Author's Note: This is it ... don't kill me if you don't like the ending. PLEASE! lol

Disclaimer: I do not own Wicked or any of its characters.

Chapter 20:

"I'll always belong with you for as long as you want me to be." Elphaba said with a soft smile.

"Really?" Glinda asked with a hopeful smile.

"Really. Just don't hurt me either." Elphaba said with her crooked grin.

"I can't even imagine hurting you." Glinda said with a tiny sniffle.

"Good, because I love you." Elphaba said as she brought Glinda closer to her.

"I love you too." Glinda said before she leaned in to kiss Elphaba.

As both girls laid huddled up together in their embrace, they knew that they would protect, care for, and love one another for as long as they possibly could. Nothing would ever bring them down if they stayed together.

xxxxx

...3 Years Later...

"Elphie!" Glinda exclaimed as she was running around the small room looking for something to complete her outfit.

"Elphie have you seen it?" Glinda asked as she searched through every drawer in her vanity.

"Seen what?" The taller girl asked as she sat up from her bed and watched as the small blonde searched desperately for the item.

"My necklace." Glinda said

"You have many necklaces, my sweet." Elphaba responded in a calm tone.

"No...the one you gave me for our first Lurlinemas together." Glinda said as she started rummaging through her wardrobe.

Elphaba smiled as she remembered the first time she went back home with Glinda for winter recess. It was a few months after the situation with Ridal and she desperately needed a break from the intense final exams she had taken. It didn't help that she was beyond nervous to be meeting Glinda's parents.

Weeks prior to the big trip back home, Glinda wrote to her parents that she was bringing her roommate with her to meet them. She purposely left out that her and Elphaba were dating because she was nervous that her parents would not accept Elphaba.

That changed when as soon as they walked through the door, they were both scooped up into a big hug by a woman who looked just like Glinda, but was taller. Glinda's father just gave a hearty laugh and welcomed the girls in a more subdued manner.

It took all of one day for Glinda's parents to see that the two girls were much more than friends and when Glinda's mother asked how long they had been dating, it took everything in Elphaba not to turn a permanent dark green. Glinda was a little apprehensive but saw the happiness in her parents' eyes and laughed with relief. She went on to tell her family everything that happened from first being enemies to Ridal.

Elphaba looked around at the family conversing and was at ease that Glinda's parents were truly accepting of the young couple. It was that night, that Elphaba gave Glinda a white gold heart necklace with diamonds outlining the figure. Which Glinda loved and wore almost everyday.

"...when we went out with Fiyero and Valina is when I remember wearing it." Glinda was rambling to herself which brought Elphaba out of her memory.

Elphaba scanned the room with her eyes and looked at the nightstand between their beds. Laid out right on top was the necklace, causing the brunette to smile to herself.

Glinda let out a frustrated grunt and stood up, her hands placed on her hips as she began chewing on her bottom lip.

Elphaba grabbed the necklace and walked up behind the smaller girl, carefully placing the necklace around her neck before fastening it.

"Elphie?" Glinda asked as she touched the necklace and gasped, turning to look at the green girl. "Where did you find it?"

"It was on the nightstand." Elphaba smiled as she wrapped her arms around Glinda's waist and hugged her closer.

"What?" Glinda paused and thought. "The one place I didn't look."

Both girls laughed with each other before Glinda wrapped her arms around Elphaba's neck and leaned up to softly kiss her. When both pulled back, they just smiled until Elphaba reminded them that they needed to go.

"We're going to be late." Elphaba said softly

"What?" Glinda asked before she looked at the time and gasped, pulling away and quickly using her magic to clean the small tornado she created.

"Ok, lets go." Glinda smiled as she went to grab the robes from her wardrobe.

Elphaba smiled as she closed the door behind them and walked to the courtyard with Glinda, both girls putting on their caps and gowns. Today was graduation day at Shiz. Glinda's parents were going to be in attendance as well as Elphaba's younger brother.

After the winter break they spent with Glinda's parents, Elphaba wrote to her father advising him of her relationship with the blonde girl. Her father was outraged and called her sinful, he also spread the news to Elphaba's grandfather to which he responded that he wanted to meet with the young couple.

