Hi! This story is a series.. yadda.. yadda..
I don't have the clip to copy and paste
with me ^^;; gomen!
Now, on with the story after Bethany's
shortest author's notes ever ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't Let Me Go: Eternity
Chapter: 2
By: Bethany and Patch
Editor: Meara
~~~~~~~~~~
"So is everything all ready?"
"Hai."
"The cake?"
"Hai."
"The games?"
"Hai."
"The presents?"
"Hai."
"And the pregnant Usagi-chan?"
"Uhh...."
Exasperated groans were heard all around.
"Minako-chan! Why is it that every time
on the occasions where we need Usagi-chan,
she's nowhere to be found?" Rei asked.
"I don't know!" the Senshi of Love replied
defensively. "How come I'm always put in charge
of bringing her to these things?"
"Let's see," Rei counted off on her fingers.
"You are suppose to be the LEADER of the senshi...
I thought.. I presummed.. oh damn! What are we ever
going to do with you?!"
"Hey! Is that a compliment?"
Rei shook her head in disgust. "Never mind
Minako. The important thing is getting Usagi here.
Now, how do we do it?"
Everyone turned to Minako who was busy
studying her fingernails. When she noticed the
abrupt silence, she looked.
"Iie! Again? But how am I supposed to get
her to come here?"
"That's your job, Minako-chan," Haruka
said, pushing her out of the room, "Just distract
her with your usual way of talking and before
you know it, you'll have led her down here."
"Okay!" When the door had closed on her,
Minako looked at it for a second before yelling,
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"
"Arrgh! Never mind!" came a muffled voice
and then the door swung open and Minako was pulled
inside as Rei stepped outside. "I'll just go do this
myself!" And with a toss of her hair, Rei had left
the area.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Don't you have anything for planned for today,
Usako?"
"Hmm? Not that I know of. Doushite?"
"Oh, I don't know, I just thought you would
be... busy."
"No, I'm free today."
"G-Good." Mamoru looked at the door of their
bedroom uncertainly. Didn't the girls say they had
a surprise baby shower planned for his wife today?
And wasn't Minako supposed to get Usagi there...?
Well, he thought with an inward sigh, that explained
everything.
He shook his head. He knew he had sometime
alone with Usagi before Minako came along.
"How are you feeling today?" He asked, coming
up behind her where she stood by the balcony windows.
"Okay. Just a bit of pain here and there, and
swollen ankles but Ami-chan said that's to be expected."
"Pain, huh? Well maybe I can help," he pressed
his fingers into her lower back, massaging the area
carefully and was rewarded when she groaned in pleasure.
"That is a big help, Mamo-chan," she said,
arching her back. She could feel her muscles lose
some of the tightness that had been building there
and it felt wonderful. "I love your fingers," she
said, groaning again.
"Is that all you love?" he asked mischievously.
"No, and you know it. I love every and all
parts of you, don't ever forget it."
"I won't, Usako, you can count on that." He
gave her a tender kiss before breaking away at a
knock on their door.
"Who do you think that is?" Usagi asked,
clearly disappointed.
"I don't know, it's probably-"
"It's me, Rei!" came the voice from the
other side.
"Rei-chan?"
"Hai, Usagi-chan," Rei said brightly, coming
into the room after Mamoru opened the door. "I was,
uh, just passing by... your door! And... I wanted
to see... uh, if you wanted to... come take a walk
with me! Hai, that's it! Because you know walking
is good for you!"
A look of acute confusion went first from
Usagi to Mamoru, then from Mamoru to Rei. He shook
his head once and then turned to Usagi.
"It's a good idea, why don't you go?" he suggested.
"But I'm not in the mood for walking right
now. I'd much rather lie down."
Rei shook her head frantically and was about
to say something, when Mamoru beat her to it.
"Usako, from a doctor's stance I think you
should go with Rei. It's advisable and besides, it
might lessen that back pain."
His wife looked at him suspiciously and then
shrugged. "And here I thought you wanted to spend
some time with me. Fine, I'll see you later then."
"We'll have loads of fun, Usagi-chan! So
cheer up already."
"Loads of fun? It's only a walk, Rei-chan."
The two left the room and Mamoru exhaled
the breath he was holding. He then quickly rushed
over to one of the old Senshi communications devices
he had hidden in a drawer.
"Command to Eagle Eye, Overload heading south
in Wing Eight. Over!"
"Hai, we here you Tux-boy. Everything is in
order for the surprise. Over," came the scratchy
reply.
"Good. And don't call me Tux-boy." Mamoru
turned off the communicator and placed it in the
dresser, under his clothes. The baby shower, he
knew, would turn out to be a success and his wife
would enjoy herself immensely.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"So how are you feeling today, Usagi-chan?"
