The Next Morning came. It was a very bright and sunny day, but it was also a day of departures. After finishing up a plate of waffles, fruit and sausage, Elli headed towards the receiving room in her normal blue dress, where she left a few of her packaged things.
Standing by was a proud Romana along with a teary Lumina, who was sad to see her cousin leave.
"Oho! I knew you had the Lacreme blood somewhere down your veins, Elli dear! All the guests were very pleased to meet you! Certainly a sign of high approval! And I understand now that you have a new nickname, "Cinderella?" she said with a wink.
Elli turned bright red. That nickname just might haunt her for the rest of her life.
"I suppose this means I should start inviting you to my social gatherings more often, considering last night's success! It's a shame Ellen has that condition of hers. I really would love to see her again…"
"Then how about visiting her sometime? We wouldn't mind the company, and I'm sure Grandma feels the same way!" Elli proposed.
Romana chuckled. "You certainly have your Grandma's cheer, my girl. But I'll consider your idea if it'll give me the chance to make up for lost time. I'll bring along Lumina, of course, but I guess I'll have to leave Sebastian to tend the Villa. Then again, who will carry our things?"
"I'm sure you'll work something out." Elli assured. She then glanced at the butler nearby and gave a sympathetic look.
"Poor Sebastian… I can see he always works so hard." Elli thought to herself.
Lumina nodded. "That sounds a nice idea. I've been in this valley for as long as I can remember, and it would be nice to go out and see someone else's home for a change!"
"Well, trust me! You'll love Mineral Town! There are so many nice people there as well, and I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting Sack!" Elli assured.
"I can't wait!" Lumina exclaimed.
Elli then reached for a rucksack and a traveling bag to prepare for the journey back home.
"Miss Elli, are you sure you'll be okay with your things?" Sebastian asked.
Elli nodded. "I'll be just Sebastian. You've done a great job for looking out for me, but I think I'll be fine on my own from now on. Besides, you still have Auntie Romana and Lumina to take care of, right?"
Sebastian nodded and bowed. "Of course, Miss Elli. I'll be sure to take care of them in your stead as well."
Elli smiled. "Thank you, Sebastian."
After getting all her things in order, Elli headed outside, but before she left she turned around and curtseyed politely.
"I'm really thankful for being able to stay with all of you. I had a lot of fun yesterday, and I hope we can have some more the next time we meet!" she said cheerfully.
Just as everyone was about to say their goodbyes, Lumina reached out a hand.
"Hold on…" Lumina cried. " Actually, before you go, I have a goodbye present to give you."
She then rushed towards the coffee table at the corner to get a gift box wrapped in pink with red ribbon, rushed back, and handed it to Elli.
"Lumina. I don't know what to say… I mean, you already gave me so much yesterday. I don't know what else you have to offer." Elli uttered in disbelief.
"Of course I do. In fact, I actually thought it was exactly the kind of thing you shouldn't leave Forget-Me-Not Valley without!" Lumina beamed. "Go ahead an open it!"
"…Ok… if you insist." Elli replied reluctantly.
Carefully, the kindly nurse unwrapped the box, leaving the wrapping paper completely intact. She then opened up the box to reveal the sky blue gown she wore for the recital, neatly folded up.
"Lumina! I told you I couldn't take this! It was one of your mother's works, and I---"
"Please, keep it." Lumina insisted. "I still have lots more, anyway, and I thought it would be a good idea to share. Besides, you'll never know when you need formal wear again."
Elli looked dumbfounded. "…really? Are you sure?"
"If she was my Mother, then that makes her your Aunt, right?" Lumina answered.
"But… we're distant cousins." Elli reminded her.
"That doesn't stop you from being my favorite." Lumina retorted.
Elli couldn't find any more words to counter with. She simply had to deal with the onslaught that was Lumina's goodbye hug.
The young lady of the villa became teary-eyed as she embraced her cousin one last time.
"I had a lot of fun myself. Actually, I owe you a lot for yesterday. I don't even know how I can make it up to you." Lumina cried.
"Just keep finding happiness, okay Lumina?" Elli asked.
"Okay." Lumina replied.
Afterwards, the two finally let go.
Elli still felt odd to see Lumina all emotional like that, it was comforting to know how much she truly cared for her.
"By the way… I heard Gavin wanted to talk to you about something earlier. What did he say? Was it anything about me?" Lumina asked.
Her hands were behind her back and her feet started shuffling.
Elli thought back at the conversation he had with Forget-Me-Not Valley's farmer and recalled all the concerns and compassion he had for Lumina. All of it put an unusually bright smile on her face.
Lumina was taken by surprise as she was met with a joyous hug of her own.
"You… have a really good friend in him…" Elli said with warm tears of her own.
Lumina looked onward in a daze.
"Huh?"
"I saw that he was with Celia last night, but you can be assured he's doing his best to look out for you." She said merrily.
