Dear Readers,

Hi There! It's finally here, the day of the Gala! The 4 Kings of Heaven are stressed to the max. Four Scouts have returned officially, only Venus and Tux are still out. Our team has swiped a deck of Cardians and Ann and Alan have landed in the dead center of this thing. Not knowing they're surrounded by their adversaries. Even though Darien's memories still evade him, he does now know Serena is Sailor Moon. He's also calling her his girlfriend… whoo! That's a lot! Let's see what else happens!

To the one guest that has been reviewing in Spanish. I think it's all the same person, Thank you so much for such kind words. I have been wondering if anyone even likes this story at all. You not only made my day, but you have just made my Christmas this year with that review. Thank you so much!

Dedicated to my Memaw's Magical Cooking this time of year. Her Christmas Cookies, Applesauce cake and Pumpkin Cakes (because not everyone loved the grown up taste of applesauce cake). I remember their smells even better than the taste sometimes. The Several Christmases that you treated us to a huge pot of Beef Vegetable Soup on Christmas Evening after all the gifts were open. You're cooking was always mystical year round but even more so at Christmas. Thank you for the memories!


"A Memorable Christmas"

Chapter 14 - Just Before the Gala Begins


…The Day of the Gala
{Christmas Eve Eve or the day before Christmas Eve}
Around Noon…

(Nathan's Perspective)

I know everyone else was probably enjoying their lunchtime right now. I simply had too much to do, too small of a timeframe to squeeze it all in. On top of everything else I could not seem to get my brain to function so I couldn't even think straight. I have no way of knowing how it happened but somehow I fell asleep last night. I don't remember when, I don't remember how. All I could remember at first was waking up in my bedroom to a clock that read noon.

NOON! When the last time I remembered glancing at a clock had been somewhere around five thirty am. How is the sun up and it's suddenly noon?

I was up, dressed in seconds flat. Then I realized I was still in house slippers, I hadn't brushed my hair, my teeth and I needed to shower now if I was going to before the Ball. So I had to run back to my room, thankfully no one saw me. I would have looked crazy.

I was going to be running the rest of the day like my life depended on it. Because it does, pretty much, tonight had to be a success or I was gonna have to go through a nasty legal battle just to keep this place. When it's just become home.

As I nailed down where I needed to head, what my course of action needed to be. I realized that the last thing I remembered of last night (or very early this morning) was walking up to Lita's bedroom. I had been smelling all kinds of Christmas goodies Jupiter had been busy creating all night. When it was after five, and she was clearly still at it. I went up there to tell her to rest. Everyone else had passed out at this point, she might as well take advantage of the circumstances, even if I couldn't.

The next thing I remembered… was noon and horror.

If I'm completely truthful about my recollections though. There had been something else, something that I really thought at first had to have been a dream. Or maybe I'd suffered a fever overnight and experienced complete delirium. I had no clue how I ended up in my bed. Or in my bedroom for that matter, I just woke up there. I can't remember reaching Lita's room either, I just remember walking that way with that intent on my mind.

In this dream, I had woken up in my bed, but the sun was just starting to peek out and light the horizon. Lita was asleep in the deep green leather chair that usually sat across the room from me. It's my reading chair, and it was now pushed up to nearly the edge of my bed. She'd clearly been keeping watch over me. She was still asleep at that very moment, and it was the first time I'd watched her sleep when it wasn't a crisis situation occurring that I had to split my focus for.

She looked so much more beautiful than my visions had been able to usually picture. Even though I could tell that she was completely wiped out and exhausted. She was still wearing an apron, splotched in a few stains, and appeared to be covered in a light dusting of flours or sugar. There was even a tift of white in her hair that I knew wasn't gray.

She was still stunning in those first warm heavenly rays of sunlight. All shining down through the drapes to give her an angelic glow. Her brownish hair was all lit with natural red highlights that put her overall color somewhere so latched between brunette and red-head… it was nearly impossible to say which single color was dominant. It had to be all-natural too because her eyelashes and eyebrows were shining the same settle gleam of both red and brown.

A moment ago I had awakened with so many questions. One glance her way silenced them all. Then her green eyes opened and glittered at me, as she stretched out like a cat. Greeting, "Hey Handsome? Did you finally get a little rest?"

"I guess?" I shrugged and asked her holding back a cringe. "Do you have any idea how I got here or how long I was out for?"

