4.7.13 I'm back people. Hopefully, back to finish this story. I apologize, but life got in the way and then I just lost interest. I want to say I feel this continues to fit with the characters I've developed so far, but no clue. Haven't even contacted my lovely beta that helped so hard before. If you're out there still let me know! Enjoy and make sure to let me know if you think the characters are still the same or if they've changed! Thanks! ~BC
P.S. - I also did an overhaul on all previous chapters. Nothing huge, just a few changes for spelling, grammar, continuity, and to fix the number of times I meant to put Makoto and had Lita in there. I prefer the Japanese style names.
Chapter 20 One Year
"Hiding inside during your own party?"
Usagi startled at Mamoru's voice so close behind her. Aiming a smile behind her, she continued to watch the people out the window. "Just taking a moment to catch my breath. That's a lot of people out there."
"You don't say," Mamoru commented with a smile. "Is that because they're all here for you?" He gently pulled on Usagi's hair to tip her head back. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he hugged her to him.
"Maybe... I just didn't expect my parents to throw me this party. Or this many people to show up."
"Baby, that's crazy." Amusement colored Mamoru's voice. "People love you. Of course they want to come celebrate with you."
"You always have to be so logical," she teased as she turned to face him. "Guess I'm going to have to keep you around so you can remind me of these things."
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried, Usako." Bending down, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "Now, let's get the first of honor back to her party, hmmm?"'
"Look what I found hiding inside," Mamoru joked to Kenji and Ikuko as he led Usagi up to them.
"There you are, sweetheart!" Ikuko said. "It's about time to cut your cake. Are you going to say something before we do? Or should Daddy take care of it?"
"Would you mind terribly, Daddy?"
"No problem, Princess," he assured her as he headed towards the picnic table laden with food. "Can I have your attention, please?" he called. Once everyone was paying attention, he continued. "Ikuko and I would like to thank everyone for joining us today. We are so proud of our little girl. I almost can't believe that she is no longer that little five year old asking for bedtime stories and instead has become a lovely seventeen year old high school graduate moving on to college next fall on a full scholarship." The crowd twittered as Usagi redeemed and rolled her eyes. "So if we could get the graduate and birthday girl up here, let's gathered round and sing happy birthday so we can get to the cake!"
Minako cheered and appeared at Usagi's side to drag her towards the purple themed cake Ikuko had made. She smiled and blushed as the whole crowd pressed close and began to sing while her mother lit the candles. She smiled even more widely as they finished and after a very brief pause blew out the candles.
Usagi took her cake and joined the four other girls from her gymnastics team at a table to catch up with them. Having the seat by Pallas, she chatted with girls about summer training. They were just inviting her to visit them this summer when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She found Ami behind her. She excused herself and followed Ami to join the group from their Christmas ski trip.
"Guys, you didn't have to come!" she again told Jadeite, Zoisite, Nephrite, and Kunzite. "You were supposed to be on the beach trip already."
"Oh, we're not here for you," Jadeite assured her. "Just for your mom's fantastic cake."
There was a brief pause as they all started at him before Kunzite reached out and smacked the back of his head. "Ignore him," Zoisite said. "I'm not sure we've told you just how many times his mother dropped him on his head as a baby."
Usagi laughed, thrilled the group had put off leaving for the trip to come to her party and that they could all leave together the next day. "Good thing he's cute then, huh?" She winked at Jadeite.
"Hey, now!" Mamoru started.
"Just kidding, Mamo," she promised, grabbing Mamoru's hand. "Not the right cute for me." She leaned into Mamoru's side and let her friends' talk surround her.
"Are you having fun, Buns?" Mamoru murmured quietly to her. At her small nod and smile, he let her be and joined the rest of the group in continuing to tease Jadeite.
"Sorry to interrupt, everyone, but I need to steal away Usagi," Ikuko said. "Most of the family is getting ready to head out and so are the girls from Tomoe. You can have her back after goodbyes. And actually boys, if you don't mind, Kenji could use some help taking tables down and moving them into the garage."
"Sure, Ikuko," Mamoru agreed, getting up and leading the guys towards Kenji.
"Sorry, sweetheart, but I figured you would hate to see your guests go without thanking them and saying goodbye." Ikuko lead Usagi towards where most party guests had gathered near the gate. She stood back and watched her daughter move fluidly through the group, exchanging words with each person that left a smile on their face. People trickled out the gate until all that was left was the mother-daughter pair. Ikuko started to speak only to stop as Mamoru's friends join them.
"We're headed out, Usagi," Nephrite said. "We will see you and the rest tomorrow morning." He gave her a quick hug and led the others out, each stopping to also give her a quick squeeze.
Ikuko opened her mouth to begin again when Jadeite popped his head back in. "Thanks for the cake, Mrs. Tsukino. You can feel free to send any left over cake along with Usagi tomorrow. I'll be happy to help get rid of it!"
Laughing, she shooed him on with promises of some extra cake packed in the cooler the next day. Turning back to Usagi, she finally got the chance to speak. "Sweetheart, Daddy and I would like to give you your gift now. We really appreciate you waiting till we celebrated your birthday to get your gift instead of at graduation. Go on in to the living room and let me grab Daddy. We will be right there."
