Rated PG-13 And now for something completely different... The last couple of stories I've done have been full of folks crying, wailing, pounding their fists against the ground and gnashing their teeth in anguish. While strum and drang has its place, every now and then I like to indulge my lighter side. Some folks would call that side of me, "twisted, sick and strange", but hey, you can't please everyone. So here's my take on the long awaited, and much anticipated wedding of Usagi and Mamoru. Enjoy! Please take a moment and drop me a line at MearaRI@aol.com. Granted, like most writers I tell my stories primarily because I love doing it, but it's ever so nice to know that others are actually reading my work! Standard Disclaimer: I have no illusions of ever owning the rights to Sailor Moon. They are the rightful property of a number of large Corporations who pay Lawyers staggering amounts of money to jealously guard their copyrights. I'd like to think that I'm brighter than I look and would, therefore, never do anything to bring their litigious wrath upon my utterly impoverished self. "A Royal Wedding Story" A "Sailor Moon" fiction in at least two parts ... By Meara Chapter One - "Something Old, Something New..." Usagi had been so very certain that she'd be safe here. Surely, no one would ask it at a dinner for almost one hundred members of Earth's many religions. That's why she'd almost begged Mamoru to accept the request when it came, even though she was so very tired. It was for a good cause she said to him. The building of ecumenical bridges was something the people of Earth had been trying to do for almost two thousand years - they had to host the dinner! In truth, it was the chance to have a meal without the question being asked that was like manna from heaven for her. It mattered little that the afore mentioned dinner was being prepared by some fellow who was filling in for the Palace's chief chef (for the first and last time if Makoto had anything to say about it!). She didn't care that it featured rubber chicken that had been freshly cooked sometime during the Reagan administration. Usagi would have eaten live eels if it meant an evening without the question. Yet here it was, popping up again when she least expected or desired it. It made no difference to her that the man asking her that damned question was the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope John 24th could have politely requested that she please set her hair on fire and it would have been just about as welcome. No, all it did in the end was affirm for her the fact that no good deed ever went unpunished. "So my child, just when are you and the King going to be married?" Usagi swallowed the piece of styrofoam that was masquerading as chocolate cake with effort. She fixed that brain dead smile everyone had come to expect of her on her face and turned toward the Pope. Usagi was preparing to give the same, facile reply she'd been repeating for months when something very strange happened. Before she could get the first word out of her mouth, the whole world seemed to slowly rotate to the right. Moving her head didn't help as the room and everyone in it continued to slide away from her. Before she could stop herself Usagi slid off the chair, under the table and onto the floor. Mamoru had been reluctant to agree to the dinner reception, but Usagi had insisted. They were both tired from the good will tour of Europe that had taken up the last two weeks. He was somewhat worried about Usagi as she seemed utterly exhausted by the whole trip. Even now that they were home her appetite wasn't its usual ravenous self. She was also having trouble getting rid of a persistent flu bug that had her in the bathroom every morning and afternoon. Despite his initial reluctance, Mamoru had to admit that he was thoroughly enjoying himself tonight. The Chief Rabbi of Orthodox Judaism, who sat to his left, was also an expert on horticulture. The two of them had been vigorously discussing the care and propagation of rare roses. Mamoru had gotten several excellent tips when the Rabbi suddenly stopped speaking and stared, aghast, over the King's shoulder. The King of Earth and the Moon turned just in time to see his delicate Queen turn a vivid shade of green. