Chapter 16

Author's Note: Real life kept me away. Sorry for the long absence.

And to you, James Birdsong, thank you so much! I love your review! And also thank you for reading and reviewing "Never Forgotten".

Rada hovered over her mother. "Oh mama! You're up! I was so worried about you! You'll be taken care of! Don't you worry! Fiyero has it all figured out! You'll have doctors and nurses taking care of you. You'll have a floor of your own at..."

Fiyero raised his hands into the air. "Will you stop that rattling? You're startling her! You just go on and on! Go get the doctor and tell him she's woken up!"

Marcella stared at the both of them.

"Why don't you go? I'll stay with my mother!" She waved him away.

"I have a right to be here as much as you," Fiyero said, pointing a finger at her.

"Go away," Rada said, shoving Fiyero hard that he nearly lost his balance.

"Stop it, you two," Elphaba interjected. "It's like I'm in my classroom watching my kids fight."

Fiyero and Rada turned their attention to Elphaba.

"Is there a problem?" Fiyero asked.

"You're both unbelievable. You're like brother and sister fighting with each other. Sibling rivalry."

"And your point?" Rada asked.

Elphaba shook her head. "Never mind. I think Marcella's trying to say something."

Fiyero moved toward her. "What is it, Marcella? How are you feeling? I've been so worried. Sara's been asking about you."

"Mama! Are you alright? Do you need something?"

Marcella closed her eyes. "No fight." She slurred her words.

"See what you've done," Fiyero said.

"It's you," Rada said. "At least she's talking."

Elphaba clapped her hands quietly. "Children, I'll get the doctor. Marcella says no fighting. Are you two always like this?"

"Pretty much," Rada said, then made a face at Fiyero.

He shook his head. "You're such a child."

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Okay then, I guess it's safe to leave you alone while I get the doctor."

"Thank you," they said in unison.

"Uh huh," Elphaba said, leaving the room.

"Sa ra," Marcella said, looking at Fiyero.

"You'll get to see her when you come home." Fiyero turned to Rada. "She's asking for Sara because she was with her on that day she got sick."

"Ra da. Fi ye ro," Marcella said.

Fiyero hugged Rada, and exhaled loudly as if unaware he had been holding his breath from the moment Marcella had fallen ill.

"She's come back to us," he said.

Rada nodded, tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes. "Thank you for taking care of mama."

Author's Note: I'm so sorry for such a short piece. I've already started on the next chapter. Should be up in about a week.

TBC - Chapter 17