The ninth month had arrived. Though the soon to be experienced miracle of birth filled Geppetto's heart with anticipation, he still felt a heavy pain that his wife was certain to die. Yet, Francesca was able to take the medicine without hesitation. The weeks passed by and the furniture and clothing were all prepared. The impending birth was fast approaching as was Francesca's almost certain demise. Geppetto couldn't bear the thought of being alone. Especially having to raise the child all by himself with out his wife. Without a mother, Pinocchio would not be like most children who were able to receive a mother's love. Unfortunately, Geppetto was an orphan himself as a child and never even knew his real parents. But he swore he would put himself first before he let any harm come to his child.

One night, Francesca comforted him.

"Geppetto, when I'm gone, I want you to not dwell on me, but carry on for our child. He will need you. You must be as good a father as I can ever hope you will be. Our child's life will be in your hands."

"Yes, my dear. With heaven as my witness. I will be loving, supportive, caring, and honorable for Pinocchio. I will teach him right from wrong. I will raise him to be brave, truthful and unselfish. And I will make sure he will be a good boy."

"You have not once ever said what difference it would make if it were a girl."

"Because I can feel it in my heart, it shall be a boy. When I first heard you were pregnant, I made a wish on the wishing star. I wished that we were to have a real boy."

"Darling, I'm sure even if your wish doesn't come true, this child will still be beautiful and will love you just as much as I do."

"I think so too. But let me at least have this wish to hold onto."

Francesca didn't say a word. But she happily let Geppetto place his hand on her stomach once again.

So Geppetto and his wife shared one kiss as Geppetto felt the baby's kicks from within.

One week later, Geppetto was carving a new piece for one of his clocks when suddenly, he heard Francesca call out for him.

"Geppetto! Call doctor Collodi and tell him to hurry. It's time!"

"What is it?!"

"The baby coming! he's coming now!"

"Hold on, Francesca! I'll be right back!"

Geppetto ran to the doctor and explained what was going on. They rushed back to find Francesca groaning in pain attempting to brace herself.

"Get a blanket and a pillow and some warm water. She must be placed in a straight forward position to ensure a successful delivery. Has she been taking the medicine as instructed?"

"yes, she has, Doctor. We did as you said to ensure the possible survival of our child," Geppetto replied firmly.

"Good. Very good. We must operate quickly then to make sure the baby arrives safely."

Geppetto returned with everything he was instructed to bring, he and the doctor laid Francesca on her back and helped her position herself to help deliver the baby.

"You can do this, Francesca. You must do this for both of us. My child is the only thing I can ask of you now."

"I will, Geppetto! I will!" Francesca cried out in pain. "Hold my hand, dear!"

Geppetto and Francesca held each other's hands strongly and firmly and Francesca pushed and strained with all her might. Dreading the aftermath of this delivery, Geppetto held his feeling backs as hard he could. The only thing he was certain of is that his child would survive and he would have to take care of him alone. He swore to Francesca he would do everything he could to be a good father for Pinocchio, and he wasn't about to fail either of them now.

After at least an hour of intense labor, the doctor called out, "You're almost there. Just a little bit more."

"Hang in there, my love," Geppetto confided. "Don't give up on us now."

Francesca groaned and squeezed herself as hard as possible to give one final heave and push. Finally, the sound of a cough and cry was heard. Doctor Collodi had successfully delivered the child and placed him onto a small blanket.

"Congratulations," called out Doctor Collodi. "It's a boy, Mr. Geppetto!"

Geppetto's face dropped as he leaped with joy.

"A REAL BOY!" he screamed out. "A real live boy! My wish. It's come true! Francesca! we have a boy!"

"Oh. A baby boy! I'm so happy, my dear," Francesca uttered with tears of joy. She had given birth to their newborn son successfully and granted Geppetto his wish.

"You see?! I told you!" Geppetto exclaimed with joy. It's Pinocchio! He's here!

But she felt herself weakening. It was as they were told before. Francesca was dying.

"Doctor, would you please? I wish to be with my husband one last time. We wish to see our son."

"Sure. Would you like to hold him, at least once, madame?"

"Yes, I would," Francesca answered with tears. "Let me hold and look at my child at least one time."

The doctor obliged and placed the infant boy into her arms. His loud cries reduced to a slight whimper and then a small coo.

"Geppetto. He has your eyes", Francesca cried. "look at him. he's beautiful."

"Yes.I know he is. I see it."

Her Strength waning, Francesca rubbed her son's head and talked to him.

"Oh, Pinocchio. If only I could be here to be around for you. But i can't. I'm so sorry. But I will always be here. Even if you can't see me. Your father will take care of you. I love you so much, my darling son. My little baby, Pinocchio."

Geppetto let out a smile and stroked the child's cheek.

"Hello there, Pinocchio, my sweet little boy," he whispered with tears of joy.

Pinocchio let out a feint smile as he twitched slightly and with one tiny hand grabbed his father's finger. They both looked into his blue eyes, his head covered by small patch of black hair. His tiny hands the size of a plum, with his fingers as small as carrots.

Doctor Collodi came back asking to take back the boy.

