Winkieprince: Aww! Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!
"Looks like we'll be getting some snow soon," Amalie said as she watched as dark clouds slowly appeared in the sky.
"I'm surprised we haven't had any snow already," Raal commented, sipping his coffee. "It usually snows at least a little bit by now."
"Our real summer weather started a bit later last year, so maybe that's it."
"Do you think we'll get a snowstorm?"
"Maybe. I don't think it will snow a lot. Maybe a flurry to a few inches at most."
The king nodded and took his final sip of coffee as Elphaba and Fiyero walked in.
"Hello, Fiyero. Elphaba," Amalie smiled, signing to the green girl.
'Hi.' Elphaba smiled as she sat down on the couch across from the king and queen, with Fiyero sitting next to her.
'How are you feeling, Elphaba?' Raal asked.
'I'm fine. I'm much better now that I don't have morning sickness anymore.' The green girl looked down at her bulging abdomen. 'I guess this is finally starting to sink in.'
'What is?' Amalie asked.
'The fact that I'm going to be a mother. The fact that Yero is going to be a father.' Elphaba smiled, looking at her husband.
The prince smiled and kissed her cheek. 'I'm very excited about becoming a father.'
'And I a grandmother, although I personally do not think I look anything like a grandmother, right?' Amalie asked, smiling innocently. When no one responded, she glared at her family. Raal coughed, and she gave him a strong jab to the stomach. "I said, right?"
A grunt, followed by a, "Yes, dear", and an "Of course, Mother" followed that time. The queen smirked, good-naturedly, and allowed her husband to wrap his arms around her.
"You're still just as beautiful as the day we married," he said, kissing her forehead.
The queen smiled and kissed him again, and Fiyero made a face and a noise when the kiss deepened.
"We'll remember that when you and Elphaba feel the need to kiss each other's faces off in front of us," Amalie smirked at her son.
Fiyero wasn't even aware his parents were paying attention and blushed. "Right. Of course."
The monarchs smiled and excused themselves. They got up to leave, but Amalie remembered something. 'Oh, Elphaba, have you thought about what you want to do for your birthday in two weeks?'
Elphaba paused. 'I… I haven't really thought about it.'
'Do you want to do what we did last year?'
'I liked having a small party. I've never been one for big festivities thrown for me.'
'So, you don't want a party this year?' Fiyero asked.
Back at Shiz, he had asked Elphaba why she didn't like big parties. She had told him that it was too much chaos for her and she hated being in crowded settings. It had been a hassle to get her to agree to come to the Ozdust with him and Galinda. Once they were there, she pretty much stayed by Fiyero's side the entire night, her eyes darting this way and that, trying to figure out what was going on around her. They managed to get her to dance for a little while, but ended up leaving earlier than expected after Elphaba complained of a headache from the bright lights and the pulse of the music. She had insisted that she could return to her dorm by herself, but Fiyero and Galinda wouldn't have it. After walking with her back to the dorm, Elphaba insisted that they go back, but Galinda told her roommate that she would stay with her, and Fiyero claimed to be tired, anyway (which Elphaba didn't believe).
'If I do, I want it to be small, with just us.' Elphaba signed.
'Of course, Elphaba. We can do whatever you want.' Amalie smiled.
The green girl smiled and thanked the queen before excusing herself to go take a nap. Fiyero stayed behind to talk to his parents about something, but kissed his wife and said that he would be up in a bit. Elphaba didn't even bother to try and argue that she could take a simple nap without having someone check on her, but simply kissed him back.
When she woke a few hours later, she felt Fiyero's arms wrapped around her. Smiling, she slowly turned and saw that he was fast asleep, his mouth slightly open. She snuggled closer to him while trying not to wake him, but the prince's eyes opened a few seconds later and he smiled at her.
'Hey.' he signed tiredly, yawning.
'Hi. Did you have a nice nap?'
'Yes.' the prince nodded as he pushed himself up, helping Elphaba up, as well.
'What did you and your parents talk about?'
