the door softly behind him.
Penelope stared at the bath, letting the steam seep into her pores, warming her slightly. After a few moments her legs started to shake, too weak and tired to hold her up much longer. Penelope stripped, peeling off her shirt and pants only to throw them on the ground, already forgotten.
She manoeuvred herself to the edge of the bath and sat down, hating the cold porcelain on her body but struggling to lift her leg into the bath. Eventually, she found the energy and sank into the hot water.
The water was foggy, filled with the baths salts that were meant to help. The bathroom was quiet, though, she could hear bangs from downstairs. Penelope listened, finding her mind focusing on the noise.
She knew what it was – she wasn't the only one in pain, after all.
Her eyes wandered around the bathroom, locking onto the bottom cabinet; the medicine cabinet. It had a lock on it, preventing children from accessing the sink. She remembered when her husband installed it, saying that this way when their unborn baby was at the crawling age they wouldn't have to worry about safety and security measures.
They didn't have to worry about that at all now.
Penelope sobbed, sinking lower into the bath. There would be no worrying about baby safety or no sleep. They wouldn't have to worry about teething and crying. They wouldn't need to change stinky nappies, feed every three hours. It all didn't matter.
Penelope sank further down, letting the water lap over her mouth.
They wouldn't need to think of a name. They wouldn't need to clean after spilt food. They wouldn't need to use the pretty pink nursery. They wouldn't need to wait for that first smile or that first laugh. They wouldn't need to give that first bath. They wouldn't need to do any of that.
Penelope closed her eyes, sinking completely under the water. She didn't hold her breath, letting the lavender scented water fill her nose and mouth. There would be nothing to worry about soon, nothing at all.
Penelope waddled into the newly refurbished nursery, watching Marcus attempt to build the wooden crib they just bought. Penelope chuckled – bringing his attention to her – when he threw the screwdriver away.
"Stupid thing," he muttered but he was smiling at his wife.
"Are you having trouble," she asked with a bright smile.
Marcus scowled at her, amusement shining in his eyes. "This is all your fault, you know."
Penelope raised an eyebrow. "My fault? How do you figure?"
Marcus stood and approached his wife, placing his hands over her full stomach. His eyes met hers, glittering maddeningly.
"No," she said, pointing a finger between Marcus' eyes. "You will not blame me because I'm pregnant if I can't blame you for making me pregnant when my swollen feet and achy back play up."
Marcus raised his hands above his head smiling. "You win; it's not your fault."
"Damn right," she said. "Now, come with me before you hurt yourself."
Marcus smiles, snagging her hand in his larger one. "My saviour," he said.
Penelope chuckled, leaning him out of the nursery and to the backyard. The darkened sky brightened only by the sparkling stars – a new moon tonight. Penelope breathed in the fresh, warm air, enjoying the still night.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Penelope asked, closing her eyes and soaking in the atmosphere.
"I guess," Marcus said softly. "Not as beautiful as you, though."
Penelope turned to her husband with an eyebrow raised. "Sure, beautiful," she snorted, turning away again.
Marcus brought his hand up and turned her head to his. "You are beautiful," he said. "Nothing can change that about you, nothing."
Penelope smiled softly, placing a tender kiss on Marcus' lips. She pulled away and turned back to the night sky, wrapping Marcus' arms around her and leaning into him. She'd never felt so peaceful.
Penelope didn't feel the hands wrap around her shoulders and she didn't hear the wild calls. Her head broke the surface of the water and she spluttered, her body automatically trying to breathe. She felt someone pull her over the edge of the bath, knocking her thigh in the process. The pain didn't register, only the need for air.
She was tilted on her side and she managed to cough up most of the water. Her naked body started to shiver against the cold bathroom tiles and she could finally make out her husband's voice frantically calling her name.
"I'm okay," she gasped out. Her head felt clearer, sharper. Her pain was still there, still present like a thorn in the heart – she wondered if it would ever leave – but she was horrified by what just happened.
"Are you insane," Marcus yelled.
She looked up at him, glad to hear some emotion in his voice. He was crying, something he was yet to do and she felt another thorn pierce her heart. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
Marcus let out a sob. "You can't leave. Please, not you. I can't lose you too."
Penelope nodded, bringing his face close to hers. "I'm sorry, I won't leave you."
Marcus closed his eyes, tears falling onto Penelope's cheek. "I won't survive this without you," he said.
Penelope closed her eyes too, ignoring the chill of the bathroom and the ache in her leg. She focused on the water running over her face, the shaking form of her love – she focused on her true love and promised that she would never leave, no matter how much it hurt.
