Timed Pregnancy
By: Lena Sauran
*Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep* over the 6 month period that this story had been failed to be updated, Lena has been busy devising a scheme to overthrow the mighty wonderful Naoko-san but failed miserably, she does not nor will she ever own Sailor Moon. The Original storyline is Kate Butlers, used with her permission to elaborate on the story of Setsuna, Guardian of Time. Thank you for your time and have a nice day. *signs off*
Chapter 10: Holidays Frozen in Time
Setsuna sat as her vanity with a small sigh, she was not ready to go to dinner at the palace, she had like 15 minutes and she had done nothing but ball for an hour. Her nose was all red from crying and she had to completely redo her make-up. Her hand was over the growing life in her womb with an almost reverent gesture. She placed her hair up in the usual half bun, running a brush through the rest. Cursing slightly, she heard the doorbell downstairs, telling her that Terrence had decided to show up a little earlier then he was supposed to.
She quickly applied just the basic make up to match the outfit she had picked for the evening that she still wasn't wearing, it was laying all nice and ironed on her bed, courtesy of Michelle. The woman just brushed a loose hair from her shoulders and slid a normal pair of thin maroon frames onto her nose, she didn't really need, but they looked good as an accessory. She heard the knock on her bedroom door and got up to answer it, smiling slightly to Terrence.
"You're early…" she trailed, moving to allow him to enter.
"You're usually ready… is everything okay?" he asked, noticing the sizable pile of tissues on her vanity.
"Yes, everything is just fine. I'm just moving a little slower then usual today…" Susan replied as she closed the door and went over to her bed.
"If you don't feel well enough to go, Sets, I understand, really I do." Terrence said, watching her with those emerald green eyes.
"Honestly, Terry, you sound like you yourself don't want to go…" she said as she unbuttoned her shirt and tossed it in the hamper.
She walked over and picked up the shirt on her bed with a small smile, it was white with black, silver, and gray stripes down it. It was maternity wear, but she liked it, it was slimming, but she knew that of vertical stripes. She followed with her pants and shoes, buckling up the little black dress shoes. She had done all of that in front of Terrence, afterall, it wasn't like he hadn't seen it before. She straightened and adjusted everything to fit properly and where it was supposed to and then looked to Terry.
"What?" she asked, noticing that odd look on his face.
"I was just noticing how beautiful you were when you do little things, like change your clothes…" he grinned slightly, going over and kissing her lightly. "You're absolutely stunning when you don't hide yourself behind clothes…" he added, taking the opportunity to nuzzle her neck just slightly.
"You mean that I am not stunning in clothing too?" she asked, teasing him gently.
"All to a matter of degree, my dear, the less you wear the more stunning you become…" he said before kissing her quickly.
"Are we ready to go now?" she asked, smiling to him, rather flattered that he said she was stunning even when she was pregnant.
"But of course, my lady." he replied, sweeping into a deep bow and offering her his arm.
"You are so silly at times, Terrence." she laughed, lacing her arm through his.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm so glad you could join us for dinner," smiled Serenity politely across the table at her green-haired friend. "It's not every day that the Mistress of Pluto comes to dine at your home."
From her seat on the windowsill, Reeny snorted. "Mom, this is really no time to talk like an ambassador," the Princess protested, staring idly out at the Moon. "She's just Puu."
Blushing slightly and looking into her lap, Susan folded her hands there. "I'm just glad to be here with friends," she smiled, stressing the last word. "I haven't spent nearly enough time with Terrence."
Looking at his brother, the brown-haired Prince raised an eyebrow. "How do these girls get away with using such big words?" he sarcastically asked, sipping his wine.
"Maybe," suggested Endymion with a sly smirk, "you should ponder on why you so often agree with the Princess."
"Not you too!" whined Terrence. "Help!"
That brought a small smile to the face of the Guardian of Time, looking to the two brothers. Even though they had been separated for centuries, one would never guess from how they joked with each other. They seemed to know each other completely, it was almost scary at times, how much the two were alike. She looked across the table to Serenity and noticed a similar look on her face, the two women's gazes meeting for just a moment with a friendly smile.
Changing the subject, Reeny let out a deep sigh. "Do you ever wonder how Helios is?" she wistfully inquired, staring out at the night sky.
The adults all looked at one another but said nothing, stunned into a nervous silence. Susan sighed, looking to the princess, knowing she was missing the boy, but even Susan herself had found no trace of him after the incidents with the Dead Moon Circus.
Bustling into the room, Lisa held out a large pad of paper. "Didn't mean to be late, Highness," she blushed, standing nervously at the corner of the table closest to the blonde woman. "Now, what would you like to eat for dinner, my lieges and ladies?"
Reeny grinned and leapt off the windowsill and into her chair. "Pizza!"
Rolling his blue eyes, Endymion shook his head. "A well-done steak, please."
"Same here," agreed his younger brother, pushing the glasses up on his nose.
Serenity chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. "That actually sounds really good," she smiled, looking to her handmaiden. "I'll take one!"
The younger woman flushed but didn't say anything. Looking expectantly at the last woman, Lisa smiled politely. "Mistress Pluto?" she prompted.
"Pickled pig's snout." Setsuna brushed a green hair from her eyes. "With extra gravy."
Clearing her throat nervously, the servant managed a chuckle. "Yes, Mistress Pluto. Coming right up."
Shaking his head, Terrence laughed at his girlfriend. "Pregnant women..." he muttered.
"And whose fault is it that I'm pregnant?" shot back the Guardian of Time, lowering her maroon eyes, once again embarrassed by her condition and what it made her do at times.
Endymion rolled his eyes. "Here we go again..." he muttered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That was fun," smiled Susan, standing beside her red corvette.
"I really enjoyed spending that time with you." Terrence laughed lightly. "Did you like your supper, dear?" he joked, putting his hands in his pockets.
Laughing, Susan tossed a few strands of green hair behind her. "That was great, too," she replied. Noticing his wistful gaze, she froze in mid chuckle. "What?"
"Sets, you know what?" Terrence put his hands onto her shoulders and stared hard into her eyes. "You are the most wonderful, provocative, carefully cold, beautiful, deep, impossible, and yet perfect woman I have ever been near."
Kissing her tenderly, he smiled. "In all my life, few relationships have been so fulfilling and fun."
Not quite knowing what to say, Susan threw her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate, breath-taking kiss. Pulling away slowly, Susan climbed into the car and grinned. "It's kind of funny that my best ever relationship came out of getting pregnant," she commented as she put the key in the ignition.
Susan couldn't help but smile as she drove back towards the Crystal Academy and home, that giddiness in her system could only be described as one thing she had thought she would never do again, love.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan had left for the gates early the next morning, wanting to get everything done early so she could spend time with Terrence. She did the random feeling tests on the timeline and found two strands from one, a possibility for the near future. The guardian frowned as this as she looked over the scenes before her, those crimson eyes troubled greatly. She watched the same battles with two different outcomes, neither that she preferred. * I have to tell her… I can't keep this secret… it's too important to our future…* she thought as she concluded the checks and left the gates, going home for a few minutes to grab her car keys and purse, then driving to the hospital.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So, Setsuna, what REALLY brings you here?" inquired Alex, sipping her hot coffee. "I mean, small talk isn't your thing, and I know it."
The green-haired woman blushed a little, but managed to change the subject. "How's the coffee here?"
The blonde made a face. "Gross. I really don't like decaf," she retorted, studying her friend's face expertly. "But, come on! You're denying something."
Giving up, Susan took in a deep breath those eyes looking to her friend and fellow mistress. "Frankly, the senshi are in danger," she told the injured woman. "There's going to be a battle of incredible proportions today, and all the senshi are going to risk their lives to save one."
"Who?" asked the racer, already knowing the answer.
"Haley," the Guardian of Time responded softly. "It will be Haley."
Nodding, Haruka started to pull the IV out of her hand. "Well then, I know what needs to be done, right?"
"That's just it!" yelled Susan, digging her red fingernails into the woman's free hand. "I've seen the future in both cases, and - if you fight... Well, let's just say that - in that instance - you're not IN the future!"
Staring blankly into grey eyes, the guardian knew that Alex was thinking it over, mulling over the possibilities.. "And in the other case?"
She ran her hand nervously through those green tresses. "If you don't fight, you live. And Haley lives. But..."
"But?"
"There's a good chance that Michiru will get hurt." Letting out a breath, Setsuna looked at her friend. "That's why I had to tell you this. If your soul-mate is in danger, you'll feel it, right?"
"Yes..." sighed Haruka, sipping the drink once again.
"Exactly. You see... If you feel it and fight, you die. But, if you feel it but still let Michiru get hurt, then everyone will live." Seeing tears well up in a pair of green eyes, the woman gulped. "It's the hardest thing you'll have to do, Uranus."
"It's starting, isn't it?" asked the other, ignoring the use of her Mistress name. "The killing, the pain..."
"And," nodded Susan, "it won't end until the Raiders are banished from this world."
Holding a hand to her face, Alex did something completely unexpected. She cried. Susan did her best to comfort her friend as a friend, but she knew that this would be hard of the woman. She didn't know if she would have had the strength to stay away if it were Terrence in danger, she knew that this tore at Alex, because it tore at her too.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan left Alex when she felt the shift in the time continuum signaling that the time stream had stopped and the battle had begun. She looked to the other woman who only nodded for her to go do her duty. Susan slipped the beads from her wrist and transformed into the Senshi of Time, Sailor Pluto. She allowed that mystical force to encompass her and take her to the gates, knowing she had to go see Michelle and get her to that battle, the orb taking Sailor Pluto to the bookstore café, clad in a fuku that was getting tighter as the Senshi got more pregnant. "Are you ready to go, Neptune?"
The musician nodded, holding up the beads. "Neptune Eternal Power!" she called. "MAKE UP!"
Susan got them to the fight, leaving the group to battle it out as they were destined to do, her heart rending as the people that were her family got hurt. Those crimson eyes closed as Michelle screamed, gulping the lump in her throat down, knowing she had another important job to do.
She knew that the boy Brian was suffering from this as Hannah was, she had seen it earlier, which brought her suspicion that the boy was possibly the soul mate to the Mistress of Saturn. She appeared in the same room as the boy, those crimson orbs looking to the boy with sympathy, having some semblance of a clue about what he was going through. The boy turned to her and she instantly became the stoic she was trained to be.
"Susan?" he gasped, eyes wide.
She smiled. "You could say that," came the cool response. "In this form, I am actually the Sailor and Mistress of Pluto."
He nodded, cautiously pushing his glasses up on his nose. "I see."
"But do you feel?" Pluto inquired of him in an ambiguous tone. "Can you feel?"
