I'm sorry for the late update of the story. It's a busy week and I didn't have time to write. Thanks for the reviews and reading the story. Have fun with this chapter. Again, my apologies

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Glinda opens the door. She feels Elphie grab her tighter.

"It's about time," says Nessa impatiently as she drives inside. ''We've been waiting for a while. What a mess it is here.'' She gives Elphie a stern look. Elphie burrows her face into Glinda's neck.

Glinda rolls her eyes. ''Come on in. The planning went a little differently than expected, but everything is fine again."

The boys look at each other in surprise. Fiyero and Boq each have a tray full of food.

''Guys this is Elphaba. Elphaba, these are Nessa, Fiyero and Boq, would you like to show your face?'' says Glinda while she tries to pull Elphie away.

Elphie shakes her head.

Fiyero smiles. He has two younger sisters and a younger brother. He knows what to do with shy children. "Hey Glinda, Boq said you bought a toy. A whole bag full. Was that all for Elphaba."

Glinda smiles, feeling Elphie loosen her grip. "That's true, because of everything I forgot about the presents. It's all in that bag. Just look into it."

Elphie gently turns her head. She looks questioningly at Glinda.

"Yes, all that stuff is for you."

''Why?''

"Because you deserve to have toys. A child should play. Do you want to look with Fiyero?"

Fiyero had already sat down on the floor near the bag full of presents.

Glinda puts Elphie on the floor. Elphie looks hesitantly between Glinda and Fiyero. Glinda smiles and nods. Elphie takes a few steps and is with Fiyero who already takes out the first doll and gives it to Elphie. He looks inquiringly at the comb still in its packaging. He unwraps the wrapper and hands the comb to Elphie. Elphie immediately starts brushing the hair. She looks very proud at her new doll.

"What are you going to call her?" Fiyero asks softly.

"Melena. To my mommy."

''That is a beautiful name.''

Nessa watches the scene in boredom. "Can we look at the book while eating? The sooner we have a solution the better."

Boq looks angrily at Nessa. "Can we also enjoy that Elphie is happy?"

Nessa immediately looks different. "Of course, Boq." She says with a friendly smile. "Shall I help you prepare the sandwiches?"

"Yes, you can prepare the sandwich for Elphie."

Nessa's mouth falls open. She hadn't expected the answer. Glinda tries not to giggle. Elphie looks up when she hears her name. But no one seems to need her. She proceeds to dress the doll, as Fiyero has taken several doll clothes from the bag. She has to laugh because Fiyero puts another doll's skirt on the wrong way.

Nessa rolls over to the table where the food is. ''Elphaba, what do you want for your sandwich?'' asks Nessa bluntly.

"Can I have two sweet things?"

"What?" asks Nessa in surprise.

"Mommy always allows me 1 sweet filling and 1 healthy filling, because it's better for me, but on special days, I can have 2 sweet things."

Nessa recognizes the rule that Elphaba has always applied to her, as if her father often gave her sweet things.

"You can have two sweet things." Glinda says, who is afraid that Nessa will say something else.

Elphie immediately looks happy. "I want jelly with marshmallow."

Nessa looks confused at the things.

"'I'll conjure up the ingredients, then you can make the sandwiches. While you're at it, I want a sandwich too.'' says Glinda before Nessa can say anything.

Fiyero takes a puzzle from the bag. Elphie gently puts the doll down, she picks up Rabby and begins to take the puzzle apart. Fiyero watches with satisfaction. ''For me too. You have good taste Elphie.'' says Fiyero

After Elphie is finished really quick, Fiyero grabs a book out of the bag. "Do you want to read to me?"

Elphie turns to Fiyero and nods. She crawls over to Fiyero and snuggles into him. She brushes the hair from her face.

"Come here," Glinda says after conjuring up the things. "Then I'll make a ponytail out of your hair." She takes a pink stitch and tie Elphaba's hair loose, so that they can still dry.

"There had to be some pink or not?"

Glinda chuckles. "It suits her pretty well."

''That's right. It's strange to see Elphaba so small, innocent, and carefree.'' Boq says while looking at Fiyero and Elphaba who were busy talking about the book.

