Here it is, everyone! The final chapter! Sorry it took so long. Junior year of high school is a very busy year.
people-these-days: How would Elphaba hitting her head help anything? She never had sight to begin with.
Special thanks and shout-out to NellytheActress for being the 300th reviewer!
"Mama!"
"Your son's awake," Fiyero muttered, turning over in his sleep.
"Mama!"
"Before sunrise, he's your son," Elphaba muttered.
"Mama!"
"He's calling 'Mama'. I'm 'Daddy'. He wants you, not me," Fiyero grunted, burying his face in his pillow and snoring.
The door opened and Elphaba heard the pitter-patter of bare feet against the rug before feeling someone shake her arm.
"Mama! Mama, wake up!"
"Liir, it's still early," Fiyero muttered, sounding irritated.
"I don't care! We have to get up now! They're coming today!" Liir exclaimed.
"Daddy!" a female voice called, running into the room, a teddy bear clutched under her right arm, and pulling herself onto the bed. "Daddy!" A split second and she jumped onto her father, producing a loud grunt from the Prince.
"Alright, alright, we're awake," Fiyero gave in, pushing himself to a sitting position. Smiling, he pulled his daughter into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Good morning, Gaile."
"Good morning," Gaile giggled, firmly placing her thumb in her mouth.
Liir pulled himself onto the bed and climbed into his mother's arms. Six years prior, Elphaba found out that she was pregnant. She and Fiyero had tried many times, though all those efforts were fruitless. Until one January day when the palace doctor told her that she was pregnant with twins. Her uterine lining had grown stronger over the years and was finally strong enough to hold onto the two little lives growing inside of her. Nine months later, on a warm September evening, she held her miracle children for the first time.
"They look like you, Fae," Fiyero smiled as he held his newborn son.
"Really?" Elphaba asked softly, still very tired. She was propped up on pillows, cradling her sleeping newborn daughter in her arms.
"Yes," Fiyero smiled, sitting next to her. "They look alike. Identical twins. They have your eyes, nose and cheekbones."
"I'm sure they look like you, too, Yero."
"They have my hair, and probably my ears."
Elphaba gave a small chuckle. Her fingers softly traced her daughter's features, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin under her fingertips.
"And they're not green. Not that it matters, Fae. Don't you dare say otherwise," Fiyero said as Elphaba opened her mouth. "I would love them, no matter what color they were. Because they came from you, the most beautiful and intelligent woman in all of Oz."
Elphaba blushed and rolled her eyes. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"Who's getting ahead of themselves?"
Another eye roll and Elphaba readjusted the precious bundle in her arms. "I never believed this moment would happen."
"Neither did I. They're perfect, Fae. I'm so proud of you," Fiyero said, gently kissing his wife's nose.
"We still need to name them, you know."
"How about this? You pick our son's name and I'll pick our daughter's name?"
"I like that idea. How about… Liir? Liir Magnus Tigulaar?"
"That's perfect. And Gaile Ariella Tigulaar."
"I love that," Elphaba smiled.
"And I love you."
"Hi. Can we come in, now?" Galinda said, sticking her head in the doorway.
Elphaba nodded. "Of course, Glin."
Galinda hurried inside, followed by Boq, Nessa and Khynel. Alyena and Navon stayed in the doorway, watching the new parents get acquainted with their children.
"Aww! They're so cute," Galinda cooed, tickling Gaile's nose. "Do they have names?"
"Gaile Ariella Tigulaar and Liir Magnus Tigulaar," Fiyero said proudly.
"They're beautiful, Fabala," Nessa smiled. "Can I hold her?"
"Of course, Nessie," Elphaba smiled, handing Gaile over to Nessa.
"Hello, little one," Nessa cooed, smiling down at her niece.
Gaile slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Nessa. Her little mouth opened in a yawn before she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
"They're so cute," Boq smiled.
"They don't stay that size, you know," Navon chuckled from the doorway.
"Take Fiyero for example," Alyena teased. "He was once that size, and now…"
"We get it, Mother," Fiyero sighed, looking at his parents.
