DISCLAIMER: The characters you recognise from Wicked aren't mine, obviously. But the other characters are.
AN. I get to see Wicked on Saturday! After 16 months. It's a "community theatre" production, but our Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero have all had [small] roles in professional theatre productions so... I'm so excited, yet surprisingly anxious.
Chapter 7: Happily Ever After
April 1945
The older he got, the more Fiyero found himself thinking in life in terms of numbers.
Eight was the number of months it had taken after finding Elphaba for her to agree to marry him. As per his conditions, Frex had granted his blessing to Fiyero in March, when the Thropps came to the Vinkus to festivate Fiyero's first year upon the throne, and also Elphaba's twenty second birthday. Fiyero didn't particularly feel like acknowledging the former, but Kasmira had insisted. It had also meant that Elphaba was in the Vinkus a year to the day that she had left it- her first trip back since.
But even once he had Frex's approval, Fiyero could tell Elphaba was still wary, waiting for history to repeat itself. So he waited, made as frequent trips to Munchkinland as he could, and enjoyed getting to know his daughter.
Then, one day in August, Fiyero had returned to Elphaba the diamond ring she'd left behind, and asked her to marry him. And she agreed.
They were married two months later, just before Arora's first birthday, in a function room of The Pinnacle in the Emerald City. It was the most convenient location for both of their families to convene, and of course, significant as the place that they had met.
Six was the number of years it had taken Fiyero to convince Elphaba to have another baby. She'd always been reluctant, whereas he'd been keen to experience everything he had missed with Arora.
"You don't realise how much labour sucks," she was prone to say whenever the topic came up. "If you're in the room, I might actually kill you."
"I'll take the risk," Fiyero replied dryly.
But once Arora had started kindergarten, Elphaba found herself feeling nostalgic and rather at a loss. With Fiyero's persistent arguments, and assisted by Arora's pleas for a baby sister (encouraged by Fiyero) she had ultimately agreed to try for another baby. The result of which, eleven months later, was their son.
Three was how old Dima Ibrahim Frexspar Tiggular would turn in August this year. Fiyero hadn't been sure about including his father's name in there, after all, Arora was already named in part for Ibrahim. But Elphaba had insisted, and in turn, Fiyero had insisted they include her own father there.
Dima was an energetic, mischievous little boy, who was adored by the whole family, no one more than his big sister, who would be ten in October (much to Elphaba and Fiyero's dismay). He was a miniature Fiyero all over, in terms of appearance and appearance. Kasmira had shown Elphaba baby photos of Fiyero are Dima was born, and there was barely a difference between the two.
Three was also the total number of children they had, with the arrival of Ornella Kasmira Melena Tiggular, who had been born a month ago. She hadn't been planned, but was very much loved. When she had been born, Fiyero had come up with what he thought was a great idea for a name.
"Let's carry on the fairytale theme," he'd suggested.
Elphaba frowned. "What theme?"
"Well, Arora is from Sleeping Beauty-"
"But Dima isn't from a fairytale. I don't think one is a theme," Elphaba pointed out.
"So, let's make it a theme. Why did you choose Arora?"
She sighed. This was too long a conversation to be having after nine hours of labour, when they had already come up with a list of potential names during the pregnancy- none of which were fairytale related.
"You know why. It's your favourite, and you weren't there."
"Ok. So, we'll give her a name from your favourite."
"Fiyero, my favourite fairytale is Rumpelstilskin. I can't in good conscience do that to our daughter," Elphaba retorted.
Fiyero had to concede her point there.
"Ok, not that one then."
He mentally ran through a list of fairytales he could remember. One seemed the perfect and natural choice.
"What about Cinderella?"
Elphaba looked sceptical. "You want to name her Cinderella?"
"The old Vinkun translation was 'Aschenputtel'."
"That's so much better," Elphaba replied sarcastically.
In the end, Elphaba had agreed to 'Ornella', which was the translated equivalent in Ev. Dima could only pronounce her name as 'Ella' and the moniker quickly stuck, which Fiyero thought was rather appropriate.
For Fiyero, the most significant number was five. He'd never considered himself as having a 'lucky number' before, yet somehow five kept repeating itself.
It was the number that made up their family, which he cherished more than anything else in the world. Every day he was so thankful that he'd found Elphaba and been able to keep her in his life, and their children brought him more happiness than he'd thought possible. Dima and Ella could never make up for the time he'd lost with Arora, but they he also couldn't love Arora any more than if he had been there since she was born.
