AN. Thanks again for all the reviews. I am so appreciative of everyone who reads my writing. It means the world.
WEEK 7
This is another big week for your wee one. Early in week 7, the embryo still looks like a tadpole, but by the end of the week it will have transformed into a tiny being that's distinctly human-like. Its body is continuing to lengthen, the arms begin to bend at the elbows and curve around the heart, which is beating even more rhythmically now. By the end of this week the embryo's whole skeleton—made of bendable cartilage, like a shark—will be fully formed. (To be replaced by bone soon enough.) The baby has a digestive system now, as well as kidneys, liver, heart, spleen, and even an appendix. Your placenta has sprouted hundreds of minute hair-like projections (called villi), making it look like a fuzzy ball. The villi have the important job of carrying nutrients and oxygen from your bloodstream to your growing baby.
Fiyero was never really good at keeping secrets, especially when it was about something really exciting. Kastle was still mad at him for spilling the beans about their father's surprise birthday party- although in Fiyero's defence, he was only five at the time.
So as the news of the pregnancy sunk in, Fiyero was slightly dismayed when Elphaba told him that not a word was to breathed on the subject to anyone until they were past the first trimester.
She had to laugh as his facial expression though. "Fiyero, it won't kill you."
"But why can't we tell anyone?" he demanded.
"There's a higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester," Elphaba told him gently. "I'm just… being cautious."
Fiyero frowned worriedly. "Fae, you don't think-"
"No," she shook her head. "I'm not saying that. But this isn't me being overly cautious or paranoid, it's normal. Kastle was in her second trimester before she told us she was pregnant with Aaylis, remember? And I bet she did the same thing with Noak."
"Probably, I don't really remember," Fiyero admitted. "So, how long do we have to wait?"
Elphaba had tried her best to calculate how far along she was, although they wouldn't know for certain until they met with Izanami the following week- the soonest they could get an appointment. Elphaba had refused to go with anyone else, and although Izanami had offered to rearrange appointments to fit them in, Elphaba had declined, not wanting to draw attention to them. And Izanami said as long as she was in relative good health, there was no urgent need to rush. As far as she could figure, she was around six weeks pregnant and felt well- for the most part.
Now that she knew what was causing her symptoms, Elphaba found that she didn't mind them so much. The main problem she was having now, was having to hide them from everybody else.
She and Fiyero had told his family, and anyone else that asked, that she had merely caught the flu, but was all better now. They had all bought that, which left Elphaba to conceal any hints of morning sickness- which she had found hit her at any time but morning.
She would be fine in the mornings, except for a few dizzy spells when she first got up; and by mid-morning, would be hunched miserably over the toilet, ejecting everything in her stomach, which would carry on and off until evening and then she would be fine again.
She was also starting to notice certain triggers, which would send her rushing to a bathroom, no matter the time of day or night. Any seafood, some soups and sauces, and the smell of Fiyero's cologne, which Fiyero felt incredibly guilty about when they first realised it. And just the thought of any kind of cake or pastry was enough to trigger it, too.
The day after they had gotten the blood result tests back, Izanami had discreetly sent Elphaba a few books on pregnancy, and Elphaba was devouring them. She'd found in only the past week, she was so much aware of her body and the changes and feelings that were occurring within it. Some of those feelings and changes however, left her puzzled and amused.
"This is so your child," she commented to Fiyero one evening.
"I should hope so," he replied teasingly and she laughed.
Fiyero grinned, but was now curious as to why she would say that. "Why do you say that?" he asked.
"Because I have never eaten this much ice cream in my life, but suddenly it's all I want to eat. And you eat the stuff like there's no tomorrow."
She was eating a bowl as she said this, and Fiyero shrugged admittedly. He did like ice cream. She had a point, Fiyero noted. She was eating at least three bowls of ice cream a day, and prior to her pregnancy had never been a huge ice cream fan.
"Not lately I haven't, because you've been eating it all," he said lightly, and Elphaba looked at him guiltily.
"Sorry," she apologised in a small voice, and Fiyero hastily kissed her reassuringly.
"Hey, I was kidding, Fae. Whatever baby Fiyeraba wants, he/she gets."
