Author's Note: Thanks to romcat, lozzakapozza, Sweet evil angel, Tink607, KeeganFiretamer, Sammichbatch, Grumbello, RainbowAquila, and Forever Galindafied for reviewing this chapter.
But I really want to thank lozzakapozza, Grumbello, ClearRX, Pricilla Grey, ilikepie2013, TragicallyBeautifulNessarose, amidola, Sapphic Ash, B00K Freak, sea-ess-eye, romcat, Ice Silver Crystal, Flipside Fairytale, Solarista, Sammichbatch, Forever Galindafied, Sweet evil angel, Tink607, KeeganFiretamer, and Rainbow Aquila for reviewing in one or more chapters.
Each and every review made me incredibly happy and only fueled my muse to keep me writing :D Here is the last and final chapter :( It's a little sad for me because I enjoyed this story so much but all of those who reviewed seriously made this whole journey of writing a great one :) I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I liked writing it and thanks for sticking with me to the end :D
The answer to my question of who said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans," is John Lennon, a member of my favorite band, The Beatles :) So therefore this final chapter is dedicated to romcat, Sweet evil angel, Tink607, and KeeganFiretamer. You are all true Beatles' fans, or have just heard this quote somewhere :P
Disclaimer: I do not own Wicked or any of its characters.
Epilogue:
Holding Galinda in my arms and knowing that I had confessed my feelings for her, made me feel like I was the happiest and luckiest person in all of Oz. The best part was Galinda did not find me disgusting, but to my surprise and relief she reciprocated my feelings. Every kiss, caress, and smile she gave me only further confirmed just how much I was in love with the small girl and how she was in love with me. I knew now that no matter what would come my way in life, I would be able to keep living because of this incredible person by my side. And she was right, we were made for each other. I was now hers to always have and she was now mine, we belonged together.
4 Years Later...
'Don't worry, its going to be ok.' The voice in my head kept repeating over and over while I nervously kept wringing my hands together.
Today was the 4 year anniversary for Galinda and I. 4 years since that amazing night when I finally confessed to the girl of my dreams that I was madly in love with her.
Since that day Galinda and I have been happily together. Of course we had our moments when we did not even want to talk to each other but we always managed to work out our disagreements and became a stronger couple for it.
In the past 4 years we both experienced acceptance and intolerance from our families. When I announced to my family that Galinda and I were a couple, my father and sister disowned me. At first it devastated me but it was not long before my beautiful girl comforted me with a few words. I decided that since my family did not want anything to do with me that I would also turn down my birthright as Heir Apparent. Of course though my father and sister had no problem with this decision. And ever since then I have not spoken to anyone in my family.
However, during our first winter break as a couple, Galinda invited me to spend the holidays with her parents. To say that I was nervous was an understatement, more like I was scared out of my mind. When Galinda told her parents about our relationship, I expected negative responses and was fearful of how Galinda would take it. Yet all we received were congratulatory hugs and wishes. It made me feel great knowing that we were finally accepted as a couple, but I was even more happier knowing that Galinda would never feel rejection from her family.
At school we decided to keep our relationship a secret to ensure that we would not risk losing our living arrangements with each other. But a few months ago both Galinda and I graduated and were now living with her parents. Of course Boq and Milla knew of our relationship at Shiz which encouraged them to get together as well. Also Crope and Tibbett, who had been secretly dating for months prior to Galinda and I, were aware of us. The six of us have remained great friends all throughout our time at Shiz and we still made it a point to see one another even after graduation.
As far as Fiyero was concerned, he was expelled from Shiz when Dr. Dillamond saw him push me during our altercation that night at the Ozdust. He was sent back home to the Vinkus where he was forced to marry a girl that his father had arranged for him. The last I heard this girl's older brothers and father never put up with Fiyero's tendency to be a jerk which put Fiyero in his place rather quickly.
In 4 years, life with Galinda was better than I could have ever imagined. Which is why I was so nervous for what I was about to do. For our anniversary I took Galinda out to dinner before going back to the botanical gardens we went to on that field trip long ago.
Galinda was currently holding my hand and walking us to that meadow where we shared our special moment. She had a big beautiful smile because she loved coming back to this place now that we were a couple and it was much more special to us than just a school field trip. Even though the hand Galinda was not holding could not stay still, I was smiling robotically to her to cover up the emotional wreck I was.
