"Mama wake up. Mama." Benny is poking me in the ribs.

I give him a glare, "Okay, I'm a wake. What do you need?" I grump.

"I'm hungry. When is breakfast?" he whines.

"Not for a bit, yet. We were all up late last night, so Tilly and Abbey are still asleep. If I get you a slice of bread will that hold you until breakfast?" I ask him.

"It would."

I can see him as the door is open, it was closed last night, so he must have opened it. "Have you used the chamber pot? and cleaned up?" He nods. I reach out and give him a hug, though when I don't release him immediately he starts squirming. When I let him go he is off the bed and out the door. I crawl off the bed, do my morning toilet then find my robe. Belting it closed as I exit the sitting room I go in search of my boy. I see him at the kitchen door, waiting. Once in the kitchen I get a loaf from the bread box and a sharp knife from the block. After slicing a good finger width slice I put back the loaf and the knife. Then before tearing the slice in two, I spread it with butter.

"Sit at the table, Benny." He climbs up onto one of the chairs where I hand him one of the pieces of bread.

"Thank you, mama." he says around a mouth full of bread.

"You're welcome, Benny." I sit beside him before taking a bite of my own piece of bread, oh so good. I can't remember enjoying a slice of bread so much back on Earth. Is bread truly better here? I am contemplating bread when Aaron walks in.

"Good morning, Prince Aaron. Did you sleep well?" I ask.

"Oh, good morning your majesty. I did, I think it's the best I have slept in along time." He sits on the third chair, next to Benny. "Good morning, master Benny. That looks to be a very tasty piece of bread you have there, would there be another slice?" I get out the butter keeper and butter knife, laying them on the table, then slice off a thick slice off the loaf for Aaron. After handing it to him I build a fire in the stove. Aaron is watching closely as I place the kindling far back in the fire box then get a fire going there. When it has burned a minute I pull the fuel out toward the front of the stove then close the ash door. Then I feed a hand full of small wood into the fire from above. I can hear the fire starting to draw.

After filling the kettle with water, I place it over the farthest burner opening after removing it's cover. I had shown Tilly, Abbey and Emi how to light the fire in the stove and get it burning correctly. In return they had shown me and Emi how to boil water on it. I had used a single and double pot variant of this stove on Earth but not a four burner type.

"Is this stove one of your innovations, your majesty?" Aaron asks as I sit back down to wait for the water to boil.

"It is. We just started using it five days ago, so we are still learning its quirks." I'm wondering where Tilly has the tea stashed when she enters. "Morning Tilly."

"Good morning, your majesty. You're up early."

"Benny was hungry and woke me. I came down to get him a slice of bread which he has devoured. I just started the kettle and was wonder where you had the tea stashed?"

"The herbal or the Shangee?"

"The Shangee."

"The teas are on this shelf," she points to the shelf over the refrigerator pot. She is pouring water into the refrigerator pot. "The herbal is beside it in the pot and the W.W.F. is next to that." She checks the fire, adds a couple of sticks, it's in full roar now. I go over and slide the kettle to the side so I can see the flame, it's burning well. And the kettle is steaming already. I get the tea and tea pot ready for the water. In only a few more minutes the steam is coming from the spout in a steady stream. I slide the kettle off the fire and slide the cover on in one movement. I set the tea to steep then retrieve some cups and saucers, the honey pot and a small pitcher of cream from the refrigerator pot. These are all placed on the table to await the tea.

"Tea, Aaron?" I am holding the tea pot, ready to pour him a cup. When he nods I pour three cups, then set the pot down on the trivet in the middle of the table. "Honey? Cream?" I ask him.

"A bit of both, please." He is looking at the cup, with a questioning look.

"This is a tea from a country name Shangee, one of the merchants that arrived with Mark sold it to the inn keeper. He couldn't sell it because he had to charge too much for it. But I like its flavor so bought it from him."