Lumina blushed. Seeing Gavin with Celia last night was painful to her, but there was something refreshing about Elli's words to her. It was somehow comforting to know that the farmer he had feelings for still cared for him, and she looked forward to confirming that bit of news.
"Okay if that is what you say, then I suppose I could talk to him about it. But I'm not sure if it would still be right to say anything about my feelings, I mean… he already loves somebody else." Lumina said nervously.
"Just say whatever you feel comfortable talking. I have a strong feeling he doesn't want to stress out about it." Elli assured her.
"Alright. Thanks, Elli." Lumina replied.
Elli nodded back at Lumina, then gave a simple nod to Sebastian. The willing butler reached for the door handle and pulled it all the way open, allowing more sunshine into the Villa. Elli then took a few steps out the front door before turning around to see everyone inside again.
"Goodbye Everybody! It was nice seeing all of you!" Elli cried while waving her free hand.
"Later Dear, and make sure to carry along the good old fashion Lacreme dignity with you!" Romana announced with pride.
"It was a pleasure serving you, Miss Elli. I look forward to your next visit. I'll be sure to prepare a "multi-purpose fork" for the occasion." Sebastian grinned.
"Goodbye Elli! Please come back whenever you can! I'll be waiting!" Lumina cried.
Elli wiped another tear from her eye before waving once more. She gave her cousin one final nod before leaving for Mineral Town.
With the Villa finally behind her, Elli looked for the Doctor around the Inner Inn. To her surprise, Doctor Holiday, back in his usual white coat, instead checked out from one of the buildings to her left and came up to greet her.
"Good Morning, Elli. I'm sorry for the bit of confusion, but I had to meet with Dr. Hardy for a minute when he came back. He still had a few records of the Clinic yesterday, and I had to make sure how it went. Luckily, everything was fine. Jeff's condition didn't cause him too much trouble, and there weren't any concerns dealing with Ms. Lillia." Doctor Holiday debriefed.
"That's good to know. Dr. Hardy's certainly reliable, isn't he?" Elli grinned.
"Well, he was my teacher after all. I may have gotten into the field because of my parents, but it was that man who taught me a lot." Doctor Holiday explained. "He's a fine man, even if he keeps to himself a lot."
"Yeah, he isn't very talkative, but I don't really mind." Elli replied. "By the way, do you happen to know why he has that cybernetic eye?"
Doctor Holiday paused for a second. "… I'm afraid that's a secret."
"Okay… I was just a little curious. I thought he might've had some sort of past trouble…" Elli voiced aloud.
Doctor Holiday turned his head to the side. "You don't know the half of it…" he thought to himself.
On their way out of the Valley, the pair happened to pass by Gavin's farm. Elli and Doctor Holiday caught a good glimpse of Gavin and Celia, standing by side and holding hands. With their free hands, they waved goodbye at the outgoing doctor and nurse with warm smiles. Elli took a careful look and noticed Gavin's face redden slightly. She then waved back with a bright smile of her own as Doctor Holiday replied with a nod.
"There are certainly plenty of fine folk in Forget-Me-Not Valley, huh?" Doctor Holiday said in gratitude.
"There certainly are." Elli agreed wholeheartedly.
The pair walked across a small wooden bridge over the Valley's river. Elli felt overjoyed to have this personal journey home with the Doctor, while he himself simply walked on with a casual demeanor.
"So, Elli…" The Doctor suddenly spoke, "What were you doing over at the Villa, anyway? You know, before you dressed up."
Elli looked up to meet his eyes. "Oh, that? Well, Auntie Romana wanted me to be presentable for the evening, so she had her butler Sebastian train me to be a refined lady. Lumina decided to help out later though, so I was fine."
Doctor Holiday held his chin for a moment. "Hmm.. well, that's odd." He voiced aloud.
"What's odd?" Elli asked.
"I personally happen to think you are a refined young lady the way you always are." He grinned.
For what may have been the millionth time, Elli's face lit up bright red.
"I-i-is that so?" Elli managed to ask.
"Of course." Doctor Holiday assured. "How else would you be an ideal assistant for me?"
Elli's heart skipped a beat. They were always good friends, and he always trusted her as his reliable nurse, but she never knew if they had a chance to be more then that. She wasn't sure how long she'll be able to deal with this tension.
"…Doctor?" Elli uttered softly.
"Yes, Elli?"
Doctor Holiday turned to face Elli. He had a curious expression while Elli's was noticeably anxious. The young nurse's heart seemed to be on the verge of leaping out of its chest. She then looked at him with big bright eyes and an energetic smile.
"I'll tell some other time."
"…Oh…"
Doctor Holiday looked away with a look of disappointment. For some reason, Elli noticed some redness in his face. She then turned her head swiftly away, but her smile remained.
And so, Elli left Forget-Me-Not-Valley with fond memories, a few precious life lessons, some hope in her love life, and the Doctor whom she adored.
"…I guess… my chances are good, after all…"