When Francesca was not resting she and Geppetto would go shopping for food and supplies. One afternoon within the eighth month, while shopping for clothes for the baby, Francesca felt unusual. She had suddenly passed out and fallen down. Thankfully, Geppetto had managed to catch her before she could fall completely, not willing to risk any damage to their unborn child.
Geppetto anxious and frightened about what had just happened, rushed his wife home and sent a message to the doctor. Before long, a man walked through the door of his home.
"Collodi's the name." He introduced himself generously. "At your service, Mr. Geppetto."
"I appreciate your arrival, doctor. My wife is with child. And I don't wish to lose our baby. I want to be sure my wife will be alright."
"I shall see what I can do for them, sir. Just wait here and I shan't be too long with your wife."
Geppetto waited and waited. Seconds turned to minutes. The anxiety he was feeling turned to fear. Fear for both his wife and child. An hour later, Doctor Collodi walked into the room again. But his expression was rather grim.
"Mr. Geppetto, your child is alive and kicking still within the womb," he said with relief.
"Thank goodness," Geppetto had sighed. But he knew there was still more. "but what of my wife? Will she be alright?"
"I am afraid Francesca may not live to see your child," the doctor expressed sadly. "At some point during the pregnancy, she seems to have contracted a fever of some kind. She suffered an unexpected seizure today. It's miraculous she was able to survive, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
"My darling wife, Francesca? No. She will die?" Geppetto cried as his head lowered.
"I am so sorry. But I'm afraid there's little I can do. However, I have provided special medicine of mine that should keep her alive at least until the birth of your child, but there's no guarantee she will survive the childbirth."
"And our child?" Geppetto couldn't help but ask. His heart was full of fear now. He was about to lose his wife, but he did not wish to lose his child as well.
"My formula should also keep your child alive and well in the birthing process. Even if your wife does not live, enough dosages of the medicine should save the child. I'm terribly sorry to have to tell you all this."
"Thank you, Doctor. I will see to it she takes it," Geppetto said firmly.
"But, tell me, is there any chance this medicine will save her? My wife? I still don't want to lose her."
"I'm sorry, sir. Even with a full amount, this medicine can only treat her, but not cure her. But if she lasts until she is ready to give birth, the contractions in labor will only worsen her condition. She has no chance or possibility of surviving. Only the child does."
Geppetto's heart sank further. Yet a spark of hope remained shining from within.
"I know this is upsetting, but I cannot save them both. One of them will have to be sacrificed. Francesca has already decided it should be her."
"But there has to be something you can do."
"There isn't. Even if I could. Geppetto, she's dying. If you want to have a part of her still, then we CAN still save the infant.
"Doctor, we will still take the medicline. I MUST save this baby. Even if I can't save Francesa. I will not lose Pinocchio."
"Pinocchio? Is that to be your child's name?"
"If it's a boy, Yes."
"Well, best of luck, sir."
As the Doctor left the house, Geppetto ran up to his wife and cradled her gently.
"My darling gem and treasure, Francesca. The news I have received has brought great sadness to me."
"Good Geppetto, my heart hurts knowing our soon to be born infant is now at risk. And should he survive, I may not live to see him."
"I assure you, my love. If anything happens to you, I will not let anything else happen to our dear Pinocchio, whose life has yet to begin."
Both parents's sad faces turned to weak smiles as they embraced with a soft and gentle kiss. Geppetto put his hand on his wife's stomach and spoke to his child through the womb.
"My dear child. I may lose your mother. But I will not lose you. I promise. I will see to it you will live on as my greatest treasure."
Geppetto turned his gaze to his wife. "Francesca, I'm afraid. I don't know what I'll do without you. I'm not sure I can raise this child without you."
Francesca looked back up at him. "I have faith in you. I know you'll be okay. Even if it weren't for this tragic news, it would change nothing. You must take care of this child."
"I will," Geppetto said.
That night, Geppetto thought to himself. He wondered, "can he do it? Can he raise a child all by himself?" If Francesca was going to die, he wouldn't have a choice. He had wanted a child with her for a long time. And now he was about to lose his wife, but if his child survived would he be able to manage? He knew he couldn't just abandon the child. He had to do it. He had to take care of it. With or without his wife, he couldn't give up or abandon his soon to be born child for anything. Not even for a cure to save her. Francesca's loss was inevitable.
