In Memoriam: Connie Lee Scandridge. April 14, 1952 - April 21, 2010. Beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother.

The morning was sunny and bright. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, especially that of Queen Serenity who was currently sitting on a bench in the Palace Gardens singing softly a tune to herself. She held a hand over her stomach, absently rubbing slowly back and forth, smiling as she hummed. Queen Celestia watched from a Roman-style column on the grand patio of the castle some thirty yards distant. She remained unseen by her wife, simply content to watch her sit by the fountain and listen to her soft melody weave through the air.

Soft Cruelty Side Stories

By: LowFlyer1080

Knowledge

It was then that she realized that she had company. Favoring a glance to her left, she shifted her stance before returning to gazing at her wife.

"You seem to be in good spirits this morning, Celestia." Mercury said, "Come to think of it, Serenity looks even happier than usual…you both do."

Celestia just smiled mysteriously as Jupiter approached. The Thunder Goddess wrapped her arms around Mercury's waist, holding her gently from behind and greeting Celestia.

"Good morning, Highness. Good morning, love." She kissed the now blushing Mercury on the cheek.

"Good morning, Jupiter." Ami smiled, leaning back into the embrace.

"It is indeed a good morning; in more ways that one." Celestia replied. "And don't call me Highness. We're all friends here. It's only required in public."

Soon, Mars and Venus appeared next to the other two senshi and their queen to listen to Serenity's song. Greetings were exchanged and once again Ami brought up the fact that their two queens seemed to be happier than usual that fine morning.

"Well, the storm front did finally leave." Venus pointed out, "Is that why you're so giddy?"

"Who's giddy?" Came a familiar voice.

"Ohayo, Uranus." The senshi greeted the Outer.

"Ohayo." The sandy blonde replied, "Now what's this about someone being giddy?"

"Celestia's got a secret that she's not telling!" Venus gushed.

"Minako! She'll tell us when she's ready!" Mars scolded her lover.

There was a small hum and soon a rift appeared in the air next to Uranus. None of the senshi said anything as Pluto stepped out, moving to put an arm around Uranus' waist and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"You can't just use the door like the rest of us, can you?" The wind senshi chuckled.

"I don't walk anywhere unless I have to." Pluto replied in that ever-calm voice of hers. "Besides, it's not every day you learn about Serenity and Celestia's new announcement."

"Awww no fair! How come you know already and we don't?" Jupiter whined.

"She's the Senshi of Time. Of course she's gonna know." Mercury pointed out.

By this time, Serenity was quite aware she had an audience however she paid them no heed. Her song continued as she saw Saturn appear from the other side of the gardens and come toward her. She smiled at the young woman as she hummed the ending of the song.

"Good morning Hotaru-chan." She said peacefully.

"Gomen ne, Serenity-sama, but why do you still refer to me as Hotaru?" Saturn asked as she knelt in front of her queen, the butt of the Silence Glaive resting on the ground as she held it vertically.

"I guess old habits are hard to break, Taru-chan. Besides, no matter how long we live, you will always be Hotaru-chan to me. And please don't call me that, Usagi or even just Serenity is fine."

"Why are you holding your stomach? Does it hurt?"

Serenity's smile grew a little wider.

"No, it doesn't hurt. Quite the contrary, I feel wonderful."

"Why's that?"

"Come here, Hotaru-chan. Sit next to your Usagi-mama." She scooted to the side and patted the space on the marble bench.

Saturn sat down next to her. Serenity took her hand and placed it on her still flat stomach.

"I don't understand…"

"Shh. You will, just focus." Serenity said quietly. "Close your eyes and feel with your heart. What is it telling you?"

The birds chirped in the morning sun and a cool breeze blew through the gardens as the Senshi of Silence closed her eyes, attempting to do what Serenity told her to. 'What does she mean feel with my heart?'

The rest of the senshi looked on, slightly confused at the display they were seeing. Celestia said nothing. She merely stepped quietly past her protectors toward her wife and adoptive daughter. As she reached the pair and knelt down in front of them, she laid her head down on Serenity's lap, her eyes joining Serenity's in their focus upon the little firefly. And that was when they heard the soft gasp and violet eyes opened to look at the two.

"Chibi-usa!" Saturn exclaimed.

The two queens' smiles and nods of confirmation were interrupted by a squeal of excitement coming from Venus. In less time than it takes a hummingbird to flap its wings, the three of them were surrounded by the now very excited senshi of the Inner and Outer courts as they came to join the soon-to-be mothers at the fountain.

The knowledge was out, and amid the excitement and planning (mostly by Venus), Celestia and Serenity shared a small kiss, whispering to each other words that came with new meaning to them both.

'I love you.'

'I love you, too.'

End

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon

Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to my mother, who, after 4 years of battling breast cancer, lost her fight. I love you, Mom. You always told me that no matter what, the sun shall rise tomorrow and the Earth shall continue to spin. May we all seek that sunrise and let it be bright with the promise and hope of a new tomorrow.