AN. This chapter is for Wickedgirloz for her birthday! Happy birthday Liana!
Chapter Fourteen
Boq had been right in his predictions. The Governor's household awoke the next morning to find the whole story on the front page of the paper, with news around the event taking up at least half the paper.
There was a story on the history of the Governor's family on page two; an in-depth account based from Nessarose and Carmela's statements- although how the press had gotten their hands on them, no one knew, on page four; and an investigation into Elphaba's "illness" and her relationship with Frex that covered pages six through nine, with comments and interviews with neighbours and town people. Fiyero was also given a full article, about his past scandalacious reputation and his and Elphaba's relationship.
Elphaba had been especially shaken by reading the statement Carmela had given, detailing the conversation between Frex and Omega. Learning how her father had planned to kill the baby if it had been born green had made her feel sick to her stomach.
"In a few days the news won't be so positive," Elphaba commented to Fiyero. "By the end of the week they'll be wondering if you are the father, or blasting us for not being married before getting pregnant in the first place."
Fiyero winced. "Joy."
And whilst she was right- there was a flaming editorial in the next day's edition about Elphaba and Fiyero conceiving a child out of wedlock; Elphaba was completely unprepared for the public reaction. Many Munchkins responded to the editorial arguing that no matter how or when the baby was conceived, Frex should never have planned to give the baby away against Elphaba's will; let alone keeping her locked away for months on end, and forbidding her from contacting the father of her child.
And hundreds of people sent flowers and baby gifts for the baby. Some even included a small donation to help the new young parents begin their life- despite the fact Fiyero was royalty. And Elphaba was blown away by the response.
"These are people who stared and ridiculed me my entire life for my skin colour, but now they're sending me money and gifts?" she demanded of Fiyero.
He shrugged. "I think they finally realised your skin colour is just your skin. It doesn't excuse what your father did to you. When it comes down to it, you're just a young woman who had a baby. People like that."
"Wait until they hear you're engaged," Galinda predicted wisely, and was proved to be right.
It was the day the engagement made the papers that Fiyero's parents arrived from the Vinkus.
Alitash was now four days old, and more beautiful than ever. The doctor had come by and examined her again, and reassured Elphaba and Fiyero he could discern no effects from the milk flowers, much to their relief.
When they arrived, Fiyero and Elphaba were in the living room with the others, all cooing over Alitash. Elphaba and Fiyero had asked Galinda to be godmother, much to the blonde's joy and Elphaba had only added to that, by asking her best friend to be her maid of honour at the wedding.
"It's amazing… she's the perfect blend of the two of you, isn't she?" Galinda asked, staring at Alitash adoringly.
It was true, the little girl had her mother's eyes, chin and long limbs, with Fiyero's nose and hair. And she seemed to have inherited a mixture of their personalities too- she was very calm, nothing ever seemed to bother her- like Fiyero; but she seemed to drink everything in and study everything, which Fiyero said was a sign she had Elphaba's brains.
Suddenly, Carmela was at the door, clearing her throat. "I don't mean to interrupt, but Fiyero's parents have arrived."
Elphaba tensed slightly and Fiyero rose hastily. "They have?"
Carmela gestured and escorted the Vinkun king and queen into the room.
"Hi," Fiyero greeted his parents, feeling slightly nervous.
"Yero," his mother sighed, hurrying forward to greet him.
Fiyero hugged her gently and turned to his father.
"Hi, Dad."
Ibrahim hugged him, much to Fiyero's surprise, but he figured this was a special occasion.
Fiyero turned to Elphaba, who slowly rose from her seat, looking tentative.
"Mom, Dad, this is Galinda, Boq, and Nessarose. And this is Elphaba. Fae, these are my parents, Ibrahim and Kasmira."
Kasmira smiled warmly, stepping towards Elphaba. "Elphaba, it's so nice to finally meet you. How are you? Are you feeling alright?"
Elphaba was a little surprised, and she blushed slightly at the queen's genuine concern. "I'm fine, thank you," she said honestly. "A little tired, but I'm okay."
