The next day everyone was on time at the agreed place. Glinda had a suitcase with her. ''They are clothes and stuff for Elphie,'' Glinda explained after she got questioning looks from everyone.
''That's very smart,'' said Samual. ''She will like that.''
They started the normal conversations when the waiter came to take their order. When everyone is eating, Leanne starts, ''We want to send this letter to Munchkinland,'' She handed the letter to Nessa. Glinda read over her shoulder.
''It's perfect Miss Upland… I mean Leanne.'' Nessa said, blushing. She was not used to addressing older people by first name. But yesterday, Samual and Leanne were very clear that Glinda's friends could just call them by their first name.
''We have also thought about tomorrow,'' said Samual seriously. ''We understand that this is a very bad situation, but your school should not suffer too much.''
The children all looked at each other. ''When Elphaba wakes up and finds out that we are going to miss school to take care of her, we have a bigger problem than her.'' Boq said cautiously.
''I think she'll jump out of bed and drag us all to class. Then she sits by the door to stop us if we want to sneak out,'' Fiyero said with a laugh.
''Are you going home tonight?'' Glinda asked frightened. She was very grateful that her parents were there. They made Glinda feel familiar. Glinda herself was also not ready to do everything alone.
Leanne gave her daughter a smile. ''We talked about it. I was off from work until Wednesday anyway, That's good news. I don't have my first appointment until Thursday. So I can stay until Wednesday afternood or night. That depends on when the train leaves. I still have to ask for information about that. Your father has to go home, but he might be able to return on Friday. We will first see how it all goes today.''
Glinda nodded in relief.
''I know it may not be my place to say it because you are all close to Glinda and me, but if you guys need someone to talk to, my door is always open,'' Leanne added warmly.
''I have to admit that I really enjoyed yesterday's conversation over late lunch. It was good to know what you thought of it,'' Nessa admitted softly.
Leanne gave her a warm smile. ''I'm glad to hear that. So I will be here until Wednesday afternoon, but you can also send a letter afterwards.''
Then the conversation turned to lighter things, everyone told childhood stories and there was a lot of laughter. An hour later they were all at Elphaba's bed. Doctor had said Elphaba had slept through the night and all her wounds were healed.
Fiyero and Boq were doing homework together. Nessa was talking to Leanne about what was bothering her and Leanne tried to give her advice. Samual was reading his own book and Glinda was reading Elphaba from one of her children's books. Glinda had hung Elphie's clothes in the closet.
Suddenly Elphaba begins to stirring. She turns her head towards Glinda and starts blinking.
Everyone gets up immediately and goes to Elphaba's bed. Glinda takes one hand from Elphaba and Nessa takes the other.
''Heey Elphie welcome back.''
''Well done,''
''Just wake up slowly.'' Everyone says mixed up
Elphaba swallowed and opens her eyes. ''Glin? Where am I? What happened?'' Elphie asked, confused in a hoarse voice.
''Oh Fabala you're back.'' Nessa said happily.
Elphaba turned her head and saw Nessa.
''Nessie? What are you doing here?'' Elphaba asked astonished with a voice that is less hoarse. Then she looks around and sees all her friends and Glinda's parents. ''Hello everyone'' Elphaba said confused. She felt very uncomfortable that everyone was looking at her. She also realized that this is not her room. With all her power she tries to remember where she was and why.
''Heey Elphaba, wake up properly first.'' Leanne said warmly while rubbing Elphaba's leg.
The boys nod. ''You gave us a good scare.''
''Welcome back.'' Everyone started talking through each other and telling how happy they were that Elphaba was awake again. But Elphaba was confused. She didn't hear what the others said until Samual suggested he go and get the doctor.
''What doctor?'' asked Elphaba in panic. ''I do feel better.''
She wanted to get out of bed but Nessa and Glinda held her.
''Elphie do you know where you are?'' Glinda asked. Samual left the room.
Elphaba shake her head. ''I know we went for lunch with your parents and then spent the rest of the day together. That night we went to the Ozdustballroom,'' said Elphaba as she started to blush. Glinda also blushed but said nothing.
