Hastily Frex arrived at Dani's front door. He knocked. Dani opened the door with her coat already on.

'Sorry I'm running late. We will make it in time if we step into the carriage now.'

Dani smiled and nodded. She quickly reached for her purse, locked the door, and followed Frex.

Frex held the door open for her. 'Thank you.' Dani said with a shy smile.

Frex nodded and sat down to her.

'You look beautiful,' he said blushing.

Thank you, you look good in a suit too.

After ten minutes the carriage stopped. Frex gave the driver some money after they got out. 'Wow this looks chic,' Dani said softly.

'Of course I'm the Governor, sometimes it has its advantage.'

They walked in. They were immediately brought to their table. A waiter took Dani's coat. Dani was wearing a dark blue strepless dress. The dress stopped at her knees. Frex blinked. 'Wow you look really good in the dress.'

Dani giggled. 'Thank you Frex.'

Frex pushed the chair back. Dani sat down and Frex moved into the chair. Like a true gentleman.

The waiter returned with the menus and a bottle of wine. He poured two glasses. After a few minutes, the waiter took their order.

Frex raised his glass. Dani did the same. 'On you. Thanks to you I see the light.' Frex said

'On you, because you can change yourself.' Dani said. After the toast they both took a sip.

'So why are you so late?' Dani after they put glasses down.

Frex sighed. 'Of course the children ate before and Elphaba did not feel like eating. So after much discussion she ate a little more. But it took me a lot of effort not to get angry with her.'

Dani frowned. 'Why does she always have to eat so much of you? She just eats enough at school.'

Frex looked out the window. 'Nessa was just a year old. We had the first anniversary of Melena's death. I was so busy with everything that I didn't realize what Elphaba was doing. Elphaba was never a big eater. But apparently she had hardly eaten anything that week. Miss Gutter noticed that Elphaba was getting paler.' Frex looked back at Dani, who looked startled.

'Finally the doctor came and said that Elphaba had to eat otherwise she had to go to hospital. Miss Gutter and I tried everything to make her eat but she refused. Eventually she started eating little bits after I got really angry. I then threatened to throw her books away and I had to. I was not proud of it, but at that point it was more important that she started eating again.'

Frex rubbed his neck. 'I still don't know why she didn't eat anything during that time. I don't think she knows anything about it anymore. But I don't want to go through it again. She was so small and so sick. I got the images of Melena back in front of me. It hurt me so much…..'

'So you pushed her away,' Dani whispered.

Frex nodded. 'Elphaba is so much like Melena in appearance.'

They looked at each other for a moment.

'Miss Gutter said that Elphaba is old enough to decide how much she can eat. That she won't let things get that far herself. But I'm so afraid of going through the same thing with Melena again that it's easier to argue with her.'

Dani put her hand on Frex's arm, 'I understand, but she is indeed old enough to decide for herself. You can talk to her about it and make agreements about it. Elphaba really understands.'

Frex nodded gratefully

The waiter brought the starter. They started eating.

'So I heard there is a big ball for Lurinemas.' Dani changed the subject.

Frex nodded. 'Normally it is the night before Lurlinemas but this year the king and queen of the Vikuns are coming. They also want to be in their own castle for Lurlinemas. So we now have the ball two nights before Lurlinemas. Often the whole of Munchkinsland comes. It's very cosy. 'What are your plans?'

'I go to my parents in the Emerald City. Then I'll stay there until the end of the vacation.'

'And your brother?'

Dani swallowed. She told the same story she told Elphaba.

'Ooh I didn't know. It will be hard to go back then.' Frex said slowly.

Dani nodded. 'But I can't leave my parents alone there either.'

Frex thought for a moment. 'Then why don't you invite your parents here?'

'Have you seen my house? I only have one room and one storage room.'

'Then you let your parents sleep with me. I'm sure the childeren will like that too.'

Dani raised her eyebrow and started to laugh softly.

'What is it?' Frex asked in surprise.

'Elphaba is so much like you. She could also propose something like that spontaneously without giving it much thought.'

'But I've been thinking about it,' Frex said quickly. 'We have plenty of rooms in the governor's house. We always cook way too much food so your parents can eat with you.'

Dani nodded approvingly 'And how exactly did they get here?'

'Well by train of course.'

'Yes, but I mean with what money do they pay for the train journey?'

'uhm well ...'

'We are not the richest family in the Emerald city.' Dani interrupts 'We're not bad, but a sudden trip to Munchkinland is quite expensive and long. They have to take the stuff with them. They have to switch ...'

'And if I send a carriage to them.' interrupts Frex.

Confused, Dani looked at Frex. 'A carriage? You know that those are expensive?'

Frex nodded. 'But I can afford it.'

'Frex I can never ask you that. As much as I want my parents here, I still have to go to the Emerald City.'

Frex put his hand on Dani's. Dani immediately blushed. 'You and your parents also deserve a Lurlinemas without being reminded of that terrible accident. Let me do it for you. I earn enough as a Governor. I've been working overtime enough in the past few months. Just ask the girls.'