Kasmira nodded knowingly, and hugged her gently. "Congratulotions," she said softly.
Elphaba blushed again, feeling shy. "Thank you."
Ibrahim took her hands and kissed her cheek lightly. "Welcome to our family, Elphaba."
Elphaba was startled for a moment, knowing Fiyero's parents didn't know about the engagement yet, but then realised engagement or none, she was bound to them through her daughter. But she still touched by the gesture.
"Thank you," she said again.
Fiyero cleared his throat, moving to stand next to Elphaba and taking her hand.
"Er, speaking of that… Mom, Dad, Elphaba and I are engaged."
Kasmira's face lit up. "Oh, that's wonderful! I'm so glad!"
She hugged Elphaba again, tighter this time, and Elphaba had to admit she was relieved. Ibrahim merely smiled at her.
"So, I believe those words are true in more ways than one," he said warmly and Elphaba chuckled.
"Yes, I suppose so."
Fiyero's parents turned to their son, and Elphaba took the moment to take Alitash from Nessa's arms.
"And this is Alitash," she introduced them.
She watched as Kasmira and Ibrahim's gaze found their granddaughter, and waves of awe washed over their faces.
"Oh, my goodness," Kasmira breathed softly.
Elphaba beamed. "Would you like to hold her?" she offered.
"Yes," Kasmira replied immediately and Elphaba chuckled.
She and Fiyero exchanged proud smiles as his parents took turns holding and admiring Alitash. Then Elphaba took her upstairs to put her down for a nap, and Fiyero took his parents to Frex's study to speak with them privately for a moment.
"I'm glad you guys came," he began.
Ibrahim laughed. "Fiyero, you wrote to us that you have a daughter. You didn't think we'd come?"
"I wasn't sure if you had the time," Fiyero tried to explain.
"For family, you make the time," Kasmira said firmly. "Ally is just beautiful, Fiyero."
Fiyero beamed. "Thanks, Mom."
Then his smile faded somewhat. "So... you guys aren't... upset? Mad?"
His parents exchanged a glance. "We're not mad at anyone besides Elphaba's father," Ibrahim said firmly.
"We can't say the situation is ideal," Kasmira admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that you and Elphaba clearly love one another and you're going to be wonderful parents to that little girl."
"How's Elphaba doing?" Ibrahim asked.
Fiyero sighed. "Physically, she's fine. Emotionally… she's getting there. She's been through a lot in the last few months. She hasn't left the house since Ally was born… well, before that really. And she's having a bit of separation anxiety. She doesn't like being away from the baby for too long. She… she's had a few nightmares," he admitted. "Dreaming that she's giving birth and we don't get here in time, and her father takes the baby away."
"That will just take time," Kasmira said sympathetically. "It's perfectly understandable given the circumstances."
"And what has happened with her father?" Ibrahim questioned.
"He's still in jail," Fiyero answered. "The army have taken statements from Nessa, Carmela and Elphaba. He's being charged with imprisonment, poisoning, and intent to give away the baby. Omega's given him up, telling them everything about his plans. The fact he was planning to kill…"
He couldn't finish the sentence, the thought was too horrendible.
Kasmira and Ibrahim hadn't heard that.
"What?!" Ibrahim asked sharply.
Fiyero winced. "If the milk flowers didn't work, and the baby was born green… he was going to drown it."
Kasmira gasped, one hand flying to her mouth.
"No!"
Fiyero nodded. "He should be in jail for a long time."
"So, what will happen with the Governorship?" Ibrahim asked.
Fiyero shrugged. "I'm not really sure. Maybe you could work that out while you're here?" he suggested.
"I can look into it," his father promised.
"And what about school?" Kasmira questioned.
"We haven't really worked that out, either," Fiyero admitted.
Ibrahim and Kasmira exchanged a look. They were more glad than ever that they'd made the trip to Munchkinland.
There was clearly a lot they could do to help both Elphaba and Fiyero right now.