''We ran into Boq.'' she gave Boq an angry look who quickly looked the other way. ''The next day I went to Nessa,'' Elphaba started to talk more and more slowly.
''Then came.'' Elphaba's eyes widened and she began to breathe faster.
''Keep calm Elphie,'' said Glinda forcefully but gentle.
''Where is father? He hasn't?''
''No, Elphie I'm fine. But your father.'' Glinda looked at Nessa.
Elphaba turned and looked at Nessa. ''Nessa what's wrong with father? With you?!''
''Fabala it is… I don`t know. I…I'' Nessa took a deep breath and wanted to tell the story. But then the doctor came in.
''Well good morning Elphaba. I`m Dr. Damien. I'm glad you're awake again.'' Elphaba turned quickly and wanted to crawl away. But again Nessa and Glinda held her in place much to the annoyance and surprise of Elphaba.
Elphaba watched the doctor every step of the way. ''I want to examine you first to see if you're okay. After that, your friends can answer any questions you have. Is that good?''
Elphaba looked at everyone. Everyone was nodding. Only Glinda saw the fear in Elphie's eyes. ''Then everyone can leave the room and I will call you back in.'' The doctor said when he didn`t get a respons.
Nessa let go of Elphaba and rolled herself out of the room.
''May I have a moment with Elphie doctor?''
The doctor looked surprised at the blond but nodded. ''I'll just grab some stuff.''
''Thank you doctor,'' Glinda said absently. Her gaze was on Elphie the whole time. ''Elphie listen. I know you just woke up and are confused. You have seen that everyone is healthy. So let the doctor take a look at you and we'll answer all your questions until you fall asleep.'' Glinda said as she ran her thumb over Elphie's hand.
''I do not understand.'' Elphie said in a tone of fear.
''It's going to be okay Elphie. We are all around, nothing more can happen to you. Can you be brave for me one more time?''
Elphie nodded. Despite everything, she trusted Glinda more than anything. She saw indeed that everyone looked healthy. She couldn't remember anything at the moment. She hated hospitals because that means people had to touch her abd that they found out what her father did to her. Then she knows she was in trouble
''That's my girl. Elphie I also want you to be honest with the doctor. I'm not saying you are lying but I know you put yourself second. Now you have to be honest and tell everything. So no bullshit I'm in a little bit of pain. No if you feel pain you feel pain.'' Glinda said sternly. She has known Elphaba longer than today and knows she never cares about her problems.
Elphaba looked into Glinda's eyes for a long time. ''I promise.''
That's when the doctor came in. Glinda kissed Elphie on the forehead and left the room. Everyone was busy talking in the hall. Leanne saw her daughter walk out of the room and took her aside for a moment to talk.
XXX
In the room, the doctor began to examine Elphaba. He shined with a lamp in her eyes. He asked her questions that she could all answer. She just didn't know anything but after she sent Glinda away. The doctor told her that Glinda had healed her. ''Glinda?'' Elphaba asked in surprise. ''Then her specialty must be healing.''
''Elphaba as a doctor I have to ask you a few questions about your father.''
Elphaba swallowed hard. She remembered what she promised Glinda.
''I am obliged to report everything to the Gale Force if I think you are not safe. Were you safe with your father?'' Doctor Damien already knows the answer but he needs to hear from Elphaba.
Elphaba blinked. ''I was not safe.'' Elphaba did not look at the doctor because she was ashamed.
''It's okay Elphaba. You are now safe. Your father can't hurt you anymore. We saw old scars on your back, above arms and legs.''
''That may be correct,'' Elphaba said softly.
''Did he sexually assault you too?''
Elphaba winced. They shook her head.
The doctor nodded. ''Elphaba I'll give you a referral letter to a psychologist. You can talk about what you have been through when you are ready. Sometimes it takes a while to be ready to talk about it. You know you are free to go whenever you want. Don't be ashamed you haven't done anything wrong.'' He said gently. Elphaba watched the doctor as he put the sheet on the cupboard next to her bed. Elphaba said nothing.