Looking at the ground sadly, he proceeded to sigh. "Do I feel Hotaru's pain? Is that this feeling which sears through me?"
"It is," she softly responded. "For you are her soul-mate, the one and only man destined for Saturn."
Suddenly, he was unable to move. Sailor Pluto, eyes closed, waved her staff and her clothing changed from being a tight sailor fuku to being a long and flowing crimson gown with black trim. "As her soul-mate," she softly whispered, "you are granted immortality."
"Imm...Immortality?" he stuttered, staring into her garnet eyes. "How?"
"Some of the Mistress' soul-mates," she responded, "are from the Silver Millennium of either the Moon, Earth, or Stars. Others are not." Holding the staff directly between them, she rested her hands on the enormous gem that sat atop the Key Staff. "Those who are not - and you are but the second - are granted with immortality. But, the immortality is not permanent. For, if Hotaru Tomoe was to die - "
"I would as well," Brian finished, watching in shock as the orb began to glow. "I love her, though... What should a little death matter?"
Smirking a little, the Mistress of Time considered his comment. "Good answer," she finally said, closing her eyes once again. "Very good." Light, shimmering and silver, shot out of the Garnet Orb and traveled into Brian's chest. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her eyes still closed and hands still controlling the power which flowed freely into his chest.
"It does not," he smiled, watching her with amazement on his face. "Should it?"
"No." After what seemed to be hours passed, the light died and Pluto's Mistress clothing phased back into her normal clothing. "There," she smiled, opening her eyes and watching the Key Staff vanish into thin air. "I'm done."
"And Hotaru?" he demanded, relieved that he could once again move. "The battle?"
"Go now," she commanded, her voice growing timeless. "See what you can."
He thanked her and burst out of the bathroom, feeling a new energy and power with every step. Susan sagged slightly at the drain she felt, physically and emotionally, knowing that her family was in pain, she knew it was hard for Alex, because it was hard for her as well. The Guardian of Time just sank to the ground there by that wall and cried.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the end, everything turned out for the best, of course. Michelle did end up getting injured in the battle but Alex's doctor had arranged for them both to be kept in the same room. Everyone visited them as was the only thing that family and friends were allowed to do. Some snuck in treats that never got eaten as the two patients were too occupied with worrying over each other. Susan stood outside with Minako who had brought Celeste by to see the patients. The blonde woman was unusually quiet and Susan looked to her, "What's wrong, Mina?" she asked, quietly so as to not cause unwanted attention.
"Andrew and myself had plans to take the kids to the mall to see Santa and every single time that we do, Celeste throws a fit. She's scared of Santa Claus for some weird reason. I don't get how she could be scared of a jolly, old, fat guy." Minako said with a sigh.
"And the problem is?" Susan prodded, knowing that there was more.
"Well… I know that with Michelle and Alex here, you have a lot of stuff on your hands… but it can't hurt to ask… I was wondering if you could watch Celeste for the afternoon while I take the others to see Santa. I promise, we would be there to pick her up by 6:00. I just need to take the others and get some shopping done." Mina practically begged.
Susan grimaced, knowing that the little one could be a holy terror when she didn't get what she wanted, but she was a cute little thing. "I don't see what that should be a problem…"
Boy, did Susan not know what she was getting herself into watching that daughter of the Queen of Venus. Famous last words, so to speak.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan had finally decided that she was in a baking mood a few hours after beginning her watch of little Celeste Ann Furuhata. She followed the directions in the cook book, but for some reason it just didn't look right to her. She stirred the stuff up but it was really runny, she had forgotten to add the flour as the thickening agent. Then she tried to coddle Celeste into tasting it.
"Just a little taste?" pressed Susan, holding out the spoon to the blonde child.
"Oh, no way, Miss Meiou," Celeste protested, backing up. "My mommy said never to eat your food."
The woman groaned inwardly and resumed stirring the cookie dough. "Really, now?" she inquired thoughtfully. "And why's that?"
Looking up at her babysitter, the girl smiled innocently. "Because it doesn't taste very good," she informed her, sitting back down on the tile and drawing on some blank paper. "And, besides," she added sweetly, staring up with deep green eyes, "it doesn't smell good either and Lyra said - "
"I understand," interrupted the woman, clenching her fist around the wooden spoon. "No need explaining."
Celeste shrugged. "If you say so, Miss Meiou," she grinned, picking up a purple crayon.
The Guardian of Time let out a ragged breath. Mina had taken the three oldest children shopping, and the younger kids had gone to see Santa with Andrew. Celeste - who was terrified of Santa but had no desire to go shopping - had needed a babysitter.
"Saddle everything," muttered Setsuna sarcastically, "on cranky and pregnant Guardian of Time."
"What was that?" asked Alex, coming into the kitchen laden with unwrapped gifts. "You don't have enough to do?"
"Go to - " Seeing Celeste look up, the green-haired woman managed to fake a grin. " - Sam Goody. I heard that the CD Haley wants is there."
"What are you talking about?" Alex deposited her gifts on the table. "I just want some tape."
Susan stepped out of the way so she could get at some. "Have we heard from Hannah?" she inquired as the sandy-haired woman dug through the drawer.
"Not since she went out with Brian last night," she shrugged, finding the item of interest. "She probably got s - " Seeing the child glance up again, she smiled widely. " - a new video game from him for Christmas."
Trying not to laugh, Susan cleared her throat. "Has she been acting funny lately?"
"Yeah," commented Alex, bending over to adjust the leg brace. "She really has."
"Miss Ten'ou," called little Celeste innocently. "Are you feeling better?"
Rolling her green eyes, she patted the blonde head. "Fine, really," she assured the child with minimal sarcasm. "My leg still hurts, but that comes with the territory."
"Territory?" repeated Celeste. "What's that?"
Chuckling to herself, the woman picked up the gifts and started down the stairs. "And Michi wonders why I don't want more kids," she laughed.
Shaking her head, Susan added a few more chocolate chips to the dough. "Why me?" she asked aloud, not really caring who heard or responded.
The little girl's face gained a thoughtful expression. "You're one of the destined, Miss Meiou," she told the woman, green eyes sweet and caring. "All the destined have to do a lot they don't like."
"What?" Nearly dropping the bowl, she glanced down to where Celeste was leaning against the cabinet.
"Well, I know that you're Sailor Pluto and all that good stuff," she informed the adult, "and that's all well and good. But you're destined, and the destined have a lot to do."
Looking in shock at her charge, the Guardian of Time put down her dish and sat down cross-legged on the floor next to the girl. "How did you learn all this, Celeste?" she asked softly, garnet eyes filled with confusion.
Smiling knowingly, the child winked a green eye. "I have cool parents," she confided in the woman. "Now, can you please hand me that blue crayon?" Not quite knowing what to say, Susan carefully obeyed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Miss Meiou?" asked Celeste in a very nervous voice as the woman - exotic, young, intellectual - led her through the shopping mall.
Susan looked down, maroon eyes sparkling timelessly as the had since the beginning of time. "You said yourself that the destined have to do things that they don't want to do." *Consider this payback for not trying my cookie dough, little one* she thought with a small smile.
The blonde girl sniffled as her babysitter pulled her into the seemingly endless line of parents and children. "But... Miss Meiou!"
"I used to fear Santa myself," she softly confided in the little girl, smoothing her golden tresses. "As a mortal child, that was my one true hate." Brushing dark green hair away from her eyes, the woman looked downward. "But I learned, Celeste. And so must you."
With a look of terror upon her face, the child attempted to scream but was halted by a scarily familiar voice. "Miss Susan? 'Leste?" A curly-haired teen, her redheaded boyfriend in tow, came up and got into the line with the Guardian of Time and the blonde child. "What in the world are you two doing here?" asked Lyra, a bit of twisted amusement in her voice. "Celeste hates Santa."
Sticking out her tongue and pouting, Celeste wrinkled her nose. "Stupid destiny," she muttered loudly, forcing a slight blush upon Lyra's face.
Richard raised an eyebrow just as his counterpart turned around to face him. "I know, I know," he smiled sweetly. "And I'm not planning to ask."
With a polite gesture, Susan held out a hand. "I don't believe we've met," she smiled, pushing up her glasses. "I'm Susan Meiou."
"Richard Gurio," responded the young man, shaking her hand eagerly. "You're a friend of Lyra's?"
Lyra gulped. "Actually, this is Haley's aunt." As he was about to respond, Richard felt his breath catch and heard a scream. "We are the Raiders!" boomed a voice.
Suddenly alert, Susan whirled about and stood upon her tiptoes. Sure enough, a red-armored man and a gray-garbed woman were standing at the front of the line, taking each child by the scruff of their neck and throwing them haphazardly about. The one in gray made a face.
"Sailor Chibi-Star, we know you're here!" Celeste gulped. "Lyra?"
"Susan?" asked the teen.
Richard glanced at the three. "Uhh..." he stammered, completely confused. "Is this one of those times I shouldn't ask?"
His girlfriend let out a long sigh. "Yes, it is," she managed, obviously distressed. "Can I go somewhere without you?" she cautiously requested, a sad look on her face.
Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around her. "I escaped your mom," he noted. "And with you, no less. Some Raiders? Bah!"
"Don't joke like that," Susan scolded with a look of patient anger in her eyes. "In the long run, it will only hurt." With an mysterious grin, she took the younger girl in her arms. "Lyra, come."
Susan carried Celeste in her arms to a place where they could all transform safely without prying eyes around. The Mistress of Time had not foreseen this, but then again one could never see one's future. She allowed Sailor Polaris and Sailor Chibi-Star to confront the raiders while she watched, just to make sure nothing was going to happen, looking more into the girls' futures then her own. A frown marred her face as she saw the possibility for Celeste to be grievously injured.
"Watch out!" yelled Susan from her spot at the second-level railing. "He's going to throw a quick sword jab at Chibi-Star if you don't do something about it!"
The blonde reacted momentarily, pulling Chibi-Star out of the way within seconds of the Time Guardian's warning.
The Raiders then backed up to one side of the tiny platform, and the two senshi stood at the other end.
"Give us the kid," demanded Doubt coolly, kicking the discarded Santa suit away, "and we won't hurt you or your friend." Gesturing to Susan with an idle hand, she smiled wickedly. "You can't possibly live through this, and we don't want you to."
The younger Senshi grabbed onto her sister's leg. "No..." she whispered, tears coming into her green eyes.
"You," Polaris addressed Doubt, "seem to like deals. I'm willing to make one."
Susan bristled, closing her maroon eyes quickly and allowing her all-powerful senses to reach out and attempt to find gaps in the time-space continuum. The Senshi didn't notice this, but she did notice a sudden gleam of desire flare up in the black eyes of Doubt.