"I have to admit it's refreshing," Glinda admits. "But I'll be glad when she's back to herself. It hurts to lie about her mother."

"Why?" asks Nessa bot, who has more jelly on her fingers than the bread.

''Elphie thinks her mother is still alive. I haven't told her yet that her mother passed away. That will break her heart into a thousand pieces. She won't be able to comprehend it. She doesn't even know you're her sister.''

"What am I then?"

''A friend. Although she doesn't believe she has any friends except her mother, Rabby and books."

Boq looks at Elphie with pity.

"We have to tell her. She needs to know I'm her sister so she can behave normally."

"You don't." hiss Boq furiously. "Nessa, have you lost your mind? You don't just tell a child that her mother is dead. Certainly not to a child who only has her mother."

''At least she has a mother. She took it from me."

''No, we're not going to have this discussion here. Not now and not here.'' Fiyero says so sternly that everyone looks at him in shock. No one is used to Fiyero talking like that. Normally he is calm and relaxed.

Elphie looks at everyone curiously, but she doesn't understand it.

Glinda speaks first. ''You're right. Elphie darling, here's your bread. Boq has milk or water."

"Milk please," says Elphie politely.

"Did you enjoy playing with Fiyero?"

Elphie nods, her mouth getting dirty from the jelly. ''Why are you in a wheelchair?'' Elphie asks out of the blue.

Everyone is suddenly dead silent. Boq signals Nessa to think and say nothing stupid. "There was an accident when I was born. As a result, my legs were not getting enough blood. No one could do anything about it."

"Oooh. Did it hurt?''

''I don't know about it. I've been like that all my life. It's not polite to ask something like that.'' says Nessa sternly.

Elphie ignores Nessa's comment, or she didn't hear. ''I've been green all my life. Mama says I can't help it either. But people are mean to me anyway. Are people like that to you too?"

"No, my father always protected me well."

"And sister." Glinda quickly coughs after it.

''Do you have a sister? That is awesome. I'm getting a little brother. I'm going to be a big sister.'' Elphie says enthusiastically as she starts the second sandwich.

''A little brother? Don't you want a sister?"

Elphie shakes her head. "Mommy is going to love her more than me. That's why I want a little brother."

"Mommy will love you just as much. My mom does that too. I have a younger brother and two younger sisters. My mom loves me as much as she loves them. You're going to be a great big sister."

''With a sister you can get more toys. Because you get the same toys. Boys play with different toys."

Everyone looks at Glinda in surprise.

''What? I thought it was a good reason to want another sister. Though I didn't get one. But Fiyero is right. You're going to be a great big sister."

Elphie nods proudly. ''I can't wait. I want to teach my younger brother everything. And I'm going to be very good at helping mommy when the baby is here.''

''It's not too bad how well she's going to do.'' Nessa mutters, becoming jealous, that she's getting less attention.

Boq looks at her sternly. "Nessa stop! it is a three-year-old child. Can't you be a little nicer?" he whispers, because the rest didn't hear Nessa's comment.

Nessa bites her lip. She knows she is walking on thin ice now. She just doesn't understand what she's doing wrong. She always behaves this way otherwise and no one has ever confronted her about it. Why are they doing it now?

Everyone talks about his family. Elphie and Nessa listen intently. Elphie mainly because she is curious and Nessa because she is thinking about the situation.

When Elphie yawns for the fifth time, Glinda signals that it's time to tidy up and go to bed.

Elphie shakes her head hurriedly. ''I am not tired.''

Glinda is surprised she didn't prepare for this fight. "I just watched you yawn all the time. You're going to take a nap."

"No!" says Elphie, crossing her arms.

Glinda blinks. "Is she always like this when she has to go to bed?" she asks no one.

''Glinda, it's still very early and a three-year-old doesn't always need a nap anymore.'' Fiyero says carefully.

"Mommy doesn't always make me have to go to bed in the afternoon." Elphie says quickly.

"Fiyero, look at her. In addition, this day has not really been like other days. We were awake before the sun was up.''

Fiyero holds up his hands. "You know her best. I just wanted to help you."

Glinda gets on her knees. "Elphie, you're going to sleep. I can see that you are tired."