I dip up a quarter spoon of honey which I place in his cup then mixed in a splash of cream, giving it a stir. I place half a spoon of honey, no cream in mine. And cream, no honey for Tilly. "Your tea is ready, Tilly." She comes to the table, picking up Benny who was trying to fall back to sleep then sits, cuddling him on her lap.

"Thank you, your majesty." I heard her sigh as she took her first sip.

I hear Aaron sigh also. "This is very good. You called it Shangee Tea? I'll have to remember that."

Taking my cup I go stand in the doorway, looking at sun line on the atrium floor. It's about 0700. Finishing my tea, I place the cup by the wash tub then taking Benny from Tilly, "Time to get dressed, then wake the others. See you two later." I go up the stairs carrying Benny. Entering my bed chamber I lay Benny next to Beth then wake Emi by kissing her soundly.

Her eyes open, "Morning Fina."

"Morning Love. I'm going to get a pitcher of water, as Benny and Beth need to a bath. Will you'll wake Beth up first and get her ready."

As I take the pitcher to the kitchen to fill she gets up, does her toilet then wakes Beth. She gently shakes Beth,"Time to wake up Beth."

Beth stretches, then opens her eyes, "Morning aunt Emi." She looks the bed over, a frown forming, sad Rufina isn't there.

"Fina went to get a pitcher of water, she'll be back soon. She asked me to get you ready to bathe so up you come." Emi helps the girl out of bed, stripping her down, then giving her a gentle push toward the chamber pot.

When Rufina returns with the pitcher of water she pour some in the basin. "Morning Beth. Ready for a bath?" She took her robe off, hanging it in the wardrobe. The chemise and panties she wore to bed go into the basket. After wetting a cloth she calls Beth over and started rubbing her down. When she got to her lower legs, Rufina sat her on the chest and massaged her feet, washing them well. Beth sighs with pleasure.

Emi had also stripped and was washing Rufina's back as she washes Beth. When Rufina finished Beth, Emi asked her If she would like to learn how to massage Mama Fina's feet. When Beth nodded, she and Rufina switched places on the chest. Emi took one of Rufina's feet and showed Beth what to do, then Beth did the other foot. The little knife appeared and Rufina's nails were trimmed, then Beth's. Then seating Emi on the chest Beth and Rufina wash and massage her feet.

When the three are finished bathing, they dress before waking Benny. Rufina sends Beth down to the kitchen to get another half pitcher of water. While she was gone Benny was stripped and set on the pot, then soaped up. When Beth returned they rinsed and dried him off then dressed him. Fina and Emi finished dressing then led the children down stairs.

They found the others gathered in the kitchen, sipping cups of tea. Sophia was absent though.

"She is still dead to the world, sleeping heavily." Helen said when asked.

"I can understand that, she drained her energy steadily for over four hours last night. I would be tired, too."

When everyone is done with their tea, I lead them out to the garden. Emi leads the others as I show Aaron, Victor and Benson the warm up exercises and the first forms. Victor moves well, Aaron and Benson not so much. I explain what we are doing and why. We finish our shorter version at the same time as the others so we all return to the dining room. The others sit and chat while Emi and I help Beth and Benny set the table. I notice Aaron watching me.

With the table set, I help Benny into his chair, then Beth. I ask what everyone has planned for the day. Aden is going to start the loading of Aaron's grain. Aaron says he should make an appearance to reassure the Captain of the ship he was alive and well. Helen was going to be at her shop this morning. Eliza would be with Howard again today, they had pages to print. I started to ask Sophia what she planned to teach the children today when I realized her chair was empty.

Staring at her empty chair, I wonder if we could help her recharge her energy. "Eliza, Helen before you leave would you spend a hour with Sophia sharing energy with her?" They look at each other then nod. "Thank you. Would the rest of you do the same sometime today?"

"Can I help, Mama Fina?" Beth asks.

"Sure you can sweetie, Benny too. After Helen and Eliza, you, Benny and I can go stay with her."

