The Chibas' First Christmas "God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing ye dismay, Remember Christ, our Savior was born to us this day, to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray, O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy." - traditional English Christmas carol. December 24, 1997 Darien watched his wife sleep, blissfully secure in his arms. He had heard Luna complain more than once about Serena's restlessness in her sleep before their wedding, but after - she didn't have any problems now. In her sleep, she looked angelic, blonde hair spread on the pillow beneath her head, her smooth face still and serene. She slowly opened her sapphire eyes and gazed softly into his. "Good morning, Darien," she murmured, voice still thick with sleep. She rested for a few minutes, enjoying the warmth of his embrace, then rolled away to sit up and stretch before she went to start in on her morning bathroom routine. At the bathroom door she paused in an unconscious contrapposto stance, "Oh - Merry Christmas, Muffin." She blew him a kiss and stepped inside the bathroom. Darien stared at the bathroom door for a long minute and said, "Merry Christmas to you too, Usako." In the bathroom, Serena pulled out a packing box. Its contents were a family heirloom, handed down from her grandmother to her mother and now to her. Most of its contents had been out since the beginning of Advent, a beautiful porcelain Nativity set. She pulled from the box a small, plain wooden box filled with paper. She ever-so-gingerly unwrapped the paper, to reveal the tiny, exquisite figurine of the newborn Jesus, the product of some artist's delicate hand so many years ago. Her hands cupped protectively around the figurine, she gazed at it for a long moment, then just as carefully re-wrapped it and placed it back in the wooden box, putting the box on the counter. She then went about her routine and stepped out of the shower fifteen minutes after she got in. Picking up the box, she got up out of the bathroom and indicated that it was Darien's turn. As soon as Darien went into the bathroom, Serena pulled out the figurine's wrapping and walked into the living room. She gingerly placed the Baby Jesus into the manger, completing the scene. She looked upon the beautiful scene for a time before turning to start breakfast. Soon the aroma of coffee filled the room as it began to brew. After breakfast, Serena and Darien dressed, she in a pair of blue jeans, a turtleneck and an adorable sweater that was meant as much to emphasize her femininity as it was to keep her warm, and he in a pair of slacks and a black mock-turtle. Her hair was still down, cascading over her shoulders and down her back to her ankles in a silken wave, curling at the ends. "Oh no you don't, Darien! I am not letting you haul that hideous green thing out of storage!" As she complained, she began to put her incredibly long hair up into its customary 'meatballs.' "Well then, I guess I need to go and do some shopping today for a new jacket. Wanna come?" he asked. "You bet, pal!" When the two arrived at the mall, the skies overhead were slate-gray, the clouds hanging low and pregnant with their load of snow. Serena enthused, "Ooh, I hope it snows today, on Christmas! That would be so COOL!" Serena stopped in a toy store to buy a new video-game for Sammy, a cool one in the arcade called Virtual On Oratorio Tangram. She had no idea what giant mecha fighting one another had to do with an oratorio, a term for a piece of choral music accompanied by an orchestra, but it was really cool, even better than the Sailor V Fighter game (even Mina agreed on that score). She also checked on the quality of the newest batch of Sailor Moon dolls. *Great, they never get Alex right, and why do they NEVER do one of Darien?* The doll of Sailor Uranus was a bit better than the usual, but still way off. She picked up a Sailor V doll for Mina, grinning at the irony. Usually Mina was the one to give Sailor V merchandise to others for presents. In the men's clothing store, Serena watched, amused, as Darien was fitted for a new suit. "Hey, watch the inseam!" Serena giggled on hearing Darien's indignant words. "Glad I don't have to go through that," thought Serena aloud. "So am I, Serena." Serena whirled to see a familiar green-blue head of hair, and she moved to hug her friends, first Michelle, then Alex. "Hey, guys, what're you doing here?" Alex replied, "I'm getting fitted for a new tux. Michelle's just along for the ride. What're you doing here?" "Darien's getting fitted for a new suit." "That'll take him awhile. Why don't you, Michelle and I go down and grab some lunch." "How 'bout if I come along, 'Lex?" "Please don't call me that, Darien. You're invited too, if you're finished." "I am for now. Let's go grab some pizza." As the couple exited the mall, Serena was carrying presents for many people. . . plus a ridiculously oversized plush bear for herself, and Darien was wearing a cozy, dark-blue winter jacket. As they put their purchases in the trunk, Serena felt something alight on her right eyelash. She looked up, eyes widened in wonder. "Darien," she whispered, "look up." He did so, and as he held her, watching the snow fall, he felt an amazing peace settle over him. The two watched the Christmas snowfall begin to blanket Tokyo in white. He became aware of his wife singing, Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin Mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, Darien joined her, taking up counterpoint, Sleep in Heavenly peace, Sleep in Heavenly peace. As Tokyo hurried on about them, Serena and Darien Chiba settled into one another for a long, peaceful moment, snowflakes dancing in the slate-gray skies. "Silent night, Holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from Heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing 'Alleluia' Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Silent Night, Holy Night Son of God loves pure light, Radient beams from Thy Holy face, Bring the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth." ----- Merry Christmas, everybody! "And God bless us, every one!" - Tiny Tim, *A Christmas Carol*.