Chapter Text
He was breezing through the Daily Ozmopolitan when he first heard of her. Normally he avoided the obituary section; horribly morbid grouping of pages that it was in such a magical place. It was only the large front page picture that caught his eye. The First Lady of Munchkinland was dead. Departed doing her duty to provide their people an heir, if those pages were to be believed, a beloved Governor’s daughter who would one day lead them despite reports of some disability already shown in her.
Something didn’t add up that this girl would rule, when there was still a one line of mention to her having endured the birthing bed twice. Why hand that providence over to a second born? Perhaps the first child passed young?
A few hours later he was covered in dust buried amongst the records for all of Oz held within his Emerald City. Such manias were known to take him and this was no different. Given their historic connection, he wanted to understand what life Melena led after their parting.
“Oscar, what are you doing?” Madame Morrible wondered, using her magic to keep dust off her outfit.
“Research, Muriel.”
“The Arjikis are already in the city.”
“Are they? Whatever for?”
Dark eyes rolled, but her smile was gentle enough. He got distracted so often, she’d rather learned to live with it. “Their new heir is to be presented. Prince Fiyero just turned two.”
“Wonderful,” He insisted, not really paying her any attention.
She watched him for a few more minutes as this land’s Wizard was obviously fixated and the procession certainly took a decent amount of time. Oscar often thought so much less of himself for not having the magic some Ozians were blessed with, however Muriel often found herself more fascinated by his technology and mastery of illusion which none of them could claim. He’d also become the best potioneer this realm could ask for after all of his experimenting. His differences granted from another world were part of what made them such a powerful pairing.
Finding the certificates that he wanted, Oscar took one recently added and passed over it quickly. Things checked out quite normally for Miss Nessarose Thropp; daughter of Governor Frexspar and Melena Thropp born just days ago despite the tragedy that it was to be a regular. Her mother had stuck around just long enough to sign her certificate. For an old and short endured love once held, he hoped she’d gotten to hold her second born too. Such knowledge could make all the difference for that girl.
It was in Miss Elphaba Thropp’s certificate of birth that something fascinating was found.
There was certainly evidence to be deduced in the shaky hand, still clearly Melena’s, dictating a surname of Thropp and Frexspar as this girl’s father. It made him suspicious for sure. However, it was the date of birth which confirmed that hunch, granting knowledge which could not possibly be held in more value.
“I have a daughter.”
“P-pardon?”
“Melena Thropp’s first born was mine; conceived during that last galavant I took for time away from being Mr. Wonderful.”
“Oscar…” She came to look closer at the certificate from a spot over his shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Certain.”
“What will you do?”
“Send every spy you have; I want to know that she’s cared for,” He instructed. “If so, I’ll plan a pilgrimage for the summer months. If not, I will claim her immediately, Muriel.”
“Of course.” She thought about the possibilities for a quiet moment. “A child born of two worlds… She could be-”
“Perhaps her muchness will be of use to this land. Regardless,” Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambroise Diggs declared with conviction, “She’s mine.”
“Of course, Your Eminence."
Madame Morrible dusted him off using her wind magic and they skidded into place for the presentation on time after she’d sent a winged birdie to find out all they could from their spies in Munchkinland. Sleep was elusive after a rather enthusiastic youth made himself quite well known to their populace by singing and dancing his way through that debut already. The boy was cute enough and Oscar hoped he’d grow into a decent leader, although it looked like his mother was almost ready to provide their old man a spare too. All he could really think about though was another debut; one for his little girl.
Elphaba Zoroaster. Emerald of the City. Heir to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
He could raise her to be everything that he was and, maybe, if Madame Morrible was right, then everything that he wasn’t. And that would be most important. This world would be as she willed it. For so long they had followed in his lead since landing here, but soon there would be another. The future of Oz for everyone to grow into serving.
Tossing away his coverings and throwing on another outfit that would pass for this realm’s leader, he hurried into Muriel’s office without breakfast. This was far more important. Many missives were splayed out before her and she was already rubbing her forehead as he stormed in to get answers.
“I see it’s not good news.” He didn’t even wait, turning to fetch a horse and carriage, since she was still such a little girl. “I’m going to get her.”
She grabbed his coattails and pulled him back by them. “It’s not as dire as you’re making it out to be.”
He glared. Even a little dire was too much.
“She’s unpopular, but cared for and unabused.” Madame Morrible insisted, “A girl who would be made better for us processing to claim her, rather than some man barging in with no one even sure who you are.”