"If you let the girl go," the senshi started, chewing on a lip, "then I'll give you the Locket of the North Star." Her hand hovered near the light-orange and gold mass, not touching it... yet... The two looked at one another, and then back at Polaris.
"Are you buying time?" asked Violence in a low hiss, eyes suspiciously focusing on Susan as the guardian of time bit back a protest at that deal.
"Where are the other senshi?" The girl bristled.
"I have no way to reach them. They don't even know I'm here." Running a hand through her shaggy blonde curls, she looked once more at the female Raider. "Do we have a deal?"
"A deal." Doubt folded her hands together. "Chibi-Star is free to go."
The little Senshi didn't move a muscle. "No..."
Bending down to her little sister, Sailor Polaris wiped all emotion off her face. "You go to Susan right now," she hissed in an undertone. "You don't attack, and you don't fight. You just go up the escalator, run over to Susan, and you tell her what's going on. NO fighting."
"But..."
"Go."
As the child took one last look at the scene and took off running, Sailor Polaris bristled and stood slowly, smoothing the light orange skirt of her fuku. "A deal is a deal," she softly reassured them, her fingers touching the edges lightly. "And I will give you the Locket of the North Star." Doubt licked her parched wine-colored lips. "Yes..." she hissed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Yes, give it here. Give me the power!" The blonde Senshi pulled the locket away from her chest, and there was an instantaneous flash of golden light and her mortal form appeared.
Susan scooped up the upset little girl just as Lyra's transformation melted away right in the mall, the Guardian not pleased to say the least. *Idiot girl has no idea what she does, does she… just like her mother…*
"I am Sailor Moon!" announced the shadow, jumping between the people and snatching the locket from Doubt's grasp. "On behalf of the Moon - "
Smiling, the other girl accepted back her locket. " - and on behalf of Polaris - "
"You're punished!" Four other senshi appeared, all surrounding the platforms with grins on their faces. "You're about to find out how the Galactic Sailors celebrate Christmas!" announced Sailor Comet, running a hand through her brown hair.
The duo of Raiders glanced at the Senshi and at each other before disappearing in two puffs of smoke.
"Whew, that was close," sighed Diana, jumping onto what appeared to be a giant gift. "What in heaven's name just went on here?"
Shaking her head, Lyra pocketed the disc. "I had to save Celeste's life, and - "
"There you go, being noble again!" scolded the little Senshi, jumping from the second level and landing gracefully on the first. "Why do you do stuff like that, Lyra?" She smiled lovingly and hugged her older sister. "Well, none the less, I'm glad you did it."
Rubbing the back of her neck, she grimaced. "I just want to get home and call Richard."
"Ooh... RICHARD!" giggled Sailor Moon, waving the Rod dangerously close to her friend's nose. "What is it with you two? Are you an item or what?"
Lyra rolled her brown eyes and grabbed her little sister's hand, ignoring the Senshi. "Let's go home."
Susan watched the Senshi leave the building with a sigh, her hands held the glass barrier of the second floor, knowing that Lyra had intentionally endangered the very fabric of time with her stunt. She had gotten lucky, very lucky.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan sat, letting herself breath as Ami went over the data of her ultrasound. She laid there on that table, listening to the steady heartbeat that she heard, though it sounded fast to her, having no idea that it sounded fast because there were two heartbeats overlapping instead of just one.
"Well, what do we have here?" inquired Amy sweetly, staring at the ultrasound screen with considerate navy eyes.
Susan just sighed. "I really wish that we could do this during the day," she muttered cynically, looking at her doctor with a disgusted expression.
Shaking her head of blue hair, the Mistress of Mercury continued her work. "It would look very suspicious," she informed the woman, chewing thoughtfully on a pink lip. "Because you're a Mistress, you progress quickly." She pointed at Susan's reasonably round belly. "It's been two and a half months, and look at you. I don't even live in this country, on top of it." She shrugged. "And, besides, I specialize in treating children, not exotic-looking pregnant women." Staring blankly at the screen, she gasped a bit. "Oh my."
This made the Guardian of Time extremely nervous. "Is something wrong with my baby?" she nervously asked, trying to contort herself to see the picture. But, Ami had wheeled the machine into the room and positioned it at an angle that made the patient unable to see what was going on. "Is it something bad?"
"That depends," responded Ami, "on how you look at the situation. Now, hold still," she commanded. "I just need to get a good printout and then you get the full run-down."
As the little printer ran off the first ultrasound sheet, Setsuna sat up and pulled her black shirt back in place. "I really don't like maternity clothes," she sighed with a shake of her head. "They're not at attractive."
Chuckling, the doctor handed a picture from the ultrasound to the green-haired woman. "Tell me what you see," she smiled, folding her hands.
"I see a baby," the other woman commented. "But it's a lousy picture, because you managed to get a double image."
"Those, Susan, are TWINS," corrected Ami casually, picking up the rather thick file labeled "Susan Meiou." "It's not the same baby."
Dropping the sheet, the Guardian of Time felt her strength drain away. "I need to sit down."
Susan had had time to get used to the thought of one baby, but two was something that she hadn't expected. She sat back down on the table with an almost shocked look on her face, "Are you absolutely sure there are two of them, Amy?" she asked, picking up the sheet again, staring at it in shock.
"Yes, I am… the rapid heartbeats are two at once, not just one, the picture confirms that." Amy said as she nodded, making a few marks on Susan's chart.
"Oh lord… what am I gonna tell Terry?" she muttered, staring at that picture of their children inside of her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan hadn't seen Terrence in the hectic time that Michelle and Alex had announced their plans to get married as soon as possible. Michelle had asked Susan to be her Maid of Honor at her wedding, much to Susan's surprise. Then everything just went in a blur, hectic planning, wedding ceremony, flowers, cakes, receptions, dresses, fittings, colors, invitations, seating arrangements, rings, bridal party assignments, all done in about the time that it took a wedding coordinator to pick up the phone and get started. It was draining on the Mistress of Time, who sat in a chair in that bridal shop, watching one of her best friend's try on dress after dress.
"What do you think?" asked Michiru, standing up on a tiny platform in the bridal shop. She was wearing a long, white satin wedding gown with a relatively open back and no straps.
Wrinkling her nose, Haley leaned back in the powder-blue chair and sighed. "I want to go help Alex pick out a tuxedo," she whined, sticking her tongue out halfway.
Smacking her sister upside the head, the black haired daughter grinned. "It looks gorgeous, Mom," she assured the musician. "I want one just like it!"
"Reduce, reuse, recycle!" giggled the brunette, quickly finding herself on the receiving end of two angry glares. "I'm kidding, Mom," she sighed, teal eyes thoughtful and loving. "That looks almost as good on you as a tux looks on Alex."
Throwing a wad of paper at her daughter, Michelle turned to admire herself in the mirrors. "Stop it with the tuxedo talk!" she commanded, playing with her hair. "You know very well that she took both Terrence and Brian to help!"
"Yeah," sighed Haley. "But then WE'RE stuck HERE with YOU and a bunch of dresses."
Susan looked up from her book with a sigh. "You're such a tomboy," she observed, looking over to the younger of her two nieces. "I take after my mother... Well, my OTHER mother..." joked the teen with a sad smile. "I'm sorry, guys," she admitted. "This is just really strange for me."
All three women looked at the girl with soft smiles. Stepping down off the platform, the aqua-haired woman looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "Haley," she breathed, touching her shoulder lightly, "I know that this is strange. You come from a very UNIQUE family, and none of us will deny that fact." She smiled sadly. "But this is going to be the biggest day in three lives - yours, mine, and Alex's. It's not every day that your mothers actually do get married."
Clearing her throat, Hannah chewed on her lower lip. "I know that this is supposed to be your day in the spotlight, Mom," the young woman said nervously. "But I'm about ready to burst and it's really important that I tell you this before going insane and - "
"Spit it out," yawned Haley, bored.
"Well..." An excited, almost maniac smile passed across her pale features, and violet eyes flared with excitement. "Me and Brian... We're getting married in April."
A squeal echoed through the shop as Michelle pounced on her older daughter, kissing her on the cheek about eighty separate times. "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, tears of joy running down her cheeks. "My little girl is growing up so fast!"
"Mother..." protested Hannah. "I'm only nineteen years younger than you!"
Haley shook her head. "To the real world," she observed, "you're twenty-one."
A clerk walked over to the four. "Is everything alright here?" she asked apprehensively. "We heard screaming and..."
Wiping tears from her cheeks, Michelle slowly stood and smoothed the dress. "Umm...yes..." she smiled, wringing her hands a bit. "I just got a bit too emotional, there."
"Weddings," pointed out the clerk, "can be very emotional for everyone involved."
With another friendly grin, she folded her hands. "Found a dress you like, Ms. Kaioh?"
"Suna?" inquired the musician nervously. "Girls?"
"It's a keeper," smiled Hannah.
Haley nodded, but muttered something about tuxedoes under her breath.
The Guardian of Time once again glanced up from the book, shrugging a bit. "I hate to sound impartial," she commented, "but it really doesn't matter to me. You're basically my sister, and I must say that you'd look radiant if you wore a pair of sweatpants with one Alex's ratty old shirts left over from when you two were in high school." A sweet smile crossed her face. "Love and weddings do funny things to people, Michelle. And I'll be the first to admit it."
Rolling her eyes, the teenager looked up at her mother. "In plain English," she winked, "that translates roughly to: 'Gee, I like it.'"
"It's a keeper, then," grinned Michelle, twirling around in it one last time. "I'll go change."
As she walked into the dressing room, the clerk hovering nearby, desperately trying to make a sale, the violinist stopped in her tracks. "Haley?"
"Hmm?" the brunette asked, looking to her mother.
"Go find Alex and tell the guys that we're done here and need their help with the bridesmaids dresses." Haley's hoots of delight were heard throughout the mall as she ran out of the bridal shop.
Susan couldn't help the sigh that escaped her when Haley dragged Alex and the boys back into the bridal shop, seeing Terrence made her heart skip a beat or two. Terrence sat down beside his girlfriend who looked utterly tired of sitting there going through dresses. He kissed her cheek in greeting and rubbed a hand over her tummy to say hello to the baby as well.
Finally it was her turn to try on dresses, which she wasn't looking forward to either, not wanting to be told that she looked fat in a dress. Pregnant women tended to hate trying on new clothes. She came out in a yellow empire-waisted gown that hid her belly quite nicely but was still flattering to her changing figure. There was about a two inch yellow satin shiny ribbon about the waist area that was attractive without being obvious. She stepped up on the little pedestool to check out how it looked in the mirror. "Terry? How much do you like children?" she asked, half paying attention as she looked at her behind in the mirror with distaste.
Staring at Setsuna in extreme doubt, Terrence gulped nervously. "What did you just ask me?" he inquired.
