Warning my friends…this is a VERY sad chapter with character death in it….you can skip this chapter and go to Chapter 5 and know basically what happens….
Elizabeth was determined to do something today. She was tired of having William do more than a son should have to do and poor Jess was trying to keep up the work in two households. William had gone with Jess to Jess' house to get a few supplies. Elizabeth found this the perfect time to try and change William's bed. She carefully climbed the steps holding on to the ladder but suddenly she felt a horrible pain in her belly and although she was only half way up the ladder she grabbed her belly out of reflex and fell to the ground below.
William opened the door for Jess since they both had their arms full. "Mum," William called. She didn't answer and William quickly scanned the house for his mother. He turned around towards his loft and saw Elizabeth on the ground not moving. He gasped and as he did Jess turned to see Elizabeth. "Quick William go fetch the midwife," Jess ordered. William just stood there staring at his mother noticing a pool of blood growing around her. "William NOW!" Jess seemed to shock him back into reality for he started to run and he never stopped until he brought the midwife back.
The midwife examined Elizabeth and then talked to Jess outside as William stayed wiping his mother's face.
"The baby will be too young to survive and I can't stop the bleeding. Jess, we are going to loose them both," the old woman told Jess. Jess started to cry but the midwife took her by the shoulders. "You must be strong for her. She needs you now and so does her son. Is her husband close by?"
Jess shook her head, "Will only left a week ago, he'll be gone for a while."
The old woman nodded her head and looked a Jess straight in the eye. Jess understood the unspoken words and told them to herself, "Be strong for Elizabeth." They walked back in to see Elizabeth's eye's open.
"She's awake now. She'll be alright now – right," William asked with a slight smile on his face.
Jess looked down at the boy with great sadness, "William and Jasmine help me outside for a moment." She needed to talk to them with the midwife talked to Elizabeth.
"But she can't die. She just can't. I need her. This baby shouldn't die either. Dad should be here. He'd stop all of this and she'd be fine," William said through his sobs. Jasmine was crying but she did not know what to do other than touch William's back as he continued to cry on Jess's shoulder as she sat on her knees.
"Elizabeth, I am not one to tell lies especially to one in your condition. The baby is coming and you know as I that it is too soon," tears started to well up in Elizabeth's eyes, "but Elizabeth I haven't been able to stop the bleeding and if I can't after the child comes," the midwife took at deep breath to continue with the right words.
"I'm not going to survive am I," Elizabeth asked.
The midwife nodded her head. Another labor pain racked Elizabeth's already weakened body. The midwife looked again, "the baby is coming now."
Jess had the children stay outside and went in to help Elizabeth. She sat behind Elizabeth and lifted her when it was time to push. Finally a tiny baby girl was delivered and some cries of life came from the baby. She was only as small as your hand and the midwife had gently wrapped her up and gave her to Elizabeth.
"Has the bleeding stopped or at least slowed down," Elizabeth asked.
"No. I'm sorry but it's getting worse. You may not have much time," the midwife explained trying to stop her own tears.
Jess let William and Jasmine come in to see Elizabeth. Elizabeth said goodbye to Jasmine then asked Jess to find her things to write Will a note. They left Elizabeth and William alone to say there goodbyes.
"Mum, please, please stay with us," William cried to Elizabeth.
"Honey, I would but you see God's saw fit to take your little sister home with him and well I need to go and take care of her. Do you understand?"
"I don't want either of you to go."
"I know son. But He has different plans than us. Now I don't want my little girl going to Heaven without a name so William what do you think?" Elizabeth was trying her best to help her son get through this tragedy.
"She's tiny but perfect. I think we should call her Lizzie after you Mum."
Elizabeth smiled and William returned the smile. "Lizzie it is then."
Jess came in and handed Elizabeth the paper and a pen to write with. She held the ink well in her hands ready to help Elizabeth. "Thank you Jess. Meet Lizzie."
Jess smiled. "William I think that you should go out with Jasmine now."
William left but kissed both his mother and little sister before he did. A single tear ran down his face because in his heart he knew he would never see either of them alive again.
"Jess, I know Will. He will blame himself but don't let him. I climbed up the ladder when I know I shouldn't have but something was wrong with the baby all along. There was nothing he could have done. Please don't let sorrow engulf him too long because I want him to have a happy life. He has a fine son and Will deserves to be happy."
Jess nodded as the tears started with her as well.
Elizabeth weakly started to write her letter to Will. Jess could tell that she was growing weaker and weaker by the moment. Jess looked up to the midwife and the midwife shook her head. It wouldn't be long now they both thought. She finally finished her letter to Will and Jess took it from her.
"Thank you Jess, you have been a wonderful friend."
"And you too Elizabeth," Jess answered her.
Then Elizabeth leaned over to Lizzie and kissed her. "Goodbye my daughter. I'll see you in Heaven."
Elizabeth closed her eyes. The midwife went over to the side where Lizzie was in her mother's arms. She checked the baby – and shook her head at Jess – the baby had gone to Heaven.
Elizabeth opened her eyes once again, "Jess tell Will that I will love him forever whether it was here on this earth or it will be in Heaven above. I love Will Turner with all my heart." With those finally words Elizabeth shut her eyes and joined her daughter Lizzie.