An inconvenient fact certainly. If a mob rallied for his head, it had been so long since he left these walls as a public figure, then it wasn’t as if he had magic to stop them. None of his technology, illusion, or even his potions mastered since coming here were going to protect either of them from a multitude enraged by his cuckolding of their leader.
Still, there had to be a reason for her status.“Why is she unpopular?”
“She’s green,” The sorceress revealed.
“What?”
“Her skin is green.” Studying him, the woman did ponder a guess, “This wouldn’t have been during your elixir exploration would it? Trying to make yourself into a magical Ozian seems to have had consequences.”
“Oh.” Thinking on it for a few minutes, remembering the green elixir that both of them had in fact consumed because it seemed to do little more than provide a rush of exhilaration, he just shrugged, “Fine. My little emerald she is then.”
“The True Emerald of the Emerald City… Even the Enchanted Emerald of the Emerald City.”
“We depart the day those brats at Shiz walk across the stage.”
“Of course,” She agreed, “You’ll be our guest speaker and we’ll leave from the ceremony.”
Those two weeks were the longest of his life. And that speech declared the greatest ever given in Oz as they rolled away had been written by the Madame, then nothing ever read so off the cuff in his life. Departing from the school and moving further from the Emerald City, nothing could possibly make time move faster. Every village and town had to be acknowledged on this procession; granted an audience and some show of magic from their Wizard. He did his part with preset technologies, potions, or spontaneous bouts of real magic from Madame Morrible when she so chose.
All he cared for was getting to Munchkinland.
The night before they would ride into the city at dawn he was restless and willed the sun to rise faster, proving it remained something that he could not do. Looking at twinkling stars above him and the full moon which granted hope, it was impossible to regret what they’d done, even if it meant looking Frexspar in the eye before claiming his only daughter. Oscar wanted a companion in this life too much to feel remorse.
“You should get some rest,” Muriel suggested, coming from her tent to check on him. “It will be a big day tomorrow.”
“Do you resent her already? I know we’ve been a pair for quite some time.”
She thought about it for a moment, but dark hair just beginning to whiten tilted after consideration was granted, “No.” In her robe and hair pinned tight to curl perfectly in the morning, Madame Morrible joined him, “I’m not maternal, never would stoop to suffering labor myself. But, it’s not as if Melena is here to get in my way now-”
“Harsh.”
“Apologies.” Dark eyes took him in curiously, “Do you still hold an affection for her?”
Pondering for a moment, he shook his head, “No; just a healthy respect for the dead, especially a life which granted me my heart’s desire.”
“Fair enough.” Accepting that easily, she continued with her previous vein of conversation, “But, I do not object to being a mentor. After all, even we won’t live forever.”
“No, we won’t.”
“Coulda fooled me,” Jim snarked from the ground, “Oz is certainly good on your joints.”
He chuckled at the old stud to land with him and always kept close, “The place doesn’t hurt, I’ll give you that.”
As his companion moved off from him sprawled in the carriage’s driver seat, she continued, “You’ve always wanted to be a parent. Seize your moment. I will cover for you as needed, just like always.”
“Thank you.”
He wound up dozing off just before sunrise, but jostled awake as soon as Jimmy jarred him with the first signs of rousing from others just before the dawning truly began. Rushing to get ready in a tent set aside but unused, he threw on a preselected outfit. Reading through all that information spies sent to them indicated that she usually wore black; a dreary color he’d work on changing, but a useful piece of knowledge for now. Mostly going with his normal emerald green in the pants and jacket, today his long sleeved button up was silky gold, and the vest a dark black. They would be a match from the very beginning.
Attaching all of his gold chains and emeralds, he fussed with them wanting each to show perfectly. His father’s gold ring never left his pinky. Perhaps it was time to design his own and begin wearing it when they got back. After all, he’d waited a long time to inherit this from him and one day he wanted to leave his little girl something as sentimental; something that had nothing to do with Oz.
“You look perfect!” Madame Morrible declared, entering without permission. “Stop fiddling.”
“Have I ever been able to heed that order?” He wondered, but accepted the megaminx that she always gave him when anxious, “Oh, thank you.”
“Come along. We’ll be overdue, if the troop doesn’t start moving.”
