The Emerald Woman and the Little Star
Chapter Fifteen
Down the lane a carriage was headed towards the castle inside sat Mrs Hunter and two gale force officers it had been along stressful day in court but Mrs Hunter finally had what she needed to get Alice away from the Tiggular's and to her new family to be frank she hadn't wanted to give her to the Tiggular's in the first place but she hadn't had a choice when the last couple had called her at their wits end demanding that she come and get the little girl. Looking at her watch she saw it was almost two in the morning.
The carriage pulled up outside the castle, sighing she got out of the carriage the documents in her hand and knocked loudly on the door.
Up in the master bedroom Elphaba and Fiyero were fast asleep wrapped in each other's arms, Elphaba was jolted awake by a banging noise she sat up disturbing Fiyero in the process.
"Fae whatsss up" said Fiyero his voice thick with sleep.
"I think someone is banging on the front door Yero" said Elphaba. Another bang sounded then Elphaba heard a cry from down the hall. "Fantastic now who ever it is has woken Alice up"
"It's ok Fae you go to Alice I'll go and see who's at the door" said Fiyero he got out of bed and pulled on his shorts and dressing gown while Elphaba pulled her knickers and night gown on. The two of them headed out of the bedroom and down the hall. Elphaba stopped at the little girl's door while Fiyero continued down the stairs.
On entering the little girl's room Elphaba found her sitting up in bed tears streaming down her face she walked over to the bed and sat beside her.
"Hey little girl it's ok it's just someone at the door baby" said Elphaba she pulled the little girl into her arms and rocked her from side to side. After a few minutes the little girl started to quieten down a second or two later Elphaba heard her start to softly snore she then gently laid her back into bed and tucked her in then gave her a light kiss before leaving the room, closing the door gently behind her.
Downstairs Fiyero was sat in the sitting room, Mrs Hunter was sat opposite him and inpatient look on her face as she waited for Fiyero to read the documents she had given him he had just finished the last one when Elphaba entered the room and was confused when she saw Mrs Hunter.
"Fiyero what's going on" said Elphaba sitting down beside him. Fiyero looked up at her tears in his eyes.
"She's come for Alice, Fae she's taking her away from us" said Fiyero.
Elphaba started to shake tears filling her own dark eyes she turned to Mrs Hunter with fire burning behind her eyes.
"Why Fiyero told you we are going to adopt her, his fathers legal time are drawing up the papers they will be ready in a day or two" said Elphaba trying to keep the anger that was building up inside her at bay.
"I'm sorry Mrs Tiggular as I have explained to your husband I feel that Alice would be better off with a couple that has more experience dealing with traumatised children, I wouldn't fret there are dozens of children that you and your husband will be able to give a great home too but Alice is a special case that needs special treatment" said Mrs Hunter "Now it's very late and I need to get Alice to her new home which room is she in"
Elphaba rounded on the woman practically shot fire balls at her with her eyes.
"It's doesn't matter because you are not taking her anywhere she's staying here with Fiyero and I and that's final" said Elphaba venom in her voice.
Fiyero turned to Elphaba and took hold of her hands swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat he handed her the documents.
"I'm so sorry Fae but this is a court order signed by one of the highest judges in the Vinkus" said Fiyero "we have to give her up".
Elphaba looked at him her eyes pleading "No Yero Never I'm not giving her up please don't let them take her away from me" tears started to pour down Elphaba's cheeks.
Mrs Hunter looked at her watch sighing it was now nearly three o clock "Mrs Tiggular if you don't hand over the little girl I will be forced to bring in the two gale force officers I have waiting outside and they will remove her by any means necessary"
Elphaba glared at the woman fire in her eyes "YOU ARE NOT TAKING MY CHILD AWAY FROM ME OVER MY DEAD BODY" she stood up and bolted from the room. Fiyero dropped the documents down on to the coffee table and took off after Elphaba he found her in Alice's room she had scooped the sleeping child into her arms and wrapped a blanket around her.
"Fae what are you doing" said Fiyero as he watched Elphaba grab the little girl's rag doll from the bed.
