Ever hear of writer's block? Yeah I recently received a bad case of it and I'm currently struggling to find a source of inspiration to write, but it's slowly all coming back. Please bear with me. ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own any Sailor Moon characters

Chapter 15: A Few Bundles of Joy

Lita sat at the dining room table with her eldest brother pacing about. Her parents had already yelled at her and then she had her siblings rip her apart moment after moment during the trip to Nephrite's castle. Her brother, Talos, stopped pacing and stood directly in front of her.

"I cannot believe you!" he exclaimed, slamming his palms down onto the thick table. Lita never flinched. "Mother and father did not raise you to marry whom you want! Did we teach you nothing? Has this earthly court destroyed your train of thought?"

"I am the youngest of the family and I am a woman—"

"Meaning we can marry you off to whomever we want!"

The brunette shook her head in a mocking way and then stood up, "I am married, I am with child, and it's over. There is nothing you can do to change the circumstances."

"Oh yes there is," he warned. "Your child will be deemed illegitimate and you will be removed from the succession to the throne officially."

"Like it matters. There are ten of you ahead of me!"

Talos grimaced and threw his hands up in the air. He stalked out of the room and was about to leave the premises completely when he ran into Nephrite coming back from hunting that afternoon. The two men stared at one another, neither of them backing down.

Nephrite stepped toward Talos and said, "I love your sister."

"Don't try to make this sentimental. You've disgraced our family."

"I have done no such thing. I have made her into a true lady!"

Talos stepped toward Nephrite and whispered into his ear, "Was that before or after she stopped her bleeding?"

The long haired lord couldn't answer him though; he only stood there with his mouth hung agape and his brow knitted together. He closed his widely opened lips and then strolled into the living room where his wife was sitting. She seemed upset, as was expected. He sat down beside her, wrapped his arm around her bare shoulders, and listened to what she had to say.

"I've disappointed my family, I've angered my queen … what's left for me?"

Nephrite pressed his palm against her stomach and said, "This."

She tossed him a smile and then snuggled up against his chest. Everything would be alright. Her queen would surely change her mind after a while. She just needed to cool her temper down a little bit like any angered politician.

Rei sat in the drawing room with the fire flickering in front of her as she stitched a beautifully well made veil that she was planning on wearing that Sunday for the large mass that had been scheduled. The whole royal staff was going to attend a large church service to pray to a few gods of the heavens and the iconic Goddess of the Moon for an heir to be quickly produced within the womb of the new queen.

Jadeite was announced to enter the quarters, but it didn't deter Rei from her sewing project. She continued to stitch red sequins into her veil as he stepped in front of her.

"Yes, you're grace?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I have heard that her majesty has consummated her marriage," he said.

"Yes and the two royals keep consummating," she replied. "They haven't left their chambers yet and have requested for food to be delivered there."

Jadeite sat down on the end of the couch and cocked his head to the side, "You believe they are making love during this whole time?"

"My lord … just walk by there and you can hear the giggling, moaning, and groaning."

After a short pause within their conversation, Jadeite asked, "Is it true that the queen is jealous of the recently dismissed lady for being with child before her?"

"Lita married a man of lower status than her! She is a princess! People tend to forget that. She was dismissed from court based on what her family would have wanted. They need to regroup themselves."

"But considering the long line of princes that are ahead of her, will she ever gain attendance to the throne of Jupiter?"

"No she will not."

"Then why all of this uproar over her marriage to a fairly well known and highly regarded general of the earthly court?"

"She is a useful pawn in any alliance with other planetary governments," she commented. "Now that she is married and with child, she is useless to her family."

"Is she also useless to the queen?"

"No. She just needs to slap Lita a little bit and put her in her place."

"It sounds like you are the one, my lady, who has orchestrated this whole scandal."

Rei placed her stitch work down on the table in front of her and said, "I am not the one who was married in secret."