"Funny, Mamo-chan asked me that same question..."
"Well, can't we inquire after your health?
After all, we're all very concerned," Rei replied
quickly.
"Hai, well I'm feeling just fine, like I told
Mamo-chan. Just a bit heavy down there but everything's
all right."
Rei giggled, but it wasn't towards Usagi's
comment, it was her excitement getting the better
of her as they approached *the* room.
Usagi looked curiously at her best friend.
"Rei-chan, are you feeling alright?"
"Hai! I am, why do you ask?" Rei asked nervously.
"Well, I hate to say it, but you're almost
acting like Minako-chan..."
"Nani?! How dare you compare me to her?" All
nervousness left the fiery Senshi and she turned to
her Queen. "I am nothing like Minako! I am insulted
by such a suggestion."
Usagi giggled in response. "Now you're
sounding more like yourself."
Rei could only look sheepishly at Usagi and
then they came to a stop in front of the room where
the other Senshi were hiding.
"Why did we stop here?"
"I thought we'd just check this room out, see
if it needs any improvements," Rei answered lamely,
opening the door.
"Ne, Rei-chan, improvements? What exactly is
wrong with-"
"Surprise!"
The shouts of eight exuberant Senshi startled
the Queen so much that she jumped backwards and
crashed into the wall adjacent to the door.
The curtains were drawn back and the sun
filtered into the room, lighting upon the balloons,
streamers, confetti and a big sign that said 'Baby
Shower'.
Usagi was breathing heavily as her astounded
eyes took in the scene before her. She could feel
her heart beating almost painfully and she took in
big gulps of air. She had never been this surprised
in her entire life. And then she felt it...oh Kami...
"So Usagi-chan, what do you think, we got
you real good, ne?" Makoto asked proudly.
"Good enough to make my water break."
Absolute silence met that statement. The
Senshi just stared at her unbelievingly.
And then Haruka snorted.
"Good one, Odango, you almost had us fooled
for a second. Minna, our surprise worked out quite
well."
Everyone sighed in relief and Minako laughed
airily.
"Usagi-chan, girl, don't do that to us again.
That was a good comparision, though, good enough to
make your water break. But you are a month too early
for that."
"Hai, c'mon girls we've got games, food, cake
and presents!" Makoto said, heading towards the back
of the room. The rest of the girls turned leaving
Usagi still up against the wall.
She, for one, wanted to scream. Had they...
had they just ignored her? They didn't believe her?
Did they want her to lift up her dress and...well
that suggestion was a bit too vulgar.
"Usagi-chan, aren't you coming? The cake
looks so good!" Hotaru said, running up to her.
Usagi looked at the slight girl and then
did the only thing a woman could do when her
water broke. She let out a keening wail.
Hotaru jumped back violently, losing her
balance and falling onto her backside. She
looked up behind her when she heard running
feet.
"What in Kami's name happened?!" Haruka asked.
"I don't know! I just asked her if she
was coming and she just screamed!" Hotaru said,
pointing to Usagi who was ready to wail again.
"Usagi-chan, what's wrong?" Ami asked
running up to her.
"Was it something we did?" Minako asked.
"Don't you like the decorations?" Makoto asked.
"Bakas! My water broooooooooooooooke!!"
Usagi pointed to the small puddle of water at
her feet as she wailed. She breathed heavily
and then shot glares at everyone. "I'm going
into labor and you guys just walked away!"
Silence once again met her rather loud
statement.
And then the panic set in.
"Nani, you're in labor?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"We scared you into labor?"
"Wow, we're good," this from Haruka.
Usagi couldn't believe it. She was in
labor and her situation was ludicrous to say
the least. "Someone get me out of here or
I'll give birth right now!"
Suddenly the door slammed open and in
rushed the royal figure of King Endymion.
"Usako, I heard your scream. What's going on?"
Usagi smiled tearfully at her savior,
raising her arms to her beloved. Now here was
someone who would help her and get her
comfortable. "Mamo-chan, I'm in labor and it hurts."
"Nani? Why didn't you say anything this
morning? Why weren't there any warning signs?
Or at least a hint?"
Usagi's outstretched arms fell to her side.
Even her husband was asking stupid questions. Was
she the only sane one left in the room?
"Minna, I really do believe we should get
Usagi down to the medic station," came the voice
of reason, Ami.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at her.
"To the medic station!" Makoto yelled.
(Beth AN: I feel like I should be yelling "CHARGE!"
here ^^)
"Sou!" They all replied.
The next thing Usagi knew, she was up in
Mamoru's arms and they were walking quickly to
the medic area.