"Well, I can't be perfectly certain," She warned. "But if I had to guess, I would say you were out for an hour or two total, here, in this location. I found you face down and asleep next to my mini kitchen in my room. Which I love by the way, want you to know that. I had been in there cooking for ages, and you came to tell me I should sleep, then you fell asleep yourself right after saying that. Some of your staff is still using my mini kitchen so I draped your arm around my shoulders and coaxed you here. It's much easier to sleep here than in my room right now. Hope ya don't mind."

"No, why would I object to that." I realized as I spoke though, that I had another objection altogether. "If you came all this way to sleep easier. Even practically carried me here, to rest better. Why in the hell are you in that chair?"

"Well, I'm a good girl Nate," She explained. Like there was ever any doubt about that. "I'm not the kind of girl who climbs into a bed with anyone. Even if especially when that someone is a person who hasn't been sleeping properly for weeks. Has been hiding it, I had to find out from the other guys. I had no way of knowing how you would feel to a strange girl climbing into your bed with you. Even if it was only to sleep."

"Well, if you were a random girl, I didn't know from Eve. I would agree with you." I nodded, before validating a few things. "For future reference, however, I would like you to know that you will never be an average girl to me." I tried to pull her light form into my arms. But she prevented me.

"I'm covered in ingredients-" she tried to sidestep out of my reach to possibly save herself from battering my clothes or sheets.

I sat up slightly to yank her to me anyway, letting her know, "I don't care. Get over here." Then I held her tightly, before going on to say. "I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for, you know? This bed, this place, this new free life… if it weren't for you. You are the one I will always love, cherish and aspire to be with."

"Are you sure about that, man?" She asked as she eyed me suspiciously.

"Yes." I said with utter certainty. "You don't know that?"

"No, I didn't," Lita said, not making eye contact. Claiming, "But that's not your fault, it's mine."

"What does that even mean?" I asked her pulling her closer and finally feeling her relax against me.

She squeezed me back so tightly, and didn't look at me when she said. "Well, you hear that you're a piece of crap from enough people around you. No matter how you fight it, you start to believe it. I've been rejected by more guys than I could ever count. My only living family members gave me up, and my only real friends are under this roof tonight."

I had to ask, "Am I one of those friends too? Or am I just something else? Or is it only romantic-"

"You were my friend first, but then you became something else." She specified.

"Good," I sighed. "I meant it the other night when I'd told you I love you."

"So did I." She sighed too.

I informed her, "So the next time that I am asleep in a bed, and I can't answer you. Know that I will never turn you away, or not welcome you. Please climb in anytime."

"Can I get that in writing?" She asked, making me laugh. I tighten my arms impossibly around her waistline.

I reasoned, "Only if you let me hold you as long as I can today before we have to face it head-on."

She settled against me and just let me hold her for a little while. If this was a dream it was the millionth time we'd done something like this. But if it isn't a dream and she really did talk to me this morning. It was the first time in this life we'd really gotten to do anything like this. Can you miss someone so much? From other lifespans? Can that absence make your chest ache, or palpitate? As we lay there full length pressed together under my covers with our eyes closed. It was like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces interlocking. I felt like her very closeness was healing me in ways I didn't know I'd needed. I could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the beating of her heart in time with mine. I could smell the mixing of different scents coming from her hair (pomegranate) and skin (rose, vanilla and baked goods). It was heaven and I didn't want to move.

This is where it's easier to believe it was a hallucination or dream. Even if I imagined this whole interlude. I'll never forget the way she straddled my waist and pressed me down a little further into the mattress. Her hands pressed on my chest. She told me, looking down at me, "Can I talk to you about something? While we're alone and it's quiet? I don't know when we'll get another chance like this."

I said, "Sure." brushing away a dash of white flour from her nose. I couldn't think of any fool denying her from my current position. She was so warm and beautiful, I couldn't have let go if I'd tried. If I hadn't felt as if I hadn't been stressed to the absolute brink of collapse still. If I had managed to sleep more than an hour a night (give or take) this past week. This wouldn't be a conversation at all, I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands to myself.

She took a breath, then she said, "The other day, at the Arcade Christmas Party. You said 'we were in training wheels newness.' That we were 'just trying things out' and 'you didn't want fanfare.' Is that still true, or was that just how things were back before I'd returned as a Scout?"

"Lita," I said before I had to move a little underneath of her. Just an innocent shifting in weight and both of us closed our eyes. Pulling each other closer, and feeling the electricity of her contact and our natural chemistry. The absolute heat lingering there between us was so tangible, that I almost forgot what her question had been.

