Chapter Three:
There was a part of Elphaba that knew that all their family and friends were just outside the room, and they were probably waiting anxiously for news. But right at this moment, her entire world consisted of her, Fiyero and the newborn baby girl resting in her arms.
And quite frankly, it differed second to second if Fiyero was even there. Elphaba couldn't take her eyes off her daughter. The tiny little girl was just perfect. The velvet-like pink skin, her tiny rosebud lips and her eyes, which were currently closed.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" she murmured to Fiyero.
Fiyero kissed the top of her head softly. "Just like her mother."
Elphaba couldn't even roll her eyes, she was too happy.
The baby girl stirred, but didn't wake, merely nestled closer towards Elphaba.
"Do you want to hold her?" Elphaba asked Fiyero, but he shook his head reluctantly.
"I don't want to wake her. Who knew being born was this exhausting, huh?"
Elphaba smiled faintly. "If she's as tired as I am, I get it."
"Do you want to sleep?" Fiyero asked immediately.
"No, I'm too happy to sleep," she replied.
Fiyero studied their daughter intently. "She looks just like you," he noted happily.
"Except the green," she countered with a smile.
Fiyero rolled his eyes at her and kissed her firmly. "Fae, that doesn't matter to me in the least."
"I know," she reassured him. "But... maybe it matters to me. I don't want her to ever have to feel like she's inferior to anyone else."
He laughed. "She's a princess. I highly doubt that will be a problem."
Elphaba figured he was right, but she was still glad. Not having skin like her's would make life a little bit easier for their baby girl.
"So, are we agreed on the name? It suits her?"
Fiyero nodded happily. "It's perfect."
They had chosen the name in Elphaba's third trimester, and had fallen in love with it. But Elphaba had insisted they choose a few backups, in case the name didn't suit her. However, she was so happy that it fit her, because choosing any other name would have been disappointing.
"Pelia Melena Kasmira Tiggular," Elphaba said softly, speaking it aloud for the millionth time and relishing the sound of it.
Pelia meant "miracle" and in the minds of Elphaba and Fiyero, the little girl being cradled in Elphaba's arms was nothing short of that. And as for the middle names, they had chosen to honour both their mothers.
Finally, Elphaba looked reluctantly to the door.
"You should probably go out there."
The midwife who had delivered the baby had informed their family and friends of the baby's safe arrival and that mother and child were healthy, but Elphaba and Fiyero had requested she give them no details. And knowing Galinda as she did, Elphaba was sure her best friend was ready to break down the door in impatience.
Fiyero agreed. "Yeah, ok. Are you up to some visitors, or should I just give them the happy details of our miracle?"
Elphaba nodded. "Yes. I want to see them."
Fiyero smiled and kissed her softly. "OK. I'll be back in a second."
The others must have been waiting practically outside the door, because it was barely seconds before the door opened again and Fiyero returned.
"You have to be quiet," he said behind him in a low voice. "She's sleeping. Okay?!"
"Why are you looking at me when you say that?" Elphaba heard Galinda say in a heated tone, and she stifled a giggle.
Nessa was the first to enter the room, and as she wheeled herself up to her sister's bedside, she looked from the sleeping baby to Elphaba in awe.
"Elphaba... she's beautiful," she breathed.
Galinda was just behind her, impatiently looking over Nessa's shoulder and craning for a glimpse of the baby. She was almost in tears as she gazed upon her.
As the others crowded around, Pelia stirred again and this time her eyes opened. She whimpered but didn't cry, and Elphaba carefully adjusted her in her arms so that everyone would have a better view.
"Wow. She's tiny," Boq said in wonder.
"She's perfect," Kasmira choked out, looking at her first grandchild.
"What's her name, Elphie?" Galinda asked.
Elphaba exchanged a brief smile with Fiyero before answering.
"Pelia. Pelia Melena Kasmira Tiggular."
"Pelia... that's really beautiful. How did you come up with that?" Kai asked.
"It seemed appropriate," Fiyero responded. "It means 'miracle'."
Silence fell as they all took that in.
"Well, she certainly is a miracle," Frex said quietly and Elphaba looked up at her father with a small smile.
"I get first hold!" Galinda exclaimed, just managing to keep her voice at an appropriate level. "What? I called dibs!" she added defensively as Fiyero raised a sceptical eyebrow.
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Well, if you called dibs," she said sarcastically, but handing the baby over even as she spoke.
Galinda cradled Pelia gently, and Elphaba couldn't help but think she'd never seen her best friend move so carefully.
"I love her... oh, Elphie. I am going to be the best godmother ever!"
She looked up from the baby to look at Elphaba. "I am godmother, aren't I?"
"Did you 'dibs' that too?" Fiyero asked teasingly, and Elphaba shushed him with a smile.
"Of course you are," she reassured her friend. "Although I think it's customary to wait for the parents to ask you," she couldn't resist adding.
"Please, I'm the obvious choice," Galinda replied dismissively. "Who's godfather? Boq?"
Boq looked startled. "What?"
"That's what we were thinking," Fiyero admitted. "What do you think, Boq?"
"You- you want me to be her godfather?" Boq asked, sounding amazed.
"We'd really like that," Elphaba said gently.
"What does a godfather even do?" Boq said blankly.
Galinda rolled her eyes impatiently. "Boq, it means you're part of the family. Just say yes already, and then come hold the baby."
Boq looked at Elphaba and Fiyero, still seeming surprised. "I'd be honoured. Thank you."
Fiyero grinned. "You're welcome. Hopefully you can balance out some of Galinda's craziness."
Galinda glared at him, and then gestured with her head for Boq to step forward. "Come here and hold your goddaughter."
Boq obeyed. As he held Pelia gently, he smiled softly.
"She smells good."
"Baby smell," Galinda agreed. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"
Boq only held Pelia for a moment, knowing how eager Nessa was to hold her niece. And when Nessa finally got her chance, she was overcome with tears once again.
"She looks so much like you, Fabala," she told her sister.
Elphaba shook her head. "She has Yero's eyes. And ears."
"They are not my ears," Fiyero protested.
"No, I think they are," Galinda agreed with Elphaba, frowning between Fiyero and Pelia critically.
"I agree," Kasmira nodded.
Pelia was then passed around to her grandparents, and Elphaba knew immediately that Ibrahim was going to be spoiling his granddaughter immensely. And when Frex held her, he looked at her closely before turning to Elphaba.
"She does look very much like how you did as a child."
For a moment, they were all waiting for a comment on her skin colour, and maybe he did think it; but nothing was uttered aloud.
"I'm sure your mother would be honoured at you giving Pelia her name," he said, and handed the baby back to Elphaba.
"I hope so," Elphaba said quietly.
AN. I spent ages looking for a name. I knew I wanted it to mean "miracle" but I had to find the right one.