"I have to make sure my medicine worked for him."

Francesca let out a small tear that her moment with her son and husband was brought to an end. She looked down to Pinocchio's face and gave him one little kiss as she let out one last set of words to the boy.

"Bye bye, Pinocchio. Never forget, mama loves you. Always. Be strong, sweetheart."

Doctor Collodi then took the infant back to move him away to ensure his health and status. The child began to cry again, but the doctor had to make sure he was healthy still to ensure the medicine's success.

"Thank you, Doctor," Geppetto said as he gave one more stroke to Pinocchio.

"I'll leave you to it, then," Collodi told Geppetto.

"Enjoy your last moments together."

As he walked away with the boy, Geppetto and Francesca looked at each other one last time and spoke.

"Thank you, my darling wife. It's going to be hard without you, but I will do the best I can. For our son. For our dear little Pinocchio."

"I had every faith in your wish it would be a son," Francesa said weakly, but with a grin. "He's as beautiful as the pine trees we played under as children."

"I still hold true to my vow, I will raise him to be a good boy. He will be brave, truthful and unselfish," Geppetto said with tears he could no longer hold back. "I promise you!"

Though he was happy to be left with a son of his own at last. His heart was breaking that his wife was passing away.

"And you must teach him. To always...let his conscience be his guide," Francesca added with a passionate firmness in her voice. "and remember, my dear Geppetto." Her strength grew weaker each second. "I've loved you always. I always will. And so...so shall it be too...for Pinocchio. Geppetto...He will be a good boy. I know...I know he...will...be...good."

And with those words, the woodcarver's wife died.

The tears that Geppetto fought to hold back, couldn't be held back any longer. So he let them go, and shed every tear he could for his wife.

Doctor Collodi walked back into the room with the infant Pinocchio nestled tightly in the bundled blanket. He felt a hint of sadness of the sight of Geppetto having lost his wife, even more so for the fact that the newborn infant was without a mother. But as long his father was still around, there could be nothing better. Geppetto moved to sit in a nearby chair and buried his head into his hands.

"Mr. Geppetto. I am very sorry about your wife. But you'll be happy to know that your son is fine and healthy," Collodi told him. "My medicine was successful."

Geppetto looked up with a look of tearful relief on his face. "Thank you again, Doctor," He replied calmly. "I know there was nothing that could have saved my wife, but it pleases me to know my son will be alright. My beautiful little boy is now all I have left. I'm so afraid, yet relieved."

Dr. Collodi placed his hands on Geppetto's shoulder and confided.

"You'll be fine. I'm sure you will. I know you'll make Francesca very happy from above," the doctor said. "She will be very proud of you. I have to go. Take care of yourself, Geppetto. And good luck with Pinocchio." He handed Geppetto the child. Geppetto looked up at him.

"Thank you, Doctor Collodi," Geppetto replied with another tear in his eye but with a weak smile. "Would you take Francesca to the morticians to prepare her body for burial? I'll stay here. I wish to have a moment with my son."

"As you wish."

Collodi wrapped Francesca's body and carried her out the door as he looked backed at Geppetto and walked away.

Geppetto held the small boy tightly. Although Francesca was gone, she had left him with the greatest gift he could have asked for. A beautiful, healthy baby boy. A son named Pinocchio. He turned his gaze to the sleeping child, who opened his own eyes and smiled at Geppetto.

"Mother's gone, my little wooden head. But I will never let you go," Geppetto told him with a sad smile. "You will always be my special pride and joy forever. As long as I live, nothing bad will ever happen to you. I promise you, Pinocchio. I will not let your mother down to make sure I raise you the best I can. No matter whatever happens to us both, you mustn't be afraid. You just have to be brave, son."

Later that evening, Geppetto took Francesca to be buried and watched as he held his infant son while the casket was placed underground. Soon he took Pinocchio home, laid him in his crib, and kissed the forehead of his son. As he walked out the door, he turned to the crib in which the infant lay fast asleep. He noticed something on the dresser near the crib. He picked it up. Attached to it was an Envelope. Addressed to him. He opened it. There was a letter inside.

It read, "my dearest Geppetto, If your reading this, then I'm no longer alive. I bought some material and made this for the baby. Knowing I won't be around for him breaks my heart, but as long as you will take care of him, I know he will be okay. And so will you. Be a good father to Pinocchio. Give him this stuffed cricket doll too as my last request. It is the only thing he will ever have of me. Though I will always be in your heart. and in his. Forever yours, Francesca."

True to the letter, a small stuffed animal cricket doll dressed in a suit and top hat sat on the dresser. Geppetto picked it up, put in Pinocchio's hand, watching as the baby boy's tiny hand closed around the toy grasping it tightly.

"Good night, Pinocchio. My son," he whispered as he rubbed the child's head again.

He walked away from the child's room, put out the candles and went to sleep. Even though Francesca was gone, Geppetto knew he at least had his wish granted for a son. Even with such a terrible loss, the birth of Pinocchio was all he could ever need to be happy that night. And it would be so for as long as he lived. As long as he had his son, Pinocchio.