I shook my head to clear it, "I said that then because you were still finding your way. But it was more of a reminder to myself than it was anything else. I love you so much, so completely and all-consuming that if I don't remind myself how new this all really is. I might lose myself or my control. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or think that you can't trust me." I hoped I explained it well without sounding like I wanted to take her right here. Even as tired as I was, it was a struggle to remain good in that moment.

She leaned her forehead against mine, effectively pressing the whole front of her form against mine. Giggling as she confided, "Thank God. I was so afraid that you were gonna pitch the 'taking it super slow' routine. That I was gonna have to really work to convince you of what I really want."

"What do you really want?" I didn't hesitate to ask. Even if I was loving where this was heading.

She yanked me by my collar and asked, "Isn't it obvious?" Before kissing me so sensuously that I forgot everything. I forgot tonight was the Gala I had been preparing for a solid year. Even if I had only been able to start setting up for it since the day after the October Masquerade. I forget that we were on a time crunch, I forgot my name, and I was completely lost to her.

I've never wanted anyone so badly in all this life. I've never felt so absolutely ruled by anything before in my life. Then I did at that moment, with her on top of me, Beryl and Metalia be damned. When we finally stopped making out so hot and heavily. I did leave a racy path of kisses down the left side of her neck, collarbones, and left shoulder. She threw her head back and let out the hottest-sounding laugh I've ever heard.

When our eyes met, I watched the live current crackling in those green eyes. Along with the reflection of the starlight, she was bound to see in my eyes dancing back. She put a hand on the side of my face and chuckled sexily, "This went a lot better than I'd been expecting."

"What were you expecting exactly?" I'd asked, nuzzling her face.

"More pushback, more convincing being needed. I had no idea that what I'm about to say would be this easy." Lita smiled.

I asked, "What are you gonna tell me?"

"Nate." She breathed my name in a way that made me love it a little more. Let me know that I had picked the right one when I'd had to rename myself for this life. "I need you to know that I have watched you work yourself to the bone for this celebration. Whether tonight is everything you've hoped for, just okay, if it falls short, or completely flops. It doesn't matter to me because I know you did your best and I'm proud of you."

"Thank you… I didn't know I needed to hear that till you said it." I said, truly touched as I took her hands and kissed them both.

"I'm not through yet." She warned, pressing a finger to my lips that I kissed too. "I know you haven't been sleeping right or taking good care of yourself lately. So I don't know when the time will be right… But… I need you to know that whenever you feel ready or whenever the time is right for you…" She faltered for an adorable moment before she blushed and said, "I love you… I want to be with you and since my memories came back. It's all I think about it, I really think it's more than a 'want,' I feel like I need you."

I thought I had to be misunderstanding her till she did this motion against me. With just a toss of her hips against mine. It was undeniable what she meant and what she was saying. I felt like I had been lit on fire. As she carried on saying, "Please take some time to take care of you first. You need to do that, I'm not talking right away. This isn't punching a clock, this is just for whenever the time is right but when you feel better… more ready, when you're more yourself. Please… I want to try, okay?"

Even now, just thinking those words, I felt like I needed to jump into an ice-cold shower.

I kept thinking it was a dream, it had to be. I had to have imagined it, right? There's no way that she could have teased me like this and I fell asleep again.

It couldn't be.

Nope, Impossible!

But then I looked at the clothes I had been sleeping in, I threw back my sheets on my bed and you know what I found? White dust, flour, and sugar. My reading chair had a light dusting of the baking essentials as well. It was still pushed up too close to my bed's edge too. Just like in the vision.

Only it wasn't a dream, it had been real. All of it!

Jupiter had been here, she had been the only one to stay up late preparing with me. Because this Christmas thing has pretty much taken complete control of my life. I didn't even realize it, but she wants to be with me. The way I've been dreaming of since the first time I saw her as a free man (okay, I'd wanted her when I was working for the NegaVerse too, but I hadn't had a chance with her then I was too evil. I'm only acknowledging the times when we're on the same side and equals).

So now I couldn't wait to see her again, to get this night over with. So that we could hopefully enjoy the rest of Christmas together. As I left my room to find the others I made it my personal goal tonight to leave little miss Jupiter in no doubt of those wishes being mutual. Tackled today with a newfound vivaciousness, because as soon as this Christmas Gala was behind us for another year. My next mission would be giving that lightning-welding lady whatever she wanted. And Christmas day was even too far away, if you asked me.


