The board was not used to the way Hotaru was handling things. She was efficient and amazingly intelligent. Atticus was next to her in a playpen with his stuffed toys, bottle of blood and formula, blocks and a couple of teething toys. He had just learned to crawl that morning and had given Grey quite a work out when the now mobile baby escaped down the hall more than once. At the moment, he was sucking down his bottle on his back as he watched his mommy truly act like a queen, taking control and leading the way.
"Okay, so that takes care of the Transporting invoices. Now, what of the contractors?"
A board member named Goyama passed down a copy of his list to the lady in Grey's place. "Here's the list of the employees we have hired. They're confused by the plans-"
"That's obvious, Goyama. I saw the plans. They're written in the assumption that a vampire would be in charge. I want them redone so that even my son can understand them." She told the members, slumping in her seat a little. She looked amazingly professional in her red dress and dark red vest. It was pretty comforting, however, that someone as strong as her had taken control before it was too late. "What's next on the agenda? And no-we are not going to be discussing board member perks-ever. It's better to forget that now before you open your mouths and assume."
"Okasan!" Atticus called up to her from his playpen. He had to speak around his bottle's nipple and he was still on his back but Hotaru looked over at him all the same. "Ue de, Okasan! Ue de!" ("Mother! Up, Mother! Up!")
"Is that how we ask to be picked up, Atty-dear?" Hotaru asked her son. Atticus looked at his mom, obviously thinking.
"Onegai shimasu?" He asked, getting a smile from his mother. She got up and lifted him out of his playpen before sitting down with him in her lap. He returned to his bottle, now happy that she was holding him. ("Please?" (Making Request))
"That's amazing, my Queen." A member named Toshiro gazed at her and the baby. Atticus's eyes shifted to a kind of cat like monster for a moment, as if he sensed what the man was thinking. He blanched and paled at the infant's obvious threat. The power the infant held was startling.
"Quit scaring the members of Mommy's board, Atty-darling." Hotaru said, looking at a report she was handed. She tossed it on the table. "Those calculations are wrong. I don't want them back in here for review until it's all correct. Do I make myself clear?"
"As you command, your Highness." The board chorused. Hotaru felt her thirst grab hold of her gut as Atticus choked from drinking too fast. He coughed, dropping his bottle.
"O-Oka-asan! Ta-tasu-tasuke!" He coughed clutching Hotaru's collar. Hotaru gently put her hand on his chest and let her healing power fix the damage his coughing had caused. "Arigato, Okasan." ("M-Mot-ther! H-he-elp! Thank you, Mother.")
"You're welcome, honey." Hotaru sat him up in her lap as Atticus put his bottle back into his mouth. "If that's all the business for today, I'd like to disappear for a little while, until something urgent comes up."
"Of course, your Majesty." The man to her immediate left told her as Hotaru stood up with Atticus against her, clinging to her sleeve with one hand. A couple butlers and a maid collected the playpen and toys before heading to the nursery.
Hotaru left the board room, being met by Grey at the door. He put his arm around her waist and gave her a sweet kiss on her red lips. Atticus whined, still sucking on his bottle. Grey kissed his forehead with a smile.
"I have a surprise for you, my beloved." Grey told her as he gently led her down stairs.
"Oh, Grey. I just want to go hide in bed for a while." Hotaru half pouted. "I'm really tired right now. I want something to put on my stomach and then I want to sleep."
Her husband kissed her temple with a smile. "I can tell, my love. But I have something I just know you'll love waiting for us in the ballroom."
Hotaru: -shifts Atticus better on her hip- what is he going to show me?
Kazuma: What's a wife's worst nightmare?
Hotaru: ; oh, god...