Here it is, my last chapter ever. I had a lot of fun rehashing this story. I am so sorry about the wait you all had to endure, but here it is. My final chapter of Home is With You.
Chapter 10: Home is With You
"I'm sorry she's upset but we have a Moon that needs a queen!" Yaten was fed up with Serena's moping. "Okay, so she lost a lover. In the grand scheme of things, the Moon is more important! She's been in her room for almost a week! She needs to start doing her job!"
"Yaten, she asked me to be governor and I'm governing." Mina replied hotly. "I can do this job just fine, thank you."
"Yes, of course you can, but she's the queen! The people need to see her! They're losing hope now."
Mina sighed and lay back on their bed. They had this discussion every night this week and she was tired of it.
"I know, Yaten. I'm doing my best but the people need her."
"What can we do?"
"Wait." Mina replied. She has known Serena for years, since they were 8 years old, and she had never seen this before. Sure Serena had had crushes on boys in the orphanage. She even had a boyfriend when she was 16, but she was never in love like this. Never depressed like this. Even when she decided to stop seeing Darien, in what seems like a lifetime ago, back before any of this happened. Even then she wasn't so depressed, so alone. 'Even then she had opened up to me.' Mina thought.
oOo
Serena opened her eyes and saw light streaming in through her window. It lit up her room with a silver glow. 'Everything is silver here, isn't it?' she thought wearily to herself. Then Serena did something she hadn't done in a week, she smiled. Then, even more miraculously, she sat up.
"I smell." She said to herself. Then she got out of bed and got into the shower. She stood in the shower for a long time, letting the jets of warm water wash over her. She used her strawberry body wash and lathered her whole body and then worked her shampoo into her long, blonde hair. When she was finally done she got out and dried herself with one of the lush, plump towels that was left to her. "Not a maid-girl anymore, am I?" Serena said out loud. She then styled her hair in her signature buns, another thing she hadn't done in weeks. Then she dressed herself in a long white dress and left her room.
oOo
"Serena!" Ami cried when she saw her, "You're up! I'm so glad!"
"Really, Rina, this is great." Mina added. The two of them had been having tea together and discussing what they had to do next for the kingdom. With three of the girls out of commission, they had to really start delegating.
"Thank you." Serena replied slowly. "Are Rei and Leta back yet?"
"No, they're still on Earth. Did you know that Rei and Malachite are together? She never told any of us."
"No," Serena said smiling slightly, "I never knew. Call them on the communicator. I have to tell them something. And have you seen Seiya?"
"Seiya? Yes, he's in the library. Do you want me to go get him?" Ami replied.
"Yes, please do. I'll call Leta and Rei."
Ami handed Serena the communicator as she left to find Seiya. Mina moved over so Serena could sit next to her on the white couch. Serena dialled the connection to Leta's communicator and waited. After a few seconds there was a reply.
"Hello?" Came Leta's voice.
"It's me."
"Serena! Hey Rei, it's Serena on the communicator, get over here!"
Serena heard footsteps running and then Rei's voice, "Ser! I'm so glad you're out of bed. How are you?"
"I'm... okay. Is he there?"
"Darien?" Rei's voice caught for a moment, "No. I haven't seen him all week Ser. He's just in his room. Malachite tried to talk to him once, but he wouldn't listen. I'm sorry Ser."
"No, it's better that he's not here to hear this." Ami returned with Seiya then and they took a seat next to her on the long white couch. "I have an announcement," Serena continued. "I'm going to marry Seiya, if he will still have me." Serena turned to Seiya and took his hands. "Will you still marry me?" she asked.
"Of course! Oh Serena, you have made me the happiest- Well, of course- Oh Serena!" Seiya was beside himself with happiness and he grabbed Serena's face and kissed her hard on the lips. Serena was taken aback. She wasn't used to such a hard kiss. 'I guess I'll have to get used to it.' She thought to herself.
"That's... great." Said Mina.
"Congratulations." Leta added over the communicator.
"Thank you." Serena replied. "Rei, Leta, will you come back for the wedding? I want it to be next week. As soon as possible."
"Of course I will." Said Leta.
"And you Rei?" Serena asked, after a pause.
"Yes, your highness. I will attend the royal wedding." And Serena heard Rei's angry footsteps fading away into the distance.
