a dream is a wish your heart makes
Elphaba woke the next morning well-rested and completely at ease.
Streaks of sunlight drifted through the curtains, their beams of light warm on her face.
The bed next to her was empty, the imprint of Glinda’s body remaining in the mattress. Elphaba rolled over, laying in the empty space, inhaling the remnants of Glinda’s sweet scent.
From downstairs, the smell of food wafted through the bedroom door, accompanied by the soft clatter of dishes. Elphaba smiled, burying her face in the pillows.
She’d never get used to this.
Even though she knew they’d been married for months and together for years, the fact that she got to share a life with Glinda never ceased to amaze her. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined she’d get to have a life like this.
So often, Elphaba had only imagined a life like this in a land that might have been, her heart aching when reality set back in.
But now that she had it, she was going to keep it.
With a yawn, Elphaba threw the covers back, sliding out of bed. She pulled a robe over her shoulders, tying it loosely as she made her way out of the bedroom.
As she approached the kitchen, the sound of Glinda’s singing drifted through the air.
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartache
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Elphaba smiled, closing her eyes as she listened to Glinda’s voice, silky and sweet. She entered the kitchen, moving quietly.
Glinda drifted between the counters, preparing breakfast. There were two bowls of oatmeal resting on the table, topped with fruit and a drizzle of honey. The smell of coffee filled the air and Glinda waved her hand lazily, two coffee cups floating out of the cabinets, making their way towards her as she sang lightly.
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true
“Good morning, Elphie,” Glinda called out softly, her back still turned to Elphaba as she added precise spoons of sugar to each coffee cup.
Elphaba smiled at having been caught, crossing the kitchen to wrap her arms around Glinda from behind, placing a kiss on her cheek. “Good morning, my sweet,” Elphaba hummed as Glinda leaned into her. “I liked your song.”
“Good,” Glinda hummed happily, spinning in Elphaba’s arms so that they were face to face. “But you were supposed to stay in bed. I was going to be very romantic and bring you breakfast in bed.”
“Breakfast in bed, huh?” Elphaba repeated, smiling down at Glinda. “Why, Miss Glinda, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me.”
Glinda smiled sweetly, smoothly untying the front of Elphaba’s robe, her hands snaking around Elphaba’s waist, hands slipping underneath the loose sleep shirt. “Maybe I was,” Glinda replied, leaning towards Elphaba, stopping just inches away from her face, her breath ghosting over Elphaba’s lips teasingly. “And it’s Mrs. Glinda now, rememer?”
“Mrs. Glinda,” Elphaba amended, letting out a shaky breath as Glinda’s hands began to wander. “How ever will I return the favor?”
“You’re a smart girl, Mrs. Elphaba,” Glinda replied, her lips brushing against Elphaba’s. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
“I might just know where to start,” Elphaba murmured, tilting her head forward to capture Glinda’s lips in a deep kiss. Her eyes fluttered shut, sighing happily as Glinda melted into her, pressing their bodies impossibly closer.
They took their time, lips moving languidly against each other, hands tracing familiar paths on each other’s bodies.
A clock chimed in the distance and Elphaba pulled away reluctantly, laughing slightly at the whine Glinda let out at the loss of contact. “I’m sorry, my sweet,” Elphaba cooed with an apologetic kiss. “I’m going to be late to work if we stay here.”
Glinda pouted, disappointment clear. “You mustn’t start things you can’t finish, Mrs. Elphaba,” Glinda chided, her thumb brushing against Elphaba’s ribs, sending a shiver through her body.
“I’d much rather stay here with you. You know that,” Elphaba replied apologetically.
“So stay.”
“I can’t, baby. I still have to go to work.”
“But you’ve been gone for the past week and a half working,” Glinda protested, her pout deepening. She looked up at Elphaba, fluttering her eyelashes. “Can’t you take just one day off? For me?”
