LegallyTeapot: I'm not saying anything. I don't do spoilers.
Elphieispopular: No, not yet. And yes, I have thought about that.
Doglover645: Sorry. Updates will be every other day.
Epicmaddie: No, she doesn't have a death wish. She thinks this will work. But only I know whether or not the surgery will be successful. *Smirk*. And in all honestly, I was too lazy to write Boq. Next time.
"Elphie, please don't tell me you're only agreeing to get this surgery because you feel that you deserve to be tortured with another one."
Elphaba looked up at the blonde and frowned. "What do you mean?"
Galinda looked at the green girl through the mirror. "You know exactly what I mean."
Elphaba sighed. "I'm not."
"Elphie, I know you better than that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean that you can be very self-deprecating at most, if not all, times. Elphie, don't torture yourself like this." The blonde turned around and looked at the green girl.
Elphaba averted her gaze to her lap. "I know this might surprise you… but… I'm not."
"You're not what?"
"Torturing myself. At least, I'm not trying to. Though, I might end up doing so no matter what."
"You… you really want to do it?"
"I'm trying to be optimistic. I don't have anything to lose, anyway. I know this is different from the surgeries back in Munchkinland and… I'm willing to give it a try. I've always wondered what it would be like… to skip through the grass, to run across the beach… to walk in general. And to be given that opportunity, even though it might not even work, is something I can't pass up."
It took Elphaba saying that for Galinda to realize how much she took for granted. She could walk, run, skip, jump, flounce… and Elphaba couldn't. Wiping away a stray tear, she slowly approached the green girl and knelt down next to her.
Elphaba slowly turned towards the blonde. "And there wouldn't be any more of… this."
"Any more of what?"
"People kneeling down when speaking to me so I don't have to look up at them."
Galinda blinked and awkwardly rose to her feet.
"N-Nanny used to do it a lot," Elphaba said, subconsciously rubbing her upper arm.
"Did it bother you?" Galinda asked softly.
"No. She was the only one who did it. I guess it felt sort of refreshing to not have a constant reminder that everyone would always be taller than I am."
Galinda smiled softly and placed her hand no Elphaba's shoulder. "Well, I bet you're taller than I am, so I shall enjoy this time while it lasts."
Elphaba, despite herself, let out a small chuckle and looked up at her friend. "You do that."
"I will. Now, we should probably get ready for bed."
"Glin, it's only eight-thirty."
"I'm aware of what time it is. You're the one who wanted to have the consultation tomorrow. Plus, I've invited Nessa in here for girl time."
"Girl time? What's girl time?"
"It's a time where we go out and hunt squirrels," Galinda sighed, rolling her eyes. "What does it sound like, Elphie? Girl time is when we girls get together and chat."
"But… why?"
"Because it's fun!" Galinda hurried over to Elphaba's dresser and pulled out the first nightgown she saw. Marching back to Elphaba, she dropped the nightgown on the green girl's lap and pushed her into the bathroom.
Half an hour later, once both girls were dressed for bed, Nessa came in, dressed in a pink satin nightgown with a matching robe.
"Good. Now that Nessa's here, we can begin 'Girl Time'," Galinda smiled, bouncing over to where she had set up the pillows and blankets on the floor.
Elphaba sat on the floor, her palms firmly pressed against the blanket to keep herself upright. She looked up at her sister and smiled. "Hi, Nessa."
"Hi, Fabala," Nessa smiled, sitting down next to her sister.
"So," the blonde smiled, bouncing over to the blanket and sitting down, neatly folding her legs underneath her. "Who wants to start us off?"
Elphaba looked down at her lap. Nessa looked at her sister, a worried expression on her face.
"Well, let's not volunteer at the same time," Galinda huffed. "Looks like I'm starting. Let's talk about…"
"Hi. Can I come in?" Fiyero asked, knocking on the door and peeking his head inside.
"No! We're having 'Girl Talk'!" Galinda shouted, taking her pillow and throwing it at Fiyero's face. "Shut the door!"
Fiyero stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"I meant with you on the other side," Galinda sighed.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you and your 'Girl Talk', but I need to speak with Fae," Fiyero said, walking into the room and handing Galinda her pillow.
"Can't it wait?"
"No."
"What is it, Yero?" Elphaba asked, looking up at her boyfriend.
Fiyero knelt down next to Elphaba and gently took her hand. "My parents just wanted to make sure you really want to have the consultation tomorrow."
"Yes, Yero. I'm sure," Elphaba said softly.
Fiyero squeezed her hand and sighed. "Alright, if you're sure."
"I am."
Smiling, Fiyero placed a gentle kiss on Elphaba's forehead. "Goodnight, Fae."
"Goodnight, Yero."
"Night, girls."
"Goodnight, Fiyero," Nessa and Galinda smiled, waving to the prince as he walked out of the room.
"We should probably get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow," Nessa said as she stood up.
Galinda nodded sleepily. "I hereby call this meeting of 'Girl Talk' to a close. We shall continue this at a later date."