"Do you not think that maybe Lita has destroyed Nephrite's reputation?"

"He has a reputation other than being a sex crazed maniac with nothing better to do but run after pretty skirts?" she inquired.

"You have quite the tongue, my lady."

"So I've been told on many occasions."

"Is this why you haven't been married?"

Her sharp violet eyes snapped to him quickly and she hissed, "My tongue is why I have chose not marry. No man can withstand me nor would I want to be held back."

Jadeite couldn't help but laugh at her and stood up to his feet. He stepped toward her, bowed, and reached for her hand to kiss. She uncontrollably blushed at the touch of his lips to her skin. She looked away and tried to hide it, but Jadeite caught it easily enough. He brushed his knuckles against her cheek before leaving her presence.

"I will see you later tonight, my lady. I hope you will save a dance for me."

He bowed again and exited promptly. The moment that his presence was missing from the room, her mind was filled with the whispering thoughts from the surrounding servants. She glared at them and snapped her fingers for them to leave immediately. They did as they were told, but she was still left with unease. She always felt so calm around Jadeite … what did this mean exactly? Would she be a hypocrite and fall for a general much like her fellow lady in waiting? She should hope not.

After about an hour of meditation, the feisty Princess of Mars was met with her brother. He sat down beside her at the fire and clasped his hands together as he prayed next to her.

"How are you dear sister?" he asked.

"I am distraught."

"Distraught?"

"You are not married yet!" she shouted.

"I am still young."

"You are still stupid! What if you are killed? Then what? I cannot leave my post that I have promised to the queen! You know that."

"Calm yourself, sister. I will be wedded when I see fit."

"When do you leave?"

"Can't wait to see me off already?"

"You make me uncomfortable…"

"As a brother should."

She stood up to her feet and nodded to him slightly before turning around and exiting the room. She could only stand to be around her beloved sibling for so long and especially during this tumultuous time, she wanted no more of him. He was stubborn much like herself and all she wanted was for him to listen to reason. Did he not see the importance of having an heir to the throne? Everyone else at court did, the newly deemed king and queen included.

Four months later…

Endymion sat at the tall, long table with his generals as they continued to discuss the papers and whether or not Nephrite and Lita could finally come back to court. Lita was showing tremendously and it would surely cause even more of a scandal than what was already going around. For the time being, they all presumed it would be best if she were to stay at the castle. As the discussion and heated debate wore on, a female ward came rushing into the room and bowed to the king.

"Yes, what is it? Why have you disrupted our meeting?" he asked, looking to the demure woman.

"Your majesty … your wife wishes for an audience with you," she explained.

"Can't it wait?" he replied lazily.

"No, it can't," a voice pierced through.

Serenity stepped into the room past the surrounding guards. She took Endymion's breath away every day that went by; he was so surprised that she always looked brand new. Now especially with their lively sex life, he was happy to see that he hadn't become bored with her in the slightest. By now, his conquests – particularly new ones – would start to become dull after a few rounds, but some how Serenity had managed to keep it fresh. New moves, different spots, and everything was spontaneous.

She walked up to her husband, knelt down and whispered into his ear, "I am officially with child."

He pulled back and asked quietly, "Your monthly times have stopped completely?"

"Yes," she nodded as he stood up. She turned to the rest of the group as he wrapped an arm around her and she declared, "So I expect that the succession will go to our child, no matter what, correct?" There was tense silence. Serenity pulled back from Endymion's grip and asked again, "You did discuss this with them, did you not?"

He looked between his lords and then back at his lady hesitantly, "My sweetheart … my own truest love—"

"Hold your sugar coated tongue," she snapped and then turned to Kunzite for answers. "Did he press to you all that it should not matter what the sex of the child is? He or she shall reign because they have our blood. His majesty proclaimed that he would discuss this with you."

"He did not bring up the matter, m'lady."

