EPILOGUE (Part Two): FATE'S DESIGN

"Fiyero, Glinda said she'd marry us!"

"Wait—what?"

"Glinda said she'd marry us, Yero…today."

Fiyero said nothing, he merely released Elphaba's waist and stepped back from her. Unsettled by his dumbfounded silence, Elphaba straightened her spine and cleared her throat.

"I mean—" Elphaba continued with a breathy scoff. "I mean—you know. If you still wanted to, that is."

Glinda audibly smacked her forehead.

"Auntie Glinda what's happening?" Liir whispered to Glinda.

"A beautiful moment between your parents that we'll all look back fondly on," Glinda whispered back. "I hope."

"I'm sorry," Fiyero shook his head. "What are—"

"She does it all over Oz and it's pricey but she'd give us the friends and family discount which I think is a joke because I imagine she'd do it for us for free," Elphaba rambled, shooting a crazed look towards Glinda. "Right Glinda?"

"Right—" Glinda began.

"And she said she could do it today!" Elphaba cut her off, turning back to Fiyero. "Right now, in fact!"

"Right now?!" Fiyero spluttered.

"Or whenever!" Elphaba blurted. "You know—whenever works for you. Though of course Glinda and Liir can't stay forever—"

"Fae—"

"—so if you wanted Glinda to officiate it would make the most sense to do it today so we have enough time—"

"Elphaba—"

"Would late afternoon suit you better or perhaps after dusk—?"

"Elphaba!" Fiyero exclaimed over her. "Elphaba, please, slow down! Go back! What are you saying?!"

"I'm saying that we could get married if you—"

"If I wanted to?" Fiyero finished for her. "We could get married if I still wanted to?"

"Well, yes—of course," Elphaba said. "I mean…I mean…if it would make you happy."

Fiyero's jaw dropped.

"Oof," Glinda winced, nudging Liir's side. "I've been on the other side of that one."

"I can't watch this," Liir mumbled.

"It's okay, sweetie," Glinda said, covering Liir's eyes with her hand. "I'll tell you when it's over."

"But it'd make you happy too, right?!" Fiyero pressed Elphaba.

"Of course—" Elphaba spluttered. "Of course it would. Sweet Oz, Fiyero, this…this is all coming out wrong!"

"Are you just doing this for me, Elphaba? For Liir?"

"No."

"For what, then?"

"For me, alright?!" Elphaba huffed in annoyance.

"For you?"

"Yes! For me! I want to marry you!"

"Are you asking?!"

"Yes! Okay?! Fine. I'm asking!" Elphaba hissed in defeat. "Marry me, damn it."

"'Marry me damn it'?" Fiyero quoted in bewilderment. "I give you nineteen years of beautiful, thoughtful proposals—"

"You once proposed to me while I had food poisoning."

"—and I get 'marry me damn it'?!"

"Well?" Elphaba gestured impatiently. "What's your answer?"

Fiyero laughed once.

"No!"

Elphaba gaped.

"No?"

"Yeah, no," Fiyero crossed his arms. "How's it feel, Fae?"

"Are you saying no just to be petty?"

"No," Fiyero said pettily. "That's just an added bonus."

"Then why?" Elphaba pressed. "Why won't you marry me? I thought that's what you wanted all this time!"

Fiyero sighed heavily and rubbed his face.

"What is this about, Elphaba? What is it really about? Are you just trying to, what? Appease me? Humor me?"

"No."

"Because I have no interest in marrying you if it's not what you really want—"

"It is!" Elphaba said passionately. Fiyero's eyes met hers and she said it again, gentler this time. "It is what I want, Fiyero."

Fiyero softened but remained guarded.

"Really? You mean that?"

"I swear, Fiyero. I swear on my…" Elphaba trailed off slowly before giving her head a small shake. "No."

Elphaba stepped forward and took Fiyero's hands in hers. Sensing the turn in the conversation, Glinda uncovered Liir's eyes.

"Fiyero…I swear on our son's life that this is what I want," Elphaba said seriously. "I swear on Liir that I truly wish to marry you."

That caught Fiyero's attention.

He didn't speak, but his heart steadily began to race as Elphaba's sincerity sunk in. The familiar impulse to propose returned to him, but while the prospect of finally hearing a yes from Elphaba's lips was tempting—very tempting…he did not bend his knee. He simply held her gaze and nodded in expectation.