Suddenly he was all but dragging her toward Jim’s carriage from the sorceress’ place on the Wonderful Wizard of Oz’s arm. She had to smile and truly wanted this happiness for her friend. Once pulling through the gates of Munchkinland’s capital, the megaminx was once again reclaimed, but he’d just finished the blasted thing anyway. It was never meant to be a long term distraction. His partner had maids and almost every lady in the Emerald City was willing to be that when called upon, yet this had never happened. Odd; perhaps his green elixir enabled it? Muriel would investigate later, but was happy with any solution that never had those wandering eyes casted in her direction.
Brown eyes like chocolate were cast out the window as if unable to move from his search. Many of the children and adults screaming for him outside that one-way window were in green, but none of them the green that he wanted. Not in the right places. He wouldn’t catch his first glimpse of his daughter until they got to their town square, which would have been expected, if she’d been standing with her surrogate family… Well, he supposed the sister counted well and truly, unlike Governor Thropp who he could not stop glaring at.
No, she was standing in the shadows behind that crowd with a story book. Up on her little tip toes trying to see what was happening, he could easily see that she had her mother’s curly dark hair and midnight eyes. Her mundane outfit was as drab as feared, but that was easily fixed.
“She’s perfect.”
Madame Morrible smiled at him and squeezed a hand encouragingly, “Let us commence, then.”
She got out first per tradition and the crowd cheered for her. A little speech was required, then he followed with the largest firework display yet popping off behind him upon appearance. Their praise shook the ground, but his eyes constantly strayed to his little girl. Her fascination and wonder were all that counted right now.
Stepping off that carriage, he lost sight of her, but Madame Morrible made quick introductions to get them moving along. She knew his patience was thin most days and this was to be exacerbated by their circumstances. “His Eminence was a dear friend of your late wife and we offer our condolences.”
Frexspar was stunned, but sputtered out, “Thank you. She will be mourned by all of Munchkinland for generations. Sh-She did not inform me that you’d been acquainted.”
“I’m sure she didn’t,” His chuckle was mostly to himself, eyes still trained on that wall far behind their gathered crowd. “I had hoped to meet her first born during this visit.”
“U-uh-of course.” He knew where the girl was, because he knew where the Wizard’s eyes couldn’t be moved from already. Thropp turned and bellowed into the crowd, but it was not a fond sound.
Muriel squeezed his wrist, but even her grey eyes weren’t finding him tolerable. No one should talk to a child like that.
Or maybe that wasn’t the right word. When little Elphaba came through the crowd which parted like she’d burn them, Oscar realized that she was far more tot than child. She was so little. Nessarose was just a baby in her father’s arms, but he’d just expected her to be bigger. His mind rapidly searched for some way to explain all of this to a girl that young.
He gave the bear walking up behind her a wink, because both of them looked nervous. The kindly animal smiled and seemed to carry less weight on her shoulders for reassurance. How badly was this man treating a toddler?
Trying to keep his focus where it needed to be, he smiled at her as well upon taking a knee making him more comparable to her height, “Hello Elphie.”
“H-hello.” She took every detail of him in, but then seemed to remember something instructed prior to this and gave a little curtsy, “Your Em-nece.”
“What a smart girl,” He commented, holding his hand out for hers. She complied despite likely having no knowledge of this tradition. Still, he kissed her little green hand and hoped it was a memory she’d retain for the rest of her life. “You are as lovely as your lady mother, Elphie.”
Dark eyes were just mesmerized for a long moment, looking at their still joined hands, then studying him like he was so much more than just another man. So like every one of them standing around this crowd. Truly, she was perfect. His little emerald. Now and forever.
After a moment, her nose so much like his did scrunch just a bit as she thought through his nickname, “Elphie?”
“Not a fan?” He wondered earnestly. “I’m sure I can come up with something better.”
After a moment she seemed to settle on the matter and giggled, “No, I like Elphie.”
“Good,” He returned her grin.
“Oscar,” Madame Morrible prompted him to get on with it.
And she was not wrong. The band aid had to be ripped off. He took a deep breath.
“Elphaba, I was a special kind of friend to your mother several years ago,” Oscar revealed broadly. “And I know you’re too young to understand the details, but the truth of the matter is, I’m your real father; not Governor Thropp.”
“Y-you’re lying!!!” The man sputtered and screamed right away.
“Hold your tongue, sir,” Oscar shouted, soaring to his full height which was imposingly tall compared to the other man, pointing at him seriously, “Or lose it!”