Five had been the number of people he'd interviewed for the role of his new private secretary before finding one he could trust.
He'd wasted no time in confronting Avaric when he and Kasmira had (rather reluctantly) returned to the Vinkus, still livid and feeling completely betrayed. He didn't think he could feel any worse, but when Avaric showed no remorse for his actions and admitted without regret that he'd known (or at least had firm suspicions) that Elphaba had been pregnant when he'd convinced her to leave, he was proven wrong. Fiyero had no regrets either- at least not that he'd broken the man's jaw before having him escorted from the castle. The last he'd heard, Avaric had gone to the Emerald City and was working for the Wizard.
Fiyero had been rather terrified at the prospect of choosing his new private secretary, without his father by his side. But Kasmira had gracefully and unobtrusively guided him through it, advising him to trust his gut. Fiyero knew his choice, Wafi, was the right candidate when he'd started the interview by commenting on how beautiful his daughter was and inquiring about his family- meaning Elphaba, although they all knew they weren't married at this stage. That told Fiyero everything he needed to know.
Another five- one less positive this time. It had been five days after firing Avaric that the Vinkun media broke the news that their new king had an illegitimate daughter in Munchkinland and a former secret engagement with the green Governor's daughter. Fiyero and Kasmira both knew it was Avaric who had leaked the news, but they had no proof and the media was protecting their source.
"No doubt he's trying to make a point that the public and parliament will agree with his viewpoint," Kasmira soothed a furious Fiyero. "It won't work, Yero."
"Won't it?' Fiyero demanded. "I don't want to put Elphaba or Arora through people saying awful things about them. They don't deserve that."
"They have to find about Arora at some point," his mother had pointed out. "I'd rather it had been our call, and in consideration with Elphaba and Frexspar, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
Fiyero hadn't been so sure, and had immediately written to Elphaba, both to warn her and apologise for whatever was about to happen.
For the first few weeks, it had been as awful as he'd feared. But then the fifth week, he'd been back in Munchkinland for a longer visit before parliament resumed, and paparazzi shots had appeared of Fiyero, Elphaba and Arora at the park in Munchkinland. More stories had leaked, about Elphaba's family history and her time in the Emerald City (and the reasons behind it). Suspicions about the breakup and the reasons behind it had been whispered and hinted at in tabloid articles. And then public opinion had begun to change.
By the time Elphaba brought Arora to the Vinkus that summer to visit Werillah Ev, Arora was adored and Elphaba had the public's support as their future queen.
It had been on Fiyero's fifth visit to Munchkinland after that first Lurlinemas, one weekend in April, when Elphaba had met him at the door with six month old Arora on her hip. When she said "Look, Rora, it's Daddy!" as she had every time they were reunited; for the first time Arora's face lit up because she knew him, she recognised him and she was happy to see him. It had been the first moment Fiyero really felt like he was a parent. Like they were a family, despite the distance between them.
Five was the number of months they had been married before Elphaba tentatively mused aloud to Fiyero about "doing something about Shiz". By that stage, Arora was nearly a year and a half, and Elphaba thought she could cope with the idea of studying and dealing with her royal duties, without feeling so guilty or as though she were neglecting Arora.
In the five years following, with Fiyero's support, she had completed a double degree of Law and Political Science (with a minor in History), and then done her masters in Political Science the year after.
And now Fiyero found himself entering their bedroom with a familiar looking envelope in his hands.
"Hey, I thought you were napping," he announced himself when he took in the sight before him.
Elphaba looked over her shoulder from where she was lying on their bed.
"I was. But Miss Ella decided she was done with her nap, and she was hungry."
Fiyero stepped up to the bed and smiled down at Ella, who was lying next to Elphaba on the bed and apparently finding the ceiling riveting.
"Did you get any sleep?"
"I slept for about two hours, I think. Is Dima up yet?"
Fiyero nodded, gently easing down on the bed. "Yeah, he's up. He's having some juice and a snack with Mom and Rora."
Elphaba craned her neck to look at the clock. "Is it that time already? When did Rora get home from school?"
"Like five minutes ago," Fiyero reassured her. "She's fine. Mom told her you were napping."
She relaxed, nodding. She was still technically on maternity leave from her royal duties, but she liked being there when Arora came home from school.
"So, you're done for the day?" she asked him and Fiyero nodded.
From the time he and Elphaba had married, he'd been mindful of some of the issues that had contributed to their breakup (Avaric's influence and pregnancy aside). Namely, the lack of time he'd been able to spend with Elphaba. To that end, he'd made sure to keep as strict a work schedule as possible, to enable him to finish at two o'clock and spend the rest of the day with his family.
