We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.
SAILOR MOON ETERNAL
"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"
By Haruka Kou
Chapter 10: The Wedding of the Millennia
It was a beautiful day with a cloudless sky - the perfect day for a wedding.
Serena couldn't have chosen a more idyllic day, Darien muses to himself as he gazes out to the blue sky outside the open church doors. It was still early in the day, even the most prompt guests wouldn't be arriving for at least another half hour, but still Darien Shields was beginning to feel uncharacteristically a little nervous.
"Where is everyone?" he asks himself aloud. Serena and the girls were supposed to have been here already. Darien checks his pocket watch and through it's shattered glass window, he could still clearly see the time in that ever-revolving crescent moon. He rarely carried it around with him, but today he was sure to place it in his inside vest pocket, for it symbolized so much to him - the near forgotten past, the rediscovery of the present, and now the promise of the future - a future with Serena, his beloved, his partner in destiny, the girl he was destined to be forever in love with.
My life before you, my silly"Meatball Head" ,was so dark, so cold, so empty. Now never again will I feel lonely. I am sure of it. When you're with me, I never feel alone. You don't let me. Darien smiles up at the bright sunlight. And up there somewhere hiding, the moon was smiling back, as today its chosen two would become one.
"Hey, Old Man, just what do you think you're doing out here, huh?" Andrew's pleasant voice comes from behind Darien in the church's wide doorway.
"What was that Andrew?" Darien's thoughts slowly come back to the here and now.
"Not getting jitters, are you?" Andrew teases his best friend.
"What do you think?" Darien answers in his all-knowing confident way.
"I think we should get you inside, before Serena and Lita and the girls see you out here. Bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the actual wedding, you know." Andrew warns good-naturedly, putting aside his own broken heart for his friend's sake.
"Yeah, I know," Darien shakes his head, smirking at the mundane superstition. He follows Andrew back inside to join the rest of the escorts who'd arrived well ahead of schedule, some of whom seemed more jumpy than the groom himself.
Just in time, for right then a limousine, a yellow Ferrari and a black sedan pull around the front and into the church parking lot in the back.
Mr. Hart opens the limo's doors, helping each girl step out. First Amy Anderson in her jewel-encrusted blue, then Rei Hino in her classical red. Next Mina Arnold in her flowery orange, and then LitaMitchell in her summery green.
And finally Serena Hart emerges, sparkling in her shimmering white, her long trained dress and veil bunched up in her hand, as not to drag it on the pavement. A blissful smile was affixed upon her face.
"Let me help you, dear," Mrs. Hart hurries to aid her daughter, taking up the train for her, following her into the rectory's back door. Excitedly primping and giggling, the other four young ladies strut behind them in their respectively colored high heels. But before manager Lita enters, she turns to the rest of the wedding entourage, still loafing in the parking lot.
"Come on, Everyone!" She bubbles over, signaling for them to hurry up, for they already running late.
Already out of the car after Terry had gentlemanly helped both of them out of the back seat, Rini and Tara watch as he opens the door for Susan and without a word (though his eyes never leave hers) he scoops a wide eyed and giggling Daria up, holding her with one strong arm, offering lovely Susan the other, which she accepts gladly. Wrapping his arm slowly around her, they walk towards the entrance of the rectory. Rini pulls a sedate Tara ahead, running quickly in.
"Is my headband on straight?" Michelle worriedly asks Robin as he helps her out of the car. "Why didn't I bring my mirror?" she fusses unnecessarily.
"It's on perfectly straight, Michelle," Robin assures her, "You look wonderful," he smiles.
"Thank you," Michelle smiles gleefully, receiving what shewas fishing for as she clings to Robin's svelte arm, leaning her head to his as they follow close behind Susan and Terry.
Seeing the example his two brothers and the women they were escorting, Sayer bounds out of the car and dashes around to the driver's side, whisking the door open with a flourish and smiling cloyingly saccharine.