Dark clouds gathered ahead, thunder rumbled and lightning struck above them instantly, and then much to his surprise the man gasped before his tongue literally hopped out and began dancing around the dirt streets of Munchkinland. Where everyone else backed up in a moment of terror, he was shaken from anger by his tiny daughter jumping to the side of his legs to grab emerald pants and hiding herself away for a moment. It worked as his partner’s warning looks to calm himself never would, but Muriel seemed to see that too.
He waited until dark eyes looked up to meet his own and promised, “I would never do anything to hurt you, little one.” Reaching for her hand again, the storms began to part and ignoramus got his powers of speech back. Once it was offered, he retook a knee, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. My magic just ran away with itself.”
“M-magic?”
“Yes.” It was no surprise she’d never heard the word, but there was something there. Like she’d needed the word. So, he quizzed where Madame Morrible was likely chomping at the bit to do so, “Have you ever made something like that happen? When you were upset or exuberated?”
She nodded timidly, “I gets in big trouble when I do though.”
He turned a glare on Thropp, who was shaking from head to foot and probably about to shit himself. “That won’t ever happen again. Magic is to be celebrated, not punished.”
“I… Magic?”
“Yes, you are. Madame Morrible is magical too.”
Keeping it simple, she summoned an unbloomed bulb from a nearby plant and made it rise to its fullest before handing the poppy flower to his daughter; wouldn’t do to upstage the Wizard. “Hello Elphaba. We’re very pleased to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s be-u-tiful.”
“Would you like to come back home with me to the Emerald City? I want you there very much.”
At first she looked elated by the offer. Excited and tempted. There was hesitation though as he figured there would be taking someone that young from all that they knew.
“I have to leave Dulcibear?”
“No,” He insisted right away, “We’d love for Dulcibear to come with us, if she so chooses.”
Elphaba looked really tempted, but still quizzed, “Nessa too?”
“Hmm…” Even he knew that was going a grain too far, but tried to soften the blow, “She might be a bit young for the big city just yet, but I promise she will always be welcome there. You’ll grow up together; Governor Thropp will find himself quite unable to refuse.”
The Munchkinland leader gulped under his glare, but Muriel sparked him in the backside with the small bit of electricity on principle. Best he learned to respect his betters now, rather than have an unfortunate accident.
“I know it might seem scary, but all this was for you,” He explained of the procession, “And I promise everyone in the Emerald City is so excited to meet you.”
“Okay, Elphie go,” She agreed after another moment of consideration. “You no leave me?”
“I would never,” He swore.
Their departure from Munchkinland was much more swift and less dramatic than their arrival or short stay. Two extras added to their party, they pulled out quickly and headed for the train station, after collecting Elphaba and Dulcibear’s extremely limited belongings. He was angrier by the moment as they remained, but Madame Morrible simply kept reminding that this would never be repeated and this land soon to be left behind.
Jim’s carriage wasn’t prepared for Dulcibear as they headed toward the train station, but she had made fast friends with two imposing black bear guards to make up part of this company, so his daughter got to enjoy watching all three run together in a bonding experience. Once they were at the train station everyone had been so busy shielding her from the negative energy between himself and Thropp that more introductions hadn’t even been made. So, that was where Oscar began as they unloaded to await a much faster lift back to the Emerald City where plans were already in the works to present his heir tomorrow morning upon arrival.
“Elphie, I would like you to meet someone very special.” He had picked her up and brought her over to meet his only companion from the old world first, “This is Jim, my oldest friend.”
“Who are you calling old, Corn Fed?”
She gasped in delight as he turned from red and blue, “You changed colors!”
“Yes, my buddy here couldn’t resist a rainbow elixir I cooked up,” The Wizard ribbed at him too, “Got himself turned into that horse of a different color from legend.”
Jim snorted and made her giggle. Giving an exaggerated bow as he was unhooked, the horse of blue at the moment laid it on thick, “An honor to make your acquaintance, Princess Elphaba.”
As he came back up she reached to pet him as children would do and, even though he claimed to have no control over it, Oscar doubted that highly as instantly the stud became a beautiful emerald green to match her. Her breath hitched and she was quite taken with the once Kentucky race horse. Her father requested, “Could you stay with Jim while I get everyone ready for departure?”
She nodded exuberatedly without attention ever leaving her new friend.
Passing Madame Morrible, she did inform quickly before heading toward their pair, “I want to begin assessing her.”
“Gently,” He requested.