She smoothed the light yellow dress, admiring herself in a mirror and not daring to look at her boyfriend. "How much do you like children?" she repeated, resting a hand on the slowly growing bulge that was her abdomen.
"Why?" he inquired suspiciously as she fooled with her hair. "Does it have something to do with - " He nearly choked on the word. " - our baby?"
Once again smoothing the dress, Setsuna nodded a little and looked at Alex, who was studying a lavender bridesmaid dress in disgust. Dressed in a rather conservative suit, the young "groom" had no intention of dwelling long in the shop, and the Time Guardian knew it. "Alex?" she called across the room to her friend.
The blonde looked up from the outfit. "Hmm?" she replied in a purposely low voice. "Tell Michelle that I really like this one," Susan quickly responded before turning to the young brunette man. "What do you think, Terry?" she questioned sweetly.
With a green-eyed wink, the man stepped up to her. "Lovely, Sets," Terrence assured her, pushing his golden-rimmed glasses back into place. "Now, can you PLEASE decipher your garble?"
Smiling bravely and attempting to put a bit of bravado in her rich voice, Susan let out a shuddering breath. "Twins, Terry," she told him, not needing to say much more. "Two children."
"Two?" His green eyes went wide as he gave her a careful hug. The false valor in his voice was obvious. "I don't know how you feel about it," he admitted, "but I can tell you're scared." Pulling her a bit closer, Terrence let his gaze fall into her crimson eyes. "I don't want you to worry, Sets," he whispered. "Because we'll be fine."
She was about to respond when little Celeste Furuhata, clad in a rather frilly pink dress ran up, a grumbling Haley in tow. "Hi ya, Miss Meiou!" smiled the girl. "Like my flower girl dress?"
Pulling away from Terrence, the dark-haired woman wiped any and all tears from her red eyes. "Lovely, Celeste," she smiled at the little blonde.
Eyes flying to Haley, she suppressed a chuckle. "And what have we here?"
Haley made a face and pulled on her own dress - a larger version of the blonde girl's outfit. "Not only," she spat, "am I going to be the oldest ring bearer in history, but I'll be a female ring bearer in an ugly, frilly, pink mess!" Sticking her tongue out, the teenage girl managed one last grievous pout before slinking off to find her parents and complain to THEM about the situation at hand.
"Miss Meiou?" asked Celeste sweetly as soon as the chuckles subsided. "Do you really think that I look okay?" She sighed deeply. "Cause I was thinking... Haley doesn't like pink, and well... Purple goes much, much better with the light yellow bridesmaids' dresses." Her green eyes looked up pleadingly, stars hidden within. "And Miss Kaioh and Miss Ten'ou said that all big decisions should be up to you cause YOU'RE the Maid of Honor and - "
Placing a hand on the silken blonde hair, Setsuna shook her head, a smile crawling across her face. "You want a purple dress, don't you?"
"Mmm-hmm," she nodded enthusiastically. "Very much so, Miss Meiou."
With a shrug, the Guardian of Time swept back a few green hairs. "Hey, Alex?" she called. The woman looked up from her Sports Digest with a slightly bored glare in her eyes.
"What now, Setsuna?" she asked, faking a man's voice warily. "We've decided to get the ring and flower girl's dresses in purple," she announced, receiving a tight hug from a certain blonde child.
Susan hugged the little girl with a small sigh, having gotten quite attached to the little girl since the baby-sitting incident almost a week earlier.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan was putting the finishing touched on her make-up when Serenity finally finished Michelle's hair, which Susan admitted was a piece of art. *All bow to the goddess of hair…* she thought with a small affectionate smile.
"Not a moment too soon," breathed Michiru as Serenity placed the last yellow rose in the elaborate hairstyle. Every last strand of long, aqua hair was curled and piled expertly atop her head as it seemed only the Queen of Earth could do. "I thought I wouldn't be able to sit still."
Beaming, the golden-haired woman flipped a pigtail behind her shoulder, admiring the four flowers that adorned the bride's hair. "Just be careful not to mess it up," she warned with a sly grin. "I wouldn't want to see your roses drop onto the ground as you walked down the aisle."
The bride, her two bridesmaids, and the ring-bearer-girl Haley all chuckled at this, and Celeste looked adoringly up at the adults. "I don't get it," she asked, furrowing her tiny eyebrows. This set the five women into more hysterics.
It was then that the door opened and Reeny, clad in her Princess gown and a silver tiara, dragged a screaming Ambriel into the dressing room. The little redheaded girl was wearing a gown similar to that of the teen, but she looked much more distraught about the situation.
Susan sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead, praying that her children wouldn't scream like Ambriel tended to do an awful lot.
"Mom," whined the Princess with a sigh. "Ambriel will not stop crying!"
As if to prove a point, the little one threw herself on the ground and began to have a massive temper-tantrum on the floor.
Pushing a stray hair behind her ear, Serenity shook her head. "I'm sorry, Serenity," she told her daughter a bit guiltily. "Part of this deal was that you would take proper care of the child, and - "
"I have to miss the wedding?" Reeny inquired in shock, looking in disbelief at her mother. "That's not fair!"
"Yeah," chimed in Haley with a hopeful smile. "We Senshi have to stick together!" The crying coming from the toddler got even louder, and the pink-haired teen scooped her up and rolled a pair of red eyes. "I swear, if I let her live through this," she muttered, stalking out of the room with an upset look across her face.
As the Princess left, Yuuichirou entered the room clad in his traditional temple robes. "Hello, ladies," he said in his deep voice, a slight smile on his face. "We need to get everyone lined up, so..." He flushed at Serenity. "Umm... Well, Your Highness..."
The woman smiled and patted his cheek. "I'm on my way, Yuuichirou," she assured him, winking to Michelle. "Good luck, all," she wished them before running out.
Taking a deep breath, Susan smoothed her dress. "It's showtime," she muttered, glancing nervously into the hallway before finding Celeste's hand and squeezing it. The little girl walked with "Miss. Meiou" as Celeste always called her. Susan smiled to the little one as they reached the doorway, "Now just be yourself out there, okay, hun?" Susan said with a smile.
"You got it, Miss. Meiou." Celeste said with a wink as the music started and she got into her place.
First, of course, was Celeste - the flower girl. Her dress was, as promised by Susan, purple and extremely frilly. Throwing rose petals and silvery confetti everywhere as she walked down the aisle, she grinned happily at the four other Senshi before taking her place across the way from where Haruka and Terrence stood. Next was Haley, who walked much more briskly on her way, a forced grin on her face. She looked ridiculous; the purple dress was a bit too short and the frills didn't seem to go along well with her short-cropped brown hair. Then came Hannah and Brian, arm-in-arm, twin adoring smiles on their faces as they went. They seemed almost reluctant to part as they reached the front, and Hannah kept glancing kindly at her blonde mother, a proud smile that made everyone in attendance feel warm.
The last of the wedding party was Susan, who looked by far the most amazing of all the attendants. Green hair done in its familiar fashion, she had permitted Serenity to place a ring of three interlocking yellow roses around the single bun, and she had obliged. Something on the Time Guardian's face was alight with wonder and caring, and her yellow dress, though a bit snug for reasons left unspoken, made her look very regal and timeless. As she stepped to her spot next to her elder niece, the well-known strains of the wedding march started playing, but not from the organ. As the guests all stood, their eyes wandered to four teenagers, all dressed in either a tuxedo or in a tuxedo skirt, sat in the back of the large church. Alex almost choked as she recognized them. Kevin, Katie, Johanna, and Irina - all members of the Crystal Music Academy's symphonic orchestra - were playing the wedding march for their two teachers. The blonde woman just glanced over at Susan who winked and nodded.
And then... Michelle entered. Holding tightly to King Endymion's arm, the bride looked about ready to burst with happiness. The gown, most of which was either a fine lace or expensive silk, was rather high-necked in the front, but low and open in the back. Long and complete with a full train, it fit Michelle like a glove. There was no veil over her face, but roses did protrude out of her curled hair. A bouquet of perfect yellow roses combined with lavender lilacs completed the ensemble. A tear ran down her face as the paragon of beauty - the woman who would soon be her wife - came and stood beside the tall blonde. Michelle took one of her hands from the flowers and touched one of Alex's trembling hands lightly.
Susan smiled and blinked to hold back her own tears at how beautiful her best friends looked. It had taken them far too long to get to this point, but to the Guardian of Time, it had been worth the wait.
Then, Raye cleared her throat and smoothed the red-and-cream temple robes she wore. "Who gives this woman away?" she asked a bit harshly. Hearing her own tone, she shot everyone an apologetic smile.
Trying not to chuckle, the King of the Earth glanced at the wrinkles that Michelle had put in the sleeve of his lavender suit. "I do," he announced with a smile.
"You may be seated," Raye told the group and, as they sat, she cleared her throat and looked at the beaming couple. How long ago had she first met them? It didn't seem to be all that long, but most of the crowd knew the truth. With a grin, she opened the book before her. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
"Do you, Michelle Kaioh, take this woman to have and to hold, to love, honor, and obey until eternity ends?" asked Raye, her violet eyes almost filling with tears at the sweet sight before her.
The bride nodded. "I do..."
"And, do you," continued the priestess, "Alex Ten'ou, take this woman to have and to hold, to love, honor and obey until eternity ends?"
Wiping her own tears away, the blonde grinned. "That, I do..."
Raye cleared her throat, voice a bit shaky as she looked at the couple. Both were beaming, their twin gold bands sparkling as the sun filtered through the stained glass. "I now pronounce you married," she smiled as the two stepped closer to one another. "You may now kiss to seal this bond."
And Michelle threw her arms around Alex's neck and they kissed passionately, everyone cheering as they watched. "May I present," announced Raye, arms wide, "Mrs. and... well... Mrs. Alexandra Ten'ou!"
The quartet began their happy tune as Alex swept Michelle into her arms and carried her down the aisle, leaving not a dry eye in the church as she did so. No one had expected it, and everyone had seen it - the marriage of Alex and Michelle.
And it was all ruined with a scream. "HELP!" Celeste's voice carried quickly through the sanctuary as Raider Doubt struggled to gag the child. "Celeste!" screamed Lyra, jumping to her feet and groping into her purse for the Locket of Polaris. "I'll save you!"
Susan stepped forward, to try and stop the raider, just barely missing the little girl's hand before the portal swallowed them up. Crimson eyes staring in disbelief at where the child had been just a moment earlier, Celeste's basket of rose petals and confetti laying right in the middle of the aisle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Whoo Lena got her groove back! Sorry about the cliffy but hey, it keeps y'all interested in my story. I am sorry that it took me so long, but I promise to try and get one new chappie out a week.