Tilly and Abbey bring out breakfast, a multi-grain porridge with fruit on it. We set up a schedule for sitting with Sophia as we eat. Emi and I help Beth and Benny clear the table then wash the dishes. When we finish we select a book that Beth can read to us while we sit. I find the improved lamp which hasn't had much use lately as I haven't been reading much in the evenings. I then explain to Benny that he will need to be still and quiet while we are with Sophia. Either Mama or Beth will be reading so lay quietly. He nods, while wearing his serious face.

Emi, who had disappeared after we finished the dishes returns saying that it almost time for Helen and Eliza to leave. The four of us go to Sophia's rooms where I setup the lamp on her bedside table, lighting it and getting it aimed while Helen and Eliza get hugs from the children. Helen tells us she had moved a little when they first arrived. After I hug them goodbye, I sit leaning on the headboard, the light from the lamp shining in front of me. I lay Sophia's arm over my leg so we are skin to skin. Emi lays down next to her on the other side with her head on Sophia's shoulder. Beth sits between my legs, leaning against me, one leg pinning Sophia's arm down against me. Benny lays at the foot of the bed.

Beth opens the book then tries reading but the light is wrong. I adjust the lamp until she can see the page, We sit this way for a while, until Benny starts squirming. I tell him if he needs to use the chamberpot go do it. He hops up, makes a deposit in the pot then returns to the bed. As we wait for him I try something, 'Sophia, can you hear me?' I am about to have Beth start reading again when, 'Good morning dear one, thank you for the energy, it helps a lot.' 'Will you be waking soon?' 'I need a few more hours to be able to get up. Having all of you touching me helps. Tell Beth and Emi thank you. And young Benny too. I am going to go back to sleep now, see you in a few hours.' 'Sleep well, Sophia, love you.' I feel kissed.

"I just spoke to Sophia. She says our being here is helping but it will be a few more hours. She also said Thank you to us all." I am so happy I give Beth a squeeze.

"Mama, not so tight." she protests.

"Sorry, sweetie. Do you want to read more or shall I read a while?"

"You can read, Mama." She scoots down so she is on her back then rolls to her side, laying her head on my leg. I continue reading from where she left off. This an adventure story, I end up giving it a dramatic reading, doing different voices for the different characters. When I come out of the book, needing to use the pot, I discover my audience has grown. Aden, Aaron, Tilly, Abbey, and Christina are sitting around the bed, holding hands with Emi who is still snuggled up to Sophia.

"Hello, everyone. Excuse me, please. I need to visit the chamber pot, I'll be right back." After nudging Beth to get her to move so I can, I get up, stretching then going to my room to use the pot. Returning I tell them that I had talked to Sophia, telling them we were helping her and she should wake around dinner time or shortly after. I hear sighs then they start urging me to continue reading. Beth stands so I can sit down again. Once I am settled she lays back down. Opening the book I start reading again. About a hour later I come to the end, "So the king rewarded Sir Firebrand the hand of the princess and they lived happily ever after. The End." This book probably belonged to my brother or at least was read by him, it is old, the cover cracked and the lettering fading. This would be a good candidate for printing once the presses are running.

"Mama reads good," The youngest of my audience pipes up.

"Yes she does, Benny. And it is reads well, not reads good." Corrects Aaron, who is holding the now squirming boy.

"Benny, you can go run around the atrium now." He hops down, taking off at top speed, "NO RUNNING ON THE STAIRS." I yell after him. "Yes, Mama." I can hear faintly as he goes down said stairs. The others in the room start laughing.

"My my, what a noisy bunch." This comes from Sophia, who is lying between Emi and I, unable to move because we are on the blanket covering her and have her arms pinned. Nudging Beth again, we get off the bed, allowing Sophia to get up. She promptly shoos us out, she needs to pee. Emi and I are the last to leave but before we go Sophia gives us a hug, a kiss and a request for hot water. Emi takes off to get the water. Sophia has hold of me so I help her do her business then help her undress after preparing the basin for the hot water. Clean clothes are laid out. When Emi returns we scrub her down, wash her hair and give her a foot massage. Drying her off, I start dressing her while Emi brushes her hair. As we are doing this she is telling us she would have been asleep for another 10 hours if we hadn't come to sit with her. She is still not up to par, being weak so we help her down stairs to dinner.

