Chapter Fifty-One

Ever After

A/N: Hello everyone! I am back one last time with the final chapter of Ever After. Thank you for wonderful reviews! Thank you all for taking this crazy, emotionally draining rollercoaster of a ride with me through the twists and turns of this beautiful but sometimes sad romantic drama. I never wrote a story as intense or dramatic as this before. This story haunted my dreams and thoughts and consumed my emotions until I could not stop writing it and finally released me when I reached the end. The truth is I felt the same emotions you guys expressed to me over the months in your comments and emails. Like all my other stories, this story wrote itself. I too was surprised by the twists and turns as my fingers only typed the words it told me to write. It was a surreal experience to lose myself in a story and then pulled myself back from the dark places it took me, but I am so glad that you all enjoyed it and in the end, that is what matters the most. I wrote this chapter for all of you to thank you for taking this journey with me. With no more words left to say, I present to you the conclusion of Ever After. Enjoy and farewell!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

"Endymion…."

A smile curled on Endymion's lips he awoke to the sweet sound of his wife Serenity's angelic voice. He groaned as a golden light blinded his eyes momentarily. He realized that it was the sun. His vision cleared and he stared into the beautiful face of his Serenity basking in the heavenly glow of the yellow sun illuminating the entire room in a yellowish-golden hue. Her golden hair flowed loosely around her and she was smiling at him with bright blue eyes. She held the sheets up to her chest covering her naked body. She leaned down as her lips softly brushed against his before capturing his lips in a long soft, sensual kiss that left him breathless.

Endymion groaned in displeasure when her voluptuous grinning lips broke away from his. She said happily with a beautiful smile, "Good morning, my dear king and husband." She felt something kick her. Serenity laughed softly as she touched her stomach. "Your unborn son or daughter says good morning too." He smiled as he looked down at her pregnant stomach. She was finally showing. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. He chuckled in delight as he felt the baby kick for the first time. Today marked their second wedding anniversary. They had been happily married for two blissful years and now she was five months pregnant with their first child together.

Endymion laughed as his memories slowly came rushing back to him. He remembered meeting Serenity for the first time when she accidently teleported herself to Earth and desperately wanted to return home. At the time, he was twenty-five -years old. His first wife Christina was dead and he was left to take care of their two small children, Derrick and Katie alone. His father King Damien stripped him of his powers and banished him to Earth. As a mortal man now, he changed his name to Darien Shields and his children became Katherine and Derrick Shields. He offered to take the frighten princess to Elysian and hopefully his father had the ability to teleport her back to moon. They fell in love on their journey to Elysian, and it was her love that eventually helped him access his powers and becoming the Earth King after his father passed. It was Sailor Venus, Prince Malcolm and Malcolm's younger brother Prince Matthew, who ultimately came to retrieve their princess. He remembered the last things he said to her before she returned home to the moon.

Serenity said to Endymion as their foreheads touched looking at the ground, "I will always love you, Endymion. I wish we could be together always."

Endymion said, "We will. I will not stop until I hunt Beryl down and reverse this curse. I promise you that one day Serenity we shall be together. We will marry and have a family of our own. I promise you Serenity. I will never give up on us."

Serenity smiled then said, "I believe you, my one and only love."

Endymion smiled then lifted his head as she lifted hers. He pulled her into one last kiss that was filled with happiness, sorrow, passion, and love. Serenity wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her tightly against him.

Malcolm cleared his throat. Venus smiled up at a jealous Malcolm. Serenity broke their kiss and walked away towards Venus and Malcolm. Venus nodded towards Endymion who nodded back at her. Matthew smiled at Endymion who smiled at him. Malcolm and Endymion stared each other down. Malcolm then smirked and so did Endymion. Endymion watched as the four disappeared before him.

He said, "Serenity, I promise that whether it is this life or the next, we will be together. We will have our happily ever after. I promise."

His lips curled in a smug smile since he kept his promise in their lifetime. After that event, Serenity discovered a way to regularly teleport to Earth. King Endymion began to neglect his kingdom and his children because of his growing obsession with the moon princess. His kingdom groaned in a collective sigh whenever Serenity appeared. They knew that he would neglect his duties and spend his days and nights in bed making love to her until she returned home to the moon. For over six months, they were a couple. But her visits became rare and like his father, the late King Damien, he found satisfaction in other women. He saw no wrong in what he was doing because every king of Elysian and Earth had a mistress or two over the years. He did not see it as cheating on Serenity since when she came to visit, he dismissed his other women. His father always told him that it was okay to have a mistress but be discreet and don't embarrass your wife.

"You will not leave me, Serenity. Not even the devil himself can stop me from being with you."

"You are crazy, Endymion. I hate you! I despise you!"

"I don't give a damn. Your heart and your body belong to me. I will kill every man who ever touches you like the way I touch you. Do you understand me, princess?"

On a cool starry night with the Earth revolving in the distant, they were walking along a hallway outside the courtyard inside the palace walls of the Moon Palace. Well, she was storming away from him in a white gown while he chased after her disguised as Tuxedo Mask. The queen had banned him from the palace for deflowering her daughter. Everyone knew that the princess was intimate with the Earth King except the queen, who only found out when she learnt of a painting of the young king lying naked in her daughter's bed and highly vulgar and indecent. She slapped her daughter harshly on the cheek and threatened to punish anyone in her palace who leaked out that the princess was no longer pure.

Endymion found the news amusing when an ambassador of the moon kingdom appeared in his court on Earth and informed the king that he was forbidden from seeing the princess anymore. If he broke this request, the Moon will declared war on the Earth. Endymion laughed it off and evaded the representative asking him for his response. He agreed to the Moon queen's request even though he knew secretly that there was no way in heaven, hell, or earth that he was going to stop seeing the princess. Even sitting in his throne room where his subjects conversed and mingled around him, his arousal grew hard just thinking of his precious princess and how he planned to spoil her once he saw her again.