"Why didn't you tell me Usako? I would have
never let you gone to the baby shower if I knew
you would be in labor," Mamoru said as he placed
her on a cot.
Before Mamoru could stand up straight, his
wife had grabbed his suit lapels and pulled his
face down to hers.
"You baka! How am I supposed to know when
I'll be going into labor? There *are* no direct
warning signs!" She lay back and breathed quickly.
Suddenly her eyes grew wide and she yelled
her husband's name.
"Mamo-chan! I can't do this!"
"Usako, of course you can, love," Mamoru
brushed Usagi's bangs back as Ami put on gloves.
"It won't hurt very much and it'll be well worth
it when Chibi-Usa enters the worl-"
"No, I mean I can't have the baby here!"
"Nani, Odango Atama, *where* exactly where
you planning to give birth?" Rei asked from
somewhere behind Mamoru.
"In my own bed! I want our baby to be born
in our royal bed, not some cold, unfeeling place
as a medical cot!" Usagi spat.
The Senshi just looked at each other,
sympathy for their king passing through their
eyes.
"Usako, it's too late for that now," Mamoru
said, attempting to soothe the haggered Usagi.
"Besides, this bed is comfortable and we don't
want to take any risks." In an attempt to make a
joke, he continued, "Besides, we don't want Chibi-Usa
to pop out in the hallways of the Palace."
Bad joke.
"She will not pop out!" Usagi declared. "I will
hold her in if I have to. I want to have this baby in
our bed!"
Mamoru turned to Ami with his mouth agape.
"She can't really do that, can she?" he asked
worriedly.
"With Usagi-chan, you never know," Haruka
answered proudly. "Our Queen is strong-willed. And
frankly, nothing would surprise me at this point."
"If I have to, I'll get off this bed and walk
to the bedroom by myself," Usagi's testy voice called out.
Mamoru, unsure of what his wife was capable
of at this moment, decided to appease Usagi by
following through with her wishes.
As he started to pick her up, however, someone
stopped him. "Actually," Ami stated softly, smiling
at Usagi. "Walking is the best thing she can do before
giving birth. It will help the labor along."
It was a very long trip to the royal bedroom,
on the other side of the palace and up a flight of
stairs. Usagi took each step carefully, Mamoru holding
her left arm, Haruka holding her right arm, Rei walking
in front of her ushering maids and guards out of the way.
Suddenly Usagi groaned loudly. "Damn Rei-chan,
why don't you have a sign that says 'Wide Load'?! I
think I can still fit through this hallway if all of
you weren't standing around me like I'm going to break!"
Slowly Michiru, Rei, Minako and Ami moved aside;
allowing Usagi to walk through. Hotaru ran up ahead,
screaming from the top of her not-so-loud voice, "USAGI
IS IN LABOR!"
Finally Mamoru, Usagi and Haruka; followed closey
behind by Ikuko, Shingo, the rest of the senshi – save
Setsuna who had dissappeared - made it to the bedroom.
Mamoru bunched pillows behind Usagi and proped her up on
them.
Someone handed him a handkerchief and he gratefully
accepted it, wiping his forehead and face. This was too
much stress, he thought. How was a husband supposed to act
in this kind of situation? With calm? With ease? Or, in
his case, with pure, unadulterated panic?
"Thank you, Mamo-chan."
His thoughts dissipated at the sound of Usagi's
soft voice. He looked down to see her clear, blue eyes
gazing back at him, gratitude in them. He smiled tenderly
and sat down beside her, as she slipped her hand into his.
"I really wanted to have our first baby here. I
wanted to do the traditional thing, you don't mind do
you?"
"I understand Usako and I have no problems with
it at all. Just stay healthy for me, ne?" He leaned
over and gave her a kiss and in the middle of it, her
hand gripped his.
She moaned and looked at him, with tears pooling
at the corners of her eyes. "She's coming, this isn't
going to take too long. I know it."
Mamoru would have replied if it weren't for
Minako and Rei pulling him up.
"Alright, Mamoru-san, we can't have you in here.
This room should be closed off to everyone except Ami."
"Demo... I have to be there to hold her hand!"
Mamoru said, resisting the two Senshi's pulling.
"She's going to need me!"
"Women can handle this sort of thing without
their husbands adding on the unnecessary stress,"
Makoto said as a matter of factly.
"Hai, she's right," Rei said, nodding her head.
She and Minako, pulled on Mamoru's arms, trying to
lead him away.
"Demo..." Mamoru turned his head and looked
back at Usagi, who was biting down on her lip. "I
love her so much and I want to be here for the
arrival of our first child," he said in a near
whisper.
The girls stopped pulling and nearly sighed
at such a tender declaration.
