Chapter 14

Dear Mako-chan,

Thanks for the recipes you sent me, although I barely get to try any of the stuff I bake, that Usagi, always snatching food from right under my nose!

Well, you wanted me to inform you of any changes in their relationship, and there is definitely a big change. They are back together now, but Melanie doesn't know yet. Usagi and Mamoru managed to sneak out two days ago down the fire escape, when Melanie arrived. You should have been here to see the look on Melanie's face, it was 100% priceless. She was totally furious!!

Mamoru took Usagi shopping, and when they returned confided that he had wanted to take her to look at engagement rings, to see what type she liked. He tells me that it went well, but Usagi was getting suspicious after the 10th jewellery store. But I guess the other four hours of shopping made up for it, as she hasn't mentioned anything to me. Except about her new outfits, which do look great on her. I'm expecting the pair of them back any moment, they went out again today for lunch.

Your other friend Ami, is heading into a serious relationship with Greg, who's  in almost all her classes.

Ami told me not to tell anyone, but I think I can trust you not to tell Usagi. Ami wants to tell Usagi all about it herself.

Are you going to come and visit at Christmas break? I would love to see you, and I know the rest of the gang here would as well.

Aishiteru,

Kevin

"KEVIN!!" came Mamoru's voice from the door way, "KEVIN ARE YOU HERE!!"

"What is it?" Kevin shouted quickly hitting the send button.

"Great, I need you to do me a HUGE favor."

"What is it buddy?"

"Could you keep Usa busy for a bit, while I run back out a grab some stuff?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know, take her somewhere, spy on Ami, just keep her away from here!"

"Uh…. Ok…" replied Kevin stunned at his friends odd behavior.

He quickly walking to the door in response to a knock.

"Who is it?" Kevin asked, going to the door.

"Me!" squealed Usagi.

"Shit!" muttered Mamoru ,running to the window and down the fire escape to his car.

"Hey Usag!." Kevin said.

"Hi Kevin, um where's Mamoru?" Usagi asked confused.

"Oh…. He had to run an errand, and he wants us to go do something for a little while."

"Okay, so what should we do?"

"Why don't we..." Then thinking, quickly suggested "Go to the arcade for a while?"

"Ok!" Usa agreed, thinking that she hadn't been to one since she left Tokyo

Meanwhile…

Mamoru drove frantically downtown, and parked his car. Jumping out he ran into a large professional looking store where he immediately asked the sales clerk if he could see one particular ring that had caught Usagi and his attention two days prior.

About 15mins later he remerged and headed to the local supermarket to pick up some ingredients for the dinner he was going to cook for his beloved little Usako.

"Kevin, can we go now?" asked Usagi after she managed to get the high score on the Sailor V game for about the 5th time in a row.

"Usagi, don't worry, Mamoru is perfectly fine." responded Kevin, then realizing what he had done, quickly asked, "Are you up for a game of lazar tag?"

"Fine…." Usagi consented, wondering what Mamoru's state of heath had to do with anything, as Kevin dragged her out of the arcade, and down the street.

Ring ,Ring went Kevin's cell phone after their third game of lazer tag.

"Hello?"

"Kev. You can come back now." said Mamoru on the other end of the line.

"Ok,  be there shortly."
" K." replied Mamoru hanging up

"Who was that?" Usagi demanded, as Kevin rushed her out the door.

"Mamoru, he said we can go back now." Kevin replied, heading back towards campus

"Oh! OK!" Usagi exclaimed beginning to run, and soon leaving Kevin behind in the dust.

Unknown to either of them Melanie had been following them around for the last hour hoping to find some sign that Usagi was being unfaithful, and then be able to use that knowledge to capture Darien's heart after he broke up with Usagi.

"Hmm…. I wonder where's she's going in such a rush." Melanie asked herself, watching Usagi's bolt off towards the campus with Kevin hot on her heels. Making up her mind she raced after them a plan forming in her mind, as they went up to and entered the front door of the guys dorms.

Meanwhile in the dorm room Mamoru was putting the final touches on his surprise, and as a knock sounded on the door he light the last candle, turned off the final light and picked up the blindfold, before heading to the door.

Slowly he opened the door just wide enough for him to slip out, shutting it behind him, as he turned to look down into the astonished face of his angel.

"Mamo-chan?" she questioned, as he placed the blindfold over her eyes.

"It's a surprise." he told her, then sent Kevin a look which said 'please…just for tonight' then led Usagi inside.

Her eye-site temporarily denied, Usagi used her other senses to try and guess what was going on..

The room smelled sweetly of roses and cinnamon. The hand on her arm was gentle and strong, and as she entered she could here slow romantic music playing in the background. The best part of all was that she could smell the delicious food as Mamoru led her too the table.

"Mmm….. smells good." said  Usagi beaming up at him from place on the chair.

Her smile was like a ray of sunshine in the darkness of the candle light room causing Mamoru's breath to catch in his throat with its beauty. He sighed, wanting to be able to look into the clear pools that were her eyes, to see the light of her smile in them, mixed with the love and adoration he knew would be there.