Tilly has a large platter of sandwiches ready, along with several pots of tea and platters of sliced fruit. Helen and Eliza have returned and Howard has accompanied them.

"Helen, Eliza, thank you for sitting with me. I felt you were there but had no way to tell you that you were helping. All of you were. Even you, Howard. I can feel each of you when you are thinking of me. Like I told Rufina and Emi it would have been late tonight before I woke if you hadn't come sit with me."

The food was passed around. We find out what Eliza and Howard have been working on. They have one side of the first plate of pages of the alphabet book printed, they would be starting on the next one this afternoon. Howard goes to the parlor, returning with a large folio from which he removed a large sheet of paper. Holding it up I could see the pages, in four colors. He walks around the table so every one can see the details. Beth notices that two of the pages are upside down and asks why.

"When the pages are all ready to be made into a book, the sheets with all the pages will be folded twice then cut. After cutting the pages will be right side up and in the correct order. Then they will be sown together and a cover put on them to finish the book." When Howard was next to me, I take a close look. It is beautifully done, the colors sharp, well aligned. Where they overlapped the resulting colors were also sharp and crisp. "Very nice Howard, well done. You too, Eliza."

"Thank you, your majesty," they reply.

Aaron stands, walks around the table to where Helen is sitting. After whispering something to her, she stands. Aaron moves her chair away from the table. He then kneels beside Sophia, bowing his head, "Goddess Sophia, I thank you for healing me last night." He then bows even lower.

Sophia lays her hand on his head, "You are most welcome, Prince Aaron. Now rise, please." He raises his head but remains kneeling. She looks at him, her hand still on his head, a smile slowly forming on her face. She glances at Rufina, the smile growing larger. "Prince Aaron, would you and Rufina help me back to my room, I think I shall nap this afternoon." Rufina gives her a questioning look then shrugs. As Rufina comes around the table, Aaron helps Sophia to stand. Taking an arm of each Sophia heads to the back stairway, which is wider than the closer one.

"Aaron I want you to limit your self to mild exercise for the next couple of days, NO running the walls. You can walk around the palace, but no running. Work your way up to running. Your heart is not used to you exercising hard so start slowly," Sophia admonishes Aaron as we walk her to her room. Once we are there she lays down on the bed after slipping off her slippers. "Rufina, would it be possible to go swimming tomorrow?"

"I don't see why not. Though..." I look at Aaron. "What do you wear when you swim Prince Aaron?"

"Usually nothing. Why?"

"Even in mixed company? Or do you do swim with just your male friends?"

"My family usually swims with me, along with Benson. Victor is usually guarding us."

"Well you three will need suits then." I give him a smile.

"You had better stop Helen before she leaves if you want her to make swimsuits this afternoon." Sophia says.

"Yes I had. I'll be back." I go out to the balcony, toward my room so I can see the dinning room. Rising my voice, "Helen are you still here?"

"I am here Rufina. How may I help you?" Helen comes out from the dining room.

"Do you have enough fabric to make swimsuits for Prince Aaron, Benson and Victor?"

"Complete suits, no. Liners, yes." is her reply.

"One moment." I return to the Sophia's room, asking, "Aaron, what type of undergarment do you wear? Drawers or loincloth?"

He blushes a bit, his ears turning pink. "I wear draws." He mumbles.

"Do you know if Benson and Victor wear the same?"

"Benson does, I have no idea what Victor wears."

Walking back out to the balcony, I tell Helen to ask Victor if he wears drawers. She calls to him, he replies that he heard and yes, he does wear drawers. I go down stairs, asking them to each fetch a pair of their drawers and one of Aaron's. Benson wonders why. I tell him we are going to modify them to make swim wear. He gets it, nodding. Victor and he go to their rooms returning shortly with their undergarments. I ask Helen to measure the two of them then come to Sophia's room to measure Aaron. She nods, giving Benson a smile. He looks a bit nervous.

