Chapter 28

The Wizard and Madam Morrible were talking quietly when Elphaba and Fiyero entered. Madam Morrible gasped in surprise when she noticed them. Standing with his back to them, the Wizard didn't notice them right away, but as he turned, he was as surprised to see them there as Morrible was.

"Elphaba," he said.

She nodded in return, grasping Fiyero's hand for support. She knew he wouldn't go anywhere anyway, but it made her feel protected. She acknowledged Madam Morrible with a cold look. "Madam Morrible."

"Elphaba," said Madam Morrible, obviously relieved to see her safe and sound.

"We are on our way to the press conference in the city's square," said Elphaba, "but we have to discuss something first."

The Wizard looked at his daughter with interest. "Go ahead, speak, we're listening."

"First of all, people are going to ask what happened, who did this. What are we supposed to tell them? Should we tell them that Luke is your son? That I am your daughter? Not everyone knows that, you know." The Wizard nodded. "And then there is what you told Fiyero earlier this morning, about going away."

"You should do whatever you think is right," the Wizard replied calmly.

"What is right is putting your son behind bars for what he did to her," Fiyero interjected. Elphaba shot him a warning glare. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Well, I have given that a lot of thought," she continued. "And this is what I think I should do. I'll send you back, all of you, on one condition." She ignored Fiyero's protesting expression. He didn't dare say anything.

"Which is?" asked the Wizard.

"You must promise me you'll never come back here again." The Wizard was about to protest. She raised her hand to quiet him. "I know what you want to say. I understand your regret and your need to restore our relationship. I can honestly tell you that I would like that. I would like, for once in my life, to know the feeling of having a father. I want my daughter to have a grandfather, as she deserves, but it is not possible. Not in Oz. I will not order Luke's imprisonment, and I will let you go," she said, referring to Morrible, "but you must give me your word."

It took him a while, but then the Wizard looked up at her sadly and said, "You are making me choose between two parts of my family."

"I think you should consider yourself lucky that you have the ability to choose," was Elphaba's soft reply. For a moment, there was complete silence in the small room. "It's up to you now. I won't take any offence, quite the opposite, because I don't know if I will ever be able to accept you… the way you want me to," she added quietly. "I do think the right thing to do is to go our separate ways. You'll start your new life with your new family, and I'll continue mine."

Hearing that from her, it sounded so simple, yet could he agree to that, when he had just gotten his second chance with her? He shook his head. "I'll have to think about it."

"I understand." Fiyero gave her hand a small squeeze, as if reminding her of the time. "We should get going. We are running late already."

"Will you tell them the truth?" asked Madam Morrible.

"I'll tell them what they need to know," Elphaba replied. "That I was taken by people who resisted my return and believed I was wicked, as you once led them to believe," she looked at her with such a way that Morrible knew that Elphaba would never forgive her. She understood her perfectly. "I'll tell them that the chief sent his officers to search outside of the Emerald City, and that is how they got to me. The rest of it is just unnecessary gossip."

"We have to go now, Fae," said Fiyero quietly.

She nodded. "I trust I'll see you at home later?" she asked her father. He nodded. "Fine. Then you'll tell me your decision then."

"I will."

Elphaba said nothing more. She looked at them once more before she followed Fiyero outside of the room.

"Fellow Ozians," started Glinda. The cheers and roars stopped at once. Everyone stared at her with tensed anticipation. "As you well know, today is a day of joy and celebration. Once again we learned about the existence of good in our world. It returned our beloved Wizard of Oz," she said and motioned towards Elphaba, who joined her on the podium.

Everyone cheered and screamed with enthusiasm, yet she felt so uncomfortable just standing there. Glancing at Glinda, Elphaba could see how it suited her blonde friend. She seemed as if she was born to always be in the spotlight. Elphaba was amazed at how at ease Glinda seemed to be.

Glinda nudged her arm, and she realized that she should answer the citizens' questions. She told them what she could, which was mostly the truth. Loyal to her promise, she mentioned nothing about her being the former Wizard's daughter, or Luke being his son. As she had promised, she told them everything they needed to know; nothing more, nothing less. And she was satisfied with her answers. She felt relieved when Glinda raised her hand and declared that there would be no more questions. Still, she felt certain things still had to be said.