Bending down he removed the blindfold, allowing her to look around at her surroundings. But to his surprise and utmost delight, her eyes locked onto his the instant the blindfold was removed,

"Mamo-chan…" she breathed…. "You did all this for me?"

Mamoru smiled in response, leaning in to capture her inviting rose petal lips, delighting in their sweet taste, she kissed him back, reinforcing his belief that he had made the right decision.

As they broke their kiss, gasping for breath, Usagi smiled as Mamoru leaned in for another kiss,

"Mamo-chan… although you taste like chocolate and I could kiss you forever… I'm hungry!"

Mamoru laughed. He wandered into the kitchen to retrieve the first course of the seven course meal he had prepared for her.

Outside on the fire escape…

Melanie was spying on the happy couple wondering what was going on, and if she should intrude.

For there before her eyes, a scene like a romance novel or movie was unfolding.

On one hand she really wanted Mamoru, but on the other, she knew that if she intruded now, he would never even consider her as a possible girlfriend. So instead, she just continued to watch as the drama unfolded.

Inside after the seventh course

"Mamoru-baka!! Don't laugh at me!!" exclaimed Usagi, as she heaped yet another piece of the delicious chocolate cake onto her plate.

"But its so hard! " he teased, watching as she happily munched away on the cake. Getting chocolate all over her pouting lips.

"Humph!" Usagi snorted, very unladylike, causing Mamoru to shake even harder with mirth and Melanie still on the balcony to gag in disgust at Usagi's lack of manners.

"Usako…." Mamoru breathed… moving around the table to kneel in front of her. His dark cobalt eyes looking up into her blue innocent orbs, as he took her hands in his, lead her away from the table and over towards a square of silvery moonlight streaming in through the window.

"Usako…" he breathed again, looking deep into her eyes,  he slowly kneeled down before her.

"Mamo-chan?" she whispered questioningly, as she looked deep into the depths of his loved filled eyes, losing herself in their depths…

Taking her small pale hand in his larger tanned one he reached into his pocket and carefully removed the ring from its black velvet box.

"Usagi Tuskanio, my little Usako…. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked, staring up into her eyes as they flashed through a series of emotions, shock, joy, amusement, love, adoration.  Then she was there, her arms wrapped tightly about his neck, her lips pressed firmly against his own, answering his question with the intensity of their kiss.

Their love raged through them like an all-consuming fire, in a kiss more passionate than either had ever experienced before.

Reluctantly they broke apart gasping desperately for air, but still leaning into each other, and when Usagi had recovered enough to speak she replied in three simple words,

"Aishiteru itsumademo Mamo-chan."

"Hai, aishiteru itsumademo Usako." Mamoru replied, lifting her small hand and carefully placing the contents of the velvet box upon it.

Usagi watched as her only love placed the beautiful ring upon the third finger of her left hand. It was white gold, set with a single heart shaped blood red stone.

"Its beautiful.." Usagi breathed looking into Mamoru's midnight eyes.

"Not nearly as gorgeous as you." he whispered in response, kissing her tenderly on the lips, before pulling her to her feet.

Out on the balcony Melanie felt hot waves of jealousy wash over her, as she saw watched Darien kneel before Usagi,

'Oh my god!' she thought 'He's going to ask her to marry him!' Startled Melanie found herself frozen to the spot. She realized then, how much they must love each-other. And as they shared a long passionate kiss, a slow sad smile crept over her face, as she realized what she had lost, but it soon disappeared as a calculating gleam entered her eyes.  In a flash she climbed down the ladder, not wanting to see anymore.

Inside Mamoru held Usagi tenderly in his arms  as if she were a china doll that would break under rougher handling. Moments later their song began to stream out from the stereo. Mamoru lead his love into the living room amongst the flickering cinnamon scented candles and bouquets of red roses.

Deep in my soul

a love so strong, it takes control

Now we both know the secrets there

a feeling shows

Mamoru breathed deeply taking in the scent of vanilla and sunshine that was his loves, remembering the rough times that they had experienced at the beginning of their relationship, those many years ago… happy that she was their in his arms.

Dreams can fall apart

I make a wish on a shooting star

Usagi gently rested her head against his chest, the ring on her finger feeling alien, and yet.. she was perfectly happy, her one dream now fulfilled.

That there will come a day somewhere far away

When in you arms I'll stay… My only love

Swaying with the music, they remember the first time they had admitted their feelings to each other… their first kiss, and now thinking of where it had led them, to this instant….where their eyes met… speaking openly of their love for each other.

Even though you're gone love will still live on…

The feeling is so strong

My only love…

Slowly Mamoru leaned down, inching his face closer to that of the women whom he was now promised to spent the rest of his life with, as she leaned upwards, capturing each others lips as the final strains of the song echoed through out the room, and their hearts…

My only love

(that's from SM! No da)