"I have to get her out of here Yero I can not and will not let them take her away from me" said Elphaba tears pouring down her cheeks.
"Oh Fae I don't want to loose her either but we have to comply with the court order or we will both end up in south stairs" said Fiyero "Come on give her to me"
Elphaba ignored him and tried to push past him to get out of the room but he put his arm across the door blocking her way.
"move Yero please I have to get Alice some where safe" said Elphaba holding the little girl close to her.
Fiyero stayed standing next to the door he gently put his hands on Elphaba's shoulders and turned her to face him.
"Fae please don't make this worse than it has to be we have to give her up by I promise you I will do all I can to get her back" said Fiyero "come on hand her to me"
Elphaba looked at the little girl who was fast asleep in her arms then back to Fiyero she shook her head at him her eyes pleading.
"Please Yero don't let them take her please" said Elphaba.
"I'm sorry Fae but we don't have a choice I'm as heart broken as you are sweetheart" said Fiyero "but we can't go against the judge darling, let me take her Fae"
Elphaba shook her head and tightened her grip on the little girl "I can't Yero".
Just then Mrs Hunter appeared outside the door the two gale force officers behind her she looked at the little girl in Elphaba's arms and sighed she walked into the room and over to where Elphaba was standing.
"Mrs Tiggular I must insist you hand her to me now or these two officers are going to remove her from your arms the choice is yours" said Mrs Hunter.
Elphaba looked at Fiyero silently pleading with him to help her, he slowly stepped in between her and Mrs Hunter.
"Fae come on darling you have to let her go" said Fiyero he gently put his hands on to the little girl and lifted her out of Elphaba's arms as he did so the little girl woke up she looked around blinking spotting Elphaba she held her arms out to her.
"Elphie" said Alice still half asleep. Elphaba tried to take the little girl back off of Fiyero but he put one of his hands out.
"No Fae don't it will only make it harder for you" said Fiyero he then tried to hand little girl to Mrs Hunter as he did so the little girl started to cry and Elphaba snapped she reached out and tried to take the little girl back off of Fiyero but he put one of his hands on her arm "No Fae don't"
Mrs Hunter took the little girl but Alice started screaming.
"Elphieee I want my Elphie" screamed the little girl as Mrs Hunter carried her out of the room and down the hall. Elphaba tried to follow but Fiyero put his arms around her middle and pulled her back.
"Yero let me go please" sobbed Elphaba fighting against his grip but Fiyero held her tight rocking her in his arms.
"I'm sorry Fae I'm so sorry" said Fiyero as she bawled in his arms.
"Fiyero she needs me I'm her mother" howled Elphaba she broke free of his grip and bolted down the hall then down the stairs Fiyero hot on her heels when he caught up to her she was standing in the front door way howling as she watched the carriage disappearing around the corner he reached out his hand and tried to put it on her shoulder but she rounded on him.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT HOW COULD YOU LET THEM TAKE HER" shouted Elphaba between sobs then she bolted up the stairs, down the hall and into the master bedroom she waved a hand at the golden cabinet and the doors sprung open she grabbed the raven black dress and quickly put it on followed by the black cape and pointed hat she grabbed her broomstick and put it between her legs she was about to take off out of the open bedroom window when she felt a pair of hands grab her round the waist.
"Fiyero get off of me" said Elphaba fighting against his grip "I have to get my little girl she needs me will you let go of me"
"No Fae you can't do this I promise I will contact my father and his legal team first thing in the morning but I can't let you go after them" said Fiyero.
Elphaba threw her elbow back still fighting to get out of Fiyero's grip and almost smacked him in the face, Fiyero adjusted his arms so he had pinned Elphaba's arms to her sides and she screamed at him, green sparks shot round the room and objects began to float.
"Fae calm down before you hurt yourself come on darling" said Fiyero. He lifted Elphaba into his arms and carried her over to the bed her hat falling off in the process still kicking and screaming at him to let her go he managed to lay them both down on the bed Elphaba still in his arms she had stopped fighting him and started sobbing instead still pleading with him to let her go he rocked her back and forth in his arms and started to sing softly into her ear.
Kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I need help believing
You're with me tonight
My wildest dreamings
Could not foresee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me
Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance
And crossed some borderline
And if it turns out
It's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine
Maybe I'm brainless
Maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing
Through different eyes
Somehow I've fallen
Under your spell
And somehow I'm feeling
It's up that I fell
Every moment
As long as you're mine
I'll wake up my body
And make up for lost time
Say there's no future
For us as pair
And though I may know
I don't care
Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
Come be how you want to
And see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonlight
Until it's through
And I'll know I'll be here holding you
As long as you're mine.
By the time he had finished the song Elphaba had fallen asleep still softly whimpering, Fiyero stroked the top of her head then gently got off the bed he picked up Elphaba's broomstick and hat from the floor and put them back into the gold cabinet, grabbing her night gown he made his way around to her side of the bed thanking Oz she was still facing his side of the bed he gently unzipped her black dress and slipped it off of her then put her night gown back on before tucking the covers over her. He hung the dress and cape back inside the cabinet then flicked the light off before getting back into bed and wrapping his arms around Elphaba he buried his nose into her hair and began to sob he hated seeing Elphaba so heart broken he fell asleep his nose still buried in her hair.
The next morning when he woke the first thing he noticed was the headache that was thumping behind his eyes he sat up looking at the clock the red numbers flashed nine am at him blinking he turned to face Elphaba's side of the bed only to find she wasn't there. Panic started to build up inside him he he flew out of bed almost tripping over the duvet cover in his hurry he opened the gold cabinet and relaxed a little when he saw her broomstick still inside closing the cabinet again he left the bedroom and headed down the hall to Alice's bedroom he quietly opened the door and there on the bed was Elphaba she was facing away from him with one of Alice's teddies clutched to her chest.
"Get out"
Fiyero jumped at the sound of her voice he had assumed she was still asleep he walked around the bed so he could see her face when he did his heart broke even more than it already was dried tears stained her cheeks her brown eyes had a red tinge.
"Oh Fae" said Fiyero he tried to sit down on the bed beside her but she exploded at him.
"I SAID GET OUT OF MY LITTLE GIRLS BEDROOM GET OUT BEFORE I THROW YOU OUT" Elphaba screamed at him.
"Fae please I know you are hurting I'm hurting too I love that little girl just as much as you do" said Fiyero.
Elphaba got up off the bed her eyes full of venom "IF YOU LOVE HER WHY DID YOU GIVE HER UP"
"We didn't have a choice Fae do you want to end up in south stairs" said Fiyero.
There conversation was interrupted by Mary Ellen appearing in the door she had something in her hand.
"Sorry Sir Madame but I found this on the path on my way in and I know how upset the little one gets if she can't find it" said Mary Ellen she held the object out to Elphaba it was the little girl's rag doll the green woman took it and burst into tears again.
"Come here Fae" said Fiyero he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms and she sobbed into his chest.
"I want my baby back back Yero" sobbed Elphaba.
"So do I Fae so do I" said Fiyero he held her close until she pulled away from him.
"I'm going to go and have a shower, go and phone your father Yero and get out little girl back" said Elphaba she kissed his cheek and left the room.
By the time Elphaba had finished in the shower and got dressed Fiyero had spoken to his father and he was furious he had promised Fiyero that he would get his legal team on to it and have the little girl back with him and Elphaba by tea time he was so happy he left his office and went off in search of Elphaba he found her in Alice's room packing the little girl's clothes into a bag.
"Fae what are you doing" said Fiyero as she stuffed the rag doll into the bag.
"I'm going to get my baby then we are going far away where they can't find us" said Elphaba packing a few more of the little girl clothes and toys into the bag.
"Fae listen to me you don't have to I've been on the phone with my father he has his legal team on the case and he said he will have Alice back with us by tea time" said Fiyero.
Elphaba froze on the spot and blinked at him then she slowly started to smile "what"
"You heard me Fae we will have our little girl back by tea time" said Fiyero.
Elphaba threw herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck almost squeezing the breath out of him "Oh Yero"
The two of them stood hugging for a few minutes then the phone rang making both of them jump.