'Boring, princely things. Honestly, I don't remember most of it.'
Elphaba chuckled softly and leaned her head against the prince's shoulder.
When a maid announced that lunch was ready, the couple had to cut their quality time short, especially when Fiyero heard his stomach growl and realized how hungry he actually was. The rest of the day passed quickly for them. They talked a bit more about Elphaba's birthday and decided to simply throw a small celebration for her in the Vinkus.
'Of course your father and sister can come, Elphaba.' Amalie smiled when Elphaba asked if she could invite her family. 'Also, I was wondering when you would like us to announce your pregnancy to the people.'
'We can do it soon. I won't be able to hide it for much longer.' Elphaba signed, gently resting her hand against her abdomen.
'Speaking of the baby, we should probably call the castle doctor to come and examine you, just to make sure everything is okay so far.'
'That's fine.'
Amalie nodded and went away to take care of her royal duties. Fiyero stayed behind and aimlessly played with his wife's fingers, causing Elphaba to roll her eyes.
'How are you feeling?' Fiyero asked after he tenderly kissed all of Elphaba's fingers.
'I'm fine. I guess it's all starting to seem real now.'
'It's been real for the past four months.'
'I know, but now it really seems real.'
'I know what you mean.'
'I just hope that…' Elphaba suddenly stopped and her hand flew to her abdomen.
'Fae?' the prince asked, trying not to look as alarmed as he felt. 'Are you okay? Is something wrong with the baby?'
Elphaba's lips twitched before she smiled. 'I'm fine. It's just… I felt the baby move.'
'You did?'
Elphaba nodded. 'It felt like a little flutter.' She grabbed her husband's hand and placed it against her abdomen. 'Do you feel it?'
Fiyero waited for a moment, and sure enough, he felt the little flutter of the baby. 'Yes! I felt it!'
Elphaba wiped a tear from her eye and placed her hand on top of her husband's. 'It's really happening.'
'It is.' Fiyero smiled, gently cupping the green girl's face in his hands and kissing her forehead.
Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Fiyero and Princess Elphaba, get to celebrate the princess' twenty-fourth birthday with the announcement that they are now expecting their first child. The couple has been married for the past two and a half years and is expecting their first child in mid-June.
Fiyero read the newspaper headline as he laid in bed next to his wife. He decided to let her sleep since it was her birthday. He looked out the window at the thick, white blanket of snow on the ground. Suddenly, he felt Elphaba stir and placed the paper aside and snuggled back under the covers next to her.
The green girl slowly opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of her husband. 'Hi.'
'Hey. Happy birthday, Fae.' the prince smiled, kissing her nose.
Elphaba chuckled and pushed herself up more. 'Thank you.' She allowed Fiyero to pull her closer to himself and relaxed against his chest.
'Are you ready for your birthday breakfast in bed?'
'Yes. I suppose you're going to make me stay here while you go get it, aren't you?'
'That's what a birthday breakfast in bed is.' Fiyero chuckled as he kissed her nose and quickly threw his legs over the edge of the bed. 'I'll be right back.'
Elphaba nodded and watched as her husband left. She looked over and noticed the paper on his side dresser. The headline caught her attention and she picked it up, aimlessly skimming through the article about her relationship with Fiyero, a bit about their time at Shiz, and the beginning of speculation about the baby's gender and name.
Once Fiyero returned with two plates of bacon, eggs, and toast, and a cup of coffee for him, and milk for Elphaba, the couple settled back into bed and snuggled as they ate. Once they were finished, Fiyero put the tray on their nightstand and the two went to go get ready for the day.
'Good morning, Elphaba. Happy birthday.' Raal smiled when he saw the young couple enter the parlor.
'Good morning, Raal. And thank you.' Elphaba smiled as she moved to sit, but stopped.
'Elphaba, are you alright?' Amalie asked, putting her book down.
Elphaba slowly made her way to the window and looked out at the blanket of snow. She smiled softly, loving how everything looked clean and new.
