Glinda left early in the morning to address the citizens of Oz about the events of the previous day. Before she had left, Glinda got Elphaba some books to read since she wasn't able to go anywhere outside of her room, and two trays of food since she didn't know how long she would be gone. Glinda made sure Elphaba locked the door and gave her a specific knocking pattern to answer to.
Elphaba's day wasn't too eventful. Fiyero's fever was breaking, and that allowed her to relax a little bit. She mostly stayed beside him on the bed or sat on the chair next to the bed. She read, walked around a little bit, and picked at the two trays of food whenever she got hungry. She changed his bandages too, which had been a bit harder to do without Glinda helping her move his body around.
It was close to sunset when she heard Glinda knock the pattern they'd agreed. Elphaba quickly let Glinda in then locked the door.
"How is he?" The blonde asked, giving Elphaba a quick hug.
"His fever's gone down. At this rate, he should be back to a regular body temperature by tomorrow." She swallowed. "He hasn't moved an inch, though."
Glinda rubbed Elphaba's arm and sat her down. "Give it some time, Elphie. His body's been through a lot."
Elphaba nodded. "You're right. What happened out there?"
Glinda filled her in on what she'd told the Ozians. She made some speeches on rebuilding what had been burned down (Elphaba voiced a small apology for that which Glinda dismissed) and moving on from the whole ordeal. The most important thing was that, in a way, what Elphaba had wanted to happen came true; everyone believed the Wicked Witch of the West and Fiyero Tiggular were dead. Elphaba was glad about that part, but by now, she and Fiyero should have been out of the Emerald City. Not in Glinda's room with him fighting for his life.
The next day, Fiyero still hadn't moved much, but at least his fever was gone. Elphaba had read all the books Glinda had provided for her, some even twice with all the time she had. She kept her eyes on him as she ate, not really paying attention to what her fork was picking at.
Elphaba's eyes widened when bit down on the piece of cucumber. Oh, dear Oz. She ran to the bathroom as quickly as she could and threw up everything she'd eaten. So much for getting some food in her system. Peaches didn't seem to like cucumbers for whatever reason, they've been making her sick for months.
When Glinda came back, Elphaba was coming out of the bathroom. "Are you ok?" Glinda asked, seeing that her friend looked sick.
"Now I am," Elphaba groaned and sat on the sofa chair. "Just get that away from me," she pointed at the tray on the nightstand.
"Oh," Glinda hurriedly took the tray out of the room. "Now what was I going to say," she muttered to herself. Oh. She walked back into the room. "They know you're pregnant."
"What?!" Elphaba jumped from her seat. Great Oz, she was going to throw up again.
"Sh! Someone was able to catch a glimpse of your bump two days ago."
The green girl groaned. "Great. Now what?"
"Elphie, remember, you're 'dead'. Therefore, your baby's dead."
Elphaba flinched slightly. "Don't say that, Glin." She cradled her stomach.
"Sorry." She squeezed Elphaba's shoulder. "The talk of the town is whether your baby would've been green or not and they pretty much guessed who the father was." There were also whispers of how Fiyero could have possibly bedded Elphaba, but she didn't need to know that.
The room was silent for a couple seconds until Elphaba whispered, "I've asked myself that question, too."
"Do you know if your skin condition is genetic?"
Elphaba shook her head. "No, I don't. But Oz, I really hope Peaches isn't green. He or she doesn't need to go through what I did."
"The Badlands is an entirely different place; different people and traditions. Even if your baby is green, I don't think it would be so bad," Glinda reasoned.
"I'd rather not take my chances…I've talked to Fiyero about it, too," Elphaba smiled without even realizing it, making Glinda smile, too, "About the possibility of our baby being green, about how we would both feel if he or she was. Bottom line: no matter the skin color, this baby is going to grow up with two parents that love him or her."
That night, Peaches wasn't letting Elphaba sleep. Eventually, she gave up, grabbed the chair, and sat at Fiyero's bedside with a book she'd already read twice. About halfway through her third reading, Fiyero's hand twitched. She slammed the book shut and placed it on the nightstand.
