Chapter 9 - High Tea At Three and A Birthday Wish
Glinda had arranged Elphaba's High Tea birthday party. Reservations were made at the country club her parents belonged to. It was a party of five which included besides the birthday girl and herself, Elphaba's friends from the library...a library assistant, a researcher and a stock clerk.
Victorian China teapot and teacups filled with rose petal tea were placed a top the table covered with white laced table cloth. Goodies decorated the tiered platters. They savored on dainty watercress, cucumber, smoked salmon and caviar egg salad sandwiches. There were also fresh fruit salad, apple cinnamon scones, strawberries dipped in chocolate, chocolate truffles, and a classic carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
The party of five each wore floppy ribbon hats. Of course Glinda chose pink, Elphaba wore blue, and orange, yellow and red hats for her friends. It was more of a Glinda style kind of party. Children's pointed party hats and blowers would have been sufficient, if Elphaba ever threw a birthday party for herself. She wore the jeweled comb piece from Queen Yasaman, sweeping her hair on one side.
As usual, Glinda was the center of attention. It was the first time in weeks that Elphaba laughed, and was thankful that she had friends to celebrate her twenty-fifth birthday. Her party lasted three hours, and another two hours when everyone had continued the celebration at her house with Glinda having her make a birthday wish before blowing out the candles on her red velvet cake.
If wishes only came true, Elphaba told herself.
At eight o'clock in the evening, Elphaba was relieved that her friends had decided to leave.
...
Stepping out of the shower, Elphaba wiped herself down, and towel dried her hair. Slipping into her nightwear, she sat in front of her dresser, and combed her hair in place, staring at her twin reflection in the mirror.
"Stupid fool," she told herself out loud.
Fiyero was never far from her mind, but was forced to accept the fact that he no longer was in her life. He had no choice but to back away. She literally threw him out of her house. He's never tried to contact her since that day. Missing him terribly, her talk with the Queen and his friends replayed in her head continuously. Elphaba wanted him back, but maybe he didn't want her anymore. There were no birthday wishes or anything of the sort from him. Elphaba still cried at the thought of the crown prince. Yet, she perfected her emotions in hiding her feelings very well in front of others.
Fiyero stood outside of her front door. He hesitated on knocking, and contemplated on leaving.
Elphaba froze at the sound of someone at the door. For a split second she had hoped it was Fiyero, but diminished the thought. Glinda she told herself. What was she doing back at her house? Hasn't that girl thought of telephoning instead of appearing at her doorstep?
"Coming," Elphaba called out. She flung the door wide open and gasped.
"Don't you check first who's at the door before opening it?" Fiyero asked.
"Oh."
"Hi," he said, raising his hand.
Elphaba had wanted to fling herself against him to tell him she missed him, and loved him. Instead she composed herself. "What are you doing here?"
"Happy birthday, Elphaba." He had expected another slap on the face. "Sorry to drop by without calling."
"The party's over," she said. "You just missed Glinda."
"Good. I'm glad I did," Fiyero said. "Don't want a repeat performance of her throwing beer in my face."
"She what? She did? When?"
"That day she overheard...look...never mind. I didn't come here to talk about your friend."
"Okay."
"You look beautiful."
"Oh."
"Can I come in? I've mustered enough courage to come here tonight."
Elphaba shrugged.
"Just for a bit."
She nodded.
Fiyero stood in the middle of the living room. "How are you?"
"Okay," she said.
"Just okay? You don't talk much anymore?"
Elphaba shrugged again.
It wasn't their normal way of conversation to each other where she spoke in her sarcastic tone, and he in his playful utter nonsense. It was as if they were strangers being on their very best behavior.
"I've missed you," he said, reaching for her hand.
"No." She lowered her eyes, and bit into the corner of her lower lip.
"Seriously, did you think I was going to jump on you or something?"
Elphaba wished he would.
"It's your birthday, I got you something." Fiyero handed her a nicely gift wrapped box with a red bow which he dug out of his coat pocket. "Happy birthday. Hope you like it."
She stared at the gift. "You shouldn't...I wasn't...I can't accept your gift."
"I got this before everything happened. I'd like you to have it."
"Thank you. But you shouldn't have."
"Gifts are meant to be opened."
Elphaba untied the bow and unwrapped the box. It was a red leather book cover with a Celtic design. She looked at him, and her heart melted. "It's very beautiful."
