Serena was up earlier than usual the next morning. "Off and running already?" Kaden asked as she sat down on the bed after a shower.
"Yep. Sorry," she apologized.
"It's OK. I figure it'll a few weeks before I actually get to see much of you," he said.
She smiled. "I want to try to have all of this organized before the baby comes so I can spend time with you and it," she said.
"If anyone can do it, you can. I have to go to Mars today anyhow, and hand the reins over to Rei. That should be fun," he said.
"Promise me you'll be careful?" she asked.
"I promise I won't kill my little sister," he said.
"That's what I wanted to hear. I love you, Kaden," she said and kissed him.
He kissed her back. "I love you too, Sere," he said and pulled her down onto the bed and kissed her again.
"Mmm, as much as I'd love nothing more than to continue this, I can't, Love," she said.
"I know. If you get a chance to breathe today, come find me," he said.
"I will, I promise," Serena said.
She got up and walked over to the vanity and started to work on her hair. Kaden got up and took the brush out of her hand. He gently pulled the knots from her tangled hair. "I can't stand to see you ripping a brush through your hair," he said.
"I know, but it goes faster," she said as she applied a little makeup.
"I love you, Sere, I really do, but sometimes you make no sense," he said.
She smiled. "Of course not, I make dollars," she joked. He laughed. He finished her hair and she started to pull it up. She changed her mind, and parted it down the middle. Slowly and carefully, she pulled it up into the royal hairstyle. When she was done, she just sat there for a minute, realizing that she did look a lot like her mother.
"You're not her" Kaden said softly from behind her.
"I know," Serena said as she stood.
"At least you wear something other than a dress all the time," he said.
She smiled. "You're right there. You don't think I'm underdressed do you?" she asked.
"No, Love, not at all," he said and kissed her cheek.
Luna looked up when she came down the stairs. She smiled. "Good morning, Serena. You look wonderful," she said.
"Thanks. I wasn't going to do it. I changed my mind at the last minute," she said.
"I see. It's longer than I thought it would be," Luna said.
"I know. I have to have Michelle cut it before she leaves today. I'm starving. Please tell me there's food," she said.
"Of course. What would you like?" Luna asked.
"Waffles, bacon, and eggs," Serena requested.
"I'll have someone bring it out to you. I assume you'll be in your office?" Luna asked.
"Yes. Can you send someone for Lita in about an hour please? I need to talk with her this morning," Serena said.
"Sure. Will you be needing anything else this morning?" Luna asked.
"Coffee. Make sure it's strong please. I've gotten use to Lita's version of it, and we all know how strong it is," Serena said.
"Oh yes. I will have some made with the Jovian beans then," Luna said.
"Luna, one more thing," she said.
"Yes?" she asked.
"After we get this all straightened out, take a day off. You need it," Serena said.
"I will Serena," she said and left the room.
Serena walked into her office and sat down. Coffee appeared, along with a tray of food, a few minutes later. Serena smiled. Luna had added strawberries, her favorite. "Tell Luna I said thank you," she said to the young maid. The young maid nodded and curtseyed before she left. Serena sighed. That was another thing he would have to undo. She hated their uniforms. Her phone rang and she answered it.
"Hey, I heard the most interesting rumor that one of my good friends finally found her way home," a familiar male voice came over the line.
"Long time, no hear from Seyia. What's up?" she asked.
"I heard you found your sisters and got the rest of your memories back," he said.
"I wouldn't be here otherwise," Serena said.
"True. So how are things? The last time we saw any of you, you were still teenagers," he said. "Well, let's see. I have two daughters that are eight, which reminds me, they should be getting up and ready for school. I married Kaden and have another one on the way," she said.
"Eight, huh? That would have made you, what? Eighteen?" he asked.
"Barley. We turned eighteen five days before they were born," she said.
"That's cutting it close," Seyia said.
"So I've been told. Darien was the reason I left Japan. He and the girls voted me out as their leader, and I couldn't deal. Kaden offered me a way out, so I took it. I moved to the States with him and Erin. I finished school and continued to model. I didn't tell Darien before I left because he wouldn't talk to me. I suppose I should slow down," she said.
"Yeah, start at the beginning," he said.
She started at the beginning, and explained everything. "Damn. I would have killed him for you," Seyia said.
"Kaden and Erin both offered, but I wouldn't let them. It turned out fine in the end though. The little ladies adore him. Speaking of which, they just walked in. Hold on," she said and set the phone down. "Did you both eat?" she asked.
"Yes. We came in to tell you good morning," Rini said.
"Good morning. I love you both. Have a good day at school, and behave," Serena said.
"We will, I promise," Grace said as the went behind the desk to give her a hug and kiss.
"Will you be here when we get home?" Rini asked.