Breakfast in a Blur…

(Darien's Perspective)

When I woke up this morning and found myself entangled in Serena's arms, her hair and legs. I didn't think that life could get better. Then she opened her eyes and smiled up at me so happily. I knew life couldn't be sweeter and there was something to all of this Christmas racket after all. It usually takes several cups of coffee before I can even turn the corners of my mouth anywhere nearly upwards. But I found myself smiling back at her easily, even in those first few moments.

Again I didn't let her go till I got pulled into a few morning kisses. When I did let her go she disappeared into her little connected bathroom for a few minutes. When she came back, her meatballs were dutifully returned to the top of her head. Her teeth were brushed and she'd dressed for meeting up with the others. She looked ready to face this new day.

She'd touched base with her mom, while I'd done the same sprucing to myself in her bathroom. Changing my clothes, brushing my teeth. When I returned she was just hanging up and more inclined to let me have more than just a few kisses. We walked down to breakfast hand and hand. I was so wrapped up in her and our newfound happiness during the meal. I honestly wasn't expecting to have her swept away from me like she was.

But it seems that it had been said several times yesterday {and this morning}. That after breakfast, we men would not be getting our significant other's back until they're ascending the staircase to accompany us to the Ball. The girls would be pampered and primping until that moment arrived. Getting their hair done, painting their nails (hands and feet), selecting gowns, shoes, jewelry, and make-up for this thing. They would be served lunch upstairs in the lady's changing area and none of us men would see a thing till the finished product was on our arm.

In all of that time, they could have built completely new girls to walk with us… each.

They were to be locked away and no peeking till they were done.

Needless to say this time-lagged and dragged on at a crawl so uninspired. Snails could have easily beat it in a race. Luckily I had Andrew and Garrett to help keep me distracted. As well as Serena's band of male teammate protectors. I hated to admit it but I was still getting on well with all four of those guys too and I couldn't believe it. I never found it so easy to get along with any guys the way I found myself relating to them.

Andrew's parents arrived after lunchtime, I never saw hide nor hair of Annette. She must have b-lined to the spa experience happening upstairs. I could just picture her up there enjoying herself with all of those girls. Playing dress-up, sipping from a glass of wine.

Then right before it was time for all of us guys to get ready in our changing area (The one we'd been in yesterday). The house staff disappeared to dress in their formal attire. Which was pretty sharp looking, the butlers and male staff were all in simple tuxedos. With burgundy or dark green bow ties, waistcoats, or vests. While the female staff was all wearing floor-length dresses. Some ladies wore dark green others wore burgundy with white lace about their collars.

When I was shown the closet of formal wear, I wasn't expecting to find a tux to fit me perfectly. But there was one that felt custom cut for me and it fit like a glove. I donned it and went to wait for my date near the bottom of the long staircase in the Grand Hall. These guys really are too much, a grand white staircase that wound elegantly from the girls changing area and the front doors to the grand hall.

I have to say that I had been expecting all of us guys to essentially be wearing the same tuxedo. It's hard to be stylish when most suits are essentially the same. The one I had selected was a classic tux, black jacket, black slacks, white shirt, white vest. Yet all of the other guys had gotten very creative with their choices while not selecting anything that would look ridiculous.

Andy's suit was a sharp green with navy pinstripes and he'd selected a baby pink poinsettia buttoner for his suit and a matching one for Rita's dress. All the while hoping it wouldn't clash with whatever dress she'd chosen. He wouldn't know if he'd chosen right till he was looking at her and she had come down from her lockdown. I began to notice all of the guys seemed to be facing that same dilemma.

Garrett had no date to worry about so he skipped on the flowers and chose a brown suit and a yellow shirt. Making some comment about, "If it was good enough for Bruce Wayne then it was good enough for him." (Does anyone remember Bruce's look in the animated series?) The thing is he looked really good in it, even though I knew I could never work those colors together.

Lizzie's boyfriend chose a white suit and black shirt to change things up. The dark shirt was brought out further by the crazy artsy floral pattern. Popping style and color, but it somehow worked even though I would have never been so bold. He picked white roses for him and Lizzie. Claiming that, "In the language of flowers it meant respect." So maybe Lizzie's overbearing father and big brothers will consider letting him live after this… and adoptive brother me too… Smart kid.