Elphaba groaned, feeling her resolve weaken under the weight of Glinda’s doe eyes. “You’re making it very difficult to leave, you know that?”
“That’s my intention, darling,” Glinda smiled, placing a kiss on Elphaba’s jaw. “Think of it. You can call off of work and we can spend the entire day together. And,” she whispered, placing a lingering kiss on the column of Elphaba’s throat, her voice turning low, “you can finish what you started here.”
Elphaba gulped, her hands flexing on Glinda’s waist. “I--”
“Yes?” Glinda questioned, looking innocently at Elphaba, fluttering her eyelashes.
“You are trouble,” Elphaba huffed, letting out a breathless laugh.
“I am your wife,” Glinda shot back, grinning. “And I still haven’t heard an answer. What’ll it be, Mrs. Elphaba?”
As Elphaba opened her mouth to answer when the phone rang, cutting off her response.
“I’ll let you answer that, dearest,” Glinda said, rising on her tippy toes to deposit a kiss on the tip of Elphaba’s nose before sliding out of Elphaba’s grasp, grabbing her cup of coffee on her way out.
She brought the mug up to her lips, blowing softly before taking a sip, closing her eyes in satisfaction. Elphaba followed the movement, mouth falling open slightly.
Glinda’s eyes opened languidly, blue eyes meeting Elphaba’s. “The phone, dear,” she said, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
“The phone,” Elphaba repeated, shaking herself out of her stupor. “Right. The phone. I’ll go answer the phone. The phone that is ringing. Right. Yes. I'm going now.”
She walked quickly to the phone in the hallway, hearing Glinda’s laugh ring out behind her, melodious and bubbly.
“Upland-Thropp residence,” Elphaba answered the phone, her voice coming out slightly breathless.
“Elphaba, my dear, is that you?” a familiar voice replied from the other side of the phone.
Where did she know that voice?
Something tickled at her mind, just out of reach.
Something bad is happening in Oz.
Something very ba--a-a-a-a
“It’s Dr. Dillamond, my dear.”
Just as quickly as the thought came to her, it vanished, new thoughts filling the gaps in her mind.
She worked with Dr. Dillamond. They were researchers, working together on creating a comprehensive history of Oz itself. That was why she went to the Emerald City before. She was gathering data.
Dr. Dillamond was her boss.
Eyes widening, Elphaba clutched the phone tighter in her hands, stumbling her way through an apology. “Right! Of course! My apologies, Dr. Dillamond, you sounded different over the phone,” Elphaba fibbed. “I have so much to discuss with you from my trip to the Emerald City. You would not believe how comprehensive their libraries are.”
“I’m sure whatever you have for me is absolutely riveting, Miss-- apologies, Mrs. Elphaba,” Dr. Dillamond replied. “However, it may have to wait for another day. I haven’t a head for dates and I completely forgot that I was expecting guests today. You must be quite exhausted from your travels, so I thought it’d be best if we both simply took today off. We can take a long weekend starting today and come back well rested and ready to work afterwards.”
“I-- are you sure, Dr. Dillamond?” Elphaba protested weakly. “I wouldn’t mind coming in today and starting some of the work by myself.”
“No, no, I must insist, my dear. You deserve a break,” Dr. Dillamond replied resolutely.
“Well, thank you, sir. I appreciate it,” Elphaba replied, a slow smile spreading over her face. “I hope you enjoy your guests.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Elphaba. Enjoy the weekend,” Dr. Dillamond said before hanging up the phone.
Elphaba returned the phone to the receiver, her body humming with excitement.
She took a deep breath, plastering a neutral expression on her face as she slowly made her way back to the kitchen. Glinda was seated at the kitchen table, eating the breakfast she’d prepared.
Elphaba grabbed her bowl and coffee off of the counter, taking a seat across from Glinda and beginning to eat her breakfast, barely able to keep the smile that threatened to break out across her face at bay.
“Who was that?” Glinda questioned.