"I see." She looked back at her husband with glaring eyes, "Until you do, then you will have no reigning queen or possible heir around you. The ladies and I have planned a trip to visit the ever growing Lita, but how extended that vacation is will be up to your court and politics. Good day husband."

Once she had left, Zoisite made a snide comment, "Hot and cold, hot and cold. Temper, temper, my king. How do you tame her?"

"I don't."

"Clearly," Jadeite coughed.

"And how would you handle my situation, your grace? I have been asked by my highly powerful wife to change an extremely long standing way of life! Do I loose her in the process of keeping up with this tradition?"

"What was it exactly that she asked of you?"

"No matter what the sex of the first child, they shall rule. It would be based on age, not sex."

"That's a rather … outlandish request," Jadeite said.

"Is it? Some planets do it. Doesn't Jupiter do it?" Zoisite asked.

"I don't think so. They were just lucky to have a woman at the end of their long line of offspring," Endymion replied.

"I can see where she gets it from," Kunzite commented. "Look at the ladies she surrounds herself with and the mother she was raised by. Serenity won't back down from this."

"You don't think I already know this?" Endymion replied with a raised eyebrow.

"I am just saying that you should be careful with her. A temper like that could destroy whole stars," he stated.

"Well, considering how strong of a woman she is, would it really be that bad of a decision to instill this law?" Zoisite asked.

"What if your children don't end up like you?" Jadeite retorted.

"You take that risk anyways!" Kunzite replied. He looked at the king and stated, "Your offspring will turn out however they choose to. You of all people should know that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" the king asked saucily.

"Your parents never really raised you, your highness. Parents never really do raise royal children – it's a well known and expected. That's why we have tutors, wards, and nannies," he answered nonchalantly.

Endymion nodded in response and then stood back up to leave the room and tend to his wife. When he made it to their joint chambers, he found a bunch of flurrying maids packing her things away. Serenity sat on the edge of the bed, watching over them while eating a plate full of grapes and making sure no one broke anything while putting her delicate objects in her cases. Her bright blue eyes glided over to her husband the moment all of her maids curtsied in unison. She merely grinned popped another piece of fruit in past her lips. Endymion ordered for all of the women but his wife to leave immediately. They did his bidding.

"My lady," he whispered solemnly.

"Your majesty," she nodded.

He stepped toward her and knelt down, resting his head on her knees, "Please do not leave court like this."

"Endymion, I had asked you months ago on our consummated night together that you would do this and … and you didn't."

"It's a bit more difficult than just signing a document. Many people are against it," he argued as he lifted his head and body up.

"The people of the moon will not be."

"The people of the moon are for you and anything you do, that's why."

"I will leave you to convince your men, thus. I imagine you can persuade them easily enough," she declared.

"You overestimate my skills, it seems."

"And you underestimate mine. Endymion … I do not want the sex of our child to hinder our continuing reign! Do you know how frightful child bearing is? If I were to die—"

"Do not speak of it!"

"But it is true and you know it! If that were to happen, then I would want our child to be supported no matter what. If you cannot understand that, then we'll be in this roundabout fight forever," she sighed. Smoothing out her dress, she gestured to the door, "Now will you please leave me to finish packing? I leave in less than an hour."

"You're unbearable sometimes."

"I'm your wife all the time."

"I'll leave you to your wifely duties then," he replied ruefully, bowing to her. "Good day, my lady."

"Good day, your majesty."

"You're positively fat!" Mina exclaimed as she and the other women breezed into the castle.

Lita led the way into the study and directed the women to sit around in a group of chairs. For once she was the center of attention and it couldn't have come at a better time; the pains of being with child were becoming extremely difficult. She never thought that after years of training her queen to fight and becoming badly bruised and broken that she would experience such excruciating agony. She was told that it would only be a few more months and then it would all be over.

"So how are you?" Serenity asked.

"I am … under a lot of stress," she exhaled. "The baby is supposed to be here within the next two months, but … but I am afraid."

