Serenity sat in the large window seat of her bed chambers staring out at the moon, a mere sliver of molten silver. She ran her hands aimlessly through her long slivery tresses as her thoughts grew more subdued. Let time pass as it will, I will not struggle against the willful current. She placed a hand on her stomach. Let time pass, let it flow away, far away.
Endymion entered the room quietly and marveled at the beauty of his new bride. She sat with her legs tucked under her, with the flowing fabric of her gown folded around her. Her skin almost glowed in the moonlight like the sands of an enchanted beach. Serenity turned toward him with a smile, a warm and secret smile, a smile only for two of them. She outstretched her delicate hand and he moved to her to kiss her thin fingers. Endymion sat opposite Serenity as he was unbuttoning his formal coat and long cape.
"My love," Serenity whispered, her voice light and musical, "You always ease my mind. Just now, I was perplexed and now with you here, I feel so calm."
Endymion smiled easily. "I am glad to hear that, my lady, for you do the same for me."
Endymion leaned closer to his wife and placed his hand on her middle. His eyes sparkled. "How are you feeling?"
Serenity smiled a genuine smile and her face almost seemed to rival the beauty of the night. "Wonderful. Chibi-usa is the source of whatever happiness I possess in these trying times."
Endymion lowered his head to rest in Serenity's lap, and placed his ear against her stomach. He listened to the muffled sounds of life triving within her. "I have never felt so happy..." he mumbled. "Serenity, I knew we were going to have a child, I knew it was going to happen, but I couldn't imagine what it would feel like."
Serenity stroked Endymion's thick, black hair, running her fingers through the silky strands. "I understand, Endymion. At the same time I want to have Chibi-usa in my arms immediately, but also I love being pregnant and keeping her protected within me."
Endymion lifted himself up and kissed Serenity softly. "I love you so much, my lady. Not just because of past lifes, or destiny, but just for who you are."
Serenity blushed prettily and kissed her husband eagerly. "Oh, how I love you Endymion! Without you by my side I don't know how I could survive."
Endymion lifted Serenity into his arms and placed her on the large four poster bed. He settled beside his bride and pulled her close to him. Serenity nestled her head against Endymion's shoulder as he pulled the blankets over them and blew out the last flickering candle.
Makoto woke up abruptly and shook her head to dissolve the nightmare that threatened to remain to plague her. The Doom Phantom's horrifying yellow eyes and chilling laugh had haunted her for many nights. Makoto smiled wryly. At least she hadn't spent those nights alone.
Makoto turned on her side to see Ami still sleeping, snoring very quietly. Makoto lifted the sheet to pull it closer around Ami's chin. Makoto smoothed a few strands of blue hair off Ami's forehead. Makoto smiled, remembering the first night she spent the night in Ami's bed instead of on Ami's couch.
The wind and rain roared wildly when Makoto showed up at Ami's new suite of rooms in the Palace. It reminded both girls of the first night, when Makoto was sobbing uncontrollably and Ami had cared for her troubled friend.
Ami had given Makoto a key a few nights before, and Makoto helped herself into the dimly lit suite. She wiped the wet locks of brown hair out of her eyes and removed her rain coat. "Mako-chan?" Ami called from the bedroom, her voice slightly muffled.
"Yeah, Ami, it's me," Makoto answered, shivering against the cold. She grabbed an afghan hanging on the back of the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Do you want anything, Ami? A cup of tea, maybe? I brought some cookies too."
Makoto paused, waiting for an answer. "Ami?"
"I'm fine, Makoto." There was no doubt this time, Ami was desperately trying to keep her voice from shaking.
Makoto moved to the bedroom slowly and peeked her head in the door.
Ami was sitting on the edge of the bed slumped with her head in her
hands.
Makoto felt her stomach turn in pain. She sat in front of Ami for a few long moments, patting Ami's knee in comfort. Ami inhaled shakily and lifted her face from her hands, meeting Makoto's green eyes reluctantly. "Sorry, Mako-chan... Bad day," Ami whispered softly.
Makoto nodded in sympathy. She took Ami's slender hands and placed them within her own. "What happened Ami-chan?"
Ami's eyes filled with tears and the blue depths shimmered beautifully. She shook her head sadly. "Just a bad day."
Makoto gazed into Ami's eyes steadfastly and felt more vunerable than ever in her entire life. Makoto cleared her throat cautiously. "Ami, you remember that night, right? The night I came here..."
Ami's expression faded into compassion and she squeezed Makoto's hands."Makoto, we don't- We don't have to talk about that night," Ami said quickly.