Fiyero walked to the bookshelf, grabbing The Velveteen Rabbit. "It's for your mother's book. That way it won't get too worn out."
Elphaba was quiet as she covered her book. She looked at him tenderly. "I don't like it."
"You don't?" he asked, slipping his coat off and throwing it on the sofa.
"I love it. Thank you very much, Fiyero."
"You're welcome."
"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?"
"This gift." She gently ran her fingers on it. "It's the perfect gift."
"I'm sure you'd want to hand the book down to your children." He hoped it would be their children. "Something from your mother. A book cover would keep it preserved."
"It's very thoughtful of you. Would you like something to eat? Glinda threw me a High Tea birthday party at her parents' country club. Even invited three of my friends from work. Brought home the leftovers. Finger sandwiches and desserts."
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"Came back here for cake. Red Velvet cake. Would you like a piece?"
"Did she bake it or is it store bought?"
"Store bought," she said.
"Okay, since it's store bought."
"Uh huh."
"What? Whenever you say uh huh, I know you're reading between the lines."
"You've never cared for Glinda."
Fiyero headed to the dining room. "I guess not. Where's my cake?"
Elphaba sat opposite him at the table, and watched him eat. He devoured the cake in no time. "Do you want more?" Before he could answer, she had already put another piece on his plate.
"I love red velvet," he said.
"I know. I remember," she said. Rising from her chair, she headed into the kitchen to get him an ice cold glass of water.
The prince gulped down his drink. "Thanks."
Elphaba folded her hands on the table. "How's Yasa?"
Fiyero leaned back in his chair. "She's fine." He looked at her intensely that it made her nervous. "She got into my personal business. Asked too many questions. I didn't like that."
"She's concerned about you."
"You liked the Monte Cristo?" he asked with a sneer.
"Your mother comes first, not Cook. She does worry about you."
"I know." He poked his cake crumbs with his fork. "She wanted to know why you weren't coming to the castle anymore. Told her what happened. That's when she decided to pay you a visit which I didn't know until Cook told me."
Elphaba listened to him talk.
"You know what? I don't want to talk about my mother, Cook or Glinda." Fiyero laid his utensil at the top of his plate. His blue eyes gazed into her brown ones. "It wasn't a bet, Elphaba. You have no reason to be angry at me."
"I was hurting...still am. I was never angry at you."
He rubbed his left check. "You sure fooled me."
Elaphaba twiddled her thumbs. "I'm sorry I slapped you. I don't know what came over me."
"You slapped me after I told you I loved you...love you." He corrected himself. "I took a chance on coming tonight. I've missed you. But I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do. It saddens me that you don't believe in me."
"It took me a while, but I believe you. But it still hurts to think the bet was suggestive by your friends. Some friends. They dropped by for a visit last week."
"I know. They told me. We've been friends since we were very little. Sometimes they do get a little out of hand. But they were just trying to help me out when they came to see you. He reached for her, grabbing her hand. "I do love you."
She didn't pull away. "I told myself never to love anyone for fear of them dying and leaving me alone. Or leaving that person alone if I died."
Letting go of her hand, Fiyero drummed his fingers on the table. "So how is it working? How's it going for you?"
"Fine," Elphaba lied.
"Don't you love me a little bit?" A glimmer of hope flickered inside his heart.
"No," she said.
"No?" Fiyero felt his heart break in two. The light inside of him grew dim. He was so sure Elphaba loved him.
"No." Looking deeply into his eyes, she professed her love for him. "No, I don't love you a little bit. I love you a lot, with all my heart that it's driving me crazy." Her voice broke into a soft sob. "I don't just love you, I'm in love with you. And I..."
Fiyero rose from his chair. "Come here." He pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "I've missed you."
Elphaba rested her head on his shoulders, snuggling close to him. "I've missed you, too."
Fiyero stepped back, and cupped her face, the face that had been haunting him during those sleepless nights in his cold, empty bed. "You amaze me, Elphaba Thropp. You take my breath away," he murmured. His kiss was fierce but passionate, slipping his tongue in her slightly opened mouth.
Passion and energy passed through their bodies. Elphaba's heart seemed to have ignited from a tiny flame to an uncontrollable and unstoppable blazing fire.
Pulling away, Fiyero leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm staying the night."
TBC - Chapter 10
A/N: Since I can't thank you personally through personal message like I've done with the other reviewers/members, James Birdsong, I thank you again. Greatly appreciated.