Fiyero slowly approached her and placed his hand on the small of her back. 'It's beautiful, isn't it?' he signed.
'Yes, it is. Everything looks so beautiful and new.'
The prince smiled sympathetically. He knew how much Elphaba had always wanted to play in the snow, but her water allergy had prevented her from doing that. As they studied in the library at Shiz, he would watch as she looked out the window at the other students having snowball fights, making snowmen, and sledding down the hills. She had confessed that since Nessa couldn't go out in the snow unless someone took her, she wasn't always alone back in Munchkinland. But at Shiz, Boq was more than happy to take Nessa outside in the snow, leaving Elphaba in her dorm or in the library.
The prince lightly took his wife's hand, pulling her from her thoughts. 'Come on. It's time to open your presents.'
Elphaba smiled as Fiyero led her back to the couch and sat down next to her as she began to tear the wrapping paper off of the boxes. After receiving a new sweater, a scented cinnamon candle, a new book about the reign of Ozma the Terrible, and an empty scrapbook (which she guessed was for the baby), Amalie handed her another small package.
'This managed to get here, despite the snow.' the queen said as she handed Elphaba the box.
Elphaba looked at the address and grinned, seeing that it was from Galinda. She had written the blonde weeks ago to let her know that she was pregnant. She opened the letter first.
Dearest Elphie, it read,
Oh my Oz! You're pregnant? I'm going to become Auntie Galinda? Oh, this is so excitifying! I'm so happy for you and Fifi!
Anyway, how have you been? I miss you so much, Elphie. It feels like it's been forever since we've seen each other (Don't roll your eyes, Elphie! I know it's been seven months, but it still feels like forever). I am having the most wonderful time in the Gillikin. Khynel and I are becoming more serious. I think he's close to proposing. Of course, I want to be surprised, and he knows that. I just hope it's soon. I'm not getting any younger, although I know it's very hard to tell (Stop rolling your eyes! I'm only a few months older than you!).
Again, I miss you dearly and hope you are doing well. And no, Elphie, I didn't forget about your birthday. Happy birthday! I hope you like your gift and that you actually get it on your birthday. It's very unpredictable because of the snow.
Your bestest best friend,
Galinda
Elphaba smiled as she read the letter and gently placed it aside to open her present. She tugged at the ribbon and opened the box to reveal a bottle of rose scented Gillikin perfume. She sprayed a bit on her wrist and inhaled its sweet scent. She made a mental note to herself to write a thank you note to the blonde.
As the rest of the day passed, Fiyero noticed Elphaba becoming a bit distant. When he questioned her about it, she simply said that she was getting tired.
'You're upset that your father and sister couldn't be here because of the snow, aren't you?' he finally asked her that evening.
Elphaba blinked, obviously surprised by the question, and sighed. The amount of snow had caused almost all of the roads in the Vinkus to close, making it impossible for Frex and Nessa to travel there. 'I don't know. I mean, my father never made a big deal about my birthday growing up. I never got as many presents or as much attention as Nessa did, but overall, my birthdays weren't awful. If anything, I wanted to see Nessa again. I know we saw each other for Lurlinemas last month, and it's quite a trip across Oz, but we've always been together on our birthdays.'
'We can always go to Munchkinland on her birthday.' the prince suggested.
'Yero, Nessa's birthday is in May. I'll be eight months pregnant. I might not be able to travel across Oz.'
'She can always come here. You remember how beautiful the Vinkus is in May.'
Elphaba sighed. 'I know it's kind of silly that I'm upset like this, but…'
Fiyero quickly cut her off by gripping her hands. 'Fae, it's most certainly not silly. It's normal to miss your family.'
'I know. I just feel… I don't know.'
Fiyero gently pulled her against him. 'I know. But, you did have a nice birthday today, right?'
'Of course I did, Yero. I got to spend it with you.' Elphaba smiled, initiating a kiss.
"Oz, I love you," Fiyero murmured against her lips. His hand lightly pressed against her abdomen and he felt the baby move again. "And I love you, too, little one."