"That will be my father with good news hopefully" said Fiyero and he dashed off to answer the phone. He came back a few minutes later a huge smile on his face. "She's ours Fae ours forever fathers legal team got the court order over turned and out adoption paper work has be stamped by the judge all we have to do is go and get her"
"Oh Yero" said Elphaba she threw her arms around his neck and started to sob "Thank you".
Fiyero kissed the top of Elphaba's head "Thank me later but right now we need to go and get our little girl"
A short while later Elphaba and Fiyero were in the carriage on their way to the other side of town to where their little girl was, Elphaba sat holding the little girl's rag doll and tapping her foot nervously. Fiyero reached out and put his hand on her knee stilling her leg.
"Not long now Fae" said Fiyero as the carriage turned a corner and into a narrow lane a few minutes later it pulled up outside a small cottage. The two of them got out and walked up to the front door as they reached it Elphaba could hear a familiar screaming coming from inside the cottage she rang the door bell and after a few seconds it was opened by a short blonde haired man.
"Can I help you" said the man his eyes fixed on Elphaba
"We have come for Alice" said Elphaba
"Oh you had better come in" said the man "I'm Colby Alice is in the sitting room my wife Mary is trying to change her nappy"
Elphaba stopped for a moment and looked at him "did you say nappy why is she in a nappy"
Colby sighed and turned to her "because I got sick of her peeing on my carpets so Mary put her in a nappy but she won't let us change it she's been in it since she got here at stupid o clock this morning"
Elphaba was furious she turned to Colby fire in her eyes "you mean to tell me that my daughter has been in a dirty nappy since about four this morning and it's now past noon"
"Well it's the little brats own fault if she would just lay still and let us change her but no she has spent the whole time screaming and asking for Elphie" said Colby
Elphaba was livid she glared at Colby and was about to yell at him when Alice came running into the hall the little girl was half dressed in her pyjama top and the only thing on her bottom half was the nappy which was so wet it hung limply between her legs she stopped when she saw Elphaba then after a second she ran at her.
"Elphieeeeeeeeeeeeee" said Alice.
"Come here baby" said Elphaba she scooped the little girl up and held her close "it's ok baby I'm here I've got you"
The little girl gripped on to Elphaba's coat with a death hold "want to go home with you Elphie"
"Oh baby you are sweetheart" said Elphaba still holding the little girl close to her after a second Alice pulled away and looked at her.
"Elphie take nappy off please" said Alice tears in her eyes "don't like it"
"Of course I will baby" said Elphaba she carried Alice into the small sitting room where a dark hair woman sat running her fingers through her hair and sighing she jumped up when Elphaba entered the room.
"Oh thank Oz you must be Mrs Tiggular they said you where coming to get her I'm at the end of my rope" said Mary "I've spent three hours trying to change her nappy I can't be doing with all this"
Elphaba laid Alice down on the settee then turned to Mary "it's ok I'm just going to take this nappy off my little girl and then we will be out of your hair where's her pyjama bottoms"
Mary picked the bottoms up from the floor beside her and threw them to Elphaba along with the packet of baby wipes then walked out of the room sighing once the woman had gone Elphaba turned back to Alice who was holding her rag doll and crying.
"It's ok baby you're ok let's get this nasty nappy off and then we can go home" said Elphaba she undone the tapes on the front of the nappy and opened it she was horrified to find the little girl's bottom was all red and sore she took a wipe from the packet and gently wiped the little girl's bottom making her cry out when it stung.
"It's hurts Elphie" sobbed the little girl.
"I know baby I'm sorry Elphie will put some cream on it when we get home" said Elphaba once the little girl was clean she put her pyjama bottoms on then scooped her up "there all clean let's go home baby" she carried the little girl out into the hall where Fiyero stood waiting he smiled when they reached him and wrapped his arms around both of them.
"Let's go home" said Fiyero.
A short while later the three of them were in the carriage heading for home Alice was on Elphaba's lap fast asleep she stroked the little girl's head and held her close as she watched her sleep she knew that she was never going to let the little girl out of her sight again.