Hi all! Another short chapter, sorry, writer's block.

This chapter is dedicated to:

Solace Flower

Who the last chapter was originally going to be dedicated to, but sorry, family takes precedence in my life.

Captain Blackett:

AHA! I found you out! I always do wonder who reads my fic without reviewing. And now I know one more person that reads it… Oh, and yes, you still will get the sneak peek for next week.

AKAFredandGeorge:

Sorry, you got beat out by Captain Blackett, but check the bottom for another chance!

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Katrina sprawled on her cot in the servants' quarters, glad for a rest after a hard day at work. It had been almost three months since that first day. She had discovered that Millie, as she like to be called, ran a very tight and tidy household. She expected no less than excellence but was a very fair and pleasant sort of person. Which earned her the respect of the staff, causing smooth running of most matters.

Katrina allowed herself to fall into a deep sleep.

Oomf! A soft heavy object landed squarely on Katrina's stomach, an object that quickly scrambled off, then started tugging incessantly at her hand, repeating "Kitty, up! Kitty, up!" in a determined voice.

Katrina groaned and covered her head with her pillow mumbling "Not today, Sera, it's my day off."

The pillow was abruptly snatched from her possession accompanied by a stern voice. "Oh no you don't. You promised to go into town with me today, and I want to get there before it gets too hot to walk."

Reluctantly Katrina rolled onto her back and peered up at her momentary antagonist. Seeing that Rachel was indeed already up and dressed in burgundy trimmed cream dress rather than her customary gray maid's uniform, Katrina grumbled a grudging "Give me a minute. I just woke up." While Sera continued her chant, only now she was jumping on Katrina's mattress, white-gold curls bouncing.

Rachel laughed and caught an airborne Sera around the waist in mid jump, carrying her out of the room. "Twenty minutes, or I'll send Sera back in here!" Rachel called over her shoulder.

Knowing from pervious experience that it was no idle threat, Katrina stood with a stretch and a yawn, regarding her "to town" clothes, or in other words, anything besides her maid's uniform. Hanging on a few pegs nailed into the wall where three of the uniforms and two other dresses, which showed some of Rachel's skill with a needle, evidenced in the addition of any form of red, the woman's favorite color.

After a moments hesitation, Katrina decided on an azure dress, the hem embroidered with minuscule scattered scarlet and deep sapphire flowers, with more sprinkled over the skirt.. She washed her face and was just finishing tying back her hair when Sera came charging through her doors again.

"Well, I hardly believe that was twenty minutes." Katrina directed a playful glare at the little girl, who just giggled and started pulling on Katrina's hand again. With a sigh Katrina followed, pausing just long enough to make sure her door was closed.

"Good morning, Millie." she called once Sera had "led" her captive to the kitchens.

"Morning, Kitty." Millie replied, everyone at Bridgewood had adopted Sera's version of Katrina's name, mainly because they all doted on the adorably impish little creature. "Your breakfast is getting fixed for you." She pointed to already Sera smothering toast with butter and strawberry jam, which she handed to Katrina.

"Thank you, precious." Katrina took a bite and ruffled Sera's hair, which only succeeded in her hand being caught once more, but this time she was towed towards the door.

"Good bye, Millie." Katrina said with a laugh.

"Have a nice time in town, dear." Millie replied with an amused twinkle in her eye.

Once out the door, Sera released Katrina's hand and bounced up to her mother. "All here?" Rachel asked, Sera gave her a vigorous nod. "Lets go then." She started forward, Katrina falling into step with her, Sera in-between them.

"What do you need in town?" Katrina asked finishing off her piece of toast.

"Oh, cloth, trim, ribbon, thread, and a few more odds and ends." Rachel replied counting off the items on her fingers.

"Sounds like more sewing."

"Well, Sera is growing so fast, she'll need new cloths soon. Besides, my little girl has a birthday coming up, don't you sweetheart?"

Sera beamed an angelic smile at her mother.

"Is that so?" at Sera's nod Katrina continued. "How old are you going to be?"

Sera held up two little fingers.

"My, what a big girl you will be!" she exclaimed, which caused Sera's smile to grow wider.

The little village came into view, Sera skipping ahead happily, going straight for the bakery.

"I guess she has her priorities in order. " Katrina smiled.

" She does have very strong opinions on the order of our business." Rachel replied, sharing a grin with Katrina.

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OK, not very exciting, but I like how it turned out.

Reviews are as good as smoothies NOT made by frat boys (don't ask).

Sneak peek for next week goes to the first person who can correctly tell me where this line comes from:

"Unfortunately I cannot. Business, you see."