"What do you think you're doing?" comes Alex's low voice, just bordering on anger. His smile drops like a rock/
"Well, I...I..." Sayer starts to gesture with his arm, but he then decides better of it. "Nothing," he shakes his head innocently, a sad expression overtaking his handsome features.
"Good," Alex gets out of the car herself, unintentionally (wasn't it?) brushing against Sayer, who was still standing in the doorway as she does. His cologne so potent, his eyes so inviting, Alex can't help herself from stopping in her tracks. A long moment passes as the two of them just stand there staring at each other.
What are you doing, Alex? What are you doing? Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT! Just take your eyes away from him. Just...Why is he staring at me like that?
"What are you looking at!?" Alex snaps, desperately trying to hide her raging emotions.
"Nothing," Sayer repeats spacily, softly. In her eyes just then was that...? In his own mind, Sayer is in disbelief that she could ever...But even that brief look sparks a glimmer of unbridled hope.
"Sayer!" Terry's deep voice comes strong across the parking lot, "Let's go!" Sayer glances at him and Robin, then back at Alex.
Maybe I should tell you what I feel. Maybe I should just come out and say it. Maybe -
But Robin's voice cuts off his thoughts befire Sayer has a chance to act on them.
"Come on, Sayer! We're late and the guests are already arriving," Robin says, his raspy voice short-tempered. Sayer looks back at Alex and the dark expression on her face.
Maybe not. He finally decides. "Alright!" he calls to his brothers. "See ya later, Ally," Sayer takes off, dashing after his brothers, but just before he turns the corner, he stops, looking back at her, waving a bit unassuredly, then takes off disappearing from sight into the crowd of guests forming around the front of the church.
The wind picks up, blowing her unruly bangs across her face. What is this feeling? I've never felt this before. What is it? So strange, so different. Alex swallows hard, pushing her bangs back.
This can't be happening, not to me. Not with him. I can't let myself give in. I can't be so weak. I can't...can I? Suddenly the wind stops whipping against her face as if trying to say something to her. No, I can't. What am I thinking? He's absolutely nothing I want. She decides determinedly, but still her eyes scan the crowd, searching for someone in a black tuxedo, with a long dark ponytail and piercing blue eyes.
No, he's everything I want, her conscience reflects back at her truthfully. But I can't let this happen to me. I won't. And that's that. Alex straightens her shoulders and quickly marches inside to join the rest of the girls. She leaves the wind raging behind her.
The spacious tenth street Catholic Church begins to fill to capacity as each of the eight young men dutily escort every female to their seats. It seems Serena was sure to invite everyone she ever knew, no matter how distant the family relation, or how new a friendship. And friendships were plentiful for a girl like Serena, whose honest kindness was like a beacon of light, the brightness of which couldn't help but draw you in. Past teachers, old classmates, countless friends she's made along the way, all line the church pews, crowding into the jam-packed cathedral, each of them filled with the day's enthusiasm, the happiness of a dear one always a joyous occasion. And one more unexpected friend who was especially dear had somehow managed to find her way back home just in the nick of time. By special request, Terry escorts this bouncy haired young lady to the back room rectory where the bridesmaids and the bride were waiting anxiously for their cue.
"Did you hear a knock?" Rei queries, exasperated, as she desperately tries to fix the flowers in her hair that persisted in falling down.
"What! It's not time yet, is it?!" Lita quickly scans for a clock of some sort to verify the time.
"AHHHHHH! I just got a run in my pantyhose!" Mina plops down on a chair, her legs sticking straight up in the air, displaying the unsightly tear, smack in the middle of her thigh.
"Oh, poor Mina. Would you like to switch for mine?" Amy offers selflessly sweet, adjusting the floral sequins on her dress.
"There is someone knocking, guys." Serena says, surprisingly calm, as if in a daze, standing in the middle of the room, as Susan kneeling on the carpeted floor puts the absolute final last minute touches on Serena's long trained veil, pins sticking in her mouth.
