I've kept you in suspense long enough (just 2 weeks, but whatever)! I wasn't ready to let go of my beloved, wholesome, OC family (especially the Villium). We start a few weeks after 'Threads of Truth' ended.

"Thanks for shopping at Lilies & Lace. Have a nice day," Elphaba smiled, handing the customer a large pink bag and watching her leave. She leaned back as a quick, cooling breeze flowed into the store from the opened door and made a note in the store's account book. The July heat was getting to her, and she moved to prop the door open.

"Did you prop the door open?"

She turned. "Yes. We need some cool air. It's a furnace in here."

The dressmaker stretched her arms over her head. "I know. The new air conditioner should be here tomorrow. Thank Oz, 'cause the weather report said we're about to enter the hottest of the summer."

Elphaba had reported the weird noises their old air conditioner was making to Villy as soon as she noticed it. She doubted a malfunctioning air conditioner would fill the store with snow, but would rather be safe than sorry. "And probably our busiest, so the cool air will keep us both sane."

"Mmhmm. Could you help me in the workroom?"

"Sure. What do you need?"

"The box of threads on the top shelf."

She went with her boss, grabbing the stepladder from behind the door. She climbed to the top step, feeling her boss hold onto it for extra stability.

"Can you reach it?"

"Uh… yeah. It's just under these other boxes."

"Be careful."

"I am." She rearranged the boxes to get what she needed and carefully stepped down, handing her the box. "Anything else?"

"No. Thank you, Elphaba."

Elphaba left her in the workroom, hearing the sewing machine as she helped customers in the front. They were only separated for half an hour, before Villy reemerged and moved the stool from behind the register to the wall and sat, leaning back and rubbing her large baby bump with a hum.

"It's much cooler out here. I'm done in the back for today. I mean, the sari wrap skirt's not finished, but I am. Have I told you what's happening in two weeks? My memory's practically shot at this point."

"You didn't."

"Maven and Scarly are starting. I want them to have as much time with the two of us as possible."

"Who's who again?"

"Maven's the seamstress from Qhoyre, the Quadling Country, and Scarly's the second-year fashion major at Deckens College. She applied through the internship program there."

"I can't wait to meet them. I hope they're able to fill my shoes."

"You'll be working with them longer than me, at least, for now. And I've told you a million times they're not replacing you."

"I know it's not personal; it's practical. I'm leaving soon, and you'll need new assistants."

"You say 'soon' like you don't have four more months here."

"And I'll make every last moment last."

"Hello, hello!"

Elphaba looked up with a large beam. "Hi, Yero!"

"Hi, Fae," the prince smiled as Elphaba hurried over, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into a kiss. "I've missed you."

"I saw you yesterday."

"Shut up and keep kissing."

"You'll have to settle for now. I'm working. Public displays of affection, remember?"

"Of course. Hi, Miss Villy."

"Hello, Lovebird Number Two," the seamstress smirked.

"I suppose that makes me Lovebird Number One?" Elphaba asked.

"Naturally."

"Like you and Geri are any better."

"We're married."

"And we're engaged-to-be-married."

"That's not the same level." Villy gave a nonchalant shrug.

"How are you feeling, Miss Villy?" Fiyero asked, though not fully wanting to break the banter.

"Fine, just hoping these next ten weeks pass quicker than it looks on paper. I'm getting tired, but I have no real desire to slow down just yet. But you didn't come to hear me complain about being pregnant. You came for a royal fiancée visit. I'm just here to eavesdrop."

Before he could get another word in, he heard a crowd coming down the street. He didn't need to think twice about what it was. Before he could react, the paparazzi flooded into the store, snapping pictures and calling his and Elphaba's names, shouting questions and comments at them.