The King and Queen chuckled as they stepped into the room. "All joking aside, your children are very beautiful, Elphaba."
"Thank you," Elphaba blushed. "Glin, would you like to be the godmother?"
"Oh, Elphie! I would love to!" Galinda stepped towards her friend and gave her a gentle hug. "Thank you."
"Anytime, Glin," Elphaba smiled.
Gaile began to fuss and Nessa handed her back to her mother. The baby opened her eyes and, once she realized she was in her mother's arms, fell asleep again.
"Come, we should probably give the new parents some space now," Alyena said, ushering everyone out of the room.
Once everyone was gone, Fiyero laid Liir down in the nearby crib. He gently took Gaile from Elphaba's arms and laid her down in her crib.
"They are beautiful, aren't they?" Elphaba whispered, leaning back against the pillows.
Fiyero heard the deeper meaning in her question. She would never be able to see her children. She would never be able to see for herself what they looked like. She would have to believe other people's words, as she had done her entire life.
"They are," he whispered, sitting down on the bed and gently pulling Elphaba into his arms. A tear slid down Elphaba's cheek and he quickly wiped it away.
"Hey, don't cry. I know you're tired. I'll let you get some rest," Fiyero whispered softly.
"Stay… please," Elphaba whispered, already beginning to fall asleep.
Fiyero laid down next to her and pulled her against him. "I'm right here, my beautiful Fae."
"Come on! We have to get ready now!" Liir whined.
"Patience, Liir. Auntie Galinda and Uncle Khy aren't coming until this afternoon," Elphaba said, stroking her son's hair.
"Auntie Nessa and Uncle Boq are coming to visit, too. And they're bringing Ivana," Gaile smiled
"And you know it takes Mama a while to fully wake up and remember where everything is," Fiyero teased.
Elphaba rolled her eyes and slowly pushed herself out of the bed. Liir and Gaile jumped out of their parents' arms and ran out the room, giggling and chattering about the day's activities.
"I still can't believe we have two little miracles," Fiyero smiled, getting out of bed and walking over to Elphaba.
Elphaba turned towards him and smiled. "Neither can I."
Fiyero gently gathered Elphaba into his arms and kissed her forehead. "You know I love you, right?"
"I know. I love you, too, Yero."
"Good. Just checking," Fiyero smiled as he took Elphaba's hand and led her out of the bedroom.
"Can we have cake for breakfast?" Liir asked as they walked down the stairs and into the dining hall for breakfast.
"Cake isn't a breakfast food, buddy," Fiyero chuckled, lifting his son into his arms.
"Yes, it is," Liir protested. "The ones that you put in the pan."
"Pancakes!" Gaile giggled.
"Yeah, pancakes!" Liir smiled.
"Pancakes sound good," Elphaba smiled.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" Gaile giggled, running to greet her grandparents.
"Good morning, Gaile," Alyena smiled, kissing the six year old's forehead.
Liir wiggled out of his father's arms and ran to the King.
"What's in your ear?" Navon smiled, reaching behind Liir's ear and pulling out a green quarter.
"Ooh," Liir smiled as he took the quarter from his grandfather.
"I want one!" Gaile pouted, reaching towards the King.
Navon chuckled before pulling a green quarter from behind Gaile's ear.
"Wow! Thank you," Gaile giggled.
"What would you like for breakfast?" Alyena asked, smiling.
"Cake!" Liir smiled.
"Pancakes," Gaile corrected dryly.
Liir stuck out his tongue at his sister and Gaile mimicked him.
"Pancakes it is!" Navon smiled, setting Liir down and leaving to alert the kitchen staff.
After breakfast, Elphaba and Fiyero took Gaile and Liir back up to their bedrooms to get ready for the day.
"Gaile, hold still!" Elphaba said as she tried to brush her daughter's shoulder length brown hair.
The six-year-old bounced in her chair in front of her mirror, giggling wildly and for a moment, Elphaba smiled, reminded of the bubbly blonde. The young princess was dressed in a silky, pale pink jumper with a white blouse underneath. She had talked her mother into letting her wear her pink ballet slippers, a gift from Galinda.
