Andora stepped off the transport. Her daughter turned 13 tomorrow. In two years her daughter would get the choice to come with her or stay with her father for another 2 years for Simon to turn 15. Tomorrow Andora planned to ask RaiLeah about her choice. She knew Edgar wouldn't have told them but Andora didn't want to drop it on them last minute. Plus if neither one wanted to come live with her she would need to have another child to raise on the surface. She didn't want to do that but she needed an heir.
Andora looked around the terminal looked almost empty. Her family usually met her at the gate, "Where are they?" she pulled out her phone and typed a message to her husband. Inserted phones were a thing but no one used them anymore after a bunch of sketchy vids were released without the owners knowing they were being recorded. After a few minutes she walked out the gate to the long hallway that was the outer circle of Pusa9. She looked down at her phone again and typed another message in all caps.
"Did you miss me so much you had to get here 10 minutes earlier than scheduled?" Edgar laughed from beside her.
"I didn't realize I was early," she said blushing. Andora loved her husband and every time she saw him he looked more handsome. Andora wanted to be with him forever but their jobs kept them apart.
He leaned down and kissed her ear, "I missed you more than you know. I love you, Andora!"
Andora blushed even more, "can we go home?" she wanted to spend some alone time with him.
"Home is where our children are. RaiLeah is practising her swordsmanship, she is testing with the soldiers day after tomorrow. If she passes they owe her a 100 credits. If she beats any of them she gets 50 credits from each person she beats plus the 100 for passing. If she comes out top of the class they owe her another 100 on top of everything else. My soldiers underestimate our daughter but they are 18 to 20 year olds and she is 13," Edgar said guiding his wife to their home.
Andora frowned, "So, RaiLeah will become a soldier like you?"
Edgar laughed, "I doubt it. She likes training but I don't see her as a soldier. She is to soft for that."
"So, she will come home to train with me?" Andora grinned.
Edgar frowned, "I doubt that too. She hasn't shown any political interest or done exceptionally well in school. I actually don't know what she will pick."
"Will Simon pick me?" Andora asked, a little afraid.
Edgar realized how much having an heir meant to his wife, "He is still young but he is top of his class and is very smart. He has shown an interest in politics. I just don't know if it will change."
Andora nodded, her thoughts went to maybe having another child. They arrived at the door shortly after.
"Happy Birthday, RaiLeah!" Andora said smiling at her daughter.
"Mom! You made it! How long can you stay?" Ray asked excitedly running to her mom's arms. She knew that things were different here but didn't understand how a mom could be away from her kids so much.
"Yes, I made it. I wouldn't miss your birthday sweetheart. I will stay for a week or two. I took some extra time off for your Birthday," Andora smiled at her daughter in her arms. "Where is Simon?"
Edgar frowned, "Andora, spend some time with Ray for now." He knew her angle and it annoyed him. Edgar told her Simon might be her heir and now she would spoil him to encourage him to come with her.
Andora blushed, she knew he caught her, "RaiLeah what would you like to do?"
Ray thought, what do 13 year olds like to do with their moms? If she could see her mom again? "Can we have a spa day?"
"Oh, of course! We can spend the day together!" Andora didn't expect to like the same stuff as her daughter but everything they planned to do made her smile.
First they got manicures and pedicures, then they got massages, then went shopping for new royal looking outfits, and finally went to see a new movie. It had been released on the surface about a month earlier but Andora didn't tell Ray she had already seen it. Ray smiled at Andora, this was much like the 'mommy and me' days she spent with her earlthly mother. Her mom may have worked a lot but she made time for her. Andora seemed like she had kids for work instead of working to support her kids. Ray still hadn't gotten use to the fact that she transmigrated into what was essentially an alien princess. Only unlike earth only one person ruled. Their spouse and siblings had no power. Politics were complicated but just as dull here as on earth. Ray wanted to know why her mom had kids but decided that asking would ruin the perfect day they had.
When they got back Andora tucked both her children into bed, she made a plan to do the party tomorrow and Ray's training the next day then the rest of her trip would be spending time with Simon and Edgar. She needed an heir and she needed some time with Edgar. Ray would understand someday. She almost reached adulthood. She had to understand her mother's need for an heir more than her need for another subject. Right?
Edgar would be the one to convince. Would he let her raise a child on the surface? He knew she didn't want to be a mom. That is why he got special permission to raise their children. She would see about Simon then she would work on convincing her husband. She crawled into bed next to him, her face red as she touched his chest. He was already asleep so that idea was a bust. She turned over, another try tomorrow.