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The sunset peaking through the glassed walls could not distract one from the heart monitor screen. Her sore earth angular eyes could not bare to tear themselves away. The brittle man lying in bed remained still for the last couple of weeks. His hallow cheeks, puffy-heavy lidded eyes and chapped lips could not hide the disease battling to consume his body.
"You should not be here" his chest grew heavier. "You promised our children...to take them far away from the throne" he reached out to her swollen belly.
Nova stopped him and held onto his hand, afraid that if she gripped too hard it would then bruise him. "That was before all of this" Nova took a deep breath, "So please, stop trying to push me away because I'm not going anywhere."
He groaned, closing his eyes, "Always so stubborn."
The Queen smiled through the pain. Her heart quivered worried that if she lost focus for even a split second the magic coursing through her veins would stop. She needed more time with him.
"I'm sorry" tears slipped out. "If I was not so selfish I could have kept you away from all this. You could have saved yourself from the torment I have caused you."
Nova shook her head unable to believe the words coming out of his mouth. She brought his palm and brought it to her cheek, leaning into the coldness that gathered the warmth from her skin. "You may be King of the worlds most powerful nation, and Wakanda's Black Panther, but to me you are my everything."
Soon as time went on Nova found herself laying down beside T'Challa. Their interlocked hands rested over her stomach, "Ndinethamsanqa ukuba nawe" he whispered down to her ear.
"Ndiyazi ukuba unjalo" Nova playfully smirked. He chuckled in response. A tender kiss was then placed her head. She leaned down further into the silk pillows allowing her eyes to rest. Until the clock ticked.
A harsh kick sprung her out of bed. She bit down on her lip hard, suddenly struggling to find comfort. She made an attempt to remain silent, but the sudden pressure against her lower abdomen was growing stronger.
"Agh!" She gasped.
"Nova, what is it?" T'Challa demanded, unable to hide his concern.
"The baby" she paused to take another deep breath, "the baby's coming."
Within a matter of seconds the door bursted open. Nurses dashed in. They scrambled around the bed, hurrying to get Nova to another room. Their hold on her was strong. Nova panicked, reaching her arms out to her dying husband.
"No, no, no, T'Challa!"
"You must go, Nova" he coughed out. "Everything will be alright, love"
"Don't do this, please, T'Challa, no!" She screamed, thrashing in the nurses arms. Her eyes danced around the halls of the grand palace, instantly spotting Okoye and Ayo standing outside his doors. They lowered their head, saluting.
"Okoye, please, help!" Nova begged, "He'll die without me!" Then, another curling shriek of agony ripped out of her lungs. She threw her head back with her vision turning blurry.
The nurses struggled to get her to bed. Nova pushed them back with all her might. She backed into the corner. Sweat covered her skin from head to toe. She made no effort to move her jet black waves that began to get stuck on her face.
"My Queen, we have done this before"
"Singayenza le nto kwakhona"
"It will be easy"
"Enough all of you!" She commanded. Her lids screwed themselves shut. Salty tears never ceased. Blood curling screeches filled the room. Her mind raced in utter chaos. The stress tormented her body. She caved in, falling down to her knees releasing her tender weeps. The nurses grabbed her once again. She was stripped from her royal gown. Her body was placed onto the mattress with her legs folded up.
"Dudula!" They commanded.
Nova shook her head. Her whole body was caught in a web of fire tearing her insides apart. The sharp stinging sensation intensified. Her mouth hung open unable to beg for mercy.
"Keep going!"
One push after the other, a child's cry filled the room. Suddenly, the pain was gone. Her legs and stomach became paralyzed. The child took her breath away.
"It is a boy!" the nurse beamed.
"A boy?" Nova repeated. The child was placed onto her bare chest. She was in disbelief. Her trembling hands hovered over her newborn unable to describe the emotion bursting out of her. A joyous laugh echoed. "My son..."
The shattering bang startled the nurses. Nova gasped, swiftly turning to the door. T'Challa's mother entered the room. Her hands clasped together. The bottom of her heels clicked against the black marbled floor. Nova held her breath.
"Congratulations, Nova" she said, looking down at her newborn. A forced smile that could not hide sorrow. "You have done well."
"How is he?" Nova questioned, unable to remain patient much longer.
Ramonda's lips pressed together into a thin line. It was not fair to look into the young Queens eyes to tell her the truth. She waved her hand at the nurses. One reached toward Nova, taking her son away. The women became alarmed.
"T'Challa has joined the ancestors."
—————— Translations will be provided in the comments
