Disclaimer: I don't own Wicked.

Elena Thropp sat at her desk in her office at Shiz University as she corrected the latest sorcery tests carefully. Some students pleased her with their effort and grades, others, however, didn't seem to really care for the course. This angered her because why would one take advanced sorcery courses if one really did not care for the subject? Sometimes, these college bubbleheads could really get on her nerves, especially those girls who were just in the class because the new prince of the Arjiki tribe of the Vinkus was taking it. Of course, the prince wasn't related to Fiyero in any way, but the tribe had to move on and have the next royal bloodline.

Surprisingly, this prince had a talent for magic. The funny thing was, he paid no mind to the girls who attempted to flirt with him on a daily basis. In fact, it was hysterical because it turned out he preferred the company of men over women. He had only confided in Ellie one afternoon because she had noticed his grades started slipping. After that emotional afternoon, he always came to Ellie's office hours to casually chat about his day. "What a day!" the prince exclaimed.

"Hello to you, too, Naoya," she smiled.

"Doctor Thropp, you'd never guess what happened today," he said and sat on her pile of ungraded papers, forcing her to stop. Putting her pen down, she sighed. Perhaps she wouldn't finish before dusk.

"Probably not, considering I wasn't there to witness it. Although, I witnessed my day and it was pretty boring."

"Oh, don't be like that," Naoya joked. "You sound like your Aunt Elphaba you tell me so much about. I love her already."

"Don't we all?" Ellie said lightly. "If you wouldn't mind, I need to grade these before sunset."

"Why's that?" he questioned her. "I don't think grades are due yet, are they? Because if they are, I am royally screwed."

"Not today, but by tomorrow afternoon. I'd rather finish before then and get things done early," Ellie replied.

"Did you grade mine?" he asked excitedly. Ellie nodded and shuffled through the papers that had already been graded. "As always, you got an A. A ninety seven percent, to be precise."

"Sweet! This is the only class I manage to get an A in, you know. The rest I'm lucky to pass."

"Maybe you should consider switching your major from political sciences and interozian relations to something to do with sorcery."

"No, I don't think so. My parents aren't as cool as you are," Naoya sighed.

"I wish I could do something to help."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I'm a prince after all. I'm lucky that my parents are letting me choose my own partner. Yes, partner. You know, ever since Lady Glinda announced she was in love with Elphaba, things have been somewhat easier for people like me." Ellie stiffened at the mention of Elphaba for a second time. "Are you still mad at her?"

"Kind of. But I mean, who wouldn't? You take Current Ozian History, you know what she did."

"I know. But I think you should tell your daughter about her great aunt."

"She's seven, Naoya. She wouldn't get it. And besides, I don't think Glinda would want that. She still cries all the time because of Elphaba. But you're right, though. It's time Eira learns about her family history, no matter how dark it is. When I get back to the Emerald City, I think I'll sit her down when the time's right," Ellie replied.

"Who knew I'd be helping out the famous Doctor Elena May Thropp, daughter of the Eminent Thropp Nessarose, niece of Elphaba Thropp, and who was raised by the Lady Glinda herself," Naoya said smugly.

"Watch yourself, boy," Ellie laughed. "Now, how was your day?"

"I thought you'd never ask! Well, it was pretty average up until I was offered to go to Munchkinland to meet Fiyero, Liir, and Nor. You know them quite well. But I don't, so I get to meet them."

"Good for you! They are all really nice people, I mean it," Ellie said to him.

"Thank you for your time, Dr. Thropp, but I must be off! Oh, and the secretary asked me to give this letter to you," Naoya said and handed her the envelope.

"Thank you," Ellie smiled to him before he left her office. Rolling her eyes at the return address, she put it aside for a moment. She continued to grade papers, but why did Glinda send her another letter? The last one hadn't been pleasant in any way. She had scolded the brunette through writing, about how her daughter missed her terribly and how Ellie shouldn't have missed Eira's recital for the world. She didn't have time to read another rant, so she simply stuffed it in her purse before she went to the central office to deliver the grades.

Eira walked to her apartment on campus that she had been given. It was one of the best ones with three bedrooms, a large bathroom, its own kitchen, and living room. When she walked inside, she was greeted by her fiancé. "And how was your day?" he said to her and wrapped his arms around her lovingly. She looked up into his blue eyes and smiled.

"It was all right. Boring a bit, but all right," she explained. He pecked her lips and released her. "And how was your day, Professor Tenmeadows?" she teased.

"Not thrilling. I have to finish grading those Ozian History projects. If I inherited anything from my father, it's procrastination," he replied.

"At least you didn't inherit his horrible drinking habits," Ellie said and took out the letter from her purse. She didn't know whether or not she should open it.

"It's from Glinda?" he questioned when he saw the return address. "Open it."

