Thank you all so much for all the great Reviews! It really helps with motivation. Also the Favorites are wonderful thank you so much, Thank you to my betachimichurri for going over this story for me! You are the best! and a BIG thank you as well goes out too Sailormoonforever who reads the stories before I post them. so thank you guys you are the greatest. I'm sorry that I havent updated in almost two weeks, my sons school is coming to an end and he is getting ready to go on vacation to visit his grandparents for the summer so I've been really busy getting his things together.
Thank you to all of you who have reviewed this story, it really makes me happy to hear that so many of you are enjoying this story. I thank all of you truely from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all.
I do not own sailor moon or its characters. Please enjoy,
It's been five years since that wonderful fun-filled heartbreaking night...the night that changed not only one life but the life of twelve childhood friends...
*Usagi POV*
Soon after finishing my surprise performance with Seiya and hearing that he had won a recording deal of a life time, I was back on a plane. It broke my heart to think that this was it, my final goodbye. But life is unexpected and can take you to some extraordinary places...
Jacksonville North Carolina.
The name as unexciting as it sounds does not do the small military town justice. Pine trees lined the streets along with many mom and pop shops, everyone friendly and willing to lend a helping hand. This town was a complete 180 from the busy life in Tokyo Japan or the fashion forward of San Diego California. No this town was in a category of its own.
Making friends was easy, catching up on classes was a challenge but graduation was a piece of cake. After graduation I did what those close to me said I would do, I took a year off surprising both my father and brother announcing I would be backpacking through Europe for the next year. But not before flying out to Japan to meet and greet the newest addition to our crazy group of friends, Akina Niko, 6 pounds 14 oz of pure joy. Rei and Jed are two lucky parents. After a few weeks of spoiling the little angel, and visiting with Motoki and his new wife Rika, I finally bid them a farewell and left to begin my adventure.
Flying to Europe I couldn't help but smile. This was going to be an amazing experience.
In Italy I visited with Makoto and Neph, who with in the month of my stay, married in front of an old Italian vineyard at sun set... one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
Then it was off to Paris France, where on the way I met up with some very enjoyable and fascinating people.
Once in Paris I stayed for two months watching as my cousin, Minako, flourished into a remarkable designer. The best part of my stay was a month after my arrival I was front and center as Kunzite proposed to my overly excited very deserving cousin.
I stayed three months with Ami and Zoi, my longest visit with a friend yet...the German food was not one of my favorites though their pretzels were to die for! Though it wasn't the country that kept me in my place for so long, no it was the entertainment my two friends gave...they haven't changed at all. Though Ami repeatedly denied any emotional attraction to the not so paranoid blonde, I knew better.
Leaving Germany I made my way to Spain where I stayed for 4 months working in a family owned restaurant called La Comida which translated simple meant lunch. They paid me little but gave me a comfy place to sleep and food to eat, which I have to tell you say was delicious!
I loved the family; they were very welcoming and treated me as if I was one of their own. Maria, the grandmother of the house pushed her grandson Juan on me every chance she got, it was rather funny. We became good friends, and still talk from time to time. He was the only person I shared my feelings with. He knew everything about my life…and everything about my heart…but as handsome as he was...my heart was screaming for another.
After leaving I made my way to Portugal where I met up with a group of backpackers my age from England. They gave me a ride to Russia where I bid them adieu and went on my way.
Russia was fun, cold but nice. I stayed there for about a month than went on my way to Finland.
It was beautiful; the waters were as blue as the sky, just amazing. The people were extremely gracious, so much in fact I spent my remaining time working on a farm with another great family. When it was time for me to return home, Aamo, the mother of the family had made me a dress that her two daughters Henriika and Iita put together. I treasured it.
Returning home was joyous and heart-trenching...I loved all the people I meet along the way, the things that I had learned and the places I had been I will never forget.
One thing was for certain though...I finally realized who I was…I felt confident in who I was in the person I became on my journey. Once returning home I told my tale to my family than explained what my next move would be...
The first was my decision to no get back into modeling that the days of being Serenity Jackson were completely behind me. Now what I wanted more than anything was to go to College, majoring in photography.
I came to this conclusion during my escapade, looking back at all the many pictures of people that I meet and places that I visited I knew that I wanted to give that to someone else, help them capture the moments in their lives that they'll cherish forever...
So now here I am five years since that night I shared with one of my closest friends, 4 years since I went on my journey, 3 years since I started college and now 1 year living in and working in New York City…My life was defiantly exhilarating.
-Normal POV-
"I can't believe all of you made it"
Makoto laughed carefully taking a seat on a recliner, her hand over her protruding belly "you know we wouldn't have missed your big night"
"Yea, but Mako…I would have understood" Usagi said worriedly as she stared at her very pregnant friend
Makoto waved her concerns away "please, I've been through worse" she smiled
"Alright, just promise you'll take it easy?"