"Okay, Elphaba," Fiyero said at last. "Then ask me again. If you really mean it…ask me again."

Elphaba took a deep breath before she carefully, deliberately lowered herself to her knees.

"Very well, Yero," she surrendered softly.

"Oh sweet Oz it's happening," Glinda squealed excitedly to Liir.

"When—" Elphaba cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind both ears. "When I first fell for you I thought you'd never be mine…"

Elphaba's pulse rushed. Her face felt hot, flushed from the vulnerability of it all. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she anxiously twisted her ring around her finger. Her eyes were cast upon it too, as if the ring held instructions on how to propose and propose well. She wanted to do it right.

For him.

"When you ran away with me I thought you'd only be mine for one night. I never…" Elphaba swallowed scratchily. "I never thought—oh…" Elphaba released a sharp breath and put her face in her hands. "How did you do this so many times?!"

Fiyero swiftly knelt on the ground in front of Elphaba and took her hands away from her face to hold them. They trembled terribly in his. Her gaze tilted up towards his and she shook her head in self-concious apology.

"I don't know where to begin, Yero. I don't know how to begin," Elphaba fretted. "After so long a time…how could I possibly do this justice?"

"Don't worry about all that," Fiyero said softly, his eyes filled with earnest encouragement. "Just talk. Just talk to me, Fae."

Though they were both kneeling on the ground, a deviation from a standard proposal, the position felt right for them. Natural. Nostalgic. Affection slowly warmed Elphaba's body, her breath returned, and the fear of not finding the words began to fade. For that moment, just for that moment, she could see no further than what was directly in front of her eyes.

Fiyero.

"I never thought I'd be here," Elphaba confessed, tone calmer. Heart calmer. "I never thought I'd marry, yes, but I never thought—oh…even in my wildest dreams, Fiyero, I don't think I ever truly let myself believe that you could really be mine forever."

Fiyero opened his mouth but Elphaba rushed to cover his lips with her fingertips.

"And I know, okay? I know. It must vex you terribly to hear that!" Elphaba acknowledged. "You've been promising me for twenty years that you'd stay by my side and you have stood by those promises every time. You've stood by me every time."

Elphaba uncovered his lips and returned her hands into his with a tiny shake of her head.

"But even so. Even so…it was impossible to imagine that I had really ended up so—" Elphaba had to laugh over her next word, "Lucky. It feels an odd word to use for myself…but it's true. I am lucky. I am so unfathomably lucky to have you, Yero, I always have been. To have had you by my side throughout the darkest and the brightest seasons of my life…and to know that you'll be there through the rest."

Elphaba twisted her fingers tighter with Fiyero's, growing bolder as she spoke.

"I mean…sweet Oz, Yero. Do you ever look back and think—really think of all we've done as a pair? We were fugitives together, faked our deaths together, crossed a desert together…" A tiny smile curved on Elphaba's lips before saying the best of all. "Created the world's most beautiful child together."

"That we did," Fiyero agreed.

Liir smiled in embarrassment from the sidelines.

"We grieved the loss of him together…" Elphaba continued softly. "And then we stood together when he found his way back to us."

Elphaba shrugged helplessly, shaking her head in awe as she looked upon her Fiyero.

"I love you, Yero. I just love you so much. I love your mind, your heart, your courage. Your humor, your confidence, Oz—and your patience, Fiyero, your patience!" Elphaba laughed lightly. "You are my partner. You're my confidant, my comfort, my heart."

Elphaba spared a glance towards Liir and Glinda. Glinda gave her a nod of encouragement and, having gathered all she needed, Elphaba returned her eyes to Fiyero.

"Yero, if after all this time you will still have me…I am ready for the tremendous honor of becoming your wife," Elphaba breathed. Fiyero's eyes softened at the word. "It is with extraordinary humility that I ask you on this day to finally, finally be my husband…"

Elphaba, the moment upon her now, took a breath before she leapt.

"Fiyero Tigelaar…will you marry me?"

Without hesitation Fiyero swiftly swept Elphaba against him and he kissed her. Fervently. Elphaba was consumed by it and, momentarily oblivious of their witnesses, kissed and kissed him back.

"Mmm—no, you actually have to answer," Elphaba laughed breathlessly as Fiyero turned his head to kiss and nuzzle at her cheek. "Will you marry me or not?"