He saw a pretty brunette dancing with one of the noblemen. Her eyes met his as she seduced him with her eyes. At the age of twenty-five, Endymion was single and the most powerful being on Earth. He was loved and respected by his subjects and considered wise beyond his years. His generals travelled through the world spreading his rule as he watched over his subjects from the Kingdom of Elysian like the god he was. He drunk like a sailor after winning wars and conquering new lands and bedded young maidens with his insatiable appetite. Serenity heard rumors of his hunger for women and he admitted to her that this was true, and when she was his wife, she would have to accept that her husband will bed other women like every queen does. She spat at him and told him angrily that she never married him. He loved Serenity with all his heart and being with her satisfied him for a short time before he bedded other young maidens calling them her name as he shouted in pleasure as he reached ecstasy. Some women accepted this. Others hated it. Everyone in the kingdom knew that Endymion was in love with the Moon Princess. He found it amusing when Serena became angry as he stared at her adorable mouth and cute little button nose. He grew extremely jealous even when she smiled too long at another man. He forbade her from seeing the dark Prince Malcolm, whom she was very friendly with. She claimed that they were only friends and he was dating Sailor Venus, but he still hated seeing them together. He was unaware that Serenity kept her friendship with Prince Malcolm.

It was because of that brunette that Serenity was upset with him. Serenity lashed out at her mother telling her that she was in love with the Earth King. Selenity yelled back at her daughter that she was a fool. The Earthlings were vulgar people and that Endymion would never be faithful to her and that she would be miserable living as a mortal. Serenity was shocked when her mother said those words. Selenity informed her daughter that the only way that Serenity could be with the king is to become a mortal herself and die a mortal death. It was forbidden for Lunarians to marry outside of their race. If Serenity chose to be with the king as his wife, she could never return to the moon or see her friends again. Her cousin Princess Venus would become the Moon Princess and future queen. Serenity was devastated by her mother's words. She would never get a chance to see her mother or friends again who she loved like sisters. Venus would be devastated by becoming the moon princess. She was in a forbidden relationship herself with Prince Malcolm, who technically was Lunarian by his mother. She could not marry him because he was a son of darkness and the people feared his kind. Her mother and Venus' mother had already lashed out at her and demanded that she stopped seeing the prince. Venus secretly met him. She tried not to, but it was hard to stay away from the man you love even when it is in your best interest to. Serenity understood that because she was having the same dilemma with Endymion. Her mother told her to make her decision wisely.

That night, a distraught Serenity teleported to the Earth only to remain frozen in pain to see her king making love to one of his noble subjects. She heard rumors that he had affairs. He told her himself that he had other women. But this was the first time she ever saw him with another woman and it shook her to the core. She realized that her mother was right. He could not make her happy. She was dangerously in love with a man, who would always hurt her and constantly cheat on her like every Earth King did. He told her once that kings cheated on their wives, but her father was a king and he never cheated on her mother and the same was for Venus' parents. The girl gasped when she saw Serenity there. Endymion grew still. He knew that she was there without looking. He slowly turned around to see her crying. Her innocent blue eyes glistened with tears. He hated seeing her like that and he tried to move to comfort her. She stepped back. She cried heartbroken and shaking her head, "I never want to see you again, Endymion." She disappeared as he called out to her.

Two weeks later, Serena spent her days and nights crying over her young king. Her body ached for him like she was put under a spell to love only him. She grew pale and did not want to eat or leave her room. Her friends comforted her to try to cheer her up but nothing they did helped. Endymion was miserable and frustrated without his princess. He refused to listen to his counsel as they tried to tell him about the impending attack. He lashed out at them threatening their lives with death. His top general and best friend Kunzite told him that he was a fool and he was going to damned all of them for a woman. Endymion ordered the guards to imprison the general. The general frowned at the king and walked in front of the guards he had trained as they escorted him to the dungeons.

Kunzite paced the floor of the dark, dingy, small cell in fury at the Earth King. He remembered the witch's words six month ago. It was on the day of Endymion's coronation and also the day he defeated his psychotic half-brother Prince Erik in battle. "He will abandon you for her." The King was too obsessed with the princess. The Earth was on the verge of destruction and all the king worried about was that damn skinny little princess.

Suddenly, the door to the cell opened. Kunzite stopped moving and glanced at the door. He was surprised when King Endymion walked in. He turned his body fully to the king. King Endymion asked, "What did you want to show me, old friend?" Kunzite smiled. The king had returned to his senses.

This time around Endymion acted like a king instead of a lovesick man. He remembered vaguely his life as Darien Shields and how his negligence caused the destruction of the Earth. So when the report of a witch bewitching mortal men came to him from his generals, he listened. He descended to the Earth with his four generals by his sides. They investigated a small village and discovered his ex-lover Beryl and the witch Metallica corrupting the souls of mankind for evil. With his royal decree, his generals and a small division of his Golden Army defeated the mortal men who were turned into zombies-like creatures by Metallica. He followed Beryl into the caves as she used her dark magic to attack him. He dodged her attacks and blocked her blasts with the Sword of the Earth. In one final battle, he finally got to best of her as she fell to the ground defeated in a cave. She begged him to spare her life if he ever truly loved her. He stared at her and told her good-bye as he thrust his sword into her stomach. He never loved her. He only used her for his sexual gratification, but she naively believed that their sex life meant that he cared about her. He realized that she was just as obsessed with him as he was with Serenity and it was not healthy. He knelt beside her as she died. It was her final request from him as she withered away staring at him with opened eyes until her body stilled forever. For some strange reason, he felt sympathy for her like she led a sad life. His eyes turned golden as he held his hand over her body and she faded away becoming one with the earth. Jadeite found him thereafter and told him that they needed his help in defeating Metallica. Endymion nodded as he rose and ran out of the cave with Jadeite. They quickly halted when they saw that Metallica was at least one hundred feet tall.

Lords Kunzite, Nephrite, and Zoicite looked like ants floating around the giant woman using their attacks to try to fight her. She was too strong from them as she swiped Nephrite and Kunzite to the side like they were flies on a wall. They crashed down into the ground. Zoicite disappeared and teleported next to Kunzite to check on his disoriented lover. Jadeite yelled to Endymion as they watched the scene, "She's too big and powerful." She took a step forward and the ground shook like they were in a middle of an earthquake.

Endymion yelled as he tried to remain stable, "Then, we'll have to bring in someone her size." Endymion closed his eyes and chanted, "I called upon the powers of the Ancient Ones. Help me defeat this evil. Ergon, the Golden Dragon arise and destroy this evil." From fiery core of Elysian, Ergon, the golden dragon emerged from his slumber and flew through the layers of Elysian and through the earth towards his master.