"I'll get it!" Rini offers cheerily, bouncing to the door.
"...Get it! Get it!" Daria chases on the heels of her sister.
"Tell them we're not ready yet!" Lita barks as she helps Tara with her dress that somehow got buttoned up all wrong.
"Don't let anyone in! I'm taking off my pantyhose!" Mina shouts. "Unless it's a cute guy!"The incorrigible gal calls out her secret desires.
"And if it's Darien, tell him to go away. He'll be getting what he wants soon enough," Michelle says with a glint in her eye. Glancing at Alex, she expects that familiar smirk, but finds her friend seemingly lost in thought, looking strangely...uncertain, something Alex rarely was.
I wonder what it is. Michelle thinks. She's closed her mind to me again.
Hedring all the warnings, Rini opens the door a crack, peeking out, looking up, up to meet Terry's eyes.
Terry-papa was always very tall and handsome, Rini smiles to herself.
"I have a special visitor for Miss Serena." Terry smiles down at Rini, whose eyes light up when a girl with reddish-brown hair steps out from behind him.
"Molly!" Rini exclaims, knowing how much her presence here would mean to Serena.
"Moll!" Serena snaps out of her daze, happy shock and surprise coming across her face as she dashes to her long absent best friend, who meets her there halfway. Poor Susan, still holding up Serena's veil, follows behind her quickly as not to tear the delicate train, bringing her face to face with Terry in the doorway, who smiles that smile of his as he gently and wordlessly brushes back into place a vagrant hair of hers that had gone astray in the rush to keep up with the dashing bride.
"Moll, I didn't think you could make it!" Serena exclaims as she hugs her friend warmly.
"Well, I didn't think I could make it either. Mama and I were still in New York last night, with a big jewelry showing, but I couldn't miss your wedding for the world Serena!" Molly exclaims, smiling broadly, her New York Jewish accent thick.
"Oh, Moll, I'm so glad you came! It wouldn't be the same without you!" Serena hugs her friend, again, not realizing until right now how much she missed her very best childhood friend, who had been traveling around the world with her mother's jewelry exchange for the past three years, only returning for a few short visits.
"Oh, my Gawd, Serena,you make a gorgeous bride! Even better than I imagined!" Molly Baker stands back to get a better look of her best friend whom she hadn't seen for going on two years, gazing hard as if to soak all the glow that was Serena in.
"Oh, I almost forgot," she suddenly says. Then she whips something out of her handbag. "My mom wants you to have this. I know it's a little early for gifts, but I think it would look marvelous with your gown," Molly hands Serena a long rectangular jewel case. Opening it, Serena finds a stunning gold necklace with a moon fittingly hanging down in the middle of it's many gold loops.
"Oh, Molly,"Serena whispers, awestruck at the gift. "This is too much."
"For the best friend a girl ever had? Nothing's too good for you, Serena," Molly kisses her on the cheek. "Look, I'd better get going. I think the priest up there is ready," Molly glances out the door as Father Clancy nods his head, giving his cue for everyone to begin.
"See ya later! I gotta go find Melvin and give the poor mooning sap a heart attack surprise!" A smiling ear to ear Molly zips out, almost tugging Terry along with her, who was lost once again in an endless gaze with his Susan. He throws a smile back at her as he walks away to take his place with the other escorts.
Springing right into action, Rini quickly hops on a chair, helping Serena put on the 24 carat golden necklace, then she jumps down to look up at her. Yes, despite all their differences, despite all their quarrels, despite every trouble, Serena was everything Rini ever wanted to be, her super hero, her secret idol, her adored mother.
"You're beautiful...Mommy," Rini whispers, feeling the importance of this moment. Serena squeezes her future daughter's hands as she feels the significance too. Her life was about to change, on the verge of a wondrous new beginning, but suddenly she can't help but feel a small little pang in her heart. Gazing at her beloved girls - her Sailor Team - gathered around her, she realizes she was leaving them in a way.