Elphie tries a different tactic to get her way because she doesn't want to sleep. She hugs Glinda. "I miss my mommy," she whispers.

''The faster you sleep, the sooner we have a solution.''

Elphie begins to cry. "I don't want to sleep, I want mommy. I don't want you."

Glinda looks hopelessly at the rest.

"Elphaba, come lie in bed with me. Then I'll read you a story."

Elphie turns her head and looks at Fiyero with teary eyes. ''Which book?''

''First put on new clothes with Glinda and then you can choose a book. The bag wasn't empty yet."

Elphie thinks for a moment and nods.

Glinda looks impressed. ''Well done.''

''I have experience. When they're in pyjamas and in bed, they'll probably notice how tired they are."

"Glinda spoils her way too much." Nessa says when Glinda and Elphie are in the bathroom.

Fiyero rolls his eyes. Boq doesn't say anything and clears up the things from lunch.

''What? Don't you agree with me?"

"It's Glinda's choice. In addition, it is only five books and two dolls with different clothes and 2 jigsaw puzzles that are way too easy for her. The child has nothing to play with here."

She can also just sit still.

"Nessa, you don't understand children. Children don't sit still, they have to play, discover and experience adventures,'' Boq says bluntly.

''But they make everything dirty...'' She doesn't get any further because Glinda comes out of the bathroom with Elphie. Elphie walks to her bed where Fiyero is sitting with a book.

Fiyero tucks Elphie in and starts reading from the book Elphie has chosen. Glinda gives Elphie the hug and sits on her own bed and listens to Fiyero using different voices and Elphie giggling.

''You tell it very funny with different voices.'' Elphie says between yawns. When the book is out.

''Thank you. It's time to go to sleep."

Elphie shakes her head. "First the song."

''Which song?''

"Mommy's song."

''What is it about?''

''Do you know what song she means?'' asks Boq and Nessa.

''I think so.''

"I'm not going to sleep without the song," Elphie says stubbornly while it's clear she's fighting her sleep.

''If there are times. You find that you are feeling weak. Lie next to me. I'll hold you 'til you fall asleep
At any time of day. There's nothing to explain. I'm always on your side'' Nessa sings softly.

Elphie visibly relaxes. "That song." She crawls deeper under her blanket with Rabby against her.

''Hold on to me. I'll steal you from the hardest day. Don't be afraid. You have me here to guide your way. Through storms I will be here. I will not disappear. Always by your side. Always''

''Always'' Elphie sings along with her eyes closed.

Glinda smiles. "Always" she sings exactly at the same time as Nessa sings it. She recognizes the song because her mother used to sing it to her.

''Always''

''And on my heart. I promise I will see you through. When pain arrives. I'll be right there to hold on to. With laughter and with prayer. I promise I'll be there. Always by your side. At any time of day. There's nothing to explain. I'm always on your side. Always.'' whispers Nessa, noticing that Elphie is already asleep.

"Sleep tight." Glinda says as she kisses Elphie on the forehead.

"Tight," Elphie mutters back as she turns around.

Glinda beckons everyone to go to the hall. They take the chairs with them. And there are two more chairs in the hallway.

''How nice that you knew your mother's song.'' says Fiyero as he sits down in the chair. ''Small children are tiring. Although little Elphaba is very cute."

"Why didn't she ever say it was a song from mom?" Nessa asks.

"I can't answer that."

"What other things has she withheld from me that belong to my mother. She has already taken my mother and she can't even share her memories with me."

Glinda stands up and gives Nessa an icy look. "Nessa," she says in a calm tone that scares everyone. "You have two choices here. Either you leave or you help us. But I will no longer tolerate negative comments about Elphaba. It's a child. What did that child ever do to you?"

Before Nessa can respond, Boq continues. ''It's not like Elphie chose to be green. You didn't choose to come into the world paralyzed, did you? Things just happen. But to blame Elphie as a child for that is not the way."

''If you listen carefully to what Elphie says, she only wants to go to her mother. She wants what everyone wants, to be loved. Only her mother does that, so why would she want to lose her mother?"

Nessa bites her lips. Tears roll down her cheeks. "I want a mother too."