Penelope sobbed as the pain ripped her apart. The physical pain mixed with the mental pain was too much.
"Push, you have to keep pushing," the midwife called out when Penelope collapsed onto the bed.
"I can't," Penelope gasped. She turned to Marcus and grabbed his hand tightly. "Please, no more," she begged. "I can't anymore."
Marcus placed a hand over her cheek, wiping away her tears. "You have too, I can't lose you both."
Penelope closed her eyes, tears falling as she thought of the beautiful baby girl who would never see the sunlight. She clenched her muscles and pushed, screaming out all her pain.
"Done, you're done." The midwife pulled away a silent, unmoving bundle – already wrapped in a soft pink blanket.
Penelope watched through grief filled eyes. "I w-want . . ." Penelope trailed off into a sob but the midwife understood.
"Are you sure?" The midwife asked softly, turning to face the couple without revealing the bundle.
Penelope nodded, clenching Marcus' hand tightly again.
The midwife moved forward, keeping the bundle hidden. Marcus placed a hand on Penelope's cheek, turning her to face him.
"You don't have to do this," he said. His voice broke at the end, revealing his own grief and pain.
Penelope shook her head. "I have to, I'll never believe it otherwise." She paused, clearing her throat and holding back more tears. "You don't have to stay," she said eventually.
Marcus shook his head straight away. "I'm with you, always."
Penelope nodded and turned back to the midwife, holding out her arms.
The midwife hesitated but eventually moved forward, lowering the still bundle into the waiting mother's arms. The midwife then moved away, leaving the room and allowing the couple to grieve in peace.
Penelope looked down at the child. She was so small. A small tuft of dark hair was flattened against her head, her small, button nose and light skin was still squished up and flushed red. The baby's eyes were closed but Penelope knew they were most likely a brilliant blue, like most babies.
"She looks just like you," Penelope sobbed, holding the baby close.
Marcus didn't say anything – he didn't need to – Penelope could feel his body trembling.
"I'm going to miss you, my beautiful angel."
Penelope was too weak to stand. Marcus helped her up and dried her while she sat on the edge of the bath. He then carried her to bed and lay her down. He lifted her upper body up and placed one of his large shirts over her frame, not bothering with pants, before lowering her back to the bed to let her rest.
Penelope snuggled into the warm sheets, finding comfort in the familiar scents attached to their bed and her husband's shirt. She closed her eyes as she listened to Marcus shuffle around the room as he got ready for bed himself.
Soon the bed dipped and arms wrapped around her frame. She shifted until she was as close as she could be, feeling a chill run down her frame despite the warm blankets.
"I love you," she whispered as she drifted to sleep.
Marcus ran a hand through his wife's hair as she fell asleep. He pushed away his own grief and focused on his near panic at finding his wife half drowned in the bath.
He didn't go to sleep for a long time, thoughts running through his head at a rapid pace. It was almost sunrise when he realised how cold his wife's skin had become. It worried him.
"Penelope," he whispered at one point, needing assurance that she was okay. "Love, wake up."
Penelope didn't wake, she barely moved and Marcus felt the sparks of panic entering his body again. He shook her again, this time, more insistent but she didn't move. He noticed her rapid and shallow breaths so he placed fingers against her neck and felt her rapid heartbeat. That was the moment his panic exploded.
Marcus paced the waiting room of the hospital. He hated everything about this place; the white walls, the sterile smell, the worried people. He hated every single second he had to spend in this place but he couldn't leave, not while his wife was in surgery.
Marcus didn't look up as he paced, he didn't focus on anything, pushing away the events of the night before.
"Mr. Flint?"
Marcus' head flew up as he locked eyes with the doctor. "Is she okay?" Marcus said as he strode over to the doctor.
"Your wife seemed to have an internal bleed from a small tear in the uterus. Usually, this isn't a major problem but because of your wife's recent pregnancy and miscarriage, her body was weak and had already lost a fair amount of blood."
"Is she okay?" Marcus asked again.
The doctor paused, regarding Marcus sadly. "I'm sorry, son. She lost too much blood."
"No," he whispered.
"She didn't make it off the table."
Marcus barely felt his body move. He moved away from the doctor, ignoring the man's calls, and bolted from the room. He flew up a nearby staircase until he reached the roof, breaking the weak padlock off the door without thought. He looked over the city below, seeing the sun high in the sky.
He stayed there until dusk, numb and void of all emotion. He waited for the sunset, watching the colours explode into the sky and he smiled a bitter, mirthless smile.
He knew it would be the last sunset he ever saw.
(w.c 2,472)
WolfWinks –xx-
