Many, many years ago.
The celebration for the spring equinox was a three-day affair. Each Vinkun tribe sent their representatives to celebrate the arrival of spring and prayed to the deities for a good year and prosperity for Vinkus.
When night fell, bonfires were lit up all over the plains. Men and women formed big circles or smaller groups, and the music started. There were bongos, congas, flutes, maracas, rattles, tambourines and more. The people were singing and dancing, clapping their hands to the beat.
"So this is the infamous spring bonfire night."
Fiyero looked at her.
"What do you know about tonight?"
"Tibbett told me that it's the night where the tribes put aside their differences and prayed to the deities as one Vinkus."
"That's true."
"Crope told me that for tonight all boundaries and constraints are off, and no one is a stranger. It's the night where two strangers can become familiar like husband and wife, and any baby conceived tonight is blessed by the deities." She remembered the dark-skinned boy selling flowers at Red Windmill. "He warned me not to interfere if you walk off with another woman. It'll turn into a political disaster and bad luck will fall upon the tribe."
Fiyero laughed. Sometimes he was surprised that their marriage had survived thus far with the brainless things that his closest friends spouted. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere."
She raised her brows. "Really? Isn't it bad luck if you don't participate?"
"There's no such thing."
"Can we join in the dance?"
It was his turn to look surprised as he looked down on her swollen belly.
"Why? I am not that big."
"Of course," Fiyero kissed her on her forehead. Her hair was let loose, and she looked wild and untamed. "And you look gorgeous tonight. You're positively glowing," he said, referring to her pregnancy that had lent a glow to her skin.
There were people of different age groups and sizes dancing together. Some of them formed a big circle, while others danced in small groups. Two groups moved closer to each other, and the people from one group flowed seamlessly to the other as they switched partners. One of the young men turned and looked at Elphaba, showing without a doubt that he liked what he saw. He was not the first person to look at her that way that night.
"You know, we should join them." Fiyero decided.
"Really?"
"Yes." He nodded. "It's spring equinox. And I got to give those poor chaps a chance to dance with you right? I've seen more than a few of them trying hard not to keep looking at you."
"You're kidding me."
"Why would I lie? Let's go and enjoy ourselves. Tonight, we're not royalty. We are not Arjikis. We're Vinkuns, and this is our big family."
"Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa." Nor greeted her parents as she entered the kitchen.
"You're early," Elphaba said.
Fiyero did one last flip of the pancake and slid it onto a clean plate for his daughter.
"And you're all dressed up."
Elphaba nudged her husband.
"There's nothing wrong with dressing up," he added. "I mean, it's not as if the train is only arriving tomorrow."
Nor blushed.
"Yero!"
Fiyero chuckled.
"We'll bring you to the station."
"You don't have to!"
"I got to go pick up something in town, and your mama could do with some fresh air. Liir is coming too."
She looked at her father in disbelief.
"It's not the circus, Papa."
"I'm just kidding. Liir is not coming."
They arrived early, and Fiyero sat down with Elphaba on a shaded bench. Nor stood next to them for a few minutes and chatted with them but soon gave up. She walked away slowly, making her way to the front of the platform. She hoped that Gerrie would be looking out of the window when the train came in.
She heard her father laughing and turned around. Her parents' heads were close together, her mother's hands waving as she described something before they rested on her belly. Fiyero laughed again and put his hand on hers before they kissed. Nor smiled.
The girl's face lit up when she heard the sound of the train approaching; the train was early. Nor shaded her eyes with her hands as the train approached. She squinted her eyes as the train sped past, trying to look into the carriage to find Gerrie. Even though the train was slowing down, it was still fast, and suddenly she thought she saw a familiar face flashed by, her big eyes looking back. As Nor ran after the train, Gerrie popped her head out of the window and waved at her madly before she was pulled back by an adult. Nor laughed.
Gerrie flew out of the train the moment it slowed to a stop, and Nor rushed forward but the princess stopped an arm's length away. She looked back at her parents shyly. Fiyero and Elphaba smiled at her, and she smiled back before going to her girlfriend and giving her a fierce hug.
"I'm so happy to be back," Gerrie whispered into Nor's ear and Nor kissed her on her cheek.
"I missed you too."
The rest of the family got off the train, and Fiyero and Elphaba greeted them.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble," Gerward said.