There had been a few isolated incidents of unsolicited visits like this to the shop, since Villy was popular in her own right, but it especially increased after news of it being the workplace of the future Vinkun princess were leaked. The couple had tried to keep it a secret, but nosy people always had ways of figuring things out. This led to the official announcement being released sooner than planned. The prince made it very clear that his fiancée was to be left alone while she was working, out of respect for both her and Villy, but his warnings weren't always followed. People would stop at nothing to get photographs of the soon-to-be royal.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Fiyero groaned, instantly shielding his shaking fiancée.

Villy squeezed her eyes shut and instinctively shifted away from the sudden onslaught of bright flashes and clamoring voices. But her large belly threw off her center of gravity, making balancing a challenge. She hoped her years of doing yoga would've helped, but was beyond that at this point. With nothing to steady herself, she let out a terrified yelp as she slipped off the seat.

"Miss Villy!" Elphaba sprinted over and caught her just before she hit the floor. She helped her back up and hugged her close, keeping her upright.

The seamstress clung to her assistant's forearm, burying her face in her shoulder to try to block everything out. Her whole body tensed. Her heart jumped into her throat and her hand immediately flew to her stomach, as if that would help protect the baby from the surprise attack. Her breath quickened, only allowing little wheezes to escape, and she started to feel lightheaded.

"Breathe, Miss Villy," Elphaba coached, rubbing circles on her back and turning her away from the flashing cameras. She was supporting most of her boss's weight, now heavier due to the baby, and had to make sure both of them didn't fall over.

Villy's eyes watered as she wheezed, her lungs refusing to expand the way she needed them to. "I… a-ah… oh…"

"Don't talk. Just breathe. I won't let go."

She still tried to talk, but only managed croaked whimpers as she hyperventilated. "El… ah…"

"Don't talk. You'll pass out. Just try to take deep breaths."

The baby sensed its mother's distress and responded accordingly, and Villy's knees buckled at a hard kick. Elphaba caught and steadied her, feeling movement and glancing down, seeing her boss's stomach crazily stretching through her dress.

The prince set his face as he ushered the unwelcomed guests out of the shop and pushed them down the street, repeating the warning as civilly as possible while still letting his anger be made clear. He was used to the popularity and stalking that came with being the heir to the throne, though it annoyed him to no end. But it wasn't fair the two seamstresses also had to be subjected to it. He tried to protect them as best he could, always taking different routes to avoid the watchers, and wearing sunglasses and hats to disguise his identity, but no matter the measures he took, there were always cracks.

"They're gone now. Fiyero got them out," he heard Elphaba say as he reentered.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized to both women. "I had no idea they were following me."

"It's not your fault, Fiyero," Villy murmured, her shaky breathing slowly regulating as she silently told herself that she and the baby were safe and alright. She regained her bearings, and her tense muscles slowly loosened, though her grip on Elphaba didn't.

"Can I get you anything?"

"Uh… my tumbler of lemon water is on my desk. Could you…?"

"Of course." He hurried back to her office.

"Elphaba, the stool… counter…"

Elphaba moved the stool back to the counter. Villy sat back down with a moan, one hand moving to clutch the edge of the counter, the other still gripping Elphaba's arm.

Fiyero returned and pressed the cup into her hand. "Are you hurt?"

She brought the straw to her lips and took a long sip. "No."

"I'm sorry. I'll go now."

"No, Fiyero. You can stay. You wanted to talk to Elphaba. It's alright."

He softened at her tearstained face. "No, it's okay. You're stressed, and I don't want to cause you anymore –"

"Fiyero," she hissed, setting her face and glaring directly at him. "I will decide what is and isn't stressful for me. I don't need to be told how I'm feeling."

He recoiled. "I didn't mean to –"

"I told you to stay and talk with Elphaba. I mean what I say, and I say what I mean. I'm pregnant and blind, not an invalid. Am I clear?"

The young couple bewilderedly stared at the dressmaker. They'd never heard her speak like that before. Perhaps it was the hormones, or something more. Either way, Fiyero was silent.

"Am I clear, Fiyero?" she repeated with increased resoluteness.

"Yes, Miss Villy," he finally managed to get out.

