The night sky was refreshingly beautiful as Usagi lay her head upon Mamoru's strong shoulder. He wrapped his warm arm around her in response. The two sat on the Tsukinos' front porch, content to sit and simply be together.
It had been a hectic three hours since Usagi had healed Pluto's mind. The Outer Senshi had taken Pluto home to fuss over her, while the Inners had returned home to face their families, all of whom had by then read the letters left for them. There had been tears, recriminations, and laughter, and sheer relief that the young women had all returned safely.
Usagi smiled. Judging by her own family's reaction, she knew that it would take a while to sink in. Her parents simply didn't know what to think. Their little girl was Sailor Moon, a reincarnated princess, and the future Queen of the World, to boot.
But that was something to be dealt with over time. Right now, she just wanted Mamoru's arms around her, and his lips over hers. She turned her face up to his, and he willingly obliged.
She wasn't quite the same Usagi of several weeks ago. She now had the knowledge and full power of Cosmos within her, and it would be interesting to see how it affected the future.
Mamoru lifted his face away from his Usako's and gazed into her marvelous eyes. He finally had her back. And now, finally, was the perfect time. "Usako, I have something to ask of you."
"Hmmm?"
However much he hated to let go of her, even if only for a moment, he was determined to do this right, so he drew away and knelt beside her. "Usako, the night you were attacked, I meant to ask you something, and to give you something." He drew the tiny ring box from his coat pocket, and opened it. "I've carried this next to my heart the entire time, but I want you to wear it now."
Usagi gasped as the diamonds caught the moonlight and sparkled. "Mamochan?" Tears fell down her cheeks. She had waited so long for this moment. For a while, she had thought it would never come. But now . . .
"Marry me, Tsukino Usagi. Make me the happiest man alive. Be my princess, my queen, and my love."
"Oh, Mamochan!" She threw herself off the porch swing and into his arms. They both cried unashamedly as he fumbled the ring onto her finger. "Oh, yes, yes. A thousand times, yes!"
As his lips met hers, Usagi felt a ghostly hand caress her shoulder, and she smiled as her mother's voice came to her one last time.
//May you always be happy, my darling. At long last, you finally have your prince.//
***