''Then I have another question about what you eat.''
Elphaba raised her eyebrow. ''What do I eat?''
The doctor nodded. ''Yes, how many meals do you eat per day.''
Elphaba sighed and already knew what this was about. ''Listen doctor, I don't eat much but I try to eat regularly. I eat as much fruit as possible and I don't eat meat.''
The doctor nodded and wrote everything down.
''Fortunately you have healed well and you have no physical complaints.''
''Good so I can go home soon,'' Elphaba said while she claps in her hands.
''But,'' said Dr. Damien sternly. ''I want to keep you here until you gain weight and get a little stronger.''
''I can do that in my room too,'' Elphaba said stubbornly.
''Nice try, but we're not going to do that. I want to see it with my own eyes. In a moment the nurse will come with food. I want you to eat everything. And there will be no meat.''
''Great,'' Elphaba said sarcastic, her hands over her chest. She actually wanted to protest a lot more, but she felt very weak.
''You will be very tired today because of the medications we have given you. In addition, your body and mind still need a lot of rest to process everything that has happened. For this time, all your friends can stay in your room if they keep it short, but not from tomorrow.''
Elphaba nodded. The doctor walked out and Elphaba waited impatiently for everyone to return to her room. She had a hundred questions about what was going on.
In the hallway, Dr. Damien was telling the good news. He told what he expects from them and that ''Elphaba has to eat everything she gets. If she is on weight or we are satisfied with her, she can go home or to her room.''
Everyone nodded quickly and walked into the room before Dr. Damien had a chance to step aside. Samual and Leanne laughed softly. Sorry doctor. ''Thank you for the good news and for paying such close attention to Elphaba.''
Damien smiled back. ''I'm glad she has a good circle of friends.''
Leanne nodded. '"I also think everyone will recover when the storm ends and everything returns to normal. I just spoke with Nessa and Glinda. Those two are closest to Elphaba. Everyone is very shocked, but they support each other and get through it together.''
The doctor nodded. ''I'm glad you're there to support them and give them better advice on how to deal with this.''
Leanne nodded. ''Thank you Doctor. We will keep it as short as possible and ensure that Elphaba has enough rest.'' The doctor nodded and walked away.
When Samual and Leanne entered the room, they saw that everyone was sitting on Elphaba's bed. Glinda was playing with Elphie's hair. Boq gave Nessa a glass of water. Fiyero was talking and Elphaba grunted something that made everyone laugh.
''This is a scene they have more often'' said Samual softly. ''I am happy that Glinda has such a good group of friends. Everyone seems so at ease and their self.''
Leanne nodded. She grabbed a chair and sat at the foot of the bed.
XXX
Soon Elphaba started asking questions and everyone told their story. Sometimes Elphie summed it up because she didn't get it. She was especially concerned about what was about to happen to Nessa. She was reassured that Glinda's parents were going to help them. It was still four weeks before the holiday would start so they had plenty of time to arrange some things. Meanwhile, the nurse came in with food for Elphie. She ate everything obediently. Not that she had much choice because everyone was staring at her while she was eating. After snapping that everyone should mind their own business, Fiyero began to tell about all he had done with his days off.
School came up and as predicted Elphie demanded that everyone just go to their own lessons. ''It's bad that I have to miss a few lessons so you just go to your own lessons. I trust everyone to take notes for me. Good notes,'' emphasized Ephaba even more while looking at Glinda and Fiyero for a long time.
''What?'' they both asked impassively.
''You know that small drawings are not good notes.''
''It was to clarify the text,'' Fiyero said defensively.
Elphaba rolled her eyes. ''it would be more useful if it also included tekst. Boq, would you like to ask Dr. Dillamond if I can do extra homework? I don't want to fall behind.''
''Elphie you've already learned everything for the whole year.'' Glinda whined
Elphaba shrugged. ''Therefore, I can afford to miss classes and not you.''