"Mama, hurry!" Gaile whined, bouncing up and down.
"I would if you just sit still," Elphaba said, a small smile on her face.
Sighing, Gaile sat still and allowed her mother to finish brushing her hair.
Elphaba tied her daughter's hair back with a ribbon and put the brush down. "All done."
Gaile giggled as she stood up and happily wrapped her arms around her mother's leg. "Thank you, Mama."
"You're welcome, baby," Elphaba smiled, lifting Gaile into her arms and kissing her forehead. "Let's go find the boys."
Gaile nodded as her mother carried her out of the room. Elphaba heard the bathroom door open and stopped. Gaile suddenly burst into giggled, causing the emerald woman to frown in confusion.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Liir and Daddy look silly," Gaile giggled.
Fiyero and Liir stood in the hallway, both of their faces covered in shaving cream.
"What mess have you boys gotten yourselves into this time?" Elphaba sighed.
"I'm shaving like Daddy," Liir smiled proudly.
"Oh, really?" Elphaba asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Daddy's in trouble," Gaile sing-songed in a hushed whisper.
"L-Liir, why don't you back into the bathroom? I'll be right back," Fiyero said softly, knowing what was coming next.
Liir obeyed and went back into the bathroom, singing a song he made up about 'shaving like Daddy'. Gaile wiggled out of her mother's arms and ran down the hall in search of her grandparents.
"Yero," Elphaba sighed.
"Relax, Fae. It's not like I gave him a – LIIR, DON'T TOUCH THAT RAZOR!"
Elphaba slowly shook her head. "You're hopeless."
"Hey, it's not my fault. He wanted to shave."
"Shave what?" Elphaba asked incredulously, her eyebrow vanishing into her hairline.
"His non-existent beard?" Fiyero tried.
"Nice try," Elphaba smirked, crossing her arms.
"I love you," Fiyero smiled, wrapping his arms around his wife.
"Mmhmm," Elphaba hummed.
"Well, I do. And you should probably get dressed now. Glin and Khy will be arriving soon," Fiyero said, leaning in and kissing Elphaba's cheek, but the green girl pushed him away, wiping shaving cream off her face.
"Right. Shave first. Sorry," Fiyero said sheepishly.
"And don't let Liir cut himself on the razor. Better yet, don't let him use the razor."
"I told him not to touch it."
Elphaba simply nodded and turned, her hand sliding across the wall as she walked back to her bedroom. She emerged half an hour later, wearing a silky, sleeveless dark blue dress. The skirt of the dress stopped at her ankles and a large bow was tied in the back. She felt her way down the hall to the staircase and gracefully walked down the stairs, her hand clutching tightly onto the banister.
"Mama!" Gaile giggled, running up to her mother and wrapping her arms around her legs.
"Hi, sweetie," Elphaba smiled, lifting Gaile into her arms and kissing her forehead. "Where are Daddy and Liir?"
"Liir's outside and Daddy's in the kitchen, trying to sneak some cookies before dinner." Turning her head to make sure her father didn't hear her, Gaile leaned forward and whispered into her mother's ear. "But he told me not to tell you."
"Oh, did he, now?" Elphaba asked, a smirk playing on the ends of her lips.
"Uh-huh," Gaile nodded.
"Well, then…" Elphaba slowly walked towards the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. "Hold it right there, mister!"
Fiyero jumped and dropped the sugar cookie he was about to eat and turned around, seeing Elphaba standing in the doorway, a disapproving frown on her face and Gaile, who was looking at him with her large, chocolate eyes, holding back a giggle.
"H-Hi, Fae," Fiyero said, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing as he wiped cookie crumbs off of his good dress shirt.
"Don't you 'Hi, Fae' me. You know the rules. No cookies until after lunch," Elphaba frowned.
"Liir does it all the time," Fiyero pouted.
"And where do you think he get's that from?"
"Galinda."