When Endymion saw Ergon soaring towards them at lightning speed, he grabbed Jadeite as they leaped up and landed on the neck of the dragon. Ergon flew high into the sky and then turned around and soared head on towards the giant sized Metallica. Metallica held out her hands as purple energy blasted through her hands as Ergon dodged her attacks and then screamed as his mouth opened and a gigantic blast of energy erupted from his mouth towards Metallica striking her. Metallica stumbled backwards shaking the ground as she struggled for a moment to regain her balance. When they were closed enough, Jadeite and Endymion leaped off of Ergon and used their attacks to blast Metallica. Jadeite accessed her weaknesses quickly. He noticed an emerald ring with a golden band on her finger. Jadeite yelled, "Endymion, I think the ring is making her more powerful."

Endymion shouted, "Right…."

He held up his sword and focused on the ring as Jadeite distracted her with his attacks as she tried to squat him away. Nephrite and Kunzite started to regain consciousness. Zoicite helped Kunzite to his feet.

Endymion shouted, "Golden Crystal Annihilation!" A blast of golden light erupted from the sword and shattered the ring into pieces. Metallica screamed as she shrunk down to her regular size. Endymion and Jadeite slowly floated down to ground.

An angry Metallica raced full speed towards Endymion. His generals quickly stood in front of him and held out their hands simultaneously blasting the evil witch to smithereens as she screamed and exploded into nothing. The generals sighed in relief that the witch was finally gone. Endymion smiled as he embraced his friends.

With his order, his armies led by his generals defeated the remainder of the zombies-like creatures created by Metallica. Endymion ruled his kingdom and became a good father to his children. He often spent time strolling through the gardens of Elysian with his mother Queen Susan as his children ran around happily chasing butterflies. Every morning they snuck into his room and woke him up by their pouncing on the bed. He roared angrily like a lion to their amusement and they cuddled around him like the little cubs they were. His citizens loved him and the Earth was happy and at peace.

There was only thing missing in his life. He spent his days being a good king to his subjects and father to his children. He spent his nights standing on his balcony with his cape wrapped around him like a blanket and staring up at the moon thinking about his Serenity every night before he went to bed. He allowed his mind to wander off and think about her, remembering her laughter, her pure heart, the way his children adored her, and the warmth he felt being next to her. He wondered if she was happy. It's been months since he last spoke to her. He had not touched or desired another woman since she caught him in bed with the brunette. He surprised himself and realized that he could restrain himself better than he thought. The only woman that he wanted and his body ached for was Serenity. She acted like a little girl sometimes with her fits and mood swings, but she was definitely a woman in other areas. He smirked. He missed his little bun head.

Five months had passed since he last saw her. His first year as king would be over in a month. His mother Queen Susan, now the Queen Mother of Earth, was pressuring him to wed again since his wife had been dead four years now. His twenty-sixth birthday had passed and all he secretly wished for was to see Serenity again. His prayers were answered when he received an invitation to meet with the Queen of the Moon. He was really quite shocked by the invitation since many times in the past he visited her kingdom without her knowledge and bedded her daughter right under her roof. It was no secret that the Moon Queen despised him for deflowering her daughter. He was reluctant to accept the invitation until his mother informed him that it was time he found out where he stood with the princess. If she did not desire him anymore, then it was time for him to move on with his life.

One week later after receiving the Moon Queen's invitation, Endymion appeared on the moon with his generals Nephrite and Jadeite at his side. They arrived in court surrounded by the Lunarian nobility. Queen Selenity looked regal and beautiful as ever in her strapless form-fitting white gown with the moon scepter in her hand. She sat on her throne with her royal advisors, Luna and Artemis at her sides in feline form. Endymion and his generals knelt before the queen.

Queen Selenity smiled coolly at the Earth King. "Rise Endymion, King of the Earth." Endymion and his generals rose. "Thank you for what you have done for me and my people. I discovered that your defeat of the witches Metallica and Beryl saved my kingdom from destruction. I am forever gratefully to you."

Endymion smiled and nodded. "It was an honor your majesty. I hope that our kingdoms can become allies instead of enemies in our fight against the evil forces that try to encroach on our peace."

Queen Selenity nodded and said, "I agree your majesty. Let's put aside our differences and be friends and allies." The court erupted in cheer. Endymion smiled. He soon joined Queen Selenity in her chambers and they signed a peace treaty of everlasting peace between the Earth and the Moon.

In celebration, there were festivities thrown in honor of the new peace between the two kingdoms. The food was plentiful and the wine never-ending. Endymion sat on the golden throne seat next to Queen Selenity and watched in delight as he was entertained by jugglers, magicians, beautiful women dancing sensually and gracefully before him.

His generals enjoyed themselves well as they mingled with the Lunarians, danced and had a merry time. They retired for the night with two beautiful Lunarian maidens who they spent the night thoroughly bedding in the privacy of their rooms.

Queen Selenity smiled at her guest of honor as she sipped her Lunarian wine from her golden goblet adorned with red jewels. "This is the last time we shall ever see one another again, King Endymion." He turned his attention away from watching the festivities and glanced over to the Moon Queen.

Endymion said puzzled, "I don't understand your majesty." He turned back to guests and smiled.

"You will never be able to return to the Moon Kingdom again. Once you and your generals leave, no mortal will ever be able to return to Lunaria again. Not even you, the Earth King."

Endymion was distraught inside as an unreadable expression crossed his face. His hand trembled slightly on the armrest. The thought of never seeing his precious Serenity again frightened him. When he glanced at a couple of the Lunarian noblemen eyeing him, he smiled. "Why your majesty? Our kingdoms are safe and at peace. Why? I don't understand."

Selenity placed her goblet on her armrest. "I don't take kindly to those who are responsible in some form or fashion for murder of one of my own. I am quite aware of what you have done to one of my noblemen." Endymion turned pale. Selenity grinned happily at her guests who curtsied in approval of their queen and her guest the Earth King. "The only thing that spared you and your entire kingdom from annihilation was the fact that you saved my kingdom and my daughter has finally come to her senses. After tonight, you are banned from my kingdom for all eternity."

Endymion asked quietly, "How does the princess feel about this? Where is she?"

"My daughter doesn't wish to see or know you anymore. She hates you so much that a good month after catching you probably in bed with some floozy, she finally accepted a marriage proposal and is now engaged Endymion to wonderful nobleman. By this time next month, my daughter will be married to a good and respectable man." Endymion wanted to die. He diverted his eyes to the floor not wanting to watch the gloating look on the Queen's face.

