Usagi grasped the metal handle on the door and pushed the heavy door open, Mamoru following closely behind her. The receptionist looked up from her stacks of paperwork on her desk, smiling at the two as they walked in and closed the door.

"Good morning," Usagi said to the receptionist, "I think Kenko-sensei is expecting us." Mamoru and Usagi were acquainted with Minako quite well from the many appointments. She reached into a drawer, and pulled out a thick schedule book. "Oh, you're a few minutes early. Kenko-sensei is busy with some other work, but you can sit down over there," pointing to a row of chairs along the wall, "and he'll come out for you when he's finished."

Usagi nodded politely and led Mamoru over to the chairs, sitting only after she had made sure he was comfortably seated. Sighing softly to herself, Usagi glanced around the rather quiet office. She picked up a dog-eared magazine, but then threw it back down onto the end table because it held no interest for her.

A hand reached for hers, and she turned to look at her husband, who was wearing a curious look on his slightly pale face. "Mamo-chan," she whispered, "are you all right? You're looking kind of pale."

He gulped slowly, then nodded. "Just a little nervous, I suppose."

At that moment, the wooden door adjoining the two rooms creaked open, and Dr. Kenko walked into the waiting area with an armful of folders. Usagi stood and cleared her throat to get the doctor's attention, and Dr. Kenko whirled around in surprise to find Mamoru standing up next to Usagi as well. "Oh, Mamoru-san, Usagi-san, sorry, I didn't see you there. You're early as usual, Mamoru-san. Both of you, come right in and sit down," Dr. Kenko replied as he picked up Mamoru's file from Minako's desk and followed the two back into the other room.

"I'm glad you could come on such short notice, Mamoru-san." He bowed respectfully in Usagi's direction. "Mamoru-san talks about you every time he comes here. I was hoping you would accompany him; it makes this easier for me to explain."

With Usagi's help, Mamoru sat down in one of the upholstered chairs. His smile disappeared slowly, trying to understand the doctor's ramblings. "Explain what, Kenko-sensei? You just confuse me even more with every word you say."

Dr. Kenko shook his head, and smiled at them. "With the recent news going around here as well as down at the hospital, it's a wonder that I'm not confused myself. I've been going through your files lately, and found a few things that interested me. I know I've probably asked you this once or twice before, but would you mind telling me again? After the accident, did your vision disappear instantly, or was it more gradual?"

Mamoru scrunched up his face in thought, trying to remember all those years ago. "Well, the first thing I remember after waking up was that my vision was always hazy. Nothing I did made it better, and none of the doctors at the hospital or later at the orphanage were able help me either. After they enrolled me at the public school, it seemed to get worse..."

----

"So, you're the new kid. They told us all about you," the older boy taunted seven year old Mamoru, standing in the shadows of the school building, confronting him during lunch break. "They said you can't remember nothing," he laughed again, suddenly grabbing Mamoru's school case from his clutches. The bully waved it in front of him, and the older boys started teasing and poking fun at him. Mamoru lunged for his case, but with his receding eyesight, he missed terribly and tumbled to the ground.

More laughter ensued, and Mamoru did his best to hold the painful tears back. A tear escaped, and this did not go unnoticed by the teasing children. "Aww, look. The baby's gonna cry on us! Boo-hoo little baby, can't get your bag? Well, that's--"

"Leave him alone."

The bully and his cohorts turned around to find another figure standing there, his features shadowed by the morning sunlight. He stepped up to the figure, as if he were trying to challenge him. "And who's gonna make me?"

"I said, leave him alone." He stepped fully into the light, revealing himself. The bully's eyes widened when he saw exactly who it was. Slowly, he stepped backwards, until he was far away enough to take off in the opposite direction, his group of friends following close behind.

Walking over to where seven-year-old Mamoru sat in the dirt trying his hardest to brush the dirt from his school case, the figure extended a hand and smiled. "I'm Furuhata Motoki. The teacher told me you're new around here."

Mamoru looked up into a smiling face. Returning the smile, he reached up for Motoki's hand, and pushed himself up. Motoki grinned. "Have you eaten lunch yet? The rest of my friends have a spot under the big cherry tree where there's plenty of room to sit. You can join us, if you want."

The seven year old replied with a grin and followed Motoki to the large cherry tree in the middle of the school yard.

----

"Motoki-kun was the first real friend I ever made. He didn't even care that I had lost my memory, or that my eyes weren't as good as his. It was about three months later when the rest of my vision disappeared altogether." His head dropped and a single tear rolled down his cheek as he finished speaking. Usagi leaned over and gently brushed the tear away, knowing how hard it was for him to remember the painful memories.