"That's no excuse, Fiyero Tigulaar."
"It's true."
"Gaile, what do you think a suitable punishment for Daddy would be?" Elphaba asked, turning towards her daughter.
"Time out," Gaile said seriously. "And no more cookies."
"C'mon, Fae," Fiyero whined.
"That sounds perfect," Elphaba smirked, setting her daughter down. "Go find your brother and tell him everyone will be arriving soon."
"Okay, Mama." Gaile gave her mother a quick hug before skipping off.
Elphaba turned back to Fiyero and her frown returned. Growling, she snapped her fingers and pointed in front her, motioning for Fiyero to come. Whimpering, Fiyero obeyed and walk towards his wife.
"I love you, Fae," Fiyero said for what he hoped wasn't the last time.
"Don't even try that," Elphaba growled, reaching up to where she believed Fiyero's ear was and, grabbing it, dragged him out of the kitchen and into the parlor.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Fiyero exclaimed as Elphaba dragged him out by the ear. "Fae, you're hurting me!"
"You heard Gaile. You're in time out until our guests arrive. And you're not getting dessert."
"But, Fae –"
"No buts. You are to stay here and don't move," Elphaba said sternly.
Fiyero pouted and stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest.
"Mama! Mama! Look what I found!" Liir exclaimed, running into the room with Gaile close behind him.
Elphaba turned and felt her son take her hand and place it on something wet and slimy. "Liir, what is this?"
"It's a frog. Can I keep it?" Liir asked.
Elphaba quickly pulled her hand away, careful not to wipe it on her dress. "No! Absolutely not! Frogs do not belong in the house. Take it back outside."
"But frogs are good for the economy," Liir protested.
"Ecosystem," Fiyero corrected.
"Same thing," Liir waved it off. "Please?"
"No," Elphaba said, shaking her head. "Put it back outside."
"Auntie Galinda says that frogs are not pets," Gaile recited, her nose sticking high in the air.
Liir sighed, but obeyed his mother and ran back outside. Elphaba shivered, her fingers still feeling wet and slimy.
"I'm going to wash my hands. Gaile, please make sure your father doesn't get up," Elphaba said as she slowly felt her way out of the parlor.
"Okay," Gaile giggled as she climbed into her father's lap.
"Tattle tail," Elphaba heard Fiyero mutter to their daughter and couldn't help but smile. She quickly washed her hands, ridding herself of the slippery, slimy, frog feeling against her fingertips. As she tried off, she heard the sound of horses and wheels against the road. Smiling, she quickly made her way back downstairs.
"Announcing Mrs. Nessarose Thropp-Fitzgerald and Master Boq Fitzgerald of Munchkinland," the announcer said as she doors opened. Boq wheeled Nessa in, smiling at the royal couple. A four year old girl was fast asleep in Nessa's lap, her thumb planted firmly in her mouth.
"Fabala!" Nessa smiled, handing the slumbering toddler to her husband so she could properly greet her sister. "It's so good to see you."
"You, too, Nessie," Elphaba smiled as she knelt down and gave her sister a hug.
"You're looking well, Elphaba," Boq smiled at his sister-in-law.
"Thank you, Boq," Elphaba smiled.
"Is this our beautiful niece?" Fiyero smiled, looking at Ivana. "She's gotten so big."
"Say hi to Uncle Fiyero, Ivana," Boq smiled, handing the sleeping girl over to Fiyero.
The little girl's eyes slowly opened and she smiled. "Uncle Fiywero! Aunt Elphieba!"
The adults couldn't help laughing. "Hello to you too, little one," Fiyero smiled, kissing his niece's forehead. He gently set Ivana down, who was immediately engulfed into a hug from Gaile and Liir.
"Announcing Mrs. Galinda Arduenna Upland-Turnwell and Master Khynel Turnwell of the Upper Uplands in Wittica," the announcer said, taking a deep breath.
"She made him say her full name," Elphaba sighed.
"You know Galinda," Nessa giggled as she doors opened once again, revealing a very pregnant Galinda.