Dani looked into Frex's eyes and saw that he meant it.

'I uhm I don't know. It would be fun.'

Frex was already smiling. 'That's settled then. If you write a letter to your parents, I will arrange for the carriage to come to your parents. I do need the address.'

Dani laughed. 'Thank you I can't thank you enough.'

Frex shake his head. 'This is my way of thanking you for everything you have done for us.'

'So can I expect you at the ball?'

Dani laughed again. Yes, I will still have to look for a dress.

'Ooh don't bring it up. Elphaba is old enough to also go to the ball. Nessa is very jealous of her. So now I have to go buy two dresses with the girls.'

'I can picture it all, a girl really wants to go to the ball and is not allowed. The other girl has to go to the ball and doesn't like it at all.'

Frex and Dani both laugh.

For the rest of the evening she talked about anything and everything.

When Frex dropped Dani back at the door, Dani thanks Frex again for everything.

'It is very well done.'

'You're a good man.' Dani kissed Frex on the cheek. Frex stopped when Dani closed her door. Frex put his hand on his cheek.

He slowly walked back to his carriage.

'Frex what are you doing?' he whispered softly to no one. When he got home he thanked Miss Gutter who wanted to go home herself. Frex took his family photo and went to Melena's grave. He began to cry softly.

'Melena please forgive me. I don't want to betray you. You will always be my wife.'

Frex slowly fell asleep at his wife's grave.

He was dreaming

'Melena baby are you sure you want to go down? You better stay in your own bed.'

Melena gave Frex a sad smile. 'Honey I want to get the most out of my life. So I want to enjoy seeing my oldest daughter drawing in the living room.' She gave Frex a kiss.

Frex sighed and helped his wife to get up.

'Thank you Frex you are a good man. Promise me you'll be happy.'

Frex looked at her in surprise. 'Melena I`m happy with you already.'

'I know that and I`m happy with you too. But if I don't make it, I want you to do everything you can to make yourself and our children happy.'

Frex had tears in his eyes. 'How can you think like that Melena?'

Melena also started to cry. 'Frex I don't want to think about this but I feel myself getting weaker every day. It's our choice to eat the milkflowers, but it's not good for me. I love you and Elphaba. I want you to be happy.'

Frex nodded. 'I`m now the happiest man in Oz.'

He kissed his wife with a lot of love.

Frex slowly woke up from the cold,

He smiled at the grave. 'Thank you Melena. I love you.' He quickly returned to his house and took a warm shower. Then he lay down in his bed and went back to sleep. This time he had no dreams. The next morning all kinds of noises woke him up.

'Fabala you have to do it softly.'

'Sssh Nessa I know how to boil an egg.'

Frex was still very tired and turned around.

Only when the words got a place in his brain did he wake up with in shock.

The children are cooking in the kitchen. Oooh no. He immediately jumped out of bed and grabbed his robe. 'Girls what are you doing?' he shouted as he ran down the stairs. The girls looked at each other in surprise when they saw their father running into the kitchen.

'Oooh papa we wanted to surprise you with a breakfast in bed,' Nessa said with a pout. Elphaba nodded. But Frex already went to the stove and turned off the gas.

'Girls please don't ever do that again without telling me about it.' Frex said sternly.

'But it was a surprise.' Nessa said.

'It doesn't matter Nessa, what would have happened if Elphaba accidentally got the hot water on her. Or if the gas wasn't out?'

The girls looked at Frex in disappointment. 'Girls I'm not angry' he said with a sigh. 'I'm just tired and worried.'

'Can we still make breakfast for you?' Elphaba asks 'You can sit there. Nessen and I take care of everything.'

Frex nodded. The girls both smiled. Nessa went to the door to get the newspaper while Elphaba turned the gas back on for the eggs. Frex paid close attention to what his children were doing, but was very pleased. After ten minutes they were having breakfast. 'What are we gonna do today daddy?' Nessa asked

'Today we are going to town to buy new clothes.' Nessa immediately bounced back with a big smile. Elphaba looked bored.

'Then we go to City Hall because I have to arrange a carriage for Dani's parents.' The children looked at their father in amazement. Frex explained his plan and the childeren were immediately enthusiastic. 'May we tidy up the guest room when we get back?' asked Elphaba. Nessa nodded enthusiastically.

Frex laughed and nodded 'Of course. That's actually a good idea. We are free for the rest of the Sunday. When I get home I have to arrange some other things for the Ball. The party is already on this Wednesday so I will be busy for the next few days.'

'Can't I really come along?' asked Nessa with a pout.

Frex rubbed his neck. 'No Nessa you can only come when you are ten, just like Elphaba. The party lasts way too long, you should be asleep for a long time.'

After breakfast, Frex changed and the girls cleaned up. Shopping went better for Frex than expected. He had promised Elphaba to go to the library when they were done. Frex stopped by Dani while the childeren were in the library.

'Good morning Frex' said Dani.

'Good morning Dani, I'm arranging the carriage for your parents. Is it okay if they are picked up on Tuesday. Then they will be here on Wednesday afternoon.'

