The mid-wife looked at Regina with a commanding look that made the Queen felt as if she were the servant. "You're almost there my lady, just push."
Just push?! What did she think I had been doing all this time?!
Shoving aside the thought, Regina gathered her strength and obeyed. She pushed with all of her might and even though she felt that if her mind and body were in agony, she knew that she had no other choice but to follow the woman's voice as she instructed her on when to push. It seemed to go for an eternity..
Breaking her concentration on her task at hand, Regina heard the cries of a baby.
Her baby.
Looking at other end of the bed, she saw Rose Red was wailing as the mid-wife cut the cord that physically bonded mother and child. She then took the baby for a moment to count toes and make sure all was well. Wrapping her up in the blanket the linen servant had brought in earlier, the mid-wife gently placed the baby in Regina's arms. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, she's a healthy baby girl."
The queen barely heard the woman's words, she was completely absorbed with watching her child.
"Hello, there Rose. I'm your mommy." Her eyes were tearing up. "How are you my darling?"
Almost as if she were replying, Rose let out a loud cry that surprised Regina. How could such a tiny thing be such a big presence?
The mid-wife at the girl's spirit and noted, "She has an excellent set of lungs."
Rose's cries grow louder and the queen instantly became worried. "Is something wrong with Rose?"
Experienced with helping new mothers make the transition, the kind woman mentioned, "I believe the princess is hungry."
Without any further instructions, Regina drew her daughter close to her and Rose instinctively latched on, her chubby cheeks moving in rhythm. As the child was feeding, the mid-wife used the quiet time to discreetly clean up the room and dispose of the used rags.
Once Rose finished with her meal, the mid-wife remarked, "If you want, I can fetch the king now."
"Perhaps we can have some more time alone."
"As you wish milady. I'll fetch some fresh water and tell the king that you'll need your rest for another hour."
"Thank you."
The older woman took her leave, allowing Regina to have some privacy.
"It's just you and me little one." Rose's eyes followed her mother's mouth as she spoke. With much effort, the infant wriggled enough to free her arm from the blanket she was wrapped in only to start sucking on her hand.
Like a wave hitting the shore, Blue sensed the princess' arrival. "She's here." And if she felt it, so did he. After all, the infant had both of their magic in her.
She had to act now.
She flew down into the main field and found Nova. "Find out if Adele has accomplished her mission and where we are to meet."
"The princess is here already?"
"Yes she is. And if we are to succeed in protecting The kingdom, we have to everything in place."
"I understand."
I will have Violet and Marigold join me. We'll be outside the palace, awaiting your message."
"And what if Adele hasn't found a new home for the princess?"
"Let's hope that she does."
Leopold's footsteps were soft and careful as he came inside her chamber. "Is she asleep?"
"No, she's awake."
As the king approached his wife and child, Leopold leaned and gave Regina a brief kiss on the cheek before gazing at their newborn daughter. "She's absolutely beautiful." His mouth spreads into a broad smile. "May I?"
Regina nodded and handed Rose to her father, watching him expertly rock her.
"Hello my little Rose." The King fell in love with his newest daughter instantly, drinking in everything about her. Unlike Snow, Leopold noticed that Rose already had plenty of hair on her head. Dark black and grey eyes. "I've been waiting so long to meet you." The infant grimaced like she was contemplating whether or not to cry, but a few moments she let out a small sigh instead. "I'm glad you approve of me." He jokingly remarked.
"Can I see her?" Snow came in the room carrying some freshly cut roses from the garden. The girl went to her stepmother and handed them to her all the while keeping her gaze on her younger sister. "She's so beautiful! May I hold her?" she asked.
Regina was a bit nervous as a new mother and was about to ask Snow to sit on the bed before holding Rose, but to her surprise, the King spoke first. "Not yet. It's been a big day for your stepmother and little sister." He winked at Regina. "Let Rose spend some time with Regina tonight and we'll come here first thing in the morning."
Snow looked as if she was going to protest, but Leopold was firm. "Say good night and then we'll go and have dinner together."
Tenderly he handed back their daughter (after kissing her on the forehead. "I hope you two have a wonderful night."
—
The next morning Regina's father Henry made it to the castle. His timing was perfect - with the king making sure that the announcement of Princess Rose Red's birth was being made in the kingdom and Snow White was helping Johanna with some of the smaller details, Regina and Henry had some private time together.
"She's much too young for a horse daddy." The Queen mildly scolded her father. He had bought a pony with him as his gift for Rose.
Holding the newborn while speaking to her daughter, Henry noted, "Child, she will be riding horses before you know it." He wiggled his fingers in front of Rose to entertain her. The infant's eyes followed carefully. "I swear it feels like it was only a couple of years ago that I held you in my arms. You were just as tiny as Rose, but with much lighter hair and eyes".
"Really?" She was surprised to hear that. Her father had told her how happy he was when she was born, but she never received any details. Tentatively she asked the question that was in her heart. "Were you and mother happy at my birth?"
Seeing his daughter's glassy eyes, Henry sat down next to her. "Yes, my love. We were truly happy to have you in our lives. You have been the light of my life." Breathing in the scent of his granddaughter before handing Rose back to Regina, he added, "And now I have another joy in my life. She is a blessing."
—-
Rose woke up from her most recent nap and began coughing. Regina immediately scooped her daughter up from the bassinet and walked over to the seating area by the fireplace. "It's too cold for the princess. Fetch me another blanket, something thicker."