No longer would they all be carefree schoolgirls with their lives still ahead of them. Today she was taking her first steps into womanhood, into that mysterious unknown realm, and for a moment Serena is afraid. But as she meets each of her friend's eyes she realizes that there is nothing to fear, that life is now unfolding for her with all of it's glorious miracles. With the man she loved, there was nothing to fear. Believe in love, they're telling me. I can see it in their eyes. I can feel it in my heart. I believe in love. I believe in all dreams. And now all my dreams are about to come true. She smiles in anticipation of the wondrous events about to take place.
The stage is set. The audience seated, escorts in their places, groom all in white, complete with top hat, nervously awaiting his bride as his best man tries to calm him down and Father Clancy stands with Bible in hand, ready to perform this holiest of ceremonies. For in God's eyes, there was nothing more sacred than for two people in love to be joined together in Holy Matrimony. As a friend of the family, the Father has seen the love between this handsome young couple grow into a bond so strong that it surely must have blessed from Above.
And for blessings of love such as these we are all truly grateful, Lord. Father Clancy smiles to himself as he sees the father of the bride stick his head out of the door, signaling for the organist to begin her triumphant melody.
The music begins as in all weddings, and the audience stands, turning to see the long train of bridesmaids as they begin their walk down the aisle. First an Easter egg haired little girl in a pretty pink party dress scatters her flowers, a sugary expression of utter joy on her face, as if all is now right with the world, a small lavender-greyish kitten peeking out from inside the girl's flower basket.
Behind her, specially requested and permitted by the feline-loving clergyman, two more cats make their way down the aisle, side by side, one white, one bluish-indigo, both puffed up with the same proud look. A bowtie and a ribbon were respectively around each of their necks.
Close on their heels (paws?) a darling, fuschia haired child in a similarly frilly little fuschia frock, jauntily bounces forward. Sheer child-like happiness and goodness emanate from her as she tosses her bunch of flowers to and fro, unsteadily skipping forward to catch up with her bigger sister. She nearly trips but catches herself several times, although most of her flowers were not so lucky, being thrown to the ground in a pile, making the audience giggle at her as she stops the march in order to scoop them up until ushered forward by the first, if not the last, bridesmaid on her baby bootie heels.
Her pale skin the color of almonds, a mysterious look behind her violet eyes, the youngest of the bridesmaids silently walks along in her impish indigo dress with a grace well beyond her years. But when one speaks of grace, when one imagines timeless beauty, the next bridesmaid surpasses all.
In her gown of purple perfection, she stately strides forward, though her lovely eyes seemed entranced with another's somewhere in the front of the church.
In an alluring aqua gown of almost unbelievable elegance, rippling like waves on the ocean, the bridesmaid behind our lady in lavender, seems to notice her friend's entrancement and giggles, giving her full cheeks a crimson glow. Then as her own mind wanders elsewhere, they suddenly glow even a shade more crimson.
A golden goddess confidently strides after her. Her style of gold-yellow pantsuit clothing though not nearly as feminine or dressy, she was every bit as beautiful, every bit as dazzling. She moves forward purposefully, keeping her eyes straight ahead, until inexplicably, her windswept golden head turns, and she suddenly steals a glance at someone in the front pew, making his heart beat just a little harder than it yet dared.
An ostentatious orange blossom follows behind her, her flowery dress quite charming with its bright and sunshiny flavor.
The raven-haired beauty in the latest style rosy red dress, saunters up the aisle. One look in her eyes foretells the fiery soul within.
Her polar opposite, both in an old-fashioned baby blue gown and calm demeanor, the next bridesmaid shyly smiles as she makes her way forward.
One final bridesmaid in her girlish green gown, electrifies the crowd with it's summery pulled up flair. Her lime green hat, the perfect frame for her naturally sparkling face, she takes her place up front at the altar, a shy glance passing between her and the handsome best man. Then the music flares and the true bridal march begins, as everyone looks back expectantly.