Gary (Andrew's Dad) was sporting a cream-colored suit with black pinstripes, and a black dress shirt. Claiming that, "Whenever it comes to suits never underestimate a good pinstripe."He'd selected pink orchids for him and his wife knowing any other choice would have him stumbling to find a new date last minute.

Alan seemed to take his cues from Lizzie's date. Choosing a classic tux but even brighter floral shirt that sported pink and burgundy creatively. Alan claimed to have never worn a Tuxedo before. He picked pink roses for himself and his sister. Which I thought was sweet that he thought of his sister… even if his sister is Ann.

Kirk's suit was a medium gray suit trimmed in light blues. He wore a royal blue dress shirt underneath and an oddly orange poinsettia buttoner he'd selected to match his date's little pin on corsage perfectly.

Nathan wore a darker gray suit with burgundy pinstripe trimmed in more burgandy, and a red dress-shirt. The flowers he'd chosen were classic red poinsettia buttoner that matched his date's Christmas-themed wrist corsage. Nathan told his brothers and me, "Lita's partial to greens and pinks. This one should show up nicely with that backdrop."

Jaden was wearing a navy suit trimmed in red, sporting a purple Iris buttoner that matched Raye's purple floral wristwear. Saying to his brothers, "She'll want something different and not so predictably Christmas knowing her. Hope I chose right."

While Zane was wearing a green suit, trimmed in darker teal, wearing a dark green shirt. The flowers he'd selected were a deep blue buttoner and carrying a replica flower for Amy's wrist.

The only guy who had gone a little ridiculous of us all had been Melvin. Who insisted on wearing a tuxedo with a cape attached, the inside lining of the cape was red. He also wore a top hat and carried a cane. WHO? DRESSES? LIKE? THAT? Then chose Yellow roses for him and Molly claiming, "That the color Yellow never failed to pop." This could be true, but I happen to know that in the language of flowers, yellow roses were the same as a "get well soon card" or "I miss Grandma letter." I had to admit they were pretty in the end. Hope his date's flattered.

I stood over there at the flower table for a long time. Trying to pick the right ones, but I had no idea what Serena would be wearing. I didn't know what her favorite flowers were and I was completely drowning in choices. A local florist had set up the table to advertise their business, by handing out these favors to all guests. After a solid hour had passed, I was still agonizing over this and my best friend was still M.I.A. The four guys running this event stopped what they were doing to help me.

Kirk asked, "Having a hard time there, Darien?"

"Yeah," I said honestly before admitting, "I don't know Serena's fav-"

That was when all four of them said in perfect unison, "PICK-THE-RED-ROSES!"

"Are they her favorite?" I asked surprised, they were always my favorite too. The ones in front of me had been calling out to me. I even had some identical growing on my balcony and inside of my apartment.

Jaden shrugged, "Even if it wasn't, it's a classic. You can't go wrong mixing women and roses like that."

Nathan slapped me on the back and promised, "Undoubtedly her fav, not to mention we know what color her gown is."

This baffled me as I voiced, "I thought all of the girls were getting to pick from a closet full of choices up there? Like we did."

Zane explained, "Some girls are picking from the closet, but our four girlfriends and Serena are being gifted gowns as part of their Christmas presents from us. The selections being made by the other girls, (Rita, Lizzie, Ann, our favorite visiting artist Peggy Jones [anyone remember Lani Laini], as well as Mrs. Furahata and some other guests). Are gifts as well, we just didn't know what they would like best the way we knew the other five girls."

Jaden added, "Yeah, and Serena made us promise not to spoil her too much. She helped us pick our girlfriends' gowns. She never knew we were keeping an eye out for what she would look best in too. So whenever she does grace us with her presence. We're likely to get an ear full for buying her the dress she'll be wearing."

I asked them, "Are you dreading it, then?"

Kirk spoke up again smiling, "No. Quite the contrary, I think we're all rather looking forward to her complaints. I don't think we need to tell you how much more fun she is when she's ticked off."

"Oh no, you don't have to tell me." I agreed. Just before picking up the matching red roses and pining one in place on my jacket.

After that, the four guys running this gig camped out on the center landing of the grand staircase to greet each lady as they came down. The first lady to grace us was Andrew's mother Annette, she dazzled in a shiny sequence gown black all over with shimmering silver and white snowflakes. Even though they had dressed completely separately, and we'd seen this ourselves. It wowed the room how perfectly matched the older couple was. They looked like a wedding cake topped they were so perfect.

