Chapter 90. Blocked Memories

Rifiuto: Non Miniera

Nine months passed, and it was clear that Elphaba was going to have another baby.

She had done fine during the pregnancy, both she and the baby were healthy. It seemed as though she and Fiyero would welcome another healthy baby girl to their loving family.

However, it was not to be.

Elphaba's water broke on May 29th.

The labor seemed to be going well, Elphaba was calm, the baby wasn't stressed.

"You're welcoming another baby into this family. Are you excited?" Musetta asked. Fae nodded.

"I'm gonna be a big sister. Do you have any sisters Fabla?" Fae asked, turning to the older girl. She shook her head.

"No. Just my brother and I."

The labor progressed, and Elphaba transitioned quickly into active labor. Fiyero stayed by her side, rubbing her back and whispering to her softly. Elphaba did as told, following her body's instructions. She let out a cry, and placed a hand on her stomach.

"What is it? Elphaba, what's wrong?"

"S....Something's wrong."

"What do you mean something's wrong?" Musetta asked.

"With the baby. Musetta, I know something's wrong." Elphaba cried out, groaning as she pushed.

"What's wrong Mama?" Fae asked, reaching out to brush her mother's hair away from her face. Elphaba pulled away. "Fabla, what's wrong with Mama?" Fae asked, turning to the older girl, who shook her head.

"I don't....know."

Elphaba labored for two days, and finally, her daughter entered the world on May 31st. Elphaba let out a scream, as she gave one last push, and felt her child enter the world. Taking a deep breath, she cradled her new born daughter in her arms.

No cry.

"What's wrong? Why isn't she crying?" Elphaba screamed, looking up at her mother-in-law. Musetta slowly reached out to Elphaba.

"Elphaba, honey, let me see her." The cord had all ready been cut, and Elphaba held her child in her arms. Gently, Musetta took the baby in her arms, and turned away from her daughter-in-law.

"No!" Elphaba screamed, and reached out, taking her child back in her arms and holding her against her chest.

"Elphaba, honey--"

"She's not breathing. Why isn't she breathing?"

"Elphaba---Elphaba----Elphaba!" The young queen looked up into her mother-in-law's eyes. "She was stillborn. I'm sorry sweetheart."

Tears welled in her daughter-in-law's eyes, and she looked down at the baby in her arms.

Tan skin, black hair, and most likely blue eyes. The baby was still in her mother's arms, not like Fae or Liir had been when they'd been born.

"No. No. No!" Her cries broke the silence, and she rocked her child. Fiyero pulled Elphaba into his arms, and kissed her hair.

Fae watched silent. She didn't remember her mother having another baby. Mama never mentioned it; Daddy didn't, Grandmama didn't, Liir didn't. Her aunts didn't mention it.

"Mama?" Fae looked up, to see her twelve-year-old self move to her mother, and reach out, gently laying a hand on the baby's arm.

"No! Get away from her!" Elphaba screamed, shoving her older daughter away roughly. Fae closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, and when she opened them, Musetta had taken the baby from Elphaba and wrap her in a white sheet. Her mother was sobbing in her father's arms. She watched her younger self back away, tears streaking down her cheeks.

"You killed her." Everyone looked up, to see the young crown princess standing by the door, hurt on her face and tears in her eyes.

"What did you say, darling?" Musetta asked. She had given the young child to one of the servants, asking for her to be placed in a coffin, and to prepare a grave.

"You killed her. You killed the baby." The servants had helped Elphaba to the bed, and cleaned her up. "You let her die. She was fine and then you killed her!"

Elphaba winced, but didn't respond.

"You said that Granda had said that you'd have healthy babies. And she was healthy and then you killed her! You lied! You promised she'd be healthy, and you lied!" Fae screamed, pulling the door open and fleeing before anyone could stop her.

Elphaba had closed her eyes and turned from her children, sobs wracking her body. Fiyero sat next to her, pulled her into his arms, whispering softly. Musetta moved to her daughter-in-law, and sat on the bed, before speaking to Fae.

"Fabla, would you go get Fae, please?"

The older girl nodded and left. As she closed the door, she tried to remember having a younger sister.

Nothing.

Unless......

She gasped, and leaned against the door, grabbing her stomach. The revelation made her sick.

.....she'd blocked the memory.