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she slipped out of her chair and onto the floor so fast that it looked like someone had greased the seat. The entire room went very quiet as no one knew exactly what to do. Having the Queen pass out and slip under the table isn't something normally covered in books on etiquette. Mamoru seldom worried about that sort of thing. With careless ease he flung aside the fine, linen tablecloth and dove after Usagi. Ignoring the sound of dinnerware shattering, he found her semi-conscious and mumbling. The other Senshi present, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury, rushed to the head table as Mamoru hauled Usagi out. The Queens eyes were rolling about in a rather disconcerting fashion and she kept telling her mother that she needed just five more minutes sleep. With heroic flair, Mamoru picked her up in his arms and carried her from the dining room at a dead run. The dramatic effort was somewhat dampened, however, as Usagi was still clutching the corner of the tablecloth. As they went, so did the fine silver and antique china place settings. All in all, it was evening that none present would ever forget. Ami had let her transformation go and as Dr. Mizuno, physician to the Royals of Crystal Tokyo, pushed Mamoru firmly out the nearby rooms they had taken over. "I need to do a thorough examination and I can't if you're still here hovering over Usagi." She'd said bluntly. Makoto had seen the look in Ami's eyes and reached for Mamoru. "You have to go out there and explain that the evening is over." That would keep him busy for a while. "What am I supposed to tell them?" Mamoru kept looking back at the closed door. More than anything he wanted to be in there with Usagi and Ami. Mina supplied the simple but effective answer. "The truth, that's what. Tell them that the Queen is exhausted by the European trip. Add that she probably shouldn't have come tonight, but feels so strongly about religious harmony that you couldn't keep her away." Mamoru nodded blindly for a moment before pulling himself together. Straightening his shoulder, The King of Earth moved to take charge of the situation. Rei, who'd come to the dinner in her capacity as a Shinto Priestess, was going in the door as the King came out. Mamoru took Rei's arm and whispered in her ear. "The press is going to want to get in there so badly that they'll do just about anything. I'll speak to the Sargent at Arms on duty tonight - I think it's that hot headed Ryo- about tightening up security. Those newshounds are a persistent lot though, so would you please speak to the other Senshi and see if you can't keep the media at bay?" Rei shut the door behind her and told the other Senshi just that. Makoto was one step ahead of them. "Look, I'll go outside and stand guard in front of the windows in case anyone want to try to get a story that way. That photographer from "Persona" magazine actually tried to climb in one last week!" "And I'll go out in the hall and keep watch." Added Mina. "Rei can you stay here?" Rei nodded. "Of course, but I won't transform unless necessary. No one will look twice if just plain Hino Rei is here where Sailor Mars might attract attention." That done Rei was preparing to pull up a chair and wait. The walls of the great crystal palace seemed surprising thin tonight. As things quieted down, Rei found that she could plainly hear Usagi and Ami talking. She was about to tell them that they might like to speak more softly when what she heard stopped her in her tracks. "Fainting is very normal for some women in the first trimester. Everything is just fine, Usagi, really. But you have to slow down some now." The sound of Usagi crying filtered through the door, which she now just noticed was slightly ajar. "Oh thank God! I was so afraid that I was going to loose my baby!" Ami spoke again. "You've got to tell Mamoru you're pregnant. He's going to figure it out in about three months anyway." "No!" came the surprising reply. "I don't want him to know. You promised me Ami. You promised you wouldn't tell him." he soft sigh that came from Ami clearly showed that they'd talked about this before. "I don't understand, Usagi-chan. You love Mamoru, he loves you. This little one coming might very well be Chibi-Usa. Granted, not all of my memories of the last few years are very clear or even accurate, but I do know that Chibi-Usa was loved and wanted by both her parents. If you tell Mamoru now, you two can be married before you start to show". Rei snapped her mouth shut as she realized that her jaw was hanging open. Usagi was pregnant?! When and how did this happen? She immediately corrected to herself mentally. She understood the "how" part all too well. Usagi was crying again. "Don't you see, Ami? When I tell Mamoru about the baby, he'll feel he has no choice but to marry me." Her voice dropped so low that Rei had to creep closer to the door to hear Usagi's words. "We'd all ready be married if he really did want to." Ami was telling Usagi that