Dani nodded. 'That gives them enough time to pack their things. Do you already know where they will spend the night during their journey?'

Frex nodded. They discussed the final details in Dani`s house.

Frex rubbed his neck. 'Maybe it would be possible if your parents could babysit Nessa. Normally Miss Gutter, but she goes away with her family.'

Dani nodded. 'That's no problem. They like children.'

Frex nodded in relief.

For the rest of the week, Frex was busy arranging everything. The girls helped where they could and were very happy.

The bell rang Wednesday afternoon. Dani was already in the house waiting for her parents. They were playing games. Dani opened the door.

'Daddy, Mommy how nice that you are here!' Dani gave her parents a hug. 'Come in quickly and you can get to know everyone. Please don't be surprised by Elphaba's skin tone. I've already told you all about it.'

'Hi Dani good to see you again. We missed you.' Dani's mom gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'You know us. We've seen some really weird things in the Emerald City.'

'Mommy, Daddy this is Frex Thropp.' Frex shook hands with both parents. Behind him were two children at a distance. Dani looked at the children in surprise. She had forgotten how shy they both could be and that they had little contact with other people.

But her parents did not withdraw much from that. 'So you are Elphaba Thropp and Nessa Thropp. I already hear so many good things about you. It's nice to finally meet you in person.'

They shook hands with Nessa and Elphaba. Elphaba was amazed that the parents were so open with her. Most people feared her skin color.

Dani saw it happen and was proud of her parents.

'I heard you know a lot about gardening'. Dani`s father asks. The girls both nod.

'Would you like to show us the garden.' The girls both nod again and turned around to show Dani`s parents the gardens.

'Not so fast Elphaba. We had an agreement.' said Frex.

'Oooh I was hoping you forgot.' Elphaba turned and walked upstairs.

Nessa laughed. The parents looked at the green girl in surprise.

'Elphaba can go to the party tonight. It is getting very late so she has to take a nap now.' Dani explained to her parents. 'She and Frex made a deal that she could stay up until you got here.'

Her father nodded and smiled softly. 'So she wasn`t at all happy to see us?'

Dani smiled too. 'Of course she was. She was very excited to meet you. Now she's sad because she can't talk to you about the gardens.

Everyone laughed and Nessa looked surprised. 'Can we go now?' she asked to Dani`s mother.

'Yes leads the way.' The parents followed Nessa.

'That went well,' Dani said.

Frex nodded. 'I'm going to take their bags upstairs and see if Elphaba is really going to sleep or is secretly reading in her bed

Dani laughed. 'I think she is reading in her bed.'

Frex went upstairs to find Elphaba lying in her bed. He walked in and saw that Elphaba was quickly hiding something under her pillows. Frex laughed softly. Dani is right. He thought. 'Sleep well Elphaba' he whispered.

When Frex arrived in her room ten minutes later, he saw that Elphaba was sleeping.

That night Dani helped Elphana put on her dress. Elphaba had a dark purple dress that reached her ankles. Dani herself was now wearing a light blue long-sleeved dress. She put Elphaba's hair in a bun. 'So now you are ready.'

Elphaba nodded and looked at herself in the mirror. 'You are beautiful.' she said softly to Dani.

'You are beautiful Elphaba too.'

Elphaba started to say something, but they could already hear Frex shout that the carriage was ready.

Nessa was waiting in the hallway angrily. But when she heard she was going to bake cookies with Dani's parents, she was happier again. She gave everyone a hug and hurried to the kitchen. Everyone laughed. 'Have fun and see you tomorrow.'

Everyone said goodbye. Frex helped Elphaba and Dani into the carriage.

When they got to the town hall, it was already very busy.

There were many people and Elphaba grabbed her father's hand.

Frex sat at eye level with Elphaba. 'You don`t have to be scared. They don't hurt you. Most people have seen you before. The Prince of the Vikuns is there too. Prince Fiyero. You can talk to that all evening. If it really doesn't work, you can always look for us.' Frex explained.

Elphaba gave her father a hug and nodded. 'Thank you Dad. I love you.'

'I love you too Elphaba. Frex hug her back. 'Tonight you are the star of the Ball.' He said well he stood up.

Elphaba looked confused at her father. But she couldn't say anything because someone was already talking to her father. Dani nodded encouragingly to Elphaba. Elphaba went in search of the prince. Dani was also talking to people.

Frex kept an eye on Elphaba and saw that she was having the greatest fun with Fiyero.

'So our kids get along well' said a voice.

Frex turned. 'Hello King Liir. Glad you could come. It is indeed nice between the two.'

'I hope they will meet again later. Then they can get to know each other better.'

Frex and the king spoke to each other.

Then it was time to dance. Frex walked to Elphaba and asked her to dance. Elphaba was surprised but went with her father anyway.

'This is fun.' she whispered.

'I think that too Elphaba. You're doing well.'

Soon more people took to the dance floor. Everyone had a good time. Elphaba danced with Fiyero had his parentens while Frex danced with Dani the walsh.