Two Years Later

"I'm back!" Elphaba called out, setting the grocery bags on the counter and locking the door. She hung her coat on the rack, kicked off her shoes, leaving them stranded on the doormat, then walked into the living room, looking around. "Yero?"

"Shh," came a voice from behind her back, making her jump in surprise. She spun around to see Fiyero, with a kitchen apron tied around his neck, grin smugly at his successful attempt to startle her. "Keep your voice down, Fae. Think about the kids!"

Elphaba rolled her eyes. Sweet Oz, give me patience for this man.

"I told you to stop calling them that," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "It wasn't funny to begin with, and it's just gotten downhill from there."

"I disagree. I think it was hilarious that time when Glinda first heard me say it."

"You mean when she almost had a heart attack before she understood you were talking about my cacti?"

"That's exactly what I mean." He grinned and kissed her quickly before moving back to the kitchen, where she soon joined him, carrying the grocery bags, then looking through the pile of letters she'd picked up from their mailbox.

"Oh, this one's from Munchkinland," she said, looking at the address on one of the envelopes.

"Nessa?" Fiyero guessed, fighting the sticky bowl of dough he'd been trying to knead; and Elphaba confirmed.

"Mind if I read it aloud?" she asked, opening the envelope.

Dear Fabala (and Fiyero, probably),

Things have really been busy here in Munchkinland, but I can't complain. The house would feel very lonely if I lived here on my own, but as it is, there's hardly ever a quiet moment around here! We just got a few new students the other day and we've been helping them get adjusted to their new home. Some of the older kids helped organize an orientation day and Doctor Dillamond is positive that in just a few weeks, they will be ready to go out into the world as fully adjusted, properly speaking Animals. I'm so incredibly proud of the progress they have made, and I know you would be, too.

Once again, I have to thank you for those enchanted shoes. Of course, it's still exhausting for me to move around a lot, and I often have to use my chair, but I can't describe how fantastic it feels to be able to walk up and down the stairs on my own. I'm so lucky to have good friends here who have been incredibly patient and caring while helping me through my first steps.

As you probably already know, Boq has been preparing himself to run for the Munchkinland Council. I know he's very self-conscious, but I'm already predicting it – within the next ten years, we will start calling him 'Governor'!

I hope things in the Emerald City are looking well. Have you and Shilah made any progress deciphering that spell you've told me about? (Glinda has complained to me that you're both working on it tirelessly, and I would assume she was exaggerating, if not for the fact that I know you both too well.) And how are you enjoying your new home? It sounded lovely from your description, I can't wait to see it for myself next month! (I also can't wait to try Fiyero's famous strawberry cake…)

Please let me know how you're doing and give my best to all our friends in the City. I have been asked to send you warm hugs from Doctor Dillamond, Meyla and Ariel, and I'll be bold enough to add one from me as well.

Take care, both of you, and see you soon!

Love,

Nessa

"Well," Fiyero said, still fighting the stubborn dough. "If I don't figure out how to alter the recipe to make this thing less sticky, I doubt I'll ever have the patience to bake my famous strawberry cake. Not even for Nessa."

Elphaba chuckled, wrapping her arms around him from behind and kissing him on the shoulder; which made him freeze for a few seconds.

"What was that for?"

"Nothing," she said, hugging her cheek to his back. "I just love you."

He turned around and watched her for a moment before leaning down to return the confession nonverbally; but Elphaba stepped away from him with a self-satisfied little smile.

"Baking first, kissing later," she said, pointing a finger at him. "Glinda will be here in barely over an hour, and we both know she mostly comes here for the tea and cake."

As she walked out of the kitchen, she heard Fiyero mutter under his breath:

"An hour in your time. That's at least three hours in Glinda time."

Elphaba chuckled, shaking her head, but decided not to take the bait. Truthfully, she was prepared for Glinda to be late, but she knew not to blame her best friend for her tardiness. With a whole country to run, it was a miracle that she was still able to find time for a weekly get-together with her friends.