"I better go check on her, Ser. I'm sorry." Leta's voice sounded full of tears. "But I'll be back in a few days! I promise."
Serena heard the communicator click off. 'Well... oh well.' she thought to herself. 'Rei is a fool if she thinks that Darien and I could still make it work. He's gone now. And I have to produce an heir. It's my responsibility.' But even Serena had a hard time convincing herself of this.
"I guess we better start planning." Said Mina, in a fake cheerful voice.
"Yes, I guess we should." Serena answered.
oOo
Rei stomped up to Darien's room. She was furious, flaming. As soon as she heard about Serena's engagement to Seiya, Rei had been trying to talk to her brother. But he wouldn't let her into his room. Finally Rei had had enough. The wedding was two days away. She stole the keys from the housekeeper's room and she was going to use them. First she knocked on his door loudly.
"I'm not here." Came a grumbling voice inside.
"Fine! I'll do it the hard way." Rei answered and slipped the big brass key into the keyhole. She turned it and walked in to her brother's room. A smell of must and stale air hit her first. The room was pitch black, the only light was coming in from the crack she left the door open.
"Go away." Darien grumbled from his bed.
"No way." Rei replied as she opened all the curtains and the windows, finally letting fresh air and light into the room.
"Rei, please get out." Darien said, sitting up. He looked terrible. He was pale with huge rings under his eyes. And he looked like he hadn't eaten in days,
"No Darien. You're my brother and I'm worried about you. And I really need to talk to you!"
"You're not really my sister." He said. Rei walked over to the bed and slapped him across the face.
"You idiot. I am your sister. I remember your fifth birthday party when you put cake up my nose. And I remember making forts with you in the library and reading fairy tales out loud. I remember when you fell off your horse and broke your leg, but insisted on going back on as soon as your cast was fitted. I remember being sick when I was 9 and dad had just died. You took care of me all night. I remember crying at mom and dad's funerals, but you didn't because you had to be strong. I am your fucking sister and don't you dare say otherwise. I didn't even know I was adopted until a couple of weeks ago. I love you Darien. I also love the moon. And I have a feeling you do too." Rei sat down on her brother's bed and stoked his hair.
Darien wouldn't say anything.
"She's marrying Seiya, Darien. In two days. She's marrying Seiya then she'll be lost forever."
"I hope they die." Darien's voice was full of hatred.
"Then you don't deserve her." Rei got up and left his room. But from the doorway she called back, "If you really loved her, you would love all of her, Darien. That includes her people. My parents were killed by Lunarians too. But we could have peace. Peace is better than war. And love is better than either."
oOo
The wedding was the next day. Leta, Rei, Andrew and Malachite would be beamed in tonight. Serena sat on her bed alone, her head down. She hadn't cried in a long time. It was as if she had run out of tears.
"I'm getting married tomorrow." She said out loud. She still barely believed it. Slowly she began to undress. She always refused to have a maid dress and undress her. "I've been a queen for weeks, but I was a peasant for years. I know how to lace my own corset." Serena would joke.
She slowly removed her silver gown, her white heels and her bone corset. When she was finally naked she lathered herself with strawberry body butter. She loved the smoothness of her skin after putting it on. When she was finally done she put on her translucent night gown, it was white with little moons embroidered on it. And slipped into bed. When suddenly she heard footsteps and a knock at her door. Serena's heart leapt. Could this be it? Could Darien be coming to recue me?
"Come in!" Serena replied.
The door opened, and Seiya came into her room.
"Oh, hi Seiya." Serena said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
"Serena, we need to talk." Seiya said as he sat down on her bed.
"Alright," Serena replied, "Is there a problem with the wedding? Is it the guest list, because I told you I can't go over 500."
"No... no." Seiya sighed. "It's not the guest list. It's the whole wedding, Serena. Ser, when I first came to this planet I thought that if I rescued you from Earth and set you up in your rightful place as queen that, well, you would want to marry me and we could rule here together. And I never thought about love. But then I met you. And you're sweet and funny and a terrible dancer and you love strawberries way too much and you have no table manners and... you're perfect. And I started to like you. Then I started to love you. And now... I love you so much that I can't marry you."
