A/N: Again, I apologise for the wait. It took me a while to write this chapter, in between school, tennis and calisthenics, but I quite like it, especially the end. Fluffy and sentimental, but oh well, that's just how I roll. There are probably two or three more chapters left to look forward to now. Enjoy this chapter! Review!
It had been a week since Fiyero had woken up after the carriage crash. Elphaba had only left his side to get food or use the bathroom, which was becoming more and more frequent as she was now five months pregnant. Her bump was becoming more noticeable and the couple knew that as soon as they returned to Kiamo Ko later that day, they would have to tell Fiyero's parents about the baby.
Currently, Elphaba was sitting with her legs curled underneath her in the chair next to Fiyero's bed, reading, while the nurses gave the prince a final check up before he was given the all clear. He had recovered remarkably quickly, much faster than anyone had expected, which everyone, but most of all Elphaba, were elated about.
Once the nurse assured Fiyero he was able to leave, Elphaba packed Fiyero's things, giving him a kiss every time she passed his bed. He watched her move around the room, appreciating her grace and poise, and loving the way she would rest her hand on her stomach every so often, cradling the baby within.
"You're so beautiful, Fae," said Fiyero, tracking her progress with his eyes. She turned around to help him stand up, smiling slightly.
"And you are so handsome, Yero my Hero," she replied. The couple walked out the hospital slowly, hand in hand, to where a carriage was waiting to take them back to Kiamo Ko.
They both hesitated at the carriage, remembering all too vividly what had happened the last time they were in a carriage, but eventually decided to just get it over with.
The ride back home was silent, with Elphaba resting her head on Fiyero's shoulder and Fiyero placing his arm around her shoulders. They were both nervous about telling Fiyero's parents about the baby, but were trying to push their worry aside and hope for the best.
When they arrived at Kiamo Ko, the King and Queen were there to greet them. Elphaba had already met the King, Dawud, but was yet to meet Fiyero's mother, Aaliyah. Fiyero had told Elphaba a lot about his mother, and it was obvious how much he revered her. He had also reassured Elphaba that Aaliyah would love her.
"Welcome home, Elphaba," said the Queen warmly, opening her arms and enveloping Elphaba in a hug. "I am so pleased to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you from Fiyero."
Elphaba smiled nervously, and Fiyero squeezed her hand comfortingly.
"How about you two get settled in, then we can catch up?" suggested Dawud. "Fiyero, Elphaba's room is the guest room down the end of the hallway from your room."
Fiyero and Elphaba exchanged glances, feeling that now was the most opportune time to tell them about the baby.
"Actually," began Fiyero. "Can we speak to you first? We've got something important to talk to you about."
"Oh, Fiyero, you aren't being expelled again, are you? We thought you were doing well at Shiz!" sighed Aaliyah exasperatedly.
"No, Mom! This is much more important," replied Fiyero in the same manner.
"Oh, well in that case, come through to the sitting room." Aaliyah lead the way out of the entrance foyer and down the hallway to a spacious, comfortable looking room. All four of them took seats, Elphaba and Fiyero sitting close together on the loveseat, holding hands.
"Mom, Dad, there's something we need to tell you..." Fiyero looked to Elphaba for support, who smiled gently at him and nodded. "Elphaba and I... we're having a baby. Fae is five months pregnant."
The King and Queen sat in stunned silence for a moment, looking between Elphaba and Fiyero helplessly.
"Fiyero, how could you be so stupid? To get her pregnant out of wedlock, this is a scandal!" cried Aaliyah.
"Well, actually, I've already proposed. I was thinking we could get married in a couple of weeks?" responded Fiyero.
Elphaba looked at him wide eyed. "A- a couple of weeks? Fiyero, I don't know..." Fiyero silenced her with a gentle kiss.
"Sweetheart, don't worry. It won't be a big wedding, we can just invite our close friends and keep it nice and private," Fiyero assured her, stroking her hand with his thumb.
"Okay then," agreed Elphaba softly, looking scared to death. Fiyero didn't take it personally; he knew how much Elphaba loved him, she just didn't like being put in the spotlight and having a fuss made over her.
Fiyero's parents observed this exchange between the young couple, and could see how much in love they were.
"Son, you may have been careless and stupid, but I'm proud of you for the way you're handling this, and taking initiative," said Dawud. "I can tell you are both going to make excellent parents."
Aaliyah nodded in agreement. "Yes, you are. And we can start planning the wedding straight away!"
Fiyero rolled his eyes. "Mom, you heard our conversation just then. Nothing big and fancy! We are in charge of the guest list, and Elphaba gets a say in her dress. I don't want her to be uncomfortable in any way."
Elphaba gave him a grateful look, thankful that she had someone as special as Fiyero in her life.
"Of course, of course!" said Aaliyah, waving her hands enthusiastically. "Even so, there's so much to do. I'll start talking to some people and get this all organised! You two, go and get settled in."
"Mom, now that you know we're not as innocent as you thought we were," here, Fiyero was interrupted by a glare from Elphaba. "Sorry. Anyway, do we still have to have separate rooms? I mean, it's not like anything more can be done now..."
Aaliyah stopped rushing around and thought for a moment. "Well, I suppose you may share a room. You've both proved how mature you can be about this whole situation, and you deserve some credit for that. But I don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night, so keep it down!"
Elphaba blushed fiercely, while Dawud winked at the couple, and Aaliyah and Fiyero just laughed. Fiyero took Elphaba's hand and led her out of the room.
XXX
Later that night, as the King and Queen were about to retire to bed, they heard a soft giggle as they passed the library. Curious, they peeked through the half open door. They both smiled as they took in the sight. Elphaba was sitting sideways on Fiyero's lap, with an open book resting on her lap. She had clearly abandoned the book, and was now kissing Fiyero slowly and passionately. Fiyero's arms were around her waist, pulling her tiny body close to his. Her hands were resting either side of his face, and as Aaliyah and Dawud watched, Fiyero pulled back and whispered something in her ear, caressing her stomach with one of his hands. He then lay Elphaba back and lifted up her shirt slightly, resting both his hands on her stomach, placing kisses across the small bulge. Elphaba smiled and ran her fingers through Fiyero's hair, closing her eyes at his touch.
Aaliyah took Dawud's hand and led him away from the door, tears in her eyes. She was happy to have witnessed such an intimate moment between the couple, but knew they should stop watching if they didn't want to see something even more intimate very soon.
Once in their bedroom, Aaliyah closed the door and kissed Dawud gently. "That was beautiful," she whispered. "I'm so glad Fiyero has finally settled down. He's so happy with her."
Dawud agreed, kissing her back. "He is. Elphaba is everything we could have wished for in a daughter-in-law. I have every faith that they will be happy together forever. Just like us."
"I love you," smiled Aaliyah, touched by the rare emotion her husband was showing.
XXX
Down the hallway, in the library, Elphaba and Fiyero were expressing the same sentiments to each other as they slowly made love, whispering in each other's ears and kissing softly. When they had both come down from their highs, Elphaba had tears in her eyes.
"I love you so much, Yero my Hero," she whispered.
"I love you too, my beautiful Fae. More than you could ever know," replied Fiyero, hugging Elphaba tightly to him. He never wanted to let go of her.