I return to Sophia's room. When I get there, Sophia and Aaron are speaking softly, though they both turn to watch me as I enter. "There she is, ask her." Sophia says.

"Uh, Rufina, your majesty. Uhm, you aren't a native of Dominion are you?"

I smile at him. It didn't take him long. "No, I am not. Forty two days ago, Sophia placed me in Rufina's body after the previous minster poisoned her. What gave me away this time? Not acting like a noble or showing too much knowledge?"

"Both and the fact you care for your people. Most nobles would not rush to save someone, would never adopt the orphaned children of peasants or get down on their knees to light a fire or even know how to make tea. Nobles wouldn't build special rooms for their servants, giving them windows, nor treat craftsman as friends."

We are interrupted by Helen arriving to measure Aaron. She has him pull his shirt out of his trousers, then pulls the trousers down a few inches so she can measure his waist. After that she measures his thighs, hips and his crotch. She is bold, giving his manhood a feel. Nodding she ignores his blushing protests. Muttering to herself she leaves, going to her work room I assume. Aaron sputters and fumes, not knowing what to do. Sophia and I giggle, which makes him blush worse.

"Relax Aaron, she didn't mean anything by it. She was getting an idea how much room you need there."

"It's still very embarrassing," he grumbles.

"Why don't you two go take a walk and talk. I would like to sleep now." Sophia says before yawning. Laying back she closes her eyes, relaxing.

I give her a kiss on the cheek, "Sleep well. I'll come wake you for supper if need be." I murmur in her ear. I feel like I'm being kissed again. I need to get her to teach me that.

Taking Aaron by the hand we cross to my room, "Excuse me a moment, Aaron, I need to get a pair of stockings." Then we went to the garden door where I put on my brogues. We start by visiting the stable, checking on the foal. She is a little over two weeks old and growing well. As we walk we talk, him asking about my back ground and the world I'm from. I ask him of his past and what he enjoys doing. We stop at Tobias' chicken coops. I notice how Tobias is marking the birds so he can tell them apart. Aaron notices also, wondering why the are marked. I explain.

We continue around the grounds, viewing the orchard, the paddocks and the gray water filter bed being built. When he asks what it is for, I explain. My explanation soon turns into a lecture on biology, the water cycle and soil biology. He asks questions, which lead to more details. These details lead to more questions. Soon we are sitting under a tree with me sketching different things in the dirt, explaining it all. When I mention microscopes, he asks what they are which leads to lens and optics then telescopes. Telescopes lead to planets, moons, celestial bodies of all types, theories of the origin of the universe, the creation of the suns and of the planets, theories of the origins of life.

About this time, Emi arrives, a cross look on her face. "Your Majesty, I would appreciate it if you would tell someone where you are going when you leave. I have been looking for you for the last half hour. You have missed your run and it is near supper time."

Aaron stands, helping me up. "Sorry Emi, we got to talking and the time has flown. Is it really that late?" I look around and yes it is that late, the shadows are lengthening to the east. Soon we would have been in the shadow of the garden wall.

"And Harry's man delivered the roofing tiles this afternoon. You will need to pay Harry as there was not enough coin in the petty cash pouch to pay him. The bill is on the study desk." She is pissed, I can tell, her tail is not only stiff but the fur on it is raised. Her ears are even laying down. She is leading us to the garden gate where I see stacks of different types of tiles. I think I will need Bob to come install them.

Once we enter the palace, I remove my shoes and stockings then follow Emi to my rooms. Benson leads Aaron off to his room, I think he is upset also. Before we get to my rooms I ask Emi if Sophia is up. She is. Once we get to my rooms, Emi, in a rare showing of emotion starts crying.

"Fina, please don't do that again. I was so worried." She hugs me tight, crying on me.

I hug her back, starting to cry too, "I'm sorry Emi."

We stand there several minutes crying on each other. I take her head in hand, wiping her tears with my thumbs, kissing her. Once we break the kiss, she asks, "Do you wish to bathe?"