Conveniently, this tied in with the time Arora finished school, so he was able to hear about her day and help her with her homework if need be (although Elphaba was better at that). Just be a father.
"Yep. I was just going through the mail, and I found this."
He handed her the large envelope with her name on it, and watched the slightly sheepish look cross over her face.
"Really, Fae?" he asked with a chuckle.
"It's just some information on courses," she defended herself. "I haven't decided anything, and I'm not planning on starting this fall."
"Uh huh," he said teasingly, smiling knowingly at her.
He picked up Ella into his arms and cuddled with her, inhaling the sweet baby scent, as Elphaba opened the envelope and pulled out the shiny Shiz University course brochures within.
"So, what are you thinking?" he asked her. "Another masters? PhD?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "Like I said, I haven't made any decisions. Maybe something with History," she mused. "But I don't think I'm ready for a PhD yet," she added with a faint laugh.
Fiyero shook his head in amusement. "You're crazy, you know that?"
She smiled. "You love me for it."
"I do," Fiyero nodded.
Elphaba placed the brochures on the nightstand to examine later in more detail, sat up and sighed tiredly.
"I can take Ella if you want to sleep a bit more," Fiyero offered.
Elphaba shook her head. "I'm ok. They'll be here soon anyway, won't they?"
'They' were Frex, Nessa, her husband and two sons, who were on their way to the Vinkus for Ornella's baptism in three days' time. They had seen photos before, but this would be their first time meeting Ella since her birth.
Elphaba was looking forward to seeing her family again, and Arora was beside herself with excitement, not only that would get to see her aunt, uncle and cousins, but especially to see her beloved Opa again.
Despite the distance between them, Arora and Frex had a very special and close relationship, which Elphaba was grateful for.
Fiyero nodded in answer to her question. "Yeah, I imagine so."
They headed downstairs in search of Kasmira and their children, Fiyero making faces at Ella to try and make her smile.
"It's too soon," Elphaba reminded him.
"Only a few weeks," Fiyero argued. "Besides, I think she's gifted. She may be a fast learner."
Elphaba rolled her eyes fondly, but didn't argue. There was no point.
"Hi, Mom!" Arora chirped happily when she saw her parents enter.
"Hi, hon. How was school?"
"Good. Miss Hila gave us an end of year project today."
"Oh, really?" Elphaba asked, sitting down and pulling Dima onto her lap. "What kind of project?"
"We have to make a family tree."
"Oh really? That sounds fun."
Arora frowned up at Fiyero. "Dad, do we have any stuff on family history? Or is it just all in history books?"
Fiyero laughed and grinned at his mother. "Mom?"
Kasmira smiled fondly. "You are very lucky, Rora Rose," she informed her granddaughter, wrapping an arm around Arora's shoulders.
"Your Grandpa loved family history," she said. "He collected all sorts of photos and documents going back more than twenty generations."
Arora's eyes widened. "So…" her brow creased in thought as she pondered that. "That means it goes back to my great-great-great-great-great-great-"
"OK, we get the point kid," Elphaba cut her off before she could list all the 'greats'.
"What about you, Mom? Your family?"
"I know very little," Elphaba admitted. "But you can ask Opa when he gets here. Hopefully he'll know something. He can at least tell you about my grandparents, which will give you something for your tree, at least."
As typical of a nine year old, it was the first thing Arora greeted Frex with when they arrived at Werillah Ev half an hour later.
"Opa! Hi! What do you know about our family history?"
Frex, having just endured a journey from Munchkinland in a carriage with Nessa, Boq, a four year old and a two year old; took it all remarkably in his stride.
"Well, I think I know enough names and dates to give you some information. What's this for, darling?"
Arora filled him in as she led him away, leaving Elphaba to greet her sister and brother-in-law.
"Hi."
"Hi," Nessa replied, already holding out her hands for Ornella.
Elphaba rolled her eyes, but handed over the baby obediently.
"Hi, Boq."
"Hi, Elphaba. Ella's beautiful," Boq replied and Elphaba beamed.
"Thank you. Hi guys," she greeted her nephews. She took two year old Kinley into her arms and cuddled him.
"Hi, Kinley. Do you remember me?" she asked him.
They'd seen each other at Lurlinemas, but four months was a long time when you were two. Kinley offered her a smile, so Elphaba took that as a yes.