Samual and Leanne started to laugh. ''Okay guys it's time to go.'' Samual said when he looked at the clock.
Everyone started to protest immediately. But Samual raised his hand to silence everyone. ''Guys look at the clock. It is already two in the afternoon. Elphaba may have already had lunch but we haven't. So I suggest we let her rest for a while because she looks tired.''
Elphaba opened her mouth but Nessa gave her a stern look. So she closed her mouth and looked annoyed.
''If we eat now and then come back alone because I know you just want to talk to Elphaba for a while. It remains the Wizardsday. We can also use some distraction. I heard there are fireworks tonight. Maybe we can take Elphaba with us in a wheelchair so that we can watch it together.''
Everyone had to admit that Samual was right again.
''I hate it when you're right,'' Glinda said with a pout.
''Sorry Glindadoodles but you get that more often when you are old and wise like me.''
''Well only old.'' Leanne said softly to Fiyero who started to laugh out loud.
Samuel looked at his wife with narrow eyes. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Everyone said goodbye to Elphaba. The nurse just entered her room with a bowl of fruit and some more pills. ''Well this works out fine. I was just suggesting you leave the room. Elphaba has to go to sleep.''
''I am not a baby,'' Elphaba murmured.
''No, but sometimes you are too stubborn for your own good.'' Glinda said as she gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Elphaba took her hand and pulled Glinda back. ''Sometimes you are too,'' she said softly in her ear while giving a kiss back.
Nessa looked suspiciously at her sister and Glinda. She couldn't remember the last time she saw Elphaba kiss someone on the cheeck outside of herself. After everyone had left, Elphaba decided to take the pills anyway, because otherwise she wouldn't know if she would fall asleep. So much had happened in recent days that Elphaba didn't know where to start.
The atmosphere was a lot more cheerful than the past days. Everyone was happy that everything was fine with Elphaba.
''Okay what's the plan?'' Fiyero asked with his mouth full of food.
''The plan is for you to eat properly. You are a prince in Oz name. so behave like one.'' Glinda said.
Fiyero smiled sheepishly.
''I suggest we freshen up in our own rooms after lunch. Then one person goes to Elphaba and the rest will do what he / she wants. After an hour someone else is around. When we meet at Elphaba half an hour before the fireworks start, we have time to stop.''
Everyone looked at each other and nodded.
''That is a good plan. Is it okay if I go first? I have agreed to have dinner with others.'' Boq asked.
Plans were soon made. When they were almost ready to go their separate ways, Boq suddenly came up with something. ''What do I say if they start asking questions about Elphaba and your father tonight?''
Everyone looked at Nessa. ''I don't know'' she whispered. ''I don't really want to know, but rumors are already going around.''
Everyone nodded and thought along with Nessa. ''I think you should tell the truth,'' said Glinda. ''Of course not everything, but there will also be something in the newspaper. I mean like that Juilan guy said it is a unique situation so there is also something about it in the newspaper. Especially when he is convicted.''
''You can say that Elphaba is at the doctor's office and she is well. And that our father is in prison for mistreat Elphaba.'' Nessa finally said. ''If they have other questions, they should come to me or Fabala.''
Everyone nodded. ''Then we'll meet tonight'', Fiyero said as he stood up. Everyone went their own way.
''Wait a minute Glinda.'' Nessa said. ''Can I speak to you for a moment.''
''Of course. Shall we sit there?'' she asked while pointing to a bench.
Nessa nodded. ''Glindadoodles we meet in an hour. We will come to pick you up in your room,'' said Samual, waving to his daughter.
"That's fine popsical," Glinda called after him. ''What do you want to talk about?''
''I've been thinking for a long time and I can't remember for a moment Elphaba kissed anyone on the cheek except me. She only does that if she really trusts someone. I don't want you to abuse that trust.'' Nessa said. ''I know you never would. But after all that has happened, I want to be the protected sister.'' she explained as she blushed.
Glinda gave her a smile. ''You are doing a great job.'' Glinda said as she gave Nesse a hug. ''Elphie means a lot to me. I will never not hurt her. Promises.''
