Mudd123: Ah... you can keep it. *Hands jacket to you.*

LegallyTeapot: Thank you. I am the Wicked Queen of Killing Feels, after all.

Luna the Zekrom: They better start to learn their lessons well! (Reference! Sorry, I couldn't help it! I'm also the Queen of Referencing!)

Lurlinemas morning, Elphaba slowly opened her eyes and turned her head towards the sunlight shining in through the window. Her lips curled into a small smile as she slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"Good morning, Fabala," Nanny smiled as she opened the door, dressed in a pale green cotton dress and carrying Elphaba's breakfast on a tray.

"Good morning, Nanny," Elphaba smiled as Nanny set her breakfast on her desk and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Merry Lurlinemas," she whispered as Nanny gently pulled her into a hug.

"Merry Lurlinemas." The older woman kissed the green girl's forehead as she held her close. She helped Elphaba out of bed and into her wheelchair. Elphaba quickly wheeled over to her desk and looked at her breakfast. A simple bowl of plain oatmeal and a glass of water, her usual Lurlinemas breakfast. The smell of pancakes, bacon, eggs, roasted ham, toast and jam, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and orange juice filled her nose and she fought to keep the frown from making its way onto her face. She knew Nessa was in the dining room, having the Lurlinemas breakfast she could only dream about.

Nanny slowly stepped behind her and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Elphaba looked up and the old woman and smiled before eating her breakfast. Nanny disappeared and returned shortly after with a box wrapped in silver paper.

"This is for you," Nanny smiled, handing Elphaba the box.

Elphaba's face lit up as she gently took the present from Nanny and opened it. Inside was a new copy of 'A Flower's Day' by Myla Youtyvart with a leather bound cover.

"Oh, Nanny. It's beautiful," Elphaba smiled, looking up and the older woman. "Thank you."

Nanny chuckled. "You're welcome, Fabala. Now, let's get you ready for the day, shall we?"

"What's the point?" Elphaba asked, frowning as she gently placed the book on her desk. "I'll have to stay in here all day."

Nanny simply smiled and pushed Elphaba out of her room and into the bathroom. An hour later, Elphaba was sitting in front of her mirror, looking at her reflection.

"You look beautiful, Fabala," Nanny smiled, lightly rubbing Elphaba's arm.

The green girl was dressed in a long, pleated navy blue skirt and a light blue blouse. A large, dark blue bow tied the front sections of her hair back. The rest of her hair flowed down off her shoulders.

Elphaba looked up at Nanny and her lips curled into a soft smile. "Thank you."

Nanny chuckled lightly, glad she didn't have to get into an argument with the green girl about true beauty. "You're welcome, Fabala," she whispered, kissing her cheek.

The rest of the day past slowly for Elphaba. She decided to get a head start on her reading while Nanny took a nap in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. After a while, Elphaba had finished her book and picked up her journal. She had this journal since she was sixteen years old and only wrote in it if she was feeling exceptionally sad and didn't want to talk to Nanny. Sighing, she skimmed through her old entries before she came to a blank page. She picked up a pen and began to write.

Dear Journal,

Today is Lurlinemas. I know I should be happy, but I'm not. I know Nanny tries to make it special for me, but I'm still upset. I have to stay in my room all day and I'm not allowed to go to the annual ball tonight.

Nessa is out in the town with Father and I'm at home with Nanny. I love Nanny. She raised me and I am forever grateful to her, but it gets very lonely when she's my only company.

I'm having another leg surgery in three days. It's also my birthday. I'm not scared. I've grown up since my last one. I know what it's going to be like. I'll have the surgery, be in pain for the next two weeks or longer, and then return to Shiz, late, with Nanny.

I'll write more soon (hopefully),

Elphaba

The green girl sighed as she closed her journal and put it back in her desk. As soon as she closed the drawer, Nanny woke up.

"F-Fabala?" the old woman whispered, slowly opening her eyes.

"Yeah?" Elphaba asked, looking up.

"Are you hungry?"

"No."

Nanny smiled as she pushed herself up and stretched. "What time is it?"

"Almost noon."

Nanny walked past Elphaba and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Elphaba asked.

"To get our lunch."

"I'm not hungry."

"Well, I am."

Elphaba sighed and rolled her eyes before grabbing a random book from her shelf. She lazily skimmed over it, having read this particular book multiple times. She didn't turn around when she heard Nanny return, but a distinct smell caught her attention.

"Is that…?" she whispered hopefully, finally turning around.

Nanny smiled as she placed a tray of casserole and apple cider on Elphaba's desk.

"But… Father…" Elphaba gasped, looking up at her caregiver.

"Will not know. Cook made an extra one, just for you," Nanny smiled. "Enjoy it."

Elphaba smiled and placed a forkful of casserole in her mouth. She moaned in satisfaction, the mix of vegetables and meat making her taste buds dance.

"I knew you were hungry," Nanny smirked once Elphaba had finished her lunch.

"Thank you, Nanny," Elphaba smiled.

"Anything for you, Fabala," Nanny whispered.

Later that evening, a thunderous applause filled the Governor's Mansion. Elphaba was dressed in her nightgown, looking in herself in the mirror as Nanny brushed her hair.

"The ball," Elphaba whispered sadly.

"I'm sorry, Fabala," Nanny whispered, gently setting the brush down and looking back at the green girl.

"N-No. It's okay," Elphaba said as she wheeled over to her closet and, reaching down, pulled out a box. "Can we wrap Nessa's present now?"

"Of course, Fabala," Nanny smiled, taking out the wrapping paper, tape and scissors. It hadn't surprised Nanny that, after all the pain and hurt Nessa had caused her, Elphaba still wanted to get her a Lurlinemas present. She had a kind heart; her mother's heart.

Elphaba smiled as she slowly opened the box and pulled out a beautiful, silky, pink shawl. She knew from the moment she saw it that it would be perfect for Nessa and had convinced Nanny to buy it.

The two carefully wrapped Nessa gift in silver wrapping paper and tied it up in a golden bow.

"Can you put this in her room for me?" Elphaba asked, holding the present out to Nanny.

The old woman nodded and took the box from Elphaba before exiting the room.

"Merry Lurlinemas, Nessa," Elphaba whispered sadly.

Nessa returned from the ball exhausted. Her gown was a shimmering golden color, made out of soft Quoxen fabric. The skirt of the dress bellowed around her legs, ending at her ankles. Sighing, she slipped the dress over her head and took her hair out of its elegant bun. She shuffled into the bathroom and showered before slipping into her nightgown. She returned to her room and was about to climb into the bed when she noticed a silver-wrapped box sitting on her desk. Curious, she stepped over to the box and grabbed it. Slowly undoing the ribbon, she ripped off the paper. A note was taped to the top of the box.

'Nessa, I'm sorry for everything. Elphaba.'

Frowning, Nessa walked over to her closet and threw the box into the darkest corner. Huffing, she stomped over to her bed and climbed in.

The unopened present sat in the dark corner of the closet, alone and forgotten.