Six months later.

Melena is in the attic. She puts the children's crafts and tests in the boxes. She pastes the latest photos taken in recent months into the correct photo album. With a smile, she looks at the photo taken of the children the day they said goodbye in the Emarald City. The children stand next to each other and hold each other's hands. They are all radiant and proud of what they have done. If someone had told them a year ago what they would all experience, she would have thought that person was crazy. But now she's in the attic. The children will be home in an hour. Frex is in his study doing his last meetings and paperwork. Then they go to the Vinkus. And not just on holiday to the Vinkus. No, they go to the king and queen's castle. They are invited to the castle of Kiamo ko.

Yes, her life has improved a lot. She won't trade it for anything anymore. This is going to be one of the best Lurlinemas anyway, Melena thinks when she looks at the photo again.

XXXX

Elphaba waits impatiently at the school gates. Boq is talking about what he is going to do during Lurlinemas. Elphaba only hears half of it. Her eyes drift to the school doors. Nessa could be out of school any minute. When they get home, they go straight to the Vinkus. She won't say it out loud, but she missed Galinda and Fiyero so much. Perhaps Fiyero more than Galinda.

Elphaba finally sees Nessa's class coming out of school. She hasn't seen Nessa yet, but it won't be long.

"Boq, it was all interesting, but I see Nessa. I have to go. I will miss you. I promise when we get back, we'll play with your new toys." Elphaba says kindly, placing a hand on Boq's shoulder. She doesn't want to neglect her friends. When Nessa is within earshot. "Hurry up, I'd like to go fast." Elphaba yells.

Nessa beams and runs after her sister. "Have a nice holiday, guys. We'll meet again when we get back." Elphaba and Nessa yell.

Boq, Bella and Marty stare in amazement as the Thropp sisters run away.

"Normally we play together during the holidays." Boq mutters.

"They absolutely love those friends of theirs they met in the Emerald City." Marty says. "They can't help what their parents have agreed to in the first week of the holiday."

"I want to go to the Emarald City too." Bella whines.

Marty closes his sister's zipper a little higher because it is very cold. "We also go to the Emarald City sometimes; they have promised that. Next summer we're all going to the Emerald city, they promised. Let's go home soon. Before we know it, they will be home and we can play together again."

Boq nods. They say goodbye to each other and run home.

XXX

Elphaba and Nessa throw their bags on the floor and run to their father's office. They storm into his office without knocking. "Daddy, we're home. Can we go?" they both yell. They are jumping at his desk. Nessa even pulls his arm.

Frex knows he should be mad at his daughters because that's not how they're supposed to talk to him. But he's glad they're so enthusiastic. He overhears Melena grumbling that they should clean up their bags.

"I think you should listen to your mother first." Frex says sternly. The girls look at each other and run out of the office. Nessa slams the door behind her.

Frex overhears Melena addressing their children sternly. He hears Nessa retort enthusiastically and Elphaba apologize. Frex can only chuckle. Fortunately, his daughters have not changed.

There is a softer knock. Melena enters his office. ''The girls are clearing their bags. I don't think we can calm them down until we're in the carriage to go to Fiyero."

Frex smiles. "Luckily, I'm done here then. Have you got everything in the carriages yet?"

Melena shakes her head. "I wasted a little more time in the attic and that conversation with the older Munchkins than I thought. The girls can help."

Frex nods. The girls are immediately jumping at their feet as soon as they are ready. Melena looks proudly at her family. So much has changed when they came back from the Emerald City. Frex has handed over a few tasks to her so that he has a little more time for his children. Frex made her feel more responsible about Munchkinland. Melena has now set up her own art school where she also provides lessons for older people, so that they can also be among the people. It's such a success that they're building another one on the other side of Munchkinland. She can go find the employees herself and manage everything. Sometimes she misses the time with her children, but she is happy that Frex now makes some more time for them.

When everyone is finally in the carriage, they drive towards the Vinkus. Halfway through the journey, they will meet Galinda and her parents. They selected a small hotel where they would spend the night. The next day they would drive to the Vinkus in one piece.

Nessa talks a lot at first while Elphaba looks outside. She is looking forward to seeing her friends again. Galinda was incredibly angry at first that her father had to break his promise to buy a horse. Instead, he had promised that all the children would see each other every holiday. Galinda was much happier about that. Now that the Lurline vacation is finally here, they can see each other again.