Ikuko motioned to Kenji and they headed inside to find Usagi patiently waiting on the sofa. Kenji took his recliner as Ikuko sat next to Usagi. "Kiddo, we just want you to first know how proud of you we are. You have simply flourished at Tomoe. The principal, teachers, and coaches just sing your praises. And your grades haven't faltered in the least," Kenji pointed out. "We couldn't have asked for a better daughter. Plus, you've kept your head over that boyfriend of yours."
Usagi's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Kenji!" Ikuko scolded.
"You know we love Mamoru, honey," Kenji said. "But the point is we really are proud of you. And we wanted to reward you for all that hard work.
Ikuko took over. "We've already spoke with the university coach to set things up. After you get back from your beach weekend with your friends, we are taking a trip. Daddy isn't going to be able to take off work so he's going to stay here with Shinto so he can attend his soccer camp. It'll be Aunt Miyako, 3 friends of your choosing, you, and me. You and Minako can take Mamoru and Motoki. It's up to you, darling."
Floored, Usagi gaped at her parents. "Seriously?!"
"Yes, seriously, kiddo," Kenji agreed. "You have earned this. Your mom's been planning her schedule around this for months so she's completely free for the two weeks you'll be gone. And I suppose I trust that boy to go all things considered if that's what you want."
"Oh, Momma! Daddy! This is amazing! Where are we going?"
"London, honey."
"No way!" Jumping up, Usagi grabbed her mom in a tight hug; then her father. Squealing, she took off for the backyard at full speed. "Mi-chan! London? Did you know about this?"
"Mom just told me earlier," Minako told her as she joined Usagi in a crazy happy dance. "I have so many places to show you! You are going to love it! And, Paris too!" she added, pulling her best friend into a hug.
"Paris too?" Usagi exclaimed.
She turned at the sound of laughter behind her. "You didn't quite let me finish, darling. London will be the first week and a half with a couple days in Paris on the way home."
She turned back to Minako with renewed squeals. "This. Is. Amazing! When do we leave?"
"On your actual birthday, dear," Ikuko answered.
"You'll be gone at the same time as us," Makoto said. "Ami's mom has a conference in Germany."
"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't invite you, but I mentioned all of us going to Mother and a few days later she said just one person and did I know if you both training camps you couldn't miss," Ami explained. "I thought you might have so, I invited Makoto."
"That would be my doing, Ami," Ikuko interjected. "She called to discuss it with me and I let her know that Usagi and Minako would already be gone on Usagi's graduation and birthday trip. I'm afraid we may have fudged the truth a bit. We just didn't want you to invite them and then having to ruin the surprise by explaining why they really couldn't go."
"Momma! You lied?" Usagi exclaimed with a teasing glint to her eyes.
"Hush, you," she instructed her daughter also smiling. "Are you all going to stay for a while longer and visit?" At the group's nods, she continued. "Just put the chairs in the garage when you're done. And, if you stay long enough and it cools off more, why don't you had inside? Kenji and I are going to meet Minako's parents for a movie. Just behave, please."
"Buns," Mamoru murmured. "Wake up." She had fallen asleep on his shoulder watching a movie after everyone else had headed out. She stirred slightly and smuggled closer, but never woke. "Buns," he repeated a little more insistently. Her stroked her check as her eyelids fluttered and waited on her to wake up more.
"Mamo-chan? What time is it?"
"Just after midnight. You should get to bed and I should get home since we have to get up early tomorrow. Plus, I have your gift if you want it before I go."
Usagi suddenly became much more alert. "My gift?" She questioned raising onto her knees beside him. "Where is it?"
Mamoru chuckled as he got up and retrieved his jacket from the coat closet. Pulling a small, square box from the pocket, he handed it to Usagi. He stilled her hands in his own as she took the gold wrapped package from him. "I hope you like it," he told her, nervous creeping into his voice that caused her brow to wrinkle. She took care in unwrapping the shiny paper covered in stars and moons. Something in his voice told her this was important. Usagi easily recognized a jewelry box when she saw it. The box opened silently and Usagi gently touched the star shaped locket and its pink stone in the center of engraved rosebuds.
"Oh, Mamoru," she sighed. "It's beautiful."
A smile lit his face, but the nervousness still clung to him. "Look inside."
He helped her suddenly fumbling fingers to open the clasp as she followed his instructions. She smiled at the picture on the right side of the locket that was taken a few months back before her gaze wandered to more engraving on the left side. Tears glazed her eyes as she finally looked up at Mamoru. "It's true, Buns. I love you."
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled back to whisper "I love you, too," before kissing him over and over again.
They finally separated to the sound of the kitchen door opening. Mamoru picked up the jewelry box that had fallen into his lap and handed it back to Usagi and got up from the sofa. He bent down to press one last kiss to Usagi's lips and called a soft goodbye to Kenji and Ikuko before he headed out.
"Sweetheart?" Ikuko asked as she came to join Usagi. "Mamoru just left?"
"Yeah. We fell asleep watching a movie after everyone else left. He woke me, gave me my gift, and headed home."
"What did he get you?" Ikuko wondered, smiling at her daughter's happily glazed smile.
"A locket." She showed her mother and gave her a hug before floating upstairs.
Thoughts?