"She has no choice; I already promised Neph that I wouldn't let his darling wife over do herself. It's bad enough you're going against your doctor's orders Mako-chan"
"Oh hush it Minako! You're just as bad as Nephrite!"
Minako shook her head "it's my neck on the chopping block if something happens to you Mako, so you better watch yourself!"
Usagi laughed "Ladies, Ladies…let's not fight" she smiled turning to her brunette friend "I'm happy you're here Makoto, it really means a lot"
"By the way Usa, did you order dinner yet?" Rei asked as she tied her five year old daughter's shoes
Smiling at the miniature version of Rei Usagi nodded "it should be here any moment; you guys are going to love what I ordered"
"You ordered pizza right?" Ami asked as Usagi nodded
Rei laughed "we've had pizza before Usagi"
Usagi shook her head a sly smile on her lips "yes, but you haven't had New York pizza" at that moment a buzzing sound was heard though out the apartment "it's here!" she said excitedly running off to buzz the man in
"I don't get it" Rei whispered to her comrades "what's so big about a piece of pizza?"
30 minutes later
"Oh my god" Rei moaned as she bit into her 7th slice "this is like heaven"
"What do they put in this?" Makoto whispered as she began to dissecting her 8th slice
Minako sat against Makoto's chair her knees to her chest as she cradled her slice of pizza in two hands staring at it lovingly "I would leave Kunzite for you"
Usagi couldn't help the laughter that erupted from her tinny frame; even Ami seemed to be mesmerized by the delicious savory treat. "Told you so"
~~~After tucking Akina into bed Rei walked back into the main room taking her seat next to Usagi "so" the raven haired woman whispered grabbing a cup of hot cocoa "are you going to ask?"
Usagi looked to her friends confused "ask what?"
"You know what Usa" Minako said quietly "Mamoru?"
"Oh" she played with the handle of her cocoa "H-how is he?" her blue eyes stayed on the carpet "last we spoke you said…he was running the hospital in Greece…"
"Yes, and I gave you his number told you to call him and you never did" the raven haired mother replied smoothly
"well I-"
"He's getting married!" everyone turned to Minako who's eyes were closed tight as she gripped her cocoa
Usagi stared at her cousin wide eyed her body shaking "w-what?" her own grip tightening around the hot cocoa
Rei seemed to glare at the Minako before turning her attention to her shocked friend "it's true" she said simply "they met a couple of months ago" she sipped her cocoa, eyes staying on the speechless blond
There was silence for a few moments, the girls carefully watching their blonde friend as she sat quietly held her hot cocoa, her eyes looking to the carpet "Usagi…are you alright?" Makoto asked gently
Shaking her head Usagi looked up at her friends laughing nervously "oh me, yea…I'm totally cool." She smiled turning to Rei "you know it's been a really long day…I think I'm gonna turn in …"
Rei placed her cup down "let me get Akina"
"No" Usagi said quickly "just let her sleep"
Rei nodded "alright…we can let ourselves out…"
Usagi nodded "you can crash here too if you want, all of you" she smiled softly
"Usagi" Minako called before the blond entered her room "are you sure you're okay?" Usagi nodded whispering a goodnight and closing the door behind her.
Rei waited a moment before turning to Minako eyes blazing "Why did you do that? We had a plan!"
"I just couldn't take it anymore! She had a right to know"
"Let just hope she'll be alright" Makoto whispered
Ami nodded "I just hope this works"
The girls gathered their things and exited the apartment.
She laid there staring at his photo tears running down her face, repeating over and over again that things happen for a reason…everything in life happens for a reason…what was the reason for this? To break her heart?...stupid Usagi…he loved you…he even told you he wanted you in his life…he was willing to make things work and you just pushed him away… "No matter where you are…I'll find you" he said it so easily with so much determination…god what have I done…if only I could go back, do it all over again…I would…I would do it all over again but this time...I would have told you…told you that I wanted you needed you with me…here…as my husband
She held his photo close to her chest as she silently cried herself to sleep.
-It was a warm and sunny day as Usagi and Rei walked though the market place a basket of red roses laying in Usagi's arm "So who is Akina with today, The girls?"
Rei shook her head "a friend" she answered simply, continuing her conversation before Usagi could ask any questions "now, I wanted to talk to you about something"
"Shoot" Usagi said as the two girls interlocked each other's arms with one another
"It's about my brother"
"Oh" with a breath Usagi looked around the market stopping to buy some fresh bread "what about him?"
"Well…it turns out the girl he's engaged too lives here, in New York" Usagi turned facing her friend her eyes wide "Are you alright?"
Shaking her head she smiled "yea, sorry that just took me by surprise is all" again she took a breath "go on"
"Well, since she's stuck in Italy Mamoru asked if I could meet this coordinator at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden"
Usagi smiled "Mamoru loves gardens"
Rei nodded "but here's my problem, I wanted you to come with me"
Usagi shook her head a worried look on her face "oh Rei I don't think that's a good idea"
"Oh please Usagi, I can't go there alone, this is my first time in this country and I feel like the guy will take advantage of me! Plus I don't want to get lost" she grabbed her blond friends arm eyes pleading "please Usagi please"
With a groan Usagi nodded "alright, when's the appointment"
Rei looked to her watch "in 20 minutes" before Usagi could argue Rei pulled her down the street.