Makoto swallowed her own tears and looked back at Ami, her form silhouetted against the dim lamplight. Makoto noticed for the first time how delicate the features of Ami's face were, how illuminious her eyes were, how cute her button nose was. Lastly, Makoto noticed how perfectly shaped her lips were, slightly parted and natural.
Before she even knew what she was doing, Makoto raised herself up on her knees and kissed Ami softly. It was a delicate kiss, and Ami's eyes were round when Makoto drew away.
Makoto panicked at the sight of Ami's rounded eyes. She had made a mistake. She had ruined the strong friendship she and Ami had forged. Tears spilled down Makoto's cheeks as she rose to leave the room.
Ami's hand grasped her wrist keeping her from leaving. Makoto turned slowly, expecting the worst.
Ami kissed her hard, pressing Makoto close to her, tangling her hands in Makoto's thick ponytail. Makoto was stunned by this force from the meek young woman. After the inital shock dissolved, Makoto met her kisses with a force of her own.
The two women fell back onto Ami's bed, Makoto leaning over Ami's small form. "Ami," she asked huskily. "Are you sure about this?"
Ami smiled. "I know that couch must be uncomfortable. It's about time you slept on a bed," she whispered before pulling Makoto toward her.
Michiru walked around the Crystal Palace in a daze. She was still marveled by the pristine beauty of the enormous structure. The walls were marbled and set off beautifully by elegant columns and sculpture works.
She wandered listlessly, clasping her hands in front of her. Something was coming, she just knew it. Something. She wished she could consult with Setsuna, but the solitary Time Guardian resumed her post officially, losing contact with almost everyone.
Michiru stepped lightly into a parlor, surprised to see the room occupied. Serenity sat alone, her hands folded over her rounded belly, a tea service sitting on the coffee table in front of her.
Serenity greeted Michiru warmly and invited her to share her tea. Michiru curtised prettily, sweeping the folds of her gown in the air with a single hand. She sat next to the Queen in a matching armchair and poured the tea with a steady hand. "Why are you sitting here all alone, Majesty?"
Serenity accepted the tea cup gratefully and sipped the warm liquid. "Endymion is meeting with some Council members. I'm sure you heard that the rebels are getting more agressive."
Michiru nodded thoughtfully. "I did hear that. What is being done?"
"Nothing as of now. They are committing no crimes, harming no persons, so we cannot apprehend them. We just wait..." Serenity patted her stomach and reached for a scone on the tea tray.
Michiru smiled, bringing the subject to a happier turn. "How are you feeling, Majesty? How is the baby?"
The weariness on Serenity's face faded into a expression of quiet elation. "Oh," she breathed. "I am wonderful, and judging from the way Chibi-usa kicks me so continually, she is eager to join us soon."
Michiru's eyebrows twitched and she set her tea cup on the tea tray. "Majesty, may I ask you a personal question?"
Serenity smiled quizzically. "Of course, Michiru. And please call me Serenity. There is no need for formality in private moments."
Michiru cleared her throat and intertwined her fingers on her lap.
"Serenity, what is it like? To be pregnant?"
Serenity closed her eyes and sighed happily. "Michiru, it is the most wonderful experience I have ever had. It's not easy, of course, the morning sickness, the gaining weight, the swollen ankles... But it is all so worth it. I feel so honored, to be given the opportunity to carry this life." Serenity's eyes squinted as she continued in thought. "It is so strange and comforting to know that I am never alone anymore. I contain a life, a piece of Endymion and I. Oh, and sometimes I am so anxious to have her in my arms. To hold Chibi-usa and tell her how much I love her, and that I will always be with her. It is an amazing feeling, Michiru..."
Serenity was snapped out of her trance, by the sound of a loud sniffle. She turned to Michiru aburptly to see her wiping tears hurriedly and swallowing hard. "Excuse me, Serenity," she whispered brokenly, fighting the sobs pounding at the base of her throat.
Serenity leaned over her armchair and reached her hand to grab one of Michiru's. "Michiru," she asked, the concern evident in her voice."What's wrong?"
Michiru clutched Serenity's hand, but shook her head, refusing to allow herself to cry.
Serenity frowned. "Michiru, please. You can confide in me."
Michiru struggled as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Finally, she could contain herself no longer and sobbed into her palms.
Serenity rubbed Michiru's shoulder comfortingly. She was stunned. She always pictured Michiru as the unbreakable tower of strength. Serenity sighed internally and lifted her hand to brush a lock of aquamarine hair behind Michiru's ear. Suddenly Michiru threw herself at Serenity's feet, putting her head in Serenity's lap, sobbing brokenly. Serenity swallowed her surprise and continued to rub her hands over the shaking young woman consolingly. "Michiru? Michiru, what is it?"
