Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Willow POV

I feel like I have been waiting for hours on the doctor. I need to know. I was okay earlier, but now I am terrified. I want a baby with Lazarus, but I need to know so we can be cautious.

There is a knock at the door. Knock Knock Knock

“Come in,” I say.

I sit so still in a chair in our bedroom. The doctor comes in to see me. A little old fellow with very little hair and that wobbles when he walks.

“Willow, hi sweetie. I am Tom. I am the tribal doctor in these parts,” he says.

“Nice to meet you, Tom; I assume you know why you are here,” I say.

“Yes, Yes. I was informed that you had your very first heat cycle,” Tom says.

“Correct. I had my cycle, then it stopped abruptly,” I say.

“That is normally a sign that you are pregnant,” Tom says.

“That is what we want to hear,” I say.

“But it is your first cycle, so we need to check,” Tom says.

“Check? How?” I ask.

“Not what you are thinking,” Tom says with a hearty laugh.

“I only need to see your wings,” Tom says.

“My wings?” I question him.

“Yes. Can you display your wings for me?” Tom asks.

“I was expecting this to be far more complicated,” I say.

“No, it is effortless. Next time you can check yourself or have your husband check,” Tom says.

I stand. I unbutton my top. I lay it to the side. I stand in front of the doctor in my bra and jeans. I turn my back to him. I release my wings.

“If you look in this mirror behind me, you can see the little marks right here. Those were not there yesterday. Those are your motherhood marks. You will get one will every child you carry,” Tom says.

I look into the mirror to see the marks. “Wait, you said marks, not mark,” I question him.

“Yes, you have three marks,” he says.

“You have never had a child before. This heat was your first cycle,” Tom questions me.

“No, I was a virgin until I met Lazarus,” I say.

“Well, then you might want to sit Lazarus down before you tell him the news. He might faint,” Tom says with a hearty laugh.

“I want to see you next week. A fairy pregnancy goes quickly. My sweet queen with three fairy babies in there, you have little time to prepare. There is little time before you are holding these little ones,” Tom says.

I stand before him, speechless. “Thank you,” I say.

Tom leaves. I sit down on the couch. I still have not put my top back on. Lazarus comes in to see me sitting on the sofa in my bra with my wings entirely on display.

“What did he say?” Lazarus asks.

I cannot get the words to come out of my mouth. I sit here holding my breast. I keep peering over my shoulder, looking into the mirror at the three marks on my wings.

“Willow, if you are not pregnant, it is okay. We will try again,” Lazarus says.

“Laz, I need you to sit down. I have to tell you something. I do not need to have to call the doctor back because you are injured,” I say.

Lazarus looks at me, puzzled. He sits across from me. “What is it?” he asks.

“Lazarus, when a fairy is pregnant, she develops marks on her wings for every child she carries,” I say.

“Do you have the mark?” he asks.

“You can look if you like,” I say to him.

He stands to look over my wings. “Do you see the marks?” I ask.

“I do not see a single mark that stands out alone,” he says.

“Lazarus the mark is not alone. There are marks,” I say.

“Twins,” he says.

“No, honey. I have three marks,” I say.

“Three. Did you say three?” Lazarus asks.

“Yes, we are having three babies,” I say.

He sits down beside me and smiles. “Well, we can do it all at once and be done,” Lazarus says.

“Is it okay that I am in shock? Lazarus, I want to have a baby. I am only a little scared about having three at once. How will we manage three babies?” I ask.

“Willow, I know we can do anything together,” Lazarus says.

“That is all I needed to hear. The other thing is the babies will come fast. The doctor says that a fairy pregnancy does not last long. With the added number that will be growing, it will go even faster,” I say.

“So, how long?” Lazarus asks.

“He did not say. He will be back next week,” I say.

“Did he say anything?’ Lazarus asks.

“He said we did not have a lot of time to prepare,” I say.

“That doesn’t tell us much, does it,” Lazarus says.

“Do you think Prissy would mind setting up a nursery?” I ask.

“No, I think she would be honored to do that for you,” Lazarus says.

I suddenly begin to feel very weak. “Laz, can you please help me put on something comfortable?” I ask him.

I struggle to get my wings to retract. My wings seem to want to be on display. I do not have time to fight with them. I force them back in. It is like my wings know they display my motherhood.

Lazarus brings me a t-shirt to slip over my head. He helps me remove my jeans. He carries me to bed and tucks me in.

“Rest, my love,” he says.

“Wait, Lazarus, could you send Prissy in to see me, please?” I ask him softly.

He kisses me on the forehead. “Yes, my love,” Lazarus says.

I close my eyes. I feel the need to sleep for a few moments.

“Willow, you wanted to see me,” Prissy says.

I pull up in the bed. “Yes, I need to ask you a favor,” I say.

“What do you need, my sweet girl?” Prissy asks.

“I need you to prepare the nursery for me,” I say.

“I can do that. I am sure we have time before the baby comes,” Prissy says.

“Babies, Prissy, we are having babies,” I say to her.

“Oh, babies, that is wonderful news,” Prissy says.

“The doctor said it would not be long,” I say.

“Did he say how long?” Prissy asks.

“No, he said it would happen quickly,” I say.

“Prissy, I am so tired all of a sudden. I am sure it is normal. I need you to make sure my siblings have what they need when they arrive. I need you to make sure Lazarus does not fret over me. I need you to take over for a short time, please,” I say to her.

“I can do whatever you need me to do,” Prissy says.

“Thank you,” I say.

Prissy reaches to hug me. She looks down at my stomach. “Willow can I pull the covers back for a moment?’ she asks.

“Sure,” I say weakly. I really do not care what Prissy does. I only want to sleep.

Prissy pulls the covers back. I hear her gasp. I open my eyes to see what she is looking at that is so upsetting to her. My abdomen is already growing. I look to see something round beneath my shirt.

“Willow, when is the doctor returning?” Prissy asks.

“In a week,” I answer her.

“That will not do. I am calling the doctor to come back tomorrow. These babies are hybrids. They will be here very soon,” Prissy says.

“Hybrids, how?” I ask.

“It is rare, but it happens. Rest my child. I will take care of everything,” Prissy says.

I close my eyes. I feel myself sinking into a deep sleep.