And just like that, Elphaba rolled her eyes, her mood brighter. "You need to stop calling it that."
Fiyero wasn't too keen on the idea of calling the baby "it", so had started referring to their unborn child as "baby Fiyeraba", much to Elphaba's amusement. But Fiyero didn't mind, if it kept her smiling and avoided any tears.
The thing that was frustrating Elphaba most, besides the constant throwing up (because no one was a fan of that), was the never-ending fatigue and the mood swings. She would find herself crying or snapping at Fiyero over the slightest thing, and she knew it would only get worse before the baby came. The fatigue, her books reassured her, would end soon enough, and then return.
And although Elphaba had never doubted him, Fiyero was already proving himself a huge help. It hadn't taken him long to realise that there was nothing much that he could actually do to help Elphaba, which didn't really sit well with him.
This was a time when he really wished he could tell someone, and get some advice from his father or Anton- men who had been in his situation before. Finally, he came across something in one of Elphaba's books, the simple instruction: "Your role is pretty simple. If she craves a food, get it. When there's food around that disgusts her, throw it out—even if it's your dinner. Those in-between-meal snacks you're supposed to avoid? Make sure she eats lots of them—it averts nausea. Press snacks on her frequently, and toss them in her bag when she's leaving. Keep any kind of ginger chews or candies, or ginger tea, accessible at all times, as it will also help settle her stomach."
Fiyero took this to heart, which was beginning to drive Elphaba crazy, especially with how her moods were fluctuating at the moment. But she did appreciate it, and told him so in her calmer moments.
The next day, a letter arrived for Elphaba from Munchkinland- a reply to the letter she had sent Nessa the day after they had discoverated the news. It had been incredibly hard for Elphaba to finish the letter and not tell her sister anything, but she had managed it in the end.
Dear Fabala,
I was so happy to hear from you! Of course I understand that you're busy, I certainly can relate to that; but I do miss hearing from you.
Yes, I know it seems crazy that Halim is one of eight, but I imagine that's just because we've always only ever had just the two of us. But I do adore his siblings. The youngest is just nine, you know, and I didn't realise until now just how much I adore children. I've never really been around them, I guess you and I have always had that in common. Although you're so lucky to have Noak and Aaylis. I swear to Oz, they are both the sweetest children in Oz. How are they both, by the way?
I would love if you and Fiyero could come visit in March. I'm sure Father would be happy to see you both too. It would be so wonderful to see you. I've missed you, especially with the holidays. I understand that it was your year with Fiyero's family, but it just feels so odd not to see you, especially now that we're no longer at Shiz. Even if it's just for a day or so, it would be great.
Do you miss Munchkinland at all? I know there's a lot that has happened in the past, and most Munchkins proved themselves to be rather small-minded when it comes to their treatment of you, but well… it's where we grew up, where you lived for most of your life. I think I would miss it dreadfully, but you always have teased me about being overly sentimental.
When you and Fiyero come, we should all have dinner. And by 'we' I mean the two of you, and Halim and I. In answer to your question about the seriousness of our relationship… well, I'm not sure. Well, I'd like to say it is, but I'm not quite sure… how do you tell? This is my first real relationship. I've gone to write for your advice a thousand times, but, I don't mean any offence by saying that I don't think you'd be able to help. Yours and Fiyero's relationship is so unlike any other.
Father approves of the match. Halim is from a good family, and is a kind, thoughtful, generous man. And I think he would be happy to stand by me when I become Governor. Well, we haven't really talked about all that yet. We've only been dating for five months, I don't know when the right time is to discuss all those types of things.
I can admit, I could see myself marrying and having a family with him… not in the immediate future, however. You shouldn't expect us to elope any time soon. Ok, now I know what you're always saying about how sarcasm and humour don't come off that well in print. I just read that back, and… well, maybe it's me.
And yes, Boq is getting letters from Galinda about the wedding almost daily. Of course, he doesn't seem to mind. He's willing to go along with whatever Galinda desires- he wants her to have her perfect day. I hardly think most of these choices are what Boq would have chosen himself, but he doesn't protest against any of it. It's quite funny to see actually. I'm sure you'd be highly amused if you were here. And of course, Fiyero would never let him live it down. Do you hear from Boq much?
