Author's Note

Well, I had posted this before the new year, but it seems that the problems with the website kept the story from completion. It's a good thing I checked, otherwise you might not have gotten this chapter at all.

Happy New Year Guys!

-White Rabbit

Chapter Twenty-Two

Storms had settled over the Central City Palace in the early days autumn, reminding Wyatt of the torrent that had descended on him his first night in Kansas an annual past, when he'd chased DG through a travel storm to admit that he couldn't live without her. That time, he had only suspected that the rains were conjured by some unhappy spirit. Now, as he watched his wife fight a deep contraction, he had no doubt that DG was very much connected to her environment and summoned the dark clouds to her. Judging by the heavy drops pelting the windows, and the frequency of the thunder booming overhead, Wyatt figured that DG was in a great deal of pain, but other than the occasional grunts from her one wouldn't have guessed just how painful her contractions really were. Wyatt watched her closely as they moved down the hall, standing close by in case she needed more than the occasional arm to steady her, but she persisted through the pain coursing through her muscles. It was late in the palace, and DG's cries of anguish seemed to echo in the halls as they slowly moved towards the birthing suite. The thunder that burst overhead at the same moment masked DG's cry though, so they were left in privacy for a few moments longer.

"Augh," DG grunted through another sharp pang, "why can't we have her in our apartment?"

Wyatt clenched his teeth as DG's nails dug into his arm, and he reminded himself to breathe just like he'd been gently reminding her for the past few minutes. He knew better than to say anything, being full aware that anything he said would be misconstrued as a dig in her direction, and would most likely result in more injury to his own body. So instead, Wyatt just breathed through the pain caused by DG's vice-like grip on his arm, and he spoke quietly, "You're doing great Dorothy, you're almost there."

DG groaned again, but attempted a small smile in Wyatt's direction, in a weak attempt to ease the tension she saw in his face. She knew exactly why arrangements had been made for a birthing suite, having made the suggestion herself weeks prior when the doctor made a comment about both princesses being on track to deliver around the same time. DG still felt like it was the best idea, making it easier for the family and doctors alike to care for the babies and new mothers, but the pain that swept through DG in excruciating waves had removed her ability to think rationally, and all she wanted to do was to curl up in a ball in her own bed.

They had finally reached the suite though, so she temporarily relented in her tirade, and pushed through the door, crossing slowly to the bedroom to the right of the door, leaving Wyatt trailing behind her. Wyatt had only slowed to spy a similar sight approaching from the other end of the hall. Ambrose was jogging quietly after Azkadellia, who was almost power walking through her own pain, breathing hard like she was running a marathon. Wyatt stifled a laugh and covered his mouth, careful not to draw Azkadellia's ire. As they approached the door, Wyatt stepped aside for his sister, who pushed straight through to the room on the left, and only offered Wyatt a cursory wave as she sped past. When both women had disappeared through their respective doors, Wyatt and Ambrose finally let go of the breath they had been holding and raised their eyebrows at each other expectantly.

"They really do everything together, don't they?" Ambrose groaned, leaning over to breathe.

Wyatt patted Ambrose on the back and replied with a light chuckle, "Yup, and it sure looks like our daughters will too."

Ambrose straightened back up and eyed Wyatt warily, but didn't have a chance to respond before Azkadellia and DG both cried out again. The men paused only momentarily to give each other a brief hug before they darted off in opposite directions at the continued bellowing of their wives. As Ambrose was shutting the door on his end of the wing, Wyatt crept into the adjoining room, finding DG leaning over the edge of the bed. Her eyes were snapped shut, and she was breathing deeply between the contractions that seemed to have started getting somewhat closer together.

Wyatt stepped up behind her and began to rub her shoulders tenderly, and his voice was a deep rumble when he spoke. "Do you want to sit down for a minute, I'll keep rubbing your back if you want," he whispered quietly to DG.

"Mm-hm," DG hummed stridently, her jaw clenched while she slowly turned to sit.