Andrew reappeared from the woodwork to toss an arm around both of his parents and boast. "Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, 30 years and my folks still got it."

The next to arrive was Rita wearing a white dress that was only missing angel wings. She really did look regal and angelic. Like she should be on the top of someone's tree or nativity scene. I got to watch Andy trip all over himself getting to her and spinning her around. She really did look prettier than normal and she didn't walk at all, she practically floated.

She was followed by Serena's lifelong best friend Molly who was wearing lacy red and green dress. Melvin face-planted at the foot of the steps in front of her. Before springing back up and telling her that she "was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen." She was slightly mortified when her date valiantly kissed her hand, still kneeling, and making a poetic speech. I have no idea who he was imitating, but whoever it was, must have been dead on. Everyone was entertained by his antics and Molly blushed prettily when she was given her flowers to wear. Saying, "Yellow roses! Oh, you shouldn't have! You know me so well."

Lizzie followed, who was wearing a bright pink fade gown that was bright pink at the top and bright yellow at the bottom. The yellow part of Lizzie's gown matched almost perfectly the floral pattern that her boyfriend was wearing on his dress shirt. Again, it was like they'd planned it but everyone knew they hadn't. Maybe this guy will make the cut, after all?

I did get to tease Annette, Lizzie, and Rita a little bit before anyone new joined us. That did help me relax a little bit but of course, all of them picked up on my nervousness. Annette straighten my bowtie I'd tied myself and told me. "Young man you don't have anything to be nervous about. I know you're tired of hearing all of us tell you that you love her. And you keep telling us to lay off. But I noticed something even more miraculous last night in my own house. That hasn't gotten enough praise."

I tempted fate and asked her, "What was that, Annette?"

She sat next to me and said, "Serena loves you too… There's no way she doesn't feel the same. I just met her, but even I can see that. I witnessed it during my own house party at Christmas. It wasn't like I wasn't busy running things yesterday either. For me to notice it, it had to be something special, right?"

Could that be true? Could the person I've made cry more than any other human being on earth? Possibly love me? I was left to wonder that as the other girls all started to appear.

Starting with Amy who wore a sliver topped dress that looked silky it was so shiny. The silver faded to a bright blue and it was floor-length. Zane couldn't take his eyes off of her or form words. All three of his brothers chuckled as he obviously fawned and faltered.

Raye was next and her dress was bright red on top fading into a deep and darker purple at the bottom. It too was a ball gown, and nearly floor length and poofy. Jaden couldn't stop himself from cat-calling or reacting every time he looked away from his date, then looked at her again. He took her hand on the halfway mark and escorted her down the rest of the way. While it was clearly Zane's time to chuckle as he nearly face-planted more epically than Melvin.

Mina's was sequence gold that faded into orange at its bottom. Trimmed in a more sequenced navy blue ribbon neckline and matching navy sash tied at the waist. It was so delicate, it looked like the whole dress was held together with a single golden thread. When the light hit all of that glittering gold, she carried a glow like a star. Kirk looked like he had a hard time letting go of her when he had to.

Lita's dress was rosy pink on top fading into shimmering deep emerald greens. Nathan just stuttered through their whole conversation and he's pretty cool. It was really funny. Lita did seem to thrive on the overall effect that she had on her boyfriend. He really did not want to return to his post on the stairs.

Ann was next, wearing a leopard print sequence dress that did look good with her hair. It did. But it brought out the dark circles under her eyes and made her look unapproachably wild. She added to these affects by scowling at her brother's flower choices and kept screaming at him for nothing. Trying to draw attention to herself… When she tripped on the stairs, she screeched at all four hosts even though they caught her. Kirk even told her, "Fine, next time we'll just let you fall."

Yeah… does anyone else notice someone missing in all of this hilarity? Goodness knows I did. I've been thinking about it this whole time and finally, Molly called it, "Where's Serena?"

Melvin seconded her worry, "Yeah? Where is Serena?"

As everyone started looking around and exchanging stories of where they'd last seen her. Molly sold out Ann claiming that Serena was bound to be running late because she had dropped everything to help Ann look beautiful.

Ann denied this of course claiming that, "My beauty didn't need help it's all natural." With a flip of her crimped hair.

Rita added, "Along with modesty, clearly." Which did gain a laugh, but I couldn't join in.

I was really concerned that she could have received news on her aunt. Or spoken to her mother and now couldn't attend because she was too upset. What if there was some Sailor Moon problem happening right now and she was being called off elsewhere to deal with it. A problem that only she's sensed even though her teammates haven't?

