Chapter 8: Un jour c'est toi qu'on laissera (One day, it'll be you they will leave)

The screams were too loud, and it almost pained me to hear her cry out in pain. My heart ached, pounding severely as I waited outside from Anna's room. Olaf sat beside me, trying to soothe me from my misery. The hospital was especially quiet today, and I was not sure if this was a blessing or a curse. It had been two hours since her contractions had started, and nothing seemed more worse than to hear her scream louder and louder every few minutes. I was forbidden to go into her room. Couldn't be with her to comfort her.

I bit my finger, eyebrows scrunched together as I listened to her curse from the other side.

"Anna will be fine," Olaf commented. It didn't seem very convincing, though. I sighed to myself and hunched over on my seat.

For a minute Anna had gone quiet.

"The nurses will do their best, you have nothing to worry about." Neither was that convincing enough.

I stared blankly at the door, waiting for someone to come out and tell me I could come in. I twirled my ring around my finger, impatiently.

This is my wife, and my son...

"I could've done it myself when I had the chance," I muttered to him. He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.

"Are you worried?"

"Of course I am."

"Anna's a strong woman," he replied. I knew that."Just a few more hours, and then everything will be just fine."

Her screams haunted me, and then it began again. I wanted to cover my ears… hearing the voices that sounded all so familiar to her screams in my dreams. It was dreadful. I turned to him. "You seem awfully calm about this."

He smiled. "I've learned to be calm at a time like this. Especially when I'm working for you." I couldn't figure out if that was an insult or not. But truthfully, I'd never seen his temper run loose. "If I'm not worried, you shouldn't either, Elsa."

How could I? I glared at him with uncertainty. "She's my wife." I replied abruptly. "And Anna is in there for two hours now-"

"That's normal, Elsa."

I sighed loudly, and let myself slump back against the wall. Perhaps, I was just frustrated that I couldn't be there for her. She needed me more than ever. "I know," I muttered. After all, Anna was a strong woman.

Hearing the door in front of me open, I immediately stood up to see the nurse in front of me. Anna! I didn't know what to think while she motioned me to come over. Didn't know what to even say.

I stood there cautiously, waiting to hear whatever she had to say.

"How… how is my wife?"

She smiled. "She's been begging for us to let you in. Actually, cursing at us. Do you want to come in?"

That didn't even need an answer from me. With Olaf waiting for us outside, I walked into her room, her fiery red hair was all I could see. It stuck to her face, sweat dripping down her cheeks-tears, perhaps. She was breathing so heavily, I couldn't help but feel awful.

And she saw me, standing just a few feet away. I was struck with how exhausted she looked.

"What are you doing…?" she breathed. "Do I look that horrible to you?"

Gods, how could she think that?

Immediately, I led myself next to her, and took her hand. I smiled. "You look beautiful," I told her.

She chuckled as I placed her loose strand of hair to the back of her ear. "You really are a horrible liar… and this buddy is such a pain in the ass!" she groaned. "Oh god, it's coming again…"

I looked at the doctor, and I could see the calmness of his face, sitting behind where my precious son would be born. She squeezed my hand tightly, and her muscles tensed tremendously. What could I ever do to make her not feel this pain? I begged the doctor to do something with my eyes silently.

Anna didn't want any anesthesia in the first place, and right now, I wondered if she was regretting it.

Nature birth was hard, but seeing my wife like this… I wanted to look away.

"Alright, Anna, you're dilated 10 centimeters. Now I want you to push for me, is that okay? As hard as you can," the doctor began. In reply, Anna only whimpered and groan, her eyes shut in pain.

"I CAN'T!" she shouted, shaking her head vigorously. "Elsa… Elsa I want to go home…"

My heart dropped to the bottom pit of my stomach. I didn't know what to say. I turned to the doctor. "Is there anything we can do?" She bit into my finger, but I didn't bother feeling any of the pain.

"She has to push, Miss Snow."

I couldn't refuse the doctor's decision. Though, I couldn't let Anna suffer like this any longer either.

But… it'd be fast. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, as she continued to moan and groan. She let go of my finger, and opened her eyes. "Elsa…" she cried. "I-I want to go home…"

It broke my heart.