~Lena
Release Date: 9/5/02
By: Lena Sauran
*Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep* over the 6 month period that this story had been failed to be updated, Lena has been busy devising a scheme to overthrow the mighty wonderful Naoko-san but failed miserably, she does not nor will she ever own Sailor Moon. The Original storyline is Kate Butlers, used with her permission to elaborate on the story of Setsuna, Guardian of Time. Thank you for your time and have a nice day. *signs off*
Chapter 10: Holidays Frozen in Time
Setsuna sat as her vanity with a small sigh, she was not ready to go to dinner at the palace, she had like 15 minutes and she had done nothing but ball for an hour. Her nose was all red from crying and she had to completely redo her make-up. Her hand was over the growing life in her womb with an almost reverent gesture. She placed her hair up in the usual half bun, running a brush through the rest. Cursing slightly, she heard the doorbell downstairs, telling her that Terrence had decided to show up a little earlier then he was supposed to.
She quickly applied just the basic make up to match the outfit she had picked for the evening that she still wasn't wearing, it was laying all nice and ironed on her bed, courtesy of Michelle. The woman just brushed a loose hair from her shoulders and slid a normal pair of thin maroon frames onto her nose, she didn't really need, but they looked good as an accessory. She heard the knock on her bedroom door and got up to answer it, smiling slightly to Terrence.
"You're early…" she trailed, moving to allow him to enter.
"You're usually ready… is everything okay?" he asked, noticing the sizable pile of tissues on her vanity.
"Yes, everything is just fine. I'm just moving a little slower then usual today…" Susan replied as she closed the door and went over to her bed.
"If you don't feel well enough to go, Sets, I understand, really I do." Terrence said, watching her with those emerald green eyes.
"Honestly, Terry, you sound like you yourself don't want to go…" she said as she unbuttoned her shirt and tossed it in the hamper.
She walked over and picked up the shirt on her bed with a small smile, it was white with black, silver, and gray stripes down it. It was maternity wear, but she liked it, it was slimming, but she knew that of vertical stripes. She followed with her pants and shoes, buckling up the little black dress shoes. She had done all of that in front of Terrence, afterall, it wasn't like he hadn't seen it before. She straightened and adjusted everything to fit properly and where it was supposed to and then looked to Terry.
"What?" she asked, noticing that odd look on his face.
"I was just noticing how beautiful you were when you do little things, like change your clothes…" he grinned slightly, going over and kissing her lightly. "You're absolutely stunning when you don't hide yourself behind clothes…" he added, taking the opportunity to nuzzle her neck just slightly.
"You mean that I am not stunning in clothing too?" she asked, teasing him gently.
"All to a matter of degree, my dear, the less you wear the more stunning you become…" he said before kissing her quickly.
"Are we ready to go now?" she asked, smiling to him, rather flattered that he said she was stunning even when she was pregnant.
"But of course, my lady." he replied, sweeping into a deep bow and offering her his arm.
"You are so silly at times, Terrence." she laughed, lacing her arm through his.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm so glad you could join us for dinner," smiled Serenity politely across the table at her green-haired friend. "It's not every day that the Mistress of Pluto comes to dine at your home."
From her seat on the windowsill, Reeny snorted. "Mom, this is really no time to talk like an ambassador," the Princess protested, staring idly out at the Moon. "She's just Puu."
Blushing slightly and looking into her lap, Susan folded her hands there. "I'm just glad to be here with friends," she smiled, stressing the last word. "I haven't spent nearly enough time with Terrence."
Looking at his brother, the brown-haired Prince raised an eyebrow. "How do these girls get away with using such big words?" he sarcastically asked, sipping his wine.
"Maybe," suggested Endymion with a sly smirk, "you should ponder on why you so often agree with the Princess."
"Not you too!" whined Terrence. "Help!"
That brought a small smile to the face of the Guardian of Time, looking to the two brothers. Even though they had been separated for centuries, one would never guess from how they joked with each other. They seemed to know each other completely, it was almost scary at times, how much the two were alike. She looked across the table to Serenity and noticed a similar look on her face, the two women's gazes meeting for just a moment with a friendly smile.
Changing the subject, Reeny let out a deep sigh. "Do you ever wonder how Helios is?" she wistfully inquired, staring out at the night sky.
The adults all looked at one another but said nothing, stunned into a nervous silence. Susan sighed, looking to the princess, knowing she was missing the boy, but even Susan herself had found no trace of him after the incidents with the Dead Moon Circus.
Bustling into the room, Lisa held out a large pad of paper. "Didn't mean to be late, Highness," she blushed, standing nervously at the corner of the table closest to the blonde woman. "Now, what would you like to eat for dinner, my lieges and ladies?"
Reeny grinned and leapt off the windowsill and into her chair. "Pizza!"
Rolling his blue eyes, Endymion shook his head. "A well-done steak, please."
"Same here," agreed his younger brother, pushing the glasses up on his nose.
Serenity chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. "That actually sounds really good," she smiled, looking to her handmaiden. "I'll take one!"
The younger woman flushed but didn't say anything. Looking expectantly at the last woman, Lisa smiled politely. "Mistress Pluto?" she prompted.
"Pickled pig's snout." Setsuna brushed a green hair from her eyes. "With extra gravy."
Clearing her throat nervously, the servant managed a chuckle. "Yes, Mistress Pluto. Coming right up."
Shaking his head, Terrence laughed at his girlfriend. "Pregnant women..." he muttered.
"And whose fault is it that I'm pregnant?" shot back the Guardian of Time, lowering her maroon eyes, once again embarrassed by her condition and what it made her do at times.
Endymion rolled his eyes. "Here we go again..." he muttered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That was fun," smiled Susan, standing beside her red corvette.
"I really enjoyed spending that time with you." Terrence laughed lightly. "Did you like your supper, dear?" he joked, putting his hands in his pockets.
Laughing, Susan tossed a few strands of green hair behind her. "That was great, too," she replied. Noticing his wistful gaze, she froze in mid chuckle. "What?"
"Sets, you know what?" Terrence put his hands onto her shoulders and stared hard into her eyes. "You are the most wonderful, provocative, carefully cold, beautiful, deep, impossible, and yet perfect woman I have ever been near."
Kissing her tenderly, he smiled. "In all my life, few relationships have been so fulfilling and fun."
Not quite knowing what to say, Susan threw her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate, breath-taking kiss. Pulling away slowly, Susan climbed into the car and grinned. "It's kind of funny that my best ever relationship came out of getting pregnant," she commented as she put the key in the ignition.
Susan couldn't help but smile as she drove back towards the Crystal Academy and home, that giddiness in her system could only be described as one thing she had thought she would never do again, love.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan had left for the gates early the next morning, wanting to get everything done early so she could spend time with Terrence. She did the random feeling tests on the timeline and found two strands from one, a possibility for the near future. The guardian frowned as this as she looked over the scenes before her, those crimson eyes troubled greatly. She watched the same battles with two different outcomes, neither that she preferred. * I have to tell her… I can't keep this secret… it's too important to our future…* she thought as she concluded the checks and left the gates, going home for a few minutes to grab her car keys and purse, then driving to the hospital.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So, Setsuna, what REALLY brings you here?" inquired Alex, sipping her hot coffee. "I mean, small talk isn't your thing, and I know it."
The green-haired woman blushed a little, but managed to change the subject. "How's the coffee here?"
The blonde made a face. "Gross. I really don't like decaf," she retorted, studying her friend's face expertly. "But, come on! You're denying something."
Giving up, Susan took in a deep breath those eyes looking to her friend and fellow mistress. "Frankly, the senshi are in danger," she told the injured woman. "There's going to be a battle of incredible proportions today, and all the senshi are going to risk their lives to save one."
"Who?" asked the racer, already knowing the answer.
"Haley," the Guardian of Time responded softly. "It will be Haley."
Nodding, Haruka started to pull the IV out of her hand. "Well then, I know what needs to be done, right?"
"That's just it!" yelled Susan, digging her red fingernails into the woman's free hand. "I've seen the future in both cases, and - if you fight... Well, let's just say that - in that instance - you're not IN the future!"
Staring blankly into grey eyes, the guardian knew that Alex was thinking it over, mulling over the possibilities.. "And in the other case?"
She ran her hand nervously through those green tresses. "If you don't fight, you live. And Haley lives. But..."
"But?"
"There's a good chance that Michiru will get hurt." Letting out a breath, Setsuna looked at her friend. "That's why I had to tell you this. If your soul-mate is in danger, you'll feel it, right?"
"Yes..." sighed Haruka, sipping the drink once again.
"Exactly. You see... If you feel it and fight, you die. But, if you feel it but still let Michiru get hurt, then everyone will live." Seeing tears well up in a pair of green eyes, the woman gulped. "It's the hardest thing you'll have to do, Uranus."
"It's starting, isn't it?" asked the other, ignoring the use of her Mistress name. "The killing, the pain..."
"And," nodded Susan, "it won't end until the Raiders are banished from this world."
Holding a hand to her face, Alex did something completely unexpected. She cried. Susan did her best to comfort her friend as a friend, but she knew that this would be hard of the woman. She didn't know if she would have had the strength to stay away if it were Terrence in danger, she knew that this tore at Alex, because it tore at her too.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan left Alex when she felt the shift in the time continuum signaling that the time stream had stopped and the battle had begun. She looked to the other woman who only nodded for her to go do her duty. Susan slipped the beads from her wrist and transformed into the Senshi of Time, Sailor Pluto. She allowed that mystical force to encompass her and take her to the gates, knowing she had to go see Michelle and get her to that battle, the orb taking Sailor Pluto to the bookstore café, clad in a fuku that was getting tighter as the Senshi got more pregnant. "Are you ready to go, Neptune?"
The musician nodded, holding up the beads. "Neptune Eternal Power!" she called. "MAKE UP!"
Susan got them to the fight, leaving the group to battle it out as they were destined to do, her heart rending as the people that were her family got hurt. Those crimson eyes closed as Michelle screamed, gulping the lump in her throat down, knowing she had another important job to do.
She knew that the boy Brian was suffering from this as Hannah was, she had seen it earlier, which brought her suspicion that the boy was possibly the soul mate to the Mistress of Saturn. She appeared in the same room as the boy, those crimson orbs looking to the boy with sympathy, having some semblance of a clue about what he was going through. The boy turned to her and she instantly became the stoic she was trained to be.
"Susan?" he gasped, eyes wide.
She smiled. "You could say that," came the cool response. "In this form, I am actually the Sailor and Mistress of Pluto."
He nodded, cautiously pushing his glasses up on his nose. "I see."
"But do you feel?" Pluto inquired of him in an ambiguous tone. "Can you feel?"