Boq wraps his arms around Nessa. He thinks that the message has sufficiently reached Nessa. "We all want that. It's a pity you never had that chance. But it's not Elphaba's fault."

''In addition, Elphie has done everything to help you as best as possible. She sang you to sleep with your mother's song. She's done everything a mother would do when she was supposed to be your sister."

Boq gives Glinda a warning look. Glinda shrugs. She thinks Nessa should stop making everything revolve around her.

''You don't know what it's like to grow up without a mother. I have no memories of her like Elphaba. Dad never talks about her and I'm stuck in this chair.'' says Nessa with a lot of self-pity, hoping she gets the attention she thinks she deserves.

"But dear Nessa." Fiyero says lovingly before Glinda can say anything. "There's no reason to be so mean. Having all these things happen to you is sad, but no reason to act like a spoiled brat. Elphaba did everything to make you happy, and you're not even thankful. When you gave the sandwich to Elphaba, she said thank you. When was the last time you said that to her."

Glinda looks pleased, seeing that Nessa hadn't hoped for this answer.

Boq squeezes Nessa's hand and nods. "I agree with Fiyero. Elphaba is in the same boat as you, and she never acts self-pityingly."

"It's getting annoying." says Glinda bluntly. "What?" Glinda asks indignantly as the boys give her another warning look. ''It's the truth. Nessa, you are a nice girl. The stories Elphie tells about your childhood prove that, but now you have to grow up."

"Let's look in the book for a solution." Boq says when he sees that Nessa has understood the message. or at least received. He will talk to her again when they are alone.

Glinda nods slowly. She wants to say more to Nessa but knows it's not the time. She is looking for the right page. "Guys, I want to thank you for everything. It wouldn't have been so easy without you and Elphie enjoys your presence."

Boq and Fiyero nod.

Glinda takes a breath and begins to read. "No," she whispers.

''What's wrong?'' Boq and Fiyero ask concerned.

"It says that the spell can be reversed with a spell or that Elphie will long for the time with all her worries." Glinda says slowly.

"But you can fix it, can't you? You can still reverse the spell,'' says Fiyero who does not see the problem.

"Only a better or equal witch can undo a spell. It says that whoever cast the spell cannot undo it."

''What does it mean then?'' asks Boq who can already see the consequences.

"That means Madame Morrible can reverse the spell."

"We'll wait for her. She'll be back on Monday."

Glinda takes a deep breath. "I can be expelled from school."

"Because you put a spell on someone? That's actually a good rule.'' says Nessa thoughtfully. ''What? You don't have to look at me like that, Glinda. You put a spell on my sister. A penalty will be in order."

"I put a spell on her because I wanted to help her. She was deeply unhappy because her sister blamed her for everything. She is deeply unhappy because she knows no love from her family except for her mother. I have never seen her so carefree and happy. So yes, if I get expelled from school, it was all worth it to me."

"Are you saying it was my fault? Now you have to stop.'' Nessa starts screaming.

"Everyone quiet." Fiyero says sternly. He walks to the door and checks to see if Elphie is still asleep. Elphie is curled up sleeping with her cuddly toy in her hands. He closes the door softly and looks sternly at everyone. ''It's nobody's fault. But we're going to talk a little softer, we don't want Elphaba to wake up or others to enjoy our problems. We need to look at another solution. There were two solutions, right?'' Fiyero asks Glinda.

Glinda nods. "She must long for the time before the spell was cast."

Okay,'' says Fiyero thoughtfully. "She longs for her mother, if we give her that, the problem will be solved." Fiyero says simply.

"That's it." exclaims Boq excitedly. "Oh sorry." He says sheepishly when everyone looks at him with a look. ''I mean. That's it." He whispers. He takes the book from Glinda's hands and begins to read. After that he says nothing more.

Glinda taps her heel on the floor impatiently. "Are you going to tell us about your idea, or should we just guess?"

"Oh yeah sorry. I want to make sure. What Fiyero says is correct."

''What Fiyero says is not possible at all. I can't bring people to life at all. That is the greatest nonsense in the world of wizardry. It's a stupid idea."

''My ideas are not stupid. My ideas offer opportunities for new ideas.''

Glinda rolls her eyes.