"Elphaba?" she probed, giving her arm a hard squeeze, even though the green girl hadn't said or done anything.

She nodded. "Yes, Miss Villy."

"Good." She finally released her arm and took another sip of water. She looked like she was about to say something else, but instead, coughed and rubbed her eyes. "You two, start talking."

"Oh, um…" Fiyero fumbled with the manilla envelope under his arm. The romance had been sucked out of the moment, and he wasn't sure he wanted to tell Elphaba his surprise now. One look at her expectant glance changed his mind and he handed it to her. "I came by to show you this. It's a pre-wedding gift from my parents."

"Pre-wedding?" Elphaba asked, rubbing her arm.

"Well… giving it to us after the wedding would throw off the schedule. Open it."

She did, pulling out colorful photos of a large house and its rooms and surroundings grounds. "What's this?"

"Brennecke Manor. A royal residence on the east edge of the Thousand Year Grasslands. And it'll be our new home."

She gasped. "Our new… really?"

Fiyero beamed. "Yeah. I've never been there. The last people to live there were my great-great-aunt and uncle. But don't worry, it's been modernized since then. It's only around one hundred fifty years old. It's one of the newer-old royal residences."

"Only one hundred fifty years old?" Elphaba repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"The oldest royal residence is seven hundred fifty-two; Kiamo Ko Castle. No one's there except the sentries who watch over it. I've been there once, and it was fun exploring the old tunnels and secret passageways. There are old rumors and stories about it being haunted."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, then yes, this manor's a baby."

"And not haunted. These are recent photos. Mom and Dad had sent them over in a large package. The rest was just boring, crown prince paperwork, nothing I had to worry my fiancée over." He kissed her. "What do you think?"

"You know exactly what I'm thinking. This is amazing! The private gardens, fountains and ponds, and the large… ballroom?"

"That's the tearoom."

"Tearoom?" she laughed. "Then this house really is old." She looked through the other photos, her face locked in an excited smile. "I love this. I'll write a thank-you letter to your parents."

"Those are yours to keep," he said when she tried to hand them back. "It gives you something to look forward to."

"I'd still marry you even if we didn't get a big manor."

"Or a staff?"

"Of course."

He grinned against her lips. "I'm glad. I have to go now. I'll see you later, love. Miss Villy –"

"Bye, Fiyero," the seamstress whispered tightly.

Fiyero simply nodded, not knowing if her anger was directed at him or the situation. "Bye, Fae."

"Bye, Yero," Elphaba nodded as her fiancée left. "Miss Villy –"

"Don't ask if I'm alright," she reprimanded, holding up her hand. "I'm fine."

She frowned, but knew not to take her snapping personally. She was thirty weeks pregnant, in a lot of discomfort, and just had a major scare. "Do you need –"

"If I need anything, I will tell you."

"Okay." She didn't press any further.

Villy stayed in her spot, taking it easy, and only talking to the customers she rang up, all while ignoring Elphaba. The green girl forwent her lunch break, but her boss didn't chide her for it. She didn't know how to start a conversation, for fear of how she might respond. The silence inside the shop was tenser than the stagnant air.

"Elphaba?"

"Yes?"

"It's almost four. Could you get Nyris, please?"

"Sure." Elphaba quickly exited the shop and walked down the street to the bus stop.

The Moxx's summer routine involved Nyris going to summer camp. Gerium would drop her off after Villy and pick her up, or if he was working late, the camp bus would drop her off at the bus stop to be greeted by either Villy or Elphaba, and she would spend the rest of the day in the shop, taking the bus home with her stepmother.

The camp bus pulled up and Elphaba smiled as Nyris stepped down. "Hi, Elphie!" she giggled, giving the assistant seamstress a big hug.

"Hi, Nyris! Did you have a nice day at camp?"

"Uh-huh! We had a swim test today. I moved up to the blue level." She proudly showed her blue bracelet. "And I got a blue swim cap in my backpack!"

"That's wonderful! Great job!"