I was starting to spiral but once again her band of brothers told all of us worry-warts to hold on.

Kirk claimed, "Give us just one moment here everyone. Let's not jump to any drastic conclusions. Let us check to see what's going on for sure. Molly said she could be running late, and honestly, would we really expect any different?"

They were trying to be reassuring but I could see that all of them sweating from here. I was in my head already planning alternatives of how to cheer her up or just be with her if this Ball thing was a bust. Nathan walked the short distance up the upper flight of stairs to go knock on the big white double doors all of the ladies had been coming through.

It was nice of him to do it personally. I wanted to run up there myself, I wanted to get to her by any means. But Zane had stopped me and mouthed to me, "Let us try first." Then he and the other three odd brothers followed Nate up the back half of the steps. While I just hoped that she was alright, even though a bad feeling was gnawing and clawing at my insides.


Four Kings and a Baby Sister

(Nathan's Perspective)

My fellow kings and I had all exchanged looks of utter panic before I walked this way. I thought it was my place as the major event handler, official house owner, and obvious favorite big brother [I just know I am] to see what the damage was for myself. If there was any carnage to start with. I walked the short distance of stairs leading up from that halfway landing where we'd been standing. I knocked and tried to kid. "Oh, Princess! Don't tell me you've gone and gotten shy on us now!"

…No answer…

I knocked a little harder, "Princess! Are you in there?"

Then I heard it, the teeniest voice I've ever heard from Serena. In all of this time of us being a team, "Is everyone in the ballroom yet?"

"No, they're all standing in the hall because they're all waiting for you. Are you ready?" I encouraged and explained.

She told me, "No! Can everyone just go to the ballroom first and not stand around to watch me?"

That was when my other brothers surrounded me.

Zane asked, "Is she alright?"

Jaden asked, "Does she sound upset?"

Kirk asked, "Is it, Tessa?"

Before Jaden reasoned, "Maybe she hates the dress or shoes? A woman won't be caught dead in the wrong shoes."

"Would you put a sock in it?" I (Nathan) humbly suggested before speaking into the crack of the closed doors again. "Serena! We're all here, all four of us now what's really going on? Are you alright?"

The door cracked open slightly and revealed one huge blue eye. As well as one of her twin buns that customarily always sits atop her head. To say, "I'm okay, I'm not having some kind of emotional thing, Tessa thing or wardrobe thing here. What I am worried about is walking down a huge flight of pristine stairs with everyone just waiting for me to fall on my face. You know how klutzy I am, I can't make down three of those steps without tripping. On a normal day and THAT wasn't when I was wearing these HIGH-HEELS."

Jaden immediately said, "I knew it, the shoes were a bust. Told you we should have gone for those pink Mary-Jane style flats instead."

Zane felt the need to tell Jaden, "Your knowledge of women's shoe styles always manages to deeply disturb me."

Kirk shoved Jaden and me (Nate) outta the way to tell Serena, "Princess! In this span of life you haven't cracked five feet yet, your date's seven feet tall. I apologize for only considering this factor and not your equilibrium problems. I take full responsibility for this miscalcu-"

"No!" Serena immediately amended, "I love these shoes, my dress, the works! They'll be great when I'm on the solid ground of the ballroom. I even like the boost of possibly reaching my date easier, I need that help.-"

All of us guys were correcting her, "HE needs that help, he really does."

"You're totally right about that." Serena agreed. "I just don't love all of the eyes waiting for me to fail. Can we just shoo them on or something?"

I pushed Kirk outta my way, so I could look her in the eye when I told her, "Serena! No one down there wants you to fail. They're all your friends or our friends or both. We're all right here with you, we won't let you fall. If it's walking in your heels that you're worried about. Take them off and hold them in your hand till your down there. We'll walk you down, hold your hand, catch you, whatever it takes. We'll hand you off to your date, and I'm certain Darien will gladly take it from there. He's nearly climbing the stairs now. But come on, it's time to go." I got closer to the crack and said meaningfully, "Tux never let you fall, and neither have we. We've got you."

I watched a tear form at the bottom of her eye before she blinked it back, sniffled, then opened the door. Her head and shoulders peeked out first. Kirk said behind me, "Come on, let's see it?"