Well, I suppose I should wrap this letter up, the Mayor and his wife are coming over for dinner soon, so I should make sure everything is ready. Father sends his best to you and Fiyero. Hope to see you soon, and that all is well in the Vinkus.
Love, Nessa.
Elphaba shook her head to herself as she folded up her sister's letter.
"What's new with Ness?" Fiyero asked her.
"The usual," Elphaba replied. "She's good, Halim is good, and apparently as always, my father sends his best."
Fiyero snorted sceptically. Nessa always included this at the end of every letter, but they both doubted whether Frex even thought about his eldest daughter.
Elphaba frowned slightly. "I wonder what he'll say about the baby."
Fiyero paused in consideration. You could never quite tell how Frex would react to anything concerning Elphaba.
"Do we have to tell him? Maybe we can just wait a few years and then the baby can tell him," he suggested.
Elphaba stared at him. "Fiyero, why do you hate our child?"
Fiyero tried to explain. "Think about it! We turn up in Munchkinland with this little girl, with my hair and your beautiful brown eyes and a beaming little grin and she just says "Hi, Grandpa!" You mean to say even your fathercould resist that?"
Elphaba tried to hide a smile at the image he created, and raised an eyebrow. "So, now we're having a girl?"
Fiyero shrugged. "I'm good with either. I just think a little girl would be cute."
"Hmm…"
"What? You want a boy?" Fiyero asked.
Elphaba hadn't really thought about it. "I don't think I have a preference," she admitted. "I'm still getting my head around the whole 'growing-a-human-being-inside-me' thing. It doesn't really feel real yet, right now it's just something that makes me need to pee, sleep and throw up."
Then she made a face and stood up. "Exhibit A."
Fiyero chuckled as she headed out of the room and he knew she was going to the bathroom.
Honestly, he got where she was coming from. It wasn't a hundred per cent real to him yet either, but at least he had none of the symptoms Elphaba was experiencing. He couldn't wait until the next week, when Izanami could confirm how far along Elphaba was, and hence, when she was due.
While he waited for Elphaba to return, he picked up the letter from Nessa and browsed it casually, smiling slightly as he read his sister-in-law's words about his niece and nephew.
"Nessa's going to be happy about being an aunt, isn't she?" he asked Elphaba as she re-entered the room.
The smile that lit up Elphaba's face as she pictured her sister's reaction to the happy news was dazzling.
"She'll be thrillified," she nodded happily. "I can't wait to tell her. I'm so glad we can tell her in person, instead of through a letter."
"So, Nessa's happy reaction will make up for the moment when your father's head explodes?" Fiyero guessed.
Elphaba chuckled. "We don't know that his head will explode. I mean, it's very unlikely he'll be happy about it, but… we're married. We've been married for almost three years and we're out of school… he can't protest against it. Well, he can, but he can't do anything about it. I think the real thing about the situation that he'll hate will either be me having giving him a grandchild before Nessa, or the idea of me reproducing at all."
Fiyero swept her feet into his lap and began to massage them gently. "Best case scenario?"
Elphaba sighed. "Best case… he'll mutter a 'congratulotions' and reluctantly pretend to be a doting grandfather around Munchkinland when the subject comes up."
"And worst case?"
Elphaba cringed. "I don't want to think about that."
"He could just refuse to talk to us ever again," Fiyero suggested.
"That might be the best case scenario," she corrected him.
Fiyero couldn't really disagree with that.
"Why wouldn't he want you… you know?" Fiyero asked.
Elphaba looked at her hands in her lap. "Because me being born… the way I was, was the worst thing that ever happened to our family or to him, in his mind. Well… maybe losing my mother topped that, we never really shared on that subject. And it was bad enough for me to be green, it could just be written off as some kind of freakish coincidence. But if… if this baby is like me, that would point more to genetics. Which would point people back to my parents. The implication that my father is a freak would be the worst shame to him- even more than having me as a daughter."
Fiyero was astounded by how easy it was for her to get inside her father's head. He didn't like it.
"What do you say we change the topic to something happier? Thoughts? Suggestions?"
Elphaba considered that carefully and then looked up at him hopefully. "Can you get me some more ice cream, please?"
Fiyero supposed that qualified.
