AN: ok, here we go, another update because I actually do have time today I was amazed at your responses, but no one ever seemed to think of Oscar and how he must be feeling. Happy July 4 to all my American readers and Happy Day to all my other readers…I think it's already July 5th for Vinkun Wildflower Queen lol
"Fae? Elphaba? What's wrong?" When he got no reply he shimmied up the tree and joined her. "Fae, come on, you know you can talk to me. What's going on? Why are you so upset?" He moved closer and wrapped his strong arms around her.
"He was right all along. I am not worth anything and I am just the green aberration that nobody wants. I just cause pain to all those around me! It's my fault for even being born! You should just forget about me! I'm not worth the effort."
"Who was right? Frex? I don't think so. Look at this, all of this, I love you, Melena loves you and so does Oscar! You are wonderful and I am thankful every day that I have the chance to know you and adore you!"
"Yeah, well if Oscar loves me so much, then how do you explain this?!" She thrust shaking hands out to Fiyero and he looked down, taking the crumpled letter from her and beginning to read. When he was done, Fiyero was shaken by the truth that was staring him in the fact because of a simple letter and photograph. If this was to be believed, he was in love with the Wizard's daughter.
No sooner did he have that thought when another came on its heels. No matter whose daughter she was, she was still Elphaba and he wouldn't trade that for the world.
"Elphaba, I know you are upset and angry right now, but have you tried to talk to Oscar about this?"
"Yes, he only told me it was true."
"No, I mean sit down, and talk with him, ask him if he truly tried to keep it from you. I find it hard to believe that Oscar would keep something of this magnitude involving you away from you intentionally." Fiyero could see he was getting through to her as her sobs quieted, and she leaned heavily against him.
"No, I haven't." Elphaba mumbled this, falling asleep against his shirt, exhausted from her tears and the sleepless night before.
"Now come, let's go inside and you can take a nap." Fiyero helped her down out of the tree and picked her up and carried her bridal style back into the palace, with Elphaba gripping his shirt as she buried her head in his chest.
They were met at the door by a frantic Oscar. "Is she all right? Is she injured?" Fiyero had to smile, Oscar may have been misguided in this family drama playing out, but he did truly love Elphaba and it showed now as he hovered around Fiyero.
"She's fine. A little wrung out emotionally and exhausted. I am just taking her back to her room to lie down."
Later, after Elphaba had woken from her nap, she went down to Oscar's rooms in an attempt to apologize.
"Elphaba? Come on in." Oscar was a little apprehensive after their "discussion" this morning.
"Can I talk to you?"
"Elphaba, you can always talk to me." Oscar was hesitant but relieved that Elphaba was at least speaking to him.
"First can I apologize for flying off the handle this morning? I knew you were acting strange around me but then to find that letter about me and where I come from was just a major shock to me and I wasn't prepared for it. I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you with my words, but that is what truly what ended up happening."
"I understand. If it had been me, it would have been a major shock too. You called your life a living hell. Was it that bad at the orphanage?" She was quiet and simply looked down at her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Her lack of response was answer enough for him.
"Elphaba, let me tell you the truth about this letter. I did not believe it at first and investigated it. Melena and I were investigating, trying to find your parents when this was sent to me. We did not want to tell you about it in case our search was unsuccessful. We wanted to spare you any more pain. It may not have been the right thing to do and I am so incredibly sorry for that. If we did find your family, I was going to have to learn how to say goodbye to you. You see, I had never intended to let you go back to that orphanage after the two weeks were up. I was actually contemplating asking you if you wanted to stay with me and have me be your father. I wanted to adopt you Elphaba and that is the truth."
"As a young man, I was unexpectedly dropped into Oz by way of a hot air balloon. I was young, arrogant and felt that I had this new land in front of me with endless possibilities. When I met the young woman who became your mother, I fell in love. I truly loved her and she loved me. When Ailis's father found out about our affair, he threw me out of the house and expressly forbid me from ever coming to munchkin land or their home ever again. At the time there was never anything I could do about it, I was simply a lowly traveling salesman. When I became the Wizard, I wanted nothing more than to find her and marry her. I was advised not to, as it would ruin the illusion of who I was as an all-powerful, omnipotent being. When I finally plucked up the courage to find her again, I was told that she had passed away from an illness. I never knew about you or the pregnancy. If I had, I swear to my God and all that I believe Holy that you would not have ended up in that orphanage and would have been raised as my daughter with all the rights and privileges that go with being the Wizard's Daughter. If I had known of you, you would never have been left to fend for yourself in the care of a man like Frex. I am truly sorry, but the honest truth is I truly did not know you existed until a week ago when we brought you here from the orphanage."
Throughout Oscar's explanation, Elphaba had been silent, but now she looked up at him with more tears in her eyes. Oscar was alarmed, thinking she might explode again.
"Did you mean it when you said you wanted to adopt me? Is that all true about you wanting to be my father?" Oscar's face softened as he looked at the vulnerable teenager before him with her heart in her eyes and gave a simple answer. "Yes, I meant it more than I can say." Elphaba leaped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around Oscar.
For now, everything in Elphaba's world was perfect. She had a father and mother who loved her, and yes, she considered Melena her mother, answers to her past, a wonderful boyfriend and the knowledge that she would never again have to deal with Frex. If she had only known how wrong the last thought was, she might have been prepared for what came next in her life.
