Chapter 2 - "Reality"

This back pain unbearable…

Chibiusa could feel the sun seeping into her bedroom. These past couple weeks, achieving a full night's sleep was practically impossible, much less getting out of bed independently. Dressed in a periwinkle sleeping gown, the cotton garment fit her body perfectly fitting every curve and edge comfortably. Just as she was about to sit up Helios walked into the room with breakfast in hand.

"Helios, no please-"

As he approached her, he replied quickly, "Don't fight me on this- please."

Helios laid the food on the night-table beside the bed, and assisted Chibiusa in sitting up. He sat beside her on the edge of the bed as he looked at her lovingly, but also with a very exhausting expression. "Good morning," he lifted his palm toward her face and kissed her tenderly. She closed her eyes and kissed him back lovingly. She knew that he hasn't been sleeping very well these past few weeks either. As they kissed Chibiusa took his free hand and rested it on very swollen belly. Instantly they stopped as he rested his forehead against hers' and gathered what was happening. Chibiusa whispered toward him, "You feel her?" Helios closed his eyes to feel the soft kicks of his daughter within his wife. While softly rubbing, he brought his head down to speak toward the belly. "Beautiful girl, you love when I give mommy kisses?" Chibiusa smiled in response to his words. "I need you to be good for mommy while you're in there… Just a few more days until I see you… I love you." He positioned himself back towards the edge of the bed as he reached toward the breakfast that was prepared for his wife. Helios sighed slightly in preparation for the conflict usually arises when it's time for the future Queen to eat.

Frustrated Chibiusa said, "Helios I can feed myself!"

Ignoring her completely he said, "open."

As he finished feeding her, he continued to be at her aid by assisting her to the washroom to tidy herself for the day. Once that was done, Helios took her back to the bed, where she was instructed to be on bed rest.

As she laid on her back, he came down beside her on the bed. Her breathing was deep and heavy. She rested her head on his shoulder as he rested one arm around her and the other upon her belly. He asked,

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better than most days… Helios you can go to sleep; you don't have to be-" Helios silenced her.

"Sshhh… I need you to relax." Immediately her face was starting to express frustration.

"I'll relax better if you take a nap!"

As she drew closer to her due date, Helios was frantic. Aiding to Chibiusa's every need at any point of the day. Throughout the pregnancy she encountered a great deal of sickness and weariness. For countless nights, he's been awake and she can't recall when she last saw him sleep. The bags from exhaustion really were showing. He said calmly,

"Love, please stop fighting me on this."

She looked up at him, "please." He looked down upon her for a moment, then shook his head no. As he closed his eyes, he continued to rest his head until he could smell sea water.

I smell salty water….

He opened his eyes to find Chibiusa crying before him. He instantly began to panic.

"Chibiusa please!" She shook her head no as her face got red and tears came down. He pulled her in for an embrace. "I'll go to sleep. I'll sleep-" He looked down on her, "Okay?" She nodded in response with a sly smile he didn't see.

As he laid on his back, he looked toward her with drowsy eyes. Even with the sun peering into the room it was difficult for him to fight off the need for sleep. She slowly motioned herself to lay down beside him as she whispered into his neck, "I'll sleep if you do, okay?" He was motionless in his response out of stubbornness to stay awake. Helios wanted to be awake if she needed anything. To support her if she was in any pain or discomfort. Then he felt sweet kisses on his neck almost like he was being put under a spell. With practically no room between them, her scent was oversaturating as he felt his eyes began to close. She softly whispered, "please baby, sleep."

And within a few minutes, Helios did indeed fall asleep.

She took a few moments to gather his breathing as she laid on his chest. She then decided to look toward him with a smile.

Yes! I can't believe he actually fell asleep! Now how am I getting out of this bed?

Chibiusa desperately wanted some air from her bedroom, even if it was just for a few moments. Slowly, she began to motion herself off the bed. As her feet touched the ground, she looked back toward her husband who was still sound asleep. She gently pushed herself off the bed and wobbly got herself into a standing position. As she held her stomach, she motioned toward the balcony in her room. She gently sat on the bench that was on the balcony and enjoyed the view of the sunrise.

Beautiful…

As she admired the sunrise, she couldn't help but rub her tummy in response to the kicking she was feeling within her.

I can't believe, little-old me is having my own baby… With Helios. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her…Show her so much love…

While Chibiusa was in her thoughts toward the aspiration of her baby, she closed her eyes while resting both her arms on her stomach. As her breathing was paced, her eye lids began to close as she felt herself starting to get sleepy. With her eyes now shut, just as she was about to fall into unconsciousness, she heard a soft voice whispering out to her. The voice was ever so soft, yet sounded like a whimpering.

"Mama I need you…MAMA!"

Immediately Chibiusa felt her body pulse and go into shock in response to the small voice. The cry shocked her so much so it knocked her off the very bench she was sitting upon. Her breathing became shallow, sweat coming down the corners of her face. Moments after she felt water gushing through her legs and onto the floor, followed by instantaneous pain. Breathless, she gasped out for Helios.

"Helios…?"

With all the breath she could she cried out, "HELIOS!"

"Everything is okay." Neo Queen Serenity exhaled through a smile. Alongside her was Megumi who also acted as a mid-wife for the delivery. Queen Serenity went on to greet her husband along with Diana, her parents and Chibiusa's inner senshi with the news of a safe delivery of their child. She continued, "Helios was right, it's a girl!" Everyone sighed a breath of relief as the celebrated the delivery of the newest princess. Neo Queen Serenity continued, "It seems as though Chibiusa is suffering from exhaustion. Perhaps tomorrow would be a better time to meet the baby?"

The group agreed and departed while her parents headed toward their own sleeping chambers. Helios and Chibiusa were in their bedroom with their newest addition. The labor wasn't too long- however, it was now settling into the evening. Helios was laying beside Chibiusa as she held the baby within her arms. She was wide awake, cooing and bubbling toward the couple. They felt their heart burst with love they never knew they had for this little one. Chibiusa couldn't help herself but to kiss her soft skin. She then spoke softly toward Helios.

"Are we still keeping the same name?"

He reached over to slightly rub the baby's face. "Yeah. Have you had a change of mind?"

"No, not at all. Isn't that right Dream?"

Helios looked down upon his wife and new child. "Dream… Usgai Dream Serenity."