Endymion's heart stopped beating for a moment. He knew it gave Queen Selenity much pleasure telling him her daughter no longer wanted him. "Did you honestly think she would give up everything she ever knew and form any serious attachment to someone beneath her status? She had her little fun tasting the forbidden fruit. You do have quite the infamous reputation for being blessed in certain areas like your whore of a father and your grandfather, the original Earth King. And you are quite welcome to sample as many of my divine fruits as you like tonight since you are well-known for your insatiable appetite." He noticed the beautiful Lunarian women staring at him with lustful eyes throughout the night. "But my daughter is officially off the market." Selenity placed her hand on top of his as he flinched. Selenity found the movement quite amusing. "She is happy, Endymion. It's over. Move on with your life." He nodded in agreement even though his heart broke inside since the queen only confirmed what he always feared was true. Serenity was too good for him. She wanted adventure and he gave it to her. Now, she was done with him and was marrying one of her own kind.

Queen Selenity read his dejected thoughts and decided to test the young king that night. Even though her daughter had shown great maturity and good sense over the last few months, the princess was still partial to the mortal lover. She wanted to prove to Serenity once and for all that the Earth King could never make her happy. Therefore, she ordered her niece Princess Minako, who resembled her daughter, to sneak into the Earth King's chambers that night and seduce him. Princess Minako quickly disagreed but ultimately agreed to do so. She was already on thin ice as the queen had found out about her illicit affair with Prince Malcolm of the Dark Moon Family. It was forbidden for someone of the light to be with someone of the dark. If she was not the queen's niece, she would have been instantly killed for breaking an ancient Lunarian law.

In the quiet of the night when all the festivities ended and everyone had retired for the night, Minako quietly snuck into Endymion's chambers. He slept naked in bed underneath the covers. He breathed softly. She removed her gown that fell to her feet and stood naked before him. She bent over and placed a soft kiss on his lips awakening him. He slowly opened his eyes to see Princess Minako standing before him in her naked glory with a seductive look in her eyes ready to bed him. Her body was perfect and tempting and she looked as beautiful as Serena did. Yet, he had no desire to bed her. His body only responded to Serenity. He rejected her as nicely as possible. She feigned hurt as he apologized profusely telling her that she was very beautiful, but it was her cousin Serenity that he was in love with. Mina nodded. He begged her not to tell Serenity of this. She promised that she would not as she crossed her fingers behind her back. She slipped her gown back on and left out of the room. She proudly reported to her aunt that Endymion had passed her test to Queen Selenity's abhorrence.

One month passed since he returned from the moon and his first year as king was officially over. He pretended to be happy as he celebrated a new year with his friends and family. When he finally got a moment to himself, he snuck out and stepped out into the courtyard for a breath of fresh air. He glanced up at the moon and could see the fireworks popping in the sky. Serenity was officially married now. His heart wept and his shoulders slumped. He did not see a pair of sapphire eyes watching him in the doorway. At eight o' clock, he tucked his children into bed and read them a bedtime story. He kissed their foreheads and bid them good night. As his father blew out the candles, Derrick wide awake watched his father leave out of the room and closed the door softly behind him and a blanket of darkness covered the entire room. Endymion stayed at the party for another hour and joked with Zoicite and Jadeite. Nephrite was somewhere in the castle fooling around with a young chambermaid while Kunzite was down on Earth handling negotiations on his king's behalf. Jadeite suggested he bed one of the pretty women eyeing him at the party. He had been celibate for almost six months now. He politely declined. He was offered wine and he declined that also. In the past, he was taught by his father that his desires always came second to his duties as king so he used sex and alcohol to cope with the numbness he felt. He understood why he became so obsessed with Serenity and forgot about everything else in the world. It was because he was never allowed to have anything he truly wanted. Serenity made him feel alive and now she was married to someone else. He hoped one day she could forgive him for how horrible he treated her. At ten o'clock, he kissed his mother goodnight and retired for the night. He had no desire to remarry, but if it pleased his dear mother he did not mind. He'll select a nice motherly girl from Earth as his wife later on in the new year. Tonight, he wanted to feel sorry for himself. Queen Susan was delighted when he told her all of this. She quickly interrupted him telling him she'll start her matchmaking tomorrow. Before he could decline, his mother was long gone. Immediately after he entered into the darkness of his bedroom, he collapsed on the bed and broke down into tears until he fell asleep.

"Daddy!" He jolted up from his sleep to see Katie burst into his room a few hours later. She cried hysterically as he crawled on his lap, "Daddy, Derrick is gone!" Endymion's eyes widen as he demanded she tell him what happened.

Katie cried, "He said he was going to Crystal Lake to make you happy again. He says you're not happy. You're sad and he's worried about you."

Endymion nursed his chin. Why the hell was he going to Crystal Lake? Endymion wondered. It was just a lake. Endymion slipped on his shirt. He was already wearing dark trousers. He held Katie in his arms as he teleported them to Derrick's location.

They reappeared at the lake. Crystal Lake was a beautiful midnight blue lake that was hidden in the forest, surrounded by tall trees. Endymion saw Derrick standing at the edge of the lake wearing his nightgown. He was staring up at the new moon in the starless midnight blue sky. Endymion panicked setting Katie down to her feet. The water looked safe but was deep and shallow. Some of the best swimmers had drowned in the lake. Endymion rushed over to Derrick. He yanked him away from the edge and knelt before his son rattling him with his big hands on his son's small shoulders. He cried worried shaking his son, "What is wrong with you? Someone could have kidnapped you or worse. You could have died."

Derrick said shaken up, "I want to bring mother back."

Endymion's anger resided as he pulled his son into a warm embrace and kissed the crown of his soft ebony hair. He hugged him tightly said regrettably, "Derrick, your mother is dead. We can't bring back the dead."

Endymion pulled away from his son placing his big hands on Derrick's small shoulders. "I know daddy. I was talking about Serenity." Endymion tilted him head sideways staring at his son perplexed. "Mother died when Katie and I were babies. We don't remember her. Serenity is the closest thing to a mother we ever known. You're sad, and I want you to be happy, again. You're make-believing you're happy but you're not and you deserve to be happy. You're a good dad."

Endymion became emotional hearing his son say those words. Sometimes he wondered if he was a good father to his children. He ran his hands through Derrick's hair. "I love you with all my heart. You and your sister are all I need." Tears glistened in Endymion's sapphire eyes that matched his son's. "We're a family and I promise you I will remarry soon and you and your sister will have a mother."