"Sure, I'll marry you Fae," Fiyero muttered simply. "Why the hell not?"

Elphaba beamed and swatted at his chest.

"I hate you so much," she muttered before yanking at his shirt to pull him back for more.

"My parents are getting married…" Liir said in disbelief.

"Your parents are getting married!" Glinda screamed, yanking Liir into a hug and rocking him side to side. "Oh I'm so happy for you, Liiry! You'll finally be legitimate!"

"Auntie Glinda!"

"Oh! Oh there's so much to do!" Glinda shrieked.

She pulled away from Liir and clapped her hands towards Fiyero and Elphaba who were still locked into each other.

"Enough necking! There'll be plenty of time for all that. We've got a wedding to put on!"

Glinda trotted down the steps and Fiyero and Elphaba's lips separated with an audible pop as she yanked them apart.

"We'd best act quick, Fiyero," Glinda plotted as he and Elphaba stood up. "You've gotta seal the deal before she can change her mind."

"I'm not going to change my mind!" Elphaba protested.

"That's right because Fiyero and I won't let you! Alright now give me your little rings. Cough 'em up," Glinda commanded before looking over her shoulder. "Liir honey, come down here!"

Elphaba and Fiyero twisted off their rings and gave them to Glinda who plunked them into Liir's hand when he approached.

"You're in charge of those," Glinda instructed Liir. "Now go with Dad and I'll handle Mom. Make sure he's at the beach in half an hour."

"Got it," Liir nodded.

"Wait, should we ask Calix and Hallidah to come?" Fiyero asked Elphaba.

"Somehow I doubt Glinda is licensed in Ev so we'll have to go to the courthouse anyhow," Elphaba said. "Let's bring them then."

"Two weddings?"

"Two weddings," Elphaba grinned.

They leaned in to kiss but Glinda seized Elphaba's wrist before their lips could meet yet again.

"What did I tell you?! There's no time to waste!" Glinda insisted, dragging Elphaba up the stairs and into the house.

Once inside, Glinda plunked Elphaba down in one of the dining chairs before moving to rummage through her bag. A moment later Elphaba flinched back when Glinda brought a mascara wand close to her face without warning.

"What are you doing?"

"Your makeup, silly," Glinda said.

"I never wear makeup."

"When was the last time?"

"That night after the OzDust?"

"Perfect. Let's do it for old time's sake," Glinda said before grasping Elphaba's chin to apply color to her lash.

Elphaba, understanding she was as powerless to Glinda's will as she'd always been, sighed and consented to be done up. After applying some light makeup Glinda brushed Elphaba's hair so it fell long and loose down her back. Then, grabbing the bundle she'd brought from Oz, Glinda began twisting and pinning some wildflowers into Elphaba's hair.

"Glinda, you've done it again!" Glinda complimented herself as she fluffed out Elphaba's hair. "You can use the rest for your bouquet. Now let's go raid your closet."

"I've got nothing," Elphaba sighed, following Glinda into the bedroom. "At least nothing, you know. Bridal."

"This is nice," Glinda said, pulling out a gray dress with a long-layered skirt.

"It's got like forty different fabrics," Elphaba said, pointing out the piecework look.

"Easily remedied. Stand back…"

Elphaba stood back and Glinda gave the dress a few strong shakes before twirling in a single circle with it. Elphaba's jaw slowly dropped as the dress's color, though maintaining its shape and flowy half sleeves, transformed into a fetching ivory color. Elphaba was speechless as Glinda handed her the dress.

"What is it, Elphie?"

"Your magic creates such joyful things," Elphaba marveled, looking up to admire her. "You're a wonder, Glinda."

Glinda helped Elphaba get dressed and stood her in front of the full-length mirror to get a good look at herself. A look at herself as a bride.

"Why Miss Elphaba. Look at you…" Glinda whispered, leaning her chin on Elphaba's shoulder. "You're still so beautiful."

They walked arm and arm down towards the beach and Glinda shouted ahead for Fiyero to turn around before he could glimpse Elphaba. Glinda waved for Liir who jogged up to join them.

"Alright. I'm going to go take my place. Liir, take your mama's arm so you can walk her up."

"Oh no," Elphaba said suddenly. "No, please Glinda. I'll go alone. I don't want him to—Glinda!"

