Here we are! It's the last chapter guys! So sorry for the delay :( When I started posting, this chapter was only half written...AM SARREHHH! Ok, on with the story.

The cool water touched the baby girl's feet lightly, causing her to giggle at the new sensation. Fiyero himself couldn't contain his smile as he held his laughing daughter in his arms.

"Aren't you getting tired, Eirlys?"

The nine-month-old ignored her father and continued playing with the water. She sat in the sand, splashing the small waves that came towards her. It was only until she splashed herself in the face with the salty water that she stopped playing and started to cry. Fiyero carried Eirlys out and wrapped her with a towel, snuggling her to his shoulder.

"There, there," he said, comfortingly rubbing the baby's back. "Let's get you back to mommy."

Back at their spot, Galinda was braiding Elphaba's hair tightly, making her wince with every pull. Galinda's daughter was sitting beside her mother, playing with the comb and clumsily brushing her own blonde hair with it.

"Serena, sweetie, can mommy have the comb back?" she asked the child, who simply nodded. Galinda finished braiding Elphaba's hair and scooped her daughter in her arms. "There! See? I told you it will look pretty."

"Pretty!" Serena agreed.

"I can't really see it though," Elphaba said, touching the back of her head to feel the braid.

Fiyero approached them, Eirlys still sniffling in his arms. Elphaba raised an eyebrow at him, silently demanding why her daughter was crying.

He scratched his head and said, "She... um... splashed herself with water."

Eirlys, with her chubby arms held out for her mother, looked exhausted. It was probably due to playing with her older brother and with, as Galinda proclaimed it, her best friend all day. Bouncing the baby a bit to calm her down, she kissed Fiyero's cheek as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Where's Liir?" Elphaba asked, untangling herself from her husband.

"The birthday boy is with his auntie Nessa. I think they're building a sandcastle." He pointed them out to her. Liir was getting water with his little pail while Nessa molded the sand into towers.

"Well, I'm glad he's not riding her chair again," she shook her head at the thought. "Go get him, Galinda just told her husband to get the cake."

Fiyero playfully pouted at her. "But I wanted to get the cake."

"You were fooling around with Eirlys," she shrugged.

"Hey, we weren't fooling around. Right, snowdrop?" He glanced at his daughter for approval only to see her fast asleep.

"Is she sleeping?" she asked. Fiyero nodded an answer. "Oh great, now she'll be awake the entire night. She just took her nap a few hours ago."

Fiyero raised his hand. "I volunteer to be parent of the night."

Elphaba chuckled at him warmly. "Thanks, Yero but you're always the parent of the night. Let me take care of my children for once."

"You took care of them when they were...less playful," Fiyero pointed out.

"And you were at my beck and call then while juggling princely duties," she pointed out. "Now, can you please get Liir?"

Fiyero mockingly bowed, causing Elphaba to roll her eyes. But even as he walked off, those eyes still looked at him fondly and lovingly. He approached his sister-in-law, who was still busy building the sandcastle. The tower she was molding kept breaking apart in her hands, causing groans of frustration from both her and the little boy beside her.

"Hey buddy, it's almost time to blow the candles on your cake," he said, kneeling down to his son's size.

"But we're not done yet, daddy," Liir replied. Fiyero furrowed his brows in confusion. Either Liir was still too young to understand the importance of blowing the birthday candles or he just took after Elphaba, who never understood birthdays at all.

Nessarose looked at her nephew. "Maybe we could take a break, Liir. It looks like our tower doesn't want to be built."

"But we can't build it if we're way back there!" he said animatedly.

Liir ran off to get more water, leaving Fiyero with Nessa. The sight of his son splashing in the water put a smile to his face. This was one of the rare times that Liir acted a little more like him than Elphaba. His son was a little gentleman around other people but he's still a playful kid with his loved ones.

"That kid. If he didn't look like you then I'd think he was directly copied off his mother," Nessa said as she once again made the new tower fall apart. "I'm horrendible at this! Fiyero, it's your son that wants this. Come on and help me."

"Okay, okay. For second there, you sounded like your sister." he said, doing the tower for her. Fiyero glanced up to see his son still playing with the waves, momentarily forgetting his sandcastle. "I'm glad that he's not afraid of the water like Elphaba was."

Elphaba knew how to swim now. Fiyero loved taking Liir to the sea with him, so the child grew with a great appreciation for it. Elphaba, unhappy that she couldn't bond with her family in that way, cornered Fiyero one day, when the king and queen took their grandson out for a few hours. As if she was learning it from a book, she learned quickly but she still needed Fiyero around.

"You know, Elphaba never told me why she was so afraid," Nessarose looked at him, before suddenly turning her gaze down. "I knew she drowned when she was child but I know her enough to think that there's probably more than that," he said, not taking his eyes off Liir.

Nessarose studied him for a moment before speaking in a calm tone.