Derrick said, "I don't want just any mother. I want Serenity back. I want our Bunny back."

Endymion said tenderly, "I want her back too. Uno knows I do, but she's not coming back, my precious boy. It is still just the three of us."

Derrick began to sob as he collided into his father's arms and buried his head in his father's chest wetting his father's shirt with his tears. Endymion buried his head in Derrick's shoulder. He caressed his son's back trying to soothed his worries but found himself crying too.

Katie felt sad watching the sad scene. Katie's eyes suddenly grew wide and mystified as the moon beamed a yellow light towards the lake on its reflection in the water. The moon began to glow brighter than ever before. Katie pointed her chubby finger and yelled, "Daddy! Derrick! Look!"

Endymion and Derrick lifted up their heads and turned to see a yellow ray of light beaming down from the moon onto the moon's reflection on the lake. A dazzling, bright light blinded them as Endymion, Katie, and Derrick covered their eyes. When the light dimmed, they uncovered their eyes and all looked shocked as Princess Serenity materialized before them dressed in a beautiful long sleeved scoop neckline lace mermaid white wedding dress with a beaded waist. Her blonde hair was styled in a neat chignon with a long waist length white lace bridal veil pinned to her chignon and hanging behind her. Her makeup was flawless along with cherry red lipstick. She wore dangling pearl earrings and a matching pearl bracelet on her wrist with the crescent moon symbol on her forehead. She floated above the water. Her white heel touched the surface of the lake causing a small ripple as she then walked across the water as the family of three watched her in awe. When she stepped onto the land, Derrick and Katie happily raced over to hug her. The moonlight faded away. Serenity knelt down and embraced the children tightly and planted soft kisses all over their laughing faces and hair.

Endymion slowly rose to his feet like he was afraid he was dreaming and in one wrong move, he'll wake up and forget this beautiful dream. Serenity glanced up at him still embracing the children. She smiled at him and watched him. He gazed at her with wistful eyes completely bewitched by the beautiful angelic creature in front of him. She rose to her feet as the children walked on opposite sides of her. She approached him. He never took his eyes off of her.

She looked different since the last time they had met. She no longer was the naïve little princess he fell in love with. She had matured into a beautiful woman.

Endymion asked quietly, "What are you doing here? I thought you made your choice. You're married now."

Serenity shook her head. "I thought I did until I realized I was making the wrong choice. I decided it was best to get marry today, especially after Mina told me about my mother's test." He cringed. She laughed. "It's okay. You passed with flying colors." He sighed in relief.

Endymion asked, "What about your mother? She hates me."

Serenity smiled. "My mother was very cross when I told her my decision. Then, she finally conceded it was my life and I have to live with the consequences of my actions. I think her hatred of you has lowered to a strong dislike." Endymion smiled. "She does not think you are good enough for me, but my happiness means more to her than anything else. She knows that I will be safe with you."

Endymion's eyes widen in disbelief. "Please tell me this is your mother's way of saying we can be together."

Serenity nodded her head quickly. "She doesn't approve of you, but she won't stop us from being together anymore. We can get marry." Endymion was overwhelmed with happiness and he pulled Serenity into his arms.

Serenity asked happily looking up into his happy sapphire eyes, "So will we live happily ever after now?"

Endymion said firmly staring down at her, "No." Serenity was stunned and slightly disappointed. She feared she made the wrong choice in leaving her home. He continued, "No, Serenity, I can't promise you that we'll live happily ever after. I cannot promise you that we'll never have any problems and everything will be sunshine and roses. We're going to fight. We're going to get on each other's nerves. Sometimes I'll think you are a spoiled little princess and you'll think I'm conceited jerk." Katie and Derrick giggled. "Our lives won't be perfect, and we are going to have to work to make our marriage last. We can't take one another for granted. I pledge my eternal love to you. I promise to love you through sickness and health, through argument and affection, though good times and bad times." He glanced at his children and smiled as he gestured for them to join him. They stood by his side. "So I won't promise you a fairytale or fantasy. I promise you an affirmation of truth and reality. So on behalf of my children and myself, I, Endymion, ruler of the Earth pledge my eternal love to you and only you, my precious Serenity." He interlocked his hands with hers. "If you agree to be my queen, wife, mother to my children and our future children, I promise you that I will dedicate my entire life to making you as happy as you have made me and my children from the moment we first laid eyes on you. " Serenity glanced at Derrick and Katie who nodded happily in agreement. She smiled. "I can promise you that." He raised his eyebrow. "So are those terms agreeable, my love?"

Serenity stared blankly at him as a puzzled look crossed her pretty face. She asked in an inquisitive manner, "Are you proposing to me, your majesty?"

Endymion said, "Yes princess."

Serenity ordered feigning arrogance, "Well, do it properly then."

Endymion rolled his eyes at her as his children laughed. He mumbled something inaudible as he knelt down on one knee in the cold, mushy, and muddy ground and took her dainty left hand with his bigger one. He asked with twinkle of happiness in his eyes, "Will you, Serenity marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"

Derrick begged clasping his hands together, "Please will you be our mother?"

Katie added, "Will you please marry father so he could stop brooding and making it rain a little every day since you left?" Endymion could not believe how traitorous his children were. Serenity laughed. She realized that if she agreed to marry him, she was not only marrying Endymion. She was marrying his children and his entire kingdom. She'll become the Queen of the Earth and mother to Derrick and Katherine. She'll never be able to return home to the moon. She'll be stuck on Earth and her fate will be forevermore tied to the humans. She could never see her friends or mother again. But then, she looked at Endymion and his children. He was a changed man. He was a proud father. She heard many reports that there were no other women. He was the man she fell in love with again. His children were her children now.

She smiled. "Of course, I will. I love you all." Endymion grinned as he rose to his feet. He lifted up her chin with his finger and lowered his head until his lips captured hers in a sweet kiss that became something more passionate as he pulled her into his arms as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Her crescent moon faded away as she felt her immortality slowly seeping out of her body and returning to the moon. His eyes turned golden as a golden light surrounded them as the gods blessed their union. Gold wedding bands materialized on their ring fingers on their left hands with Serenity and Endymion forever engraved on the inside of the rings.

Endymion broke away from her with a happy smile on his face. He stared at her cupping her heart-shaped face in his hands. She watched him with emotional blue eyes. He felt her immortality leaving her body. She had given up everything she cherished to be with him. He had changed his ways to be with her. Endymion stroked her soft cheeks with his fingers as she continued to stare at him. "She will come around one day."