To get some rest, Melena gives Nessa a colouring book. She gives Elphaba a book, but Elphaba continues to look out the window. Melena sees that Elphaba is deep in thought. She gently kicks Frex, whoever is looking outside. He looks at Melena in surprise. "Go talk to Elphaba." Melena says silently. In the meantime, she has put her arm around Nessa and together they will decide how they will colour the colouring page.

Frex looks at his daughter and moves closer. "What are you thinking about?" he whispers, pushing her gently against him.

Elphaba shrugs.

"Are you afraid we won't run into Galinda?" Frex advises.

Elphaba shakes her head. If she knows anything, it's that Galinda and her family are exceptionally good at planning. Galinda once spent a long weekend with them, she planned every minute of the day and so did Leanne.

"Are you afraid we bought the wrong gifts?" Frex continues to guess.

Elphaba shakes her head again. She thought long and hard about the gifts. She has bought a new make-up set and her assistant for Galinda. She bought several games for Fiyero. She bought a large doll for Nessa. She bought everyone a fragile four-leaf clover with a chain. That way they will always be connected.

"Are you worried Mummy might find out another secret or that she's still mad after our last attempt to find out what's happening in the palace with Nessa and Avaric?"

Elphaba chuckles. She so desperately wants to know what happened. According to Nessa, it's very, very funny. Oz, she wants so badly to tease Fiyero. She knows Fiyero is involved. To find out, she has shared a secret between her father and herself. Melena wasn't happy to find that all the expensive dinner plates had been replaced, because Elphaba and Frex were so eager to move the closet to build a cabin in the living room.

"Are you afraid everything isn't the same anymore?" Frex guesses for the last time. This time Frex feels Elphaba nod. He presses her closer to him. ''You do not have to be scared. Yes, you and Nessa are a year older now, but that doesn't mean your friendship is different."

"What if Madame Morrible is there too?"

Frex puts Elphaba on his lap. "Honey, Madame Morrible has been stripped of her powers. You and Galinda took care of that."

"But what if we were wrong? What if we accidentally cast the temporary spell and she's been pretending all this time. What if she and Oscar want to do something against you."

Frex grabs Elphaba by the chin and makes her face him. "Have you had another nightmare?"

Elphaba often suffers from nightmares. Sometimes she tells her parents about it. Sometimes she wakes her parents up or wakes her parents up because she has to cry. But it often happens that Elphaba stays in bed. She doesn't want to be a burden to her parents.

"Honey, you know you can always come to me and to Mama. You don't have to beat your nightmares alone. Everyone has help, even mom and dad."

Elphaba knows, but she finds it so difficult.

"What happens in your nightmare is not real. Your powers came back after three days. You cast the spell against Madame Morrible that lasts forever. Galinda has cast the spell over the chain so that there is no way it can come off her ankle and Oscar's. We stayed a few more to make sure the magic was working."'

"But you're never happy when I use my magic." Elphaba says in a small voice.

"Honey, I didn't like that you used your magic because then you see high in your emotions. I'd rather see a happy Elphaba than a sad or angry Elphaba. You are now much more in control of your magic. No more unfortunate events have happened. Where does this come from?''

Elphaba presses closer to Frex. Frex rubs Elphaba's back and waits patiently.

"In my dream, Madame Morrible was released. You were terribly angry with me. You told me you never loved me because of my magic and my skin."

Frex bites his lip.

"I know it isn't true. You're the best daddy in all of Oz." Elphaba continues. She tries not to show that she is crying.

"The next moment I can remember from the dream is that you stood in front of me to protect me from the magic. Madame Morrible was very mean to you."

''My dear Fabala. I will always protect you. I'm glad I protect you in my dreams too. I will say it now and forever. I love you.''

"Don't you find that annoying?"

Frex smiles. ''Never. Sometimes we need some reassurance. Sometimes I like to hear from you and Nessa that you still love me. I love to hear that I'm the best daddy in Oz."

Frex feels Elphaba chuckling.

"Are you feeling a little better now?"

Elphaba nods.

"You see, it helps to talk about your nightmares. We will say that for the rest of your life, until you realize it."

Elphaba nods. She puts her head on her father's chest and listens to his heartbeat which always gives her peace.

"Honey, Mom and Dad are looking for help for a reason. It is also difficult for us to let go of everything. We also regret the choices we have made. We are now trying to solve that."

Frex glances at Melena who is half eavesdropping. She gives Frex an encouraging nod.

"You know we will always love you and your sister. We've had enough conversations with the talking doctor." Frex continues.