"Thanks! I'm good at swimming now. Is Mimsey okay?"

"Yes. She's just tired, so we both have to be gentle, okay?"

"Okay!"

They walked hand-and-hand back to the shop, Nyris making a game out of the two of them jumping over the sidewalk cracks. When they returned, Villy was standing behind the counter, lightly swaying as she clutched the edge.

"Hi, Mimsey," Nyris smiled.

Villy looked up at the soft voice. "Hi, sweetie." She came around, and only Elphaba noticed how she kept her left hand on the counter. "Are you okay?"

The six-year-old gave her stepmother a gentle hug and snuggled close. "Yeah."

"How was camp?"

"Fun. I moved up to the blue level in swimming. Kenaedi shared her pretzels with me at lunch. And we got extra playground time. And I got a reading sticker." She guided her hand to her chest. "It's a golden book with 'Good Reader' on it."

Villy felt the sticker and grinned. "Good job. You had a lot of fun and excitement today. No wonder you sound tired."

"I'm not tired. Oh, and they reminded us about our field trip to the aquarium tomorrow. I have a permission slip in my backpack."

"I'll sign it when we get home."

"Okay." She gave her mother's baby bump a gentle nose nuzzle. "Hi, baby." She felt the baby kick, but stiffened when Villy let out a soft grunt, looking up at her with wide eyes. "I'm sorry, Mimsey! I didn't mean to make the baby hurt you!"

"It's alright. The baby just surprised me. It only hurt a tiny bit." She kissed the top of her head to calm her distress. "I'm okay, sweetie."

"Are you sure? 'Cause I was being gentle."

She forced a convincing smile. "Yes, Jellybean."

"Oh. Okay. Can I color in your office?"

"Yes. I have strawberries and a banana for you on my desk."

"Thank you."

Villy waited until she heard her office door close before turning to Elphaba. "Did you say something to my daughter?"

"What do you mean?" Elphaba blinked.

"Why was she so soft-spoken, when she said she wasn't tired? Her greetings are usually more enthusiastic, complete with bounces, wiggles, squeezes, and kisses to both me and the baby. I look forward to those greetings."

"Oh. I told her that you're tired and we both need to be gentle," she offered gently.

The dressmaker's jaw clenched as her face reddened, her balled fists shaking at her sides.

"I didn't tell her what happened."

"Don't tell her to treat me differently!"

"I didn't. I just said to be gentler."

"If I need her to be gentler or quieter or louder, I will tell her myself! You should know that by now! It's not your place to tell her what you think I want or need!"

The assistant's eyes widened and she took a step back. She had never heard that much venom in her boss's voice before. "I didn't want her to… I'm sorry." She fingered her locket, a nervous tick she hadn't been able to shake off.

Villy turned away, her breaths slow and deliberate, and her shaking hands moved to clutch the edge of the counter. "I need you to finish the skirt in the back."

It sounded like she was trying to get rid of her, and Elphaba agreed, also needing some space between her and her boss. It would give both of them a chance to calm down. That was the last they saw of each other for the rest of the day.

When it was time to close, Villy went to the back, only to hear two giggling voices coming from her office. The door was still closed, and she pressed her ear against the cold, smooth wood. Nyris was asking questions about a pond and garden and large rooms. Villy's breath hitched. Elphaba was sharing the photos of the manor with her daughter. Photos she hadn't given her the chance to share with her yet. She bowed her head slightly, her hands caressing her bump.

"That's where you get to live, Elphie?" Nyris asked, sitting on Elphaba's lap. "When you're a princess?"

"Yes. I get to live in this big house."

"And you'll go to fancy tea parties and get to wear fancy dresses, like the ones you make here?"

"Yes, I'll get to go to lots of fancy parties and wear big, poofy dresses, with lots of lace and frills."

"Purple?"

"I can work with purple."

"You'll look pretty in purple. Will Mimsey make them for you?"

"Hopefully some of them."

Nyris hummed and took another photo. "Your garden is huge! Will you grow carrots, like I do?"