"No, I'll just wash up, getting most of the dust off. We can bathe properly before bed."

Looking at me, she asks, "What did you two talk about all afternoon?" She starts wiping my arms.

"The horses, the chickens, fruit trees, me, him, soil, bactria, water, the sun, the moon, the stars, gods, planets, telescopes, microscopes and the beginnings of life. Mostly me monologuing."

"You sure know how to show someone a good time." she quips.

"He asked a lot of questions, pushing most of my buttons. You know what happens when my buttons are pushed."

She wipes the dirt and tears from my face, "Yes I do, love. You go into teaching mode, then fall in a rabbit hole, not coming out until poked. Shall I tell Aaron how to get you out of rabbit holes?"

I give her a 'don't you dare' look, she just giggles.

"There, clean enough for supper. She takes me in a hug, kissing me, grabbing my ass. I return the ass grab, rubbing the base of her tail. "Quit that! Unless you don't want supper."

"You started it. Love you Emi." I whisper as I nuzzle her neck.

"I know you do, lusty princess. Now quit, we need to get to supper." She push away, taking my hand, she leads me out. Most of the others are seated, waiting on us. I take my seat as Emi goes to the kitchen soon returning with a tray. Laying out the bowls then placing the platter in front of me.

"Good evening all. Hope you had a good afternoon. Now pass your plates, please." Their plates converge on me, soon be returned with a slice of the meat on them.

"You look better Sophia. Did you sleep all afternoon?"

"A couple of hours. Did you and Aaron talk?"

"You could say that, though I don't remember him getting to say much." I glance over to him, he is smiling. Sophia shakes her head.

"I learned a great deal this afternoon, Sophia," he says. "I learned that Rufina is passionate about animal breeding, the care of the land and water, knows a great deal about many things and likes to tell anyone that will listen about them. I also learned that she is forgetful at times, can be focused on a subject to the exclusion of all else and is very persuasive. And is lovely when she gets to talking about her passions."

I sit there blinking at him.

"Oh, dear, Aaron I think you broke her." Sophia says, then giggles. 'Are you all right, dear one?'

I shake myself, his observations still bouncing in my brain. 'Am I really like that?'

'At times, yes.' She takes a bite, chewing it. 'and I agree with most of it.'

'And what don't you agree with?'

'That you are lovely when you talk about your passions, you are lovely all the time.'

I blush, I can't help it. Sophia gives me a mental kiss.

We sit and chat, finding out that Helen has the swimsuits made, they will need fitting. Eliza reports that the first set of blocks for the other side of the page are cut with the other sets laid out, ready to be cut. Tobias informs me he isn't sure how to place the tiles on the bathhouse roof. I tell him I will have Bob do it then. Aden reports that the half the local harvest is threshed and with half of that cleaned. And he has received reports from the other towns on the island, the harvest is larger than it was last year. Depending on location, it's 5 to 10 percent larger.

I ask Aden how the grain for taxes get delivered. He says they are usually brought by pack train. I then asks Aaron how much grain his kingdom purchased from Mark. He replied two thousand sacks as they had a below average harvest this year. I then asked Aden how much grain Four Rivers would be sending as tax? He would guess 3000 sacks or so. I get a grin on my face. I ask Aaron if another ship is coming or would the one being loaded would be returning? The kingdom only had the one ship so when the wheat was unloaded the ship would be returning. I then ask Aden how many of the threshers and cleaners are finished? Several of each should be finished is the reply.

"Good, then when the ship returns from Monte' in ten of so days, we can load the the threshers and cleaners aboard. Then have her sail to Four Rivers, off load the threshers and cleaners and take on a load of grain. The machines get delivered and tax grain gets moved."

"The grain wouldn't be cleaned would it?" Aaron asks.

"No, it wouldn't."

"I have my ship, I could deliver a thresher and cleaner to Four Rivers. They could then be used to thresh and clean the tax grain before the 'Spirit' returns."

"How long would it take to sail around the island to Four Rivers?" It is only forty five or so miles overland but it takes two day to get there by horse because of the terrain, especially hauling anything.