Nessa nodded with satisfaction.
XXX
Glinda walked to her room. She was glad Nessa didn't know about her feelings for her sister. She didn't know how Elphaba would react.
Glinda couldn't wait for her turn to spend some time alone with Elphie. Finally she could kiss her on the mouth again. She quickly got ready for spend a last afternoon with her parentens.
Glinda entered the doctor's office and walked to Elphaba's room. She had talked to her parents for a moment. Who just had a moment alone with Elphaba. Glinda was happy that her parents were ready in time. She felt she had been waiting an eternity. Which in reality was only half an hour.
''Finally some alone time,'' Glinda said as she walked into the room with a big smile.
''Finally alone.'' Elphaba echoed. She shifted slightly sideways so that Glinda could lie next to her. Glinda closed the door and lay down next to Elphaba. Glinda kissed Elphaba on the mouth. After they had finished kissing, Elphaba shared what the others had said. Boq mainly talked about why he had broken up with Nessa. Fiyero tried to persuade Elphaba not to let him go to classes tomorrow.
''I'm especially concerned about Nessa. She had a very difficult time now that Father is in prison. I want to see him with her as soon as I can get out of this bed.''
Glinda gave her a kiss. ''Are you sure you are ready for it yourself?''
Elphie nodded. ''I need to see if I'm… that we are really safe.'' she said softly. ''Enough about me and the others. How are you? Are you completely rested? The nurse said you were very tired after the spell.''
Elphie kissed Glinda on the mouth before she could answer,
''I'm fine now. I was still shaking, but I had a great chat with Momsie. I'm so glad she's here for a few more days to help us.'' Glinda said with tears in her eyes.
''I'm glad your parents are here too. I ... I have ... I asked her if we can talk tomorrow,'' Elphaba confessed softly. She didn't know what Glinda thought. Elphie had been raised that her problems were never important enough. Glinda always insisted that her feelings do matter. Elphie now wants to get rid of her feelings and have everything go back to normal. But she also knew through logical thinking that she had to move on. She has to face her problem and start processing it to move on. She wants to be happy with Glinda and for Glinda. Also a little for herself and for Nessa
''Ooh Elphie you don't know how much you make me happy with this. Thank you for talking to Momsie. I'm sure it will help. I wanted to suggest it myself, but I didn't know how. I didn't want you to get mad for pushing you.''
''I'm never angry with you for long,'' said Elphaba as she kisses her lover again. Glinda happily returned it.
''I want to face my problems for you and for myself too. I always knew it was never good from father what he did to me. I also think it helps me. Every time I spoke to you or Doctor Dillamond I felt better. I hope it is the same with your mother. I want to do it right. I want you to feel safe.''
''Elphie with things like this there is no right or wrong. Only what you feel. I know you will do your best and I`m very proud of you.''
''I also want to thank you for saving me three times,'' Elphaba said to change the subject because she can't handle compliments
''Three times?'' Glinda asked in surprise.
''Yes, the one time you went to get help while I was alone with my father,'' Elphaba said softly. The memories still hurt.
''The second time was when you healed me with your amazing powers. I told you you'd be a great sorceress.''
''And that time with the storm. I had a nightmare back then. You pulled me out.'' Elphaba said softly.
Glinda got tears in her eyes and kissed Elphaba. ''You don't have to thank me for that. I'll do anything to save you.''
Glinda and Elphaba kissed and talk until it was almost time for the other to come.
''How did your parents actually manage to let me watch the fireworks?''
Glinda laughed. ''We Uplands have our ways to persuade people. Don't mind being in a wheelchair?''
Elphaba shrugged. ''Of course I can walk. And if your parents hadn't been there, I probably would have just gotten out of the wheelchair after we got out of here. But I don't want to hurt Nessa either, so I'm not going to whine about the wheelchair.''
Glinda quickly kissed her on the mouth. When she sat back on the chair, she heard the others coming. Boq pushed Nessa while Fiyero pushed the empty chair. ''Are you ready for Green Girl?''