Fiyero and Boq swiftly took the boys and Dima off to play, and Elphaba led Nessa towards the living room for tea.
"So, is she just Ella, or does she ever get Ornella?" Nessa asked her sister, cuddling her niece happily.
"It's mostly Ella," Elphaba admitted. "I'm sure 'Ornella' will start popping up more when she's older and in trouble," she laughed.
Nessa smiled knowingly. "And the family tree information? Why is Rora asking about that?"
"School project," Elphaba explained.
"Oh, that makes sense. You know, I think I did that same project when I was her age," Nessa said thoughtfully.
Elphaba blinked. "Really? I don't remember ever doing it."
"Well, I could be wrong, but it certainly sounds familiar. So, is everything set for the baptism?"
Elphaba nodded. "Yeah, everything's organised. Ten am on Thursday morning. Are you going to bring the boys? I wouldn't bring Dima if I didn't kind of have to, but Arora's at least old enough to sit through the ceremony and behave."
"It's their cousin's baptism, of course they'll come!" Nessa exclaimed. "Anson should be fine, and if Kinley gets restless, Boq can take him outside. The ceremony's only what, half an hour?"
"Or so," Elphaba agreed.
"Then they'll be fine," Nessa insisted, and Elphaba conceded.
"If you say so. What else is new since you last wrote?"
Nessa happily filled her sister in on everything that was happening in Munchkinland and all the latest news about what the boys had been up to.
"Oh, and Galinda Upland is engaged, but I suppose you heard all about that."
Elphaba lowered her tea cup and blinked at her sister. "Who is Galinda Upland, and why would I have heard about that?"
Nessa rolled her eyes. "Galinda Upland. Of the Upper Uplands? Boq and I went to Shiz with her?"
Elphaba frowned. "The one who set you guys up?"
"Yes! Honestly, Fabala. The Uplands are a very wealthy and influential family in Gilikin- in Oz! You're the Queen of the Vinkus! You should at least be familiar with the name."
Elphaba shrugged. "I can't be expected to remember the names of every wealthy family in Oz, Nessie. How did you hear about the engagement anyway? I never got the impression you and Glinda were ever really friends."
"It's Ga-linda," Nessa corrected. "And it was in the society papers naturally. She's marrying Charmant Asquith the Third, you know."
Elphaba cocked her head. "That name I do know," she replied. "Doesn't his father work for the Wizard?"
Nessa nodded. "In some capacity, I understand. But his family's very wealthy as well, more than the Uplands, I think. I think his father might be a Duke…"
"Do you know him? Was he at Shiz with you too?"
"No, he's a few years older than us. I think he's about Fiyero's age, actually."
The subject came up again over dinner, when Nessa mentioned something, and then had to fill in everyone else on what they were talking about.
"I know of Galinda," Kasmira said, an odd expression on her face.
"How?" Fiyero asked her. "What's with the face?"
Kasmira made a face and cleared her throat before answering. "She's Avaric's goddaughter."
Awkward silence fell.
"Who's Avaric?" Arora asked into the silence.
"Eat your peas," Elphaba replied immediately, not answering the question.
"Do you think you'll get invited to the wedding?" Fiyero asked Nessa smoothly. "As former classmates and all."
"Maybe."
"I doubt it," Boq answered at the same time as his wife. "We didn't exactly mix in the same circles," he added.
As they prepared for bed that night, Fiyero appeared distracted, and it didn't take a genius to figure out what was bothering him.
Elphaba emerged from the bathroom to find him standing over Ornella's bassinet, watching her sleep with a wistful expression on his face.
"You ok?" she asked quietly.
He didn't look at her, fixated on their sleeping daughter. "I always think I'm over it, you know? What he did. Because in the end, he failed. I have you, we have our kids, and he's out of our lives. But then something reminds me- he gets mentioned somehow, or Rora asks a question about when she was born, and I don't know the answer. And every time it happens, it's like a kick to the gut all over again."
Elphaba eased onto the end of the bed, her stomach twisting.
It had never sat well with her that Fiyero had taken all his anger about missing the beginning of Arora's life, and directed it at Avaric and himself. She was warranted for at least some of the blame, she argued; although it was true that much of it- maybe any of it- wouldn't have happened if not for Avaric.
The look on his face when Dima had been born and Fiyero had first held his newborn son had almost killed her.
"Yero…"
Fiyero turned to her, and smiled softly. "I'm fine," he assured her. "It just helps. To look at them when they're this little and remember that I'm here this time. I don't know what I'm going to do when they're all grown up."