Fiyero knew what he had meant, but he pretended otherwise. "It's no trouble. We had some parcels to pick up nearby. Come, let me help you with your belongings," he said as he picked up the nearest luggage.
"I bought something for you," Gerrie told Nor, and the girl turned to her mother.
"Mama, can I…"
"Of course," Elphaba told her eldest. "I'm sure you have lots of catching up to do."
Nor tiptoed and kissed her mother on her cheek. "Thank you, Mama."
They secured the luggage, and Fiyero pulled Elphaba back just as they were ready to go.
"What is it?" she asked him.
He pointed at the ticketing booth. Elphaba looked where he was pointing, and she raised her brows. Liir was there, leaning over the booth. He said something, the young girl manning the counter giggled as her face turned red. He did not notice that his parents and sister were there.
"I guess this means he's over Sarima?" Fiyero asked his wife.
"I certainly hoped so."
Fiyero kissed his wife. "Today is a good day. And I love you."
Elphaba kissed him back. "I love you too, Yero."
Many, many years ago.
"Nervous?" Fiyero asked as their carriage approached the familiar building.
She rolled her eyes. "I grew up here, Yero. Why would I be nervous?"
He shrugged and patted the bundle that was strapped to his chest when the baby inside stirred.
"Fabala!" her sister squealed the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
"Nessa! Nanny!"
Elphaba went up to her sister and hugged her.
"Nessa, I missed you so much," she told her sister.
"I missed you too. You look great!" Nessa looked at her sister. "Where's the baby? Did you bring her?"
"Of course I did," Elphaba chuckled.
Elphaba looked behind her, where Fiyero was standing. The prince lifted the baby from the sling and he passed her to Elphaba before the green girl showed her sister her baby. Nessa tilted her face, and Elphaba lifted the baby so that she could rub her cheek against Nor's.
"She's beautiful, Fabala."
"She's not green, Little Frog," Nanny said, but Elphaba knew that her nanny did not mean it as an insult.
"Fabala, something came up last minute, and Father had to go to the Emerald City. He is sorry that he won't be able to meet you and his granddaughter."
"I'm sure - "
"Can we go inside? I'm sure you're tired, and it's almost time for Nor's feeding," Fiyero interrupted.
She rolled her eyes at her husband but did not protest. He was right; she was tired after sitting in the carriage for so long.
They went to the parlour and Elphaba stretched her limbs as they waited for their refreshments.
Nor started to wail when tea was brought in, and Elphaba breastfed her as she chatted with Nessa and Nanny. Fiyero listened attentively, chipping in once in a while.
"You never told me that he is so handsome," Nessa teased her sister when Fiyero left to sort out their luggage.
"Well, he's not hideous." Elphaba tried to keep a poker face. She knew that he was considered handsome by Vinkun standards, but for her, his attractiveness grew when she grew to love him.
"You're blushing, Fabala."
"No, I'm not!"
"And he's so gentle with Nor. Is he a good father?"
"Yes, he is. He's really hands-on and he loves Nor," she said.
"Is he a good lover?"
"Nanny!" Elphaba turned red again.
"I am just trying to find out if he is good to you."
"I think you are just being nosy."
"Nothing is off-topic to Nanny," Nanny told her absolutely and they laughed.
They talked for a while longer, and then Nor fell asleep and Elphaba yawned.
"You must be so tired from the trip. Why don't you go take a nap? We'll let you know when supper is ready."
The things had all been unpacked by the time Elphaba went back to her guest room.
"Everything's good?" Fiyero asked as she put the baby onto the cot bed.
"Yes. I'm so glad to be back. I really missed talking to them. And I'm so glad you came along." She straddled Fiyero and kissed him.
"I was hoping that Father would be here though. I want to let him what I think of his little scheme."
"You didn't happen to bring a pair of scissors along to confront him, did you?" Fiyero asked, and Elphaba laughed. "Of course not!" He smiled and kissed her again. His tongue slipped into her mouth as his hands slid down her curves and he kissed her neck.
"Are these walls sound-proof?" he asked.
"What are you thinking?" Elphaba grinned at him.
"I've tried the bed just now. It's very comfortable."
"And?" She pretended not to understand, but she stood up, pulling him to the bed and pushing him down. She let her dress pooled to the floor and hovered over him, smiling when she saw the grin on his face.
Fiyero pulled her down to him and they kissed again, slowly.
"I love you, Yero."
"I love you too, Fae."