Ami reached over to her and clasped a hand on her wrist, "Lita, you'll be fine. You're a strong woman."

"This baby is eating at my strength, Ami," she whispered. "I cannot ignore the sharp shooting pains any longer."

Serenity clutched onto her own belly in an instinctive response while they all continued to discuss remedies and cures for the pain. She couldn't think straight; what if she went through a miscarriage? Her mother had had several miscarriages after giving birth to her and even gave way to a baby boy, but he died after three weeks. It was a harsh world they all lived in and it wouldn't get any easier.

"What are you thinking Serenity?" Lita asked, snapping the queen out of her daze.

"Huh? Oh … I am just overjoyed and overwhelmed by your successful childbearing. I hope I'm around when you go into labor," she covered.

"She's only saying that because her majesty is with child herself," Rei quipped slyly.

"Why didn't you say anything?" the scout of Jupiter exclaimed.

"We have been cut off from any contact with you," Ami reminded her.

"Until now. Why now?" she pressed.

"There was a dispute with the king," Mina answered. "Queen Serenity wants him to change the law that stipulates that only male heirs can take the throne."

"So that would mean any sex of any child between you two can rule?"

"Yes," Serenity whispered. "That is what I wish for and if he does not give it to me, I will not continue to rule beside him."

"You're so stubborn and fickle, Serenity," Ami breathed. "Honestly, you think you can keep throwing tantrums like this and get your way?"

"Yes," she answered bluntly.

"You need to grow up. You're queen now," she replied with a snappy tone.

"What's gotten up your dress?" Serenity argued.

"A lack of decorum is bad for your reputation, your majesty," she stated. "I wish that you would sit beside your husband as he has done to you. Pay him the same respect as he has—"

"Ami, do not cover for him. He has only been thus because all eyes are on him to produce an heir. People shall look away the moment I start to show just like our Lady Lita here. That's when his roaming eyes and hands shall have their fill and you know it," she whispered harshly.

"You're scared?" Lita asked, rubbing her belly gently. "You have no reason to be. The king loves you above all other persons and you very well know that."

"We'll see…"

"You're very temperamental," the Jupiter princess commented. "That will make him bid favor to others."

"That is what made his heart swell for me, is it not?"

"It is what makes him whine over you," Rei grinned as she munched on some berries.

"He whines?"

"And dines," Mina quipped, winking to her queen.

"So what do you suggest I do? I want this law to go into affect before the child comes to term," she said.

"Maybe have your ladies do what they were hired to do; negotiate," Ami suggested. "We can mingle with the best of them and find ways to get what you want, m'lady."

"Really?"

"Yes. Just leave it to us…" she grinned.

Serenity was left with her jaw slightly open as Rei, Mina, and Ami left her alone with Lita. She had some idea that were going to use their flirting abilities, but she just didn't know how … and she also didn't know if it would come in enough time.

Ami came trotting back into the parlor and said to her queen, "You stay here until you have received word from Mina that it's safe to come back to court."

"What if I give birth right within these castle walls?"

"Then you will be well equipped because Lita would have already gone through it," she answered.

With that, Serenity plopped back down onto her chair like a child that had just been scolded. She knew she was spoiled and these girls were the very reason she kept going on as such. However, when it came to the security of her child, she wasn't going to compromise with any man, whether it be her father, her husband, or her ward.

"GOD OF JUPITER SAVE MY SOUL!" Lita screamed.

She was laid out across her bed, the fancy sheets pulled off and her face reddened and riddled with pain. Serena stood in the corner of the room, trembling while the servants were hustling around getting more wet cloths and dabbing Lita's forehead. The shrieks of agony were awful, but the queen refused to cover her ears; she didn't want to scare her friend who was already terrified at the moment. There was a sudden piercing scream that was a higher pitch than the scout's own voice which made Serenity open up her eyes that were shut tightly. The baby was born and it was a boy.