Elphaba rolls her eyes. "I know it's called the psychologist. Nessa calls it a talking doctor because she's seven. She's still a baby."

Frex puts his arms around Elphaba. "The psychologist will help."

''He explains everything in an obvious way that I understand. Sometimes he's a little childish." says Elphaba thoughtfully

"Are you feeling a little better?"

"Yes, I love you daddy."

Frex will never tire of hearing that from his daughter. He will also make sure that Elphaba is reminded every day that he loves her heartily. Nessa also gets the kisses and hugs she deserves. Sometimes he worries that he is spoiling his children way too much. But then the little voice comes into his head that says he can never spoil his children with love.

He kisses Elphaba on her head. ''I love you too.''

Satisfied, Elphaba closes her eyes and enjoys the silence she has now.

XXX

At the hotel they are greeted enthusiastically by Galinda. Even before Nessa gets out of the carriage, she is run over by Galinda. Elphaba fears she has suffered an ear damage from Galinda's screams. Before dinner, the children go to a playground to talk to each other. Soon it was too cold, so they went to the indoor playground. The adults will take the items to the rooms and talk about their own topics. At dinner, Galinda still doesn't seem finished with her stories about boy, school, fashion, and boys.

Elphaba assures Leanne that Nessa has also told a few stories. As a surprise, Galinda was allowed to sleep with Nessa and Elphaba, if they promise to sleep too. However, the girls had secretly brought candy and had a slumber party, without the parents noticing.

The next day the children slept the whole trip. The adults talked about the recent times and the news of what's coming out of the Emerald City. Leanne in particular was complaining that she was bothered by journalists in the beginning. But after Crope and Tibett's appeal to leave the families alone, she was no longer bothered by the journalists. children are awakened when they are almost at kiamo ko.

XXXX

Fiyero runs outside for the hundredth time to see if he sees the carriage coming. He so desperately wants Elphaba to meet his friends. He doesn't like that he and Elphaba are the same age now, but he is still older. He'll be ten in a month, and she'll have to listen to him again.

"Fiyero, Fiyero you will get tired if you keep running like this and they're not even here yet."

"But they should be almost here." Fiyero nags to his mother.

''The journey can always take longer. It's winter and the roads are bad."

"Stupid roads." Fiyero mutters as he kicks a pile of snow.

Isabella chuckles. "Why don't you go get your friends Milan and Steve?"

" But when I'm gone, I'll miss them when they arrive."

"I think you'll be doing everyone here in the castle a favour if you get away for a while. You're driving everyone crazy."

Fiyero looks bored at his mother but goes to his friends anyway. When he is walking back to the castle with his friends, he sees a carriage approaching in the distance. He urges his friends to run faster. They arrive at the castle before the carriage arrives. Fiyero is already jumping at the stairs as his parents walk out the door to greet the guests.

XXX

Nessa, Galinda and Elphaba stare open-mouthed at the gigantic castle. Fiyero has told stories about his castle, but they always thought he was exaggerating. As they get out of the carriage, Nessa grabs her mother's hand in fear. Melena smiles and is happy that some things will never change. The adults have seen the castle in the history books, but they are now also impressed when they see the castle in real life.

The children soon forget where they are. They start talking to each other. Galinda tries to guess which lurlinemas gifts are hers. Fiyero introduces his friends. The adults greet each other. The men quickly leave the women alone. Raal would like to discuss some matters with Frex and would like to have Samuel's opinion as well. The women retreat and make sure the suitcases are unpacked.

"I believe Galinda has a crush on one of Fiyero's friends." Melena says teasingly as she nudges Leanne. "Maybe Mom's lessons still helped."

Leanne playfully pushes Melena in front of her. "You must say. I've never seen Elphaba so shy towards Fiyero."

Isabella chuckles. ''I think Fiyero has put on his best clothes for Elphaba. I've never seen him so insecure about his appearance."

"Please, let's not say that to Frex. When Elphaba was talking to a boy at school, Frex looked up all the information about the boy to determine if he was worth talking to Elphaba."

Leanne raises her eyebrow. "Is that legal?"

"No, that's abuse of power. But no one is good enough for his little girl. I'm curious how he will react if Elphaba goes on a date."

''We have to keep Fiyero away from Frex. He only wants to take Elphaba to the garden for a walk."

''He had a man conversation with Raal. He wanted to know how to seduce a woman." Isabella explains when she sees the surprised faces.

When the women have finished unpacking the suitcases, they go to the tearoom. "But tell me, how do you deal with everything that has happened? Especially the children." Melena asks seriously.

