"Elphaba?"

I slowly open my eyes only to shut out the sun which fills them. He knows it is Sunday. I always sleep in on Sunday. He calls my name again, and for a moment I moan in annoyance and turn over. No. I won't get up for him.

My fingers curl under my pillow, and I pull out my phone. The light glows in my face, but I can just make out the time. Eight-thirty. Why is Avaric waking me up this early? The winter sky outside the frosted windows just lets the sun peek out of the grey clouds before submerging back into darkness. Back into sleep.

Sleep.

To be honest, living with Avaric has it's benefits. Inside his enormous mansion are fourteen maids who assist our every need. A spa, library, an indoor pool and theatre accompany the many suites lining the halls, with an endless amount of clothes and even chefs to prepare our food. The house is a vacation spot and everything in between.

Even if Avaric wakes me up this morning, I should be a little happy. He has several meetings today, touring to Gillikin, and he's picking up one of his colleagues to stay with us for a month. But the fact that he is lying here, waiting for me to awaken is a kindness that is not normally offered.

I reluctantly turn on my side, meeting his black eyes with my soft brown ones.

"Morning, baby."

He gives a slow grin at that, extending his arm to rub my back. "Did you sleep well?"

I rub my temples and give a puckered lip. "Not so well. Dreams trouble me."

He kisses my forehead. "I have plans today. I'm going away for a while."

"Avaric, I know your plans forward and backwards. I'm well prepared to sleep alone for a while." Which is true. I am prepared all the time for sudden meetings, trips, and parties.

"I hope not too long. I want to come back and finish what we did last night," He winks and leans closer. "You always fall asleep during the movie, you know."

"Maybe it's because I clean the entire house?"

"I don't know how you do it, babe. I'd get tired just cleaning a quarter." He rubs his eyes. My heart melts for him. He works himself too hard each week. I show him my red hands and fake a sob.

"You know we have maids, right?" He inquires.

"I'm not a master. You treat the poor things like they are Cinderella's mice." I give his side a poke. "You'd better let everyone off this Lurinemas."

"With you saying so, I don't think I have much of a choice." He grins and sits up. "I'm afraid I have to go." He glances at the clock and kisses me once more on the forehead, then changes his mind and moves to my lips. Sliding off the bed, he dresses and grabs his suitcases.

Then he's gone.

I lay there in bed, listening to the birds chirping outside, getting their last-minute meals. They will bring them back into their waiting young's mouths and care for them. I pat my stomach and smile.

It's only been two weeks since I found out I was pregnant, and once again I find myself alone in caring for someone or something and then having them be gone.

Just like him.

My heart races. My mind that said it before I could stop it. No! I fight back in my mind. Don't remember. He isn't worth your time.

My legs swing off the bed as I am unable to bear the thought anymore, and I step down the hall to the spa. Gretel, my dearest housemaid welcomes me.

"Good morning, miss Elphaba," she chirps. "How may I serve you this morning?"

"Oh, Gretel. Must you be so formal?" I complain with a small smile. "Go. Get yourself ready for the day. Don't mind to me."

"Is everything all right, m'dear?"

"Of course," I lie. "I just need some alone time. Avaric's gone."

"Ah. Stepped out, did he?" Her heavy accent rings across the bathroom as she fills the tub with oil. "Poor bloke's always away."

The oil is my substitute for water, as I am drastically allergic to it and submerging in it too long could result in death. I've learned to like the oil; it gives me a glow and I can always rub in the after smell with my favorite lotion, and it gives me a nice scent.

"He will be back soon, it's just a short break this time." I strip myself of my cotton nightgown and pull my unruly hair up in a bun.

Slipping into the tub, I melt away out of reality, closing my eyes and letting the last visions of last night's dreams come to me.

Him.

His smile, his eyes, his face...

I so hate thinking about him and not my husband. This has to stop, now. I pour more oil into the tub and it's not the first time I just want to drown myself here.

Simply putting it, I'd never been fully in love with Avaric. Everywhere he goes he has ladies swooping in on him and camera flashing back at his smile. He chose me because we looked well together, the famous attractive businessman and the green girl of Oz.

But..was it love?

Stop it, Elphaba. Stop it. Of course it is.

Right?

A/N: That's it so far. :) Hope you enjoyed! More answers coming soon!