"When we were children," she started, absentmindedly drawing on the sand. "Elphaba, father and I always went to Lake Orizon but not really to swim. Father won't let us. We just played on the sand, like this."

Liir came running to them and gave the pail to his aunt. "I think I don't like sandcastles anymore. Daddy, can I go swimming?"

"You can but you can't go any deeper than your ankles," Fiyero tickled his little leg. "Only for a little while, alright? Mommy will be angry if we're not back in ten minutes."

"Okay!" And he was off

There was a short silence that followed before Fiyero decided to break it. "So, you and Elphaba playing on the sand?" Fiyero pressed on.

Nessa's eyes were glazed over slightly as if she was lost in the memory.

"Elphaba would always tell me stories about our mother and how she loved the water. I guess I felt bad that I didn't have any memories with her, so I tried to convince Elphaba to take me swimming. When she said no, I got a little angry and wandered off by myself. Of course since," she gestured to her legs. "I drowned."

Nessarose smiled to herself.

"The next thing I knew, a blue light was surrounding me, but it wasn't only me. Elphaba was right beside me, her hands glowing. And that light," she closed her eyes and corrected herself. "No, that magic kept me afloat and surprisingly calm. I watched her struggle in the water, sinking and then coming back again and again but I didn't think anything about it... until now,"

Noting the hint of grief in her voice, Fiyero listened on.

"You must understand, that she didn't know about her powers then and everything just came with pure instinct. She wasn't as powerful as she is now. To have me floating and to manipulate my emotions for as long as she did, weakened her until she started to drift downwards. The light around me was dimmer but it was still there."

They both cast a glance at Elphaba. With Eirlys, sleeping soundly in her arms, she looked like the very embodiment of the perfect mother. But Nessa's words made him change his opinion. She was the perfect mother - the epitome of love, strength and sacrifice.

"When father finally came for us, he carried me all the way back home with Elphaba walking behind us, pushing my chair. And father was... he was scolding her about everything. Her carelessness, h-her powers," she laughed with dry humour. "Even about her crying."

"Wow, Nessa, that's - that's," he breathed out, his heart swelling with emotions. "I don't know. I never thought that it was like this."

"I thought I'd tell you because Oz knows she won't tell you herself but please don't tell her I did."

"Deal," he agreed. "Come on, I think the cake's here."

He helped Nessa to her chair before grabbing Liir out of the water. His son whined and stomped but settled once he saw the cake that had four candles on top.

"Chocolate!" Liir exclaimed, excitedly.

"He's totally your son," Elphaba said from behind him. "Only you can get that excited over sweets."

"Weren't you a kid once?" He winced inwardly as soon as the words left his mouth. Elphaba never really had the chance to feel like a kid. Not only was she left out because of her skin, she had Nessa to take care of. Fiyero took her free hand and squeezed it. "He's a boy. Boys tend to be over excited about everything. If you ask me though, I think he's more like you," He paused for a moment and laid his hand on Eirlys' small back. "They both are."

"Oz, help them," she said sarcastically.

Eirlys stirred in her mother's embrace. She opened her eyes and saw the cake, instantly reaching towards it. Liir saw this and looked up to his little sister.

He frowned. "Eirlys, I haven't blown the candles yet! You wait." Eirlys then held out her hands to her to her brother, still looking sleepy but willing to play. "Mommy, can I hold her?"

Fiyero and Elphaba looked at each other. She had a searing 'no' in her gaze but his begged with hers. Fiyero knew who would win. "Oh, alright. Just be careful."

Liir rolled his eyes. "I'm always careful."

Most parents would have told their kids that they can't roll their eyes on their mothers but Fiyero found it so endearing that he can't bring himself to do it. It proves his point that his son took after his wife.

Once Eirlys was settled in her brother's arms, everyone started singing "Happy Birthday". It was obvious from the little boy's face that he was impatient and wanted everyone to stop singing so he could blow the candles and eat some cake. As always, Galinda took her camera and started snapping some pictures. She left Serena in her husband's tight grip since her daughter has always had a fascination with cameras.

"Oh Serena," Galinda said, seeing her one year old squirming in her dad's arms. "You've already had several photos. It's Liir's birthday so it's his turn."

Fiyero winced as Galinda's husband took a good punching to the face. He could sympatize with the pain of a small fist or a foot hitting places that a man does not want to be hit. That's probably the reason why he and the guy got along.

"I don't like pictures, Auntie Galinda." Liir complained.

"But you look so cute with Eirlys!" Galinda said.

"Take a picture of her then," Fiyero heard Liir whisper.

Galinda looked up from her camera. "Okay. Now, a family picture!" Elphaba and Liir groaned at the same time. Fiyero chuckled a bit, taking Eirlys from Liir. "Honestly, you two, it only takes five seconds!"