"We'll get to grow lots of vegetables and flowers."

"You should grow carrots. Last night, Mimsey and I peeled the carrots we grew in our garden to make yummy soup."

"I'll make sure we have lots of carrots for yummy soup. And we have apple trees." She showed the photo of trees decorated with shiny, red apples.

"I like apples!"

"I know you do."

"Can we come visit?"

"I'm not living there yet, but once I am and everything settles, Fiyero and I would love to have you come visit. And you can eat all the apples and carrots you want."

"You're really gonna move?"

"I am. Fiyero and I are getting married. I can't be a princess if I'm still here."

"Oh. I'll miss you when you leave."

"I'll miss you, too." She squeezed Nyris closer and tickled her, making her giggle. "But you're still stuck with me for a few more months."

The two girls looked up when the door opened, revealing a blank-faced Villy.

"Is it time to go, Mimsey? We're still taking the bus together, right?" Nyris bounced.

"Yes, sweetie. Elphaba and I need to close the shop now. And yes, we're taking the bus."

"Oh! I lost track of time. Sorry," Elphaba said as she lifted Nyris from her lap and stood, hurrying past her boss to the front.

There wasn't much to do, since Villy finished most of the chores by herself. The only things left were to sweep, put the money away, and do some miscellaneous tidying up, which she did while tuning out the voices in the back.

"Bye, Elphie! See you tomorrow!" Nyris waved as she emerged, followed by her stepmother.

"Bye, Elphaba," Villy said calmly, unfolding her cane and taking the little girl's hand.

"Bye, Miss Villy. Bye, Nyris." She watched them go, choosing to stay a few extra moments before flipping the sign, turning off the lights, and locking the doors. When she returned to her apartment, she was surprised to find Fiyero sitting on her couch. "I gave you that key for emergencies," was her greeting.

He abruptly stood. "Are you alright?"

Her brow furrowed at his frantic tone. "Yes. I'm fine." She could tell the incident had caused him a lot of mental stress, and she hated seeing him that way. "Yero –"

"I'm so sorry about today. My parents and I keep making statements and issuing warnings to the paparazzi, but they don't listen. They didn't even care about the commotion they started." He pulled her into a tight hug. "I was so worried about you two. I think it's best if I don't come back to the shop for a while. Miss Villy could have been hurt. Or hurt the baby."

"She'd be upset if you stopped coming. And so would I."

"I don't want to risk either of your safeties. I'd rather have both of you temporarily mad at me than seriously injured."

"She's not mad at you, Yero. She's mad at the situation."

"Which I understand, and I'm furious. They shouldn't –can't– burst in like that, whether I'm with you or not. That's your place of work and you're entitled to your privacy." He ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to upset Miss Villy. I was just trying to be considerate."

"Deep down, she knows that. She got mad at me when I warned Nyris to be gentle. Her moods fluctuate, and she gets easily triggered. I can't even tell you what it is, because I don't fully know. It's different every time. We have the new employees starting in two weeks, and if they get scared off –"

"You think she'd scare them?"

"Not intentionally. She scared me today, and I've known her for years. Imagine what it'll be like for people getting to know her."

"What do you want me to do?"

"If… if you want to keep your distance from the shop, you can. I don't want you to, and neither does Miss Villy, but it's up to you."

"Will she unleash her wrath on you?"

"No more than she did today."

"Wait, what?"

"Don't worry about it. Yes, today was rough, and I'm physically and mentally exhausted, but I'm not taking what happened personally. I just have to be very careful without telling her I'm being careful."

He wasn't convinced, but didn't push. "Do you want me to stay?"

"Do you want to stay?"

"I said what I came here to say. It's up to you whether I stay or not."

Elphaba smiled. "You can stay. But Yero?"

"Yes?"

"That key is for emergencies only. The next time you use it, someone better be missing, dying, or dead, or someone will end up as one of those three. Guess who."

He gulped. "Understood."