A week ago I had asked Galinda's parents for her hand in marriage and they gave me their full permission and support, which helped to settle my nerves. Yet now that the time had come I was unsure of myself.
'Don't worry, its going to be ok.' I heard louder than ever in my head and with a deep breath I realized that my instincts were correct, everything would be ok.
We finally reached the secluded meadow and Galinda stopped to turn and embrace me. I stared into Galinda's beautiful blue eyes as one arm wrapped around her small waist and my other hand reached into my pocket and pulled out the small jewelry box. I had given Galinda many types of jewelry before so it was no surprise to her when she saw the small box, yet she was still smiling and wiggling in my arms from the anticipation of receiving another gift from me. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction and pull her closer to me. We looked into one another's eyes just getting lost in our love and it was then that I remembered why we were here, so I took in a quiet ragged breath and got on one knee in front of her.
"Elphie, what are you doing?" Galinda asked with a confused expression.
I grabbed Galinda's left hand and looked into her eyes to see realization hit her. "Galinda. I have loved you so much and these past 4 years have been the greatest years of my life. Sure we don't always see eye to eye and we sometimes drive each other mad, but you are still the love of my life. You have taught me to love and feel love in return and I could not be more thankful to have you. Because of you, I am the person you see today and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
I opened the box to show Galinda a white gold ring with a single diamond in the middle. I took hold of her hand again and looked back at her to see that she now had tears swimming in her bright blue eyes. "Galinda, will you marry me?"
Galinda's free hand moved to cover her mouth as a soft gasp escaped her lips while the tears in her eyes were now falling. She looked down at the ring and back into my eyes before dropping her hand to reveal a big beautiful smile. She nodded her head and said, "Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you."
I stood up and brought Galinda into my arms, hugging her so tight from the true joy and excitement that was coursing through my body. We pulled back from one another and shared a passionate kiss before breaking away, only for me to see a huge smile on Galinda's lips that was equally as big as the one I had. I put the ring on her left ring finger before giving the digit a soft kiss. Galinda giggled at this and wrapped her arms around my neck, gathering me in our favorite embracing position. Our foreheads leaned into one another, just soaking up the feelings of our bodies close to each other.
"I love you so much my sweet." I whispered with a crooked grin in place.
"I love you too my Elphie." Galinda whispered back with a lazy smile.
I suddenly started chuckling and it caused Galinda to look at me in amusement.
"What's so funny?" Galinda asked.
"I was just thinking about how thankful I am that Fiyero cheated on you." I said as Galinda gave me a confused look.
"And that is a good thing?" She asked incredulously.
"Of course!" I beamed. "If it was not for him being unfaithful, you and I would probably not be here right now."
"Its possible. But I believe in what you told me the night we got together." Galinda said with a smile.
"I said many things that night." I said with a mischievous glint in my eyes.
"You mean green thing, you know what I'm talking about." Galinda said as she playfully swatted at me which made me laugh.
"I do." I said looking deep into Galinda's beautiful blue eyes and smiling. "I said that you belong with me."
"Yes, and its true. I belong with you and only you, for the rest of our lives." Galinda said with happy tears welling up in her eyes.
"I can't wait." I said with a bright smile while I pulled Galinda closer to me and kissed her.
After our kiss we went back to staring at each other, which gave me the idea to magically put music on, which thrilled Galinda because she liked how the music appeared to be coming from the trees around us. We stayed locked in each other's arms just swaying back and forth, soaking in the happiness, warmth, and love from the smiles and soft words being given and said. Once the slow music ended a faster tune started and Galinda brought it upon herself to start dancing faster as well. Thankfully from the many dance lessons she gave me over the years, I was fully prepared for the upbeat tune. In that moment, in our special meadow, dancing and laughing with my fiancée was both wonderful and exhilarating all at the same time. I knew now that no matter what came my way in life, I would be able to keep living because of this incredible person by my side. And she was right, we were made for each other. I was now hers to always have and she was now mine, we belonged together.
Well there you have it. I hope you all liked it as much as I enjoyed writing it. If my muse stays with me I should have another multi-chapter story up soon. Positive feedback is always greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much for sticking with me and encouraging me every step of the way! :D
-RealityInMyDreams