Chapter 25.

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Elements in 24? Pippa being dressed in her mourning clothes when she arrives in Munchkinland, taking a seat by herself and ignoring everyone around her, Milla coming to get her, saying she would be a beauty like her mother, reaching out to touch her cheek and Pippa pulling away with a scowl, Pippa picking up her suitcases and following Milla

Based on? Mary being dressed in her mourning clothes when she arrives in England, taking a seat by herself and ignoring everyone around her, Mrs. Medlock coming to get her, saying that she would be a beauty like her mother, reaching out to touch her cheek and Mary pulling away with a scowl, Mary picking up her bags and following Mrs. Medlock

Book and Author? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Elements in 25?

Thanks to 18lzytwner for reviewing 22.

"Fenvu! We're back!"

Pippa stood in the doorway, taking everything in. Milla peeled off her duster, before making her way into the library.

"Fenvu!" She turned back to Pippa. "Come on, Pippa. You can leave your bags by the door. Kirsa will take them to your room."

The girl stayed where she was, as Milla disappeared into the library. She came back ten minutes later, a man in tow. He had dark hair like her father, and brown eyes; he leaned against the door, watching Milla make her way towards the girl. When she got to the child, she gently pushed her forward, and then said,

"Pippa, this is my husband, Fenvu. Fenvu, you remember Pippa, don't you?"

Fenvu and Liir Tayq were cousins; it had been Liir that had originally called Milla 'Carrots' and recieved a slate over the head. Two weeks later, Fenvu had called her the same, thinking he'd be safe since they were outside during lunch, but Milla- in a fit of anger- had ignored Elphaba's protests, grabbed her slate- the new one that she and Elphaba were drawing on to pass the time- and smacked him over the head with it, breaking it in the process. It had cost Milla ten slates in one year, because she couldn't keep her temper in check and kept beating the boys over the head with them.

When she and Fenvu met up again at Shiz, they turned their rivalry into friendship, and by the time both graduated, that friendship had grown into love. They'd gotten married two months after Pippa's birth; Elphaba had been her best friend's matron of honor, and in return, Elphaba had asked Milla to be her daughter's godmother. In the end, it didn't come as a surprise to anyone who knew the girls that Milla had promised to raise Elphaba's daughter; the girls were so close, played such vital parts in each others' lives, that the surprise would have been if Milla hadn't promised to raise Elphaba's precious little girl. But Pippa didn't know any of that; she knew none of her mother's past, except what Elphaba had been willing to divulge.

The man looked the child up and down, taking in her delicate features, the dark hair, the black mourning clothes, the statchels, the aquamarine eyes that he knew so well from his childhood. After a moment, he straightened, tugging on the bottom of his jacket as he moved towards them.

"Of course I do. Elphaba's daughter, correct?" His wife nodded. "It's good to see you again." He said, kneeling down to look into the girl's eyes. "The last time I saw you, you were only two months old. Your parents had come down for our wedding, and I remember your mother had laid you in Milla's arms and told us that we were your godparents. That was the last time I saw you. You've grown up since then." Gently, he reached out to lift the girl's chin; much like she did at the train station, she yanked away and glared at him. "You're as beautiful as your mother. And your mother was a true beauty."

The child didn't say anything, instead, she lowered her eyes, refusing to look at the adults. After a moment, Fenvu stood. He reached out, but she refused to give him her bags. After a moment, he glanced at Milla.

"I'll show her her room, Fen." She whispered. He nodded, going to her and kissing her quickly. A wave of jealousy washed over Pippa; it didn't seem fair that these two got to share sweet words and caresses and kisses, and her parents didn't get to anymore.

"Mama?"

The couple broke away, and turned, to see a girl about Pippa's age on the stairs. She had her mother's red hair and her father's dark eyes.

"Olishka, how was school, sweetheart?" Milla asked. The child shrugged.

"It was all right." She replied, coming down the last few steps and joining them. It was then that she saw Pippa. "Mama, who's this?"

"Do you remember the couple that came to see us a three years ago?" The girl nodded.

"The lady with the green skin?"

"Yes. The Prince and Princess of the Vinkus. She was- is- my best friend. And, she recently passed away, and her husband asked if I would look after their daughter." She glanced at the child. "This is Elphaba and Fiyero's daughter, Pippa. Pippa, this is my daughter, Olishka."

"Nice to meet you." Pippa didn't respond.

"Come on, I'll show you your room." Milla said, breaking the awkward tension and leading the way up the stairs. Eventually, Pippa followed, with Olishka close behind. Fenvu watched them disappear up the stairs before returning to the library.

Milla pushed open the bedroom door and stepped inside, allowing Pippa to follow.

"This is your room, Pippa. Make yourself at home."