Chapter 14 - The Proposal

"You've been quiet all day. Are you feeling alright?" Fiyero asked.

"I'm worried about the baby," Elphaba said, doing circular motions on her belly.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "What if the baby's green? What if I can't love him or her the way I should? How can I shield my child from the name calling, the ridicules, the hurt, the pain. Tell me how."

He joined her on the sofa, embracing her. "You worry too much. We'll love our child no matter what color he or she is. May it be green, purple or blue...any color."

"What if I can't love him or her?" Elphaba pointed a finger to herself. "My father couldn't love me."

"But I do. So does my family. And you're already loving the baby or you wouldn't be worried as you are now. The most important thing is that it will be ours. It was made with love. Our baby will be healthy, protected, blessed, and most of all loved by everyone. We're royalty, and I'll make sure no harm comes our way."

"People can be mean, cruel...I don't want my child to go through what I've gone through."

"I know," Fiyero said. "People can be mean and cruel. Present company included...me. I'm sorry that I was one of them. Somewhere along the way, I must have done something right to have found someone like you." He kissed the top of her head.

"I could never love one child more than the other. Or just love one as my father with Nessa, and not love the other...me. But it scares me that what if I'm like him."

"You're definitely not like him. You're full of love that I can't see you being anything like that. You worry a lot which means that you care."

"Or just a lunatic. I worry that something will happen to you, and the baby will be fatherless. I worry that I'll die in childbirth just like my mom. And what if my baby won't love me because I'm green."

Fiyero gently turned her toward him. His heart felt her pain. A teardrop escaped out of the corner of his eye. "You have a new life now. You left your old one behind. Listen to me. You're not going to die in childbirth. And our baby will love you if anything, more than me because you'll be carrying him or her inside of you for all those long months. And I promise you this, nothing will happen to me. I'd like to grow old and gray with you. But by the way you're worrying, we'll be old and gray before we're old and gray."

Elphaba breathed a sigh, unaware she had been holding her breath. "You're my everything. I can't bear to be apart from you. I love you."

"I love you, too. You've made me a better man. Why don't you lie down. Take a short nap while I run out to do an errand."

"Where are you going?"

"Just things to do. I'll be back in an hour or so."

"I am a bit exhausted."

"Yes, from all that thinking," Fiyero said.

...

"Wake up." "Fiyero sweetly woke Elphaba from her nap to a beautifully prepared afternoon snack of sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, fresh strawberries with whipped cream, and a glass of milk.

"Oh, Fiyero." Elphaba was surprised.

"Told you I had an errand to do. Wanted to do something special for you. Eat healthy for our baby. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes." She took a sip of milk, and munched on a slice of apple, then dipped a strawberry in the whipped cream. "Do you want some?"

"I'm fine. You eat them. I'm glad you're getting your appetite back."

After several minutes, Elphaba polished off her food. "Thank you very much. That was very refreshing. I didn't realize I was hungry."

"You're eating for two now. Let me take this tray into the kitchen. Be right back," Fiyero said.

Returning into the bedroom, he brought in a small plate covered with a white napkin over it.

"More food? I possibly can't eat another bite. Do you want me to be as huge as a house?"

"See what's under it," he said, placing it on the bed.

"Okay, but you're going to help me eat it." Elphaba lifted the napkin to find a red velvet ring box. "What...what is this?"

Fiyero opened the lid, and got down on one knee.

"What...what are you doing?" Tears filled her eyes. "You're proposing?"

He held a diamond ring with sapphire clusters circling the stone. "I knew you were the one for me when I saw you in my garden. You excite me. I can't recall not ever loving you. And with each passing day, I love you even more. Elphaba Thropp, will you marry me?"

Elphaba stared at him. Speechless, she wiped her tears away. Never in her life could she have imagined that anyone would actually want to marry her. All young girls dreamt of getting married to their very own Prince Charming. She never had those dreams. And yet, here she was with her very own prince proposing marriage to her.

"Elphaba, I can't see my life with anyone else but you."

"You want to marry me?"

"Yes. I would have asked a month ago, but you weren't in the very best of mood. And I was afraid you'd say no."

"That was before you knew I was pregnant. And you were going to propose then? It's not just because I'm having your baby?"

"Elphaba, it's a simple answer to my question, it's either a yes or no. I do love you, and want you to be my wife for better or for worse."

"And you've seen my worse," she smiled, holding out her left hand. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Fiyero slipped the ring on her finger. Elphaba cupped his face, and pulled him into a kiss.

He laid down beside her, gently rubbing her stomach. "I was afraid I was losing you. You were always getting upset, annoyed, angry."

"I'm sorry. It's the hormones."

"It's okay. Did you think of names for the baby? God parents?"

"I haven't thought of names as of yet. But I was thinking of Glinda as being godmother. If it's okay with you. And I also want Zita."

Fiyero ran a hand over his face. "You've got to be kidding, right? Glinda? You know how I feel about her. Zita will be thrilled. And Fajad and Emad will be the godfathers."

"Oh, I see."

"You like them, don't you?"

"Well, I am getting used to them. They're just idiots sometimes."

"And Glinda's too perky. And she's very annoying. But she protects the ones she loves. She threw cold beer on my face."

Elphaba stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry."

"Why don't we go to the castle and tell the family the good news about our engagement," Fiyero suggested.

"I'd like that."

"Elphaba?"

"Yes?"

"Maybe it won't be so bad to be king one day. As long as you'll be by my side as queen. But for now you'll have to settle for being a princess."

"Just promise me you'll always be with us."

"I promise. What are you so afraid of? I'm here, aren't I? I don't break promises."

TBC - Chapter 15