"Your majesty." Molly said with a bow as Darien passed her walking into the dining room. "Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you Molly."
She bowed again. And Darien just laughed to himself as he approached Serena who's back was towards him.
"You know what I think I change my mind..." Darien started. He was now right beside her. Ran his hand across the back of her shoulder as he leaned down.
"Hmmm?" Serena looked up to acknowledge him.
"I don't want money every time she bows." Darien grinned as Serena looked confused. "I think every time she bows I should get a kiss. And since she bowed twice." He gave her two pecks.
Serena swatted Darien's chest, laughed. "That as you Earth people would say, was very cheesy."
Darien's smile went straight. "I thought it was cute." He slipped into his chair that was right next to Serena, but still at the head of the table.
"How were the rest of the meetings?" Serena asked as she threw her napkin over her lap. "Anything about home?"
"They were...ehhh... I hate long meeting days. And the Moon is doing better. Things are starting to settle. It takes time, but we will bring it back to where it needs to be." He reached over to grab her hand, and started to caress it to comfort her. "I know you want to go back."
Serena just nodded. "I miss the girls." She sighed. "I miss my bed. I miss my mom." She pulled her hand away from Darien's and adjusted her hair out of her face. Then rested her hand on the table. "But I know we will be back soon." She forced a smile. "Just wish I could get ahold of the girls."
"I am sure you will get to talk to them soon."
Serena just nodded. She took a sip of her water saw the empty seat across from her. "Why is this table so big?"
"Random." Darien answered.
"I am just wondering. It is usually you and me, sometimes the guards but mainly you and me...why all the space? It is kind of depressing seeing such a large table set for only two people." Serena explained.
"I mean we can start having kids...? I hear twins may run in your family."
"Shut up." She threw her napkin at him.
"What?!" He laughed.
"0 to 100 I swear." She rolled her eyes. "I just think maybe we get a smaller table."
"If that is what you want." Darien shrugged. "I like my idea better."
Serena face became stoic.
"Fine, a smaller table is better solution." Darien said surrendering.
"What was the point of having such a large table anyways? Every time we have a party it is in the ballroom..."
"My parents got this for me."
Serena rubbed the table with her hand. "It is beautiful... just kind of lonely. Is all."
"Just imagine how I felt when my parents left." He lifted his glass and took a sip of water. "Why do you think I always ate out or why the staff asked if I would be eating in my office? Not fun hearing the echoing sound of fork hitting plates."
He felt her tiny fingers encircle his hand that was rested on the table.
"Well you have me now."
He stared at her hand in his. Naturally his thump started to lightly massage her hand.
"Just tell me where you want the new table I will put one there."
"I kind of like the idea of something on the balcony. It would be nice to eat dinner under the stars." She turned to gaze out the closest window. "Especially on the autumn nights. Add some hanging lights too."
"We could do that..."
Serena turned her attention back to Darien. "But?"
"I think the idea is great, and like I said we can do that. However, one our winters get cold, so we would need another table, in another room." He cleared his throat. "Two, we would have to consider what happens when we have kids, it won't be safe out there for them."
Serena gave Darien the confused questioning look.
"What?" Darien asked clueless.
"Two times tonight you bring up kids..."
"Okay?" Darien unsure where the conversation was going. "You mentioned how lonely the table was and..."
Serena sat up straighter. "Did something come up in the meetings tonight?" Her eyes grew wide. "Like discussion of heirs?"
"Why would something have to come up in meetings for me to think about us having kids?" He released his hand from Serena and joined it with his other, folded on the table. "Naturally a husband and wife eventually have kids. Do you not want kids?"
"Of course I want kids." Serena defensively answered. "I just think it is weird that it came up twice already, and I don't know."
"What don't you know?" Darien's tone changed from comforting to monotoned. "Do you not see yourself having kids with me?"
"Honestly Darien" Serena hands move to her hips and body leaned forward off the back of the chair. She exhaled so hard the air from her breath shuffled her hangs. "I..."
"What? Just say it." Darien demanded.