Elphaba sighed and nodded. Nessa and Galinda smiled as they helped the green girl up and into bed.
"Night, Fabala," Nessa smiled, giving her sister a goodnight hug.
"Night, Nessa," Elphaba smiled.
Galinda sat on the edge of the bed next to Elphaba and gently took her hand.
"Glin, I'm fine. Really," Elphaba smiled. "I…" A sharp pain seized the green girl's body and she stiffened.
"Elphie?" Galinda asked, gripping Elphaba's arm.
Tears slid down Elphaba's cheek as she tried not to cry out in pain. Biting down on her lip, she clutched her leg as her lungs seemed to struggle for air. Not knowing what else to do, Galinda quickly gathered the green girl into a hug. Much to her surprise, Elphaba didn't pull away. Instead, she clung to the blonde for dear life.
A few seconds past and Elphaba calmed down. Relaxing, she gently pulled away from the blonde. Galinda quickly let go and looked at her friend, who had averted her gaze to her lap.
"Elphie?" Galinda whispered, gently placing her hand on top of Elphaba's.
Elphaba stiffened and pulled her hand away. Sighing, Galinda patted the green girl's arm and helped her under the covers. Elphaba turned over and immediately went to sleep.
"Goodnight, Elphie," Galinda whispered, giving the slumbering green girl a small smile before walking back to her own room.
"Elphaba, are you feeling alright?" Amalie asked when everyone gathered in the dining room the next morning for breakfast.
"Yes. I'm fine," Elphaba said, not looking up from her plate.
"You've hardly touched your food," Fiyero frowned.
Elphaba picked up her fork and made to eat her eggs, but ended up spreading them out over her plate.
"Elphie, eat. Please," Galinda whispered.
"I'm not hungry."
"We weren't asking if you were hungry. We're telling you to eat," Fiyero said.
"Fiyero," Raal whispered.
"What? You should've seen her at Shiz. She sometimes wouldn't even buy something to eat until Galinda threatened to give her a makeover."
"That almost worked one time," Galinda sighed.
Elphaba scraped up a forkful of eggs and quickly ate it. "Happy?"
"We're getting there," Fiyero said, taking a sip of orange juice.
Everyone quickly finished eating and got ready to leave.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Amalie asked as Fiyero, Elphaba, Nessa and Galinda gathered in the foyer.
"Mom, we'll be fine," Fiyero smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay," Amalie said, giving everyone goodbye hugs. "Be safe."
"We will!" Galinda smiled as everyone left and loaded into the carriage. A flick of the reigns and the carriage sped off.
Galinda and Nessa giddily looked out the window at the beautiful passing scenery. Their faces were pressed against the window as the tall trees and multicolored flowers whizzed past them. Fiyero noticed how stiff Elphaba's body had become and gently pulled her against him. He felt Elphaba slowly relax against his body and smiled as he tenderly kissed the top of her head.
It didn't take long to reach the hospital. The carriage slowed to a complete stop in front of the large, white building and everyone looked up.
"Finally," the blonde sighed dramatically, jumping out of the carriage and stretching.
"Glin, the carriage ride only took twenty minutes," Fiyero said, rolling his eyes as he lifted Elphaba into his arms and helped her into her wheelchair.
"I'm aware," Galinda said, tossing her hair over her shoulder and marching up to the doors.
Sighing, Fiyero pushed Elphaba through the doors and into the waiting room. "We're here to check in Elphaba Thropp," he said to the receptionist.
The receptionist nodded and put a checkmark in her book. Smiling, Fiyero pushed Elphaba over to the couch and sat down next to her.
"Thank you for coming with me, Yero," Elphaba smiled, looking up at her boyfriend as Nessa and Galinda sat down on the couch next to her.
"You're welcome, Fae," the prince smiled, placing a gentle kiss on Elphaba's cheek.
"Um… Galinda? What are you doing?" Nessa asked, noticing the blonde grabbing one of the coloring pages and crayons from the table.
"I think those are for the children who come here," Fiyero smirked, rolling his eyes.
"No children are here," Galinda smiled, grabbing the blue crayon. "Besides, I don't think these perfectly good coloring pages should be wasted on children who don't even color inside the lines."
Everyone rolled their eyes and laughed. Pretty soon, a nurse emerged from the double doors and called Elphaba's name. Fiyero stood up pushed her into the room, with Nessa and Galinda close behind him.
"Alright, Miss Elphaba. You can get changed into this hospital gown and the doctor will be in momentarily," the nurse smiled, handing Elphaba a bag with the hospital gown before disappearing.
Fiyero helped Elphaba out of her chair and onto the table. The green girl blushed and looked up. "Thank you."
"Okay, Fifi. Shoo!" Galinda said, shooing the prince out of the room.
The prince put his hands up in mock defense and quickly walked out of the room. Galinda and Nessa quickly helped Elphaba strip into her undergarments and slip into the hospital gown.
As soon as they were finished, three knocks at door caught their attention.
"Come in," Elphaba smiled, smoothing out the skirt of the gown.
