Darien pulled his car into the garage and put it in park. He looked over to the sleeping beauty next to him. "Sere." He said gently as he shook her awake.

"Wha?"

"How about sleeping in a bed?"

"That sounds nice." She sighed, still half asleep.

"As much as I'd love to, I don't think I could carry you."

"I guess I have to get up then." He nodded.

He got out of the car and went around to the passenger side door and opened it as Serena unbuckled. She slowly climbed out, grasping Darien's hand for support. "Thanks."

"Sure."

Both walked to the elevators and rode to their floor. Once they were finally in their bedroom, they undressed, got into their pajamas, and climbed into bed for a good nights sleep.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Good morning sweetie." Serena greeted as Darien walked out to the living room.

"Morning." He pecked her lips. "You're up early. You okay?"

"Just got a little sick this morning."

"Better now?"

"Yah. I had some crackers. They helped settle my stomach."

"I'm glad you're doing better." He sat next to her and pulled her close. "What do you wanna do until we have to leave for Amy's?"

"Just cuddle with my boyfriend." She said snuggling into his embrace.

"As much as I'd love to do that, I really think we should take something over Amy's. I'd feel bad if we didn't. How long do we have?"

"It's already 11:30."

"I slept in." He chuckled.

"I know. I figured you had an exhausting night though, so I let you sleep in."

He kissed her forehead. "Thanks."

"Sure."

The couple was enjoying a few moments of just holding each other when Serena's cell began ringing. Serena reached to the coffee table and picked up her cell. It was an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Rena."

She had a confused look on her face. "Sammy?"

"Yah."

"Oh, hey squirt. I didn't recognize the number."

"Mom and dad got me a cell phone for Christmas."

"How have you been?"

"Great. It's not the same over here without you though."

"I'm sorry squirt."

"Not your fault."

"H-how are mom and dad."

"They're still upset. Mom keeps trying to convince dad to let you come back. She really misses you. Dad is still disappointed in you. I hear their conversations sometimes. They always admit they love you, but dad is just disappointed."

She sighed, eyes glistening. "Thanks Sammy. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas sis. Oh, don't forget to check your mail today. There's a little something in there for you and Darien."

"You didn't have to Sammy."

"No problem. Tell Darien I said hi."

"Will do."

"I love you sis."

"I love you too Sammy."

"Bye."

"Bye." She hung up and whipped a stray tear from her cheek.

"Everything okay?"

"Yah. Mom and dad got Sammy a cell phone for Christmas, so he called me. He said hi and we need to check our mail. He got us something."

"How are they all doing?"

"Sammy is fine, he said that mom is trying to convince dad to let me come back, but he's too disappointed in me."

He opened his mouth to say something, but Serena cut him off.

"Don't even think about apologizing. Let's get going on what we're gonna make."

"And what would that be?"

"You're the one who wants to take something."

"How about some simple Christmas cookies."

"I can make those."

"Then let's get baking."

"You get the ingredients out; I'm going to get our mail."

"I can get it."

"And so can I. I'll be right back."

"Don't strain yourself."

"Of course I won't." She said walking out the door. She quickly made her way downstairs to the lobby.

"Good morning Ms. Tsukino."

"How many times do I have to remind you to call me Serena?"

"Sorry, habit."

"I understand. But morning to you too, Bob. Can I get our mail please?"

"Sure can do." He turned around to the mail slots. "Chase, Chester, Chiba. Here you go. And must I say you are looking beautiful. How far along?"

"Just over two months."

"Well if you need anything…" He trailed off handing her the stack of mail.

"I won't hesitate. Thank you."

"No problem."

She walked back towards the elevator, receiving weird glances from different people in the lobby. She sighed as she entered and the doors closed.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"I made some breakfast too." Darien said as Serena reentered the apartment. When she didn't reply, he poked his head out the door and saw his girlfriend looking grim. He put down his wisk and walked out to her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just not used to the stares. That's all."

"You shouldn't care about what others think."

"I know, but I just can't help it sometimes."

"I know something to cheer you up." He pulled her over to the couch and patted the seat for her to sit. She did so.

"I'll be right back. Stay put."

She sat there as Darien disappeared into their bedroom. He quickly reappeared with something in hand. He sat down on the couch next to her and handed her a box.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

She pulled back the wrapping and gasped. It was a picture frame, simple yet elegant, with a picture of them in it. It was their first official date. They were walking in the park when a vendor stopped them so they could take a picture. Both were smiling, Darien's arm wrapped around her waist and her hand in his other. The frame was wooden with 'Always and Forever' engraved at the top, 'Serena' on the right, 'Darien' on the left, and 'True Love' across the bottom. She looked up to him with tears in her eyes. "I love it. Thank you Darien." She said setting the picture frame aside and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you."

"I love you too. I made some breakfast. We can eat while we make the cookies."

"Good idea."

The two of them got up and headed for the kitchen.

Serena took a seat as Darien put the tray of dough into the oven. Her gaze drifted over to the counter where a bag of flour lay. Her eyes sparkled with an idea. She quietly got up and put her hands in the back. She then grabbed fistfuls of the flour and approached Darien.