In wispy white, the bride begins her walk down the aisle on her proud father's arm. Her dress sweeps across the floor with a breathtaking beauty. Her jewels glimmer as the sunlight strikes them just right, as its rays stream through the stained glass windows. Her silken veil trails, flowing long behind in her wake. But despite their beauty and elegance, it is not the dress nor the jewels alone that so captivate this audience. More it is that special gleam in her sparkling crystal eyes, that certain smiles of blissful happiness on her lips. That wondrous look on her lovely face conveys the brilliance, the shining, the love, existing in her wondrous soul. Brighter than any moonbeam she shines. Her radiance increases the nearer she moves to her beloved with every step forward.
Her father leads her to her intended, giving her arm one final squeeze as gives the groom a trusting nod and then turns and joins his wife in the front row pew. Now the bride is on his arm, on the arm of the man she has chosen to spent eternity with. The man she loves beyond love. Looking into each other's eyes, they are both certain as they ever were that this is what they have waited for for so long. That being together at last was their long-lost destiny fulfilled. Sharing the same knowing smile they hear the Father begin his Holy words.
Watching her float past with such joy exuding from her, Sayer once again feels a contented pride well up in his soul.
She still does mean so much to me. And as long as she's happy, so am I. He smiles. Then his eyes mysteriously wander to the golden haired beauty standing off to the left side of the bride. Suddenly he sucks in air as he feels a presence directly behind him. His brothers must sense it as well, for all three of their heads swivel around simultaneously. There behind them with a sweet fragrant smile on her face, was their own Princess Fireball. Though really it was only an image of her, projected from millions of light years across the galaxy. She could not let this momentous event of the Prince of the Earth and the Moonlit girl from beyond the starry galaxy who saved the universe itself from being devoured into chaos, pass without her presence here alongside her boys. Fireball's crimson red eyes twinkle at their pleasantly surprised faces, as without a word she nods, and the three of them nod back respectfully, glad that she who is so important to them, is now here too to share in this joyous moment. Placing her ghostly hands on Sayer's shoulders, she knowingly squeezes them, gently and somehow, strangely, he could still feel his Princess' warmth, her inner strength. And he smiles broadly, exchanging a glance with Robin, for Terry's gaze was now once again upon his lady in the violet dress, which his Princess notes with curiosity as the Priest begins to speak.
"Dearly beloved," Father Clancy's deep voice echoes through the sacred walls. "We are gathered here today in the sight of God, to join this man," he nods in Darien's direction and for a moment he remembers that small young boy from the orphanage who would often attend masses at this very church, secretly grieving his good parents gravestones here.
"And this woman", he smiles openly at Serena Hart, a young lady he has seen grow before his eyes in the few short years he has known her.
"In Holy Matrimony." Such a strong bond they have. I am so happy to be able to join together these two young people. They have been blessed, he reflects.
Seated in the front row at the end of the pew, the vibrant flower girl feels bursting with happiness, when suddenly she senses something familiar, something wonderful. She feels a warm glow and turns, her heart leaping. "Helios!" she whispers in shock at the boy in ancient robes and a golden glowing horn appearing to stand next to her.
"My beautiful Princess," he whispers back, taking her gloved hand and kissing it respectfully. "I am here to witness this event of all events. But I am glad that you are here as well. That we can see it together," he smiles at his small lady sweetly, and she does the same, blushingly knowing that by magic, she was the only one in the room who could see him. Father Clancy continues on.
"In God's eyes there is nothing more beautiful than for two people to be bonded together by their mutual love for one another. Now if there is anyone who objects to this marriage, let him speak now or forever hold his peace." He looks up at the audience before him.
A long pause in the wedding tradition seems to stretch on forever to Alex, for some reason, as she glances inconspicuously across the aisle at the dark haired young man in the opposite front row, whose contented smile (to her secret relief) never wavers. Alex then suddenly notices the spirit of that red-haired woman directly behind him, whose inquisitive eyes then notice her right back, that this Sailor soldier of the planet Uranus was paying attention to one of her boys, albeit covertly. Alex pulls away the glance, quickly turning her attention back to the ceremony.
