A/N: Chapter twelve, people! I got a lot of positive responses to the last chapter, which I'm grateful for. I also want to personally mention Tragically Beautiful Girl, who read chapters 1 through to 11 last night and reviewed every single chapter! I woke up to 13 new reviews, and 11 were from her! So thanks, it means a lot! And it's also why I am posting so quickly :D
This chapter isn't overly exciting I suppose, it's the inevitable conversation between Elphaba and Galinda, and a tiny surprise at the end, which will make way for some more drama next chapter!
"Galinda?" said Elphaba quietly, so as not to startle her. "I think we need to talk about this, sweetheart. Come and sit with me, please."
Galinda looked at Elphaba and obediently followed her to her bed. They sat cross legged, facing each other, and Elphaba took a deep breath.
"Okay. So, I don't know how to say this easily, my sweet. I can't just come out and say, "I don't love you, go away," because that isn't true. I do love you, Galinda. I do! Just not quite in the way I think you want me to."
Galinda spoke for the first time since her outburst. "Are you mad at me, Elphie?" she asked in a small voice.
"Mad at you? Of course not, Galinda! I mean, I was shocked by what you said, especially after just having found out I was pregnant! But I think I can accept what you said, somehow..."
"You can accept it? What does that even mean? Elphaba, I don't think you understand! This isn't just some silly crush! I've loved you since I first set eyes on you, deep down, but I only realised after you started dating Fiyero. When you would come back from a date all happy and excited, I wished I could have been the one to make you so happy. When you and Fiyero kiss, I wish it was me you were kissing! I see the way Fiyero looks at you, and Elphie, that is exactly the way I look at you when I know you can't see me! This is real, Elphaba! Please believe me!"
Elphaba looked at her for a moment, slightly stunned at the emotional revelation. "I do believe you. And I know it isn't the way you would like, but I do love you, like a sister. You're my best friend, and I would do almost anything for you! Except this. Galinda, I can't leave Fiyero for you. I love you, and there is a possibility that there could be something more deep down, but... I love Yero more. He is my everything, I couldn't live without him. I'm carrying his baby, Galinda. I'm sorry, but you are my best friend and Fiyero is my boyfriend, and I intend to keep it that way. Please, try to understand, my sweet!"
"I do," choked Galinda. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I do understand. It doesn't mean I like it, but I understand. I guess I knew it was coming anyway, you and Fiyero are perfect together." She managed to force a smile, trying to be strong for once, instead of breaking down in tears at the slightest thing gone wrong.
Elphaba threw her arms around the small blonde girl. "I am so proud of you, Galinda. Not many people would have the guts to do something like you have just done, and even though it didn't work out as you'd hoped, I know that there is someone else out there for you! Someone who will love you unconditionally, and be there for you all the time. I can tell that's what you want, and someday, you will get it, Galinda! You're a smart girl, and you're so beautiful, and loving, and caring. What's not to love?"
Galinda laughed shakily, wiping her eyes and returning Elphaba's hug. She felt slightly better now that everything was out in the open.
The two best friends sat for a while in contemplative silence, until Galinda spoke. "Elphie?"
"Yes, my sweet?" Elphaba smiled, playing with the blonde's small fingers.
"When you have your baby, can I be his or her godmother?"
Elphaba laughed aloud. "Of course, Galinda, who else would we choose? Only the best for our baby!" She patted her stomach tenderly for the first time.
"This feels weird..." said the green girl. "I mean, only two hours ago I was just a normal teenage Shiz student, and now I'm pregnant! It's all a bit surreal really, it hasn't sunk in yet."
"Elphie, you were pregnant before two hours ago!" Galinda rolled her eyes at her supposedly smart best friend. "And it probably won't sink in for ages, maybe not even until it's born and you're holding it in your arms for the first time! Oh, can you imagine? I want to be there Elphie! For the whole birth!"
"Yes, of course I was pregnant before two hours ago, but I didn't know that, did I? And of course you can be there if you want to, Galinda."
The girls talked quietly for a little while longer, before deciding to call it a night and get some sleep after their eventful evening.
XXX
Over the next few days, after getting over the initial awkwardness their situation brought about, everything started to return to normal, or at least what Elphaba, Galinda and Fiyero perceived as 'normal'. Elphaba and Galinda had, if possible, a better relationship than before. There was a higher level of understanding between them, and though they often had to tread carefully, Elphaba having to watch what she said and make sure Galinda wasn't around when she and Fiyero were displaying their affections, they both felt better around each other knowing that everything was out in the open and they no longer had secrets.
Just two weeks later, Elphaba received a letter from her father. It was the first piece of correspondence he had sent her all year, not that she had expected anything different.
Elphaba,
I request that you return home over these coming summer holidays. Nessarose misses having your help and is dreadfully embarrassed about having to bathe and dress with a strange woman's help. We shall expect you home on the first train from Shiz after school has ended. Do not delay.
Frexspar Thropp
Governor of Munchkinland
She was reluctant to go home, as she was treated terribly by her father and barely tolerated by her sister, who only wanted her around for her help, seeing as she was the only other female in the household. When Elphaba had been accepted to Shiz, Frex reluctantly hired a housekeeper who doubled as Nessa's maid and helper. Nessa had thrown a tantrum, but Frex knew that if he forbade his eldest daughter from attending Shiz, the fireworks would be a lot more spectacular than Nessarose's.
She replied to the letter, saying that she would be home, and asked if she could bring Fiyero home to meet her father.
Frex grudgingly agreed, sending his conditions for the couple in his next letter.
I suppose so, but you will have separate bedrooms, as far apart as they can possibly be. You will not be left unsupervised at any time. I hope you are behaving, Elphaba. Don't do anything to disappoint me.
Frex.
Elphaba had expected something along these lines, so she didn't protest aloud… too much, anyway.
So it was on the last day of term that Fiyero and Elphaba walked to Shiz Train Station together, Fiyero gallantly carrying Elphaba's small bag. They boarded the train and watched as Shiz disappeared behind them and the prospect of spending the whole summer with Frex and Nessa loomed. Elphaba was not looking forward to it, to say the least. The only thing she was happy about was that Fiyero was allowed to come, and she knew that somehow, he would make the seemingly impossible job of telling her family about her pregnancy just the slightest bit easier for her.