Looking at the ground sadly, he proceeded to sigh. "Do I feel Hotaru's pain? Is that this feeling which sears through me?"
"It is," she softly responded. "For you are her soul-mate, the one and only man destined for Saturn."
Suddenly, he was unable to move. Sailor Pluto, eyes closed, waved her staff and her clothing changed from being a tight sailor fuku to being a long and flowing crimson gown with black trim. "As her soul-mate," she softly whispered, "you are granted immortality."
"Imm...Immortality?" he stuttered, staring into her garnet eyes. "How?"
"Some of the Mistress' soul-mates," she responded, "are from the Silver Millennium of either the Moon, Earth, or Stars. Others are not." Holding the staff directly between them, she rested her hands on the enormous gem that sat atop the Key Staff. "Those who are not - and you are but the second - are granted with immortality. But, the immortality is not permanent. For, if Hotaru Tomoe was to die - "
"I would as well," Brian finished, watching in shock as the orb began to glow. "I love her, though... What should a little death matter?"
Smirking a little, the Mistress of Time considered his comment. "Good answer," she finally said, closing her eyes once again. "Very good." Light, shimmering and silver, shot out of the Garnet Orb and traveled into Brian's chest. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her eyes still closed and hands still controlling the power which flowed freely into his chest.
"It does not," he smiled, watching her with amazement on his face. "Should it?"
"No." After what seemed to be hours passed, the light died and Pluto's Mistress clothing phased back into her normal clothing. "There," she smiled, opening her eyes and watching the Key Staff vanish into thin air. "I'm done."
"And Hotaru?" he demanded, relieved that he could once again move. "The battle?"
"Go now," she commanded, her voice growing timeless. "See what you can."
He thanked her and burst out of the bathroom, feeling a new energy and power with every step. Susan sagged slightly at the drain she felt, physically and emotionally, knowing that her family was in pain, she knew it was hard for Alex, because it was hard for her as well. The Guardian of Time just sank to the ground there by that wall and cried.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the end, everything turned out for the best, of course. Michelle did end up getting injured in the battle but Alex's doctor had arranged for them both to be kept in the same room. Everyone visited them as was the only thing that family and friends were allowed to do. Some snuck in treats that never got eaten as the two patients were too occupied with worrying over each other. Susan stood outside with Minako who had brought Celeste by to see the patients. The blonde woman was unusually quiet and Susan looked to her, "What's wrong, Mina?" she asked, quietly so as to not cause unwanted attention.
"Andrew and myself had plans to take the kids to the mall to see Santa and every single time that we do, Celeste throws a fit. She's scared of Santa Claus for some weird reason. I don't get how she could be scared of a jolly, old, fat guy." Minako said with a sigh.
"And the problem is?" Susan prodded, knowing that there was more.
"Well… I know that with Michelle and Alex here, you have a lot of stuff on your hands… but it can't hurt to ask… I was wondering if you could watch Celeste for the afternoon while I take the others to see Santa. I promise, we would be there to pick her up by 6:00. I just need to take the others and get some shopping done." Mina practically begged.
Susan grimaced, knowing that the little one could be a holy terror when she didn't get what she wanted, but she was a cute little thing. "I don't see what that should be a problem…"
Boy, did Susan not know what she was getting herself into watching that daughter of the Queen of Venus. Famous last words, so to speak.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan had finally decided that she was in a baking mood a few hours after beginning her watch of little Celeste Ann Furuhata. She followed the directions in the cook book, but for some reason it just didn't look right to her. She stirred the stuff up but it was really runny, she had forgotten to add the flour as the thickening agent. Then she tried to coddle Celeste into tasting it.
"Just a little taste?" pressed Susan, holding out the spoon to the blonde child.
"Oh, no way, Miss Meiou," Celeste protested, backing up. "My mommy said never to eat your food."
The woman groaned inwardly and resumed stirring the cookie dough. "Really, now?" she inquired thoughtfully. "And why's that?"
Looking up at her babysitter, the girl smiled innocently. "Because it doesn't taste very good," she informed her, sitting back down on the tile and drawing on some blank paper. "And, besides," she added sweetly, staring up with deep green eyes, "it doesn't smell good either and Lyra said - "
"I understand," interrupted the woman, clenching her fist around the wooden spoon. "No need explaining."
Celeste shrugged. "If you say so, Miss Meiou," she grinned, picking up a purple crayon.
The Guardian of Time let out a ragged breath. Mina had taken the three oldest children shopping, and the younger kids had gone to see Santa with Andrew. Celeste - who was terrified of Santa but had no desire to go shopping - had needed a babysitter.
"Saddle everything," muttered Setsuna sarcastically, "on cranky and pregnant Guardian of Time."
"What was that?" asked Alex, coming into the kitchen laden with unwrapped gifts. "You don't have enough to do?"
"Go to - " Seeing Celeste look up, the green-haired woman managed to fake a grin. " - Sam Goody. I heard that the CD Haley wants is there."
"What are you talking about?" Alex deposited her gifts on the table. "I just want some tape."
Susan stepped out of the way so she could get at some. "Have we heard from Hannah?" she inquired as the sandy-haired woman dug through the drawer.
"Not since she went out with Brian last night," she shrugged, finding the item of interest. "She probably got s - " Seeing the child glance up again, she smiled widely. " - a new video game from him for Christmas."
Trying not to laugh, Susan cleared her throat. "Has she been acting funny lately?"
"Yeah," commented Alex, bending over to adjust the leg brace. "She really has."
"Miss Ten'ou," called little Celeste innocently. "Are you feeling better?"
Rolling her green eyes, she patted the blonde head. "Fine, really," she assured the child with minimal sarcasm. "My leg still hurts, but that comes with the territory."
"Territory?" repeated Celeste. "What's that?"
Chuckling to herself, the woman picked up the gifts and started down the stairs. "And Michi wonders why I don't want more kids," she laughed.
Shaking her head, Susan added a few more chocolate chips to the dough. "Why me?" she asked aloud, not really caring who heard or responded.
The little girl's face gained a thoughtful expression. "You're one of the destined, Miss Meiou," she told the woman, green eyes sweet and caring. "All the destined have to do a lot they don't like."
"What?" Nearly dropping the bowl, she glanced down to where Celeste was leaning against the cabinet.
"Well, I know that you're Sailor Pluto and all that good stuff," she informed the adult, "and that's all well and good. But you're destined, and the destined have a lot to do."
Looking in shock at her charge, the Guardian of Time put down her dish and sat down cross-legged on the floor next to the girl. "How did you learn all this, Celeste?" she asked softly, garnet eyes filled with confusion.
Smiling knowingly, the child winked a green eye. "I have cool parents," she confided in the woman. "Now, can you please hand me that blue crayon?" Not quite knowing what to say, Susan carefully obeyed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Miss Meiou?" asked Celeste in a very nervous voice as the woman - exotic, young, intellectual - led her through the shopping mall.
Susan looked down, maroon eyes sparkling timelessly as the had since the beginning of time. "You said yourself that the destined have to do things that they don't want to do." *Consider this payback for not trying my cookie dough, little one* she thought with a small smile.
The blonde girl sniffled as her babysitter pulled her into the seemingly endless line of parents and children. "But... Miss Meiou!"
"I used to fear Santa myself," she softly confided in the little girl, smoothing her golden tresses. "As a mortal child, that was my one true hate." Brushing dark green hair away from her eyes, the woman looked downward. "But I learned, Celeste. And so must you."
With a look of terror upon her face, the child attempted to scream but was halted by a scarily familiar voice. "Miss Susan? 'Leste?" A curly-haired teen, her redheaded boyfriend in tow, came up and got into the line with the Guardian of Time and the blonde child. "What in the world are you two doing here?" asked Lyra, a bit of twisted amusement in her voice. "Celeste hates Santa."
Sticking out her tongue and pouting, Celeste wrinkled her nose. "Stupid destiny," she muttered loudly, forcing a slight blush upon Lyra's face.
Richard raised an eyebrow just as his counterpart turned around to face him. "I know, I know," he smiled sweetly. "And I'm not planning to ask."
With a polite gesture, Susan held out a hand. "I don't believe we've met," she smiled, pushing up her glasses. "I'm Susan Meiou."
"Richard Gurio," responded the young man, shaking her hand eagerly. "You're a friend of Lyra's?"
Lyra gulped. "Actually, this is Haley's aunt." As he was about to respond, Richard felt his breath catch and heard a scream. "We are the Raiders!" boomed a voice.
Suddenly alert, Susan whirled about and stood upon her tiptoes. Sure enough, a red-armored man and a gray-garbed woman were standing at the front of the line, taking each child by the scruff of their neck and throwing them haphazardly about. The one in gray made a face.
"Sailor Chibi-Star, we know you're here!" Celeste gulped. "Lyra?"
"Susan?" asked the teen.
Richard glanced at the three. "Uhh..." he stammered, completely confused. "Is this one of those times I shouldn't ask?"
His girlfriend let out a long sigh. "Yes, it is," she managed, obviously distressed. "Can I go somewhere without you?" she cautiously requested, a sad look on her face.
Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around her. "I escaped your mom," he noted. "And with you, no less. Some Raiders? Bah!"
"Don't joke like that," Susan scolded with a look of patient anger in her eyes. "In the long run, it will only hurt." With an mysterious grin, she took the younger girl in her arms. "Lyra, come."
Susan carried Celeste in her arms to a place where they could all transform safely without prying eyes around. The Mistress of Time had not foreseen this, but then again one could never see one's future. She allowed Sailor Polaris and Sailor Chibi-Star to confront the raiders while she watched, just to make sure nothing was going to happen, looking more into the girls' futures then her own. A frown marred her face as she saw the possibility for Celeste to be grievously injured.
"Watch out!" yelled Susan from her spot at the second-level railing. "He's going to throw a quick sword jab at Chibi-Star if you don't do something about it!"
The blonde reacted momentarily, pulling Chibi-Star out of the way within seconds of the Time Guardian's warning.
The Raiders then backed up to one side of the tiny platform, and the two senshi stood at the other end.
"Give us the kid," demanded Doubt coolly, kicking the discarded Santa suit away, "and we won't hurt you or your friend." Gesturing to Susan with an idle hand, she smiled wickedly. "You can't possibly live through this, and we don't want you to."
The younger Senshi grabbed onto her sister's leg. "No..." she whispered, tears coming into her green eyes.
"You," Polaris addressed Doubt, "seem to like deals. I'm willing to make one."
Susan bristled, closing her maroon eyes quickly and allowing her all-powerful senses to reach out and attempt to find gaps in the time-space continuum. The Senshi didn't notice this, but she did notice a sudden gleam of desire flare up in the black eyes of Doubt.