"The Jupiter god was smiling down on you, m'lady!" one of the maids cooed as she went to go clean up the new child. "You have a beautiful healthy baby boy. Ten fingers, ten toes and gorgeous green eyes."

Lita couldn't do anything but try to breathe through the tears. Serenity glided across the floor and took the blanketed child into her arms, staring down at him with glittering blue eyes. She couldn't believe that all of the fuss was over this small little thing who only wanted to suckle on a finger. While rocking him in her arms she slowly made her way to his mother's side. She slid him into her arms and then stood back, letting Lita clean her face up and stare down at her child.

"Just what I needed. Another lord to add to the long list of them in my family," she sniffed.

"What are you going to name him?" Serenity asked quietly.

"I don't know yet," she shrugged. "I was thinking about naming him after one of my brothers, but they've all shunned me because of him."

"What about after your father?"

Lita chuckled a little bit, "He has been against my marriage the most out of all of you. Leaving court was a wonderful gift compared to what he could do to me."

Nephrite suddenly came bounding into the room with tears streaming down his face. Serenity stepped back and let him take a few strides up to the bed and sit next to his wife. He kissed forehead multiple times and then kissed his child.

"Zeus," he whispered to the gurgling little child.

Lita looked up at him and smiled through her own thick droplets and nodded to him, "Zeus he is."

Serenity folded her hands in front of her own stomach, feeling the tiny bump that was starting to form. She tilted her head, studying the couple in front of her. She wondered if maybe this whole state of affection that Nephrite was showing was because their baby happened to be a boy.

"Are you happy because it's a male?" Serenity suddenly felt herself asking. She blushed immediately right after and passed an apologetic look.

Nephrite looked over at her and shook his head, "No, your majesty. I would be just as pleased if it was female. In fact, I think I'll be praying to the goddess of the moon for a baby girl to follow when time permits it."

"When my body permits it," Lita corrected.

"So if I were to present a piece of earthly legislation where it states that it doesn't matter if a child of my blood is a girl or boy they will still rule, would you be for it?"

"Yes your majesty. I don't see why a male specifically needs to rule," he answered. "After living with Lita through out these past few months, I have come to the realization that it is a blessing for the mother and child to survive completely. Luckily Lita had a resilient body."

She smiled broadly and announced, "You will both be allowed back to court when healthy and ready." The queen strolled up to Lita and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, "I look forward to your return."

Endymion sat at his desk when a servant announced the arrival of Kunzite. He strolled in like a soldier, bowed like a soldier, but had a floppy grin like that of a tiny school boy who had just gotten caught. The king didn't like it when his subjects were late; especially those who were closest to him.

"Forgive me your majesty," Kunzite chortled.

King Endymion finally looked up at his general and narrowed his gaze at the red markings that were smeared all over his lips, "What is the meaning of this, my Lord Kunzite?"

"I am sorry your majesty. I have just been given an amazing answer!"

"To what?" he replied, tossing a large bit of paper onto his desk. He stood up and walked around to lean up against the front of his furniture. "What has brought on this strange bout of happiness?"

"My lord, you very well know that I've been courting Lady Mina from afar," he started. "She has only been back to court for two months, but already she has accepted my courtship and wishes to move toward a deeper union."

"Marriage?"

"Yes," Kunzite nodded. "Thus why I am a bit late. She was so overjoyed by the jewelry I had presented her that she kissed me too much for me to pull away from her company."

"Well, I must say that she is a perfect match for your grace. I humbly bless you and you lovely bride to be," Endymion bowed.

"Thank you, your majesty."

"What of the bill I am proposing? About my future children?"

"Yes, well as of now Zoisite, myself, and Nephrite are all for it," he smiled.

"We're missing Jadeite. Why?"

"He will not consent," Kunzite answered. "He said that Lady Rei is up to her intelligent tricks, but he will not fold."