"Yero?" she whispered.
She moved his hair from his face. His breathing got deeper and the sight of his chest visibly rising and falling made her tear up. As careful as she could, Elphaba sat on the bed.
"Fiyero? Love, can you hear me?"
His face didn't show any sign that he could. But if Elphaba hadn't been listening for it, she might have missed his hushed voice. "Elphaba."
A silent sob escaped her lips. She grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles. She saw him make an effort to try and open his eyes. She rubbed his forehead, smoothing out his hair and reassuring him that she was there with him.
"It's ok. We're safe." Well, as safe as they could be.
At last, he was able to open his eyes and Elphaba saw that lovely shade of blue again. Tears fell down her cheeks.
"You're going to be ok," she smiled. His eyes took in the room.
Fiyero tried to touch her with his other hand, but found it very painful to move his arm. It didn't go unnoticed by Elphaba. She rubbed his arm.
"Take it easy, your body's a little weak right now." She brought his hand to her stomach, and it had the effect she'd hoped for. He relaxed considerably, and so did she. Fiyero smiled lightly and rubbed his thumb on her belly.
Words couldn't describe the relief and happiness she felt at that moment. Seeing Fiyero so lifeless and in pain had been the worst experience of her life. She'd been so terrified of losing him. Sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't help but cry when she remembered everything. But that didn't matter right now, not anymore.
She pressed her forehead against his. "You scared me."
"I'm sorry," his voice was hoarse.
Elphaba shook her head. "Do you want some water?" He nodded.
She quickly grabbed the glass and filled it with water from the pitcher. Thank Oz Glinda had asked for a refill before they went to bed.
She sat beside him again and gently slid her arm under his shoulders. Lifting his body just a little bit and apologizing at his grunts, she pressed the glass to his lips. He grabbed her wrist and drank, some water spilling from the sides of his mouth and onto his chest. She placed a pillow in the place of her arm to keep him inclined and dried the water that had spilled with a towel.
After she was done, Elphaba sat down next to him again and ran her hands all over his face. "I love you," she said, her voice breaking and her eyes tearing up again.
"I love you," she could barely hear him, but it was just enough.
Elphaba leaned down to press a light kiss to his lips. Then another, and another, relishing the wonderful feeling of having him put pressure against her mouth. She kissed his forehead, temple, cheeks, and his lips one more time. Fiyero buried his face in her neck, taking in her scent and feeling the kicks of the baby with his hand.
He had so many questions. He didn't even know how long he'd been unconscious. But for right now, all of that could wait. Fiyero planted a kiss on Elphaba's neck and gripped her arms tighter. She rubbed their noses together and gave him another kiss.
Funny how they could read each other's eyes so well. The decision to save conversation for the morning went without saying.
"Do you want more water?" she asked.
Fiyero nodded and she fixed him another glass, cleaning up the small spill after he was done. Elphaba laid him back down completely and made sure he was comfortable before laying down next to him. He tried to pull her closer.
"Fiyero, no." She tried to pull her hand away, but he held on surprisingly tightly. "You're still hurt."
"I want you in my arms."
She did too. But she didn't want to risk his wounds reopening or her putting too much pressure on him. "Tell you what, just stay face up," she said. Elphaba pulled the covers over him then slipped under them. She settled herself as close as she could with her belly between them. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder, interlocked their hands and rubbed his chest. "This ok?"
Not really, if he was honest. But it would do for now, he understood where she was coming from. Hell, he refused to have sex with her for while when he found out she'd been grazed by a bullet in her stomach.
He nodded and couldn't help but sigh at the feel of her planting a kiss to his shoulder. With her touch and light humming, it didn't take long for Fiyero to fall asleep, and Elphaba slept a little better that night.
For some reason, my body hates it when I donate blood and I have an appointment tomorrow to donate again. Last time, my lips turned green and I almost passed out. I hope tomorrow goes better. R&R :)