Then she stepped the rest of the way out and revealed her look for this evening. This little petite girl who had managed to touch all of our hard-to-reach hearts. She meant so much to us all and I'll be honest. I felt my jaw hit the carpet. I looked at my brothers who all had the same face. We were shocked, she looked every bit the princess tonight. She didn't seem so teeny or young either. She looked so grown and refined, even more, beautiful than usual.

Serena would shoot us where we stood if she knew that we had had this dress custom-made for her. It was overall white in appearance for the most part. The bodice was a bright pink trimmed in brighter pinks that all faded into gauzy shiny opalescent white not quite floor length. Even when thinking about the designs she had been worried about tripping, come to think of it. The material was so light it made her steps look like she floated. The buns on top of her pig tales were crowned in thin tiny grapevine wreaths with green leaves teeny red roses throughout.

Kirk asked her, "Now what's wrong with that?"

Zane told her, "You look gorgeous."

Jaden tacked on, "What in the world was all that shyness about? Killing it!"

When she straightened our ties, pocket squares or buttonaires. I told her, "Even though your royal status isn't common knowledge, tonight you really looked like a princess."

She gave each of us a hug and kiss on the cheek before we all four headed back down. Helping her any way we could. She did trip three times, but I was the one who got to hold her hand the whole way. Kirk ended up grabbing her other wrist after her second close call (her heels were in that hand). I was the one that made the hand-off to Darien who was standing at the bottom waiting for us. Kirk whispered to him, "It was just the stairs, she was nervous about."

I don't know if he heard any of us once Serena's hand was in his though. All he kept saying was how beautiful she looked and how glad he was that she was okay. While she busied herself stepping back into her heels.

Can't blame him, I almost had a coronary earlier with my own date on my arm.

Chicks, man.

I pressed on regardless and gathered everyone who was helping out tonight. Kirk began, "Okay! Let's get this party started, guests are about to arrive! Everyone have fun, eat and dance to your heart's content. This is a Ball, after all, anyone who has been assigned duties, or volunteered to help. Please don't forget to do those things when you're meant to. If everything goes as mostly planned this night should be a breeze."

Before everyone left, I (Nephrite) said. "Hold on, just one more second everyone. Two more things before we all open the doors and allow our first guests in. Let me and my brothers thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your time, efforts and friendships. We couldn't do any of this without you." We all clapped and then I turned to Serena and asked her, "Do you remember that thing you made us do before the Masquerade last October?"

Serena thought for a second and asked, "I said a prayer?"

"You did and you were right, it brought us luck," Jaden observed. "That party was an overwhelming success. Better than even we had expected."

I added, "We're gonna need all the luck we can get tonight too."

Zane asked, "Can you please do that again?"

Serena shook her head but did just as she had that day. She made us all form a circle and join hands. During the Masquerade, it had just been the five of us teammates. Tonight, it was a much bigger more diverse group in that circle. As Serena got everyone to join in even all of the house staff present dropped everything and bowed their heads in respect.

Then she began the actual prayer, "Dear God, tonight we're faced with a seemingly impossible task. My four new big brothers from other mothers need tonight to be a success. I know anything is possible with you, as I looked around this crowd gathered here. I couldn't think of a better bunch of people to help make that happen. Please guide us, help us and bless us tonight. Christmas is a lot of things, to a lot of people. I've seen what you can do, lend us just a little of that magic tonight. Bless the food and hands that prepared it. Keep our traveling guests safe in their travels and let them get to and from here safely. Let this be a night to remember for it's fun and success, in Jesus name, Amen."

Then as everyone started to head for the ballroom, I called to the men by the front doors. I commanded, "open the doors." Immediately the first few guest began to wander in. It had started, I really did hope we could pull this off.

Like Serena had mentioned I looked around me at all of the people I knew were in our corner. I felt like we could do this. Which was huge, considering I've been panicked since I heard this Gala was something required of me. Or whoever owned this place, because of it's deeply important history.

When Lita looped her arm through mine, I knew with her support, we could do this. I felt like we could do anything, and I promised myself that starting tonight. I would do everything I could to show her how much she means to me. Let her never again doubt her effect on me or her place in my heart. So as the lights dimmed and music began. I walked out to the center of the floor, she glided next to me and as the music started for that first dance. It felt like our feet never touched the ground.


That's all for today's chapter…

The Gala has kicked off officially, I can't wait to share all that happens. If anyone can review, please do, I would love to hear from you. I'll be posting it tomorrow, hope you'll join us. See you then.

~SailorLeia