Disclaimer: The characters of Wicked are not my creation or property. Any characters you don't recognise are mine though.

AN. I'm back! Long time, no see. Sorry guys, things have been happening. But here we are, with a brand new story! This took a lot longer to finish than I thought it would- but in my defence, it's now my 2nd longest fic (after Come What May). That may explain a few things!

I had this idea in August, 2014. 3 years later... here we are. This story was hard to write (for reasons you'll find out eventually), but I really wanted to explore a post-musical Fiyeraba. I hope you guys enjoy this.

(PS. Much thanks to Maddy for keeping my secret all this time and helping with the outlining stage!)


After Forever

By Vinkunwildflowerqueen

Chapter 1: As Long As You're Mine

September, 1948

It was a normal Tuesday morning in the Tiggular household. Well, sort of.

Elphaba awoke at six am, roused from sleep by the soft whispers of "Momma" and accompanied by gentle little fingers patting her face. As she opened her eyes, she found her daughter's face a mere inch from her own.

This was nothing unusual, in fact it was all part of her morning routine, and Elphaba only blinked sleepily and checked that she had a dry bottom before she pulled three-year-old Jiyah under the covers beside her and pulled her close, hoping to coax at least another hour of sleep out of her youngest child.

She wasn't terribly hopeful, it rarely worked. Luckily, this particular morning Jiyah seemed content to cuddle with her until Elphaba's alarm went off at six-thirty.

Stifling a yawn as she turned off the alarm, Elphaba lifted Jiyah into her arms as she got out of bed, warning her quietly to keep quiet so as not to wake anyone else in the house up.

"Do I get a stamp, Momma?" Jiyah asked in a loud whisper as they entered the kitchen.

"Absolutely," Elphaba agreed, putting her down.

Jiyah hurried over to the wall where there was a cardboard chart pinned to the wall. Once she'd set the kettle on the stovetop to boil, Elphaba handed her daughter a stamp to add to the chart. For every night that Jiyah successfully made it through the night without having an accident, she got to add a stamp to the chart. When she got enough, she'd get a small reward.

It was a method that had worked well when they were toilet-training her, and they'd found the need to dig it out again recently.

"Done, Momma!" she exclaimed in a loud whisper, skipping over to Elphaba proudly.

Elphaba smiled and brushed her daughter's sleep tangled blonde locks out of her eyes. "Good. Why don't you go play in the living room for a little while and then we'll have some breakfast, ok?"

Jiyah agreed and Elphaba settled Jiyah in the living room with a few toys while she brewed and drank her first cup of coffee for the day, a desperate necessity to kick-start her brain into working order. Mother and daughter enjoyed the quiet of the morning together.

Just after seven o'clock, the first real signs of life began to stir within the house with the thud of feet hitting the ground, and Elphaba knew her brief moment of peace was over for the time being.

"Breakfast time?" she addressed Jiyah, whose little face lit up.

"Bacon?" she asked hopefully and Elphaba chuckled.

"How about toast?" she countered.

Jiyah nodded in agreement and perched herself at her usual seat at the kitchen table where they ate breakfast, as Elphaba headed down the hall to check on her sons- five year old Cale, and seven year old Jozua before starting breakfast.

"Are you guys both awake?" she called out, approaching the bedroom the two boys shared.

"Yes," came two voices in return.

"Alright. Get up and dressed. I'm cooking breakfast now."

"Yes, Mom," came Jozua's answer, a little grumpily.

The eldest Tiggular child was not a morning person- just like his father.

As Elphaba made breakfast, there was the usual squabble between the boys over the bathroom and who got to use it first. Thankfully, it didn't escalate into a full-blown argument, Elphaba was in no mood to referee this early in the morning today.

Just as Elphaba put a plate of buttered toast before Jiyah, the only kind she would eat; Cale hurried into the room, mostly dressed for the day.

"Momma, I can't find my shoes!" he said as he entered the room.

"They're in the front hall where you left them last night. Where's Joz?"

"He's coming," Cale replied, sitting next to his sister.

Sure enough, Jozua sat down at the table a minute later. "What's for breakfast?"

"Toast. Eat up before it gets cold," Elphaba answered, handing him a plate.

As the kids ate, Elphaba made the boys' school lunches for the day.

"Jozua, you need to start your assignment today. It's due in a week and you can't leave it until the last minute," she reminded her eldest son.

Jozua nodded. "Dad said he'll help me start it tonight."

Elphaba nodded in acknowledgement.