"How do you know?"

"Because like you said, your happiness means the world to her." Serenity smiled instantly feeling better. She had no idea her mother watched a hologram of the entire ceremony from her throne room on the moon with Artemis and Luna at her side. Venus stood off in the distance with a bittersweet smile as she watched her cousin wed the man she loved on the hologram. She instantly became alert when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She glanced over her shoulder and looked up to see Malcolm standing behind her. He smiled down at her as she returned his smile then returned to watching the hologram image. He encircled his strong, big arms around her waist as she cradled back in his warm embrace. His chin rested on the top of her head. She sighed and asked, "Do you think they'll be happy together? I am regretting encouraging her to leave now. I miss her."

Malcolm said undoubtedly, "They will be."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because he loves her as much as I love you."

Venus grinned happily. Malcolm chuckled lightly feeling her happiness from telling her he loved her for the first time in their relationship.

Malcolm leaned over and whispered in her ear, "So how long do you have before your become the new moon princess?"

"A few hours."

"Well, my mother, sister, and little brother are out of town for the entire weekend. I have an entire castle to myself for two days." His grip tightened around her waist. "My bed has been cold without you for the last two weeks."

Venus teased, "No other young maidens to please you?"

"I think you scared them all off." Venus laughed. She turned around in his arms. She leaned forward to kiss him. They vanished into thin air.

Artemis glanced over and watched Malcolm and Venus disappeared. He chuckled.

Queen Selenity asked, "What is so funny Artemis?"

Artemis said, "Your majesty, if I may be blunt." Selenity nodded in permission. "Your daughter just married a mortal. Your niece is in love with the elder dark prince while the daughter of your cousin is in love with his younger brother. I think my queen if you want to continue the reign of the Lunarian queens, you should take into consideration breaking the rules that an immortal cannot marry a mortal or someone of the light cannot be with someone of the darkness. I feel the princesses of the moon should be free to marry who they love regardless of the circumstances of birth."

"I cannot break the ancient law." Selenity watched her daughter completely happy embracing Endymion and his children.

Luna said, "But your majesty you are a descendant of Uno. You can break the law." Luna smiled staring at Serenity laughing in the hologram holding Katie in her arms while Endymion held Derrick as they walked through the forest back to the golden castle. "Is it worth losing the princess over?"

Artemis asked, "Do you really want to miss the birth of your first grandchild?" Selenity remained silent as she watched her daughter of eighteen hundred years give up her immortality for love. She remembered every moment of her life from the day Serenity was conceived and Uno came and blessed her daughter with beauty. "Are you really ready to say good-bye to your daughter?"

She held out her hand and said quietly, "No." The moon specter floated above her head. She vanished and reappeared in the white throne room. Malcolm and Venus reappeared in Malcolm's bedroom in the Dark Moon Family castle. He roughly pushed Venus against a wall before his mouth came crashing down against hers in scorching hot kiss. His dark eyes popped opened and turned red as the dark crescent moon symbol appeared on his forehead. He abruptly pulled away from Venus and leaving her confused and breathless. He kissed her again before vanishing. The Sun King in his home world vanished from his throne room. Serenity held Endymion's hand as she led him back to his bedroom. They had just finished putting the children back to bed. As soon as they entered the bedroom and shut the door, Endymion stopped moving. Serenity turned around to see Endymion's eyes turned golden startling her. Before she could speak, he suddenly vanished.

Endymion appeared next to Malcolm in a white room. He did not know exactly where he was but he knew he was on an astral plane between the world of the living and dead. Endymion asked confused, "What's going on?"

Malcolm said equally confused looking around, "I have no idea. Selenity summoned us here."

Endymion and Malcolm were shocked and gulped in fear when Queen Selenity appeared before them with a hard face and matching icy eyes. Endymion worried she was killed him over Serenity. Malcolm worried she was going to kill him over Mina.

The Sun King appeared behind her. Selenity turned around and greeted the Sun King, "Hello, Jarvis."

King Jarvis, the son of the original Sun King, said, "What is the purpose of this, Selenity?" Malcolm's eyes narrowed as he watched the sword. King Jarvis frowned at Malcolm and drew out his sword. Malcolm quickly drew out his.

Selenity flicked her finger causing both of the swords to go back into their owners' sheath. Neither of the men was able to pull out their sword again.

Jarvis said, "Their father murdered my father, the original Sun King."

Selenity said dismissively, "Jarvis, you cannot fault the sons for the sins of the father. Malcolm may have done cruel things in his father's name, but Malcolm and Matthew were raised by their crazy father to do those things. Aries killed your father not his sons."

She walked into the center of the room. "Gentlemen and fellow descendants of the four guardians of the four crystals, I have summoned you here because it is time to eradicate the ancient laws that makes it forbidden for our children to love a mortal or a creature of the darkness."

Jarvis said, "Because they are beneath us."

Selenity turned to Malcolm and Endymion. "I have witnessed a mortal king and a dark prince save my people. They are our equals." Malcolm and Endymion were stunned to hear such words come out of the queen's mouth.

Selenity spun around to King Jarvis. "We need the current holders of the crystals to do so."

Jarvis said, "I refuse."

Malcolm stared directly at Jarvis. "Even though your daughter Elizabeth and my brother Matthew are in love."

Jarvis shouted, "You lie! My daughter will never-"

Selenity interrupted. "It is true. They are lovers." Jarvis frowned as his saw red staring at Malcolm. A half smirk appeared on Malcolm's face.

A large white scroll materialized and floated above them. Jarvis said, "I am not signing an abomination."

Selenity said, "It is Uno's will or would you like to question him yourself?" Jarvis scoffed. The yellow crystal emerged out his chest. The black crystal emerged out of Malcolm's chest. The golden crystal emerged out of Endymion's chest and the silver crystal emerged out of Selenity's chest. The crystal combined forming the crystal key. They slowly watched as the written ancient laws forbidding the immortals from marrying mortals and creatures of the light from marrying creatures of the darkness faded away from the scroll.

Endymion and Malcolm's hearts pounded quickly as they stared at Selenity. Selenity's face warmed to the young men. "You are free to be with the ones you love. No law forbids it anymore." Selenity glanced at Endymion and added softly, "Make her happy." He nodded at her with a warm smile. The crystal key broke apart and the four crystals returned to their respective owner. Both Malcolm and Endymion disappeared and returned home to their lovers.

