Chapter 13

And she sighs, and she swoons

And she's humming little tunes

Even has a sorta glow

What on Earth could it be?

Any hammerhead can

That swoon!

That Sigh!

That glow!

Oh No!

She's in love!

After spending more than a week on bed rest, Elphaba was finally free to roam around the castle. And as the weeks went by she found herself growing accustom to Fiyero's family. Kara was everything a little girl should be, and Elphaba found herself enjoying their conversations together. She loved Fiyero's mother. Apparently, Elvira knew that it wasn't Fiyero's child, and though she had no idea how his mother found out, she didn't care. Elvira was so kind, gently, and understanding through all of this, and Elphaba couldn't have asked for anything better. She was the mother Elphaba couldn't remember, and every time they were together the same questions would pop into her head. Had her real mother been this nice? Had her real mother loved her like Elvira did? She couldn't remember, for Melena had died when she was a mere three years old, but shouldn't she have some recognition of her mother's loving ways?

Ather, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of his wife. He wasn't as mean as Frex had been, but it was a different kind of relationship. For years she had (and still did) believed that Frex's main goal was to make her life a living hell. Ather, on the other hand, would completely ignore her. True, he was quiet and when he did talk to her (which was rare) he wasn't rude. She wasn't sure, but she just got this vibe that he didn't like her.

Elphaba sighed. And then there was Fiyero. Hopeless romantic, charming, and very kind Fiyero. She hadn't taken the moon shaped necklace off her yet, and she knew that she never would. That simple gift had meant more to her than he would ever know. It scared her, how easily she trusted him. The one emotion she hated, but nevertheless she couldn't stop herself from feeling that way. She knew he would never hurt her, but then again…. She trailed off in a sigh. He was practically by her side twenty-four seven and every day they would do something together. Simple things, like: taking a walk through the gardens, playing games, or even giving her a tour of the castle.

Her favorite had been when he showed her the library. She smiled at the memory…

"Can I open them?"

"Wait. Wait. Not yet." He was covering her eyes with his hands and carefully he led her through the huge doors. "Alright… alright… Now!"

She had opened her eyes and gasped. "I can't believe it," she told him in awe. "There are so many books." The walls were covered in books, reaching all the way to the ceiling, which was two stories high. To the right of the library there was a large sprial staircase that led to the second floor, and to the left of the library there was a master fireplace wedged in between two book cases. And at the very far end of the room there was a large window that took up the entire wall.

"I would have shown you sooner, but we were redoing the floors," he told her sheepishly. "This room has the best view."

Elphaba gave him a full-hearted smile before walking over to the large round window. She could see for miles. Beyond the forest was mostly flat expect for the very few mountains that were just barely peeking up over the horizon. She wondered if it was even part of Oz. "What's that over there?"

He squinted. "We're not sure. It's beyond the border of Oz, but no one has ever gone there before."

"Why?"

"Because the desert will kill you before you reach it." And then he was by her side, gripping her hand. "Fae, this is your room. You can read as much and whenever you want."

Ever since then, she had been up to the library everyday. And now that she was thirty-two weeks pregnant, she definitely needed some alone time. It was her get away room, a place where she could get lost in someone else's life and not hers. Sometimes, she would even fall asleep, but Fiyero would always know where to find her. And that's what was happening now.

"Fae, wake up," Fiyero gently shook her awake.

She blinked, clearing her sight, and when Fiyero finally came into focus she gave him a wide smile. "I fell asleep again. Didn't I?"

"Yeah."

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"Lunch time. Now, let's go downstairs."

Elphaba grumbled angrily as he helped her out of the chair. Simple stuff like this bothered her nowadays. She could hardly do anything for herself; this agitated her to no end. Bending over was nearly impossible and getting dressed in the morning was a hazard. She was tired, achy, and always had to use the bathroom. The novelty of her baby bump had just simply worn off; basically, she was getting downright tired of being pregnant. Elvira had told her that this was normal, but she was just so tired. When was the baby supposed to be born?

Elphaba stopped abruptly at the though, and Fiyero eyed her with a worried expression. "Fae, what's wrong?"

She dropped her eyes shyly. "I completely forgot about it..."

"But?"

"It's my birthday tomorrow."

Fiyero blinked. "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Remember our deal. I'll tell you a day in advance."

A smile lit Fiyero's face. "This is going to be great! Fae, you're going to have the best birthday ever. You just wait…" he trailed off, his smile turning into a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Damn it!" he cursed, but only loud enough for him to hear. "I'm no where near done your birthday present –"

She cut him off. "Fiyero, it's fine. You shouldn't have –"

"No, I'll finish. Don't worry." However, he was talking more to himself than to her. "Yes… I'll finish." He turned to her suddenly. "My parents and Kara are already downstairs."

