Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Lazarus POV

Willow has lived five days so far. I love watching her with the babies. She refuses to leave them. She has devoted every moment of her life left to be with them. My father took my mother to have her buried in the fairy house of royalty. She would have wanted that. I was so afraid he would insist she be buried among vampire ashes of royalty. He, for once, gave her what she wanted.

My father has worked trying to find a cure for Willow. We cannot ask another fairy to give up their life to save her. She would not accept it anyway.

Luanne and the children have actually made things better over the last few days. Luanne stays in the house on the far side of the property, causing no problems. The children come up every day to see Willow. I promised Willow that they would always be cared for no matter what. I intend to keep my promise.

I try not to show my pain to her. I smile. I laugh. I give her nothing but the good. I want nothing but good memories to share. I was afraid the council would decide not to crown her. The decision was made to crown her. Upon her death, the crown would go to Mary. I will not be taking the crown. I have made a choice to be a father. The burden will go to Mary when she is sixteen. Upon Willow’s death, the council will oversee the fairies until Mary takes the crown.

I open the door to the nursery to check on Willow. I try to be far away from her for very long. I handle business first thing while she is sleeping and get right back to her and the babies. Today I had to handle her coronation. She is only doing it to secure Mary’s crown.

My mother not only gave me extra time with Willow, but she also secured the fairy crown by saving Willow. She would be happy to know that Mary will be queen someday. I wish she could see what a good mother Willow has become.

“Willow, everything is set for tonight,” I say as I enter the nursery.

She doesn’t answer. She is lying in bed surrounded by the three babies.

“Willow, did you hear me?” I ask her.

“Yes, I heard you,” she says.

“Are you okay?” I ask her.

“I think so. I am only a little sleepy. Could you watch them for me?” she asks.

In the five days since they came into this world, she has asked no one for help. I walk slowly to the bed. She insisted I have a bed in the nursery for her to sleep with them.

“Willow,” I say again.

“I heard you. Please allow me to sleep,” Willow says.

I turn on a light beside the bed. As the light brightens the room, I see her eyes. There is blood coming from her eyes. Damn! For a small moment, I thought maybe she would live.

I hit the intercom button to call for help. I go to her. I lay beside her until help comes. She is trying so hard to hold on. “I am going to take you to bed,” I say.

“No! I do not want to leave them,” Willow demands.

“Willow, we have to get you some help. Angel will stay with them,” I say.

I don’t let her argue with me. I pick her up as Angel enters the room. “Stay with the babies. I have to call the doctor,” I say to Angel.

I carry Willow to her bedroom. I place her in the bed. As I lay her down, her body feels cold. “Call the council. Tell them to get her now. We have to secure Mary’s future as the queen,” Willow says.

“I am calling the doctor,” I demand.

“There is no time. Call the council. Do as I ask Lazarus, please,” Willow says.

“I am not leaving you,” I say to her.

“Use the intercom to have one of the staff make the call,” Willow says.

“Sorry. I cannot think beyond you right now,” I say.

I gently kiss her forehead. I hit the intercom to have the staff alert the council. “Lay with me,” she says.

I get into the bed with her. I wrap my arms around her. I want to hold her forever.

“Willow, we could try the transition. Maybe you could live as a vampire,” I say to her.

“If I do that, Mary loses the crown. If I transition now, I will no longer be a fairy. You know I am only still a fairy because I have your mother's light. I am not even a fairy anymore,” Willow says.

“Who cares about that stupid crown. I need you in my life,” I say to her.

“Lazarus, that stupid crown brought us together. That stupid crown gave us three of the most amazing children on this earth. That stupid crown deserves to be preserved,” Willow says.

“Fuck that crown. I want my wife,” I say.

“Please do not be angry. Please help me to take care of this before I die,” Willow says.

“I do not want to live without you. I will go with you wherever you go,” I say.

“Who will protect our children? Who will make sure people like Lester no longer threaten fairies? It is up to you now,” Willow says.

“I do not care about anyone but you,” I sob.

“Lazarus, I need you to stop. I need you to be here for me,” Willow says.

She is right. I am being selfish. She is the one losing everything. She will never see her children grow up. I am crying because I am selfish.

“Sleep, my sweet queen,” I say to her. I wrap my arms around her tighter. I hold on to her. I am not letting go until I have to leave her.

I awake with the members of the vampire and fairy council standing over us. There is not a dry eye in the room. I look at Willow lying beside me. The blood streaming from her eyes as she struggles to try to see who is in the room is brighter than before.

“Lazarus, we need to begin the coronation,” Rudan says.

My dying wife, in her crowning moment, is still beautiful. I kiss her as I get out of the bed. I do not want this to end.