The door opened and a middle-aged man in a doctor's coat stepped in. His glasses were perfectly perched on his nose and his gray hair was combed back. "Hello, Miss Elphaba. I am Dr. Howe, Associate Doctor here at the Thousand Years Hospital."
"Hello, Dr. Howe," the green girl smiled.
Dr. Howe took out his clipboard and started scribbling something down. Fiyero came back in the room and sat on the table next to Elphaba.
"Now, Miss Elphaba, according to your records, you've had eleven leg surgeries to this date, correct?"
Elphaba nodded. "Yes."
"I assume you know the dangers and risk of complications."
The green girl inhaled softly. "I know."
"And you still wish to have another one?"
"Yes."
Dr. Howe was silent for a moment. "Well, I suppose I should tell you about this surgery is different from the other ones you've had." Dr. Howe opened the bottom cabinet and pulled out something in a plastic bag. He tore it open and pulled out a gossamer, light pink flimsily sheet.
"What is that?" Nessa questioned.
"This is a newly developed replacement muscle fiber sheet," Dr. Howe explained. "It's designed just like the human muscle. What we will do it attach it to Miss Elphaba's real leg muscles."
"And what will that do?" Galinda asked.
"It will strengthen the leg muscles and help them to work properly. This muscle stretches and contracts just like real muscle." Dr. Howe demonstrated by stretching and contracting the muscle material.
Elphaba nodded and looked at the material in Dr. Howe's hand.
"Fae, are you alright?" Fiyero asked, protectively wrapping his arm around Elphaba's waist.
Elphaba looked at her boyfriend and nodded. "Yes, Yero. I'm fine."
"Now, when would you like to schedule the surgery?" Dr. Howe asked, taking out his clipboard and pen again.
"Next week Tuesday," Elphaba said without hesitation.
Nessa looked up at her sister and gently took her hand. If Elphaba had noticed, she didn't say anything, but didn't protest.
"Are you sure you're not rushing into anything, Fabala?" the brunette whispered.
Elphaba nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."
"Are you sure, Miss Elphaba?" Dr. Howe asked, giving the green girl a concerned look.
"Yes," Elphaba said confidently.
"Next week Tuesday it is," Dr. Howe said, scribbling something down on his clipboard. "Morning or afternoon?"
"Morning."
"That's pushing it, Fae," Fiyero said. "This is our spring break. You should be able to relax."
"I'll be fine," Elphaba said, giving her boyfriend a sideways glare.
"I will be performing the surgery, along with two of my esteemed collogues. You'll be in very capable hands, Miss Elphaba," Dr. Howe smiled, looking up at the green girl.
Elphaba blushed and smiled at the doctor. "Thank you."
"Do you have any other questions?"
Elphaba shook her head.
"Well, if you think of anything, don't hesitate to let us know. Make sure you don't eat anything for twenty-four hours before the surgery. Don't forget to drink plenty of water. You can see the receptionist on your way out for scheduling."
"Thank you," Elphaba smiled as the doctor walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Galinda turned towards her friend, her face swelled with worry. "Elphie, are you sure you want to…"
"For the last time, I'll be fine!" Elphaba snapped.
"Fae, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to," Fiyero said, gently pulling Elphaba closer to him.
Elphaba shot her boyfriend a hard glare.
"Okay," he whispered, sighing. He kissed Elphaba's forehead before walking out of the room, leaving the girls alone.
Galinda was about to question Elphaba's decision, but decided against it. Silently, she and Nessa helped Elphaba back into her regular clothes and into her chair. Sighing, Nessa stepped behind her sister and pushed her out of the room.
"Ready to go?" Fiyero asked as they emerged into the waiting room.
Elphaba nodded and looked down at her lap. Fiyero slowly approached the green girl and knelt down next to her. Slowly, he reached for her hand. Feeling Fiyero's fingers brush against her hand, Elphaba pulled her hand away.
"We're sorry, Fae. We didn't mean to hurt your feelings," the prince whispered.
"You didn't… hurt my feelings," Elphaba whispered, gripping the wheels of her chair and quickly wheeling outside.
Exchanging worried glances, Nessa, Fiyero and Galinda followed the green girl outside. Once everyone was loaded into the carriage, the driver flicked the reigns and they sped off down the road.
"Where… where are we going?" Elphaba asked when she realized they weren't going back they way they came.
"This is the way to town," Fiyero said nonchalantly.
"What?!" Elphaba almost jumped out of her seat.
"This is the way to town," Fiyero repeated, unfazed.
"We're going to town?"
"Of course."
"Come on, Elphie. It'll be fun," the blonde giggled.
"Fun?" Elphaba asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, Fabala. A day in town. It'll be fun. Please?" Nessa asked, gripping her sister's arm.
Elphaba sighed. "Alright."
"Yay!" Galinda shouted, bouncing up and down in her seat. "One short day in the Vinkus townships! One short day, filled with so much to…"
"Galinda, no singing!" everyone exclaimed.