Bethany slowly, mechanically lifted her left arm and gently pulled its length across her sweat-laden forehead. She then closed both her lovely, deep brown eyes and sighed profusely.

She was exhausted.

Most of the morning had she passed running to and fro throughout her mother-in-law's Inn which was in a state of necessary hurry.

And for a very good reason too: the day before, Sarah had received a letter of notice from the entire Interstellar High Realm Command.

(This was the highest-ranking contingent of male and female Admirals, Generals, Consuls and even Princes that presided over all military/defense matters throughout the Etherium).

Anyway, The High Command had requested comfortable lodgings for the space of two nights in the most reputable, desirable and best furnished establishment on the planet Montressor.

Thus, with so little time to prepare for the presence of the 25-member council, Sarah Hawkins had divided the preparations amongst all the inn-workers.

(This also meant the former floozies-turned-waitresses/stewardess's who'd accepted employment at the Benbow after Sarah's son, Jim Hawkins, had deposed their old, murderous master and closed down forever their old-and-ruinous brothel.)

Some were allocated to preparing the guestrooms: straightening and neatening the beds, sofas, seats, tables, nightstands; some had stocking the mini-bars with spirits, clean glasses, napkin and condiments; 6 were set to organizing, stocking and washing the bathrooms; last was polishing the wood surfaces and preparing the fireplaces.

Sarah herself would oversee the work while helping Silver and B.E.N. along with Amelia and her three daughters, Olivia, Andrea and Chloe, with buying, cooking and preparing the massive purchases of food she would make.

Bethany, along with her 5 year-old triplets Faith, Samantha and Samuel were relegated some of the housecleaning chores for the day: sweeping, moping, dusting and spot-washing the walls, doorways, windows, mirrors and doors themselves. Three of the waitresses (Tammy, Roberta and Rebecca by name) volunteered themselves to each of the children so their mother could focus on her share without losing time to supervise her little ones.

And so everyone set about their tasks that very afternoon…

…and worked all that day…

…until the afternoon of the next.

Right now, it was two hours past midday and Bethany had just completed her requisite work. Every glass surface to be found throughout the Inn had been carefully washed and polished to absolute perfection, the rooms were fully aired, freshened, stocked and lovingly scented with pressed-and-dried flowers and all the floors were spotless.

All that was needed now were the guests…and they would be along later that evening.

"Mother," Bethany called to Sarah as she opened the kitchen door and poked her head in, "All is done and ready." "Oh Good, Beth," Sarah turned around and answered from where she stood in front of the bread oven. The older woman saw the weariness in her daughter-in-law's tender brown eyes and the manner in which her soft and lovely lips sank. And Sarah had compassion on Bethany.

"Here Beth," Sarah spoke quietly as she walked over to the young dark-red headed princess (Author's Note: If you've never read The One who rattles the Stars, you may find some portions here a little confusing.. "Let me take your apron and you go on upstairs, get washed up and rest."

So, Beth allowed her Mother-in-law to untie and remove her mud-brown work apron before leaving the kitchen and slowly trudging up the stairs to Jim's and her room. Once there, she stoked and replenished the fireplace before filling two metal pitchers and hanging them on the fire spit. That done, she sighed heavily and began to undress by the light of the growing flames.

Right now, she was beginning to feel grateful that Jim had brought the triplets with him to work this day; as much as they'd done their part in the chores well enough, they tired easily of housecleaning and were begging her and Jim last night for something different. So, Samuel, Samantha and Faith got to go to help at the shipyards with daddy and mommy was left to have some time alone.

Grasping the handles with two wool mittens, Beth removed the now-hot metal water pitchers and carried them into the bathroom. There, she poured out the steaming-hot clear liquid into the large metal bathtub. To cool and fill up the tub, she pulled down on the water spigot handle to dispense cooler water. Once the level and temperature suited her fair skin, she slowly removed her petticoat and bodice, tossed them together onto the floor and gingerly stepped in.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh," she breathed ever so gratefully as the warmth began to penetrate her tired muscles as she sat and stretched her legs out full-length. With just her head above this pool of heaven-like respite, Beth slowly let her eyelids fall and laid her head back 'til her rich, smooth luxurious hair fell to touch the polished wood floor. With nothing but warmth and silence enveloping her, Bethany lay this way for a long time…until…she began to succumb to her greatest need in this moment and was totally asleep.

"We're Home," Leland called out as he, his son Jim and his three grandchildren tramped inside by the front door followed by an equally-tired Morph. "Oh Leland, Jim," Sarah exclaimed as she came out from the kitchen, "I'm so glad you all made it in time." She embraced and kissed her husband, son and grandchildren with fervor. "Well now," Sarah then said as she straightened up and looked at the grandfather clock in the far left corner of the room, "We've only got an hour until our guests are here, so you all go on upstairs and get ready." "Right Mom," Jim answered a little sluggishly before leading his boy and girls up the stairs. Morph even floated over to Sarah to slowly nuzzle her cheek with a low trill before heading after his friends.

When he'd seen the children off to their baths, Jim left them in their room they all shared and crossed the hallway to his and Beth's. But as he tried to push open the door, he found it shut by the latch. Jim lowered his work bag off his shoulder and tried to turn the latch—no luck, it was locked. So he knocked on the door and waited. "Beth?", he called. No answer. "Sigh…Morph?" The little shape shifter nodded and turned into a key that fit the keyhole perfectly. Jim then opened the door but as he entered, he didn't see his wife anywhere. That is, until he turned and looked into the bathroom. "Hey Beth," he called softly with a little cheer. But the sleeping girl slumbered on.

"Samantha, Faith," young Samuel called through the bathroom door, "My turn in the tub now." "Not yet, Samuel," called back Faith, "We have to dry our hair first and get on our bathrobes and slippers." He groaned a bit and walked away a few steps. "Why do girls always have to hog the bathroom?" he muttered. "I heard that!" Samantha called out in a sing-song voice. "Whatever," Samuel called back.

Just then there was a knock at the bedroom door. "Samuel," came his daddy's voice, "Can you open the door, please?" Samuel moved to the door and undid the bolt so Jim could enter. "Daddy, the girls are taking a long time in the bath and the water's getting cold." "Don't worry, Sam," Jim said as he bent down to look his son in the eye, "If you want more hot water, you just ask me and I'll bring over some just for you to have a hot bath, okay?" "Okay."

Just then, the bathroom door opened and the sisters came out in their pj's, bathrobes and rabbit-fur slippers as they both were brushing their teeth. "Girls, come over here: I need to tell you and Samuel something." "Wa es et, 'Ady?" Faith asked with toothpaste and toothbrush still in her mouth. "Oh wait, here," Jim said as he stood up and walked over to Samuel's bed upon which he sprawled on his left side. He patted the comforter, a signal for them to join him there. Once they all were set and comfortable, Jim shared his plan with them.

Author's Note: Here's Something I've been wanting to do for a long while: a story that focuses on Jim's and Bethany's Love for each other and How Beautiful Love can be at just the right time and in so many god and perfect ways .