''I am ready. I'll do anything to get out of this bed.''
''Everything?'' Fiyero asked with a grin.
''No, you just have to go to your classes tomorrow otherwise you will regret it a lot.''
Fiyero looked like a boy who was not allowed a candy by his mother.
''Fiyero school is not that bad,'' said Nessa.
''To you,'' Fiyero muttered.
Elphaba sat in the chair without complaining and sat to everyone's surprise, except Glinda's. The friends talked to each other as before and enjoyed the fireworks. Glinda made sure Nessa and Elphana had enough blankets to keep them warm. Leanne and Samual stood proudly from a measured distance.
After the fireworks, everyone brought Elphaba back where the Nurse was waiting with fruit and drinks. ''Sweet Oz, I've never eaten so much in my life,'' Elphaba complains after eating it under the stern eyes of her friends.
''Maybe you will finally get a belly.'' Boq said but he shut his mouth immediately when Elphaba gave him a glare.
But it was too late. Glinda was already starting to bounce. ''You know what that gonna mean. That you need new clothes. So let's go shopping! You have to eat a lot Elphie.'' Glinda added sternly ''I'm going to get some food at the nursing.''
Elphaba watched Glinda in horror. ''No, Glin.''
Leanne already took Glinda's hand much to the relief of Elphaba.
''Glindadoodles I think we should all go to bed and not feed Elphaba any more.''
Glinda pouted. ''Okay, but tomorrow you have to eat a lot again.''
Elphaba rolled her eyes. ''As if I have a choice here. I hope I can go back to classes on Wednesday.''
''Surely it is unfair that you get an extra day off and we don't.'' Fiyero said with my hands crossed.
Elphaba raised her eyebrow. ''Maybe you have to learn extra then you can also afford a day off.''
Everyone laughed and Fiyero stuck out his tongue.
''Don't forget to take the notes. With text please,'' Elphaba shouted after everyone was turned away by the nurses. Elphaba soon fell asleep.
XXX
Everyone was already agreeing when they could pass Elphaba the notes fort he next day. Leanne promised to sit with Elphaba in the mornings and afternoons so that she is not alone. Leanne, Nessa and Glinda walked Nessa to her room so they could notify Morrible about Elphaba. Nessa didn't want to do that alone.
Nessa opened the door. ''Madame Morrible, do you have a minute. We want to update you on what's going on with Elphaba.''
Morrible nodded and sat at the desk. Glinda sits on Nessa's bed and Leanne sits on the other chair.
Leanne began to share what the doctor said to her. Morrible took notes. ''I assume you will go to Miss Elphaba tomorrow?''
Leanne nodded. ''Yes, I will help her and her friends if they need me.''
''You can give this to her. When Chef Juilan came to me with the story that they were looking for Nessa, I investigated myself. It quickly became clear to me that Miss Elphaba is not coming to school for the next week. So I have already collected her work. Let her know that I have to finish the work first. Talent must be nurtured.''
Glinda was watching with an open mouth. She wanted to protest but her mother gave her a stern look. ''That's very kind of you Madame Morrible. I think Elphaba will be very happy with this.''
Madame Morrible nodded approvingly. They still talked about the situation in general and that Morrible did everything he could to protect the girls from outside things like journalists.
''Then we'll just go,'' said Leanne to Glinda.
''That's fine, I'll help Miss Nessarose. Tomorrow classes start again. I'll see you at my class Miss Upland.''
Glinda swallowed and nodded. She didn't feel like sitting alone with that fish person, but she knew she had no choice.
''How could Madame Morrible be more interested in Elphie's talent than her health?'' Glinda asked angrily after they got out and walked over to Samual.
Leanne sighed. ''I don't know Glinda, some people are greedy.''
''But still,'' Glinda said angrily.
''I know Glinda, I know. But now you also go to sleep and tomorrow you will see everything again with a fresh look.''
Glinda said a long goodbye to her father who had to hurry to catch the train.
XXX