Reminders

Summary: Post-musical. Elphaba is feeling really down in her seventh month of pregnancy. Luckily, Fiyero is there to give her any reminders she may need.

Rating: High T

Inspiration: a friend made the question to her boyfriend of "will you still love me even when I'm fat?" when they found out they were having a baby.

It wasn't bad. Or, not that bad, she tried to tell herself. So what if her ankles were swollen? And her face a little bit too. And her breasts. And she couldn't see her feet because her stomach-

Oh, who was she kidding? It was bad.

Elphaba wasn't really one to look at herself in the mirror much, especially in the more recent months of her pregnancy. But when she was about to exit the bathroom from having just taken a shower to get dressed, she couldn't help but stare at the large amount of green that she saw in the mirror. She knew she had been getting big, but Lurline, she was huge.

She set the towel that was in her hands beside the sink and turned sideways to look at her profile. Her eyes widened. Oh my Oz. She had always been naturally thin, maybe she got that from her mother, but now she looked like the whole Emerald City could be living inside of her stomach. Truly seeing just how big her belly was shocked her, as if she didn't already feel bad before.

Is that how people saw her when she walked around the town with Fiyero? Is that how Fiyero saw her?

Her thoughts then went to him. Did he still find her beautiful? She certainly didn't feel beautiful. She'd always wanted to be, first for herself then later on for him. Somehow, he had fallen in love with her, green skin and all. And slowly, she started to not only believe him whenever he called her beautiful, but also feel like she was. That she didn't need to change at all.

She scoffed. That progress had certainly gone down the drain recently. Elphaba rubbed her belly. She didn't blame the babies, they needed the room as they grew, but it didn't really help her already low self-esteem. She frowned as her eyes looked over her reflection. Fiyero couldn't possibly think she was even remotely pretty right now. All the stretch marks, the swelling; and as if being green didn't already attract enough attention, now she took up more space for people to stare at. Of course he didn't think she was pretty, that's why it's been a little while since they'd made love.

There was no way they could if he wasn't even attracted to her.

Tears stung her eyes but she held them back. She started to make a plan in her head. As soon as their twins were born, she'd start exercising and stop giving into cravings. Maybe stop wearing the casual, loose clothes she usually wore; even before she had gotten pregnant; and wear something more...out there. Do what she could to get back into shape and seem at least ok to look at and maybe, just maybe, Fiyero would see the girl he had-for whatever reason-fallen for back at Shiz. Someone he would be proud to have in his arm whenever they walked around town.

Elphaba was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't hear her husband call her name or walk into the bedroom. She only realized he was home when she looked up from looking at her belly in the mirror and saw that he was standing behind her at the doorway of the bathroom.

She felt a pang of shame in her chest. Please don't look at me.

She wanted to grab her towel, but she was too frozen in embarrassment. She made eye contact with Fiyero through the mirror, but couldn't really read his expression.

She swallowed, looked down, and pursed her lips. Tears began to sting her eyes again. "I know," she whispered. I'm sorry.

She rubbed her stomach, as if by magic it would shrink at least a little bit and the dark green lines around it would vanish. She heard his footsteps come closer and she tensed slightly, preparing herself for anything. Him looking away in disgust; him asking her to cover herself up; him reprimanding her, wondering where the woman he'd met at Shiz went. Anything but what came out of his mouth.

"My gorgeous loves. All three of you," Fiyero smiled and wrapped his arms around her, making sure his touch was gentle and not squeezing her too hard. His hands felt cold compared to her warm body. Elphaba looked down, he was just being modest.

Fiyero loved Elphaba so much. His love, his green girl, his princess, the mother of his children. He loved her more than anything and knew her better than anyone else. Which is why he knew something was wrong. He treaded carefully, not wanting to get on the wrong side of her hormones.

"You ok?" He massaged her shoulders and kissed the back of her head, still staring at her through the mirror.

Elphaba met his eyes through the mirror, she couldn't hold back her tears. As they rolled down her cheeks, she shook her head. Fiyero frowned and stepped in front of her, blocking her view of her reflection.

"Hey," he whispered then kissed her forehead. The attempt to soothe her had just made more tears spill from her eyes. He was worried, scared. Had something happened while he had been at work? There was something she wasn't telling him. He pulled away to examine her body for any bruises or cuts, anything that could indicate to him that she had hurt herself physically, but found nothing.

"Don't, Yero," she whispered, shutting her eyes tightly when he was about to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Elphaba, you're scaring me," he lifted her head and waited until she opened her eyes to speak again, "love, what's the matter?" he pleaded. Fiyero hated to see Elphaba sad, it hurt him more than anything else ever could.

Elphaba couldn't stop her tears. She felt selfish. Selfish for wanting to be reassured that Fiyero still thought her pretty and loved her and always would. She debated on whether or not to tell him what was wrong, but she could see in his eyes how much she was worrying him right now, so she spoke.

