Chapter 46. Strong

Rifiuto: Non Miniera

Nine months passed quickly.

Elphaba spent most of her time helping the maunts care for the orphans, and when she wasn't helping the maunts, she was helping Fae prepare for the baby.

Fae, for her part, grew more distant as her pregnancy progressed; she snapped at Elphaba more and more, and on more than one occasion, suggested Elphaba go throw herself in a lake.

Elphaba had just returned from helping care fore the children, when she was met by Sister Doctor inside their bedroom. The older woman looked none too pleased to see Elphaba there.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Maunts were rushing into the room, carrying towels and oils, scissors and blankets.

"It's her time." Sister Doctor said, gently pushing Elphaba out of the room.

"Can't I--" She was cut off when the door slammed in her face.

Confused and alone, Elphaba sank to the floor. She rested her head against the wall, and jumped whenever she heard Fae scream. Quickly, she closed her eyes, and took deep breaths.

It was her mother all over again.

Elphaba remembered the night her mother died. She remembered it clearly, even though she had only been two at the time.

It was the night Nessa was born, and Elphaba, wanting to be there when the baby was born, had snuck into the room, and hidden in her mother's closet, watching silently. She'd watched as her mother did as the midwives told her to, watched the midwives and Nanny work to calm her down. She had heard her mother's screams, watched the midwives rush about.

The entire time, Elphaba had huddled in the closet, watching everything intently. She saw her mother give that final push, heard that scream, and buried her face in one of her mother's shawls.

She had watched Nessa take her first, weak breath; watched her mother breath her last, and go still. It scarred the child for life.

The girl jumped, hearing Fae's scream, followed by the screams of a newborn. She backed away, as the door opened, and Sister Doctor came into the hall.

"It's a boy. She had a boy."

"Can I see her?" Silent, Elphaba followed the maunt, entering the room to see Fae laying in bed, a child in her arms, her face turned from him.

"You okay?" Elphaba asked, going over to her. Fae nodded.

"I'm fine." Elphaba reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from Fae's forehead.

"You sure?" Fae nodded.

"Take him away." She whispered.

"Why? Fae, he needs his mother." Elphaba said, looking at the baby.

He was beautiful, as far as babies go. Beautiful blue eyes, and a patch of black hair with tan skin.

"Take him away."

"But Fae, he needs his mother."

The woman shook her head.

"No. I'm no mother. This child has no parents."

Sister Doctor took the baby from Fae, and led Elphaba into the hall.

"Fabla, I hear you're quite good with the children. Will you take him down to the children's ward and help Sister Blarkon with him?"

"Sure." Elphaba said, taking the baby in her arms. Sister Doctor thanked her and gave Elphaba a gentle push towards the stairs, before heading back inside to check on Fae.

As Elphaba headed down to the children's ward, she stared into the baby's blue eyes.

He was Fiyero's son.

Would he be the son she and Fiyero would have?

Would he be the baby Elphaba would bear years from now, if Elphaba ever made it back to her time?

Would he be Fiyero's son?

"You don't have a name, do you, little one?" She whispered, gently rocking him in her arms.

After thinking a moment, she said,

"Liir. It means strong. Do you like that?"

He gurgled like babies do, and reached up to grasp at Elphaba's long, raven hair.

"I like it."

"I'm no mother. This child has no parents."

Was that what Melena thought when Elphaba was born?

Did she hate Elphaba so much, that she would even say that her daughter had no parents?

"Don't worry Liir, we'll take care of you. Everyone in the Monestary will take care of you."

She looked up, to see the door to the children's ward before her. Swallowing, she looked down at the baby in her arms.

He needed love. He was just a baby, after all. No child deserved to go unloved.

He needed what Elphaba had never had.

Love.

"I promise, Liir."