"I want a child!" Michiru cried out, her voice pained. "I want to experience the joy of bearing a child. My own child. I wish..." Michiru choked. "I wish Haruka and I could have a child. I love Haruka so much. So much! But she can't and never can give me a child. I love Hotaru too. I loved raising her. But it wasn't the same." Michiru gripped Serenity's gown in frustration. "I want a child! I want to be pregnant!"
Michiru continued to sob and Serenity smoothed her thick ocean-
colored hair away from her tear-streaked face. Serenity's eyes widened as she let the shock of this realization sink into her.
Michiru began to quieten and lifted her face from the skirt of her queen, the embarrassment shining clear on her face. Serenity quickly cupped Michiru's chin in the palm of her hand. "Michiru," she began in firm tones. "Do not be ashamed. You have witnessed my weaknesses many times. It is only fair that I witness yours." Michiru matched Serenity's smile weakly. Serenity continued, stroking the contours of Michiru's face. "Michiru, I cannot give you a child. I cannot grant that wish. I wish I could." Michiru nodded sadly as she wiped her face with the back of her hand. Serenity exhaled softly, "I cannot ease this burden, Michiru. But as a friend, I am here for you always."
Michiru nodded again and rose to her feet shakily. "I am sorry,
Majesty."
Serenity waved a hand in front of her. "Do not apologize for your griefs. Michiru, go to Haruka. Allow her to comfort you."
Michiru met Serenity's eyes, and Serenity saw the deep sadness and insercurity in the depths of Michiru's green eyes. For a brief moment Serenity saw everything, Michiru's love, her jealousy, her fears, the sacfrices she continually made. It was a vunerability that Michiru would never again allow anyone to see.
Michiru closed the door behind her and Serenity gasped at a strong kick from her abdomen. She placed a hand over the place the movement occurred and thanked God silently for her miracle.
Rei paced the parlor floor anxiously. Serenity screamed in pain within the ajoining room, causing Rei to jump nervously.
"Calm down, Rei," Makoto said from the armchair she was lounging in. "I know it sounds bad, but she's okay. Ami and Endymion are with her."
Rei resisted the urge to scowl and continued her pacing through the parlor. Haruka and Michiru exchanged a glance as Rei paced in front of the low sofa they were sharing. Haruka reached out and caught Rei's hand. "Rei," Haruka said firmly. "Sit down."
Rei flushed until another hand landed on her shoulder. "Come on, Rei," Minako said easily and guided Rei to another couch.
Rei hung her head and let her raven colored hair fall over her face. "Sorry guys, I'm just nervous."
Minako patted Rei's knee. "We noticed."
Hotaru was sprawled on the floor working in her textbook. "What are you studying, Hotaru?" Makoto asked.
Hotaru looked up shyly. "Biology. I'm not trying to be rude, I can put it away, if you like--"
"You're not being rude," Michiru interrupted. "Continue your studies." She gave her adopted daughter a smile. "You're smarter than the rest of us, Hotaru. If we had something to do, instead of just wait, we'd feel better also."
Hotaru's pen scratched on her paper. "I wish Setsuna was here," Hotaru added quietly.
"And the Starlights," Makoto added wistfully. "I kind of miss them."
"They had to return to their own planet," Minako said. "They too had much to rebuild."
Rei smoothed the long skirt of her simple day gown. She winced as they heard another wail from the adjoining room. She sucked in a breath and released it slowly. "Do you guys remember the last Cherry Tree festival we attended a few years back?"
Minako giggled. "The one where Usagi tripped and landed face first in Makoto's lunch?"
Makoto laughed gleefully. "Oh, I remember that one! It was worth it to lose my lunch to see all that food smeared on Usagi's face."
"Then Chibi-usa laughed so hard that Usagi started chasing her around park with all that food all over her?" Minako continued.
Hotaru giggled. "I remember!"
"The blossoms were so beautiful that year," Michiru mused aloud.
Haruka drew Michiru closer to her side. "Yeah, they were. That was a good day."
The other girls echoed the sentiment quietly. "You know," Hotaru said. "It'll be nice to have Chibi-usa here again. I have really felt her absence."
"A baby," Minako breathed. "It's almost hard to believe."
"When Chibi-usa is spitting up all over your gown, you'll believe it," Haruka muttered.
Minako scrunched her face unattractively. "Remind me never to hold the baby after she's eaten."
A baby's wail interrupted the comfortable warm silence. "Well," Haruka replied loudly. "Chibi-usa is here."
Chapter 4 coming soon. Please give me a review if you like what you are reading!