"Minna, let Mamoru-san stay. We should be
the ones leaving. This is a private moment," Michiru
said, herding everyone out.
"But..." Haruka began.
"Demo..." Minako continued.
"I SAID OUT!" Michiru screamed, then cleared
her throat. "Now, are there any more agruments?"
she countered in her normal soft and cultured voice.
In a straight, orderly fashion, the rest of
the senshi walked out into the hall, Michiru closing
the door behind them.
Mamoru breathed a sigh of relief when everyone
had left and then sat down again next to Usagi.
"Hey, I'm back," he said softly.
"I do need you here, Mamo-chan," Usagi replied.
She wanted him to be with her because... after all
they had been through... everything... he deserved
to be here, experiencing a miracle. Their miracle.
"Mamoru-san, since you've had medical experience
would you like to aid in the birth process?" Ami asked
from the foot of the bed.
Mamoru inhaled sharply. To do that... to help
like that... He looked at Usagi for confirmation and
saw her nod her head happily.
"I'll be here with you throughout everything,
Usako. Don't worry."
He moved to sit down on the stool Ami had been
sitting on while she moved to sit next to Usagi.
"I want to push," Usagi told Ami. The contractions
had been closer. Her baby wanted to meet the world.
"Not just yet, Usagi-chan. Your cervix isn't
dilated wide enough. Just hold on a bit."
Mamoru lifted the sheets and took a deep breath.
This was it. How many husbands could say they had been
able to do this?
He was going to deliver their baby. His heart
squeezed almost painfully at the thought. It was amazing,
there wasn't a word to describe how he was feeling at
that moment.
About an hour later, Ami gave Usagi the go ahead.
"We're going to have to give you an epidural, Usagi-chan.
It'll sting a bit, but it's nothing much to it."
When the procedure was done, Mamoru glanced over
the top of Usagi's knees.
"I love you, Usako," he called out.
"I love you, Mamo-chan," she replied.
"You're at nine centimeters now, you can push on
the next contraction."
~~~~
The room suddenly quieted for a split second before
a loud wail broke out. Usagi and Mamoru both started
laughing as their daughter's first cries pierced the
room. Ami handed the baby to Rei to clean and started
washing up herself when she heard it.
Usagi groaned from the bed, a small strangled cry
releasing from her lips. "Ami-chan, I.. I-I feel like
I'm still in labor."
"Is something wrong?!" Mamoru asked worriedly,
moving towards the end of the bed where Ami was once
again examining Usagi.
"I.. oh dear," Ami breathed. "Usagi-chan, I
think, well, umm.. push, ok?"
"Nani?!" Mamoru rushed from the foot of the bed
to the head of the bed where he meet the red face of
Usagi as she pushed once more.
Rei, Haruka and Michiru stood at the open bedroom
door as *another* cry pierced the room; adding to the
already crying newborn.
"NANI??" the group shouted.
Ami stuck her finger in the second baby's mouth
to remove any fluid before handing her off to Michiru
to be cleansed.
Mamoru stood not ten feet from the bed, his face
pale and eyes wide. "T..T-t-t-t-t... TWO?"
Thunk.
Ami glanced over in time to see the man who had
been brainwashed, died and hurt many times in battle;
the Valiant King of Earth - faint dead away when he
found he was a father of twins. She chuckled lightly.
"Usagi-chan, congratulations. You are the mother
of healthy twin girls," Ami announced.
~~~~~~
"They have your nose Mamo-chan," Usagi smiled
happily, placing a tender kiss on the baby's head.
"What will we call them?" Mamoru asked softly,
as to not ruin the perfect moment.
"Princess Kioko Lady Serenity and Princess Usagi
Small Lady Serenity. What do you think?"
"I think they are perfect," he whispered,
punctuating it with a kiss.
Outside the room, seven senshi stood discussing
the afternoon's events.
"Two... two Chibi-Usa's? Kami, have mercy," Rei
breathed.
"Hey, wait just a damn second," Haruka spoke up,
looking around. "Where did Setsuna run off to? Did she
know about this?"
As if on cue, a small black portal opened in the
hallway and a head of green hair peeked out. "Is it safe?"
"Twins, Setsuna? Do you think you have something
to explain?" Michiru spoke.
"Nope, not safe. Ja!" the Senshi of Time quickly
moved her head back into the time portal and dissappeared.
-End Chapter 2.
There you go!! ^_^!! Next chapter - senshi babysitting ^^
2 more chapters and this series is done.. didn't think
we would finish, ne?
As always, HUGE thanks to everyone that emails us and
to our Edtior, Meara - ***HUGS***
Now I have to go if I want to get this in on time!
Remember email!!
