Ami's meeting with her research partners lasted longer than expected.  So she didn't get out of it until the Queen's luncheon was starting.  As Ami was leaving the meeting after it was over, she looked at her watch and noticed what time it was.  So she hurried to the south dining room (where she thought the luncheon was being held).

When Ami arrived there, she greeted the others there with "Konnichi-wa, minna-san.  Sorry I'm late."  Ever since she had started working for the Queen, she had grown accustomed to not arriving at places early, due to being so busy with other stuff.  But still, even being so busy, she usually arrived at places on time, as opposed to arriving after the meeting/get-together started.  So this was unusual for her.

Meanwhile, King Endymion was just coming out of the governing room to take his lunch break after a full morning of taking care of governing duties.  He decided to treat himself (since his wife had told him last night that even kings deserve a day off sometimes), so he went to the formal restaurant inside the palace and ordered their special beef dish with shrimp fried rice.  He then relaxed while waiting for the staff there to cook & bring out his meal.

OOC :

When Ami entered the room and apologized for being late, serenity smiled at her friend and spoke in a bubbly tone, "don't worry Ami-chan, we are just waiting for Minako and Rei to show up." She wanted to talk to her about something related to the pregnancy, but decided it could wait until after. Lately Serenity hadn't had an appetite and looking at food would make her stomach churn. She was forcing herself to eat, to provide nutrition to her baby, but everything she ate tasted vile and she wasn't sure if it was normal for this to happen. 

Serenity hoped she would be able to eat what the staff had prepared for their luncheon. Serenity drifted off in thought as the others talked around her.

OOC:

"Hello Ami-chan." Michiru smiled as the blue haired woman joined them.

"I hope you have been well." Haruka added.

Michiru's attention turned back to her plate. The palace food was always delicious. She and Haruka often had lunch together in south dining room. The room was always so bright and had a warm atmosphere.

"How have you been your highness?" Michiru asked the Queen

When Michiru asked Serenity how she was doing she blushed at first, she really didnt like it when they addressed her so formally, but she brushed it off with a smile. "I am doing well, but please just call me Serenity, I like to do away with the formalities when I can," she said with a small laugh.

"How are you doing Michiru and Haruka?" She asked as Rei and Minako entered the room.

Once everyone was in their seats the chefs brought out the food. They all ate their food chatting for awhile.

Serenity looked at her plate, the chefs had made field rice with brocoli and chicken. She wanted to eat it, but just the site of food churned her stomach, but she decided to try it and see if maybe it would be okay. Once she tried the food, she felt better, the flavors danced in her mouth. After she had eaten some of her food, she decided it was time to share the news with the others.

"Okay, everyone, if I could spare your attention for just a moment," she spoke waiting until she had everyones attention. "While I wanted to really sit down with you all and just share a meal together was one reason I asked you all here, there is another reason. Yes I have missed you so, which is why I have this news to share with you...." she paused, she was so nervous and she couldnt figure out why... but she pushed on, "the real reason is because I have some very exciting news for you all, as you know Endy and I have been trying for some time to get pregnant, and it finally paid off, I am finally pregnant." She said as a huge smile spread across her face.

When the Queen had told her that they were just waiting for Rei and Minako, Ami had thought 'Whew!  I'm not the last one.'  When Haruka had said she hoped Ami had been well, the doctor had replied with a semi-weary smile "Busy as always, but otherwise well; thank you.  And it's good to see you also."

When the Queen started to hint that she was about to break her pregnancy news - after prolonging the moment for so long - Ami quickly decided to act surprised, so that (hopefully) the other girls there wouldn't be able to figure out that she had been the source of the news.  So when the Queen said she was finally pregnant, Ami beamed "Congratulations!  As well as being so elated, you must feel some relief also.  I assume you've already told Endymion?"  Then Ami waited for one of the other girls to (hopefully) ask how the Queen found out, so she could see how many of them were also surprised at that little news item.

"Congratulations!" Michiru beamed. "That is wonderful news! Endymion must be excited as well"

"Yes, congratulations! When did you find out?" Haruka added.

Michiru smiled as everyone offered their congrats. She knew that the King and Queen had been trying for so long and now their dreams are finally coming true. Michiru already was thinking about the official portrait when the baby arrived. She had painted pictures of the King and Queen before and she looked forward to painting the new family portrait.