"If you let the girl go," the senshi started, chewing on a lip, "then I'll give you the Locket of the North Star." Her hand hovered near the light-orange and gold mass, not touching it... yet... The two looked at one another, and then back at Polaris.
"Are you buying time?" asked Violence in a low hiss, eyes suspiciously focusing on Susan as the guardian of time bit back a protest at that deal.
"Where are the other senshi?" The girl bristled.
"I have no way to reach them. They don't even know I'm here." Running a hand through her shaggy blonde curls, she looked once more at the female Raider. "Do we have a deal?"
"A deal." Doubt folded her hands together. "Chibi-Star is free to go."
The little Senshi didn't move a muscle. "No..."
Bending down to her little sister, Sailor Polaris wiped all emotion off her face. "You go to Susan right now," she hissed in an undertone. "You don't attack, and you don't fight. You just go up the escalator, run over to Susan, and you tell her what's going on. NO fighting."
"But..."
"Go."
As the child took one last look at the scene and took off running, Sailor Polaris bristled and stood slowly, smoothing the light orange skirt of her fuku. "A deal is a deal," she softly reassured them, her fingers touching the edges lightly. "And I will give you the Locket of the North Star." Doubt licked her parched wine-colored lips. "Yes..." she hissed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Yes, give it here. Give me the power!" The blonde Senshi pulled the locket away from her chest, and there was an instantaneous flash of golden light and her mortal form appeared.
Susan scooped up the upset little girl just as Lyra's transformation melted away right in the mall, the Guardian not pleased to say the least. *Idiot girl has no idea what she does, does she… just like her mother…*
"I am Sailor Moon!" announced the shadow, jumping between the people and snatching the locket from Doubt's grasp. "On behalf of the Moon - "
Smiling, the other girl accepted back her locket. " - and on behalf of Polaris - "
"You're punished!" Four other senshi appeared, all surrounding the platforms with grins on their faces. "You're about to find out how the Galactic Sailors celebrate Christmas!" announced Sailor Comet, running a hand through her brown hair.
The duo of Raiders glanced at the Senshi and at each other before disappearing in two puffs of smoke.
"Whew, that was close," sighed Diana, jumping onto what appeared to be a giant gift. "What in heaven's name just went on here?"
Shaking her head, Lyra pocketed the disc. "I had to save Celeste's life, and - "
"There you go, being noble again!" scolded the little Senshi, jumping from the second level and landing gracefully on the first. "Why do you do stuff like that, Lyra?" She smiled lovingly and hugged her older sister. "Well, none the less, I'm glad you did it."
Rubbing the back of her neck, she grimaced. "I just want to get home and call Richard."
"Ooh... RICHARD!" giggled Sailor Moon, waving the Rod dangerously close to her friend's nose. "What is it with you two? Are you an item or what?"
Lyra rolled her brown eyes and grabbed her little sister's hand, ignoring the Senshi. "Let's go home."
Susan watched the Senshi leave the building with a sigh, her hands held the glass barrier of the second floor, knowing that Lyra had intentionally endangered the very fabric of time with her stunt. She had gotten lucky, very lucky.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan sat, letting herself breath as Ami went over the data of her ultrasound. She laid there on that table, listening to the steady heartbeat that she heard, though it sounded fast to her, having no idea that it sounded fast because there were two heartbeats overlapping instead of just one.
"Well, what do we have here?" inquired Amy sweetly, staring at the ultrasound screen with considerate navy eyes.
Susan just sighed. "I really wish that we could do this during the day," she muttered cynically, looking at her doctor with a disgusted expression.
Shaking her head of blue hair, the Mistress of Mercury continued her work. "It would look very suspicious," she informed the woman, chewing thoughtfully on a pink lip. "Because you're a Mistress, you progress quickly." She pointed at Susan's reasonably round belly. "It's been two and a half months, and look at you. I don't even live in this country, on top of it." She shrugged. "And, besides, I specialize in treating children, not exotic-looking pregnant women." Staring blankly at the screen, she gasped a bit. "Oh my."
This made the Guardian of Time extremely nervous. "Is something wrong with my baby?" she nervously asked, trying to contort herself to see the picture. But, Ami had wheeled the machine into the room and positioned it at an angle that made the patient unable to see what was going on. "Is it something bad?"
"That depends," responded Ami, "on how you look at the situation. Now, hold still," she commanded. "I just need to get a good printout and then you get the full run-down."
As the little printer ran off the first ultrasound sheet, Setsuna sat up and pulled her black shirt back in place. "I really don't like maternity clothes," she sighed with a shake of her head. "They're not at attractive."
Chuckling, the doctor handed a picture from the ultrasound to the green-haired woman. "Tell me what you see," she smiled, folding her hands.
"I see a baby," the other woman commented. "But it's a lousy picture, because you managed to get a double image."
"Those, Susan, are TWINS," corrected Ami casually, picking up the rather thick file labeled "Susan Meiou." "It's not the same baby."
Dropping the sheet, the Guardian of Time felt her strength drain away. "I need to sit down."
Susan had had time to get used to the thought of one baby, but two was something that she hadn't expected. She sat back down on the table with an almost shocked look on her face, "Are you absolutely sure there are two of them, Amy?" she asked, picking up the sheet again, staring at it in shock.
"Yes, I am… the rapid heartbeats are two at once, not just one, the picture confirms that." Amy said as she nodded, making a few marks on Susan's chart.
"Oh lord… what am I gonna tell Terry?" she muttered, staring at that picture of their children inside of her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan hadn't seen Terrence in the hectic time that Michelle and Alex had announced their plans to get married as soon as possible. Michelle had asked Susan to be her Maid of Honor at her wedding, much to Susan's surprise. Then everything just went in a blur, hectic planning, wedding ceremony, flowers, cakes, receptions, dresses, fittings, colors, invitations, seating arrangements, rings, bridal party assignments, all done in about the time that it took a wedding coordinator to pick up the phone and get started. It was draining on the Mistress of Time, who sat in a chair in that bridal shop, watching one of her best friend's try on dress after dress.
"What do you think?" asked Michiru, standing up on a tiny platform in the bridal shop. She was wearing a long, white satin wedding gown with a relatively open back and no straps.
Wrinkling her nose, Haley leaned back in the powder-blue chair and sighed. "I want to go help Alex pick out a tuxedo," she whined, sticking her tongue out halfway.
Smacking her sister upside the head, the black haired daughter grinned. "It looks gorgeous, Mom," she assured the musician. "I want one just like it!"
"Reduce, reuse, recycle!" giggled the brunette, quickly finding herself on the receiving end of two angry glares. "I'm kidding, Mom," she sighed, teal eyes thoughtful and loving. "That looks almost as good on you as a tux looks on Alex."
Throwing a wad of paper at her daughter, Michelle turned to admire herself in the mirrors. "Stop it with the tuxedo talk!" she commanded, playing with her hair. "You know very well that she took both Terrence and Brian to help!"
"Yeah," sighed Haley. "But then WE'RE stuck HERE with YOU and a bunch of dresses."
Susan looked up from her book with a sigh. "You're such a tomboy," she observed, looking over to the younger of her two nieces. "I take after my mother... Well, my OTHER mother..." joked the teen with a sad smile. "I'm sorry, guys," she admitted. "This is just really strange for me."
All three women looked at the girl with soft smiles. Stepping down off the platform, the aqua-haired woman looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "Haley," she breathed, touching her shoulder lightly, "I know that this is strange. You come from a very UNIQUE family, and none of us will deny that fact." She smiled sadly. "But this is going to be the biggest day in three lives - yours, mine, and Alex's. It's not every day that your mothers actually do get married."
Clearing her throat, Hannah chewed on her lower lip. "I know that this is supposed to be your day in the spotlight, Mom," the young woman said nervously. "But I'm about ready to burst and it's really important that I tell you this before going insane and - "
"Spit it out," yawned Haley, bored.
"Well..." An excited, almost maniac smile passed across her pale features, and violet eyes flared with excitement. "Me and Brian... We're getting married in April."
A squeal echoed through the shop as Michelle pounced on her older daughter, kissing her on the cheek about eighty separate times. "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, tears of joy running down her cheeks. "My little girl is growing up so fast!"
"Mother..." protested Hannah. "I'm only nineteen years younger than you!"
Haley shook her head. "To the real world," she observed, "you're twenty-one."
A clerk walked over to the four. "Is everything alright here?" she asked apprehensively. "We heard screaming and..."
Wiping tears from her cheeks, Michelle slowly stood and smoothed the dress. "Umm...yes..." she smiled, wringing her hands a bit. "I just got a bit too emotional, there."
"Weddings," pointed out the clerk, "can be very emotional for everyone involved."
With another friendly grin, she folded her hands. "Found a dress you like, Ms. Kaioh?"
"Suna?" inquired the musician nervously. "Girls?"
"It's a keeper," smiled Hannah.
Haley nodded, but muttered something about tuxedoes under her breath.
The Guardian of Time once again glanced up from the book, shrugging a bit. "I hate to sound impartial," she commented, "but it really doesn't matter to me. You're basically my sister, and I must say that you'd look radiant if you wore a pair of sweatpants with one Alex's ratty old shirts left over from when you two were in high school." A sweet smile crossed her face. "Love and weddings do funny things to people, Michelle. And I'll be the first to admit it."
Rolling her eyes, the teenager looked up at her mother. "In plain English," she winked, "that translates roughly to: 'Gee, I like it.'"
"It's a keeper, then," grinned Michelle, twirling around in it one last time. "I'll go change."
As she walked into the dressing room, the clerk hovering nearby, desperately trying to make a sale, the violinist stopped in her tracks. "Haley?"
"Hmm?" the brunette asked, looking to her mother.
"Go find Alex and tell the guys that we're done here and need their help with the bridesmaids dresses." Haley's hoots of delight were heard throughout the mall as she ran out of the bridal shop.
Susan couldn't help the sigh that escaped her when Haley dragged Alex and the boys back into the bridal shop, seeing Terrence made her heart skip a beat or two. Terrence sat down beside his girlfriend who looked utterly tired of sitting there going through dresses. He kissed her cheek in greeting and rubbed a hand over her tummy to say hello to the baby as well.
Finally it was her turn to try on dresses, which she wasn't looking forward to either, not wanting to be told that she looked fat in a dress. Pregnant women tended to hate trying on new clothes. She came out in a yellow empire-waisted gown that hid her belly quite nicely but was still flattering to her changing figure. There was about a two inch yellow satin shiny ribbon about the waist area that was attractive without being obvious. She stepped up on the little pedestool to check out how it looked in the mirror. "Terry? How much do you like children?" she asked, half paying attention as she looked at her behind in the mirror with distaste.
Staring at Setsuna in extreme doubt, Terrence gulped nervously. "What did you just ask me?" he inquired.