"I just want to add, before you go," she started. "I want to thank you all. I've heard that you were great help and support to my family and friends, and I wanted to thank you. I truly hope that from now on we will never have to bother ourselves with wickedness of that sort. I promise to all of you that Glinda and I will do everything we can to prevent it," she concluded.

"Go on to your homes now," added Glinda. "I hope to see you all in the last party of the spring fair in three days. Have a good night, and may Oz be with all of us," she ended, and as she always did at the end of her speeches, she blew a kiss towards the crowd and then made her way down the podium, holding Elphaba's hand tightly.

The rocking chair moved slowly, lulling Elphaba to sleep. It was a long day, and it was not over yet, since her father still didn't have an answer for her. She waited in Dawn's room to complete their night ritual, but it seemed as if her bath was taking longer than usual.

Finally, the door opened. Elphaba opened her eyes and couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Fiyero carrying Dawn on his back. Her exhaustion seemed to fade away in an instant.

"What in Oz?" she asked, standing up.

"I'm a sugar sack!" Dawn called through a fit of giggles.

"And I am your faithful slave, your Ozness," said Fiyero, bowing as lowly as he possibly could with Dawn's extra-weight on his back. "Where do you want that sack?"

Elphaba laughed. "In bed, where small children her age should be at this late hour."

"No small!" protested Dawn as Fiyero lowered her down on her bed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, baby, I forgot. You are four and a day, you're a big girl now," smiled Elphaba and got the child's hairbrush from her nightstand. It seemed to satisfy Dawn, who smiled back.

"Right," she said. "Daddy go?"

Elphaba shook her head. "No, he is staying."

"Is he?" asked Fiyero, surprised. "Even though he is soaked?"

"On second thought, maybe daddy has to go change first," Elphaba said, glancing at Fiyero. "I'll meet you downstairs after I'll put this little one to bed."

Fiyero nodded. "Your wish is my command. Good night, baby," he said and kissed Dawn on the top of her head.

"Night, daddy."

"And I'll see you in a bit," he winked at Elphaba and left the room. Elphaba chuckled, then turned her attention to the mission in hand. Fortunately, Dawn always became sleepy when someone brushed her hair, so she fell asleep in no time. Elphaba checked that her daughter's room was safe before she left it and went downstairs.

Fiyero was alone in the library when she entered the room. He was reading the evening newspaper but raised his head as she came in. A slow smile appeared on his face. She smiled back.

"Hey," she said and sat in a safe distance from him. "Where are Boq and Glinda?"

"Still with Dyre upstairs. How's Dawn?"

"I believe that she's dreaming already."

There was a moment of silence, when Fiyero suddenly realized she was sitting as far away from him as she possibly could. He smirked. "Will it kill you to sit a little closer?"

"It might, if you haven't changed your wet clothes," she retorted, but came closer anyway. She leaned her head on his shoulder and yawned. The room was warm thanks to the burning logs in the fireplace. The rain had stopped, yet the nights continued to be somewhat chilly.

"Tired?" he asked the obvious.

"Exhausted. I could fall asleep right here." She wasn't even aware of the real meaning of what she had just said until she saw Fiyero frown at her.

"I'm glad I have such an effect on you, you seem to fall asleep every time I'm around…" he teased.

Elphaba chuckled. "Yes, I guess you do have this effect on me."

"That one broke my heart," he declared in mocked offence. "Not only that you are falling asleep in my presence, you also insult me?"

Elphaba laughed. "I'm too tired to argue with you right now, Yero." She closed her eyes.

"Do you want me to take you upstairs? I can carry you on my back, too," he suggested.

"No, I'm fine where I am," she said, looking up at him. He had a wide, stupid grin on his face. She shot him a questioning look. "What?"

"Nothing," he whispered before he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.

They were interrupted by a hesitant cough from the threshold. The Wizard stood there, an embarrassed yet amused expression on his face. "I'm sorry to barge in."

"That's okay," said Elphaba as she got off Fiyero's lap. She grinned sheepishly at him. He was actually blushing, which widened her grin.

"Sorry about that, sir," said Fiyero.

The Wizard sat on the armchair facing the two of them. "The reason I'm here is-"

"Do you have an answer for me?" asked Elphaba. "Did you make your choice?"

It seemed like an eternity had passed before the Wizard slowly nodded. "Yes. Yes, I made my choice."