3 Bethany and Patch
Bethany212@aol.com and Patchkhan1@hotmail.com
I don't have the clip to copy and paste
with me ^^;; gomen!
Now, on with the story after Bethany's
shortest author's notes ever ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't Let Me Go: Eternity
Chapter: 2
By: Bethany and Patch
Editor: Meara
~~~~~~~~~~
"So is everything all ready?"
"Hai."
"The cake?"
"Hai."
"The games?"
"Hai."
"The presents?"
"Hai."
"And the pregnant Usagi-chan?"
"Uhh...."
Exasperated groans were heard all around.
"Minako-chan! Why is it that every time
on the occasions where we need Usagi-chan,
she's nowhere to be found?" Rei asked.
"I don't know!" the Senshi of Love replied
defensively. "How come I'm always put in charge
of bringing her to these things?"
"Let's see," Rei counted off on her fingers.
"You are suppose to be the LEADER of the senshi...
I thought.. I presummed.. oh damn! What are we ever
going to do with you?!"
"Hey! Is that a compliment?"
Rei shook her head in disgust. "Never mind
Minako. The important thing is getting Usagi here.
Now, how do we do it?"
Everyone turned to Minako who was busy
studying her fingernails. When she noticed the
abrupt silence, she looked.
"Iie! Again? But how am I supposed to get
her to come here?"
"That's your job, Minako-chan," Haruka
said, pushing her out of the room, "Just distract
her with your usual way of talking and before
you know it, you'll have led her down here."
"Okay!" When the door had closed on her,
Minako looked at it for a second before yelling,
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"
"Arrgh! Never mind!" came a muffled voice
and then the door swung open and Minako was pulled
inside as Rei stepped outside. "I'll just go do this
myself!" And with a toss of her hair, Rei had left
the area.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Don't you have anything for planned for today,
Usako?"
"Hmm? Not that I know of. Doushite?"
"Oh, I don't know, I just thought you would
be... busy."
"No, I'm free today."
"G-Good." Mamoru looked at the door of their
bedroom uncertainly. Didn't the girls say they had
a surprise baby shower planned for his wife today?
And wasn't Minako supposed to get Usagi there...?
Well, he thought with an inward sigh, that explained
everything.
He shook his head. He knew he had sometime
alone with Usagi before Minako came along.
"How are you feeling today?" He asked, coming
up behind her where she stood by the balcony windows.
"Okay. Just a bit of pain here and there, and
swollen ankles but Ami-chan said that's to be expected."
"Pain, huh? Well maybe I can help," he pressed
his fingers into her lower back, massaging the area
carefully and was rewarded when she groaned in pleasure.
"That is a big help, Mamo-chan," she said,
arching her back. She could feel her muscles lose
some of the tightness that had been building there
and it felt wonderful. "I love your fingers," she
said, groaning again.
"Is that all you love?" he asked mischievously.
"No, and you know it. I love every and all
parts of you, don't ever forget it."
"I won't, Usako, you can count on that." He
gave her a tender kiss before breaking away at a
knock on their door.
"Who do you think that is?" Usagi asked,
clearly disappointed.
"I don't know, it's probably-"
"It's me, Rei!" came the voice from the
other side.
"Rei-chan?"
"Hai, Usagi-chan," Rei said brightly, coming
into the room after Mamoru opened the door. "I was,
uh, just passing by... your door! And... I wanted
to see... uh, if you wanted to... come take a walk
with me! Hai, that's it! Because you know walking
is good for you!"
A look of acute confusion went first from
Usagi to Mamoru, then from Mamoru to Rei. He shook
his head once and then turned to Usagi.
"It's a good idea, why don't you go?" he suggested.
"But I'm not in the mood for walking right
now. I'd much rather lie down."
Rei shook her head frantically and was about
to say something, when Mamoru beat her to it.
"Usako, from a doctor's stance I think you
should go with Rei. It's advisable and besides, it
might lessen that back pain."
His wife looked at him suspiciously and then
shrugged. "And here I thought you wanted to spend
some time with me. Fine, I'll see you later then."
"We'll have loads of fun, Usagi-chan! So
cheer up already."
"Loads of fun? It's only a walk, Rei-chan."
The two left the room and Mamoru exhaled
the breath he was holding. He then quickly rushed
over to one of the old Senshi communications devices
he had hidden in a drawer.
"Command to Eagle Eye, Overload heading south
in Wing Eight. Over!"
"Hai, we here you Tux-boy. Everything is in
order for the surprise. Over," came the scratchy
reply.
"Good. And don't call me Tux-boy." Mamoru
turned off the communicator and placed it in the
dresser, under his clothes. The baby shower, he
knew, would turn out to be a success and his wife
would enjoy herself immensely.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"So how are you feeling today, Usagi-chan?"
