Gone

46.

The next few weeks go by slow as they rebuild of the Command Center goes by even slower, Amoura has ordered emergency training and biweekly drills to insure the best outcomes during dire situations like the one that just past.

Despite the rocky start she has gained a good footing as Commander and even those who thought she wasn't ready to take charge are starting to see that that may not be the case.

Amoura wakes up to her mother calling her, "I just go here so get up and come have breakfast with me and May." Amoura grumbles that she's exhausted and would rather sleep until the very last second before heading out to work.

"by the way we need to go shopping. May and I are planning a big dinner for your birthday. So come on get up, you need to look your best." Amoura glares at her mother.

"Mom I know you just got here and all but I still work, it's not like before, I kind of have to be at the base at all times. Just cause it's Saturday doesn't mean I'm off. I go in at eight." Layla's mood turns sour.

"What?" Layla slouches as Amoura's words settle in. "Yeah, I'll be working on my birthday too mom." Layla looks at her daughter disappointed, "but it's your birthday," Amoura looks at her and tells her its still a work day.

Amoura shoos her mom out so she can get ready soon," Amoura sighs, "okay well I'll make you breakfast." Layla's disappointment leaks out into her words. Clive looks at her from the bathroom, "maybe you should mention about trying to get Sunday off," Amoura shrugs and tells him she doesn't want to make promises she can't keep.

As soon as Amoura's gone to work Layla asks Clive about the engagement, "are you sure she'll be free Sunday?" Clive nods as he eats a banana muffin Layla makes, "you're an amazing cook, yet Amoura can kill with her terrible cooking." Layla chuckles amused before Clive gets serious.

"And yes, she's trying to get through all the paper works so she can have the day after tomorrow off." Clive finishes cleaning the dishes as Layla takes out the notepad.

"Okay well, the priest called this morning to confirm for tomorrow. I got all the ingredients for the dinner the chicken and fish are marinating now. Jackson got the music and Matthew got the flower arrangements in Amoura's favorite flowers. Did you find rings?"

Clive nods as he cuffs his sleeves, he pauses he had forgotten that Jackson is Row and Matthew is Coon, "yes, I'm picking them up right now on my way to work," Clive grabs his jacket and heads out.

Amoura arrives in time for dinner that night and just like Clive said she'll be free the day after tomorrow. "Alright then I'll push your dinner party till then." Amoura nods at her mother.

"Great you're here let's go shopping, I need something to wear for tomorrow." May asks as Amoura pulls her shoes off.

"I'm sorry May but I'm exhausted, I'm just going to convince her to let me wear my S.I.D.O unif-" May stops her, "mom will kill you were you stand, and then she'd burn you in a pink ruffle dress to get back at you for disobeying her orders." Amoura nods and tells her she'll see how the day starts tomorrow.

Work went by smoothly so Amoura takes a long lunch and joins May for a quick dress run.

"Mom what are you doing?" Amoura asks as Layla scrubs the pans clean, "I'm going to be making a lot of food tomorrow so I'm washing everything now." Amoura sighs, "I don't know why we can't just order Chinese and eat outside." Layla looks at her mortified, "that will not be happening." Before Amoura can speak up Layla interrupts her.

"An S.I.D.O uniform isn't normal for a civil dinner party, so yes you need a dress. Get it white, all the woman are to wear white and all the males are wearing black." Layla says as she picks up the pan and cleans it. "Yes, ma'am."