He gets a deep thought look then says, "If I left early in the morning it should only take nine to ten hours, depends on the winds. Then about the same for the return trip."

"So a minimum of two days." What else needs to go to Four Rivers? "Aden, have the Bug Out Bag and safe area proclamations been sent to Four Rivers?"

"Not yet, your majesty."

"What else needs to go there? The apprentice program? Ideas, please people."

"They will need sacks to put the grain in," says Kalvin.

"Some one to teach them to how to use the machines and to explain the apprentice program." say Sophia.

"And the three field rotation and new crops to be implemented," says Aden.

"And the one person that can do all that is you, Rufina." says Emi.

"It would do the people good to see their Queen. And the Queen good to see her people," says Aden, "Also you wished to inspect the iron mine workers."

"So I get volunteered to go to Four Rivers, do I?" I do want to go, to spend time with Aaron for one and I do need to go to Four Rivers. They don't look sure I want to go. "So who else is going? Aaron, because it's his ship. So Benson and Victor because Aaron is going and they are his crew. Emi, because I'm going."

Sophia speaks up, "May I go?"

I nod. "Yes, you may."

"Can Benny and I go, mama Fina? I would like to see some where different." says Beth.

'Should they go?' , 'I see no reason for them not to.'

"You and Benny may go." Looking at Benny I see he has nodded off.

"So Aaron, Benson, Victor, Emi, Sophia, Beth, Benny and I. On a three day trip to Four Rivers and back."

"In the morning I will check if a thresher and cleaner can be ready to go. And arrange for 500 sacks. Do you need any supplies for your ship, Aaron?" asks Aden.

"You two work on it, I have someone to put to bed." I pick up Benny, laying him on my shoulder. "Come along Beth." Emi leads us to the stairs, picking up and lighting a candle at the top. Once we are in the children's room, I sit Benny down, removing his tunic and shorts. Positioning him, I cover him up, giving him a kiss, "Good night sweet boy."

He wakes enough to mumble, "Night mama." Then curling into a ball he is soon asleep, snoring lightly."

Emi has helped Beth change for bed in the meantime. She has found her current book and is waiting for me to sit down so she can sit between my legs. Emi lays on the other side of Benny, ready to listen. Beth sits between my legs, leaning back and starts reading. She reads for 75 minutes before getting to the point she can't keep her eyes open. Taking the book, I mark her place then lay her down, snuggling up behind her as she snuggles with Benny. I lay an arm over her and Benny, catching Emi's hand in mine giving it a squeeze. We lay thus for ten minutes, until Beth is gently snoring then get up, tucking them in. Emi leads me to the sitting room, giving me a hug and a long kiss once there. We stand holding each other for a few minutes, just being together.

"She reads very well for being seven." comments Emi.

"Yes and she is going through the library. She is going to run out of reading material, not soon but quickly. I should see about writing or buying more books. Aggh, more to do." I give her a look, "Would you be willing to make a list of titles and authors of all the books in the study?"

"As long as it doesn't need to be done quickly, yes. I only get a few minutes free at a time. You could have Beth do it, with Sophia's help."

I think about it. It would work, she would get reading, writing and practice put things in alphabetic order. "That's a good idea, love. I'll ask Sophia to have her start on it." I kiss her again, "I think it's bath time, do we need two pitchers full tonight?" She nods. We go get the pitchers from my room, then go fill them. Returning to my rooms we strip down, prepare the water then bathe. We wash each others hair, drying it well then brushing it. Emi shaves my underarms, upper legs and pubes, then she has me shave under her arms.

After we dry each other thoroughly we climb into bed, with one candle lit on the night stand. We cuddle, talking. She asked what some of the things I talked to Aaron about were. When I asked her which ones, she replied microscopes and telescopes. She listened for over an hour, asking questions. To explain telescopes and microscopes I had to talk about light, refraction and lens. When she started yawning I snuffed the candle, then I kissed her cheek. Putting a leg over hers and my head on her shoulder I was soon asleep.