Seiya looked up at Serena, there was a hint of tears in his eyes. "I can't marry you tomorrow, Serena."
Serena was shocked. "But, we have it all planned."
"I know." Seiya replied slowly. "But you don't love me. You love him. And I hate him. But you love him. I can't marry you knowing that."
Serena lowered her head. She knew it was true and she couldn't deny it.
"Alright." She said. "I understand. I'll tell everyone tomorrow."
Just then the door burst open. Darien was standing there, wearing a tuxedo and holding a dozen long-stemmed red roses.
"I can't let you marry this man! Sir, I will fight you to the death for this woman!" Darien shouted, pointing at Seiya. Seiya and Serena looked at each other and burst out laughing. Darien slowly lowered his finger and a confused expression spread across his face. He looked at Serena, "Unless you want to?"
"No, no, she's all yours." Seiya answered and he moved around Darien and walked out. But first he put his hand on Darien's shoulder and said "Be good to her." With that, he was gone.
Darien looked at Serena, who was still in bed.
"Serena... I thought you were going to marry him." Darien put the roses down on her bedside table.
"I was. But he broke it off."
"Oh." Darien replied, looking sheepish. Serena got out of bed and walked up to him. She put her hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes.
"He wouldn't marry me because I am still in love with you."
Darien's eyes widened. In a second he grabbed her around her waist and kissed her deeply. Serena would have fallen over if it weren't for Darien's strong arm holding her up. Darien broke the kiss. "I love you too." He said, kissing her again. "Never, ever leave me again."
"Never!" Serena replied, breathlessly. Darien picked Serena up with one arm under her knees and the other under her back. Serena put her arms around his neck and nestled into his shoulder. Darien carried her over to the bed and lay her down. He took off his cape, jacket, bowtie and belt until only his pants and undershirt were left. He never took his eyes off of Serena. She lay on the bed watching him undress. The reality of the situation hadn't hit her yet. He was here. He was here for her. He wasn't going to leave again. Darien finally took off his pants and shirt and was left only in his undergarments. He then climbed on her bed on top of Serena and kissed her deeply. Serena put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Darien's right hand began to explore Serena's body. It had been so long since he had touched her. He marvelled at the softness of her skin. Slowly he raised her nightdress and pulled it over her head. She was naked beneath him, and smiling. She kissed his chest and his arms and face. She wanted to absorb every inch of his body, his smell, his love.
Darien's hand cupped Serena's breast and he slowly played with her nipples. She moaned in gratitude. Serena looked up at him and whispered "I'm ready." Darien didn't wait any longer.
He slowly pulled off his underwear and Serena finally saw his erect manhood. She was shocked at the size, but she knew he would be gentle. She smiled and kissed him again. She felt him position himself between her and she braced herself for the pain she knew was coming. It did hurt, but all she could really feel was the fullness and completeness of having her lover inside of her. Serena's eyes filled with tears. Not of pain, but of love and happiness. Darien gazed into her eyes as he slowly began moving some more. Serena was adjusting to his size and began to feel waves of pleasure surge through her body.
'This is it.' She thought, 'This is what people fight and die for. This is true happiness.'
oOo
Serena woke up the next morning with an arm firmly clamped around her waist and a warm, naked body behind her own. She smiled, remembering the night before. 'How can so much change in such a short time?' she thought.
She heard grumbling behind her and she smiled again.
"Are you awake?" She asked quietly.
"No." Darien replied.
"Oh... because I have a treat for you if you are awake." Serena turned around in his arms and pushed him onto his back.
"Uh oh..." Darien said, smiling. Slowly Serena disappeared under the covers and Darien's eyes finally opened in ecstasy.
oOo
Serena and Darien lay in bed together talking.
"But wait, how did you get here?" Serena asked, suddenly concerned.
"Oh... well, um. Rei and Leta and Andrew and Malachite were meant to beam in for the wedding. I sort of hitched a ride... And by hitched a ride I mean... I punched Yaten out and stole his medallion and came alone." Darien looked sheepish.
"You know, you could have just called. Or sent a message." Serena said laughing.
"I thought I had to do something grand to make you forgive me. Hell, I thought I was going to fight Seiya to the death!" Darien was laughing now too.