Wyatt sat down next to her and continued to rub, carefully moving down her back. "I'm really proud of you Princess. You're pretty amazing, you know," he murmured softly, as he rubbed, easing back on the pressure as he felt her muscles lose some of their tension.

DG scoffed and turned to eye Wyatt, "I'm a mess," she grumbled, "and I think I want to lay down for a minute."

Wyatt moved out of DG's way and helped ease her down onto the pillows. DG expelled a relieved sigh as she stretched out, only to jerk upwards once more when another contraction hit her hard, and she just about crushed Wyatt's hand as her muscles squeezed down on her.

"I'm sorry Wyatt," DG grunted through the pain as she released her grip on Wyatt's hand and winced apologetically.

Wyatt didn't let go of her though, and stayed close, whispering in a hoarse, coaxing voice, "It's okay Dorothy, just breathe."

DG nodded while focusing on Wyatt's eyes, fighting hard to breathe through the blinding pain. She focused on the crystalline depths that held her in a steady, calm gaze, until the pain subsided, and she began to breathe more easily. With a sigh, she laid back down on the pillow and shut her eyes with a sigh, while Wyatt placed a cool towel on her head.

"The doctor will be here in just a few minutes, Dorothy. Why don't you get a few minutes of rest, and I'll go get you some ice, okay?"

DG was quickly drifting off and hummed her agreement as he crept out. She had already drifted into sleep when Wyatt came back with ice, after waving to Ambrose and letting a sympathetic smile pass between them. Her nap was only a momentary respite though, and the night passed slowly, with Wyatt and Ambrose playing second fiddle to DG and Azkadellia, who both labored like prized fighters in an even match. Wyatt was unbelievably proud of DG, amazed at how she powered through the long hours of pain. As night turned into dawn, DG began to bear down, and with one finally push, DG felt her daughter emerge. A shrill cry filled the air, and DG let out the air she'd been holding in, and with Wyatt's gentle affirmation, she collapsed against the pillows in exhaustion.

"You did it, Dorothy," Wyatt sighed with a smile, and he leaned down to kiss her brow with soft affection.

It took only a moment, but DG was impatient, and sat up with Wyatt's help as the Doctor came back with their new daughter, cleaned and swaddled. When the doctor placed their daughter in DG's arms and departed quietly, all of DG's nervous anticipation melted away instantly, and she was quickly turned into an emotional puddle of goo for the child in her arms. She couldn't have been more perfect, the pair thought as they gazed down on their daughter, in awe of her tiny, perfect form and pale blonde hair.

Her eyes, which opened when DG greeted her quietly, were the color of a cloudless sky, and DG felt her heart melt a little more. "Hello Lizzie, I'm your mommy." DG whispered, letting the small girl grasp her finger tightly.

"Lizzie?" Wyatt asked, feeling somewhat blindsided.

DG smiled up at Wyatt and nodded, "Elizabeth Ozma Cain Gale."

Wyatt grinned brightly at his wife and then smiled down on his new daughter, swelling with love for the women that had blessed his life. "Hello Lizzie. I'm your daddy," Wyatt murmured against her small crown. Lizzie cooed quietly and grunted against DG's chest.

As if by second nature, DG slipped her nightgown down and let Lizzie begin to feed. It was early still, and DG had yet to really produce much milk, but that small detail did not seem to bother either of them. The mere action seemed to cement the mother and daughter to each other, and Wyatt watched them in quiet awe. When Lizzie had finally satiated her urge to nurse, DG slipped her nightgown back up her shoulder and sighed contentedly. Her eyes were heavy though, and the relief she felt from holding her daughter finally gave way to fatigue.

Wyatt stepped forward and gently pried Lizzie from her mother and whispered as he kissed her, "Why don't I take her for a while, let you get some rest."

DG smiled gratefully and nestled down into the bed carefully, "Thank you," she muttered.