She smoothed the light yellow dress, admiring herself in a mirror and not daring to look at her boyfriend. "How much do you like children?" she repeated, resting a hand on the slowly growing bulge that was her abdomen.
"Why?" he inquired suspiciously as she fooled with her hair. "Does it have something to do with - " He nearly choked on the word. " - our baby?"
Once again smoothing the dress, Setsuna nodded a little and looked at Alex, who was studying a lavender bridesmaid dress in disgust. Dressed in a rather conservative suit, the young "groom" had no intention of dwelling long in the shop, and the Time Guardian knew it. "Alex?" she called across the room to her friend.
The blonde looked up from the outfit. "Hmm?" she replied in a purposely low voice. "Tell Michelle that I really like this one," Susan quickly responded before turning to the young brunette man. "What do you think, Terry?" she questioned sweetly.
With a green-eyed wink, the man stepped up to her. "Lovely, Sets," Terrence assured her, pushing his golden-rimmed glasses back into place. "Now, can you PLEASE decipher your garble?"
Smiling bravely and attempting to put a bit of bravado in her rich voice, Susan let out a shuddering breath. "Twins, Terry," she told him, not needing to say much more. "Two children."
"Two?" His green eyes went wide as he gave her a careful hug. The false valor in his voice was obvious. "I don't know how you feel about it," he admitted, "but I can tell you're scared." Pulling her a bit closer, Terrence let his gaze fall into her crimson eyes. "I don't want you to worry, Sets," he whispered. "Because we'll be fine."
She was about to respond when little Celeste Furuhata, clad in a rather frilly pink dress ran up, a grumbling Haley in tow. "Hi ya, Miss Meiou!" smiled the girl. "Like my flower girl dress?"
Pulling away from Terrence, the dark-haired woman wiped any and all tears from her red eyes. "Lovely, Celeste," she smiled at the little blonde.
Eyes flying to Haley, she suppressed a chuckle. "And what have we here?"
Haley made a face and pulled on her own dress - a larger version of the blonde girl's outfit. "Not only," she spat, "am I going to be the oldest ring bearer in history, but I'll be a female ring bearer in an ugly, frilly, pink mess!" Sticking her tongue out, the teenage girl managed one last grievous pout before slinking off to find her parents and complain to THEM about the situation at hand.
"Miss Meiou?" asked Celeste sweetly as soon as the chuckles subsided. "Do you really think that I look okay?" She sighed deeply. "Cause I was thinking... Haley doesn't like pink, and well... Purple goes much, much better with the light yellow bridesmaids' dresses." Her green eyes looked up pleadingly, stars hidden within. "And Miss Kaioh and Miss Ten'ou said that all big decisions should be up to you cause YOU'RE the Maid of Honor and - "
Placing a hand on the silken blonde hair, Setsuna shook her head, a smile crawling across her face. "You want a purple dress, don't you?"
"Mmm-hmm," she nodded enthusiastically. "Very much so, Miss Meiou."
With a shrug, the Guardian of Time swept back a few green hairs. "Hey, Alex?" she called. The woman looked up from her Sports Digest with a slightly bored glare in her eyes.
"What now, Setsuna?" she asked, faking a man's voice warily. "We've decided to get the ring and flower girl's dresses in purple," she announced, receiving a tight hug from a certain blonde child.
Susan hugged the little girl with a small sigh, having gotten quite attached to the little girl since the baby-sitting incident almost a week earlier.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan was putting the finishing touched on her make-up when Serenity finally finished Michelle's hair, which Susan admitted was a piece of art. *All bow to the goddess of hair…* she thought with a small affectionate smile.
"Not a moment too soon," breathed Michiru as Serenity placed the last yellow rose in the elaborate hairstyle. Every last strand of long, aqua hair was curled and piled expertly atop her head as it seemed only the Queen of Earth could do. "I thought I wouldn't be able to sit still."
Beaming, the golden-haired woman flipped a pigtail behind her shoulder, admiring the four flowers that adorned the bride's hair. "Just be careful not to mess it up," she warned with a sly grin. "I wouldn't want to see your roses drop onto the ground as you walked down the aisle."
The bride, her two bridesmaids, and the ring-bearer-girl Haley all chuckled at this, and Celeste looked adoringly up at the adults. "I don't get it," she asked, furrowing her tiny eyebrows. This set the five women into more hysterics.
It was then that the door opened and Reeny, clad in her Princess gown and a silver tiara, dragged a screaming Ambriel into the dressing room. The little redheaded girl was wearing a gown similar to that of the teen, but she looked much more distraught about the situation.
Susan sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead, praying that her children wouldn't scream like Ambriel tended to do an awful lot.
"Mom," whined the Princess with a sigh. "Ambriel will not stop crying!"
As if to prove a point, the little one threw herself on the ground and began to have a massive temper-tantrum on the floor.
Pushing a stray hair behind her ear, Serenity shook her head. "I'm sorry, Serenity," she told her daughter a bit guiltily. "Part of this deal was that you would take proper care of the child, and - "
"I have to miss the wedding?" Reeny inquired in shock, looking in disbelief at her mother. "That's not fair!"
"Yeah," chimed in Haley with a hopeful smile. "We Senshi have to stick together!" The crying coming from the toddler got even louder, and the pink-haired teen scooped her up and rolled a pair of red eyes. "I swear, if I let her live through this," she muttered, stalking out of the room with an upset look across her face.
As the Princess left, Yuuichirou entered the room clad in his traditional temple robes. "Hello, ladies," he said in his deep voice, a slight smile on his face. "We need to get everyone lined up, so..." He flushed at Serenity. "Umm... Well, Your Highness..."
The woman smiled and patted his cheek. "I'm on my way, Yuuichirou," she assured him, winking to Michelle. "Good luck, all," she wished them before running out.
Taking a deep breath, Susan smoothed her dress. "It's showtime," she muttered, glancing nervously into the hallway before finding Celeste's hand and squeezing it. The little girl walked with "Miss. Meiou" as Celeste always called her. Susan smiled to the little one as they reached the doorway, "Now just be yourself out there, okay, hun?" Susan said with a smile.
"You got it, Miss. Meiou." Celeste said with a wink as the music started and she got into her place.
First, of course, was Celeste - the flower girl. Her dress was, as promised by Susan, purple and extremely frilly. Throwing rose petals and silvery confetti everywhere as she walked down the aisle, she grinned happily at the four other Senshi before taking her place across the way from where Haruka and Terrence stood. Next was Haley, who walked much more briskly on her way, a forced grin on her face. She looked ridiculous; the purple dress was a bit too short and the frills didn't seem to go along well with her short-cropped brown hair. Then came Hannah and Brian, arm-in-arm, twin adoring smiles on their faces as they went. They seemed almost reluctant to part as they reached the front, and Hannah kept glancing kindly at her blonde mother, a proud smile that made everyone in attendance feel warm.
The last of the wedding party was Susan, who looked by far the most amazing of all the attendants. Green hair done in its familiar fashion, she had permitted Serenity to place a ring of three interlocking yellow roses around the single bun, and she had obliged. Something on the Time Guardian's face was alight with wonder and caring, and her yellow dress, though a bit snug for reasons left unspoken, made her look very regal and timeless. As she stepped to her spot next to her elder niece, the well-known strains of the wedding march started playing, but not from the organ. As the guests all stood, their eyes wandered to four teenagers, all dressed in either a tuxedo or in a tuxedo skirt, sat in the back of the large church. Alex almost choked as she recognized them. Kevin, Katie, Johanna, and Irina - all members of the Crystal Music Academy's symphonic orchestra - were playing the wedding march for their two teachers. The blonde woman just glanced over at Susan who winked and nodded.
And then... Michelle entered. Holding tightly to King Endymion's arm, the bride looked about ready to burst with happiness. The gown, most of which was either a fine lace or expensive silk, was rather high-necked in the front, but low and open in the back. Long and complete with a full train, it fit Michelle like a glove. There was no veil over her face, but roses did protrude out of her curled hair. A bouquet of perfect yellow roses combined with lavender lilacs completed the ensemble. A tear ran down her face as the paragon of beauty - the woman who would soon be her wife - came and stood beside the tall blonde. Michelle took one of her hands from the flowers and touched one of Alex's trembling hands lightly.
Susan smiled and blinked to hold back her own tears at how beautiful her best friends looked. It had taken them far too long to get to this point, but to the Guardian of Time, it had been worth the wait.
Then, Raye cleared her throat and smoothed the red-and-cream temple robes she wore. "Who gives this woman away?" she asked a bit harshly. Hearing her own tone, she shot everyone an apologetic smile.
Trying not to chuckle, the King of the Earth glanced at the wrinkles that Michelle had put in the sleeve of his lavender suit. "I do," he announced with a smile.
"You may be seated," Raye told the group and, as they sat, she cleared her throat and looked at the beaming couple. How long ago had she first met them? It didn't seem to be all that long, but most of the crowd knew the truth. With a grin, she opened the book before her. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
"Do you, Michelle Kaioh, take this woman to have and to hold, to love, honor, and obey until eternity ends?" asked Raye, her violet eyes almost filling with tears at the sweet sight before her.
The bride nodded. "I do..."
"And, do you," continued the priestess, "Alex Ten'ou, take this woman to have and to hold, to love, honor and obey until eternity ends?"
Wiping her own tears away, the blonde grinned. "That, I do..."
Raye cleared her throat, voice a bit shaky as she looked at the couple. Both were beaming, their twin gold bands sparkling as the sun filtered through the stained glass. "I now pronounce you married," she smiled as the two stepped closer to one another. "You may now kiss to seal this bond."
And Michelle threw her arms around Alex's neck and they kissed passionately, everyone cheering as they watched. "May I present," announced Raye, arms wide, "Mrs. and... well... Mrs. Alexandra Ten'ou!"
The quartet began their happy tune as Alex swept Michelle into her arms and carried her down the aisle, leaving not a dry eye in the church as she did so. No one had expected it, and everyone had seen it - the marriage of Alex and Michelle.
And it was all ruined with a scream. "HELP!" Celeste's voice carried quickly through the sanctuary as Raider Doubt struggled to gag the child. "Celeste!" screamed Lyra, jumping to her feet and groping into her purse for the Locket of Polaris. "I'll save you!"
Susan stepped forward, to try and stop the raider, just barely missing the little girl's hand before the portal swallowed them up. Crimson eyes staring in disbelief at where the child had been just a moment earlier, Celeste's basket of rose petals and confetti laying right in the middle of the aisle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Whoo Lena got her groove back! Sorry about the cliffy but hey, it keeps y'all interested in my story. I am sorry that it took me so long, but I promise to try and get one new chappie out a week.
~Lena
Release Date: 9/5/02