“Oh, no one,” Elphaba replied nonchalantly, taking a bite of her oatmeal, savoring the sweetness of the fruit and honey on top. “Thank you for breakfast, my love.”
Glinda’s head tilted to the side, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at Elphaba. “You’re not telling me something.”
“I have no idea what you mean,” Elphaba replied, hiding her smile behind a sip of coffee.
“Elphaba Upland-Thropp, you are a terrible liar,” Glinda huffed, seeing through Elphaba’s facade immediately.
“Did you use a different blend this morning? The coffee tastes different,” Elphaba questioned, ignoring Glinda’s suspicious stare.
“Yes, I used the blend Nessa brought from Quox,” Glinda said offhandedly. “Now tell me, what are you trying to hide?”
“Are you finished with your plate?” Elphaba asked, gesturing to Glinda’s empty bowl, delighting in the way Glinda’s nose scrunched up adorably as she grew more and more annoyed.
“Yes, I’m finished,” she huffed out.
“Good, I’ll take that for you,” Elphaba said calmly, bringing both her and Glinda’s bowls to the sink.
Glinda followed close behind, hands on her hips. “Elphaba, I swear to Lurline if you don’t-- oh! Oh.”
Glinda yelped as Elphaba spun around, lifting Glinda easily.
“What’s this?” Glinda questioned breathlessly, her arms snaking around Elphaba’s neck, pupils blown. “Not that I’m complaining, of course.”
“That was Dr. Dillamond on the phone,” Elphaba said, carrying Glinda out of the kitchen, towards the staircase.
“Oh? And what did he say?” Glinda questioned distractedly, hands playing with the hair on the back of Elphaba’s neck.
“He’s entertaining guests today and suggested I take the day off,” Elphaba said. "I decided to take his suggestion."
“How fortunate,” Glinda replied, a slow smile spreading across her face.
“Fortunate indeed,” Elphaba agreed, leading them up the stairs.
“What could we possibly do with this free time?” Glinda questioned slyly.
A wicked smile spread across Elphaba’s face as she lowered Glinda onto the bed, hovering over her slightly. “Well, Mrs. Glinda,” Elphaba said slowly, bracing her hands on the bed on either side of Glinda’s body.
“I believe you promised me a day spent together.”
“I did.”
“And…”
“And?” Glinda questioned breathlessly, looking at Elphaba impatiently.
“My beautiful wife told me I shouldn’t start things I can’t finish,” Elphaba said coyly. “I’m wondering if I should listen to her.”
“Your wife sounds like a smart woman,” Glinda replied, arms snaking around Elphaba’s waist, her hands pressing insistently at bare skin. “You should listen to her. Always. Especially now. Right now.”
“Happy wife, happy life,” Elphaba giggled, finally relenting, letting herself be pulled down as Glinda crashed their lips together.
Happy indeed.
Hours later, Elphaba stood in front of the mirror, holding up two different shirts that she swore were identical.
“No, Elphie,” Glinda insisted from inside the bathroom where she was getting ready. “The collar on that one says formal and proper. We want relaxed and casual.”
“And this one says that?” Elphaba asked skeptically, staring at the knit navy sweater Glinda was referring to. “It still has a collar.”
“Elphie,” Glinda groaned, her head popping out of the bathroom, mascara wand hand. “That’s like me saying that The Great Flood was the same as the construction of the Yellow Brick Road.”
“But those are objectively different events with vastly different historical implications--”
“Exactly,” Glinda huffed, disappearing back into the bathroom.
“But they’re shirts,” Elphaba argued even as she pulled on the sweater Glinda recommended. “I still think they look the same.”
“And you look wonderful in both of them,” Glinda said placatingly, making eye contact with Elphaba through the mirror as she stepped into the bathroom. “However, when concerning matters of fashion, I am the obvious authority.”
“Obviously,” Elphaba repeated drolly, watching with interest as Glinda did her makeup, brushes dipping into one powder or another with precise movements.