Before Wyatt crept out of the room with their daughter, DG stopped him, "I love you Wyatt," she whispered.

Wyatt smiled back at his wife and purred, "I love you too Dorothy, more than anything."

With that, DG smiled and closed her eyes, finally giving in to the extreme fatigue settling all over her body. Wyatt swayed into the next room, humming to Lizzie as he moved. His dance moved him slowly to the large windows that looked out on the OZ, where the morning was breaking outside, and the clouds had parted, giving way to brilliant morning light. As the suns slowly rose, Wyatt smiled, seeing a double rainbow in the sky.

"Look at that Lizzie," Wyatt murmured with a small smile.

In another moment, Wyatt was joined by Ambrose, who held his own bundle in his arms. The pair approached slowly, until he stood shoulder to shoulder with the Tin Man, and both men grinned at each other, eager to meet the newest princesses.

"Hey there Tin Man," Ambrose whispered, "Meet Lavender Gale the second, but I think I'll just call her Lav."

Wyatt grinned and placed his free finger in Lav's hand, which she grasped tightly while cooing happily. She had dark hair like Azkadellia, and but tight curls like her father. "Hey there Lav," Wyatt chuckled lightly.

Lavender released Wyatt, allowing him to turn towards Ambrose a little more, and with a fond smile down on his own daughter, he quietly introduced Ambrose to her, "Ambrose, meet Elizabeth Ozma. Lizzie, meet your Uncle Ambrose."

Ambrose smiled down on his new niece and chuckled when he saw her bright blonde hair, equal in brightness to her father's. "Hello Lizzie," Ambrose whispered, watching in amazement as their daughters' hands found each other, causing a bright glow to emanate between them. Ambrose chuckled as he watched them, continuing, "I bet you two are going to be great friends."

Wyatt gasped quietly and looked up at Ambrose with a surprised smile, "I think we'd better keep an eye on these two, I get a feeling that there are quite a few adventures on the horizon."

Ambrose nodded in almost serious agreement, looking down on their daughters with paternal wariness. It was only momentary though, and his concern was nothing compared to the overwhelming sense of elation that seemed to burst out of him.

Elsewhere in in Central City, Darla DeMilo was doing her part to prepare the small shop for opening. The night had been dark, and the rain had battered the sidewalks outside, strewing litter about the avenue. Darla grumbled as she dragged a broom outside, convinced that no one would want to come near their shop with trash littering the doorstep. When she stepped outside in the morning light, she stopped, staring up at the sky in amazement. A double rainbow glittered in the morning light, brighter than any she had ever seen before. After a moment, Darla shook herself from her trance and picked up the broom she had dropped suddenly. When she reached down to pick up the broom, she stopped abruptly, finding a blue bird perched on the end of the stick. The bird twittered pleasantly at Darla, as if greeting her. In an instant, the bird fluttered away, flying lazily in the sky above the shop, and Darla smiled to herself, remembering what Ozma had told her. Darla let go of a deep sigh, feeling relief wash over her, with the knowledge that the darkness of the past fifteen annuals had finally lifted, and the suns had finally returned to shine over the OZ.

Author's Closing Note

Phew! What a marathon. It took A LOT longer than I anticipated, but for those few of you that have favorite'd me or added me to your followed authors in hopes that I might finally finish this one - thank you! I fully intend to do some continued edits to this story, given that I've rushed it out a bit (especially the last few chapters), so I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

I don't want to get any hopes up yet, since the material is still just sitting in my head, but I've opened the door for a few different stories with this one (bonus points if you can guess for who the bell tolls). It will take a little time before these get published though, because I'd like to chew on the plot a little more and really immerse myself like I did Pitstop. I DO have some source material put together for Azkadellia and Ambrose, if there is any interest in that line... so let me know.

With that, I must wish you all a fond farewell, until we meet again NEXT YEAR! Happy New Year guys!

Your humble friend,

White Rabbit