"What do you have to do?" Cale asked Jozua.

"Make a birdhouse."

"Cool! You should make it have a chimney."

"It's a birdhouse, dummy. They don't need a chimney."

"Hey, no one calls anyone 'dummy'," Elphaba interjected warningly, sitting down at the table with them.

"I bet Dad will agree with me," Calesaid. "Won't he, Momma?"

"You'll have to ask him," Elphaba replied. She looked up at the clock. "Your father had better get moving too, or you'll be late to school."

She needn't have worried, for a minute later there came the distinct sound of a door closing and footsteps and then Fiyero entered the kitchen.

"Morning, guys."

"Hi, Daddy!" Jiyah exclaimed happily.

Fiyero lifted her out of her chair to give her a cuddle. "Hi, Princess. Did you sleep well?"

Jiyah nodded. "Uh huh. I got to put another stamp on my chart, see?" she said, pointing to the chart on the wall.

"I see that," Fiyero said approvingly. "Awesome job, kiddo."

"Do you want some toast, Daddy?" she asked, offering him the remaining piece on her plate.

"You eat that, sweets. Daddy can have his own toast," Elphaba said, getting up from her seat to cook it.

Fiyero waved her down. "I've got it, Fae. You drink your coffee."

Elphaba resumed her seat and pulled Jiyah onto her lap, addressing the boys.

"Ok, now, don't forget. Mrs Gibbs is picking you guys up from school today-"

"And me!" Jiyah interjected, not wanting to be left out.

"Yes, Mrs Gibbs and Jiyah will pick you up," Elphaba amended. "Make sure you behave yourselves."

"Why aren't you picking us up?" Cale asked, his brow furrowed and his dark eyes anxious.

"Momma and Daddy have grown up stuff we have to do this afternoon," Fiyero answered, buttering his toast.

"Will you still help me with my assignment tonight, Dad?" Jozua asked anxiously.

"Sure, kid," Fiyero reassured him. "We'll be back for dinner, don't worry. And we'll do it before you go to bed, ok?"

Jozua nodded, looking reassured.

That reminded Cale. "Dad, can birdhouses have chimneys?"

Fiyero chewed thoughtfully before answering. "Well, a decorative one maybe. Birds don't really need an actual chimney."

"See?!" Cale muttered to his brother, sticking his tongue out.

Elphaba sighed and reached for her coffee.

"Come on, Jiyah. Let's get you dressed for the day," she said to Jiyah.

"I'll do it, Fae," Fiyero offered. "Come on, Princess," he added to Jiyah, who followed him happily out of the kitchen.

"Hey, Mom?" Jozua asked her thoughtfully, munching on a piece of toast.

"Yes?"

"Can we have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast tomorrow?"

Elphaba chuckled faintly. "Ask your dad. If he's willing to make them for you, then yes."

"I want blueberry pancakes," Cale protested.

"Guys, you may not get any pancakes," Elphaba said in exasperation before Jozua could retort. "Like I said, ask your dad."

Fifteen minutes later, Fiyero returned to the kitchen with Jiyah, looking faintly disgruntled.

"Momma, can you explain to Jiyah that she can't wear her fairy wings and tiara to Mrs Gibbs' house today, please?"

Elphaba sighed and raised an eyebrow at Jiyah.

"Come on, sweets. We went through this yesterday, remember?"

"I want to wear them!" Jiyah argued. "Mrs Gibbs said we were going to have a fairy tea party this morning. How can I have a fairy tea party with no wings?"

Elphaba and Fiyero exchanged a look. It was a look they'd shared many times since Jiyah was born, the look that silently questioned how their daughter often seemed more like a girl they'd once known than either of them.

Nevertheless, it was hard to argue with that logic, even with a three and a half year old.

"She gets that from you," Fiyero informed Elphaba. "Too smart for her own good."

Elphaba smiled faintly despite herself. "Alright," she sighed. "You can't wear the wings now, but you can take them to Mrs Gibbs' house for your tea party. But you don't need the tiara."

"But I'm the fairy princess," Jiyah insisted stubbornly.

Elphaba and Fiyero both relented without even sharing another glance.

"Coffee?" she asked him wearily, and he nodded.

"Please."

Elphaba went to get more coffee as Jozua seized the opportunity to ask his father about having pancakes for breakfast the next morning, who promised to consider it.

"Ok, guys are we ready?" Fiyero asked when he'd finished his coffee and the clock in the kitchen was nearing eight o'clock.

