Chapter 60. The Birth of a Crown Prince
Rifiuto: Non Miniera
Elphaba had finally reached her fortieth week. She was lower now, and the baby was pressing hard on her pelvis.
Latent labor started around midnight the first night.
"Yero."
"What is it love?" He asked. He'd stayed up with her, rubbing her shoulders and calming her down.
"Get your mother. I think I'm contracting."
Once Musetta was fetched, she stayed with Elphaba, talking softly to her.
"You're labor's started. It's only a matter of time." She said, patting Elphaba's hand.
"That's okay. It shouldn't take too long, right?" Elphaba asked, smiling at her. Musetta raised her eyebrows. Optimism. Girlish optimism.
It didn't take long before the active phase of labor started.
"Breathe Elphaba." Musetta instructed. The young woman did as told, crying out as her cervix contracted at a rapid rate.
"Yero, fetch Yackle!" Musetta ordered. Her son quickly dressed and left.
When Yackle finally arrived, Elphaba's contractions were stronger, lasting longer and coming quicker.
"So, the young queenie's preparing to birth. Well, let's check your progress."
"How far is she?" Fiyero asked.
"About six." Yackle replied, as Elphaba cried out in pain. The young woman continued her breathing, and Fiyero settled next to her, rubbing her back to relax her.
She went into the transition at midnight on the second night.
Fae had agreed to take the girls into the hall, and calmly explain to them what was happening with Elphaba.
"Is she having the baby?" Baxi asked, climbing into Fae's lap. The older girl nodded.
"Yeah, she's.....having the baby."
"Is it going to be quick? Mama said it was quick with Baxi." Illnora stated. They girls jumped when they heard Elphaba scream.
"I don't think it's going to be quick."
Once she finished the explanation to the point where the girls could understand, they came back into the room, because the girl's wanted to be there when the baby was born. Fae, not so much, but she stayed for moral support.
"So, the young queenie is ready to birth, is she?" Yackle asked, checking Elphaba's progress again.
"Oh Kumbrica make it stop!" Elphaba screamed. She sat up against the pillows, gripping Fiyero's hand tightly.
"I have to push! I have to!" She cried, as Musetta took Elphaba's other hand. "Please!"
"Remember, do as your body tells you." Musetta whispered, stroking her hair. Elphaba nodded, and pushed as hard as she could.
"Aah! Make it stop!" Elphaba continued to push, until she felt her baby's head crown.
"He's crowning." Fae whispered, Baxi in her arms.
"Push your majesty!" Yackle instructed.
The birth continued.
Finally, she felt his shoulders slide from her body.
"The Crown Prince……he's almost here." Elphaba cried, gasping as another contraction hit.
"One more strong push, and the young queenie shall have her son." Yackle told her.
Elphaba did as told, letting out a scream, as she felt her child finally leave her body. As she relaxed back against the pillows, she heard her son give his first cry. She watched Fiyero cut the cord, and then reached for his hand when he joined her.
"Do you here that? Yero, that's our son!" Elphaba said, pressing her forehead against his.
"I know. And he's beautiful. You did a wonderful job, Fae. I'm so proud of you. Ti amo, mi amata." He whispered, kissing her gently. Soon, her son was cleaned up, and laid in Elphaba's arms.
Beautiful tan skin, sandy hair, and blue eyes.
"Oh Oz. He's beautiful." She whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
"What are you going to name him?" Manzel asked. Elphaba thought a moment.
"Liir. It means strong."
"Liir. It's perfect for the future king." Manzel said.
The whole family rejoiced in the birth. Fae slowly snuck over to see the baby in Elphaba's arms. She stared at the little boy, wrapped in a blanket, cradled in his mother's arms.
Liir. Her brother.
"I love you, Liir." Elphaba whispered, kissing her son's forehead gently.
Slowly, Fae's eyes welled with tears. Glancing around, she slipped out of the room, and fled to her own.
As she threw herself on the bed, letting the tears come, her thoughts wandered to one thing.
Three days.
Had her birth lasted that long?
Had her mother exclaimed about hearing her first cry?
Had her father cut the cord, called her beautiful?
Had her mother cradled her gently, thought of her name?
Had her mother kissed her forehead just as gently?
Had Liir been the favorite, because he was the oldest? Was he the desired one? Was Fae even wanted?
Or had Fae been the mistake?