"After everything I did to you? Darling... I'm the one who needs to apologize. I am so, so sorry. I should have known you would have understood. I just couldn't give up my moon, my home, for love. I thought that I couldn't be that selfish now that I'm queen."
"There's nothing to forgive. I understand, my love." Darien leaned in and kissed Serena gently on the lips and pulled her closer.
"But Darien," Serena said after a few seconds, "What happens now."
"Now?" Darien asked.
"What are we going to do? The Earth and the Moon are still enemies."
"Well, if their leaders married and formed one political unit, then maybe they wouldn't be anymore."
Serena frowned, "But the Moon wants autonomy. It doesn't want to be ruled by a foreign government."
Darien hesitated, "Then I will give up my place as King. I already wanted to. I'll live with you here and we will rule together. Malachite and Rei will rule the Earth together, much better than I would have, which will keep the crown in the family. You and I will stay here."
"You, you would do that for me?" Serena asked, hey eyes full of tears.
"Of course my love."
"But what about your home?"
"Darling, home is with you."
Then the couple kissed deeply and held each other.
"Wait!" Serena shouted suddenly.
"What is it, love?" Darien asked, concerned.
"I have a wedding today in 3 hours!"
"Well, you better get to it." Darien joked.
"I don't have a groom, silly."
"Yes you do. I'll go back to Earth, get Malachite, Leta, Andrew, Rei and poor Yaten. And then I'll come back and we'll be married." Darien was beaming. Serena just yelped happily and grabbed him.
"This must be the shortest engagement ever!" Serena exclaimed as she began to get dressed. "Go! Go! I need to get ready! Go!"
oOo
Three hours later the couple was standing on the balcony overlooking the Earth. Malachite was performing the ceremony and Rei, Leta, Ami and Mina were all standing with Serena. Andrew, Seiya and a bruised Yaten were standing with Darien. Everyone was beaming, even Seiya. The Lunarians were confused, but happy. They knew that their queen would be happy now. They would become accustomed to their Earthling king. They all wanted peace, after all.
"And do you, King Darien, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked Taiki.
"My wife and my life. I do."
"And you, Queen Serena, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do!" Serena exclaimed. She never dreamed this day would come.
"Then, by the power bestowed upon me by, well, by you, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride, King Darien."
Darien grabbed Serena and dipped her low to the ground, his bride laughing. And he leaned in close and kiss her deeply. He heard applause around him, but he was focused on his bride.
oOo
"Is she okay?" Darien asked from the waiting room.
"Don't worry Darien, she's fine." Ami reassured him as they could hear Serena's screams echoing from the other room.
"That doesn't sound fine! I should go see her." Darien was pacing back and forth.
"Darien, this is your place. She'll ask for you when she wants you." Ami was trying to stay calm, but she was also concerned. With Rei and Malachite and Leta and Andrew back on Earth and Mina and Yaten away on a mission, she was the only support left on the moon.
"I know, Ami. But this doesn't sound-" Darien was cut off by a new sound. He heard another cry, only this one was much smaller. A moment later, Taiki came into the waiting room.
"Darien, you have a girl." Taiki was beaming.
"A girl? A girl! I have a girl!" Darien was bouncing off the walls. "A girl! Ami I have a girl! Taiki can I go in? Please, let me go in!"
"You can go in, Darien." Taiki looked exhausted.
Darien immediately rushed into the room and saw Serena lying on the bed. She looked exhausted, her long blond hair was dripping with sweat. But Darien didn't see any of that. All he saw was her huge smile, and the little pink bundle she held in her arms. Darien rushed to her side and kissed her. Serena smiled even wider.
"We have a girl, Darien."
"We have a girl." He answered, smiling. "What's her name?"
"Serenity." Serena answered. "For my mother."
"Serenity? It's so grown up! Let's call her Rini for short."
"Rini. Little Rini. I love it." Serena beamed up at Darien, but he was looking at the newest member of their family.
"Rini. My little Princess." He said as he stroked her little tuft of pink hair. "Rini."
"Our Rini." Serena said.
"You're home Rini. We all are."
oOo
That's it! Thank you loyal readers, for your patience and your interest. I hope you're all satisfied with the ending, this is more or less what I planned from the beginning. I know it's a little fluffy, but who doesn't love fluff? Please review! And I love you all!
xox
Sailor Josseme