Refusing to listen, Glinda was already prancing to join Fiyero further down the beach. Elphaba's shoulders slumped and she looked back at Liir whose expression was confused and crestfallen.

"I don't have to walk you," Liir said. "Not if you don't want me too…"

"Oh, Liir it's nothing like that…" Elphaba sighed. "It's that—"

Her breath hitched as she looked upon him.

"It's that if you walk me…I'm going to cry," she confessed in a warbly tone. "Buckets, I fear."

"You shouldn't be ashamed to cry," Liir quoted with a softly ironic smile. "I mean I always am…but you shouldn't be."

"Haven't you learned by now?" Elphaba said. "I never follow my own advice."

Elphaba pulled her son into a steadying hug and took a long breath to soothe her rising emotions.

"You look really pretty, Mom."

"Oh—" Elphaba choked, her predicted tears leaping to her eyes. "You horrendous brat. Look at what you've done."

They pulled out of the hug and Elphaba fanned her eyes to recompose herself. Liir offered her his arm and Elphaba's heart swelled to take it.

"Alright. Let's do this," Elphaba exhaled, planting a kiss to the side of Liir's head. "I've kept your father waiting long enough."

Liir and Elphaba began walking across the beach where Glinda waited beside Fiyero. He had his back to them. Glinda murmured something to Fiyero and he turned.

Elphaba had expected Fiyero to smile, but instead his face softened beyond measure in breathless awe as he watched his Elphaba, in all her hasty bridal glory, approach. Already weakened by the honor of having her son on her arm, Elphaba's eyes threatened to mist simply over the way Fiyero was looking at her.

Motherhood had made her too soft.

When they reached Fiyero, Elphaba kissed Liir on the cheek before he went to stand beside Glinda.

"Hello," Elphaba greeted Fiyero with a breathless laugh, slipping her hands into his.

Fiyero shook his head as he got a good look at her.

"You are…" Fiyero exhaled. "So beautiful, Fae."

"Oh, like father, like son," Elphaba scowled with surging emotion. "You and Liir are intent on wrecking me."

Fiyero took Elphaba's face in his hands and kissed her softly. When their lips parted he leaned forward to murmur privately in her ear.

"How do you feel?"

"Ready," Elphaba breathed back. It was the truth. "Very, very ready."

They leaned back and grasped hands once more before nodding for Glinda to proceed.

"Okay so usually I come down in the bubble or do some big trick with my wand. Birds, rainbows, that sort of thing—"

"I think we can go straight to the 'I dos' don't you think Yero?" Elphaba said. "We're not getting any younger here."

"Oh so now you're so impatient?" Fiyero teased.

"Alrighty then! Elphie, you first. Do you promise to keep on loving Fiyero even if things get bad and stuff?" Glinda asked, clearly going off the cuff. "Like if he's sick or hurt or gets really, really old—"

"People pay you money to do this?" Elphaba glanced sideways at Glinda.

"There's usually a script!" Glinda huffed. "Anyway, just answer the question. Do you?"

"I do," Elphaba confirmed with an amused smile. "Fiyero I promise to keep loving you. Even if things get bad and stuff."

"That's good to hear," Fiyero said, matching her smile.

"What about you, Fiyero?" Glinda asked. "Do you promise the same?"

"Absolutely I do."

"And now…for the rings," Glinda said with a dramatic flourish before unceremoniously elbowing Liir. "Liir, give 'em the rings."

Liir fished them out of his pocket and handed them over.

"Are these the same ones?" Fiyero frowned, looking closely at the ring. "They look nicer."

"Yeah I hope you don't mind," Liir said quickly. "They're the same ones I just used to quick charm to…shine them up a little."

Fiyero and Elphaba exchanged an amused, proud look.

"He's a lot smarter than we are, Fae."

"Yes," Elphaba agreed grinningly. "It seems the student has become the teacher."

Fiyero took Elphaba's hand and began to slide her ring on first.

"May these rings, which were merely junk from a flea market this morning—truly the cheapest trinkets money could buy—" Glinda began.

"Gee, thanks," Fiyero said, pausing halfway through.

"You didn't let me finish! May these rings now become the most precious symbol of your love and commitment to each other," Glinda said. "At least until you can afford something more expensive."