"Aren't you coming?"

"I'll be there in a little bit." With those words said, he disappeared down the hall, leaving her very alone.

--

Fiyero did not join her for lunch and Elphaba felt uneasy sitting at the table with his family. She had been with them for over three months now, but she still didn't feel comfortable with them alone. Okay, maybe she was overacting. It was really just Ather who she wasn't use to and it surprised her now that he was eating with them. Over the past few weeks he had eaten in his study and not wanted to be bothered. She had simply assumed that this was because of her. Elphaba sighed, why did she care what Ather thought of her?

"Not long now." Elvira broke out into a grin. "A couple more weeks."

Elphaba paled at the thought. She hadn't known it would be weeks. She knew it was soon, but weeks was not a very long time. A couple of weeks and she would have a bouncing bundle of joy in her arms. Suddenly, she felt sick. She didn't have anything. Not a crib, clothes, or… other baby things. Oz, she was going to be a bad mother.

"Elphaba… sweet-heart. You okay?"

Elphaba blinked and she was immediately brought back to reality. Kara, Ather, and Elvira were now staring at her with nervous faces, and Elphaba suddenly wished that the room would swallow her whole. Where was Fiyero when she needed him? "What? Oh… yes, I'm fine."

"You look pale…" Elvira told her gently. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing." She poked her food with her fork, suddenly at lost of an appetite.

"It's okay to be nervous."

Elphaba looked up at Elvira with wide eyes. It was like she could read her mind, and silently Elphaba wondered if this woman really could. She sighed, knowing it was silly. Elvira was probably just good at reading people, and it's not like she was very hard.

"Yes! We'll help!" Kara, who was sitting next to her, told her happily. "Ooh! Have you thought of baby names yet?"

"No…I haven't."

"I hope it's a girl…"

"Kara!" Ather scowled. "We'll welcome this baby if it's a girl or a boy."

Elphaba whipped around to look Ather in the eye. Had he just said something about her and it wasn't in vain? She could barely hide her shock.

At the moment, Elvira nudged her husband and gave him a knowing look. He did the same thing back, but sighed in defeat. Kara stifled a laugh at her parent's foolish 'silent' conversations. But nevertheless, Ather ignored his daughter and turned back to Elphaba. He dropped his eyes shyly, suddenly finding his lunch very interesting.

"Look, I know… you don't think I like you." He paused for a moment, taking a minute to breathe. For a king, he wasn't very talkative. "And it's not true. I have nothing against you."

Elphaba stared him, surprised that he was evening talking to her. "You don't have to apolog –"

"No, but I want to." He looked her in the eye, and she could clearly see that he meant every word. "I want to apologize for the way I treated you these past few months. It was wrong and I'm sorry for that."

"Thanks you… apology accepted." She gave him a weak smile and she was greatly surprised when he returned the gesture.

"I'm going to be a grandpa!" he told her, almost as if he was considering the fact for the first time. "No… I don't like Grandpa. It sounds... old. How about Pop Pop?!"

Elphaba gave him a full hearted smile. For the first time she felt that Ather actually cared about her. Maybe, he wasn't who she thought he was. She could clearly see the excitement in his eyes. How could she break his heart and tell him that he wasn't biologically one?

--

Elphaba paced back and forth in her bedroom. Night had fallen into place and she couldn't find Fiyero anywhere. In fact, the entire day she hadn't even seen him. This bothered her. Where the hell was he? She was worried about the baby, and the fact that she wasn't ready for it made her feel ill. She wanted to confront him about this, but he wasn't anywhere in the castle. She huffed. It was like he had disappeared off the face of Oz! Okay, so she was exaggerating, but still…

"Hey," an all too familiar voice spoke.

Elphaba whirled around and found Fiyero poking his head through her bedroom door. She smirked at the sight of him. His hair was lopsided and sticking up in every direction. His entire body was covered in paint of all sorts of colors, and Elphaba had to stifle the urge to laugh.

"Don't laugh!" he quickly walked in and threw himself on her bed. Elphaba smiled as she sat don't next to him.

"What happened to you? You look like a clown." That's when she spotted the blotch of green pain on the back of his hand. She poked him. "I think I'm rubbing off on you," she teased him.

Fiyero opened his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I was working on your birthday present. It's finished by the way."

"May I see it?"

"Is it tomorrow yet?"

"…No…"

"Then no. You may wait until your birthday. Which is tomorrow."

Elphaba frowned and rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Fiyero turned to look at her and it wasn't until then did he realize the anxiety playing across her face. "Fae, what's wrong?"

She bit her lip, fighting the urge to tell him. How could she complain? It would cost money for the stuff she needed, but could she ask him for such a thing? She knew he would do anything for her, but how could she ask him to spend his money? "It's nothing, Fiyero."