"You made a terrible mistake, Selenity." Selenity turned to Jarvis expressing his disapproval.

She simply replied, "Only time will tell."

Two years later….

Serenity stood on the steps of the Moon palace in a pretty blue gown. It's been two years since she had been home and two years since the law was eradicated. Being away from the silver crystal had aged her two Earth years and she now looked about twenty-years-old after being alive for eighteen hundred and two years. Endymion stood by her side looking handsome as ever. The ban forbidding them from returning to Lunaria had been lifted almost immediately, but Serenity was too afraid to go home. So Endymion compromised they would wait until she was ready. Now, she was with child. She was ready to see her mother again.

With Endymion on her side in his royal regiments, she stepped through the majestic doors of the palace as the servants greeted and bowed before her welcoming her home. Soon, the grand doors of the throne room opened filled with the aristocracy of the Lunarian race. As she walked down the red carpet towards her mother sitting on her golden throne in a beautiful off the shoulder silver gown, the nobility bowed before the King and Queen of the Earth. Queen Selenity nodded. She rose from her throne and stepped down the steps to greet her daughter and son-in-law. She stood before Serenity as they stared at one another. Serenity sighed and embraced her mother who held her tightly. Serenity laughed when Selenity broke apart from her and touched Serenity's belly.

Endymion scanned the room as the mother and daughter greeted one another. He spotted Malcolm with his wife Mina and their newborn baby daughter Victoria. Endymion spotted young Prince Matthew in the crowd with his wife Princess Elizabeth and their son two-year-old Nathaniel. Her father King Jarvis immediately disowned his daughter Elizabeth after discovering she had fornicated with evil. Fearing her husband would kill their daughter, Queen Rosaline sent her daughter Elizabeth to permanently live on the moon with her cousin Queen Selenity. Young and in love, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Matthew secretly wed. After weeks of sneaking into each other's bedrooms making love throughout the night, Mina and Malcolm caught the two young lovers in the throes of making love in Matthew's bed late one night. After scolding her little cousin for lying, Mina was stunned to realize that Elizabeth was with child. Mina spoke to her aunt the queen and Elizabeth was immediately sent packing to live in the Black Moon family castle with her husband Matthew, Mina, her brother and sister-in-law Malcolm and Maddie, and her mother-in-law Kera. Elizabeth finally found the love and warmth she always yearned for from her own family while living in the Black Moon Family household. After learning the true meaning of love from his heavily pregnant wife Elizabeth, Matthew confessed that his father Aries was still alive to Elizabeth. Elizabeth urged him to tell his big brother Malcolm. He confessed to Malcolm and Mina about Aries. Even though Malcolm was initially angry and disappointed at his kid brother for lying to him, he thanked his brother for telling the truth. Malcolm and Sailor Venus with the help of the sailor scouts defeated Aries in battle and sent him back to the hell dimension permanently.

Matthew wept when he learnt of his father's death even though he knew he did the right thing by telling the truth. Elizabeth comforted him as she held her husband in her arms. Days later, she went into labor and gave birth to their son Nathaniel Black surrounded by Kera, Maddie, and Mina. After her son was born, Malcolm and Matthew walked into the room. Matthew was immediately transfixed by the baby, who was the splitting image of him with dark hair and dark eyes. The child even possessed the symbols of the dark moon family and the sun family merged together on his forehead. Kera teased the child looked exactly like Matthew did as a baby. As he held his son in his arms for the first time, he promised his son he would be the father he wished his own father was to his siblings and him. Malcolm stood behind his wife wrapping his arms around her small waist. He became emotional watching the happiness of his younger brother with the newest member of their family. Mina smiled watching her cousin's happiness as Malcolm's hand caressed her flat stomach. He was finally allowing himself to imagine Mina pregnant with his child. Maddie wept with joy squeezing her equally happy mother's hand. Elizabeth smiled along with everyone else in the room as her husband held their son and finally understood what love without hatred can create.

As far as everyone else, Neptune and Uranus lived together in a small castle on the outskirts of the capital city of Lunaria with their adopted daughter Saturn. They spent their days travelling the seven galaxies working as spies against potential threats on behalf of Queen Selenity and awakening new sailor warriors on different planets to fight against evil on behalf of the Intergalactic Council. Sailor Pluto remained the guardian of time and space and worked closely with Queen Selenity. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter went to visit Serenity on Earth and ended up falling in love with Generals Jadeite and Nephrite, respectively. Endymion was surprised when Nephrite and Jadeite gave up their womanizing ways for love and marriage and now lived in their own family manors and lands in Elysian. Serenity was delighted to have some of her friends living on Earth with her. Lita and Nephrite had wedded and now lived together in Nephrite's home expecting their first child together. Raye and Jadeite still played the courting game and Raye lived in the castle with Endymion and Serenity in her own quarters. Jadeite and Raye played coy but everyone in the castle was quite aware that Lord Jadeite spent his nights in Raye's quarters and always left before the crack of dawn. Raye enjoyed spending time with Derrick and Katherine, who equally adored their Aunt Raye as they affectionately called her. Mercury operated the research center on the moon and spent most of her time working with Matthew and Maddie.

Later on that day at a ball thrown in their honor, Endymion stood off in the corner watching his happy wife dancing with her friends and cousins in the center of the ballroom floor delighting everyone. She smiled as she held Nathaniel in her arms and spun around with him as he giggled. Endymion became jealous when he saw Serenity dancing with another man and noticed other Lunarian men discreetly eyeing his wife's beauty under the noses of their wives and lovers. Malcolm approached him easing his worries telling him that the gentleman was only a distant cousin. Malcolm also informed Endymion that he had no worries of any man stealing his wife's affection from him since his only potential threat was now a happily married man and proud father. Endymion rolled his eyes at a chuckling Malcolm's comment. He chatted with Malcolm and was surprised that he considered Malcolm an ally now, especially since he was happily married to Mina now. He was still slightly jealous of the natural chemistry Malcolm shared with his wife or how intimate they appeared and perfect together to onlookers. He could tell it irked Mina sometimes too.