"Elphie!" Galinda smiled, waddling as fast as she could towards her friend.
Elphaba smiled as she opened her arms for the hug she knew was coming. She felt the blonde happily wrap her and she returned the hug. "It's so good to see you! I've missed you so much!" the blonde gushed.
"I've missed you, too, Glin," Elphaba chuckled, gently pulling away from the blonde. "May I?"
"Of course, Elphie," the blonde smiled, gently taking her friend's hand and placing it on her abdomen.
Elphaba felt Galinda's round stomach and smiled. "How far along are you?"
"Seven and a half months," the blonde said, a slight groan escaping her lips. "I don't know how you did this with twins, Elphie."
"Where's Khy?" Fiyero asked, not seeing his cousin.
"Oh, he's getting the luggage," Galinda said, waving a dismissive hand.
"You still wanted to make the trip?" Elphaba asked, concern filling her voice.
"And miss out on the opportunity of seeing you again? I don't think so!"
Elphaba slowly shook her head. "Whatever you say, Glin."
"Hey! Let's not forget about me! Little help here!" Khynel called, struggling with Galinda's many suitcases.
"Glin, how many suitcases to you have?" Elphaba asked.
"Too many!" Khynel cried.
"You're only staying for two weeks. You don't need that much stuff. What are you doing? Moving here?" Fiyero asked, running to help Khynel.
"I need everything in those suitcases! And don't drop any of them!" Galinda called.
"What is Oz's name is in here?" Fiyero cried, almost falling over.
"Everything I need," Galinda sniffed.
"Don't ask," Khynel whispered to his cousin.
Galinda angrily whirled around to face her husband. "What was that?"
"Nothing, dearest," Khynel smiled, following Fiyero up the stairs to their room.
Galinda sighed and rubbed her lower back. "I swear to Oz, once this baby is born…"
"I understand, Glin," Elphaba smiled, squeezing the blonde's hand.
Galinda looked up at her friend and forced a small smile. "Now… where are my nieces and nephew?"
Elphaba frowned. "There not here?"
"They must have escaped," Boq chuckled. "And they didn't take me with them."
Nessa elbowed Boq in the stomach. "Kidding," Boq whimpered.
"Auntie Galinda!" three little voices called, running up to their aunt.
Galinda turned and smiled, seeing Ivana, Gaile and Liir running up to her. She slowly knelt down and pulled the three children in for a hug. "Hello, my lovelies. My, my, look how much you've grown."
"Wow! Your tummy got really big," Ivana said, looking at Galinda's stomach in awe.
"Ivana!" Nessa chided.
Galinda laughed. "It's okay, Nessa." Smiling, she turned back to Ivana. "Would you like to feel the baby kick?"
"There's a baby in there?" Gaile asked, looking at her aunt's stomach.
Galinda nodded.
"How did it get in there?" Liir asked.
Boq coughed and Nessa elbowed him in the stomach again.
"Did you eat it?" Ivana asked.
"No," Galinda giggled. "I didn't eat the baby," she smiled, tickling the children.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Gaile asked, squirming away from her aunt.
"Can it be a boy? We already have two girls," Liir frowned.
"Sorry, Liir. But I think this one's a girl," Galinda smiled, placing her hand on her abdomen.
"How do you know?" Liir asked, still hoping for a loophole.
"Galinda's already painted the nursery pink," Khynel laughed, returning with Fiyero.
"Really, Glin? What if it's a boy?" Nessa asked logically.
"Then that boy is gonna have a pink room," Boq smirked.
"It's not a boy. I can feel it," Galinda protested.
"I think it's time for lunch now," Elphaba said, signaling the end to the conversation.
"Lunch sounds great. But first, I have presents," Galinda smiled as Khynel helped her to her feet.
"Yay! Presents!" the children exclaimed, bouncing up and down.
"Glin, it's not their birthday," Elphaba said dryly.
"I don't care," Galinda waved it off. "Oh, Khy dear, could you get the boxes, please?"
Khynel frowned. "What boxes?"
"The ones in the suitcase."