"Funny, Mamo-chan asked me that same question..."
"Well, can't we inquire after your health?
After all, we're all very concerned," Rei replied
quickly.
"Hai, well I'm feeling just fine, like I told
Mamo-chan. Just a bit heavy down there but everything's
all right."
Rei giggled, but it wasn't towards Usagi's
comment, it was her excitement getting the better
of her as they approached *the* room.
Usagi looked curiously at her best friend.
"Rei-chan, are you feeling alright?"
"Hai! I am, why do you ask?" Rei asked nervously.
"Well, I hate to say it, but you're almost
acting like Minako-chan..."
"Nani?! How dare you compare me to her?" All
nervousness left the fiery Senshi and she turned to
her Queen. "I am nothing like Minako! I am insulted
by such a suggestion."
Usagi giggled in response. "Now you're
sounding more like yourself."
Rei could only look sheepishly at Usagi and
then they came to a stop in front of the room where
the other Senshi were hiding.
"Why did we stop here?"
"I thought we'd just check this room out, see
if it needs any improvements," Rei answered lamely,
opening the door.
"Ne, Rei-chan, improvements? What exactly is
wrong with-"
"Surprise!"
The shouts of eight exuberant Senshi startled
the Queen so much that she jumped backwards and
crashed into the wall adjacent to the door.
The curtains were drawn back and the sun
filtered into the room, lighting upon the balloons,
streamers, confetti and a big sign that said 'Baby
Shower'.
Usagi was breathing heavily as her astounded
eyes took in the scene before her. She could feel
her heart beating almost painfully and she took in
big gulps of air. She had never been this surprised
in her entire life. And then she felt it...oh Kami...
"So Usagi-chan, what do you think, we got
you real good, ne?" Makoto asked proudly.
"Good enough to make my water break."
Absolute silence met that statement. The
Senshi just stared at her unbelievingly.
And then Haruka snorted.
"Good one, Odango, you almost had us fooled
for a second. Minna, our surprise worked out quite
well."
Everyone sighed in relief and Minako laughed
airily.
"Usagi-chan, girl, don't do that to us again.
That was a good comparision, though, good enough to
make your water break. But you are a month too early
for that."
"Hai, c'mon girls we've got games, food, cake
and presents!" Makoto said, heading towards the back
of the room. The rest of the girls turned leaving
Usagi still up against the wall.
She, for one, wanted to scream. Had they...
had they just ignored her? They didn't believe her?
Did they want her to lift up her dress and...well
that suggestion was a bit too vulgar.
"Usagi-chan, aren't you coming? The cake
looks so good!" Hotaru said, running up to her.
Usagi looked at the slight girl and then
did the only thing a woman could do when her
water broke. She let out a keening wail.
Hotaru jumped back violently, losing her
balance and falling onto her backside. She
looked up behind her when she heard running
feet.
"What in Kami's name happened?!" Haruka asked.
"I don't know! I just asked her if she
was coming and she just screamed!" Hotaru said,
pointing to Usagi who was ready to wail again.
"Usagi-chan, what's wrong?" Ami asked
running up to her.
"Was it something we did?" Minako asked.
"Don't you like the decorations?" Makoto asked.
"Bakas! My water broooooooooooooooke!!"
Usagi pointed to the small puddle of water at
her feet as she wailed. She breathed heavily
and then shot glares at everyone. "I'm going
into labor and you guys just walked away!"
Silence once again met her rather loud
statement.
And then the panic set in.
"Nani, you're in labor?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"We scared you into labor?"
"Wow, we're good," this from Haruka.
Usagi couldn't believe it. She was in
labor and her situation was ludicrous to say
the least. "Someone get me out of here or
I'll give birth right now!"
Suddenly the door slammed open and in
rushed the royal figure of King Endymion.
"Usako, I heard your scream. What's going on?"
Usagi smiled tearfully at her savior,
raising her arms to her beloved. Now here was
someone who would help her and get her
comfortable. "Mamo-chan, I'm in labor and it hurts."
"Nani? Why didn't you say anything this
morning? Why weren't there any warning signs?
Or at least a hint?"
Usagi's outstretched arms fell to her side.
Even her husband was asking stupid questions. Was
she the only sane one left in the room?
"Minna, I really do believe we should get
Usagi down to the medic station," came the voice
of reason, Ami.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at her.
"To the medic station!" Makoto yelled.
(Beth AN: I feel like I should be yelling "CHARGE!"
here ^^)
"Sou!" They all replied.
The next thing Usagi knew, she was up in
Mamoru's arms and they were walking quickly to
the medic area.