"Do you, Darien Shields, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?" The Father poses the most important question of Darien's life. But for this young man there is only one, and never has been a question of the answer.
"I do," Darien answers, his dark blue eyes filled with certainty in every ounce of his being. Hearing these two short words, Serena's full heart flutters, as the Priest then turns to her.
"And do you, Serena Hart, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?" Serena pauses as she looks into Darien's eyes, wanting this moment to last. For this is the moment she has waited for for all of her life.
Your bride. Your wife. I will love you forever,my Prince. The words drift through her soul, as she answers sweetly, "I do," which is then immediately and quite loudly repeated by a tiny little fuschia jellybean bouncing up and down excitedly in the front row. "I do!" she announces proudly, causing the entire audience to laugh.
Still chuckling, Father Clancy turns to Darien. "The ring, please," he manages to say, as an exasperated, but still too happy to really care Darien turns to Andrew, his best man, who dutifully has the ring ready.
Taking it, Darien puts it to Serena's left hand, looking to the Father who nods. Darien gazes into Serena's eyes as he slides the gold band on her trembling ring finger. He stops the trembling by taking her hand firmly in his sure one.
"Now by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife." Father Clancy smiles warmly. As their lips meet for the briefest of moments, a brilliant flash of light fills the church as gleaming strands of silver and gold burst forth out into the city, taking to the skies. Encompassing the entire earth and the moon as well, piercing through the depths of space, this brilliance travels on through the galaxies, sparkling all the way to infinity. The chosen two have become one and the universe is filled with their joy. A new era in the cosmos has just begun.
Triumphantly the music flares and church bells ring as the new couple turns to face the happy crowd and begin their recessional descent down the aisle. Darien smiles proudly at his new wife who returns the smiles with complete and utter adoration, their eyes and arms locked together in love as together their souls fly away on angel's wings.
Seeing her cue, Amy Anderson steps out into the center aisle, her heart leaping when her beloved long-lost love joins her at her side, a meek smile on his face. Though years have passed, transforming the intelligent boy into a handsome 18-year-old man, he was still the same Greg Mueller to Amy, the same sweet lad she had fallen in love with what seemed a lifetime ago. Has he really come back to me? Amy wonders, her big sad eyes wide on him.
Watching Amy's bittersweet romance revive again, Rei reflects on her own romantic status as she strides forth on her escort's arm. How nice it is to have your old love return to you to pick up the pieces of your lonely life. She sighs to herself as she looks down at her long dress, lifting it up slightly off the ground for she feared Chad dangerously close to tripping up on it. But is my life really all that lonely? Rei questions herself as she catches a sideways glance of Chad's merry grin, who himself was bursting with pride at being on the arm of the most beautiful girl in the room.
Taking place behind Rei and Chad, the best man and the Maid of Honor leave their spots up front. Arm in arm with Andrew, Lita feels a sudden shyness overwhelm her. I've always had this thing for Andrew, of course, look at him! He's totally dreamy! But is this just another one of my countless crushes? I know, I know. I do do that sometimes...well, alright, all the time! But really, this time feels different. A crush has never lasted so long. Since the day I met him almost four years ago. Now that his girlfriend has left him - is now my chance? Lita looks up from under her hat's wide brim, surprised to find Andrew's eyes studying her as well.
Bouncing into the middle aisle, Mina giggles out loud as she buoyantly grasps Ken's gentlemanly offered arm. He chuckles pleasantly as she does, obviously not taken aback by her bold outwardness. Mina looks into his eyes, noticing for the first time a resemblance...to someone in a way. With his dark hair and features and the kind look on his face, Ken reminded her of someone from the distant past she long ago pushed aside but really truly did never let go of. Someone who was always right at her side when she needed him, someone who put up with her wackiness and reveled in it, someone whose dream she had glimpsed and saw it was beautiful. Is your dream beautiful too? Mina silently asks her escort as he smiles at her sweetly.