It also irked him how much his children adored their Uncle Malcolm's visits when he visited Earth for a day or two after learning about an impending threat to the Earth. Malcolm captivated Katie and Derrick's imaginations with his staggering tales of adventure in space defeating monsters at dinner. It drove Endymion crazy when Malcolm left lingering kisses on Serenity's cheek and hand or how he listened at dinner as Serenity and Malcolm reminisced about their past adventures together. He once woke up in a cold sweat after having a nightmare of Malcolm making love to Serenity in their bed only to wake up to see his wife sleeping next to him. Sometimes Endymion would join Malcolm in his investigation and occasionally help him in battle to defeat a monster. Other times he sent one of his generals to assist him, who were also infatuated with Malcolm until they caught the menacing look Endymion tossed at them. After the threat was over or the monster was defeated, Malcom left the Earth and returned back to the moon to his wife and family or went on another mission on behalf of Queen Selenity. As they prepared for bed, Endymion often complained to Serenity about his children's affection for Malcolm and how friendly his wife was towards Malcolm too. She always laughed off his jealousy and insecurities which annoyed him even more. He stopped complaining when his wife crawled on top of him and began to seduce her king making wild love to him throughout the night.

Endymion glanced over to his mother-in-law as sinful thoughts of her daughter crossed his mind. Queen Selenity chatted on the throne with her sister Elena as the two sisters gushed over Mina's baby Victoria in Queen Elena's lap.

Later on that quiet starry night, Endymion lied wide awake in bed listening to the soft breathing of his wife sleeping next to him. They were staying in Serenity's old chambers throughout their short stay on the Moon. After stepping into Serenity's old bedroom, he smirked remembering how they had christened every piece of furniture in the room two years ago. He was caught off guard when a horny and anxious Serenity suddenly attacked his mouth with a steamy kiss awakening the sleeping beast inside of him. They quickly began ripping each other's clothes off as she pushed him backwards towards the bed behind him. After a couple of rounds of splendid, earthshaking lovemaking, Serenity climaxed in euphoria before falling into a deep sleep lying on her stomach. Her long messy, butt-length golden hair relaxed perfectly on top of her smooth back and ended on top of the thin white sheets scantily covering her butt while a few messy strands touched the messy sheets around her. Her angelic face rested sideways on the soft white pillow facing him. He lied on his back with an arm folded underneath his head and his other hand resting on his hard abs with the covers covering his lower half. He looked over as the wind blasted open the balcony doors and rose petals from the rose garden below floated into the room amazing him as dozens of petals landed perfectly on the bed and floor around them. He glanced over at his beautiful peaceful Planet Earth in the distance. With the flick of his finger, the balcony's doors closed and locked.

He rolled on his side facing Serenity with one arm bent and tucked underneath his head. His conscience cleared watching his beautiful, sleeping wife. The simple act of watching her always relaxed him regardless of the stress he endured running his kingdom and dealing with the impending threats of those who endangered the peace of their worlds. He felt he did not deserve this happiness. Everything was too right in his world. Both the Moon and Earth kingdoms were at peace. His generals were still his good friends and were also happy in love themselves. Serenity still had her friends and family in her life. She was on good terms with her mother again. Selenity's opinion of him appeared to have risen to somewhat acceptable since her only daughter was now happily married and expecting her first child in a few months. He secretly enjoyed watching the annoyed look on Queen Selenity's face every time he affectionately referred to her as mother at the party and dinner today. His two little angels were back at home on Earth with their grandmother Queen Susan and under the protection of his four Generals. His mother adored her new daughter-in-law and busied herself making plans for the new baby. And last but not least, the woman he loved more than life itself was now his wife, queen, and mother to his children. Their marriage was far from perfect, but he enjoyed the imperfect moments too, especially the crazy lovemaking that came after an argument. He only allowed her one day to be angry at him before he took care of business in the bedroom and refused to leave until they worked out all of their problems.

Their biggest argument to date since becoming man and wife was Serenity's desire to have a baby immediately after their wedding. He wanted to wait until they were married a few years while she wanted a child immediately especially after somehow learning that both of her cousins, Mina and Elizabeth, were wed and Elizabeth was with child. Mina became pregnant the following the year which led to another argument. He rolled his eyes as she constantly compared him to Malcolm who had finally agreed to conceive a child with Mina after being reluctant to do so at first also. He retorted to her that Malcolm did not already have two children either. It frustrated him even more when she became hurt and silent at his cold words and did not speak anymore for the remainder of that night. She constantly brought up the topic of having a baby in bed at night over the two years. Baby talk died down a little until he noticed early this year when she became envious of Lita for having what she desired with him and rumors spread that her cousin Mina had given birth to a daughter with Malcolm. It also bothered her that rumors were spreading throughout the Earth kingdom speculating why the queen was not pregnant. Some gossiped that the queen was barren. Others suggested the king did not desire his wife anymore. Endymion could care less about the rumors but they upset his wife who was very sensitive to people's opinion of her. It caused their biggest argument in their marriage that ended with her deciding to sleep in another bedroom since he had no desire to perform his kingly duties like Malcolm did. Derrick and Katherine noticed the tension between their parents and Derrick asked his father during lunch if he was getting a divorce like everyone was saying. Serenity had not joined them for two days and spent her days at Lita's home helping out with preparation for the baby before returning home before sunset. For two nights, he slept alone without his wife aching for her warmth. Nephrite listened to his pregnant and hormonal wife equally upset with Endymion for not giving Serenity a child. Jadeite listened as Raye called Endymion every name in the book but a child of God and refused to have sex with him because she was so upset over Endymion's selfishness. Nephrite and Jadeite advised their king and friend that it was time to give his wife what she wanted. The icing on the cake for Endymion was his mother reminding him of the old idiom of a happy wife making a happy life and home. Endymion and his mother shared a laugh. Thereafter, Endymion dramatically whisked his wife away purposely in front of her friends Lita and Raye and locked her alone with him in their bedroom all day and night without disruption and finally gave his wife what she wanted after two years of marriage. She had been happy ever since making everyone else happy around her also.

Completely at peace with himself, he rested in bed as one last thought crossed his mind. He remembered how beautiful Serenity looked on their wedding night two years ago. Serenity asked him that day if they were going to live happily ever after now. He answered no because he was a cynic who never believed in fairytales. Then he met his wife and she turned him into a believer. He realized living happily ever after simply meant living a life that made you happy. As the clock struck twelve and a new day began, he fell asleep finally admitting to himself what Serenity already knew. His was living the fairytale and their happily ever after began the moment she captured his heart and claimed him as her soulmate for all eternity and forevermore.

THE END