“If you want a makeover, all you have to do is ask, darling,” Glinda said, noticing Elphaba’s stare. “Not that you need one, of course.”
Elphaba scrunched up her nose at the offer. “Just admiring your handiwork, my sweet.”
“I do look magnificent, don’t I?” Glinda replied, letting out a happy sigh as she stared at her reflection.
Elphaba laughed, rolling her eyes fondly at the other woman’s antics. “Absolutely magnificent,” she agreed, placing a kiss on Glinda’s cheek, careful not to mess up any of her hard work.
“Thank you, Elphie,” Glinda smiled. Her eyes roved over Elphaba appreciatively. “My fashion choices never disappoint. You look delightful.”
Elphaba blushed under the praise. “Thank you. Though, I’m not sure why we need to go through all this effort. It’s only dinner with Boq and Nessa.”
“It’s important to always look your best, Elphie. I thought I taught you this,” Glinda replied patiently, setting her brush down and beginning to remove the curlers in her hair.
“Yes, but I’ve seen Nessa in diapers. I'm sure she'll forgive us for not dressing to the nines to see her. And besides, it’s not like we’re going out, either. It’s only at their house,” Elphaba said, coming to help remove the curlers from Glinda’s hair, gently unrolling the soft locks and letting them fall against Glinda’s back, perfectly curled.
“Maybe I just like seeing you dressed up,” Glinda shot back coyly.
“I recall that you were more than happy with me being undressed earlier.”
“Elphie! So scandalacious!” Glinda gasped, her eyes alight with humor. She took the curlers from Elphaba’s hand, placing a grateful kiss on the corner of Elphaba’s mouth. “Thank you, darling.”
She placed the curlers on the counter before leaning back, settling against Elphaba comfortably. “Why, if we aren’t the most beautiful couple in all of Oz, then my hair isn’t blonde,” Glinda sighed happily, looking at their reflection in the mirror.
“You mean to say you aren’t brunette?” Elphaba gasped dramatically.
“Elphaba Upland-Thropp, you are absolutely wicked,” Glinda huffed, swatting at Elphaba’s arm.
Elphaba cackled, pulling Glinda out of the bathroom. “I’ve got to keep you on your feet so I can sweep you off them later,” she winked, handing Glinda a purse that matched her outfit exactly.
“I-- you--, how can you not know the difference between two vastly different shirts but you know how to pair a bag with my outfit?” Glinda questioned, her jaw dropped in shock.
“I may not know fashion, but I do know you, my love,” Elphaba replied, a satisfied smile on her face. “That, and I read your fashion magazine when I was bored and you had this exact bag circled and paired with your outfits.”
“You-- well that’s just not fair.”
“All is fair in love, Glinda Upland-Thropp,” Elphaba smiled sweetly, tucking a stray hair behind Glinda’s ear. “And I love you quite a lot.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me,” Glinda smirked, repeating Elphaba’s words from earlier.
“And if I am?” Elphaba challenged, stepping into Glinda's space.
“Then I’d remind you about not starting what you can’t finish,” Glinda shot back, her nose brushing against Elphaba's.
“I suppose you’re right,” Elphaba smiled, pulling away suddenly. She grabbed Glinda’s hand, leading them towards the front door.
“Wha-- Elphie!”
“We have a dinner to attend, my sweet,” Elphaba announced, pulling their shoes out of the closet.
“But you-- I--”
“Yes?” Elphaba questioned innocently.
“Oh, never mind,” Glinda huffed, brushing past Elphaba to reach her shoes, gripping Elphaba’s arm for support as she stepped into pink heels.
“Don’t worry, my love,” Elphaba murmured lowly, taking Glinda’s hand firmly in hers, “we’ll have plenty of time to start and finish something after dinner.”
Glinda's eyes lit up. “Well then, I suppose we’d better get going," she said brightly, pulling the door open with gusto. "We wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”
The walk to Nessa’s house was short.
