Chapter 80. Heart to Heart II

Rifiuto: Non Miniera

Thanks to Elphiethegood for reviewing 79.

The two sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea and talking quietly. Elphaba found the cookie jar, and filled a plate with gingersnaps.

Slowly, Elphaba picked up a gingersnap and soaked it in her coffee before taking a bite. Fae watched, copying. Elphaba finished the soaked cookie, wiped her hands on a napkin, and opened her mouth to speak, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. She stopped, thinking and then changed her mind.

"What?"

Elphaba looked up at her.

"N...nothing."

"No, what is it?"

Elphaba sighed, and licked her lips, allowing her teeth to race out and grab her lower lip.

"What...what kind of mother am I?"

"What do you mean?"

"D...do I abuse you? Am I heartless? Do I starve you? What do I do? H....how do I turn out? Am.....am I the worst mother on the planet? Do I have any more children? What happens to me? How do I turn out? What kind of mother am I? Do you even love me?" Fae met her eyes. Elphaba looked so lost, so afraid, that she'd turn out exactly like Melena.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"You don't abuse me. Either me or Liir. You're not heartless. Actually, Daddy says that you have a heart as big as the Thousand Year Grasslands. You always make sure we have plenty to eat, and you make sure we.....we learned as much as we possibly could. You don't have any other children, just Liir and I. You're the best mother ever, you.....watch out for us and love us, and love Daddy. The staff say you and Daddy live a lifelong love affair."

Elphaba lowered her head, a small smile on her face. Fae impulsively reached out and laid her hand over her mother's. Elphaba's head snapped up at the contact. The blue diamonds on her wrist contrasted nicely with the green of Fae's fingers. Gently, Elphaba's fingers wrapped around Fae's hand, squeezing. When she pulled away, Fae slipped her fingers between Elphaba's, lacing the two females together. The queen's eyes met Fae's.

"I love you. You're my mother. How could I not love you? You're the most important person in my life, before Daddy and Liir. You've taught me how to control my magic, you taught me to ride a broom. You taught me to dance and how to ride horseback. And you taught me to be proud of who I am."

Tears sprang to Elphaba's eyes, and she pulled away, wiping her tears.

"That.....still doesn't change the fact that I'm going to lose you."

Fae sighed, and grabbed Elphaba's hand.

"Mama, how many times do I have to say it? You won't lose me. I'm your daughter. I'll always be your daughter. No matter what." Elphaba squeezed Fae's hand gently. Then, Elphaba got up, gathered the cups, and the plate and took them back to the counter. Without thinking, Fae got up, went over, and wrapped her arms around Elphaba from behind.

"I love you, Mama." She whispered into Elphaba's hair. The young woman laid her hand on Fae's, and whispered back,

"I love you too." Then, on impulse, she turned in Fae's arms, and gathered the girl to her chest, kissing to crown of Fae's raven hair, gently rubbing her back. She rested her cheek on the top of Fae's head, sighing.

"I love you too."