"Galinda sometimes still has nightmares about Oscar and Madame Morrible. Then she comes to us crying. We try to send her back to bed anyway, but sometimes we are too tired for that."

"Fiyero is tough. Fortunately, he didn't get to see much of all the events. Sometimes I worry too much. When he has a nightmare or wants to talk about it, he doesn't seem to find the right words. He then becomes noticeably quiet and doesn't say anything for the rest of the day, until we do something that might change his mind."

Melena nods understandably. ''We must not forget that it has only been six months. Oz knows what the children will say over the years."

"How are you and Frex?"

"It's going surprisingly well. I thought we'd be back to square one after we got home. We went to see the psychologist who helped Frex after Elphaba was born. Our relationship is stronger than ever. Of course, we have our problems, but that is easy to solve."

"Between Samuel and me, things are going well too. I explained to him why I believed the Wizard before my own daughter. He couldn't imagine it at first. After a few conversations, he understood better. The bond between Galinda and me is just as strong again."

The women nod and drink their tea.

''How is Christery actually doing?'' asks Leanne in surprise. "I expected him here."

''He stayed with us for a few weeks. He missed his family too much to come live with us. Elphaba still keeps in touch with him through letters. Dr. Dillamond is busy teaching him to speak again. He really wanted to be here, but they needed his help at the palace in the Emerald City."

"Who would have thought that such a Monkey would have such a significant role."

"I never expected it either. But thanks to its wings, it can fly anywhere. He is very handy for delivering important mail."

"Isn't he a speaker for the Animals now?" Isabella asks after hearing a rumour.

Melena shakes her head. ''He's still way too young for that. We don't know how old he is. But given his behaviour; he is not yet ready to talk about politics."

Leanne shrugs. "As long as the little Monkey is happy."

Melena stares at her with a gaping mouth.

"What?" Leanne asks defensively.

"That you say that someone should be happy for their own status. The miracles are not over yet."

"It's not feminine to throw tea in someone's face, but my hands are itching because it's doable. I'm not such a snob."

Isabella gives her a signified look.

"Okay, okay, okay, maybe I was a bit of a snob. But the psychologist helped. The conversations between Samuel and me are much better."

Melena nods happily. "We're teasing you. We are happy that everything is going well."

Leanne nods. She starts talking cheerfully about Galinda's pretensions.

Melena just rolls her eyes. But otherwise, she listens with interest to the story that Leanne had already told in the carriage.

XXX

"Galinda this is a boy's playroom, so the walls are not pink here."

"But pink makes everything much better and more beautiful."

"Not for a boy." Milan agrees with Fiyero that the grey walls are good enough. It's about the toys that are scattered on the mats.

"Do you have a doll?" asks Nessa who agrees with Galinda.

Steven nods enthusiastically. "We have these action heroes. Look this is the Bear standing up for the poor people. He steals from the rich." He takes his action hero out of the box.

"I meant more like a baby doll to care for." Nessa says cautiously.

"Come on Nessa, let's go to our rooms. At least then we can get some nice toys to play with."

"We're coming," Milan and Steve say at the same time.

Galinda turns and gives her sweetest smile. "That's truly kind of you guys. We don't want us to get lost."

The boys are almost fighting for a hand from Galinda. Nessa shrugs and follows behind.

Elphaba also wants to run after it. Fiyero takes her hand. "I…. I wwwant to askkkkk you sssomething." Stammers Fiyero.

Elphaba looks expectantly.

"I was wondering if you would like to come with me to the garden. It is unbelievably beautiful in winter. Especially now that it has snowed so much." Fiyero explains quickly.

"That seems very nice." Elphaba says shyly.

Fiyero smiles and takes her hand again. "I'll tell you everything I've read. Papa was surprised to find me with a book in my hands about our gardens. I even asked questions he couldn't answer." Fiyero says proudly.

Elphaba is impressed. She is not only impressed by Fiyero's story, but also by the view. It's breath-taking.

"You must come here when it is spring. All the flowers will then be in bloom."

Elphaba can only nod.

"So, what gifts have you bought for us?" Fiyero asks after a moment of silence.

Elphaba laughs. "You really have no patience. You have to wait two more days. I didn't tell Galinda anything either."

"But I'm Fiyero. I just showed you something incredibly beautiful, there should be something in return."

Elphaba pretends to be thinking. "No, even Nessa doesn't know."

"So, there are multiple presents?"