she'd help her get to her private suites so she could get some sleep and so on. But the rest of the conversation was lost to appropriately red haze of anger that began to cloud Rei's mind. No one was going to treat her best friend like that and live to tell the tale! She and Usagi may argue but when push came to shove, she'd always been there when Rei needed her. This situation was going to require the special touch that only Hino Rei, Priestess of the Hikawa Temple could give. Walking as quietly as possible, Rei left the room and gently shut the door behind her. Through the window she could see Makoto busily gesticulating as she gave instructions to the Captain of the Palace Guard. Rei tried her best to give her a deceptively cheerful wave as she went by. "Yep" thought Rei to herself as she forced a happy smile to go with the wave, "That's right, carry on guys! Everything is perfectly normal. Nothing to worry about. I'm just off the castrate the King with a dull pair of pinking shears." Mamoru had just managed to get his message across to amassed clergy. When he had announced that the Queen was simply over tired and had fainted, the assembled throng had felt it necessary to start offering up prayers for her speedy recovery. It had begun innocently enough with a Lutheran Minister giving an impromptu and short blessing. The Episcopal priest to his right then felt it was her duty to also say a prayer. One that was just a tad longer than his. It went downhill after that. The Rabbi was not about to be outdone by anyone else so his prayer was even longer. From the Bhuddist Monk, to the Presbyterian Minister, the Revered Muslim Sunni and then the Shiite Clerics, the Baptist Minister, and the Orthodox Russian Bishop, all offered up heartfelt pleas to the Almighty to save the Queen from the dangers of over exertion. But it wasn't until the Jesuit Father started to lecture on the meaning of true health, both body and soul, that Mamoru finally put a stop to it. Having studied in America he remembered only too well just how long and in what minute detail a Jesuit in full teaching mode was capable of going on. One of the nice things about being King was being able to tell everyone else in the room to go home, in the politest possible terms of course. With excruciating courtesy, Mamoru let them all know that it was more than time to hit the road. He was feeling rather pleased with himself as he entered the halls that led to the Royals private apartments. He'd just passed Mina who'd told him that Ami had taken Usagi and put her to bed. The King was more grateful than he could express at the news. All that really mattered to him was that his precious Usako was going to be all right. Mamoru saw Rei coming toward him and smiled at her. He was slightly surprised when the red robed priestess reached out and took his arm in a grip of iron that stopped him in his tracks. "We need to talk." Was all Rei said as she practically dragged him into the garden. Ignoring his questions, she pushed him onto a bench and glowered at him with hands on hips. Mamoru was about to demand some answers when Rei put a finger to her lips and hissed at him to be silent. Though confused, Mamoru did just that. It was no use, Rei thought, there was really only one thing to do. A lightning fast hand snaked out and slapped the King of Earth upside his head. "Baka!" she hissed at him, "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" "Oooww!" Mamoru rubbed at the side of head and gave her an indignant look. "What was that for?!" "Why the hell didn't you let me marry you two when we first woke up? Usagi would have done it in a Tokyo minute. But nooo, you wanted to wait!" Rei was leaning over and her face just inches from his. "Now it may too late." This statement clearly annoyed Mamoru. "If you'll remember correctly, I said that Usagi and I should wait for things to calm down. She's always wanted a big wedding and that's exactly what she's going to get. Just as soon as the current political chaos has settled down." Rei was in no mood to mince words. "Here's a little secret you might want to know. Chaos is the natural state for anything to do with politics. You have to marry Usagi and you have to do it now." "What do you mean it may be too late? Why would it be? " Mamoru was getting just as hot under the collar as Rei. She tended to have that affect on people. "Because she's pregnant you moron!" She all but shouted. Several emotions played slowly across the handsome face. Confusion, disbelief , shock and finally a dim comprehension that became bemused joy all took their turn. It was a moment before he could get his throat to