The evening was warm and there was a pleasant breeze in the air. The weather combined with Glinda’s hand intertwined in hers made the walk all the more pleasant.
Nessa and Boq’s house was a simple house made of wood with a small patio at the front door. The exterior was painted a pastel yellow and a chimney rose out of the roof of their house, releasing small puffs of smoke.
“Glinda! Elphaba! So glad the two of you could make it!” Nessa pulled the door open before they could even knock, ushering them in eagerly. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
“We aren’t late, are we?” Glinda questioned.
“Oh, no! No, no, no,” Nessa was quick to reassure her, dismissing her concern with a wave of her hand. “You know how it is when you’re expecting company. It’s like you can do nothing all day!”
“Yes, of course,” Glinda nodded with a smile.
“Anyways, dinner is just about ready. Boq is just setting the table,” Nessa said, leading them towards the dining room.
“It smells delicious, Nessa,” Elphaba said, inhaling the scents wafting out of the kitchen.
They entered the dining room, where Boq was placing the last of the plates down. He looked up when they entered, his eyes lighting up as he saw Glinda. His eyes shifted over to Elphaba and his smile faltered slightly.
“Glinda! Elphaba. It’s so wonderful to have you,” he greeted politely, his gaze lingering on Elphaba, eyebrows furrowing slightly.
“Sit, sit! Let’s eat and catch up!” Nessa urged, unbothered.
“Yes, let’s,” Glinda agreed readily, sliding into the seat Elphaba pulled out for her with a gracious smile.
Elphaba pushed Glinda’s chair in before taking the seat next to her, across from Boq, who slid into his own chair, leaving Nessa to do the same.
Nessa took her seat, her smile never faltering. “Elphaba, you must tell us about your trip to the Emerald City. Life here was so boring without you but you must have had so much fun in the city!”
“Oh, not really, Nessa,” Elphaba said, apologetically. “I’m afraid most of my trip was spent in dusty old libraries doing research for Dr. Dillamond.”
“But you love libraries, darling,” Glinda encouraged.
“Well, yes. The libraries were magnificent. The Emerald City has the most expansive collection of histories in all of Oz,” Elphaba gushed. “I could have stayed there for years, but I finished the research for Dr. Dillamond early and I just knew he’d be eager to lay his hooves on what I found.”
“That, and I’m sure you missed your wife,” Nessarose teased.
“That may have had something to do with it,” Elphaba blushed.
“You should have seen her yesterday, Glinda,” Nessa laughed lightly. “She came back so exhausted, she hardly knew the way home! I worried she may have had heat stroke from traveling in the sun.”
“Yes, she was positively exhaustified when she came home,” Glinda confirmed, reaching for Elphaba’s hand under the table. “For a moment, I thought she forgot we were even married.”
“I didn’t forget!” Elphaba protested, drawing laughs out of both Glinda and Nessa. “You try coming home to a beautiful woman after a long trip and see if your brain doesn’t short circuit.”
“Awh, we were just teasing, dearest,” Glinda cooed, giggling at Elphaba’s blush. “It was truly very sweet.”
“Isn’t married life wonderful?” Nessarose sighed happily, clasping her hands together as she watched the two of them.
“Yes, being married to Glinda would be wonderful,” Boq said, speaking for the first time all night, sending Glinda a wistful look.
The entire table froze.
Boq startled, seeming to realize what he had said. “I didn’t mean to say that. I mean-- I only meant that because Elphaba has loved Glinda for so long, being married to Glinda would be wonderful,” Boq backtracked hastily.
Glinda let out an awkward laugh, her smile faltering. Underneath the table, she squeezed Elphaba’s hand tightly. “Nessarose, what did you put in this?” she questioned, changing the subject before the tension could settle in the air. “It tastes absolutely wonderful. I can never get my--”
“No. No, I meant what I said. We could’ve been happy together, Glinda. I love you,” Boq announced abruptly, slamming his hands on the table. “I don’t know why I’m here. Especially not with her,” he said, looking at Nessarose venomously.