"Kellan, I don't want to deal with her rants again. I know I'm not the ideal mother. I mean, I could easily bring Eira here to come live with us, except that would mean Glinda would be all alone, and I don't know how she'd deal with that. Plus, you don't really want Eira here. You've complained about her so many times. It isn't my fault her father was killed."

"But you had her out of wedlock," Kellan pointed out. "She's a bastard."

"So am I," Ellie glared at him. "Last time I checked, Nessarose was never married. And look what I've accomplished."

"You Thropp women are something else," Kellan agreed. "How much do you want to bet Eira's going to be something amazing?"

"You are so confusing, you know that?" Ellie stiffened and moved away from him. She opened the envelope and found two notes. She read the one on top first.

Dearest Ellie,

I cannot believe you'd rather be with Avaric Tenmeadow's son and not your own daughter. You know he doesn't like Eira, so why you are even with him, I would not know. The poor girl is hurt and I am afraid that if you don't come home soon, Eira will detach herself from you and you will really regret it. Please come home. I miss you, too. I know you want to pay for Eira, but you don't have to work. I have so much money I don't know what to do with it. Let me take care of you two. Besides, you're the only ones I have left that I can call family. You don't know how happy it makes me to hear Eira refer to me as her grandmother even though she knows we aren't blood related. Please don't leave like Elphaba did. What is more important, your family or your career?

Love you always,

Glinda

This time, she wasn't angry. It seemed as if Glinda had given up and had to resort to begging Ellie to come back. Perhaps she was right, though. Ellie didn't want to be like Elphaba, and she hardly idolized her like back when she was just a girl. She found the other letter, and wanted to cry when she saw who wrote it.

Dear mommy,

Grandmother is helping me write a letter to you. I want to write to you because I miss you a lot and I was disappointed when you didn't come see me dance. I miss you, mommy, and I hope you come home soon. But next time when you come home, please stay forever because I don't want to end up without a mommy. I already don't have a daddy, so I don't want to lose my mommy.

Love,

Eira

Ellie wanted to cry at her daughter's letter. She sat silently and thought about both of them. If she remained at Shiz, she'd be just like Elphaba and living up to the family name. Of course, she didn't want that. It didn't take long for her to realize that she wanted to go back to the Emerald City Palace despite the fact she loved being a college professor. She wished that she had opened her eyes two years ago before she accepted the job. "Come with my back to the Emerald City Palace."

"Who? Me?" Kellan questioned, shocked that she had even suggested it.

"Yes, you," Ellie replied. "Or did you think I was speaking to the lamp?"

"Ellie, you can't expect me to just give up my job and get up and leave with you," Kellan replied, knowing that she meant that she was leaving tonight.

"I can't give up my family to be with you," Ellie replied. He took her hands in his strong ones, his blue eyes looking into her brown ones.

"Don't you love me?"

"Of course I love you. I think I'm in love with you, and I can't even believe I found someone else who's in love with me. It's just I won't give Glinda or Eira up for you. Their happiness means the world to me."

"But when do you get to be happy?" Kallen asked her. "You haven't even acted yet, and I know that's your dream. You'll never achieve it in the Emerald City Palace."

"Maybe not, but I can be a great mother and that's good enough for me," Ellie explained. "You can either come with me tonight, or you can stay here. It's your choice. I'm not going to force you to give up your life that you've worked so hard for."

"I'm sorry," Kallen said and looked away.

"I understand," Ellie said and kissed his forehead. "If you change your mind, you're welcome in the palace." And with that said, she went into her room, packed up a few things, and got the first cab she found to the Emerald City.

Eira was in her room and practicing her ballet. Glinda watched her and applauded her hard work. Another recital was coming up soon, and she promised herself that no matter what, she'd be performing in this one. She hoped her mother would at least come see her this time. "Grandmother, can you do a split?" she randomly asked. "Both ways?"

"Neither way," Glinda laughed. "I'm not too flexible, baby."

"I can't even imagine you doing a split. But that's okay. Grandmothers aren't supposed to do that stuff."

"Can you do a split?" Glinda knew very well the girl could do one. She had seen her so many times, but she knew Eira loved it when she asked anyway.

"Yes I can!" Eira said and did one, and then the other way. "I'm a ballerina, I have to know how," she explained to the blonde.

"Of course you do, or you wouldn't have gotten the lead again. Just promise me you won't run off again," Glinda said to her.

"I won't this time," Eira rolled her eyes. "Besides, this performance is dedicated to you, and you never miss my recitals no matter what." She said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Hopefully you'll reconsider and perform for me as well." Eira turned around and she couldn't stop the smile from forming on her lips. Tears fell from her eyes. She could barely believe her mother was standing right there in front of her. She was just as she remembered-beautiful. Her features were delicate, but she was such a strong woman.

"Mommy, you're back!" Eira said happily and ran over to her mother. Ellie brought her into a strong hug. "But why are you back?" her blue eyes stared up at Ellie's brown ones.

"Because I wanted to come home for good."