"Why didn't you tell me Usako? I would have
never let you gone to the baby shower if I knew
you would be in labor," Mamoru said as he placed
her on a cot.
Before Mamoru could stand up straight, his
wife had grabbed his suit lapels and pulled his
face down to hers.
"You baka! How am I supposed to know when
I'll be going into labor? There *are* no direct
warning signs!" She lay back and breathed quickly.
Suddenly her eyes grew wide and she yelled
her husband's name.
"Mamo-chan! I can't do this!"
"Usako, of course you can, love," Mamoru
brushed Usagi's bangs back as Ami put on gloves.
"It won't hurt very much and it'll be well worth
it when Chibi-Usa enters the worl-"
"No, I mean I can't have the baby here!"
"Nani, Odango Atama, *where* exactly where
you planning to give birth?" Rei asked from
somewhere behind Mamoru.
"In my own bed! I want our baby to be born
in our royal bed, not some cold, unfeeling place
as a medical cot!" Usagi spat.
The Senshi just looked at each other,
sympathy for their king passing through their
eyes.
"Usako, it's too late for that now," Mamoru
said, attempting to soothe the haggered Usagi.
"Besides, this bed is comfortable and we don't
want to take any risks." In an attempt to make a
joke, he continued, "Besides, we don't want Chibi-Usa
to pop out in the hallways of the Palace."
Bad joke.
"She will not pop out!" Usagi declared. "I will
hold her in if I have to. I want to have this baby in
our bed!"
Mamoru turned to Ami with his mouth agape.
"She can't really do that, can she?" he asked
worriedly.
"With Usagi-chan, you never know," Haruka
answered proudly. "Our Queen is strong-willed. And
frankly, nothing would surprise me at this point."
"If I have to, I'll get off this bed and walk
to the bedroom by myself," Usagi's testy voice called out.
Mamoru, unsure of what his wife was capable
of at this moment, decided to appease Usagi by
following through with her wishes.
As he started to pick her up, however, someone
stopped him. "Actually," Ami stated softly, smiling
at Usagi. "Walking is the best thing she can do before
giving birth. It will help the labor along."
It was a very long trip to the royal bedroom,
on the other side of the palace and up a flight of
stairs. Usagi took each step carefully, Mamoru holding
her left arm, Haruka holding her right arm, Rei walking
in front of her ushering maids and guards out of the way.
Suddenly Usagi groaned loudly. "Damn Rei-chan,
why don't you have a sign that says 'Wide Load'?! I
think I can still fit through this hallway if all of
you weren't standing around me like I'm going to break!"
Slowly Michiru, Rei, Minako and Ami moved aside;
allowing Usagi to walk through. Hotaru ran up ahead,
screaming from the top of her not-so-loud voice, "USAGI
IS IN LABOR!"
Finally Mamoru, Usagi and Haruka; followed closey
behind by Ikuko, Shingo, the rest of the senshi – save
Setsuna who had dissappeared - made it to the bedroom.
Mamoru bunched pillows behind Usagi and proped her up on
them.
Someone handed him a handkerchief and he gratefully
accepted it, wiping his forehead and face. This was too
much stress, he thought. How was a husband supposed to act
in this kind of situation? With calm? With ease? Or, in
his case, with pure, unadulterated panic?
"Thank you, Mamo-chan."
His thoughts dissipated at the sound of Usagi's
soft voice. He looked down to see her clear, blue eyes
gazing back at him, gratitude in them. He smiled tenderly
and sat down beside her, as she slipped her hand into his.
"I really wanted to have our first baby here. I
wanted to do the traditional thing, you don't mind do
you?"
"I understand Usako and I have no problems with
it at all. Just stay healthy for me, ne?" He leaned
over and gave her a kiss and in the middle of it, her
hand gripped his.
She moaned and looked at him, with tears pooling
at the corners of her eyes. "She's coming, this isn't
going to take too long. I know it."
Mamoru would have replied if it weren't for
Minako and Rei pulling him up.
"Alright, Mamoru-san, we can't have you in here.
This room should be closed off to everyone except Ami."
"Demo... I have to be there to hold her hand!"
Mamoru said, resisting the two Senshi's pulling.
"She's going to need me!"
"Women can handle this sort of thing without
their husbands adding on the unnecessary stress,"
Makoto said as a matter of factly.
"Hai, she's right," Rei said, nodding her head.
She and Minako, pulled on Mamoru's arms, trying to
lead him away.
"Demo..." Mamoru turned his head and looked
back at Usagi, who was biting down on her lip. "I
love her so much and I want to be here for the
arrival of our first child," he said in a near
whisper.
The girls stopped pulling and nearly sighed
at such a tender declaration.
"Minna, let Mamoru-san stay. We should be
the ones leaving. This is a private moment," Michiru
said, herding everyone out.