"You are already talking like you have a set idea of how many kids you want and that they will for sure be raised on Earth...and frankly...I am still trying to get to know my husband and I am still trying to adapt to life here...I can't get ahold of my friends... my mom is hard to get ahold of and you're just...adding kids. Not just one kid, but kids...plural"
Darien watched as the color on Serena face fade. He could see her respirations increasing. She used her small hand to fan her face.
"Serena, calm down. I was only joking, I did not mean we were going to have kids right now."
"What do you think I am trying to do?" She snapped, fanning her face with her hand and trying to bring her breathing back down to normal.
"Serena...? I heard you yelling." Molly came rushing in. "Are you okay?" Once she got to Serena's side she grabbed her wrist. "What is going on, your pulse is going crazy." She continued to feel for Serena's pulse. "You're so flushed."
"I am fine Molly." Serena snatched her hand back.
"Do you need more water?" Molly asked, abruptly feeling stupid after because Serena's glass was still full.
"We're fine Molly." Darien answered.
Molly nodded. "I will be outside." She turned to Darien bowed, and headed out.
Darien covered his mouth with his fist and cleared his throat to hide his laugh. He went back to their discussion earlier about Molly bowing. His attempt to hide was not very discrete as Serena shot him daggering glare.
He cleared his throat one more time. Pounded his chest twice. Then went to grab Serena's hand. "Look, I was not trying to upset you, and I was not trying to make you feel any type of way." He started to rub her hand to comfort her. "There was no discussion about an heir, there is no time frame for us to have one. But, if I have a say, I would like to not be in our 60s as our kids go off to university, if they go and if we are here. Please don't be upset."
His calming voice, slowly soothed her. "I am sorry..." She whispered. "And I do want to have kids, I am just..."
Darien just gave her and understanding nod. "We will revisit this when you're ready."
"Thank you." Serena said with a relieving sigh.
The rest of dinner was uneventful. Darien attempted small talk with her as much as he could, he did not want to push it. He figured she needed some time. Darien tried his hardest tried not to cash in his idea when Molly bowed with each time she came in to remove a plate or when she came to refill their drinks.
"Sire...dessert has been set up in the living room." The servant informed Darien and Serena as she cleaned up the crumbs.
Serena looked at Darien confused.
"Before you think anything, I planned this earlier," Darien started, "Before our discussion about the tables and everything. I figured it would be nice to eat dessert in front of the fire, maybe have a glass of wine with it. Just unwind in a more cozy setting. That's if you still want dessert."
"That's fine."
Darien got out of his seat and helped Serena out of hers. Walking to the room, he held her hand. Despite the moments passed, he could still sense she was tense and the smile she had on her face was forced. Her eyes, when they would lock with his did not have sparkly he had grown accustom to seeing these last few days.
"Serena, if you really do not want to go to the living room for dessert and you rather do something else, or get ready for bed-"
"No, no, no, I am fine." She moved closer to Darien, and leaned her head on his arms. "I'm fine I promise, I am just also getting worried the girls have not contacted me back."
"Maybe they are just busy." He attempted to justify.
"No... even then. They will at least message me saying they are busy."
"Hmmm. Maybe they have something going on." Darien said as they approached the living room.
The sound of muffled laughter came down the hall. Serena could only process one laugh. "Why is Molly laughing?" She listened again. There were other laughs blended together. "Who is she laughing with?"
Darien continued to walk. He did not answer.
"Who is in the living room?" Serena asked again. Then she heard another laugh, and she knew. Without saying a word she started to run the remaining path to the living room. She pushed opened the door.
"Sorry I did not respond to you!"
"Mina..." She whispered running to her with open arms. The two entangled each other in their arms.
"Hey!" Lita called from behind. "I am here too."
"We are all here..." Rei corrected.
The two parted. "Just shows she loves me most." Mina shrugged with a big smirk.
"You only think she does." Rei disputed.
"Who does she always run to first!" Mina fired back.
"That's because you push everyone out of the way!" Lita defending herself.
"Guys, just stop, I love you all!" Serena said giving each a hug.
"But I am sure you love me just a leeeetle bit more? Just a little?"
"Can it Mina!" Lita said hugging Serena next.
"When did you get here...how are you here?"