Fiyero slid the ring the rest of the way onto Elphaba's finger and brought her hand to his lips to kiss it. Elphaba in turn took Fiyero's hand and looked into his eyes as she slid the band onto his finger. Despite the slap happy mood, she could still feel the solemnity of their commitment settle warmly in her chest.

"I love you," she felt compelled to say.

"I love you too," Fiyero returned as always.

"You can sign what you need to sign to make this Ev official later blah blah blah…" Glinda quickly disclaimed before looking earnestly upon the pair. "But by the power vested in me by your homeland of Oz, and as witnessed by those who love you, I now pronounce you really and truly married. Fiyero? You may finally kiss your bride."

But as Fiyero leaned in to kiss Elphaba gently placed her fingertips to his lips to stop him.

"Wait! Just one moment."

Elphaba held her wrist out in front of them so they could both take note of the time. The exact moment they were wed.

"Just for good measure," Elphaba whispered excitedly.

With that Elphaba fastened her arms around Fiyero's neck and the newlyweds shared in an excited kiss. Fiyero braced Elphaba firmly against him and Elphaba laughed against his lips as he lifted her just enough that her feet kicked off the ground.

"We did it!" Glinda squealed, squeezing Liir against her side in celebration. But Liir reddened and groaned from embarrassment as his parents carried on with their enthusiastic embrace.

"This is your fault," Liir mumbled, shielding his face. "You did this."

"Oh Liiry, be happy they're so lovey!" Glinda teased. "Otherwise you'd never have been born."

Back up at the house Fiyero stopped Elphaba before she could reenter their cottage from the back deck.

"Wait, wait, wait," Fiyero said. "I've always wanted to do something."

Elphaba laughed dizzily as Fiyero scooped her into his arms bridal style to carry her across the threshold of their home.

"You've done this many times, my love," Elphaba reminded him.

"I know," Fiyero agreed, kissing her. "And it's all been practice for this moment."

The four of them celebrated the marriage by playing music from the second-hand victrola Fiyero had saved up months to purchase. Fiyero and Elphaba were attached at the hip more than usual, constantly stealing kisses between bouts of blissful bickering. When not plastered to Elphaba, Fiyero amused himself by dancing with Glinda for several songs in a row. They'd pushed the sofa against the wall so there was more floor space to spin around. Glinda, as smitten with Fiyero as she had been on their first day at Shiz, was relieved to have an equally matched dance partner again.

As Fiyero and Glinda indulged in a favorite pastime, so did Elphaba and Liir as they sat for a long-anticipated rematch at chess. They spoke very little, brows mutually furrowed in concentration, until Liir at last mentioned a matter on his mind.

"So…Mom?"

"Hm?" Elphaba hummed distractedly, fixated on the game.

"You and Auntie Glinda…" Liir approached awkwardly. "Dad and Auntie Glinda…"

Elphaba's eyes flicked upwards towards Liir but his stayed locked on the board.

"Ah, yes," Elphaba remarked as she placed her next piece. "Observant as ever, I see."

"It's not so hard to tell," Liir said, contemplating his next move.

"No it's really not," Elphaba agreed with a sigh, sitting back in her chair to look at him. "Is it weird for you?"

"I mean…yeah. A little," Liir admitted. "But I guess it's more confusing than weird."

"It's not all that confusing. Your father and I are committed partners," Elphaba said, flashing her ring finger. "And sometimes we…uh…" Elphaba trailed off. "Kiss your Auntie Glinda."

Liir raised his eyebrows at her.

"Okay I can see how it's confusing," Elphaba acknowledged with a sigh. She took a moment to consider her words. "Listen. The three of us just have a lot of love for each other…and a lot of love for you. At the end of the day that's really all there is to understand."

Liir cracked a small smile.

"It might still take some getting used to," Liir admitted with a chuckle, turning his eyes back towards the board. "But I got used to my mother being The Wicked Witch of the West. I think I can get used to this."

Liir placed a final piece.

"Checkmate."

"Oh, you wicked child!" Elphaba growled. "And I've practiced so much this year!"

"I can tell! Rematch?" Liir offered.

"No, I think not. You can best me again tomorrow," Elphaba sighed. She stood to offer her son her hands. "For now, come dance with your mother on her wedding day."

"I suck at dancing."

"Not any worse than me."

Liir took Elphaba's hands and they moved to join Fiyero and Glinda in the center of the floor. Embracing their status as the worst dancers in the room, Elphaba guided Liir in a dance that was clumsy as it was playful. Their graceless laughter was only interrupted when a slower melody began to play and Elphaba felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned from Liir to see Fiyero offering his hand to her.