"I...I don't feel-" she let out a choked sob, breaking Fiyero's heart.

"Sh," he cupped her cheek and pulled her as close as he could with her belly in the way. He sweetly kissed her temple over and over, trying to calm her down not just for her sake, but the babies as well.

"I," she tried again, "I don't feel pretty."

He frowned but didn't say anything, letting her voice her thoughts completely before he spoke up.

"It's just-" she shook her head and he held her arms, her trembling hands rested on his chest, "I knew I was getting big, but I just never realized how much. And I…I don't feel beautiful. At all. I haven't for a while. And I just…I'm sorry…that I'm not the same person you met back at Shiz. And I know it's been a while since…" she bit her lip and gripped his shirt tighter. She breathed deeply. "I swear to you I'll try, I'll try to be at least a little pretty after-"

"Stop," his voice was deep and there was a slight growl from the back of his throat.

Fiyero hugged her as tight as he could and placed his chin on top of her head, calming himself down. He hated, loathed, when Elphaba thought so lowly of herself. He wasn't angry at her, he didn't think he could ever be angry at her; two decades of living with her father caused her to think this way.

He was angry at himself. He should have noticed sooner. But for now, he'd remind her of how much he loved her and how beautiful she was, he'd do so without complaint as many times as he needed to.

He kissed her brow; nuzzled her cheek; and lifted her gaze to him, looking into her dark, brown eyes. "I'm going to address everything, alright?" Fiyero caressed her face with his knuckles and wiped the tears that kept escaping her eyes.

She nodded softly and he pressed another kiss to her forehead, wiping the last of her tears with his thumbs before continuing.

"I love you, Elphaba. I fell in love with all of you; meaning it's not just about your looks; my sarcastic, kind, sweet, green girl. You're pregnant, with two babies, it's only natural you'd go through some changes. Thank you for carrying our children, and no matter what," Fiyero rubbed her nose with his, "you are and always will be the most beautiful woman in the world," he pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek. "Now, last time we made love you seemed uncomfortable. I figured you didn't want to for now because of the belly. Now I realize that wasn't the case at all. I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened and she gripped his shoulders. "For what?"

"For not realizing it sooner, I should've noticed you were feeling this way. But Elphaba," he cupped her cheeks with his hands, "I need you to talk to me about these things. You have before, don't stop now," his voice dropped to a whisper and he leaned in slowly.

Elphaba closed her eyes and felt his lips press against hers. She sighed as he kissed her, cupping his cheek while he caressed her shoulders, sending shivers down her body.

"Can I show you how much I love you?" Fiyero asked, kissing the corner of her mouth.

He moved behind her and gently pressed her body to his. Elphaba gasped softly when he pressed wet kisses on her neck and felt his arousal against her back, undeniable proof that he liked what he saw.

She was so tempted to just say yes without question, but…"You want to make love to a green balloon?"

He decided to ignore that comment and stepped in front of her again. "I want to make love to my beautiful wife," she hummed as he drew her in for another kiss.

"I just showered," Elphaba smiled softly, finally feeling like herself again.

Fiyero beamed at seeing her smile. "You'll shower again. I'll join you this time."

She laughed, kissed him again, then nodded softly. They kissed deeply before moving to the bedroom.

He helped her sit on the bed and sat in front of her, kissing her soft, warm lips. His hands traveled from her cheeks; to her shoulders; to her stomach; and parked there, smiling at the flutters of movement the babies were making. Elphaba placed her hands on top of his and he pulled away.

"My wife, carrying our two little miracles; how could it not be the most beautiful sight in this world?" Fiyero whispered against her mouth.

Oz, how she loved him. "I love you."

"Love, please believe me when I say you're beautiful and that I love you; no matter what, I always will," he said, connecting his lips to hers and removing his clothes.

He showed her with his body how much he meant his words.

"I love you, Fae," Fiyero whispered after they'd both reached climax for the second time.

Elphaba leaned down and kissed him softly. "I love you too, Yero."

After a couple minutes of lying in bed together, he sat up, gently helping Elphaba to sit up as well. Fiyero filled the tub in the bathroom then went back to the bedroom.

"Come," he gently helped her stand up, kissing her again before he led her to the bathroom.

She used him to support herself as she stepped into the bathtub and sat down. He placed himself behind her, allowing her to be in between his legs and rest her back comfortably against his chest.

"You ok?" Fiyero repeated the question he'd asked her earlier.

He pecked her cheek and kneaded body, touching her softly so she would be comfy and relaxed.

"Mm," she sighed and turned her head to kiss him. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine."

They smiled at each other and kissed softly.

There was no place she'd rather be. Warm water, her wonderful husband's arms around her, their babies. Elphaba couldn't ask for more.

Ngl, I cried writing this because I sympathize with Elphaba. I've never been pregnant (I'm too young haha) but I think almost everyone can relate to not feeling confident/beautiful in their own skin at times. R&R :)