Nessa frowned, her smile breaking as tears filled her eyes. “You’re not being kind, Boq.”
“Apologize. Now. To both of them,” Elphaba demanded, the air thrumming with barely repressed magic. “You have no right to speak to my sister like that and you have absolutely no place saying that to Glinda. It’s completely inappropriate.”
Boq stood, facing Elphaba defiantly. “And why not? Haven’t I given enough of my life to this?” he questioned, gesturing to Nessarose, who was sitting shock-still, paralyzed.
“I think you’ve had too much to drink, Boq,” Glinda said despite the fact that his plate and cup remained untouched. She gripped Elphaba’s arm tightly, holding her back. “Maybe you should go and calm down. Perhaps laying down--”
“No! I won’t be trapped here with her a moment longer!” Boq yelled. “I lost my heart to Glinda long ago and I’m sick and tired of having to hide it!”
“Lost your heart?” Nessarose repeated, her voice deathly quiet. “We’ll see about that.”
“Nessa,” Glinda warned, “don’t do anything you’ll--”
Boq crashed against the table, clutching his heart. “What have you done, you witch?” he wheezed out, collapsing to the floor.
Nessa watched his body crumple, her face impassive. “If your heart is not mine, you don’t need one. I’m taking care of that for you.”
Both Glinda and Elphaba watched in horror as Boq writhed on the floor, his hand clutching his chest, face turning purple.
“Elphaba.” Glinda tugged at Elphaba’s hand, drawing her attention. Her blue eyes were hard set, startlingly sober. Her voice was deadly serious. “Help him.”
Elphaba startled into action, kneeling on the ground next to Boq, unfamiliar words falling out of her mouth.
“Eleka nahmen nahmen atum atum eleka nahmen. Eleka nahmen nahmen atum atum eleka--”
“Isn’t married life wonderful?”
Elphaba startled in her seat, eyes wild and frantic. Her mind was hazy, as though she was waking up from a dream she had no recollection of.
How did she get here? What just happened? Why couldn’t she remember?
A warm hand slipped into hers. “Are you alright, dearest?” Glinda looked at her, concern in her eyes.
Elphaba looked around slowly, seeing the same concern reflected in Boq and Nessa’s eyes. “I--,” Elphaba started, pressing a hand to her forehead, her head aching. “No. No, something’s wrong.”
“Is it the food?” Boq questioned, sharing a glance with Nessa. “I hope we haven’t undercooked anything.”
“No, it’s not the food,” Elphaba shook her head, her headache worsening.
“Darling, what’s wrong?” Glinda asked softly, placing a gentle hand on Elphaba’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”
“I-- I don’t know what’s happening,” Elphaba admitted, her voice shaking.
“Ah well, that’s easy,” Nessa said, a smile spreading across her face that was too wide. There were tears in her eyes. “I was just asking everyone--”
“Isn’t married life wonderful?”
“I, for one, have never been happier,” Boq replied, placing a kiss on the back of Nessa’s hand, smiling adoringly at her. “Nessarose has completely stolen my heart.”
“The Thropps have a way of doing that,” Glinda agreed, her hand slipping into Elphaba’s, love written in her eyes. “We couldn’t be happier, right dear?”
Elphaba looked back at her, unknown tension slipping out of her shoulders. She leaned forward to place a kiss against Glinda’s temple, letting out a content hum. “Our very own happy ending.”
Nessa smiled at the two of them, a tear falling out of the corner of her eye as she held Boq’s hand in hers.
“Thank goodness.”
****
“We’ve found them.”
“And?” the Scarecrow questioned, his cloth face shifting expectantly.
“It’s a spell of some sort. All attempts to enter have been fruitless.”
“Try harder.”