Elphaba starts to feel cold. She takes a hand full of snow. "One more question and I'll throw a snowball at you."

Defiantly, Fiyero crosses his hands. "You're not doing that, are you?"

Before the words left his mouth, Fiyero feels a snowball against the back of his head. He turns and sees Milan and Steve laughing on the floor. He immediately feels another snowball.

Elphaba stares at him innocently. ''That was a question'' says Elphaba knowledgeable

The snowball fight has begun. Galinda and Nessa are cautious at first but soon they are screaming with pleasure.

The parents come to watch, to the children having fun. Frex puts his arm around his wife. Melena smiles and rests her head on Frex's shoulder.

"Is Elphaba still in touch with Dr. Dillamond?" asks Leanne, unaware of the romantic moment between Frex and Melena.

''Yes, they are in touch via email. She writes to him once every two weeks. Sometimes I feel like he's giving her extra homework. She invited him to teach at her school. The children were all enthusiastic."

Samuel nods approvingly. "We were thinking how much Galinda misses the other. We thought it would be a nice idea to send the children to the same college. That also motivates Galinda a little more to do her best at school."

Isabella is immediately enthusiastic. ''That is a promising idea. We are already talking to the teachers of Fiyero that he is not doing his homework. He finds it more important to play pranks on his friends. That will motivate him too."

Melena looks at Frex. They've talked about it too. Frex doesn't want his daughter to be so far away from home. He must miss her way too much. He'd rather Elphaba and Nessa go to Munchkinland University. Melena convinced him that another university might better suit Elphaba's interests.

"Please don't talk about colleges. The children are still too young. Let's still enjoy their youth." Frex growls irritated.

''In other words. We think Elphaba and Nessa would really like it. But we would miss them very much."

All parents agree. They suddenly hear "NOW."

Before they know what's happening, they all get a snowball against them. Frex is the first to throw a snowball back. Leanne looks shocked at how dirty her suit has become. She looks even more terrified when she realizes that Galinda's hair is no longer in style. She nearly faints when Samuel throws a snowball back.

Melena nudges Leanne. "Come on, you should have fun with the children too." With those words she runs away.

Leanne only hears the children screaming with delight. With great difficulty she also takes a hand full of snow and throws it at Samuel. But the snowball hits Galinda instead.

Leanne puts her hands over her mouth. Galinda turns around.

Leanne has never seen her daughter's eyes shine like this. She quickly grabs another snowball and this time hits Elphaba instead of Frex.

XXXX

That evening Frex and the children lie in front of the fireplace. Frex leans against the chair with a child on each side. He has thrown the covers over everyone. Elphaba is reading a book to Nessa who has long fallen asleep.

Melena comes out of the kitchen with four cups of hot chocolate. Frex nods to the table next to the chair. Melena sits across from the trio. She watches with satisfaction as Elphaba also almost falls asleep. Melena can't imagine how happy she is. Now that she no longer has any secrets for Frex, she feels much more relaxed around him. Frex rubs his children's arms with his thumb. The fireplace crackles. Melena continues to enjoy the scene in front of her for a while. She gets up and takes the book from Elphaba who has also slowly fallen asleep.

"You're leaving the children awake way too long." She whispers, kissing Frex on the head.

Frex looks sleepily happily at Melena. "I thought it was too much fun. I hope they stay a little longer tomorrow."

''Keep dreaming. Tomorrow the children will be at our bedside before the sun rises. They don't leave presents waiting for them."

''Speaking of gifts, you have already placed the gifts near the big tree.''

Melena shakes her head. "The gifts that the children have made and bought are already there. I wanted to put the gifts there when the children sleep."

"I want to do it too."

"Just make sure the children stay asleep. I'll just throw away the hot chocolate."

Frex chuckles sheepishly. "I didn't realize that Nessa was almost asleep."

Melanie smiles. She gives everyone one more kiss before taking the cups back into the kitchen. She takes the presents to the big tree in the living room of the castle. She is still impressed by the great old castle. She's surprised it's not cold inside.

All the presents are already around the tree. She already sees various gifts for her children that are made up of pink wrapping paper. It will be from Galinda. she thinks with a smile.

Yes, one thing is for sure. She thinks happily. No one can take these moments from me anymore. I am the happiest woman in all of Oz.

When she comes back into the room, she can already hear Frex snoring. She quickly grabs the camera and takes a picture. With a happy feeling she gets into bed. She hopes that the happy feeling will never go away.

XXX

Thanks for reading this story.