"I need to get my shoes," Cale said in reply, and dashed out of the kitchen.

As Jozua hurried off to get his schoolbag and Jiyahscrambled down from Elphaba's lap to run after her brothers, Elphaba looked up at Fiyero.

"Don't forget, the appointment's at three o'clock," she reminded him.

"I know," Fiyero said.

"Don't be late."

"I won't be."

"Because this appointment was hard to get and-"

"Elphaba, I get it. I will be there. Three o'clock. On the dot," Fiyero cut her off in exasperation.

Elphaba faltered. "Sorry," she apologised quietly. "I just-"

"I know," Fiyero said, just as quietly. "I know. Just relax, ok?"

Silence filled the kitchen until it was broken as the boys returned, shoes on and backpacks ready.

"Are we going, Dad?"

"In a sec," Fiyero nodded. "Where's Jiyah?"

"I'll get her," Elphaba said, and slipped out of the room.

She found Jiyah in her room, trying to fit all her stuffed toys into her backpack.

"Kid, what are you doing?"

"Taking my toys to Mrs Gibbs's," Jiyah answered, her little face screwed up determinedly as she tried to fit them all in.

"Oh, no," Elphaba stepped in firmly. "Mrs Gibbs has plenty of toys for you at her house. You already have wings and a tiara. Come on, sweets. Daddy's got to drop you off at her house first and you'll make your brothers late for school."

She shepherded Jiyah towards the front door and helped her into her boots and coat. It was still early enough in the Quoxian fall that it wasn't quite cold yet, but there was still a chill in the air in the mornings.

"Are we ready for another day of fun and learning?" Fiyero asked the boys brightly.

Elphaba couldn't help but scoff and Fiyero looked up at her from where he was kneeling on the ground helping Cale into his coat.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Sorry. I still can't see those words coming out of your mouth in the same sentence," she said dryly.

Fiyero grinned at her and Elphaba's chest tightened for a moment.

"OK, guys. Say goodbye to Momma, so she can get to work."

"Bye, Mom," Jozua said cheerfully, heading out the door without so much as a hug for Elphaba.

Elphaba couldn't help but roll her eyes slightly. "Bye, Jozua."

Cale, however, hugged Elphaba tightly before following his brother. "Bye, Momma."

"Bye, kid."

Jiyah held up her arms and Elphaba obediently picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Have a good day, sweets."

"You come too, Momma?" Jiyah asked her, tightening her grip on Elphaba, little fingers curling into her hair.

Elphaba shook her head. "I'm going to work," she reminded her. When Jiyah's lips trembled, she squeezed her lightly.

"You're going to have so much fun with Mrs Gibbs, aren't you?"

"Yeah, come on," Fiyero said encouragingly. "The fairy princess can't keep her royal court waiting, can she?"

Jiyah considered that with a frown, and then ultimately shook her head.

Elphaba smiled and handed her over to Fiyero's arms, having to gently pry her hands out of her hair. "Good girl."

"So, what time is it this afternoon?" Fiyero asked her, a hint of teasing in his voice.

Elphaba pursed her lips and Fiyero hastily backtracked.

"I know, I know. Three o'clock," he reassured her and then left with Jiyah, calling after the boys to wait for him.

Left alone once more, Elphaba tidied the kitchen and then got herself ready for the day. At twenty-past eight, Elphaba grabbed her bag and left the house.

Normally she enjoyed the fifteen minute walk to work, but this morning she couldn't quite enjoy it. Fall was her favourite season, but this morning she was too preoccupied to appreciate the changing colours of the leaves.

The Quoxian town the Tiggulars called home, Limelle, was a decent size with only a population of only a little more than two thousand people. It was large enough for them to blend in, but small enough to give their children a sense of peace. Years on the run had left Elphaba with a strong sense of self-preservation, so she and Fiyero had tended to keep to themselves, especially in the first few years before the children were born.

They did have a couple that they were quite good friends with, Kalhey and Alvar Wood. Alvar worked with Fiyero, and Kalhey was a midwife. He and Kalhey had two children, Sabella and Zakhar; and Elphaba had been grateful for Kalhey's advice and support- both professional and personal- when she and Fiyero had started their family.

There was also their neighbour, Della Gibbs, a kindly middle-aged woman who lived down the street from them and was happy to look after Jiyahduring the day while Elphaba and Fiyero were at work, and the boys on the rare occasions when Elphaba and Fiyero couldn't pick them up themselves, such as this afternoon.

