The next day dawned bright and clear. Serena groaned as the light hit her still closed eyes. "Up and at 'em, milady," Luna said as she opened the curtains.
"It's too early to get up, Luna," Serena whined like a child.
"Serenity, you have a meeting with Lita and the delegates in an hour," Luna reminded her.
"Reschedule," Serena said, pulling a pillow over her head.
Luna walked over to her bed and pulled the pillow off and tossed it on the floor. "Up, up, up," Luna said, throwing back the covers.
Serena groaned and sat up. "You win, Luna. I need coffee in my office in fifteen minutes, please," Serena said.
"It'll be there," Luna said.
Serena was beginning to hate mornings again. Especially when they started at six with a seven meeting. She quickly slipped out of bed, noticing the arguing had had no effect on Kaden. It never did. "You can't sleep all day," Serena said as she walked to the closet.
Kaden groaned and rolled onto his back. "Who took all the covers?" he asked sleepily.
"Luna did when she was in here a few minutes ago to make sure I got up," Serena answered as she pulled on a business suit.
"You make anything look sexy, Love," Kaden said.
Serena smiled. "Don't forget, we have a meeting with Lita and the delegates in forty-five minutes," she said. He groaned. She smiled. "I know, me, too," Serena agreed with his groan.
He slipped out of bed, walked over to her, pulled her into his arms and kissed her lingeringly. "Keep that in mind for later," he said as he walked into his side of the closet and pulled out the proper attire.
Fully dressed and partially awake, they walked to her office. "Mmm, Luna, thank you for remembering food," Serena said as she sat down behind her desk and flipped on he computer. She sipped at the hot coffee feeling the caffeine revive her.
"You're welcome. Are you ready to go over the itinerary for today?" Luna asked.
"Yes. Please proceed," Kaden said as he took a bite of scrambled eggs. Luna ran down the entire schedule and Serena sighed as she finished. "Something wrong, Serena?" Kaden asked.
"No. Not really. I'll just be glad when we aren't scheduling sleep anymore. I am going to come up with some form of self-functioning government, should a ruler ever be absent from his or her seat for an extended period of time. They have to be gone at least a year before it will kick in though, and when an heir to the seat returns, they become idle once again," Serena said.
"Very good idea, Your Majesty," Lita said from the doorway.
Serena smiled. "I'm beginning to think that we never should have returned," Serena said. Lita laughed and sat down.
"Coffee?" Kaden asked her.
"Please," Lita said. He smiled and poured her a cup. "Mmm. Just like I make," Lita said.
"Can't have it any other way," Serena said as she polished off her bacon.
"Sorry to be here so early, but I couldn't sleep, and I was getting restless," Lita apologized.
"Have you eaten?" Luna asked.
"No. I figure I could whip something up after the meeting," Lita said.
"Nonsense. Olivia will bring you food," Luna said.
The maid curtseyed and disappeared. She returned a few minutes later with two trays of steaming food. "I brought extra for everyone because it looked like they were getting low," she said as she set the trays down on the desk.
"Very good," Luna said. The maid beamed, curtseyed, and left.
"She's new?" Lita asked.
"Yes, but very efficient. Knows when things are wanted before they're asked for. Good worker," Luna said.
"I take it she's a rare breed?" Lita asked.
"Yep. Squeaky clean. This is her second job. She worked part time as a maid for Serena's brother. He wasn't using her to the best of her abilities, so Serena stole her," Kaden said.
Lita smiled. It sounded like Serena. "Thanks for breakfast, Luna. I appreciate it," Lita said as she polished off scrambled eggs and toast.
Lilly came in then, looking exhausted. "When this damn meeting is over, I'm crawling back into bed, and not coming out until I have to," she complained, plopping into a chair and putting her head in her arms.
"Poor baby," Kaden teased her. She lifted her head and shot him a dirty look.
"If looks could kill, Kaden, I believe you'd be dead," Darien said as he and Setsuna came in and sat down. "How are the girls this morning?" he asked.
"Still sleeping to my knowledge," Serena said.
"Mornin', Rena," Erin said as he walked in.
"What's the special occasion?" Serena asked.
"None. I just moved things around. You made this sound important," Erin said.
"It is sorta, but a warning would have been nice," Serena said.
"Don't worry, Rena. I'm too tired to argue with anyone, and too tired to care," Lilly's muffled voice came from the other side of the table.
Erin glanced at her. "What's your problem?" he asked.
Lilly turned her head in his direction. "Hmm, my problem is that I have been up most of the night bringing dinner back up. I slept for maybe two hours, and I feel like crap, and have no energy. Oh, and I blame Darien because he and Sets started the whole damn thing," she answered.
"And you're here because?" he asked.
"I have to be," she answered.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I told her she had to be here," Serena answered for Lilly. He raised an eyebrow at her.
She did the same, and Ariana walked into the room. "If you two are going to start fighting again, does that mean I can leave?" she asked.
"No. Besides, we're not fighting," Erin answered.
"Good. Because that would just prove that you're still smarting at the fact she has more power than you do," Ari said as she sat in an empty chair.
Rei walked in then. "What's going on?" she asked, taking a seat next to Ariana.
"They're arguing again," Lilly said.
"Oh. You OK, Lil?" Rei asked.
"Just peachy," Lilly answered.
"Stomach flu?" Rei asked. Lilly nodded. "Poor baby," Rei said soothingly.
"At least someone understands," Lilly said.
"Hey now, I understand. I'm just glad that it's not me anymore," Serena said.
"Pregnancy agrees with you," Lilly muttered.
"Patience, and Sets's amazing cure make everything great," Serena said.
Lilly smiled "I've tried what you gave me, and it doesn't work on me," Lilly said.
"You'll get over it," Kaden said.
"You know, just once I'd like to put you in my shoes," Lilly said.
"No thanks," Kaden said.
"OK, what's the topic of today's discussion?" Michelle asked as she and Heather walked in.
"Stomach flu," Kaden answered.
"Blah, boring," Heather said.
"Mmm, yes. Let's change subjects," Michelle agreed. The others straggled in shortly. The meeting lasted for three hours.
"I have a headache," Serena said.
"Sere, anyone would have a headache after that," Kaden said.
"Yay. We got done just in time for another meeting. I'll see you later, Kaden. I love you," Serena said and walked off in the direction of her next meeting. Finally, another two hours later, she had finished with meetings for the day.