She walked into the living room and picked up a broom, about to sweep the floor, when her eyes fell on the photo album standing on the shelf. She'd looked through the pictures a thousand times, but each time she did, she couldn't help a smile as her heart started to beat just a little faster with each photo. Her sitting in front of a mirror, with Glinda brushing through her long dark hair. Her and Nessa embracing, both teary-eyed. Fiyero, looking excited but nervous, talking to Rohan, his proud best man. Boq and Vaan chatting to Doctor Dillamond, with Meyla listening curiously. Glinda, in a stunning crimson dress, tip-toeing to straighten up Shilah's tie. Nessa showing off her wheelchair to Safiya and Zefiyr. Mrs. Upland pressing her hands to her mouth in admiration of Elphaba's lacey white gown; and Queen Fiyalla helping her put on a veil. Fiyero's father smiling proudly at his son. Ariel shyly handing Elphaba a bouquet of bright red poppies. And finally Elphaba and Fiyero, standing hand in hand, glancing at each other pure, unadulterated joy in their eyes.

For the longest time, everybody looked at me, but nobody saw me, Fiyero had said in his vows. I tried to convince myself that I was happy, and though I knew that wasn't true, I didn't realize just how empty my life had been before you entered it. You were the first person who truly saw me. You taught me about being selfless and compassionate and loving, you helped me become a better version of myself, and you saved my life in more ways than you'll ever know. Every day is meaningful as long as I get to spend even the tiniest part of it with you. You are the love of my life and my heart belongs to you, and only you. And even though I know I'm not allowed to call you a princess, you should know that I will always see you as my queen.

She had been entirely choked up by the time it came to her own vows; and perhaps it was because of how much she'd struggled to get the words out that she could still remember every single one. I used to believe that no one could ever love me, so I never even bothered trying to be loved. But somehow, you still fell in love with me, and that is the greatest miracle of my life; a miracle that I will never not be grateful for. I was told that the name 'Fiyero' translates to 'a steadfast believer', and I could not think of a name better suited to you. You have always believed in me, and even when it felt like the whole world was against me, you never lost faith, never stopped seeing the best in me. You are my anchor, my soulmate, my prince charming. Tyé tá'ai k'allame é kyé ámia't q'raíh. For those present who don't speak Vinkun – you should learn Vinkun.

"Fae?" Fiyero's voice startled her back to the present. "You're not thinking of flying away again, are you?"

"Huh?" She blinked in confusion before realizing she was still holding the broom. She chuckled. "Oh. No, I'm just… I went on a little trip down memory lane."

Fiyero stepped closer to her, peeking over her shoulder and smiling at the sight of the photo album she was holding.

"I still can't believe you married me," he whispered, his lips close to her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck. "Fortune does favor fools, it seems."

"I can't believe you married me." She turned around and looked him in the eyes. "I didn't think I could ever be happy, and I certainly never imagined being as happy as you've made me."

Fiyero tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, tenderly stroking her cheek. He could never get enough of how soft her skin felt underneath his fingers; of the way her dark eyes, usually so sharp and piercing, softened whenever he looked into them; of the subtle smile on her lips that he knew was reserved for him only.

"I'm all done with the cake," he hummed and the corner of his lips curled upwards. "May I tell you that I love you now?"

Elphaba smiled, her heart beating joyfully. It made her feel like she was flying, but it was a different kind of flight. She was not fleeing anymore; not running away, not hiding. She was just floating the slightest bit above the ground, feeling light and safe and content.

"You may," she said, reaching up and clasping her hands on the back of his neck, to which he leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers. "But you may also show me. If you want."

I think it's safe to say there is a future for us as a pair, after all, she thought as he leaned down to kiss her fiercely; and she kissed him back.

And what a beautiful future it's going to be.

That's it, everyone! That's the end of this story; the longest piece I've ever written and certainly the longest one I've written in a foreign language. Is it the best story in the world? Definitely not, but I've battled my crippling perfectionism and actually finished it, which I'm very, very proud of and very happy about.

I want to thank you all so, so much for sticking with me through this story and encouraging me with your kind words. Special thanks to Fae'sFlower for leaving lovely comments under each chapter, they really meant a lot to me. I couldn't have done it without you!

And lastly, if you enjoyed this story - stay tuned! There's another fluffy Fiyeraba heading your way very, very soon! :)