Fiyero worked as a carpenter, and Elphaba ran the local bookshop in town, Chapter Two.

Elphaba's sole employee at Chapter Two was a young Monkey named Totit, who was in fact one of the very Monkeys whom Elphaba had freed from the Wizard's palace so long ago. Totit had found her way to Limelle four years ago, six years after Elphaba and Fiyero's "deaths". She'd been searching for her parents, who had escaped to Quox during the Wizard's enforcements of the Animal Banns. Totit had only been a little more than an infant at the time, and had been separated from her parents and then caught by members of the Gale Force.

She hadn't found her parents, but she'd found Elphaba, and had promptly begged to work with her. Elphaba hadn't been sure at first, although she was pleased to see Totit again and to hear that she could speak and what had become of her troop. She had been worried that employing Totitwould leave them more open to danger of the truth being known. But ultimately she had agreed and Elphaba could freely admit she didn't regret that decision.

It was nice to have a small connection to Oz and their former lives, no matter what. It was through Totit that Elphaba and Fiyero could gain some information about what was happening in Oz over the years; although it was rare they heard anything and never anything specific.

But if there were ever any rumours or speculation from Oz that the Wicked Witch of the West lived, Totit would hear of it before anyone else in Quox did. And Totit understood maybe better than anyone the importance of keeping Fiyero and Elphaba's secret, even from members of her own troop.

There was too much at risk now if the truth should ever come out or find its way back to Oz.

Totit was waiting outside Chapter Two when Elphaba arrived at the store, waiting for her to open the door.

"Good morning," she greeted her.

"Morning," Elphaba replied.

She unlocked the door and led them into the store, going about the tasks to open the store.

"How are you?" Totitasked, a little hesitantly.

Elphaba looked over to her. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"Elphaba."

The green woman sighed. "What? I'm fine, really."

"But today is-"

"I know what today is. But worrying about it isn't going to help, is it?"

"So you are worried?"

Elphaba shot her an exasperated look, and Totitapologised softly.

"You didn't have to come in this morning, you know," Elphaba said. "I told you I didn't need it."

Most days, Elphaba opened the store and Totit came in at two o'clock. Elphaba would then leave in time to pick the kids up after school, leaving Totitto close up at five-thirty. But Totithad insisted on coming in that morning, and working the whole day.

"I know."

They opened the store, and the day's business began. They were busy, which Elphaba was thankful for, it served as a nice distraction.

And finally, at a quarter to three that afternoon, Elphaba bid Totit goodbye and left the store. She walked briskly through down the main street of town until she reached her destination, hoping that Fiyero would be on time.

She was there a few minutes before three and she sat in the waiting room, her eyes fixed on the clock, hardly daring to breathe. As though Fiyero's punctuality was a sign of how this would end. At exactly one minute to three, Fiyero entered the room. He looked around briefly and then came and sat beside her.

"Told you I'd be on time," he greeted her triumphantly.

"Do you want a medal?" Elphaba retorted archly.

Fiyero rolled his eyes. "Hey, you were the one-"

"You shouldn't need my praise because you turned up to an appointment on time," Elphaba pointed out. "It should just be expected that you will be on time."

Fiyero opened his mouth, closed it and said nothing.

The door to the inner office opened and a Peacock poked his head out the door.

"Mr and Mrs Tiggular?"

Elphaba and Fiyero rose to their feet, following him into the office.

"Please, take a seat," the Peacock said, gesturing for them to sit on the couch opposite his own chair.

Fiyero sat down comfortably, but Elphaba sat stiffly. The Peacock wasn't perturbed and simply sat down and met their gaze.

"So, Elphaba and Fiyero, it's nice to officially meet you both. I'm Dr Herk Palloa. So, why don't you tell me what brings you here today?"

Elphaba and Fiyero exchanged a brief glance, before Elphaba sighed and spoke.

"We're here to figure out if we can save our marriage."

Chapter Title Song: "As Long as You're Mine" from Wicked.


AN. I'm coming to the US for a 2 week holiday, so updates may be a little sporadic while I'm here allowing for time zone issues/ Wi-Fi availability/ my busy holiday schedule.

In the meantime, for more information on this fic, see my blog! (Link on my profile)

ALSO: I have a request. This fic has a playlist of songs that I put together while writing. While I usually request you mention your favourite lines/moments (and please, keep sending those through), but if a chapter reminds you of a song, let me know and I'll add it to the playlist!

When the story is complete, I'll share the list. (Because spoilers).