"May I have the honor of dancing with my beautiful wife?" Fiyero asked.

Elphaba was charmed by him. Even after so much time she couldn't help but be charmed by him. She placed her hand in his and Fiyero pulled her close to lead her in a slow, peaceful dance.

"You're a married man," Elphaba remarked as they swayed together. "Did you ever think you'd see the day?"

"No, never. But I'm happy that I did," Fiyero answered, spinning her under his arm. "And I'm happy it's with you."

Elphaba was quiet for a moment and leaned her head against her husband's. She felt a twinge of long dormant insecurity. Across the years Fiyero had chosen and chosen and chosen her…but even still. Even now, on their wedding day, she was as humbly baffled by his affection as she was on their first night.

"Was it worth the wait, Yero?" Elphaba whispered privately. "Was I worth the wait?"

Fiyero leaned back to look into her eyes, anxious as always to soothe her doubts.

"I could have waited my entire life, sweet Elphaba," he murmured sincerely. "It still would have been worth it."

*・゚: *・゚

The next morning, Liir woke up early. He tried to get back to sleep but his mind was buzzing too much. Rather than stare at the ceiling he opted to get up and stretch his legs. It was just before dawn when he shuffled quietly out of his tiny room and tiptoed across the floor, not wanting to wake anyone. However, when he heard a tiny creak coming from the back porch he snuck outside to investigate.

"Mom?"

Elphaba was sitting on the porch swing still in her nightgown and robe, nursing a mug of tea. She looked over at Liir, faintly surprised to see him.

"My you're up early."

"Can I join you?"

Elphaba wordlessly opened her arm for him and curled it around Liir's shoulders as he sat beside her on the swing.

"What are you doing out here?" Liir asked.

"Sunrises remind me of your Aunt Nessa," Elphaba explained wistfully as she set her mug aside. "I try to set aside time now and then to think about her. Remember her."

"Oh. I could leave if you want—"

"Don't you dare," Elphaba warned, gripping his shoulder. "The Witch has you in her clutches now, you're not escaping that easy."

Liir chuckled and leaned his head against her shoulder. They sat together in peace, looking over the horizon of the ocean.

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"I haven't had any more dreams…" Liir revealed. "Not of you. Not since I left."

"Neither have I. I was curious if you had."

"Why do you think they stopped?"

"Heaven knows," Elphaba shrugged. "But if I had to guess…I think it's because we don't need them anymore."

Liir was quiet. He had assumed the same thing…though it disappointed him to hear Elphaba confirm it.

"Oh…"

Elphaba frowned over his tone.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. It's…nothing."

Liir stood off the swing and approached the deck railing so his back was to her.

"Liir," Elphaba called patiently. "What is it?"

Liir took a breath.

"You and Dad seem so happy now. You seem really good," Liir mumbled. "And I'm really glad about that—and I'm doing good too but…but…"

"But what?"

Liir turned to face Elphaba.

"I missed the dreams," Liir confessed weakly. "I missed Dad. I missed you."

Elphaba softened. "Oh…Liir—"

"And I understand if our meeting last year changed things for you!" Liir said quickly, averting his gaze to his feet. "We never really talked about how much you'd want me to come visit—or anything like that. So I understand if you don't really need the dreams anymore," Liir explained anxiously. "I understand if you don't need me as much anymore—"

"Liir—"

"After all, I'm an adult now. I should be fine on my own—"

"Liir."

"But I spent so long without you and Dad that I—"

"Liir," Elphaba said with loving fierceness. "Liir, honey. Look at me."

Liir took a breath and hesitantly lifted his head. Elphaba's shoulders slackened to find his eyes red with anxious tears.

"Oh…" Elphaba breathed.

"It's okay. It's okay," Liir sighed sharply, wiping his sleeve over his eyes. "It's stupid. I know it's stupid."

"Liir, come here."

"I'm alright."

"Come here," Elphaba commanded softly, opening her arms to him. "Come here, my darling."

Liir hesitated for a moment before returning to his mother's side on the swing. Elphaba tenderly wrapped him up in her arms and Liir could not help but sniffle over her embrace as she tucked him close against her.

"I'm sorry I'm such a cry baby," Liir whispered.