Elphaba sighed and trudged off towards her family. A glance towards Fiyero's amused gaze made her roll her eyes before she took her daughter from him. "Do I look funny to you?" Elphaba asked, very close to exasperation.

She didn't get to that point, but felt his smirk on her temple. "No, but you make me smile. Does that make you 'look funny'?"

Elphaba softened at his words. "You are so cheesy. I can't believe I married you."

"I can't believe you married me."

Galinda coughed. "Alright, let's save the kissey faces for later," She raised her camera. "Smile!" she sang, before a bright light flashed from the camera. "There. That wasn't so bad."

"Well-" Elphaba started. As soon as Galinda heard her breathe, she whipped back and gave her a pointed look. "Look, Glin, if you want to take pictures so badly then take Eirlys and have Serena pose with her."

Galinda beamed at the suggestion. Carrying Eirlys in one arm and holding Serena's hand, they set off to find a perfect spot for picture taking. The sight of their daughter interacting with Serena put a smile to their faces. The toddler walked around while rambling about things that didn't particularly made sense while their daughter sat on the sand, confused and little bit overwhelmed but still attempting to communicate with Serena.

"Poor baby, she can't handle her 'best friend'," Elphaba mused, leaning her head in Fiyero's shoulder.

Fiyero felt the familiar weight and ran his hand just above her hair. "Well, they'll come to understand each other once they're old enough." He then turned her around and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"So Liir's a big boy now and Eirlys is just starting to walk," she sighed. "I was wondering what happened to 'wait until our firstborn turns five' rule."

"You caved in at two," he said, shaking his head, chuckling.

Suddenly, his sugar filled son launched himself at his leg, making the couple part. Liir looked absolutely adorable with chocolate smashed on his face. His lovely wife, ever prepared, pulled out a handkerchief seemingly from nowhere and wiped everything off.

"Now, why were you so eager to attack daddy, sweetheart?" Elphaba asked the little boy.

"I can tell daddy's future, mommy!"

Elphaba feigned surprise. "Really? What about mine? Can you tell mommy's?"

Liir shook his head and paused for a moment, thinking. "Because daddy's easier."

Fiyero didn't know whether to be offended or interested, but he figured, with Elphaba's expression, he should pretend to be offended a bit.

"Daddy's here, you know?" he said, waving at his wife and son.

"I can tell your future, daddy!" Liir excitedly jumped up and down.

"Really Liir?"

The child nodded. "Yup. Give me your hand, please," he asked, politely. Saying 'please' was one of the traits that Fiyero didn't possess as a child. Though growing up as a prince, he was never one of the most well-mannered kids around. On the other hand, Elphaba grew up differently than he did and made sure their kids were taught to be polite. Though obviously both of them were far from the trait.

Fiyero leaned down, gave his right hand and his son took it with his smaller one. There was something fascinating about seeing his children's hand grow from impossibly tiny to just plain small and knowing they might grow as big as his.

Liir stared intently in his hand, tracing the lines on it. "You're going to get me chocolate cake, everyday."

"Honestly, buddy?"

The little boy nodded, quite serious. "Yes. Look here."

Liir let go of his father's hand, maintaining the serious look on his face. Fiyero looked at his hand intently, planning to play along with the game. All of a sudden, Liir jumped at him and slapped the back of his palm, hitting his face with more force than he expected from a four-year-old.

Before the sense of déjà vu wore off, Elphaba and Liir were already laughing out loud, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"I can't believe you still fall for that!" Elphaba said, her arms around Liir.

"You looked so funny, daddy!"

Fiyero turned to Elphaba, who was trying to suppress her laughter. "You knew about this?"

Elphaba shook her head. "Oh no. It was all this little man's fault," she said, her hands on Liir's shoulders.

Liir's laughter was reduced to a mischievous smirk.

I want to thank everyone who read this! All of you are the best!

I'm suddenly inspired to put out my multi-chap Fiyeraba that I've been working on for two years. Two years people! Of course, I have to rewrite the first few chapters because I was pretty lame then...

There might be a one shot or two shot sequel to this, a prank war-let(?) between Fiyero and Liir. I don't really know. Maybe I'll even do I'mWickedThroughAndThrough's suggestion of an M rated continuation of chapter three ;)

I got Eirlys' name from a Loki fanfiction I've been reading :) And the reason why Galinda's husband doesn't have a name is because I only have one name in mind for Galinda's true love OC and it's...in the said two year old story I've been working on.

I guess I have to deal with Broadwaygirl21's flying catfish... *dodges* sorry, but I have ninja reflexes.

vinkunwildflowerqueen, I remember your assiest (is that even a word?) Fiyero was Out of the Blue Fiyero. He deserved getting his nose punched!

Please just PLEASE REVIEW! We might get this up to fifty! Come on...I have a special surprise for the fiftieth reviewer ;) It's so special, I don't even know what it is yet!

Thanks x 10^infinity!