“Of course,” She insisted, “She’s just over three.”
The masses were quite prepared for this departure all on their own and he headed toward his true mission quickly, especially as she was well minded with Muriel and Jimmy. The three bears in his company were still gathered together enjoying conversation, so he moved to join their huddle gently. Both of his guards bowed their heads and chorused, “Your Eminence.”
“Bernard, Berard,” He acknowledged them with a small smile, “Boys, might I steal Dulcibear from you for a moment?”
“Of course, sir.” The older brother, Bernard, suggested to his counterpart, “Let’s go see who we can catch goofing off on rounds.”
“I’ll put all the week's pay on Chistery, Nikko, and Finley.”
“Not a smart bet; they’re always monkeying around.”
“Two weeks,” He negotiated.
“Bet!”
As they took off, he had to promise, “You could do no better. They’re a dynamic pair.”
If her flush could have shown below that lovely brown fur, then it would have. “Forgive me, Your Eminence. I should be minding Elphaba.”
“Nonsense, she’s quite well minded with the Madame and Jimmy,” He assured, nodding in their direction where his daughter was already making her own flowers bloom under Mur’s instruction. On a hunch, he added, “It’s a job you’re no longer in alone, as I sense has long been the case?”
Dulcibear looked away from him, clearly not wanting to speak ill. Perhaps not of a Governor, or of the dead; it wasn’t something necessary for him to know.
Oscar tried to be empathetic, “All I will ever ask of you is the truth. It will go no further than our home, of which I can already see my daughter considers you an important part.”
Honey-like eyes studied him, but the bear sighed before giving up her confession, “The Governor and Lady Melena were quite content to hide their… Shame. I do not quite understand how her difference was so much greater than that of Nessa, but already she was considered perfect, while her big sister longed to be forgotten about; particularly by their father… Nessa’s father.”
“I would not be offended to share her after crossing that line, if he’d been a good one. It’s beyond me to feel shame when his own daughter will suffer later for his poor parenting already apparent.”
She studied him quietly for a long time, but confessed, “I feel guilt for deserting them, but… I was not going to remain healthy staying there.”
“Did he ever put-”
“No, I would have eaten him myself.”
“Respect to your feelings,” He smiled warmly, “I find myself quite glad you’re coming with us.”
A roar sounded, but it wasn’t the train. Both bear brothers came charging around the opposite end of the station with three hysterically laughing monkeys hightailing it before them. Chistery hopped on top of Jim’s back knowing the two black bears knew better, while Nikko and Finley got out of reach atop their carriage to be loaded up for return. Once told off for their certain goofing instead of guarding, all three monkeys became lost amusing Elphaba, while he brought Dulcibear over to distract both head guards from their ire and rejoin everyone readying to go home. That was quite effective as it turned out.
His partner could not stop talking about her magical talent already blossoming so brilliantly for a toddler, confirming their suspicion about a child born of two worlds. He was glad that she had potential to be all he wasn’t. All of her talents would be explored in due course, but Oscar made clear he would never let anyone take advantage, to which Madame Morrible quickly consented.
They would send her to Shiz when ready. Having a double major in politicking and sorcery would be to her great benefit. Private tutors were more than appropriate until then. The Headmistress of their most esteemed university did forewarn that her advanced curiosity and memory, paired with his natural abilities for imitation, led to a strong recommendation that they begin those lessons now instead of waiting a couple of years as most children required.
Consenting, it only took a few more minutes for the train to arrive. Picking her up again, he got Muriel loaded first as a lady, before following her quickly with the bears loading in behind them, and their monkey seconds. Elphaba was quite taken with all of her new animal friends and he was glad to see their natural protective instincts already taking over with regard to his daughter.
Having heard about the black wardrobe and attitude of her step-father, he’d brought the best tailor in Oz’s capital on this journey. The woman was summoned quickly once they took off for home, Jimmy laying down in a corner outside of the action, but he was glad for his friend’s presence as Elphaba struggled to pick another color that she’d like to go with her green skin. Admittedly, it wasn’t going to match everything, and her father wanted them to always complement one another as well.
“Oh, I love that!” Elphie finally declared after he’d cycled through most natural options to the royal and rich color which spoke to her. “What bout purple?”
“I think that would be lovely, my little emerald.”