Dr. Kenko looked to Usagi now, giving Mamoru some time to regain his composure. "I don't think I've ever asked you this Usagi-san, but how did you and Mamoru-san meet exactly?"

She smiled softly. "It was really by chance, or maybe an accident. Or at least, Kage can be quite a matchmaker," she giggled. With a soft fondness, Usagi gazed at Mamoru, nothing but pure and unselfish love for him shining in her eyes. "But whatever the reason, I know it was meant to be. I need Mamo-chan as much as he needs me," and with this, she leaned over and gently kissed his cheek, finally winning a small smile from him.

Dr. Kenko leaned back against his large wooden desk, a small smile of satisfaction resting upon his lips. "Well, I'm sure both of you are wondering by now what all this is about. It's simple in a way, really. Mamoru-san, I have reason to believe that your sight can be brought back. Granted, there are still many risks involved, but my staff and I feel confident that this new procedure is on its way to becoming the most updated technology in the medical field. I thought of you immediately." He shifted from his position in front of the desk and moved to sit in the high backed chair behind it. "The chances of you losing everything completely is less than half."

Both Mamoru's and Usagi's jaws dropped open in shock and surprise. Of all the things they could have expected Kenko-sensei to discuss with them, something like this had never been an option. A miracle, a blessing, even a dream come true, were the words that had come from the doctor's mouth. But there was just one problem standing in the way of their dreams.

"We couldn't possibly afford it," Usagi replied sadly to the doctor, voicing both of their thoughts. Mamoru groped for his wife's hand and held it tightly, nodding in agreement.

Dr. Kenko glanced at the couple in front of his desk, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Like I said, this is a voluntary thing, and if you agree, all medical expenses will be covered."

Two mouths dropped open again at this revelation, and Kenko-sensei chuckled deeply. "I thought that would get your attention. You are my first choice for this operation, Mamoru-san. I won't pressure you into any decision right now, but I would like to know within the week if you'd want to go through with it." Dr. Kenko motioned towards the door. "Just let Minako-san know, and I'll take care of the rest." He showed Mamoru and Usagi out the door, letting them battle their emotions in silence.

---------

Later that night, Mamoru turned over in the bed and opened his eyes, though the darkness still remained. Even the slightest sound caught his attention--the lack of one sense heightened the ability of the others--and he then realized the noise was right beside him.

His little rabbit was crying. He hated to hear her cry, no matter what reason she had. All he ever wanted was to make her happy, because if she wasn't, he couldn't be either.

He slid a hand onto her shoulder, and instantly he felt Usagi turn and latch onto his arm, like a small child might cling to a blanket or stuffed animal for security. Mamoru stroked her soft hair, holding her close. "Usako," he murmured gently, "what's the matter?"

Through her sniffles and sobs, she quietly replied, "I was just thinking, Mamo-chan, about this operation. Even the doctor seems kind of doubtful about it. What if it works? What if it doesn't?"

Mamoru sighed. He'd been having his own doubts, and adding Usagi's to them only heightened the hesitation. "Usa, if we were to base our lives on 'what ifs', we'd drive ourselves mad. We have a lot to think about, and this is a decision we both have to make. All I want is your happiness, you know that. I can touch your face, and imagine what it looks like, you can describe to me what a sunrise looks like, and I can try to imagine that too, but with this opportunity we've been given, maybe I won't have to imagine anymore." He kissed her gently to reassure her.

Usagi bit her lip, thankful for once that Mamoru couldn't see her expression. This was what she feared the most. Would his feelings towards her be any different if he could see her? She had never really considered herself to be very pretty, and she believed the way her life had been before her marriage was all the proof she needed.

Mamoru came along at just the right time in her life, just when she was needing someone to respect her for who she was, all her faults and bad habits, not for looks alone. He had given her hope, and her self-esteem soared. She in turn was able to look past his physical disability and love him all the more for it.

Now she was scared that if the operation did work and he saw her, he wouldn't feel the same about her anymore. Would looks be as important to him as it was to everyone else? Her life wouldn't be worth anything if she didn't have Mamoru's love to guide her.

----------

Dipping her hands once more into the warm soapy water in the sink, Usagi cleared the remains of their dinner. Mamoru sat on the couch, fiddling with one of the throw pillows. He wanted to help her, but they both knew from past experience involving several broken dishes that it was better to just let her do it on her own.