"You're not a cry baby you're my baby," Elphaba murmured, resting her cheek against the top of his head. "You're my sweet, sweet baby. No matter how old you get."

Elphaba rubbed her hand up and down Liir's back to soothe his heightened state.

"I've missed you too, Liir. Dreadfully. Even more than before," Elphaba assured him. "I may not need the dreams but I still need my baby. More than all the world's words could hope to describe."

She leaned back enough to caress and look upon his face.

"But things are different now that you know where we're at," Elphaba said, wiping his tears one at a time with her thumb. "You can visit us now—anytime. As often as you're able."

"Really?"

"You don't even need to ask before you come," Elphaba said. "Not that you did this time…"

"There wasn't a way to!" Liir said with a weak laugh.

"Well there is now, isn't there?" Elphaba reminded him. "Now we have your Auntie's hat box. I'm sure you'll be sick of our messages in no time."

Liir smiled half-heartedly and shook his head. "No, I won't."

Elphaba recollected Liir against her shoulder so she could lean her head against his.

"So you see?" Elphaba murmured. "We don't have to miss each other anymore. Not as terribly. Not as much. Not…like before."

Liir nodded and went quiet again. There was a long enough pause that Elphaba assumed he had calmed, perhaps even fallen back asleep, but when he spoke again his voice was soft and shaky with trouble.

"Mom?"

"What, baby?"

He paused again before ultimately shaking his head.

"Um…nothing. Never mind."

Elphaba leaned back to look at him.

"Tell me."

Liir didn't speak.

"Liir, tell me—"

"Did I ruin your life?"

His question came forth as a strained, speedy whisper as if he'd been scared to ask it for quite a long time. Elphaba's face fell in disbelief.

"Liir Upland, how could you say such a thing?" Elphaba asked in a hushed tone. "How could you even think such a thing?"

"I've learned so much this year. Glinda told me a lot. About her, about Dad, about you…" Liir explained. "And every time she told me what you all did for me I just felt so—guilty."

"Why?" Elphaba asked, struggling to understand. "Oh, honey. Why would you feel guilty?"

"Because I'd only ever thought about how your choices affected me! I'd been so bitter, so—ungrateful!" Liir confessed ashamedly. "But you, Dad, and Glinda had to go through so much pain…and all because of me. None of it would have ever happened…if it hadn't of been for me."

"Why in Oz are you adopting burdens that are not yours to bear?" Elphaba breathed, baffled by his logic. "We do not fault you, Liir. You weren't the cause of any of this! After all, it's not as if you asked to be born—"

"But maybe things would have been better if I hadn't," Liir interjected hoarsely. "Maybe things would have been better if I hadn't been born."

Elphaba's mouth fell open, paralyzed by his conclusion.

"Liir…"

"I mean—things would have been easier for you all! Less complicated, less dangerous," Liir insisted. "Things would have been better for everyone…if I'd never existed at all."

Elphaba urgently took Liir's face in her hands and tilted it upwards so he'd look her in the eye.

"Hear me now, Liir. Easier? Yes. Things would have been exceptionally easier if you didn't exist. Less dangerous? I'd agree with that too," Elphaba confirmed before softening her voice. "But better? You think things would have been better?" Elphaba shook her head. "No. No, my darling. That is where we disagree."

"But—"

"No, no. You must listen to me," Elphaba cut him off. "I refuse to let thoughts like that infect you for a moment longer. And…" Elphaba's mind strained, desperate to find the words to make him understand. "And—and I could ask you the very same question!"

"Ask me what?"

"Your life is completely different now that you know who we are," Elphaba pointed out logically. "You have to keep secrets now. You have to lie to your friends. It changed your perception of Glinda, of Oz, of the world. You made a dangerous journey only to be put through more stress when you met Fiyero and I on the other side. Learning where you came from has made your life harder. Would you not agree?"

"I guess so."

"So…" Elphaba prompted. "Let me ask you. Would you change anything? Would you choose to go back to that time when you knew less…but things were easier?"

"No," Liir said, the answer coming easily. "I wouldn't. I'd…rather know the truth."

Elphaba nodded and gently tapped his forehead a few times with her finger.

"I think you're getting it now."

She opened her arm once again and Liir gratefully settled against her shoulder where she cradled his head against her. For a moment they said nothing, gently rocking together on the swing. It was Elphaba's turn to think.