So they made her a few casual dresses of purple with gold and emerald accents at a minimum, plus black stitching, because he wasn’t trying to change her. Her velvet dress for this debut was also designed and would be started later in the night, once Lady Stitchemall retired with her assistants. They finished three simple dresses before leaving in case she had any accidents, then Elphaba picked her favorite. It was a purple option without sleeves, golden underskirts, and an emerald bow around her waist with black stitching all around.
There were no spills on their way though as she was vastly protective of her new clothing and fond of them. All that would dare mar her new look was animal hair, because she spent much of that ride contenting herself with friends who didn’t care that her skin was green, but that she was a good girl who cared much for everyone. At different bouts Madame Morrible had her practice varied types of magic for beginners after giving an example; she was remarkably gifted in every category shown to her.
The lovely tailor he’d flirted with a bit did come back around sunset with a cute and extremely soft black jumper that she’d thrown together hosting purple stitching. Elphaba probably loved it best as it felt like a return to normal and he only took her from her new friends when that tot began nodding off against Jimmy in a pile of monkeys. Dulcibear offered to bed down with her, but he insisted on keeping his only daughter this first night; she needed to go have some fun with Bernard and Berard.
He didn’t sleep much as they approached the Emerald City once again, because she was so miraculous and perfect. It was difficult to pull his eyes away even for a trip into dreamland. Certainly he would crash on her first night in the capital of Oz where all were loyal to him and her suite directly beside his own already having been decorated for her.
That next morning she was dressed in the fanciest option created by Lady Stitchemall, then carried by her father throughout the presentation to all gathered around her new home as far as the eye could see. It was a good thing too, because for a child hidden away and taught to think of herself as bad, all of this worshipful attention being exuded upon her from a city full of people would have been beyond overwhelming. It was made much easier by Oscar’s shielding, as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was quite used to soaking up all of their affection. And he was happy to let Elphie watch that occur as much as possible this first time, rather than having everyone heaped directly on her at once.
After there were plenty of spectacles presented for their amusement, performances which his daughter did greatly enjoy and cheer for, then a feast to welcome the Enchanted Emerald of the Emerald City into her new home, then there was finally time for them to retire. Even he’d started to think the moment might never come as a lack of sleep started to catch up to him.
There were five suites to make up the Wizard’s residential section of this palace. The Master was his own, then Madame Morrible had claim to the space found on its left, while Elphaba was told it was time for her to go settle into the right suite with Dulcibear. He very carefully made it her choice after the girl performed so well all day despite being overwhelmed concerning the issue of if Oscar went with her, or if she’d come to find him in his rooms once settled. After careful consideration, she decided on needing a moment alone with Dulcibear, who she was already quite used to always being there.
He just promised to be right through those doors if she needed him, before rushing through his common space to a bedchamber where changing quickly and hurrying out made that true, after watching them shut the door to their new home. Once in sleeping pants he did peruse the Daily Ozmopolitan again to drink in headlines discussing the showdown in Munchkinland over his daughter, but he was certain tomorrow focus would solely be on her debut, not Thropp’s disgrace to learn his wife stepped out and he mistreated the Wizard's only daughter.
It struck once done, all he could do was wait, which wasn’t a natural strong suit. There were always more books to read on potions and ingredients of Oz, so he tried to distract himself, but that was difficult when all he wanted was that door to open. When it finally did he’d barely managed a chapter, but quickly disregarded the whole thing onto a side table to offer, “Hello, little emerald.”
She was already dressed back in her little pajama jumper and wandered in with Dulcibear at her back, “Hi…”
“What’s the matter, precious?” He demanded out of concern when her trail off was heavy.
“What I call you?”
It struck that she hadn’t actually addressed him in the last day and a half. So, such a question was perfectly natural and probably overdue. Holding his hands out to her, Oscar thought about any option to set him apart from her previous father figure. “You know, I always enjoyed calling my old man ‘Pops’.”
Several times she tested it on her tongue from a spot in his lap, but eventually Elphie nodded, “I likes it.”
“Good.” Even though he dreaded every moment apart from her, the truth of the matter was that these last few days, nay weeks, were beginning to catch up to him. “Are you getting tired?”
She nodded and slumped against his chest, “Yeah.”
“We’ll just go and get you tucked in then.” Her suite was set up for a child, but most of it was actually purple in here since they’d sent word it was her favorite color, then there was a small amount of emerald and gold. A few natural black items occurred, but he wasn’t fond of decorating with a lot of it. “I’m so glad you’re here, Elphie. I love you.”
“I lo-es you too, Pops.”