Coming out of the front pews, the next bridesmaid stops short for a moment and looks at her escort across the aisle cautiously before meeting his flamboyantly offered arm, taking it ever so gingerly. Once in his grasp though, she feels herself and her arm being pulled closer to him.
Sigh. Amaralexis Sokova breathes out slowly, trying to calm her raging emotions down. I can't stand him...And yet am I glad to be on his arm? She feels his dark ponytail swishing to and fro, brushing against her shoulder and his handsome face looks at her with an amorous look in his eyes.
"Feels good, huh, Ally?" he whispers lowly, putting his head close to her ear so no one else could hear.
"Shut it!" Alex lowly scolds him in a rumble, warningly. He is amazing! How dare he say these things to me when all I do is discourage him? Is his memory so short? Doesn't he remember how we fought like cats and dogs? How we couldn't stand each other's guts. Why does he persist in doing this to me? Is he crazy? She feels his scent waft over her, his dark blue eyes burn through her.
Or am I the crazy one for letting him do this to me. For feeling these feelings I swore I'd never have. I will turn away. I must turn away. Alex thinks to herself, determinedly, although sneaking a sideways look at him.
But can I? she asks, unsure of herself for the first time in her life.
Feeling Alex's sudden uncertainty in her chest, Michelle cringes for a moment at her strong-willed friend's troubled heart. Oh, Alex, don't be so stubborn! Michelle smiles, reading into her cousin's confused emotions. You and Sayer would make...quite an interesting couple, even if he's very strange. She chuckles to herself at the very thought of these two sworn enemies becoming something even more than friends.
"What do you think about it, Robin?" she sends out silently to the man she was linked with both body and soul. But no reply comes, though she could feel his mind wide open to her. "Robin?" she questions worriedly as they walk past the church's open doorway, out into the fresh open breeze.
"I'm sorry, Michelle, I just thought I sensed something...familar back there," his voice rings through her head, sounding a bit puzzled.
"Well there's so many people in there, Serena invited everyone. You must just be recognizing one of them," she tries to brush off, calming. "Oh and I saw your Princess Fireball there too. She is looking lovely," Michelle smiles, then remembering something she saw and noticed. "Is there something between her and Sayer? I thought I saw..."she begins nosily. I'm not being nosy, just concerned for a dear friend, she thinks to herself just to find her queries.
"What?" Robin drifts back to her thoughts again. "Oh, no, nothing like that. Our Princess is much too smart for that." He catches her drift, jabbing at his difficult brother, then goes back to his own strange feelings. "I guess you're right." he shakes it off, looking into the ocean of her eyes. "Must be nothing," he smiles at his gorgeously stunning soulmate.
Back in the church, Terry and Susan begin their walk down the aisle, though if it were up to Terry the way he was feeling, they would be traveling in the other direction. Looking into her fuschia eyes, he was certain once again that she was the woman in his dreams, the one he has fantasized about. And now the fantasies were real, she was here on his arm, looking so serene and happy, so beautiful in her lovely gown. Now with all they have shared already, all he had to do now was profess his love for her, calming her fears of the future to come. And what a wonderful future it would be with Susan at his side. Terry smiles down at her dreamily.
Your eyes! Your eyes! How enchanting your eyes are , my darling Terry. When you look at me like that you make me feel so important - that you truly care. No one has ever cared before like this. I have never been loved before. I have never loved before. And I do love you. This love I feel for you will last through eternity. Even if my heart is torn asunder, this love will last forever. Susan smiles at him longingly.
As Tara watches the couple in front of her, she secretly wishes to be able to trade places with Susan. I'd do anything to be on his arm. To have the looks he gives to her. Tara sulks as she walks along, not even noticing the boy on her arm, or the looks he was aiming in her direction. Taken in by her timid sweetness, Sammy Hart too would trade places with the tall man in front of him if only to be noticed by this pretty girl on his arm. He sighs, knowing his attempts futile, his attentions ignored. Hearing him, Tara turns and looks, giving him a grateful smile, for it was against her sweet nature to be unkind.
