"Sere, we should have a party. We've been back for almost four years, and still haven't had one," Lilly suggested as she lay her head in Serena's lap.
Serena unconsciously played with her hair. "I don't know. I'm not one for big soirees," Serena said.
"I remember when Mom used to drag us to those things," Erin said from across the room as they watched a movie.
"Lord yes. All the dresses and decorations. I remember Lil and I always put up a fight, trying to get out of going," Rei said.
"It could be fun though. None of our kids have ever been to anything like that," Lita said from her comfortable position on her husband's lap.
"Leave it to you, Lita, to think of it like that," Mina said.
"I don't know. Maybe Lita's right. It was always a rite of passage for us. When we were young we looked forward to the day we could all go. It wasn't until we became marriage meat that it stopped being fun. I do believe those times have changed," Amy said.
"I have to say, speaking for us guys, it was always fun seeing all of you dressed in the best that money could buy," Darien said. Setsuna rolled her eyes and gave him a gentle push. He laughed, and pulled her closer.
"Mmm, look how far we've come, guys. It seems like just yesterday we were dreading getting up and facing the daily rigors of going to high school and college," Kaden said.
"I hear that," Serena said.
"That's because, until I figured out what was wrong, you hated school," Amy said.
"It was boring," Serena agreed.
"Hey, Mama, what were the galas like when you were growing up?" Rini asked.
"Hmm, they were fun at first. Until our parents decided that we needed to marry at least. I remember our first ball. It was magical. Erin and I were I think nine. Everyone else was ten and older. We went three months before the ball to pick out fabric for our gowns" Serena said.
"I remember everyone got the same kind of fabric in different colors except your mom. She found this gorgeous silver fabric. It was iridescent, and had glitter on it. Her mom told her that the fabric was too old for her. It was more suited for someone around thirteen," Rei said.
"Your mom let herself be drug away, and measured, and flashed with yards of gorgeous fabric. She didn't like any of them, though she never said a word," Lilly said.
"She just let her mother do whatever she wanted. She kept her eyes on the silver fabric the whole time though. The seamstress finally caught her staring at the fabric," Mina said.
"She walked over to it, picked it up, and brought it back over to where Serena was. She actually smiled for the first time since having been drug away from the fabric," Lita said.
"Serenity said absolutely not. The seamstress ignored her, and wrapped the fabric around your mom. It was sensational. It looked better than any of the other fabrics they'd tried," Amy said.
"Finally, after seeing me in it, my mom gave in and ordered my dress in it. The day of the ball our dresses showed up. Everyone's was perfect except mine. My mother had ordered something entirely different from what had been delivered. Unfortunately, the seamstress was nowhere to be found. My mother was furious. She had no choice but to let me wear the gown. After I put it on, I never wanted to take it off. It was the most gorgeous thing I'd ever been allowed to wear," Serena said.
"When we were announced, all eyes turned our way," Setsuna said.
"One by one, we descended the stairs," Michelle said.
"We were the light of the ball," Heather said.
"Serena was the best dressed though," Holly chimed in.
"Yeah, everyone talked for weeks about how gorgeous she was," Darien said.
"Our mother was furious that Serena had been the belle of the ball, and not her for once. She never was again after that either," Erin said.
"Was the seamstress ever found?" Grace asked.
"Yes. She turned up just in time for the next ball. I think by the time your mother was thirteen, our mom had given up on trying to get her to wear what she wanted. The only other time that your mother ever wore that fabric was the last ball that was ever had here," Setsuna said.
"The one right before the final battle, right?" Grace asked. They nodded.
"Hey, I thought we watching a movie," Risk said.
"Were is the operative word there," Rini said, and pushed herself up off the floor and left the room. Grace rolled her eyes and followed Rini.
"The movie was almost over anyhow, and it's nothing we haven't seen half a million times," Erin said.
"I'm very well aware of that, but its still a good movie," Risk said.
Lita laughed. "I swear, he sounds more like you everyday," she said.
Erin shook his head in disagreement. "If anything, he's hard-headed like you" Erin said.
"Ironically, I have to agree with him," Lilly said, sitting up.
"Mark it on the calendar, they actually agreed on something," Ariana said. Everyone laughed. Erin tossed a pillow at his sister. She laughed and threw it back. "I don't know. I think a ball would be fun. We had them where I grew up, and they weren't horrible," Ariana said.