"But..." Haruka began.
"Demo..." Minako continued.
"I SAID OUT!" Michiru screamed, then cleared
her throat. "Now, are there any more agruments?"
she countered in her normal soft and cultured voice.
In a straight, orderly fashion, the rest of
the senshi walked out into the hall, Michiru closing
the door behind them.
Mamoru breathed a sigh of relief when everyone
had left and then sat down again next to Usagi.
"Hey, I'm back," he said softly.
"I do need you here, Mamo-chan," Usagi replied.
She wanted him to be with her because... after all
they had been through... everything... he deserved
to be here, experiencing a miracle. Their miracle.
"Mamoru-san, since you've had medical experience
would you like to aid in the birth process?" Ami asked
from the foot of the bed.
Mamoru inhaled sharply. To do that... to help
like that... He looked at Usagi for confirmation and
saw her nod her head happily.
"I'll be here with you throughout everything,
Usako. Don't worry."
He moved to sit down on the stool Ami had been
sitting on while she moved to sit next to Usagi.
"I want to push," Usagi told Ami. The contractions
had been closer. Her baby wanted to meet the world.
"Not just yet, Usagi-chan. Your cervix isn't
dilated wide enough. Just hold on a bit."
Mamoru lifted the sheets and took a deep breath.
This was it. How many husbands could say they had been
able to do this?
He was going to deliver their baby. His heart
squeezed almost painfully at the thought. It was amazing,
there wasn't a word to describe how he was feeling at
that moment.
About an hour later, Ami gave Usagi the go ahead.
"We're going to have to give you an epidural, Usagi-chan.
It'll sting a bit, but it's nothing much to it."
When the procedure was done, Mamoru glanced over
the top of Usagi's knees.
"I love you, Usako," he called out.
"I love you, Mamo-chan," she replied.
"You're at nine centimeters now, you can push on
the next contraction."
~~~~
The room suddenly quieted for a split second before
a loud wail broke out. Usagi and Mamoru both started
laughing as their daughter's first cries pierced the
room. Ami handed the baby to Rei to clean and started
washing up herself when she heard it.
Usagi groaned from the bed, a small strangled cry
releasing from her lips. "Ami-chan, I.. I-I feel like
I'm still in labor."
"Is something wrong?!" Mamoru asked worriedly,
moving towards the end of the bed where Ami was once
again examining Usagi.
"I.. oh dear," Ami breathed. "Usagi-chan, I
think, well, umm.. push, ok?"
"Nani?!" Mamoru rushed from the foot of the bed
to the head of the bed where he meet the red face of
Usagi as she pushed once more.
Rei, Haruka and Michiru stood at the open bedroom
door as *another* cry pierced the room; adding to the
already crying newborn.
"NANI??" the group shouted.
Ami stuck her finger in the second baby's mouth
to remove any fluid before handing her off to Michiru
to be cleansed.
Mamoru stood not ten feet from the bed, his face
pale and eyes wide. "T..T-t-t-t-t... TWO?"
Thunk.
Ami glanced over in time to see the man who had
been brainwashed, died and hurt many times in battle;
the Valiant King of Earth - faint dead away when he
found he was a father of twins. She chuckled lightly.
"Usagi-chan, congratulations. You are the mother
of healthy twin girls," Ami announced.
~~~~~~
"They have your nose Mamo-chan," Usagi smiled
happily, placing a tender kiss on the baby's head.
"What will we call them?" Mamoru asked softly,
as to not ruin the perfect moment.
"Princess Kioko Lady Serenity and Princess Usagi
Small Lady Serenity. What do you think?"
"I think they are perfect," he whispered,
punctuating it with a kiss.
Outside the room, seven senshi stood discussing
the afternoon's events.
"Two... two Chibi-Usa's? Kami, have mercy," Rei
breathed.
"Hey, wait just a damn second," Haruka spoke up,
looking around. "Where did Setsuna run off to? Did she
know about this?"
As if on cue, a small black portal opened in the
hallway and a head of green hair peeked out. "Is it safe?"
"Twins, Setsuna? Do you think you have something
to explain?" Michiru spoke.
"Nope, not safe. Ja!" the Senshi of Time quickly
moved her head back into the time portal and dissappeared.
-End Chapter 2.
There you go!! ^_^!! Next chapter - senshi babysitting ^^
2 more chapters and this series is done.. didn't think
we would finish, ne?
As always, HUGE thanks to everyone that emails us and
to our Edtior, Meara - ***HUGS***
Now I have to go if I want to get this in on time!
Remember email!!
3 Bethany and Patch
Bethany212@aol.com and Patchkhan1@hotmail.com