While he waited for her to finish in the small kitchen, Mamoru's thoughts began to wander again, mainly from what the doctor had said the previous day. "Usako..." he mumbled, just loud enough for her to hear.

Usagi shook off some of the soap, and continued to scrub the dishes. "What is it, Mamo-chan?" she replied absently, her attention focused on removing the sticky rice from the plate.

"I know you've been thinking about this as much as I have, but I almost feel as if this could be coming between us. Do you ever... well, do you ever regret that you married me?"

Startled by his question, the plate slipped from Usagi's hands and hit the bottom of the sink with a clank. Her hands shook slightly as she grabbed the nearest dish towel, drying her hands quickly. Crossing swiftly from the kitchen to the living room, she paid no attention to the hot tears rolling down her cheeks. In a fierce whisper, she replied, "Chiba Mamoru, where did you ever get an idea like that?"

She took his face into both her hands, and turned him to face her. "Listen to me, Mamo-chan. I never once regretted meeting you, or falling in love with you. You are the best thing that could ever happened to me. I know we have our struggles, but I'm willing to go beyond that if you are. This is just another one of those trials we have to face. I love you, Mamo-chan, and I always will." She fingered the ring on her right hand. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about all the trouble you went through to buy me this gorgeous ring. Motoki-kun told me the story when I couldn't get it out of you."

Mamoru blushed slightly as he remembered the night that he proposed to Usagi...

----

Mamoru fumbled with the words that he was trying to say. "Usako... I know I'm not exactly what you could ever have in mind, but I... I can't ever picture a life without you in it. I don't want to, actually..."

Usagi slowly knelt down on the floor next to where Mamoru was sitting on the sofa, tears brimming in her eyes. "Mamo-chan... what exactly are you trying to say?"

Scrubbing a few stray tears from his own eyes, Mamoru slowly pulled the small black box from his pocket, hidden from Usagi's view. "Usako... I know I'm far from perfect, and hardly what you would imagine as a worthy husband, but I've fallen in love with you. I would be deeply grateful if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife." Shyly, he brought the box from behind him to Usagi's gaze and opened it. There lay the sparkling ring Motoki helped him pick out earlier that week.

Usagi gasped softly, and with shaking hands took the little box and laid it in her palm, staring at it in silence. She got off her knees and sat next to Mamoru on the sofa. Looking up into the face of the man that she loved, she replied with a teary voice, "Mamo-chan... how... it's beautiful... but me? I've dreamed of this moment all my life, but I never thought anyone would ever want me the way you do."

His hand gently came up, and softly caressed the side of her face. "Usako... you mean everything to me. I know I'm probably not what you want, but I promise you now, I'll do everything in my power to make you happy."

Usagi's tears continued to fall freely as she listened to Mamoru's declaration of love. Lunging at him, she enveloped him in a tight embrace, which he quickly returned. "You're wrong, you know. You're everything that I could ever ask for, and so much more."

Snuggling up against him, Usagi leaned over, and with a final whisper into his ear she murmured, "I want nothing more than to be with you, to wake up beside you each morning, to eat breakfast along side of you each day, without having to say goodbye to you each evening. Mamo-chan, with all my heart, I will be your wife."

----

"Mamo-chan," Usagi stuttered slowly, "there's... something else that I haven't told you. Maybe that's why I haven't exactly seemed myself lately."

He held her tightly within his embrace. "What is it, Usako?"

She bit her lip again, trying to force the tears to remain where they were, but it was too late. One by one, they slipped down her cheeks, and Mamoru felt them land on his arm. "Usako, you all right?"

She nodded, reaching up to dry her face. "Mamo-chan... in a couple of months, you're going to be a papa."

Without warning, he bolted upright from the couch, still holding Usagi in his arms. A hand came up and stroked her hair. "You're serious?" he asked in a husky whisper. Usagi choked back her sobs and nodded silently. Now the tears started to fall from Mamoru's eyes. He began smothering Usagi in kisses, holding her closer.

"How long have you known?" he asked between kisses. He was so excited now, it was all he could do to keep from yelling out loud in joy.

Trying her hardest to stop giggling, Usagi replied, "About two months."

Suddenly Mamoru stopped playing around, becoming serious. "This settles it, Usako. I have to have that operation now. I want to see our child in seven months. I want to be able to look down upon your smiling face and see our beautiful baby. Don't you agree?"

There was no way around it. Doubts or no doubts, Usagi knew it deep down. Mamoru was right. She kissed him softly on the lips. "All right, Mamo-chan. We'll call Kenko-sensei tomorrow."