He huffed. Gently, he reached up and cupped her face with his hand. "Fae, I know when something is bothering you. Now, what's wrong? You can tell me anything…"

"I...it's nothing."

"Please tell me." He pouted.

Elphaba dropped her eyes shyly. "I'm just… nervous."

He watched as she gently cradled her oversized stomach. "I know, but it'll work out."

"No," she told him harshly, panic sneaking into the back of her voice. "It'll be here in weeks and I don't have anything –"

"I don't think you should worry –"

But she either ignored him or hadn't heard him because she continued on with her rant. "I don't have crib or clothes… or anything else. Oz! And the fact that I'm…"

"Fae –"

"…going to be a bad mother is not helping the matter. I don't even know what to do! How in Oz am I suppose to –"

"Elphaba!" he shouted her name so loud he was almost positive the entire castle had heard, but he had gotten her undivided attention and that's all that matter. "Do you ever let anyone else speak?"

"Oh," she said softly. "Sorry."

"Everything is –"

Elphaba cut him off again, holding up a finger. "Can I just say one more thing?" He ran a hand through his hair and gave a loud sigh, but nevertheless he nodded his head for her to continue. "I'm scared, Fiyero. I don't know what to do or how to do anything…"

Fiyero causally let one of his arms fall behind her back. "Fae, everything is going to be okay. Don't worry."

"But I don't have anything, Fiyero! Where's the baby going to sleep?"

He sighed, quickly getting up off the bed and tugging her with him. "Come on, Fae. I want to show you something…"

"What?"

However, he didn't answer, so somewhat reluctantly she followed him down the hall. It took them less than five seconds before Fiyero stopped in front of a wooden door. He smiled at her and she just blinked.

"What?"

Fiyero rolled his eyes, nodding towards the door. "Well aren't you going to open it?"

It wasn't until then did she realize the bright red bow taped to the door. Under it was a card that read…

Happy Birthday, Fae

Love Fiyero.

It was so simple, but those five words literally made her day. Suddenly, she didn't care what was behind the door. She just wanted to keep the card, but apparently Fiyero had other ideas.

"Come on, Fae! Open it!"

Elphaba couldn't help but laugh at his eagerness. He looked like a little boy who had tasted chocolate for the first time. Wordlessly, she pushed the door open. It took her moment to take it all in and once she did, she couldn't help but smile.

The walls were painted two different shades of blue, and stars of every color were painted on it, in an intricate pattern of swirls. There was crib in the far corner of the room with a moon and star mobile hanging over the top of it. A rocking chair sat next to the window, giving a great view of the garden. And not to mention the amount of toys and stuffed animals that were flooding the room. Every piece of furniture matched the next. It was obvious that it was a moon and star theme, and she couldn't help but love the idea. Everything she needed for the baby was in this room and she couldn't help but feel the flood of relief that washed over her. Maybe, Fiyero knew her better than she thought.

She turned to Fiyero with a gleaming look in her eye. "You did all of this?" Silently, she walked over to the wall and ran a finger over one of the stars. It was clearly painted on, but did he do it, or had he hired someone? It was beautiful either way.

Fiyero was by her side in seconds. "Yes," he told her sheepishly. "Avaric helped a little, but I mostly did the painting."

"I didn't know you could paint so well. It's amazing." Only an artist could have done it, and she found herself truly in awe. Elphaba followed the stars with her eyes, which wrapped around the entire room, and she silently wondered where and how he had the time to finish it all. It would have taken her weeks just to paint one star!

"I know it's blue, but I wanted a moon and star theme, so -"

She cut him off. "It's perfect, Fiyero. I love it."

Fiyero gave her a wide smile. "It's not far from your bedroom at all. When the baby cries you'll be able to hear it. Oh!" his face brightened at another thought. "I almost forgot. You have to see the closet."

She gave him a skeptical look, but nevertheless she followed him through the walk in closet. "Fiyero, where did…" she trailed off. Both sides of the closet were filled with clothes. To her it seemed like it was never ending, surely it would last for years.

"Kara and my mother bought all of them. I didn't know the gender, so I just bought clothes for both." He pointed to the left side. "If it's a boy then his clothes are over here and if it's a girl…" he pointed to the other side. "It's over here. So! What do you think?"

Elphaba didn't bother telling him that it was foolish to buy clothes for both genders, when they could have easily waited. Instead, she went with, "I think the baby is going to be spoiled."

"There's no other way."

She smiled again, locking her copper eyes with his blue ones. "I love it, Fiyero. I really do."

"Happy Birthday, Fae," he told her softly, holding up his arms. And for the first time she didn't hesitate to really hug him back.