"You know something, Liir?" Elphaba at last whispered.

"What?"

"If I'd been granted a vision on that night I spent with your dad…if it had showed me all that was to come," Elphaba began softly, reflectively. "If I'd gotten to see the terror of my pregnancy, the grief of giving you up…the beautiful turmoil of meeting you again. If I could have seen all of that and then been given the chance to make a different choice?" Elphaba shook her head slightly. "I wouldn't change a thing."

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Elphaba said. "I don't regret that night, Liir, and I never, ever have. I've been asked if I regret it—and I've asked myself…but the answer was always no."

"Why?" Liir asked.

"Why?" Elphaba mimicked, leaning back to smile at him. "Why? Oh, Liir. Out of all the questions you've ever asked, that one is the silliest."

Elphaba took her son's face in her hands and looked upon him with admiration. From his head to his toes, his mind to his heart, he was the imperfectly perfect blend of herself, Fiyero, and Glinda. He was the best of them. The very best of them.

"I could never bring myself to regret that night…" Elphaba said. "Because it gave me you."

Liir leaned forward to hug his mother who embraced him, as always, with ready arms.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Liir," Elphaba murmured. "You'll never know how much."

The door to the deck opened and admitted Fiyero and Glinda who were also in their nighttime attire.

"There you are!" Glinda said. "We've been looking for you."

Elphaba kissed the side of Liir's head before releasing him as Glinda and Fiyero crossed towards the swing.

"Good morning, wife," Fiyero stooped to greet Elphaba with a peck to the lips.

"You're not going to greet me like that every morning, are you?"

"Only until we die."

Fiyero sat beside Elphaba and Glinda sat beside Liir.

"It's a bit of a tight squeeze," Elphaba complained as they all scrunched together.

"Oh it's fine! We all love each other," Glinda said before waving the camera in her hand. "Plus it's the perfect time to get a photo!"

"Auntie Glinda we just woke up!" Liir complained, trying to smooth out his disheveled hair.

"And didn't we take enough pictures last night?" Elphaba groaned.

"There's no such thing. No excuses, everyone. Smile."

"But—"

"Smile."

They knew better than to disobey. They smiled together and Glinda held the camera out to take their photo.

"Aaaand the second one," Glinda said, snapping the second polaroid.

Glinda handed the extra copy to Elphaba and Fiyero and kept the other one for herself and Liir. Elphaba looked down and watched as the picture faded into view to reveal the four of them with smiling faces and bright eyes. Elphaba let out a single, incredulous laugh over the visual.

"What is it?" Fiyero asked.

"Nothing, just…" Elphaba smiled thoughtfully at the photo. "It's amazing, really. How happy we all ended up."

On instinct Elphaba lifted her wrist to check her watch, but after a moment, she slowly lowered it back to her lap. She found that, at least for that moment, she felt no need to calculate her moments…nor dwell on the past. Instead she decided to live presently with the people she cared for the most squished cumbersomely close to her sides…and yet somehow still not close enough.

Despite Elphaba's talent for visions, a talent she shared with her son, there were no guarantees as to what the future held for any one of them. Elphaba had learned the hard way that a single moment could forever alter the course of one's life. For better or worse, things were ever changing. Comets were pulled from orbit, streams met boulders, and ships were blown from moorings all the time. She was comforted, however, in knowing that some things, even against forces as cruel as distance and time, were far too unbreakable to change. Like the love she had for those beside her…and the love they had for her.

So though they knew that at any moment the world as they knew it could change, for the first time in a long time, Elphaba, Fiyero, Glinda, and Liir were not afraid. No matter what may happen, they knew one thing for sure.

They would face what came together in the way that fate designed.

As a family.


A/N: And that's the end! This story was such a wonderful challenge to create, it's bittersweet to say goodbye. Sincerest thanks to everyone who read it, with special thanks to those who commented (including those who may read and comment in the future!). I was a little wary about this story finding an audience so it means the world to have people engage with it.

If you liked this story, check out my other recent works and follow my account to be notified for any future stories! Also feel free to reach out on my writing blog elphabaoftheoperawrites on tumblr where I post my writing updates and additional content. While there is no plan for a formal sequel, I have many ideas about what happens next for the characters so let me know if there's any interest in sharing those.

Once again thank you for taking a chance on this story, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until next time!