Serenity thanked Michiru and Haruka for their congratulating her. When she asked when she found out, her smile only grew bigger. "Well it was about a month ago now, and I started feeling not so great so I went to see Ami-chan, and she ran some tests and when I went back to see her, she told me I was pregnant. I was so happy, that I actually didn't give her a chance to explain everything to me, I rushed off to find Endymion to share the news with him." She said as her face turned red remembering her little incident.

"Endymion is very excited as well, and has been very supportive so far, I do hope he sticks around for the later months," she said jokingly, "the book i am reading about pregnancy is talking about the emotion changes, I hope he will be able to put up with me."

"Haruka how long are you here for, I do wish you would be able to stay for awhile, I miss having you around." She said with a smile on her face as they continued to sit and chat for awhile longer. 


Serenity would have to grab Ami after everyone left, she didn't want to share her latest concerns with the whole group.

"Yes, Haruka how long are you staying?" Michiru smiled at her companion.

"Yes, I will be staying for awhile. My business has wrapped up for the time being." Haruka smiled putting his arm around Michiru.

"How long is awhile?" Michiru teased.

They have been separated for so long. Michiru missed Haruka immensely and was glad to have her back at the palace.

When Serneity had the opportunity she got up and walked over so she could sit next to Ami. She waited until she had her friends attention. She spoke softly so only Ami could hear her.

"Ami, if your free later can we talk, I don't want to here, I just had a small question and possible concern about the baby." She said as she placed one of her hands on her small and barely noticeable baby bump.

As the luncheon was drawing to a close, Serenity also thought of her husband and hoped he wasn't working to hard. She would have to go find him later.

"It's good to hear that you will be back here for a while," Ami smiled to Haruka.

When the Queen started speaking very softly to her, Ami listened.  She definitely had Ami's attention when the Queen mentioned a possible concern about the baby.  Ami nodded and whispered one word back to the Queen "Certainly."

As the luncheon came to a close, Serenity said her goodbyes. When everyone but Ami had left, Serenity quickly went and asked the staff to put two plates together, one for Setsuna and one for her husband. After she had done that she went back to find Ami. 

She walked over to Ami. She asked Ami to walk with her to one of the sitting rooms, they were more private and others would not hear their conversation. 

Once they reached the room and had gotten settled and comfortable, Serenity began to speak, her voice slightly nervous. "The reason why I wanted to talk to you Ami, was because, and don't tell Endymion just yet, I havent told him and don't want to worry him, but if this is serious I will tell him. I just haven't had an appetite for the past few days. I have to force myself to eat, and the food tastes horrid to me, but I am so worried if I don't eat how I can harm my baby, but I just look at food and instantly my appetite is gone, the food smells good and looks amazing, but something inside makes me cringe and not want to eat, it happened today too at the luncheon, but when I ate the food was good. I was wondering if this is normal, and what can I do? I can't just eat bread with butter for the next several months, I have never felt this way towards food, you know that, and I am just scared something is wrong, or I am doing something wrong." 

She let her head fall in her hand shielding her eyes and the shame she felt for not eating well for the past few days, she wanted to do all that she could so her baby was born healthy, but right now she felt like a failure and she was both ashamed and scared at this moment in her pregnancy.

Ami followed the Queen to where she wanted to talk.  Ami listened carefully to the Queen describe why she was concerned.  When the Queen said "I have never felt this way towards food, you know that," Ami would've lightly chuckled at how true that statement was if it weren't for the potential serious nature of this problem and the way the Queen was treating this as such.

When the Queen was finished explaining her concern, Ami summarized the problem the way she saw it "It sounds like you're experiencing a condition I learned about where pregnant women experience appetite loss due to nausea.  This happens to about half of pregnant women during their first trimester, so even though it doesn't happen to all pregnant women, it is common enough to be well-known to doctors studying pregnant women.  It means you're certainly not doing anything wrong, and you have no reason to be ashamed - unless this condition has caused you to stop eating all food except bread with butter, because even though there is nutrition in there, you and your unborn baby need more of a variety of nutritious foods.  This condition typically ends around the end of the third month of the pregnancy, although a few women experience it through the second trimester also, meaning until about the end of the sixth month."