"Yes, Rini, I will. I'll probably still be in here. I have a lot of things to do today," she said. "Love you, Mama. We'll be good," Grace said, and they left.
Serena picked up the phone. "Still there?" she asked.
"Of course," he said.
"They came in to try to get out of going to school. They get bored," she said.
"Sound like you," he said.
"I know. They're a year ahead of everyone, and they still get bored once in awhile," Serena said.
"They sound like pretty good kids. As much as I'm sure we'd love to continue this conversation, we both have work to do. You more than I. I'll call you later, OK?" he asked.
"Yeah, I have to go find Kaden before he takes off for the day anyhow. He's handing the reins over to Rei," she said.
"Joy. Should be fun doing business with her," he said, trying not to laugh.
"She's gotten better," Serena said.
"I'll believe it when I see it," he said.
"You'll have to come visit some time then. Bring that gorgeous wife of yours, too, and tell her I said hi. She should be standing there by now," Serena said
He laughed. "Here. She wants to say hi," he said and handed her the phone.
"Hi, Serena, how are things?" she asked.
"Getting better. It was great to hear from you both this morning. It reminded me that I do have other friends out there," she said.
She laughed softly. "You take care of yourself and we'll come visit some time. Seyia was telling me you have twin daughters. I'd love to meet them," she said.
"They'd love to meet you. Don't wait too long, or I'll be a balloon when you see me," Serena said.
"We'll come one of these weekends when we all can get together. How does a month from this weekend sound?" she asked.
"Perfect. I'll let you both go now. Take care," Serena said.
"You take care, too, Serena," she said and they hung up.
Serena smiled and shook her head. "Busy?" Kaden asked, sticking his head in the door.
"No, not yet. I just got off the phone with Seyia and his wife. Word sure does travel fast around here," Serena said.
"I know. I take it the girls tried to wriggle out of going to school?" he asked.
"Yes. Rini more than Grace. Are you leaving already?" Serena asked.
"Yeah. I have to go now. I came in to tell you I love you and I'll think of you today," he said.
"I love you, too. No strangling Rei now," she said.
"I won't. I promise. When are they coming to visit?" he asked.
"A month from this weekend, for the whole weekend. I'll tell Luna in a little bit. Call me when you get there so I know that you arrived safely," she said.
"I will. I love you, Serena," he said.
"I love you, too, Kaden. Will you be back tonight?" she asked.
"I doubt it. I'll be home tomorrow some time for sure. I'll let you know," he said. She nodded, and he kissed her long and passionately. "I'll call. I promise," he said.
"OK. If you see your sister before you leave, send her in here please," she said.
"I will. Love you," he said.
"Love you, too," she said and he left.
Lita came in just after he left. "You wanted to see me?" she asked.
"Sit," Serena said. Lita sat. "Don't worry, I'll make it short. Seyia and his wife will be coming for the weekend at the beginning of next month. I need you to make me a decent menu please. Oh, the original reason I called you in here is that we need a coffee contract. I know we didn't have one before, but we're going to now. It will benefit both of us," Serena said as they got down to business.
"OK. I'll draw it up and fax it to you," Lita said.
"Thanks, Lita. You're a genius," Serena said.
"Should I send Luna in here? We've drained the coffee," Lita said.
"Please," Serena said.
Lita nodded and stood. She walked out the door and sent Luna in. "She looks happy," Luna said as she came in.
"She is. We get Jovian coffee and she gets moon pearls," Serena said.
"Sounds like a good trade to me," Luna said as she switched coffee containers.
"Do you have real blood, or is it coffee?" Luna asked.
"It's coffee. She even bleeds it," Lilly joked as she came in.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Ring when you need more," Luna said.
"I will. Thanks, Luna," Serena said, and Luna left.
"Am I in trouble?" Lilly asked.
"Nope. I just wanted to see how you were doing this morning. Is your stomach agreeing with you yet?" Serena asked.
"Yes, actually it is. I'm not liking the teleporting. It makes me nauseous. I'm not sure I can handle going with Lita to Jupiter," Lilly said.
"I talked to her about that already. We're not going to let you go. You'll have to stay here with us," Serena said.
"I figured you'd say that," Lilly said.
"So you'll stay, right?" Serena asked.
"Yes," Lilly answered.
"Good. Maybe you can help me get this stuff sorted," Serena said.
Lilly smiled. "Coffee first," she said.
"Be my guest. It's good, too," Serena said as Lilly poured herself and Serena a cup.
"Does it seem weird to think of yourself as a queen?" she asked.
"Yes. All my life, I've been a princess, and now, all the sudden, I've been promoted to queen," Serena said.
"Well you don't look any different. Just your hair. Which, by the way, Michelle said she'd be back in a couple days, and cut it for you then," Lilly said.