"Which suitcase?"
"The one you brought up."
"I brought up all of them."
"Oh. Well, in that case, get all of them."
Khynel's jaw dropped to the floor. "W-What? B-But we just put them up in our room."
"Get all of them."
"Glin, surely we don't have to –"
"Do it!"
Khynel quickly ran back up the stairs and vanished from sight. He returned shortly, three small, wrapped boxes in his hands.
"Found them," Khynel smiled, glad he didn't have to go through all the suitcases.
"Thank you, dear," Galinda smiled, taking the boxes and handing them to the children.
"Yay!" Gaile and Ivanna giggled as they pulled out beautiful rag dolls. Gaile's doll had beautiful, blonde hair, blue eyes and a sparkly, blue dress. Ivana's doll was exactly the same, except hers was wearing a pink dress. Liir opened his box and found an assortment of fruit flavored lollies.
"What do you say?" Fiyero asked, kneeling down to the children's height.
"Thank you, Auntie Galinda!" Ivana, Gaile and Liir smiled, happily wrapping their arms around their aunt.
"You're welcome, my lovelies," Galinda smiled, wrapping her arms around the youngest members of her family.
"Your Highnesses, lunch is served," a maid said, curtsying before leaving.
"Yes! Finally!" Fiyero smiled, taking Elphaba's arm.
"I don't know why you're so excited. You're not getting any dessert," Elphaba said, turning her head towards Fiyero.
"What did he do this time?" Khynel chuckled.
"He tried to sneak cookies before lunch."
Khynel burst into laughter. "We used to do that all the time when we were kids. Really, Fiyero. You used to be better at that."
"I almost got away with it, too," Fiyero muttered.
"Who told on you?" Galinda giggled.
"Gaile."
"Betrayed by your own daughter," Boq laughed.
"Shut up, Boq," Fiyero hissed, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
After lunch, everyone gathered in the parlor to relax. Khynel gave Galinda a relaxing foot massage, producing small moans of relief from the blonde. Ivanna and Gaile had fallen asleep, thankfully, and were cradled in their mothers' arms. Both girls had their thumbs planted firmly in their mouths, even though Elphaba insisted that Gaile was too old to be sucking on her thumb. Liir was currently playing outside, under strict orders not to bring another frog, or anything else he found, into the castle. Fiyero's arm was gently wrapped around Elphaba's shoulders, though he was still a bit mad at her for not allowing him to have dessert. Boq sat next to Nessa, enjoying a cup of tea. Alyena and Navon sat across from Elphaba and Fiyero. Alyena was reading a novel while Navon completed the crossword puzzles in the paper.
"Fae?" Fiyero whispered.
"Yeah?" Elphaba asked, brushing some of Gaile's hair away from her face.
"I love you."
Elphaba chuckled. "I love you, too, Yero."
"I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget."
"How could I forget when you tell me every five seconds?"
"Exactly!"
Dark eyes rolled. Gaile stirred and Elphaba gently tightened her grip around her. "As usual, your logic is flawless."
"What can I say? It's what I do," Fiyero smirked.
Elphaba rolled her eyes again. "You're such a dork."
"I know. But I'm your dork."
"Will you two just shut up and kiss already?" Galinda asked, smirking at the couple.
"I'm holding Gaile," Elphaba said, tenderly stroking her daughter's hair.
Boq gently took Gaile from Elphaba's arms. "Not anymore."
Fiyero snickered and pulled Elphaba in for a kiss.
"You can come up for air now," Galinda said after a while.
The couple pulled away. Elphaba blushed when she felt Fiyero's fingers gently gliding over her cheek.
"I love you, Fae. Now and forever."
Elphaba smiled. "Forever and always."
Well, that's all, folks. That's the end. Who spotted the references? Two final 'Nias' to end the story. I'll PM you if you get one (or both) right.
I'm sorry to report that there will not be a sequel, but I'm honored that you all have loved this story so much that you request a sequel.
I would like to personally thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who favorited, followed, reviewed and read. It means the world to me.
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