====================



Meanwhile, instead of spending the afternoon in the governing room with their advisors like usual, Endymion was making the rounds of the palace, talking to various staff members to make sure things were going smoothly in their jobs.  Because his wife had advised him to take some time off, he was doing this.  He couldn't really stop doing his kingly duties completely, because then he wouldn't know what to do with all his free time.

Serenity breathed a sigh of relief when Ami told her that this condition was pretty common. She was also approaching the end of her first trimester which made her feel better and the fact that she may be getting her appetite back soon made her even more happy. She was really missing all the foods that she would normally eat, pasta, sushi, rice, chicken, and of course sweets.

She thanked Ami for her council and her reassurance. Before the two left to go their separate ways, Serenity asked, "Ami-chan when will I be able to have an ultrasound, oh and can Endymion come too?" She asked with some excitement, she had been reading so much about all the things that were happening to her and she wanted to share all that she could with her husband.

She had one more question, "Ami-chan, I am wanting to take some of those birthing classes, just so I know what's ahead, if you have time of course, I don't want to take any more from your busy schedule, but would you be able to get me some information on that or who I need to call." 

"Thanks again for coming to the luncheon and acting surprised with the group, you are a great friend Ami, now I must be going, I must find Endymion and see how he has been doing all day."

After the two said their goodbyes, Serenity made her way back to the dining area and took the two plates of food, one to Setsuna, the two chatted briefly before Serenity wandered back to to the main halls to try and find her husband. She started in the governing room, knocking before entering, not wanting to disturb him, she opened the door, but the lights were off, so she continued to walk down the halls searching for her husband. 

She was happy to have had the luncheon, but she had an inexplicable pull inside and she just wanted to be close with her husband right now. Probably the hormones, she thought as she turned towards the main kitchen.

(BUMP)

After the luncheon Michiru went back the quarters that she shared with Haruka to retrieve her violin. The Stradivarius was one her most prizes possessions. She left Haruka who was sleeping after a long journey home in their room and headed out to the courtyard. She set the case down on a stone bench and opened the case. She picked her bow and plucked off a few loose strands, letting them float away. Frowning she looked at the amount of rosin she had left. She had meant to pick some up when she was in town but had forgotten. Shaking her head she used what was left on her bow and set it back in her case.

Michiru carefully took the violin out of the case. Michiru turned the tuning pegs, the get the correct pitch. Once she was satisfied, she rested the violin on her chin, placed the bow on the strings and began to play. Soon the sounds of Ernst's The Last Rose of Summer filled the court yard. Michiru closed her eyes and lost herself in the music.

When the Queen asked about ultrasounds, Ami smiled "Yes, we should start those right away.  And of course Endymion can come if you want him to.  Just remember that we won't be able to confirm it's a girl until sometime in the second trimester."  Then Ami checked her schedule "How does next Monday at 10:00 AM sound?"

When the Queen mentioned wanting to take childbirth classes, Ami said with a semi-tired expression on her face "Well, there are classes about being pregnant for first-time mothers-to-be.  And I would suggest you go to one.  But it seems like you should do research on them yourself, probably with Edymion's help.  After all, I'm already very busy; sorry."

When the Queen gave her mini-speech to bid good-bye, Ami's face brightened up - she could now get back to her job duties for this afternoon.  "Ja matta ne, Neo-Serenity."

====================



As Endymion was making his rounds through the palace, he went through the courtyard.  When he did, he heard a beautiful song coming from a violin.  'That wouldn't be Michiru-chan, would it?' he thought.  Allowing himself to be distracted for a minute, he followed the music to its source.  When he saw Michiru playing her violin, he smiled "Michiru-chan, that's very beautiful."

Michiru did not hear the King approach. She lowered her violin and dropped into a curtsey.

"Hello your majesty." She smiled. "Thank you. It is one of my favorite pieces. I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope that you are well. I do believe congratulations in order."

Serenity listened intently as the Ami spoke to her. She lit up when Ami said Endymion could come to the ultrasound appointment. When Ami asked if Monday was fine, she nodded "yes that works out perfect for me." She felt the excitement growing inside of her. She had felt many times of happiness, but none had been quite like this.