"Your mom gave us some time off." Ami explained as she was the last to hug Serena.
"We have been so busy, and she gave us some time to go to our planets to check, and we all decided why not come see you. Figured you missed us." Rei teased.
"I really did miss you guys." Serena said still holding on to Ami. "How long are you guys here."
"Right now the plan is 5 days. We wish we could have stayed longer..." Mina started. "Oh, Prince Darien." Mina finally acknowledged with a bow, the other girls followed. "Thank you for getting us out so quickly."
"Yes, how can we ever repay you?" Ami asked.
"Oooo and that guard escort." Mina said looking at the ceiling, blushing.
"That was definitely something..." Rei added.
They spoke as if the guards were not in the room with them still.
"His guards?" Serena asked pointing at Darien with a gross face.
"So glad you think so highly of us princess." Malachite interjected before anyone could respond. "You could have at least waited until we were out of the room."
Serena ears started to warm up and turn red. "That is not what I meant." Serena started to explain.
"Sorry we were not all blessed with facial structure and deep blue eyes...like dear prince over here." Jadeite mocked batting his eyes.
"Oooo and don't forget his hair that blows so perfectly in the wind." Zoisite added.
Darien quickly looked at his feet, trying to hide his blush and his laugh. The girls however, took one look at each other and bursted into laughter.
"I hate all of you." Serena said frowning and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh no you don't." Rei responded sitting down in a chair and crossing her legs. "You said it earlier, you missed us."
"I take it back. I hate all of you."
"Oh stop being a brat." Lita teased.
"Look how delish these cakes look!" Darien said going over to the dessert table. Head still semi down.
"Way to change the subject." Rei pointed out.
"I was just pointing out the cakes look amazing. Thank you Molly for setting this all up."
"Thank you, your majesty." Molly bowed.
"Jeez Molly, you bow every time you two interact?" Lita blurted out.
"I mean...uhhhh..."
"You really don't have to do that...do we?" Lita asked look at Darien.
"I mean...if we get technical... but..."
"See that is a no!" Lita cut him off. "No more bowing every time Molly, you're going to hurt your back!" Lita raised her cup to her.
Serena looked at Darien, he was trying so hard to stay stoic and not laugh. She never seen him really laugh in front of a large crowd. He has smiled, but a laugh. She thought she was going to see it, but he just continued to make a little plate of desserts.
"Sooo how has it been Serena...?" Ami asked curiously.
"Wait!" Rei put her hand up stopping her from saying anything. "We should wait until later when we go into your room."
"Oh my god, are we having a sleeping over?!" Mina said clapping and jumping up and down.
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Malachite mocked her.
"Listen grey! Keep coming for me, and I am going to have Rei curse you in your dreams so bad, you will not want to sleep again."
Malachite took one step towards Mina. "I mean if you were in my bed..."
One swing of her arm and he was doubled over and could not finish that last sentence.
"Mina can you not hurt my guards, I need them to protect my wife." Darien approached Serena with a plate full of desserts.
"Geez, sire, cheat day?" Nephrite asked said looking at the piled high plate then back to Darien. "Did you save any for any of us?"
"I'm trying to be considerate, incase my wife wanted to pick off my plate okay?"
"Pshhh, you better get your bites in now. Serena and dessert, you could possibly end up losing your arm if you don't just drop the plate." Rei stuck her tongue out at Serena.
Serena gave Rei a straight face. "Can you just say one nice thing about me?"
Rei just smirked at her, as Darien's plate nudged her, she turned her attention to him, then to his plate. "Oooooh this looks good." She reached for the piece and picked it up.
"Wait that was the piece I wanted!" Darien said abruptly before she could take a bite. Serena threw the piece down. "I was just kidding, but how quickly you threw that down...that was funny."
"Wow you too?" She observed Darien, it was like he was laughing but no laugh sound was coming out, and he had one of the biggest smile she had seen.
"It's how people show they love you Sere, they pick on you." Rei walked over and threw her arm around Serena's shoulder, pulled her into a hug, "And since I missed you so much, I have to make up all the times."
"Yay!Me." Serena said waving both hands in the air sarcastically.