"Let him finish," says Nessa impatiently.

''We're not going to bring Melena back to life either. We can make Elphaba long for her adult life. Then the spell is also broken."

"So, we say our mother is dead?" Nessa asks slowly to understand what Boq means.

"Never," says Glinda sharply. "I'm not going to break her heart. I'd rather be kicked out of school."

"Calm down tiger. Boq doesn't mean that."

''The book tells her to long for the time she came from. Nowhere does it say she should know about her concerns."

"So, she must desire us more than her mother," says Fiyero to get everything clear.

Boq nods.

"It's not that hard." Nessa says.

Glinda puts her hands on her hips. "Oooh tell me your plan."

''Elphaba is easily satisfied. When she learns I'm her sister? We show her the library. Then she wants to grow up quickly."

Glinda rolls her eyes. "Have you forgotten that she would rather have a brother than a sister?"

Nessa's face immediately falls. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. But the rest is possible."

"Maybe a trip to the Emerald city. She always wants to go there anyway. Maybe we can tell her that grown people can always go to the Emerald city.'' Fiyero says thoughtfully.

"Do you want to lie to her?"

''We need something. I get that she'd rather be with her mom than us. Especially with the life she's had. And don't deny it Nessa.'' says Boq sternly.

Glinda sighs. "Okay, we're going to the library this afternoon. And tomorrow to the Emerald city? What else can we do?"

"Maybe a trip across campus? Elphaba has said for as long as I can remember that she wants to go to Shiz.'' Nessa says after a while.

''We have to be careful. What do the other students say when they see another little green person?'', says Glinda. "All those eyes staring at her are not conducive to her longing for an adult life."

"We can think of something about that. She can sit on Nessa's lap and we walk next to her. Maybe it won't be noticed then," says Fiyero.

"I don't know," Glinda says thoughtfully.

''Don't you want Elphaba to grow up?'' asks Nessa irritated.

''Of course, I do.''

"Then why do you see problems in everything?"

"Because we only have one chance." Glinda says irritated. "It's my career that's at stake."

"You are the one who cast the spell."

"I am the one who wants to give your sister a happy life."

"Ladies," says Fiyero soothingly. ''This discussion is pointless. It's good of Glinda to think about everything. She is right, we also have to come up with another plan."

Glinda sticks her tongue out at Nessa.

Nessa sighs. "I'm sorry Glinda. I want my big sister back."

Glinda looks a little less defiant. "I'm sorry too."

Before anyone can respond, they hear a door open. A sleepy Elphie sticks her head out and starts sobbing. "I want mom."

Glinda sighs and walks over to her. "Everyone comes up with a plan to seduce Elphie into adult life. Shall we meet at Nessa's in an hour? I hope it works.'' Glinda walks towards Elphie.

"Boq and I will spend a little more time to arrange everything. We'll meet in the library in two hours. That way you have enough time to show all the nice places on campus.'' says Fiyero while Glinda lifts Elphie.

Everyone agrees.

''Maybe I'll join you sooner. I'll show you the tech lab. We all know that children like to experiment.'' says Boq when Glinda is already at the door.

Glinda turns around and Elphie has already put her head on her shoulder. ''Thank you. I think everything will be fine."

Everyone nods. "We're doing our best." Nessa says.

They all have a worried feeling. They hope it will all work out, but no one knows for sure. They also don't know if they are doing the right thing. All everyone wants is for Elphaba not to find out that her mother has died.

Glinda puts her in bed and lays down next to her. Elphie immediately nestles against Glinda. ''My mommy does that sometimes when I can't sleep." She says sleepily. Elphie closes her eyes and Glinda runs her hands through Elphie's hair. "I want your mom to be there too." Glinda whispers.

The boys return the chairs to the room and escort Nessa back downstairs. When Glinda is sure Elphie is asleep, she searches her things for ideas to make Elphie long for her adult life. However, she doesn't know if she wants to. She also knows that Elphie will grow up again through Morrible, but now she is still so innocent and free. She acts like someone her age, maybe not quite, because she's smarter than most three-year-olds. But she doesn't act like her sister's mother, which is already a big improvement.

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The song is by Scott Alan. Always