work. "Pregnant? Usagi is...pregnant? How did that happen?" From the withering look on Rei's face, Mamoru realized that although he had meant to just think that last sentence, he'd actually said it aloud. Also the notion that it was very definitely one of the larger mistakes of the evening floated across his brain. Mamoru braced himself for the verbal hurricane he knew would erupt post haste. He wasn't disappointed. "You were going to be a Doctor if I remember correctly, so see if you can follow this." Rei leaned over him and used her hands to illustrate her point. "Part "A" goes in slot "B"." She began to pump her hands in a manner that was mildly obscene. "Shake vigorously until done. Then wait nine months and you get a baby!" Mamoru slapped gently at her hands. "Stop it Rei. This isn't funny. Calm down and tell me what's going on." "You're damn right that this isn't funny." Said Rei still agitated, but at least attempting to corral her temper. "Usagi doesn't even know that I know she's pregnant, never mind that you're finding out. And it gets worse, much worse. She thinks you haven't married her because you really don't want to. She's bound and determined not to tell you about the baby because she doesn't want to feel you have to do the 'right thing' and marry her." This said, much of the steam went out of Rei's rage. She plunked herself down on the bench next to Mamoru. The king was stunned by what he was hearing. "If no else knows, how did you find out?" "I have my ways. she replied. Rei did her best to cultivate an air of mystery about her. It would absolutely destroy her reputation as a clairvoyant if Mamoru found out that she'd been eavesdropping by an open door. "You know I don't think even Luna has a clue about the baby and she likes to think she knows everything. That's how big a secret this is. Well, Ami knows too, but she's bound by her oath as a Doctor not reveal it." This was not the direction she wanted the conversation going in. "Why didn't let me marry you months ago? It would have been so much easier." Mamoru sighed heavily. "You know how hard it's been on all of us these past few months. Getting people housed and fed alone was a task of Herculean proportion. Then we had to set up a working Government with a Prime Minister and cabinets posts and actually fill them. There's been no time to even think about planning something as big as a wedding." Rei knew only too well just what a heavy toll their effort had demanded of them. Rei's grandfather had died last month. It was heart breaking that after surviving the plague and great sleep he'd surcome to a resistant strain of pneumonia. In his last moments he'd try to comfort her with the knowledge of her identity as Sailor Mars. He's told her how very proud he was of her - what honor she'd brought to their family. Yuuichirou had been there for her that day and every day afterwards. He'd finally gotten up the courage to tell her how he felt about her. Rei knew that it was only a matter of time before he asked her to marry him. They had all ready discussed naming their first born son after Grandpa. But Rei also knew that it would have to wait until after Usagi and Mamoru were finally wed. "Oh, Mamoru. Usagi doesn't need a huge ceremony, she needs you. All she's ever really wanted was to be the wife of Chiba Mamoru. Not the King, not Tuxedo Kamen or Endymion, just you. If you ask her tonight I'll have you two legally married before dawn." The King of Earth put his head in his hands for a moment before looking back up at her. "I want the day to be perfect, Rei. Not just a quick, two minute ceremony, but something that we'd both remember for the rest of our lives. After all we've been through, we're going to have the cake, the dress, the big church full of people, everything Usagi's hoped for. She's more than earned it and I want it all for her. I just want it to be the day she's dreamed of for almost two thousand years." Rei took a long look at the man she thought she knew. Mamoru had changed through the years. The power of Usagi's love for him and his for her, had transformed the once callow youth. There was a peace about him now that he'd lacked before the great sleep. It was if he'd become comfortable with who he was and what he was destined to be. As if he finally knew that, whatever happened, nothing would nothing could ever change the depth of devotion that he and Usagi shared. Rei considered this and many other things before she spoke once more. "There might be a way to do that and marry Usagi before news of her "condition" gets around." A small bit of her previous fire returned as she waggled her finger Mamoru. "Mind