"I'll think about it. I'll have to talk to Kaden when he comes back," Serena said and went to her room.
"Which means it'll probably never happen unless we all keep on her about it," Lilly said. "Where is Kaden anyhow?" Erin asked.
"Middle Mars, arguing with Jason," Rei answered.
"About?" Lilly asked.
"Something he did or said," Rei answered.
"You two OK?" Lita asked.
"As far as I know, we are," Rei answered.
"Good. I would hate for the two of you to break up," Lilly said. Everyone agreed.
"All right then, same time, same planet, next week?" Serena asked, rejoining them.
"Sounds good to us," Mina said. They all agreed, and went their separate ways.
"Lilly's right. We should have a ball. I can worry about the menu. Mina can do the guests. Amy can help organize with Ariana. You could be picky about the decorations, or we can let Lilly do it. Rei will keep everyone in line and moving on schedule, and the guys can help wherever they're needed," Lita tried.
"Yeah. You could take the kids and go shopping with Sets. Heather and Michelle can worry about the music. Holly can keep everyone from having a nervous meltdown under Rei's directions. Besides, now that the ballroom and Great Hall are officially refinished, it would be great to use them. Come on, Sere, please?" Lilly begged.
"I stand firm. I will think about it and get back to you as soon as Kaden and I talk it over," Serena said.
"In the meantime, will you think about a color scheme and things?" Lilly asked.
"Look, ladies, if we do this it will be blue, red, and silver. There will be roses of varying colors and styles, along with lillies strung together with Moon Pearls, and everything with just a hint of holiday cheer," Serena said.
"You've already thought about this, haven't you?" Lilly asked.
"I've given it a great deal more thought than most people would think. I'm going out for a walk in the gardens. Please leave me be," Serena said and excused herself.
Kaden found her sitting on the bench by the fountains. "Hey, gorgeous, what are you thinking about?" he asked.
"You. How'd things go with Jas?" she asked.
"Good. He's finally starting to understand where we stand on the issue. How was movie night?" he asked.
"Good for the most part. Lilly and the girls are conspiring with each other to try to get me to host a ball. They want to show the universe, that once and for all, it has leaders again," Serena said.
"What did you tell them?" he asked.
"That I would think about it, and talk it over with you when you came home. What do you think about it?" Serena asked.
"I think that it could be long, tedious, and boring if it's not planned right. I know you have a plan in mind, and we've talked about it before. I think that you should do it, Sere. I really do. In the end, it's entirely up to you," Kaden said.
"Thanks, Kaden, you're a real big help, you know that?" she asked.
"I try. How are the kids?" he asked.
"I checked on them shortly before I came out. The girls are in their room getting ready for bed and the boys are sleeping like angels," Serena said.
"Well I'm glad you had a good evening. I'm going to go inside before I freeze," Kaden said. Serena smiled and watched him walk off.
"You know, for someone who has everything a person could ever ask for, you certainly don't look happy," an old voice said.
"I'm happy to an extent. I love my family and my friends, but I don't like ruling. I don't like who I am I guess," Serena said.
"Ahh, child, we never do. I never did either, but I got through it. Pretty soon, those two girls of yours will be all grown up, and then they'll be ready to rule. Gracey will make a fine moon queen. You just wait and see. That Rini of yours will make a great Earth queen, too. They'll be great rulers and then you can go back to the life you were born in. You should talk to Kaden about this sadness of yours. He'll understand. Your friends might, too." she said.
"Do you think I'm being selfish, Nana?" Serena asked.
"No I don't. I think that you're trying your best to live up to your mothers standards, and she isn't even here to see it. You're being too hard on yourself. Lighten up and take a break from it all. Come back when your ready. You are the light of the universe, my little sugarplum. The universe needs you. In fact, I think it the whole cosmos needs you. Be light, my sugarplum. Take care. I'll be watching," she said and vanished. Serena smiled, feeling better than she had in a long time. She walked back into the palace.
"Hey, you look better than you did when I left. Did you figure something out?" Kaden asked. "Yes, that when Grace takes over the throne, I'm leaving," Serena said.
"By yourself?" he asked.
"I have time, between now and then, to talk you into it," Serena said.
