Snapshots of the Royals
Part 3: "Gratitude's Godmother"
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The crying of five month old Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity sounded all throughout the palace, but it reverberated most prominently in her very irate mother's ears as the aforementioned Neo-Queen rocked back and forth.
"C'mon, Small Lady, shhhh... stop crying!"
If possible, the wailing grew even louder; more punctuated.
"Small Laaadddyyy!" Serenity whined, voice taking on the same quality as her daughter's as she too teetered on the verge of tears. Because really, she was not equipped to deal with this - three hour peace conferences, sure. Three hour howling jags with a colicky infant? Now that was positively hell! "Why won't you stop crying? What's wrong? Please stop! Mama has to go!"
There was a knock on Serenity's door and it opened to reveal one Sailor Mars.
"Usagi-"
There was not much of a chance to expound any further than that, as a frantic Serenity and her younger namesake were suddenly in Mars' arms, one crying in her ear and the other into her neck. If she'd had any less patience - any less tolerance built up over years of reluctant experience in the handling of certain emotionally inclined comrades - the fire maiden would surely have gone insane. It wasn't easy playing tissue to two of the most vociferous individuals on the face of the planet.
"What's going on?"
"Oh Rei-chan! You have to help me!" Serenity pleaded tearily, bouncing the shouting baby on her narrow hip. "Small Lady's inconsolable. She's done nothing but cry off and on for almost three hours now, and I can't get her to stop!"
"Did you feed her?"
"And try to put her to sleep, and play with her in the swing, and soothe her, and check her diaper? Yes! Everything! Rei-chan, I'm so lost, I don't know what will help! Ami-chan thinks indigestion is the cause, she says it's normal but I can't just leave her like this, and I have to get downstairs for a meeting with the state chancellors!"
"Here, let me try," Mars offered, and Neo-Queen Serenity wasted no time in passing off the young girl to her godmother. The raven-haired Senshi could see her friend visibly relaxing now that the squalling had been shifted to another's shoulder. She meanwhile decided to simply wing it, with a pat here and a coo there. It was to no avail; young Small Lady refused to be calmed.
The fire priestess observed as her Queen bit her lip and oscillated from foot to foot, alternately looking at Small Lady and then the door. It was no leap to realize her current conundrum. Mars finally decided to put the woman out of her misery and said,
"You know, I'm not busy right now - I can watch Small Lady while you entertain our guests, if you'd like."
"Oh, would you? Rei-chan, you're the best! Thank you!"
She flew into Rei's arms a second time for a grateful hug, showered still screaming Small Lady in kisses, then scurried out the door with the speed of a freight train.
"Well, I can see why she's so eager to escape," Mars commented wryly, looking down at her teary Princess with an affectionate sort of grimace. "Sheesh, still as much of a handful now as you were in the past!"
She plopped down into the opulently plush rocking chair by the window and began softly rubbing the tiny girl's back. Her feet struck a reassuring tempo as the recliner bobbed back and forth. It took a long time, but eventually Small Lady quieted, her sobs devolving into cute little hiccups that soon morphed into snores. Sailor Mars gazed down into the placid cherub face so similar to Serenity's. It was scary how much love one person could harbor for another, and Rei realized she was experiencing this awe quite profoundly as she watched her goddaughter sleep.
"You're truly an angel," the maiden murmured, stroking the little hand that unconsciously curled around hers. "Our special gift from Heaven. Your parents are so lucky."
Mars thought about how chary - how demanding - Small Lady had been only an hour ago. Was this really the same child? It didn't seem like it.
The woman yawned, feeling fatigue creep over her, unexpected and swift. As sunlight poured over her and the joyfully warm bundle tucked safely against her bosom, Mars realized she envied Serenity's endless enthusiasm and energy. Not many new mothers could go from this to ruling a kingdom, yet her best friend did it with the utmost of grace; never seen without a smile. Yet... somehow... Mars understood.
Because despite the earache, despite the exhaustion, despite the discomfort of having sat in a hard-backed chair for far too extended a time... It was worth it. There was no doubt in her mind that she'd endure just about anything, if only to feel the beautiful rise and fall of the baby's body upon her own; to know that Small Lady was alive and healthy and happy. This overwhelming love - it was worth every pitfall of the journey.
oOo
Ah, silence. A luxury many took for granted - but not Neo-Queen Serenity. The aforementioned blonde monarch smiled as she pushed open the door to Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity's daytime nursery. As she walked in, her heart gave a delighted flutter at the sight presented to her.
For nestled in a rocking chair by the window was a slumbering Sailor Mars and a peaceful Small Lady, ensconced in each other's arms in a picture of perfection, and of palpable love between a godmother and her godchild.
TBC