When Ami said she could suggest a class for first time mothers, Serenity smiled, and when she suggested that the Queen and Endymion look for the birthing classes together, she smiled "Ami, that's a great idea, why didn't I think of that. I am so lucky to have you as a friend Ami-chan." She smiled at Ami as she got up to leave to go search for her husband.

After searching for awhile, Serenity headed to her and Endymion's room- she felt quite tired after the luncheon and all the walking. She sat in one of the chairs in their room that sat beside the window, the sun hit her just right and warmed her up. She pulled a blanket over her as she propper her feet on the ottoman and closed her eyes for a moment of rest.

ooc:

When Michiru stated congratulations were in order, Endymion bowed politely to her and smiled "Thank you."  Then his expression turned more serious as he continued "While we're on that subject, I was wondering if your powers would be of any help in determining the future of our unborn baby.  Feel free to use your talisman mirror if it would help."

"Of course." Michiru nodded. 

Michiru walked over to the bench were the she left her violin case. She placed the violin back in the case. She took out her mirror and walked back over to the king. She focused her mind on the King's request. Michiru gazed into the mirror. It has been a long time since she had to use her mirror for premonition. 

"The sea is stormy...why is that?" Michiru frowned. Normally when she sees this, it means danger is approaching. She could not think of anything or anyone that would endanger the Queen or the child. She thought for a moment about what to say. The King deserved nothing less than complete honesty.
Michiru looked the King in the eyes.

"The future is clouded. I am not sure what that means yet, the picture is not clear. It could be nothing or there could be risk to the child. I do not wish to alarm you Majesty, but you should know the truth. I will continue to watch this and inform you immediately once the vision becomes more clear."

Michiru wished that she had more to go on. This vision was still not clear to her. She wondered if the Queen sensed if anything was wrong.

"I need to speak to Setsuna." Michiru thought.

Endymion took a deep breath when Michiru stated the picture in her mirror was not clear.  Then he quickly started to explain to her "I am sorry if I seem ungrateful, Michiru-san.  It's just that you told me pretty much the same thing that Setsuna-san had told me earlier today.  Though I can understand that the future is often unclear to you two.  Please let me know when this becomes more clear, like you just said you would.  And one more thing - don't tell a word of this to the Queen.  She does not know yet of this possible threat.  Thank you for doing your best, Michiru-san.  Now, unless you have anything further you want to tell me, I would like to go back to what I had been doing when I cam across you."  Endymion then bowed politely to Michiru, and waited to see if she wanted to say anything more.

Serenity woke up feeling refreshed, How long have I been asleep?  she thought as she looked at her clock. Her eyes widened when she realized she had been asleep for nearly 2 hours. She didn't think she was that tired- but then again she was carrying a child inside of her and rest was probably a good thing for the both of them.

Serenity wondered where Endymion was though, surely he had finished his duties for the day. She walked to her closet and pulled out one of her coats and went in search of her husband.

She started in his governing room, she knocked and after a moment she opened the door and called out, "Endymion, are you in here?" After a long moment of no response she closed the door and continued to walk through the palace in search of her husband.

She felt a twinge of guilt wash over her, she had been so caught up in her luncheon and getting caught up on her duties that she had been neglecting her husband, she hoped he wasn't angry with her. Their conversations had been brief the past few days and it only made Serenity's thoughts turn more in her head. 

The sooner she found Endymion the better, she had a sudden urgency to find him and to hold him in her arms.

"Yes of course." Michiru nodded. "I will let you know if the picture comes clearer. I regret not having more information for you."

After saying good bye to the king, Michiru packed up her violin and headed toward her room. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Setsuna.

"I need to see you as soon as possible in private, it is urgent."

She did not like keeping information from the Queen but in this case the King was right. There was no need to worry her when they did not have all of the information. It troubled her that she she was not getting clear picture of what is going on. Michiru did want to jump to conclusions but on the surface this did not look to be promising. She was hoping that Setsuna would have some insight on what was going on.

Setsuna was standing by the gate, she had been deep in thought when she heard her phone beep. She saw she had a message from Michiru. She wanted to talk about the incident with the queen. maybe if they were both together they could try to make light of this dark and cloudy message.

She sent Michiru a reply- come to the gate after the King and Queen have retired for the night- we can talk then about the situation.


Setsuna put her phone away and continued to guard the time gate- wishing she could do more to help her Queen against this possible threat to her and the kingdom.