When Elphaba and Glinda were face to face with the Governor of Munchkinland, it was very tense to say the least. He ultimately told them that he disapproved and that he would not support them as a couple since Elphaba was next in line for the Governor's position. Glinda was very saddened by the news yet Elphaba was beyond upset and since she was the Heir Apparent she told the Governor that she would pass the role to her sister Nessarose if she received funding for her schooling. He immediately agreed being that Nessarose was the favorite and quickly departed afterwards.

Even though tension with her family was high, Elphaba always shared a connection with her younger brother, Shell. He shared very similar features of Elphaba with his dark hair and eyes but was of a normal color.

Elphaba sighed to herself as she thought back to her time at Shiz. Many ups and downs, but she wouldn't have changed it for the world.

The girls met up with Fiyero and Valina and took a seat in the courtyard just before Madame Morrible spoke to signal the beginning of the commencement ceremony.

As the fishy woman gave a generic speech about shaping the brilliant minds of the future, Elphaba scanned the audience and saw her brother beaming at her. She smiled back at him and saw that he was seated next to Glinda's parents. He had become very attached to the Upland family over the years.

Glinda had also spotted her family and was waving at them with a huge smile planted on her face. She looked at Elphaba and smiled before grabbing her hand and holding it tightly.

"Elphie, I can't believe this is it." Glinda said with excitement.

"Yes my sweet. 4 amazing and long years behind us." Elphaba responded.

The couple spent the rest of the ceremony just listening to the distinguished speakers before it came time to receive their degrees.

One by one, each graduate was called by Dr. Dillamond and then handed their degree by Madame Morrible.

"Fiyero Tiggular, Bachelor of Art in Military History." Said the Goat as Glinda giggled being that his degree fit Fiyero so well since he was very protective.

"Elphaba Thropp, Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Healing as well as Bachelor of Art in Sorcery." Dr. Dillamond announced as the audience was in awe from hearing Elphaba's profound accomplishment in gaining two degrees.

"Galinda Upland, Bachelor of Art in Sorcery." Dr. Dillamond announced as Elphaba felt herself fill with pride at her love's achievement.

"Valina Voluntas, Bachelor of Science in Psychology." Said the Goat as Glinda and Fiyero cheered loudly for their friend, causing Valina to smile and blush a little.

As the commencement came to a close, the four friends hugged and congratulated one another before splitting up and going to their respective families. Glinda and Elphaba, made their way to Glinda's parents and Shell with their arms linked together.

"Congratulations my wonderful girls!" Glinda's mother exclaimed as she gathered the couple in her arms.

"Thank you Momsie!" Glinda replied before moving on to her father.

"Thank you Mrs. Upland." Elphaba said before she received a hug and kiss on the cheek from her brother.

"Congratulations Fabala. I'm very proud of you." Shell said with a smile that matched Elphaba's.

The group decided that they would go out for a celebratory dinner to Over The Rainbow. As Elphaba and Glinda were following the Uplands, Madame Morrible called out.

"Elphaba. May I speak to you for just a moment."

"Yes Madame." Elphaba said as she went to speak with the older woman, Glinda saying back and looking on at the conversation taking place.

"Congratulations Ms. Thropp, quite the achievement gaining 2 degrees at once." Madame Morrible said, not sounding the least bit excited.

"Thank you Madame." Elphaba said respectively.

"Anyway, your accomplishments did not go unnoticed deary. You have attracted the attention of a particular person that I think you would be fascinated with." Said Madame Morrible in a subdued manner.

"Have I?" Asked Elphaba. "And who may that be, Madame?"

"My dear, the Wizard would like an audience with you next month to discuss your future options." Madame Morrible said as she handed Elphaba a decorated green envelope with the Wizard's symbol on it.

Elphaba was shocked as she took the envelope and looked at it.

"That is all. I suggest you behave accordingly and represent this university to its highest potential." Morrible said with her nose held high. "Good day Ms. Thropp."

"Thank you." Elphaba managed to utter as she returned to Glinda and told her what just happened.