"I can tell you now that it won't take much. I think we need a vacation. All of us. For the holidays," Kaden said.
"Thank the gods I have someone on my side," Serena said.
"Sere, I've always been on your side. I love you. I always have and I always will." he said and pulled her into a passionate kiss. They didn't come up for air until the next morning.
"Good morning, beautiful," Kaden said as Serena woke up.
She smiled and stretched, feeling great. He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "I needed that," she said snuggling into the warmth of his chest.
"I think we both did, love. I love you, and as much as I'd like to spend the whole day in bed with you, we both have meetings this morning," Kaden said.
"Mmm, not for another two hours," Serena said. Kaden laughed and kissed her.
An hour and a half later, he woke her up again. "You really have to get up this time. We now only have half an hour 'til those meetings," Kaden said.
"I suppose. I want to check on the kids real quick anyhow. Besides, they cant start without me," she said. He smiled and they both headed for the bathroom and took a quick no nonsense shower. Serena left her still wet hair down and quickly ran a brush through it.
She peeked in on the boys. "Morning, Mama. You look pretty," Kane said.
"Thank you, sweetheart. You're quite good looking yourself," she said, and scooped him up and hugged him. "I love you," she said, squishing him.
"Love you, too, Mama. Where's Daddy?" he asked.
"He'll be in in a minute. He was getting dressed when I left," Serena said and put him down. She walked over to where Keith was trying to pull himself up on a rocking horse and scooped him up. He squealed with delight. She smiled and kissed all over his face until he was laughing. She held him close to her chest, reveling in his baby smell. The nursery maid, Eileen, watched unnoticed from the corner. She'd been handpicked from a thousand applicants. Her references all checked out and she had no criminal record. She'd been in the baby business for twenty years and had five children of her own that all sang her praises.
Serena put Keith back down on the floor gently. "Good morning, Mistress Serena. Running a little late this morning, aren't we?" she asked.
"Yes, but I have to see them. They're more important then any meeting. How were the girls this morning?" she asked.
"Grace was no trouble. Rini, however, refused to get out of bed again today. I believe she's still there. I told her when she could grow up and act like a young lady, then she could have her breakfast. Until then, I told her to either get dressed and go to her lessons or stay in her room until you came to her. I've told her I won't put up with her tantrums," Eileen said.
"I don't blame you. She's ten, not six. She'll have to stay there until after my meeting. When Grace is done with her school lessons, tell her she may have the rest of the day to herself, and to let me know if she leaves the palace grounds. I expect she may want to go see her father, which I don't have a problem with. Other than that, I'll see you this afternoon at three, and you can take the weekend off. I have no plans except to spend time with all my children," Serena said.
"Thank you, Mistress Serena. But tomorrow is Friday," she reminded her.
"Three day weekend also," Serena countered. That was her polite way of saying that she could handle her children for three days without help. This wasn't a rare occurrence either. She'd do it in the middle if the week if she got what Eileen called 'kid sick' and started missing her children. She didn't mind. Either way, she was paid from eight to five every day, even if she didn't work it.
Serena gave both boys one last lingering hug and joined Kaden, who waited for her at the door, and who'd already said his good mornings to both boys. "What's going on with Rini?" he asked.
"She refused to get up and go to school this morning, so she's still in her room. She can stay there until after my meetings, then I'll go and find out what's going on. This is where we part ways. I love you, I'll see you in a couple hours," she said and kissed him real quick.
"Love you, too, Sere," he said, and they parted directions.
"You're late," Rei pointed out as Serena sat down.
"No, you're just early," Serena teased. Rei smiled.
"You smell like baby powder," Lilly commented.
"I had to go see them before I came in. I'm having child withdrawals today. Speaking of withdrawals, ring for coffee please," she said.
"Already done. She's on her way with it," Erin said.
"You're a saint," Serena told her brother.
"No, I just know my sister," he said as the maid came in with two steaming pots of coffee.
She handed Serena her usual mug of coffee, and waited while she finished it off then poured her another one. "Thank you, that will be all," Serena said and dismissed her. The maid nodded respectfully and left. Serena looked through her notes. "Blah, blah, blah. Why are we here anyhow?" she asked, looking at Lilly. Lilly handed her a folder of contracts that had to be discussed, and sighed. "Blah, boring. All right, let's get down to business, shall we?" she asked.