Behind her, Rini sees her "brother's" shy looks at her best friend and feels glad that maybe he could pull her out of these depressing doldrums she was in. But Rini herself could not help but feel happy inside, for today was truly special. Not only because of the wedding, which was so important to her, but also because her beloved Helios had been here with her, even if only for a short time.
Bouncing baby sister behind with the three cats trailing, Rini scatters her flowers until she walks out of the church into the blinding sunlight, joining the rest of her timeless family.
"Oh Da~rien!" Reaching the top of the long steps leading up to the church, Serena is surprised when her new husband suddenly scoops her up in his strong arms.
It feels so right! She knows the feeling well, from the countless times he has performed this same rescue on her before. Fear of danger slips away whenever he appears at her side, even the deadliest of battles become easy, no enemy too great when she was safe in his arms. Letting him sweep her away, it is such a wondrous feeling, that the new bride almost forgets one final thing to do before leaving the church grounds even as the crowd around them gathers, clapping congratulations at the happy sight. One glance at their expectant faces recalls our dizzy heroine's memory.
Lifting her beautiful bouquet of white roses, (they simply had to be roses for her beloved Darien, they had to be roses) with a giggle and a silent prayer that the superstition behind the age-old tradition would come true for the lucky girl who catches it, Serena Shields sends her bouquet flying in perfect form (she was an experienced 'moon tiara' thrower) towards the sea of anxious feminine faces. All (except for the bridesmaid in gold, who folds her arms defiantly) turn their eyes towards the incoming object in the sky. Each set of eager hands prepare to catch the flowerbouquet and the good fortune that comes along with it.
Floating in the gentle breeze, the bouquet seems to have taken a life of its own, fluttering to and fro, until it softly drifts into the arms of the woman it had been intended for.
Surprised, an unsuspecting Susan DeVinici gasps as the spray of white roses suddenly, as if by magic, appear in her shocked hands. She had resigned herself that if it came near, she would not reach for it, allow some other lucky girl to have its charms, for she knew that everything it symbolized would be wasted on her lonely existence. But here it was, the beautiful bouquet held delicately in her hands as if brought there by some powerful force of nature. Blushing at its implications, Susan meekly raises her eyes as the crowd and the rest of the happy, albeit disappointed young women, surrounding her begin to applaud again, for her this time. Feeling elation at this prediction, though at the same time saddened in the knowledge it was forbidden to her, Susan's eyes meet Serena's whose smile back at her beaming with joy, unaware of her friend's endless plight. But Susan returns the smile gratefully, with a small nod at her beloved Princess, who could always bring sunshine to her unhappy life. Then, although not wanting to meet his eyes, Susan can't help but turn to the dashing figure on her arm, who was gazing at her with such open adoration. She blushes even further to a deeper crimson red, making it obvious to those around her what was silently passing between them, that the flower bouquet just might have hit its target on the mark this time.
Crowd of friends cheering behind them, bride and groom float down the steps to the shiny black limousine awaiting them. Darien gently puts her down and Serena turns, waving joyously to her beloved friends and family behind her, who have cared for, watched over, and protected her through the years, making this glorious day possible for her. Sliding into the back seat, the young couple smile sweetly and then slip into each other's arms as the limo slowly drives off noisily, cans and other noisemakers, strung together, banging clanging into the street. A "JUST MARRIED" was scrawled unceremoniously in white soap on the rear window of the limo.
"Who did that!" Rei demands, thinking that this for one would be a civilized and proprietous event. Then realizing who it must be all at once, she and her immediate circle of friends turn to a curly haired young man in a black tux.
"What?" Sayer asks increduously, the most innocent of looks on his wicked face he beams out to his vainly avoiding his gaze 'Ally' as the wind suddenly ceases its circulating revelry.