you, if news that you've knock up the Queen ever got out, I couldn't guarantee the safety of the..." she let a small but wicked smile play about her lips. "How shall I put it, 'the royal jewels'. So we'd better get this thought through now." Mamoru actually laughed. "I've learned to listen to good advice no matter where it comes from. So you go right ahead and tell me what you've got in mind.". "It's really very simple" said Rei. "It goes something like this..." <<<<<>>>>> Usagi had slept so deeply that she hadn't even moved since climbing into the large bed. It took the sun light streaming into her eyes to finally pull her semi-awake. Eyes still closed, she reached out to find Mamoru's side of the bed cold and empty. The pleasure she'd felt at not waking by dawn's way too early light to try and hurl up her toes faded. Where could he have gone to? Her mouth tasted like old sweat socks. Maybe Luna had been sleeping on her face again. It sure felt like her tongue was coated with dry cat fur. If nothing else, the need to rinse her mouth clean was going to force her out of the very comfy bed. She opened her eyes and slowly sat up to find.... Roses, the room was simply filled with roses of every shape and color. They had been curled around the arms of chairs, outlined the larger furnishing and sat in delicate crystal vases everywhere she looked. There was a single, white rose on the bed beside her. She picked it up and inhaled its intoxicating fragrance deeply. As she did so, the door to the bedroom opened. She saw Mamoru's figure silhouetted against the bright sunlight in back of him. Moving into the room, she saw that he was dressed as Tuxedo Kamen sans his top hat. Mamoru strode confidently to her bedside. He looked at her with loving eyes and removed the white mask. Taking her hand in his he went to one knee. "When you fainted last night I suddenly realized that I'd been taking your love for granted. The thought of losing you is more than I can bear." He took her hand and placed it over his heart. "This heart beats for you alone, my beloved. I could no more stop loving you than I could stop my heart and live. You are my life, my love, the one and only woman I could ever want." He brought Usagi's hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Marry me Usako. Marry me today!" Tears sprang to Usagi's eyes. "Oh Mamo-chan yes! I would be honored to marry you - but today? I don't even have a proper dress." "That, girlfriend, is not a problem." Mina, Makoto, and Ami burst into the room, their arms full of brightly colored materials. Luna, her ebony tail flagged high over her back, strolled in after them. Mako was also juggling a small tray that she popped onto the bed as Luna jumped up beside her. "Rei is very sorry that she can't be here, but she's busy setting up the wedding altar." Remarked Mako. "Oh, we gave most of the household staff the day off, to insure some privacy. "But first, a little breakfast for the Bride. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd have to encourage you to eat!" Luna laughed. Ami gave Usagi a knowing look. "You finish everything on that tray Usagi-chan. While you're doing that I'm going to draw you a bath." It was Mina's turn. "But first..." she took Mamoru by the shoulders and literally pushed him out of the room. "You'll find Yuuichirou, Artemis and Motoki waiting for you in the library so get lost! Our job is to get Usagi ready. Your job is to go and hang out with friends while you worry about everything coming off correctly." This prompted the assembled women to laugh at the Groom's discomfort. "That wasn't nice, Mina!" giggled Ami. Mina shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe not, but it'll do him good to sweat it out for a couple of hours. Nothing makes you appreciate a nice wedding like having all the worst possibilities take over your brain just before it supposed to happen." Usagi nibbled at the bread and fruit that Makoto had brought her (Ami must have had a word with her, Usagi thought. Mako's normal idea of a light breakfast usually involved four courses) while Ami finished getting the bridal bath together. Rei came in about halfway through the bath and did a ritual purification of Usagi. The solemn occasion was lightened by the wink Rei gave Usagi as the she finished the necessary prayers and clapped her hands together twice. Luna had done one of those impossible flips when Usagi's hair was ready to be fixed. A dozen gem encrusted hairpins in the shape of crescent moons appeared beside the Lunar cat. As the Bride and her Maids of Honor had 'ohhed" and "aahhed" over them Luna jumped onto the vanity table. "Your