Walking into the beautiful garden Usagi smiled at the sweet smell that danced around her noise "god I love it here" she whispered "it's a good thing I brought my camera" she said with a smile turning to her raven haired friend who was…gone? "Rei?" Usagi called "where did she go?" walking into the garden Usagi stopped looking around a large bush "Rei?"
"She isn't behind there"
Usagi turned around quickly her breath catching in her throat as she stared at the man before her. He was gorgeous, more than she remembered…he still had his unruly raven hair that fell over his piercing blue eyes…those eyes that hunted her dreams, filled with wisdom and…and love?
She continued to stare at him his face was as perfect as it was when she last saw him…but now it was older, more defined. If possible he had even gotten taller…
"It's been a long time Usako" his voice washed over her, making her shiver, he chuckled "I've missed you"
Usagi felt her heart stop, as her eyes watered "M-Mamoru?" she reached out her hand shakily before pulling it back "sorry" she whispered pushing a piece of her silver blond hair behind her ear
"don't be" he whispered taking a step closer to her, reaching out and lifting her chin so her watery eyes were staring up at him "why are you crying?" he asked in such a gentle and loving voice
Usagi shook her head, looking down as she sniffed the tears running down her cheeks "What are you doing here?" she whispered her eyes still on the ground, hands trying to whip away the tears that still fell
"why do you think I'm here?" he asked his eyes on her taking in everything about her, from her silver blond hair that lay down her back, to her matured figure…he couldn't help the sharp intake of breath, Rei was right…she had grown to be even more beautiful than when he last laid eyes on her.
"Rei told me…told me of your wedding" he could tell the words were forced out of her mouth, her eyes shut as she said them
Mamoru stayed quiet
"H-How is Italy?" she asked not wanting to talk of his promise to another "I heard you're the new chief of staff"
"I am Chef of staff" he answered "but I'm not in Italy"
Usagi's eyes opened meeting his soft gently orbs "but Rei said"
"Rei lied" Mamoru smiled shaking his head "I've never been to Italy" she stared at him mouth agape "I worked so hard to graduate three years early, to become the youngest chief of staff in medical history...to be in charge of New York City's top hospital"
Usagi continued to stare at Mamoru in complete and utter shock "You've been here this whole time?"
Mamoru smiled "yes"
"b-but why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you…What?" she couldn't believe what she was hearing, the man of her dreams, this man who she has loved her entire life had been living in the same city as her…and she never knew it? And to top it off her friends, those diabolical witches had been lying to her this whole time!
"I wanted to give you space...Time to become the person you are" he answered simply "was it not you who said you needed to figure out who you were, that you needed to do it alone?"
Usagi nodded "yes, but Mamoru I was 17"
Mamoru agreed "true, but...it's what you wanted" he answered "and from what I've been told I would say you had a wonderful time finding out who you were and where you were meant to be" he reached his hand up touching her cheek softly, her eyes closing as she leaned into his hand "Look at you Usako…you have grown into such an amazing woman, so confident and full of life" he kissed her forehead "you've finally found the person I always saw, always knew you would become"
"And what would that be?" she whispered her eyes opening slowly
"The woman I love, the girl that I've loved since I first saw you, the best friend I could always count on, the family I cannot live without" he whispered his face slowly inching toward hers
"You're getting married" she replied her voice soft as his lips stayed inches away from hers
"Another lie" he whispered claiming her lips, this was what was missing between the two…their body's pressed against one another, arms wrapped around each other
Pulling away Usagi whispered "so you're not getting married?" Mamoru shook his head licking his lips "I've miss you" Usagi whispered her forehead leaning against his as tears fell from her eyes "I've thought of you every day since I left Mamo-chan, I was stupid to leave you I was stupid to let you-"silencing her with a kiss Mamoru couldn't help but smiled
"No need for that" he whispered "just promise me, we're together forever"
Usagi nodded rapidly pulling him to her as she hugged him tightly "always" she cried "always and forever"
"I love you Usako"
"I love you Mamo-chan"
Standing behind a bushel of roses Makoto, Ami, Rei, Minako and Akina stood smiling tears running down their cheeks as they watched their best friend finally get her happily ever after.
And it definitely was a happily ever after.
*Fin*
I want to take every single one of you for the support and the wonderful reviews! its been a little over a year since I started this story and I'm very happy to say that it is now over. I hope the ending was to your liking and that I did not disappoint any of you. thank you all again! once more a LARGE and BIG Thank you to two special ladies, Sailormoonforever and chimichurri for their time and all of their help as I made my way though this story. Thank you ladies you are amazing.