"Shh, Anna, you have to push," I whispered to her. "I'm here. I'm right here beside you. After this, I'll buy you anything you want."

Anna pouted. "D-Don't tempt me-Oh, god!" she gasped in pain. I continued talking.

"Just a few pushes and everything will be over, alright?" I squeezed her hand as she squeezed mine tightly, her nails digging into my skin. "You can rest, and I'll take care of everything else…" I smiled into her hair. "Imagine how beautiful our baby will be… red hair-maybe, just like mine. Beautiful eyes… he's going to be a very smart child. I'll give him my violin when the time comes-"

She suddenly grabbed me by the collar. "I love you so much and you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met, Snowflake. But can you shut up for a second, or so help me God! I want this c-child out as soon as possible, so I don't have to fucking deal with this p-pain!"

Immediately, I obeyed my wife. She didn't let go of my hand, her head turning away from me as she continued to push. I was beginning to get nervous when she grabbed her own stomach.

"Anna…" I whispered to myself.

"Okay, Anna, breathe. You have to breathe, it's coming!" the doctor yelled. I wanted to stand right beside him, watching my little baby come out to this world for the first time. I wanted to hold him in my arms. But, I had to be there for Anna.

I ran my fingers through her wet hair. "Anna, breathe," I told her. "Just one more push." I knew that wasn't true.

She whimpered in response, but slowly obliged. Tears continued to stream down the corner of her eyes, her cheeks burning red from the heat. I kissed her forehead once more, because I wouldn't know how she was feeling at this moment.

And before we both knew it, her screaming had stopped, and the only thing that sounded were cries. Loud cries. I was almost afraid to open my eyes. "Elsa…" she murmured.

Picking my head up, I could only see the smile stretching across her face. How was she looking at me like that? She placed her hand on my cheek. "Snowflake, are you there?" I blinked. She seemed quite happy right now.

The cries.

I held her hand in mine, and turned to see the nurse cradling my little bundle of joy in her arms. I thought I was going to burst into tears when I saw those tiny arms and legs reaching out towards thin air. "Miss Snow, your son." She placed him in my arms.

I didn't know what to do-holding him stiffly in my arms. He'd stopped crying, and all I could ever notice were those freckles splattering across his pale cheeks, his hair whiter than snow-I could barely see it.

He looked beautiful. I smiled joyfully, in wonders. He'd gone quiet for so long, I'd thought he was just another image of myself. "You're so beautiful," I whispered to him. "Welcome to this world, my precious."

"Don't hog all of him to yourself, Snowflake."

I'd almost forgotten Anna was there. Apologetically, I gently placed him in her arms.

While she held him, giggling at his wonderful appearance, I wiped her sweat. "Oh my god, Elsa…" She sniffled. "He's so… He's so beautiful… What am I ever…"

"I know, Anna." I sat beside her, my arm wrapped around her shoulder. She seemed content, kissing him with all the love and affection she had. I chuckled as our son yawned. "Thank you, and I love you, Anna."

She turned to me. "I know."

I had no words-nothing to gave her, all except for my love. She'd given me this beautiful gift… she'd opened me up, and I had done nothing but be beside her. I couldn't thank her enough.

"Christian," she began. "Christian Snow…" Anna giggled in delight.

I tilted my head, while she cradled him gently. "My… pabbie?"

She nodded. "I want to name him Christian. After your grandfather." She looked at me, confidently. "Is that okay with you?"

I definitely do not deserve her.

My heart raced through nothing but happiness and joy. She did seem quite eager to name him after the only person I've respected for quite some time. I couldn't disagree with Anna-no matter how much the past had haunted me, I'd let go. Of course, I'd always wonder if Pabbie was ever proud of me.

With a smile like that, how could I ever deny her from what she wanted? Besides, I could never say no to her. Not even my son, either.

I smiled. "Christian Snow…" I placed my hand gently on top of his head. He was so small. "He's our little Christian Snow. And I love you both so much."

A/N: literally just wrote this, and updating now. I'll fix whatever mistakes that are there tomorrow cuz I'm tired.