"He should have been the first one to back me up on this!" he roared. "Does he wish to be banished from court?"

"No, your majesty."

Endymion looked past Kunzite to find that Jadeite had entered the room unannounced. He took a few long strides toward the kneeling general and then cocked his head to the side in curiosity.

"So what is the meaning of this?"

"Your majesty, I do not wish to go through a civil war on our planet. People will be up in arms over it! We're already dealing with rebellion on the east side. If this goes through…"

"I understand your concern Jadeite, but this is for the future of our reign!"

He looked up at the king and stated, "There might not be a future if you let this pass."

"And my wife will surely destroy us if I don't go through with it," he informed him. "The wrath of the moon will be even worse than a bunch of upset men who want less taxes."

"Your majesty—"

"Your grace, you have until the end of my wife's cycle of birthing to make up your mind. If you do not agree, you shall be banned. If you do, you will be allowed to stay. That is all. Please leave."

The two generals bowed again and backed out of the room. Endymion sat at the windowsill, looking out at the grounds where he and his wife had once gallivanted around like children. She was now locked up in her room until she could finally give birth. He was only allowed to see her when they shared dinner together and every time, he was happier than the last. It would just be a few more months until she would come to full term and then … and then he would be terrified.

Five months later…

Serenity laid in bed, rubbing her large stomach as the bouts of pain washed over her quickly. She looked over at Lita with teary eyes and a sweat covered forehead. It was time now and all she had to do was breathe and push … breathe and push. At least that's what her lady in waiting who had recently given birth herself said. The fire was crackling against the wall, nurses were rushing around with wet cloths, and her circle of ladies were spouting out pep talks. It had been hours and hours since she first fell into labor, and she was beginning to worry that it would never end.

"Just keep breathing, m'lady!" Lady Mina pleaded as she clasped onto Serenity's clammy hand.

Ami rushed toward them and placed a cold sheet over her sweaty forehead while Rei was sitting on the floor in front of the fire, her legs crossed and her eyes shut. She would have prayed and looked into the future of Lita's child when she was giving birth if she had been around, but she was too busy trying to convince the large council of men to allow the bill to be passed. People from all over had asked her to look into the flames to see if she could predict what the sex of the future reigning heir would be, but she refused. It's not that she wanted it to be an awful surprise for the queen, it was that she didn't want to abuse her powers. Rei was supposed to protect Serenity when looking into the glowing embers; not use it for others' gain. Unfortunately when she looked into the flames this time, she found a horrible image: a blue and grey colored child convulsing with a heated brow. She opened up her violet eyes sprang back from the fire, causing everyone but the queen to look at her with alarm. She told them she had to leave the premises just for a moment for some fresh air. Ami passed her a look of concern, but she reassured them that she was just overwhelmed by the process at hand. Rei sprinted out of the room barefoot and ran into Jadeite. He studied her disposition and clutched tightly onto her upper arms, trying to get her to look at him.

"What's wrong? What is it? Is the queen alright?" he asked.

"Yes, she's fine," she exhaled. "Its … bad visions … and … I … oh Jadeite!"

He didn't understand what she meant by any of her blubbering, but he enveloped her in his arms anyways, trying to calm her down which only made her angry. She looked up at him and slapped both hands across his chest.

"Why will you not consent to the bill?" she screamed suddenly. "What is so wrong with it?"

"I wish to stick to my morals and ideals."

"And risk getting banished from court?" she exclaimed.

"You do not understand…"

"No, it is you who doesn't understand! What if my lady were to die? What then? You're a selfish bastard!"

"You're upset because I will be leaving the kingdom due to the king's wishes," he surmised.

"You think you know everything?" she snapped.

"I think I've grown to know you," Jadeite corrected.

The other generals came breezing up to the arguing couple, but he waved them away, gesturing that nothing was wrong. Rei told him that she needed to get back in there and quickly turned away from him. He nodded and watched her run back to tend to her lady.

