Chapter Four - Giving her a Chance

"I think I need to sit down." Serena touched a hand to her forehead and, for the first time, realized what she was wearing. Looking beseechingly at Trista, she asked, "When did I transform?"

Trista smiled and said, "When you first saw Chandra." Slowly turning in the deceptively small chamber, she added, "I think your subconscious knows what you need to do."

Serena smiled back, "I think I do too, but I need to see the last one to make sure."

"Okay." Trista smiled softly and grabbed her staff from off the floor. Tapping three times, she told Serena to watch what was happening.

Serenity woke up next to a warm body protectively covering hers. The darkness of the hand covering her abdomen contrasted to the paleness of her own flesh. She turned slightly on her back and nuzzled her husband of not even quite a year. They had been through many, many things together.

Slowly sliding out of the bed, she grabbed a robe to cover her nakedness. It wasn't that she felt conscious about her middle, but that it was still fairly chilly this time of the morning. She walked to the window and slightly turned the blinds so some light could enter the room. Pale beams of sunlight reflect off a picture on her nightstand, a sad reminder of the one she had lost.

Chandra had been six. She and Darien had finally been granted the chance to see her after so many years, but the fight was for naught. Chandra's adoptive parents had an argument and had too much to drink. Chandra was in the car with them, and had been wearing her seatbelt like a good little girl should when her parents crashed head-on with that semi.

Tears pricked at Serena's eyes. Blinking them away, she smiled at the movement in her abdomen. She wouldn't have to worry about a choice with this one. She and Darien were in harmony, and would be for the rest of their lives. At least she hoped so.

She wandered back over to where the bed was and murmured a question to Darien about breakfast. He stirred slightly, but then returned to snoring. Serena softly laughed and wandered out to the hall. She slowly made her way to the breakfast room and was only mildly surprised to see most of her senshi assembled there.

Hotaru, Amara, and Michelle were in one corner nursing their--and in Michelle's case, very--young ones. Amy was trying to get Raye on her feet and walking, hoping to speed up the labor process. Mina and Trista sat in another corner, laughing softly at Raye's antics. Lita seemed to be the only one missing. Turning to Trista, she asked, "Where's Lita?"

Trista smiled and said, "She's trying to join the 'Mommy Club'."

Mina snorted and retorted, "You were like that too."

A Cheshire grin appeared on Trista's face as she said, "Then I became pregnant."

Serena smiled and said, "All of us were like that. Even Amara."

A rough voice said from the corner, "I blame it on Amy. If she hadn't adopted those two rugrats, I would have never wanted one of my own." Amara's daughter broke out in a wail and she started rocking her to make her settle down. "It's alright, Aimee," she cooed to the infant, "I didn't mean to say something like that."

Michelle's little girl pulled away and watched her "sister" fuss. She was only a few weeks old, but her personality was already forming. While the baby resumed eating, Michelle stroked her wife's hair and making soothing noises to calm both Amara and Aimee down. "Amara, babies fuss. It helps build their lungs."

A tear of frustration rolled down Amara's cheek as she asked, "Who told you that?"

"Serena did."

The room went suddenly still. Serena touched a hand to her abdomen as a reminder of what she wasn't going to give up this time around. Straightening her posture, Serena said, "I read a lot when I was pregnant with Chandra. My mother gave me all sorts of advice I didn't need..."

Serena slumped into a chair, tears clouding her vision. She didn't want to be reminded today. She had been doing so well...

"Serena, hold Deannah for me."

Serena blinked away her tears as Hotaru handed her daughter to Serena. Serena smiled in spite of her tears. Deannah was the first of a new generation. Slightly shifting the infant, Serena said, "We need to make a pact that won't go past this room."

Several of her senshi leaned in. The only one who didn't, knew the outcome of these events anyway. "Serena, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Serena looked at Raye. Raye had been her best friend and the one person who could always make her think her decisions through. "Yes, I'm sure." Motioning everyone to get close, Serena said, "I don't want Chandra's existence spread to our children. Maybe when I finally have someone archive or family trees I'll let her existence be known." Shifting her gaze to Deannah, she continued, "I don't want Rini to be constantly reminded that she only became Princess of the Moon because her sister died. I'll mourn Chandra for the rest of my days, but Rini won't lack for it." Serena lifted her gaze and saw Darien standing in the doorway. "Darien...I..."

"I understand. I agree with Serena. Chandra must become a pleasant memory for all of us." Darien put an arm around Serena's shoulders. "What do you want done with her pictures?"

Serena gazed at Trista and watched as Trista gave a nod of agreement. She looked at Darien and said, "I want them to be put in the Time Gate. They'll never age there, and I can look at them if I want."

Trista asked softly from where she was standing, "Do we agree with our queen and king?" Eight heads bobbed and Trista said, "Your will is done. Now can we get some breakfast?"

Serena smiled softly to herself. Her senshi all were having children...whom would have thought it? The first thing that popped out of her mouth was, "Amara has a daughter?"

Trista smiled a secret smile. She didn't want Serena to tell anything, Michelle and Amara's story was interesting enough on it's own. "Her and Michelle have an interesting life ahead of them." Gathering Serena in a hug, she asked, "Do you know what your decision is?"

Serena felt a few tears slide out of her eyes, but she smiled nonetheless. "Yes, I know." Squeezing Trista, she said, "Thank you, Trista, for showing me it's not the end of the world."

Slowly leaving the Time Gate, Trista said, "I'll let you call Darien on our phone. You have a long talk ahead of you."

When they finally returned to the house, it was only three in the afternoon; plenty of time to talk. What neither Serena or Trista figured in was the time change. Darien hadn't been too happy about being woken up early on Saturday morning, and he was unhappier to hear Serena's news. After Darien calmed down--and Amara got through threatening him on the other line--he decided to fly back home for the week. Serena went to the airport after school and told him everything. Even when she was crying her eyes, Darien held, listened, and finally agreed to her solution. They would give the baby up for adoption.

On October 22, Chandra Lena Tsukino-Chiba was born. She had the black hair of her father and her mother's blue eyes. She didn't cry and slept soundly in her carrier. Later that afternoon, Chandra's adoptive parents, Alicia and Sam Trent, came to formally sign the final papers. Serena had added certain stipulations to the contract that would allow Serena to take her child back if she wanted to for up to ten years. Serena couldn't stop crying when the Trents finally took her baby away.

Serena got news of the car crash hours after it happened. Mina was dating a cop who happened to be on the scene of the accident. It was the only crash of the night that had no survivors. Serena wanted to die right then and there. When Chandra's birthday came that year, she built an altar and burnt candles in her memory. She kept this practice up until she made the pact with her senshi.

However, Trista's portrait of the future was flimsy and didn't show the whole picture...

AN: Sorry this took soo long to get out. I had an enormous case of writer's block. I had a majority of it done, but couldn't seem to find the right transition.