mother, Queen Serenity, entrusted these to me in the last days of the Moon Kingdom. They were to be a special present for you on your wedding day. I've kept them safe all this time, Usagi, just waiting for you to finally be married." There were tears in the midnight cat's eyes. "I so wish you Mother could have lived to see this day. She'd be so proud of you, as am I" Luna felt she had to supervise Mina's ministrations on Usagi's hair while the others got themselves dressed. Each of the girls had chosen a fine silk kimono in her Senshi colors. The bride was beside herself at the sight of her friends. They looked for all the world like brightly colored butterflies as they showed their finery off. It wasn't until Rei produced the kimono that Usagi was to wear that a hush fell over them. "Oh Rei.." whispered the bride, "..it's so beautiful! Where did you ever find it?" Tears threatened to fall down her flawless face. "Don't you dare cry Usagi-chan! It'll ruin your makeup!" said Mina. Rei blushed at the compliment. "It was my grandmother's." She replied quietly. "I think Grandpa would approve of having the Queen wear it on her wedding day." She helped Usagi into the robe. It was an obviously antique silk kimono that flowed like liquid silver about the bride. Delicate flowers of red, green, blue and orange were embroidered on it. Impossibly fine golden hummingbirds darted about the robe here and there. At the sleeves and hem tiny pearls had been added in patterns that were reminiscent of ocean waves. Sandals of pale cherry wood were slipped onto her petite feet to complete the outfit. Usagi looked at herself in the mirror and touched her own face. Her hair was not in its customary odongos, but fell unbound in a glorious golden wave. Mina had taken great care in attaching the gemstone encrusted pins that flashed and caught the light as she moved her head. They were arranged to look like a crown made of crescent moons. She looked so graceful and elegant that she couldn't believe that it was truly her own reflection. As Usagi took a small step forward, she nearly tripped over the kimono's long train and managed to step on Luna's tail. Mako jumped forward to steady Usagi as the young women all burst into delighted laughter. "Don't ever change Usagi-chan" Mako said. "Or the shock may kill us all." It was a little over half an hour later when Luna let Mamoru know that Usagi was ready for him. His male friends had ribbed him with the expected jokes about the old ball and chain for only a few minutes as they helped him dress in an understated but elegant black kimono. They knew that Mamoru was truly happy to be marrying his Princess. Motoki had said that he knew that there was something special about them from the very first. "I could tell you loved her even when you were teasing Usagi and calling her 'Odango Atama'. But to be honest, I never figured that she really was a Princess." A warm smile lit the face of Mamoru's oldest friend and he put a hand on the King's shoulder as Yuuichirou was making last minute adjustments on Mamoru's robe. "From the bottom of my heart let me say this: If you know of any other Princess's looking for a husband, point me in their direction." "Speak for yourself, man" laughed Yuuichirou as he tugged the kimono's sash into place, "I found my Princess and I wouldn't try my beautiful fire-eater Rei for the world." Mamoru playfully slapped Motoki's hand away with a chuckle. "Well, if you're really nice to me I may know a couple of unattached Princess's. So tell me Bud, which do you prefer? Blue, brown,.."he shot a wink at Atremis, "..or blond hair?" Motoki's reply dropped to a whisper as Rei entered the small garden they had selected for the ceremony. "You were kidding about other Princess's right?" Mamoru gave him a sly smile as the formally attired Rei made her way to the small altar. She bowed gravely to Mamoru and he returned it. The priestess raised her head and looked off to the right. Luna entered first followed by Ami and then Mina. They processed to the altar and bowed politely to Rei and then Mamoru. As Usagi entered the small garden a hush fell over the group. Mamoru's eyes widen and his jaw slackened as his Princess slowly made her way toward him. Her steps were small and graceful, her face radiant and her train carried by Makoto ("If she falls I'm the only one strong enough to carry her" Mako had insisted.) The only sound Mamoru could hear was the gentle whoosh-whoosh of silk and the frantic beating of his own heart. It was like a dream for him, one that he'd waited the better of two millenium to make a reality. He extended one, strong hand to Usagi. She took