"Elphie!" Glinda squealed loudly as she hugged the taller girl with impressive strength. "We are going to meet the Wizard."

Elphaba laughed, "We?"

"Of course we. Did you really think I was going to let you go alone?" Glinda asked as everyone laughed and continued their way to the restaurant.

xxxxx

Dinner was amazing, full of laughs and love. Elphaba had never felt so accepted as she had in her time at Shiz. Not only did she make friends, something that had never happened before, she also gained a new family from the love of her life.

'The love of my life.' Elphaba thought to herself as she smiled and entered back into their dorm room.

"Elphie, today was amazing." Glinda said as she danced into the room in her usual bubbly mood.

"Yes it was my sweet." Elphaba replied as she watched her blonde love move around the room before she went to put on some music.

Glinda smiled as the brunette came over to her, pulling her close and started to slowly dance with her.

Elphaba had a smile in place before she leaned down and gently kissed Glinda, slowly savoring the sweet kiss.

When she pulled back, she stared into Glinda's eyes for what felt like a long time before she spoke. "Glinda, I love you so much."

"I love you too Elphie." Glinda said with a smile.

"I mean it when I say that you are the most amazing thing to ever happen to me." Elphaba said with tears starting to form in her eyes.

"You made me realize that I deserved love, even if I didn't believe it myself. You showed me how to love and be loved and I will be forever grateful for that because you brought me to life. Before you, my life consisted of existing only in my head. Spending day in and day out stuck in a book, never wanting to let my guard down to anyone. I see now that it was almost as if I was waiting for you. Waiting for you to finally show me a life that I only imagined."

Glinda only stared at Elphaba while she talked, feeling tears start to gather in her eyes as well.

Elphaba paused to take a deep breath before she reached into her pocket and pulled a small box out as she moved back slightly to get on one knee. Looking up and grabbing Glinda's hand as she stared up into wide blue eyes.

"I may never be able to provide you with whatever you want or give you the life you always imagined. We may fight and we may dislike each other periodically but I promise that I can give you one thing. I promise that I will always love you and I will always show you just how special you are to me. I promise that I will spend everyday of my life protecting you and making sure you are always safe and happy."

Elphaba opened the box to show a solitaire diamond ring inside. "Glinda, will you marry me?"

Glinda had her free hand clasped over her mouth as her tears spilled before she nodded her head and mumbled. "Yes."

"Yes?" Elphaba asked as if she wasn't sure what she heard.

"Yes!" Glinda said louder, removing her hand to reveal her bright smile.

Elphaba smiled back and placed the ring on Glinda left ring finger before standing and kissing the smaller girl, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist.

Glinda giggled when they pulled away from the kiss. "I'm getting married!"

Elphaba laughed and held onto her new fiancee. "Yes we are."

Glinda leaned back in and kissed Elphaba deeply, both girls getting lost in all the love they felt for each other.

The rest of the night was spent talking about the future, including meeting the Wizard and now planning a wedding. Glinda bubbling over at the idea of breaking the news to everyone while Elphaba just smiled and nodded at the appropriate times. Sweet kisses and loving looks were shared before the newly engaged couple fell asleep in each other's arms, excited for what was to come.

xxxxx

Hands clenched a piece of paper before crumpling it into a tight ball and throwing it to the ground in anger. The owner of the hands standing to pace around the room, silently seething before yelling out and punching the wall. Pulling back the fist to see blood soaked knuckles before taking a deep breath to calm down.

Walking over to the crumpled paper, picking it up and smoothing it out before reading it over again. Placing the paper onto a makeshift desk to reveal it to be a newspaper article with the headline reading, Shiz Graduate to Meet the Wizard, along with a picture of Elphaba shaking Madame Morrible's hand from the commencement ceremony.

A sinister grin appearing before whispering into the air, "Can't wait to see you again."

Ridal moved away from the small desk and went to lean on the bars of his cell door at Southstairs, whistling as his plan began to form in his head.

A/N #2: Mwahahahahaha it isn't over yet :D Stay tuned for an update of the next installment the story.