"These are gonna be good." He said as he stood and turned around only to be greeted with flour in is face. He took a minute to wipe the flour out of his eyes, he glared at Serena.

"Honey, you look a little…pale."

"I wonder why." He smirked, picking up the container of flour and proceeding to dump the entire contents over her head.

"Why you little-" She grabbed a handful of sugar and threw it at him.

He, in turn, doused her in milk.

"You do realize that now we have to clean the kitchen and shower."

Darien looked to his watch. "You get in the shower now while I clean and wait for the cookies to finish, then I'll hop in and you can put them in something after they cool."

"Why don't we save water? I'll help you clean until the cookies are ready to come out and then we can let them cool."

He wrapped an arm around her milky, floury waist and kissed her gently. "Sounds good to me."

The two then continued to clean the kitchen until the buzzer went off signaling the cookies were ready. They pulled the tray out and set the cookies on cooling racks. They then proceeded to shower, change, put the cookies away, and head out the door.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Serena, Darien. Glad you guys could join us. Please come in." Dr. Mizuno greeted.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"We brought some cookies over." Darien said handing her the container.

"Well thank you. Amy is in the kitchen if you'd like to join her Serena. Darien, my husband is watching television in the living room. Wherever you want to go. I can show you the way to the living room if you'd like."

"That'd be great."

"I didn't know Mr. Mizuno was in town." Serena said.

"How many times have I told you to call me Mark silly girl?" A tall man with brown hair said walking into the room.

"He surprised us this morning."

"How have you been Mark?" Serena asked hugging the man.

"I've been great. How about you?"

"Fine. This is my boyfriend, Darien. Dare, this is Amy's dad, Mark."

"Good to meet you." Darien said extending his hand.

"You too." He took his hand. "I was just in the other room when I heard this lovely lady's voice," he wrapped an arm around Serena's shoulders, "and had to come out and greet her."

"He's like my second daddy." Serena grinned. "The whole Mizuno clan is like my second family." She giggled. "I'm going to go say hi to Amy." Mark's arm dropped from Serena's shoulders as she went off to the kitchen.

"Darien, would you like to join me in the living room to watch some football?" (A/N: I don't know what sports play on Christmas...so yah, don't hate me please)

"Sure."

The two men walked into the large living room and sat on the couch as Dr. Mizuno went back to the kitchen.

"Hey Serena. You feeling better?" Amy asked as she cut the lettuce.

"Much. Thanks to your mom that is."

"She doesn't know does she?" Amy asked in a hushed voice.

"About my baby?"

"No, about you….about us."

"Being scouts?"

"Yah."

"She knows about Dare and me. I didn't tell her about you or the others though."

"Why did you tell her?" Amy screamed/whispered.

"She had to know so she could treat me properly. Don't worry, I didn't tell her about you." Serena reassured.

"Amy Marie Mizuno."

Amy stiffened. "Yes?"

"Are you one of those scouts?" Her mother asked in disbelief.

"Uh…erm…"

"Answer me young lady."

"Yes mother. I am."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me."

"Mom, we couldn't. It would endanger you. The negaverse would've tried to use you against us. That's why no one knows except us."

"It's okay. I guess I understand."

"Please don't tell dad."

"Don't worry sweetie. How's dinner."

"Ready."

"I'll get the men."

"Thanks mom/Dr. Mizuno." Amy and Serena said at once.

Soon enough, the five were sitting around the table enjoying a Christmas dinner.

"Thank you again for inviting us. This all tastes wonderful." Darien said as he popped a roll into his mouth.

"Well thank you. And we're happy to have you and Serena over for dinner."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Before they knew it, Serena and Darien were standing at the front door.

"That was fun. Thanks again." Serena said hugging Amy.

"Yes, thank you."

"We're happy to have you two over any time." Dr. Mizuno said as she hugged Serena.

"Do you need to go so soon?" Mark asked.

"Yes. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and need to get some sleep."

"Remember Serena, Darien, if you two need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We'd be happy to help." Dr. Mizuno assured.

"Thank you. Merry Christmas."

"To you too."

They all bid their farewells, and Serena and Darien headed to Darien's car.

A/N: I'm really sorry for not updating sooner. I had thoes vacations in June, then had a lot of this chapter written on my laptop and hadn't finished it when my laptop died, and as much as I love my readers, I can't afford to pay 150 dollas on getting my memory back. I have to retype chapter four of Cuts and Scars cuz when I was deleting the A/N at the top (cuz it was confusing some readers) I put the content of chapter three into Chapter four, so they're the same now. I have to rewrite that chapter then i can work on teh actual next chapter of that story. I know it's a little into August now, and I still haven't updated, but I'm also busy getting ready for a wedding. My dad is getting married on teh fifteenth and my dress is too long so we had to take it back in, yada, yada. PLUS, I'm dealing with A LOT of personal problems right now that I'm having difficulty dealing with. I'll try to update asap!! SORRY FOR THE LONG UPDATE DELAY!!

-SailorMoonForever