it firmly as he drew her to him. As one they turned to face Rei. The raven tressed Priestess asked the blessing of the Divine upon the marriage wine and cups before her. She purified the Bride and Groom once more and invited them to serve each other. With surprisingly steady hands Mamoru lifted the eggshell thin porcelain container and poured the wine into three, small matching cups. Usagi didn't spill even a drop as she calmly did the same. Gazing into each other's eyes, they lifted the cups, one by one and took a sip from all three. Rei clapped her hands together again, three times. "By the power invested in me I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. I don't think I have to tell you to kiss your Bride, now do I?" The humans cheered loudly as the newly wedded couple exchanged a passionate kiss. Luna leaned into Artemis and sighed. "It's all so romantic. It makes one want to get married, don't you think, Atremis?" The white feline laughed nervously but wisely held his tongue. Getting killed by your girlfriend while a member of the Groom's party was considered very bad form. Luckily for him, the cheers drown out whatever he was about to say to Luna when Makoto announced that she, personally, had prepared a small dinner in honor of the occasion. There was no need to worry about the quality of the cooking. She'd booted that so called "chef" from last night out of the palace so hard that he was most likely somewhere above England right about now. Mamoru swept his Bride up in his arms and they headed inside. Later that evening, after the newlyweds had retired to their bedroom, Mamoru produced a small box for a delighted Usagi. With a small cry of glee she ripped off the bright paper and opened the velvet box to reveal a small, simple but beautiful white gold ring. Mamoru started a bit as Usagi burst into laughter. She turned in the large bed and reached under her pillows to produce a similar small, velvet box. With a twinkle in her eye she presented it to Mamoru. He opened it to reveal a man's wedding band, also of white gold. "As if we needed any further proof that we're meant to be together." Usagi said. As he slipped the ring on his finger Usagi took the hand and put it on her abdomen. "There's one other present, Mamo-chan. It's right here." Mamoru decided to play along. "You're giving me your navel?" he asked in a bemused tone. "No!" Usagi laughed. "Let me put another way. You'll have to wait for this present about nine months. It'll arrive by very special delivery." Mamoru let the joy he'd hidden from her finally loose. "A baby?" he gasped. "You're going to have our baby?" Usagi nodded wordlessly and he pulled her into his tender embrace. "Usako are you sure? When did you find out? Have you seen a doctor yet?" The words seemed to spill out of him in a wonderful rush. "You'll have to slow down now, you know. I don't want you to take any chances!" Tears of joy were on Usagi's face as she pulled away from him. "I'm fine and yes, I've all ready seen Ami. She's says that I'm about eight weeks along and that seems about right to me." Mamoru hugged her again. "I'm sorry that today was wasn't exactly high style. I wanted to give you the wedding you've always dreamed about, you know. I was going to suggest that we offer to publicly renew our wedding vows, but now..." "But nothing, Mamo-chan" replied Usagi. "I think it's a wonderful idea! As long as we do it before I look like I'm hiding a basketball under my dress. This is great! It fits in perfectly with what I've been saying when people ask when we're getting married." Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Which is..?" Usagi sat up straight and put on her "Royal Serenity" face. "The King and I feel that with so many people still trying to put their lives back together it would be insensitive of us to have anything resembling a wedding party." Mamoru laughed but inwardly winced. No one had ever said anything to him. How long had Usako had to bear this all alone? No matter, he decided. He'd make sure that Usagi got the biggest "wedding" this world had seen in some time. How hard could it be? <<>> Her Majesty Neo-Queen Serenity and His Majesty King Endymion announced today they will formally renew their wedding vows to each other next month in an as yet undisclosed location. The ceremony will be available for public viewing should anyone wish to see it. A palace spokesperson said that she hoped that this would put to rest the rumors that Queen and King had yet to "tie the knot". Details will be provided as soon as possible. Next: Chapter Two - "If The Devil's In The Details, Should I Set An Extra Plate At Dinner?"