Chapter 16 - Till Death Do Us Part

This wasn't supposed to have happened. The baby wasn't due for another two months. In the middle of Elphaba's baby shower which had started out as a happy occasion, she began to experience pain. At first, she thought it was just the baby actively kicking. Several minutes had passed, the pain grew more intense that she fell to her knees clutching her belly.

It was a solemn atmosphere. Helpless, Fiyero paced the hospital corridor with family and friends waiting anxiously for the doctor. Elphaba had been admitted due to hemorrhaging.

The doctor walked out of the surgical room, and headed toward the Royal Family.

Fiyero rushed up to him. "Are they alright?" he asked in a panic stricken voice.

"Princess Elphaba is still bleeding. I hate these kinds of situations where a decision has to be made on saving just one life. The mother's or the baby's."

Fiyero stood at a standstill, trying to comprehend what he had just been told. When it had sunken in, a sudden rage of outburst came over him. "Are you fucking kidding me? What an unfair choice for me to make!" Fiyero slammed the doctor against the wall. "You save them both or I'll have your head for this!"

Farjad and Emad quickly detached their friend away from the doctor.

Queen Yasaman placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Fiyero. Please. Elphaba wouldn't want you behaving like this."

"Son!" King Maziar said.

"What good is saving my baby without its mother? And what good is saving a mother without having her child? You tell me!"

Glinda stood speechless but only for a moment. "I'm with him." She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "You'd better save my best friend and godchild. If not, I'll be the one placing your head on a guillotine!"

"Cut it out, you two! Threatening the doctor will only make matters worse," Azita said.

"I'll do the best to save the both of them. But you must understand, the Princess is bleeding heavily and..."

"Then instead of yapping, go tend to her!" Glinda screamed. "Now!"

Fiyero looked to his father. "Dad? What would you have done if the doctor told you it was your choice to either save mom or your baby?"

"I don't know, son. I don't know."

...

Fiyero with his head down, leaned against the wall, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants. He's never really prayed until now. The King and Queen were seated down, and held each other. Glinda stood beside them, and cried. Princess Azita, Farjad and Emad were in a corner speaking quietly to each other.

What seemed like forever, the doctor had finally walked out to announce the birth of a prince. "The Princess has given birth to a boy. 7lbs 12oz. 21inches. A perfectly healthy baby."

Fiyero held out his hand to the doctor. He slightly smiled. His heart pounded loudly he was so sure everyone could hear it. "My wife?" he asked. His world could crumble in a second.

"Alive but still bleeding."

The Prince exhaled loudly unaware that he had been holding his breath.

Everyone gathered around as the doctor spoke. "She's very weak, fragile. She's aware she's given birth, but hasn't held him yet. We're doing the best to save her, but..."

Fiyero shook his head. "No, don't say what I know you're going to say. Don't."

The Royal Family and friends looked at each other. Glinda let out a cry, as did The Queen and Princess. The King, Farjad and Emad stood in silence.

"The baby's in the room with her. Why don't you go in and meet your son?"

Fiyero nodded. The others followed but stayed outside of the room. He stood at the foot of the bed. The two most precious things in the world stood before him...one who's just taken his first breath, and the other who might be taking her very last.

The little Prince had let out a soft cry, as if to summon his father. Fiyero stared at him as he laid in the hospital bassinet. He carefully picked up his son, and gently hung on to him possessively. Looking down at him, tears welled up in his eyes. "Hey! Hi there. I'm your dad. Welcome to the world."

He watched Elphaba as she laid there lifeless...her breathing shallow. Moving toward her with the baby in his arms, he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Elphaba? It's me. Our son's beautiful. He has my coloring, but your dark hair. Not sure what color are his eyes, he hasn't opened them yet. You've got to get better. You'll be the one raising him properly, unlike me. I'll be the one spoiling him. I love you, you know that. And you can't leave us. Stay with me. Don't leave me. Don't leave us."

Fiyero looked down at his son, then turned to the door, and signaled everyone to enter. Everyone gathered around Elphaba's bed. "You haven't even held your son yet." Tenderly he placed the baby on his mother's chest. Taking her arms, with his help, she held on to her son. He kissed her gently on her cheek. "A kiss for you, mommy."

TBC - Chapter 17

A/N: James Birdsong, thank you so much for taking the time in reading and reviewing! Much appreciated! :)