When she entered back into the darkly lit room, she found Serenity taking in deep, hasty breaths and groaning loudly through gritted teeth as she tried to push as hard as she could. The nurse at the foot of the bed told her to keep going; the baby had come to head. The queen growled as she gave one last, long push, screaming at the end of it. A child was pulled out from under the bloodied sheets, crying into the heated air and wiggling in the nurse's hands.

"Congratulations your majesty! You have a beautiful baby boy!" the nurse exclaimed.

She started to sob out loud with joy as Mina kissed her hand and ran out of the room to get the king. She pushed past wards, servants, and guards as she made it into the king's quarters. He was up on his feet, pacing back and forth in front of his own fireplace.

"She's given birth?" he asked the head lady.

"Yes! A baby boy!" she smiled, reaching out to Endymion and dragging him out of his room.

The two ran down the hallway, around a few corners, and finally made it to the bedroom where Serenity was residing. She looked a bit pale as she lay in bed, now completely covered and washed up a bit. She seemed exhausted as was to be expected, but she still mustered up a bit of energy to smile at her husband. Endymion walked over to the nurse who had cleaned up the child and bundled him in a black and gold blanket. He took the gurgling baby into his arms and made his way over to his sleepy wife.

"He's healthy looking … strong," he whispered to her as he sat on the edge of the bed. Endymion leaned over and kissed her crescent moon, "I love you."

"I love you too."

"What shall we name our lovely prince?"

"Cronus," she breathed. "After your father …"

"As you wish, my lady. You did a great job. Now rest up."

She sat up a little bit and pulled him forward with the child in hand. She kissed her baby boy on the top of his head and then kissed her husband goodnight. He held her exhausted gaze for a little bit before handing Cronus off to Mina. As he started to walk out of the room, he was closely followed by Rei. He didn't understand why until she asked to speak with him privately in his den. Leading the way, he agreed to have an audience with her.

When they made it into his office, she curtsied to him quickly before starting, "Your majesty … are you going to continue on with the bill to make any child of yours, regardless of their sex, an heir to the throne?" she asked.

"I don't see why we would need it now. I have healthy baby boy!" he said joyously.

"Endymion … I …."

"Spit it out, Lady Rei."

"I saw in the flames while she was giving birth that there would be a great travesty," she murmured. "I think it would be best to cover your tracks and make sure that nothing goes wrong."

"What could possibly go wrong? I'll take all of the necessary precautions!"

"Your majesty—"

"I thank you m'lady for coming to me with this inquiry, but there is nothing to be worried about!"

"I fear you are too optimistic, my lord."

"And I fear you aren't optimistic enough. Please leave," he ordered.

She bowed to him and turned around to leave the room. She was met by Jadeite outside in the grand hallway and the two of them traveled back to her quarters where they could speak in private with one another.

"So what did he say?" he asked, rubbing her shoulders.

"He wouldn't hear of it," she responded, slapping his hands away from her. "He isn't threatened by any premonitions I have had even though it clearly has to do with the newborn child. Why else would it hit me so hard?"

Rei pulled Jadeite closer to her and she buried her head restlessly into his chest as he rocked her back and forth, telling her, "It'll be alright. We'll get a council together and the bill will be passed."

She furrowed her brow and tugged back, staring up at him suspiciously, "Does this mean that you will agree with the document that is being proposed?"

"Yes," he sighed. "It is in the best interest for everyone…. Especially if I wish to have a future with you."

A smirk curled the corners of her lips and she patted his cheek lightly, "We'll see about that…"

The future of the kingdom wasn't completely in jeopardy, but it also wasn't out of the woods. The queen's health would climb back up slowly and the bill would have to be passed in order to ensure that she would be a reigning royal of the earth so long as she lived. How much of an uproar would this really cause? Only time would tell…

Please review! I have quite a twist to present in the next chapter. ^_^ Just wait and see!