"Well, look at photographs, because I am not having any more kids," Elphaba replied flatly and Fiyero laughed quietly.
"Are you sure?" he asked teasingly, approaching the bed and leaning down to kiss her. "Because I think we make pretty amazing babies, Fae. And you know, five is my lucky number."
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "No," she said firmly and gently pushed him away. "Go to bed. Miss Ella will be awake in about four hours if we're lucky, and I'd like some sleep."
Fiyero laughed again and agreed.
Thursday morning found the family gathered at the Church of Lurline, where Vinkun royals had been baptised the entire eight hundred years of the church's history. Even Arora had been baptised there, although she had naturally been older than her siblings at the time.
Elphaba didn't particularly care about having her children baptised, but she recognised that it was royal tradition and important to Fiyero, even if he said otherwise. Given that neither of them were especially religious, Elphaba suspected it was because tradition had been so important to Ibrahim.
It was a small gathering, only family and a few close friends. Neither Elphaba or Fiyero wanted a huge crowd of people at their family events, made up of a list of people somehow deemed 'important', but who Elphaba and Fiyero didn't know or care about.
And all the children were remarkably well behaved throughout the ceremony. Ella slept through hers, which Elphaba was rather relieved for. Dima had screamed so loudly at his, Elphaba had been worried the old church would come crashing down around them.
After the ceremony, there were photos that had to be taken outside on the grounds, and this was where the kids got restless.
"Why don't Frex and I take the children out?" Kasmira suggested to Elphaba and Nessa.
"We'll have an afternoon with our grandchildren, and let you all have a bit of a break."
Nessa's face lit up. "That would be lovely, if you don't mind. I'm sure Father would love it too."
"Not at all," Kasmira reassured her. "We'll take them back to Werillah Ev and change into something less formal, and then we'll think of something to amuse them for a few hours. Elphaba, what do you think?"
Elphaba nodded. "That sounds great. But leave Ella with us, you don't want to have to worry about her schedule with the others. And let Arora run around after the boys, she loves it."
Kasmira smiled. "We'll be fine, sweetheart."
The dowager queen left them to fill in Frex on the plan and round up the children, while Nessa went to discuss with Boq what they might do for a few hours without the children. Fiyero had disappeared to change Ornella's diaper some fifteen minutes ago, and hadn't returned; so Elphaba went back inside in search of them.
The church was empty, and for a moment, silent. And then Elphaba heard a voice murmuring, and she knew where to find her husband. With a small smile, she headed upstairs to the gallery that ran around the dome and found Fiyero with Ella cradled in the crook of his arm, telling her quietly about the 'whispering walls' and the other architectural features of the building.
"Really, Yero?"
He grinned at her. "Hey, I think she's interested. She keeps staring at the ceiling."
Elphaba chuckled and took a seat in the gallery. "So, you've got it all figured out? She's going to be an architect?"
He shrugged and settled beside her. "Yep. Rora's going to be queen, Dima is going to be a superhero apparently, and Ella can be an architect."
"A superhero, huh? Last month he said he was going to be a firefighter when he grew up."
"Firefighters can't fly," Fiyero explained and Elphaba nodded.
"Of course."
Elphaba reached out and stroked Ella's hand gently. "Your mom and my father are going to take the kids for afternoon," she told him. "I said we'll keep Ella, but they'll take the other four."
"Nice," Fiyero said approvingly. "What do you want to do this afternoon then?"
She grinned at him. "Want to go over the Shiz brochures with me?"
"Ah, a romantic afternoon," Fiyero replied teasingly. "Sounds perfect."
He got to his feet and offered the arm that didn't have a baby in it. "Your Majesty," he bowed to her.
Elphaba laughed and linked her arm through his as she stood up.
"Home?"
"Home is good," he agreed.
And then they headed downstairs to join the rest of their family.
The End
AN. "Ornella" was created by the Italian author Gabriele d'Annunzio for his novel 'La Figlia di Jorio' (1904). It is derived from Tuscan Italian ornello meaning "flowering ash tree". That's why I used it as a Cinderella translation.
I know a lot of people wanted to see Fiyero confront Avaric, and whilst that is always entertaining, it would really be no different from LTC.
I am writing new stuff, I promise. I'm currently on chapter 7 of 29 of my next fic and working on the next "Family Ties" story.
Thanks for reading!
Also- there's now 2 stories in this universe and neither have a Fiyeraba wedding (it wasn't even done on purpose). Hey, at least this one, the wedding was mentioned, right?