Obediently, the linen maid scurried off.
The anxious queen rocked her baby. "There, there Rose. We just need to warm you up."
Just as she was about to yell for the servant, the young woman returned, with a wool blanket in her hands. "A blanket, Your Majesty."
Regina took off the light linen blanket and swaddled her daughter in the cosy fabric. The tiny royal snuggled against Regina's chest. "You see? Mama knows what you need. You're all better now."
—
Later that day, Leopold and Snow checked in on Regina and Rose, who resumed her coughing. Worried that the baby was catching a cold, Leopold dismissed Snow for the rest of the day and limited servants coming to aid the queen.
Neither action seem to help, so the physician was brought to examine the sick infant. With Rose sprawled on the bed, the king and queen watched on helplessly. Regina felt knots in her stomach as the newborn's coughs were deeper and more constant. "There must be something you can do." She half ordered/begged.
"It appears as the princess has gotten the plague that has gone around." He reached into his bag and pulled out two vials. "These should help." He handed them over to the king.
As soon as Leopold opened the first bottle, the scent of licorice hit Regina's nose.
The doctor explained, "That is to be rubbed on her chest to ease the cough. The other is for night-time, when the princess needs to sleep. It's strong, so use sparingly."
The king clutched to the medicine as if they were gold. "And our daughter will be well?"
The doctor smiled. "I assure you Your Majesty, in a few days the princess will be fine."
Regina eyed him suspiciously. She didn't like his tone - he seemed to sure of himself. "You will remain here until Princess Rose makes a full recovery."
He submissively bowed. "As you wish."
—
Blue watched the palace grounds from her hidden perch. She could sense an air of anxiousness among the people. The usual joyful celebration that accompanied a royal birth was tempered. From the murmuring she heard, Rose was already ill. King Leopold and Queen Regina were expecting a new physician this afternoon as the first one was unable to cure the baby who had now developed a fever was suspected to have the plague.
As much as she sympathized with the royal family and their upcoming tragedy, she couldn't forget the bigger picture. Hundreds, perhaps, thousands of children have already died from the real plague. Making it all the worst was that their deaths were merely part of a plan that The Dark One set into motion just to acquire the princess. If he was willing to cross these lines for Rose Red, there was no telling what he would do once he had her.
She understood that stealing Rose and using Rumpelstiltskin's plan was vile and despicable, but in the grand scheme of things it was the only solution. The price was high, but Blue was willing to pay it if it meant protecting the entire kingdom.
—-
Dark circles under their eyes, the king and queen listened with rapt attention to what the doctor was about to tell them. Regina's father was keeping Snow company, as Rose was under strict watch under her parents and the most essential of servants.
"I've never seen it spread so rapidly."
Rose was pale and moist, running a fever that seemed impossible to break. She no longer coughed constantly, but it was due to sheer exhaustion and not the symptoms abating.
The king spoke first. "Is there anything you can do?"
"I have an elixir that should ease her pain."
Regina tenderly placed a cool cloth on her child. "Do you have something to cure her?"
"No I don't."
"Then you are useless." Her ragged voice sounded almost broken.
"I'm sorry Your Majesty." He carefully weighed whether he should add anything, but seeing the child in such a condition, he risked it. "If I could be so bold, but may I suggest you call on your patron? Someone with The Blue Fairy's skills could make all the difference."
Leopold nodded, "I think you are right doctor. I'll summon her now."
—
Nova was breathing hard when she found Blue and her companions. "Adele found a family for Rose. She said she will meet us near Lake Nostos with the parents to be."
"That is wonderful news; thank you Nova."
The younger fairy dipped her head in acknowledgement. "There's also another matter?"
"What is it?"
"King Leopold wants to see you." She swallowed, visibly distressed. "He is desperate to save his daughter."
Blue could see that Marigold and Violet were listening. Both fairies were equally bothered by what they had heard. Knowing that she needed everyone to cooperate, Blue instructed Nova, "Please tell the king that I will come see him, after I take care of business that needs my attention." She knew she couldn't lie, it would undermine her authority, but she was also ware she couldn't give the complete truth to the monarch.
He was a father and his judgment was impaired. He would never accept her decision so she could not share it with him.
"Are you sure that's what you want me to say?"
"Yes, and please do it now."
Snow was sleeping fitfully when she heard a scream. Alarmed, she went to the door and pulled it open, peeking through to see what the commotion was normally empty hallway had about a dozen people running back and forth. The source and destination of the chaos was Regina's chambers.
Snow's heart pounding, she scampered over in her nightgown and slipped inside. She found her father clutching Regina tightly, pulling her back from the bassinet where a physician and some others were hovering over.
"Is Rose alright?"
Her voice jolted everyone in the room. Suddenly finding her voice and becoming coherent, Regina roared, "Get out!" Her dark eyes glared at Snow with such hate and venom, that the princess felt ice injected in her blood. She darted out of the chambers back to her own.
Footsteps behind her, Snow thought it was her father coming to chide her, but it was Johanna.
Snow started, "I heard a scream and I was worried."
"I know, I know, but you must stay in your room tonight until I come back in the morning."
"Can't you stay with me for at least awhile? Until things come down?"
Tears started falling down Johanna's cheek.
"What's wrong? What happened with Rose?"
"I'm so sorry Snow, but your sister Rose has died."