Any and all author's notes are at the bottom this time. Read on and enjoy! Finding the Arms of Love-chapter three by Sailor Elysia Darien glanced at the large pile of papers sitting on the desk, and sighed loudly. This was not at all what he had expected when he applied for the position. Most of the time, he was up all night, trying to sort out simple little problems that weren't all that important. If he could have his way, he would be at home, relaxing in front of the fireplace with Serena snuggled in his arms. He really missed being at home. He hadn't realized it much before, but Serena was a big part of his life, and not having her by his side made him feel empty inside, like a part of him was missing. He planned to call her again, just as soon as he got another break from his work. One of his colleagues had gone out earlier to pick up the mail, and he had just returned. He walked by Darien's desk and flipped a small envelope in his direction. Darien took the envelope in his hands and stared at it, a small grin appearing on his lips. There was no mistaking the handwriting on the front. Looking at the postmark, he saw that it had been sent two weeks earlier, and commented to himself that the postal service wasn't half as bad here as it was back home. He smiled again, and set it aside to read later that evening. He turned back to the stack of papers in front of him, fully determined to finish them before the night was through. However, he was unable to concentrate. His attention kept wandering back to the envelope laying on the edge of the desk. Darien sighed, threw down his pen, and reached for the letter. In a matter of a few seconds, he had it opened, and the one page letter lay before him. He read through the note once, a second time, and a third before finally realizing what Serena was trying to tell him. Darien ran a hand through his hair, shaken with the fact that this was how she felt. He never meant for anything to go this far. He stood up abruptly, and started throwing his things back into his suitcase, not even stopping to consider his options. He turned to one of the other doctors on his committee. "I need to get the first available flight back to Tokyo. I'm leaving you in charge." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Serena's mood turned even more gloomy, as she stared out the window into the stormy sky. This never-ending downpour of rain wasn't helping to boost her spirits. Neither had that sudden call from her doctor this morning. Of course, it had confirmed all of her concerns, but she had no one to confide in. There was only one person she really wanted to tell, but he was nearly three thousand miles away. Two weeks had gone by since she had written him, and she had heard nothing from Darien. Not a letter, telegram, phone call, absolutely nothing. She was beginning to get worried, even more than she had been in the first place. She sat up on her bed, pulled her knees up, and rested her chin on them. What if. . . he didn't want to come back? What if he found a better job in the States? Would he send for her? The tears squeezed out and rolled down her face as Serena forced herself to think of something else, anything else, to get her out of this depression she had fallen into. She had never felt so alone in her life. A faint knock on the door downstairs brought her out of her thoughts. Who in their right mind would risk going out in this weather? The knock sounded again, this time louder and more persistently. Serena thought her mother would answer it, but then she remembered she had gone out for the day, so she reluctantly got up from her bed, and trudged down the stairs. She unlocked the dead bolt, then slowly pulled the door open, wary of whoever could be standing outside. She peeked out, then, in shock, threw the door wide open as she realized who was standing there. Even as drenched and as tired as he appeared to be, Serena had no trouble recognizing the only man she could ever love. "Darien? Is it really you? What are you doing here? I thought--" "I'm so sorry, Serena," were the first words out of his mouth, his voice close to breaking. "Sorry for what?" She reached out and pulled him inside, and he stood there, looking like a little lost puppy. His hair was black and shiny from the rain, and fat droplets of water ran down his neck into the collar of his shirt. He heaved an enormous sigh and peeled his drenched overcoat off. "For what I've been putting you through. I had no idea that you were feeling this way. Can you ever find in your heart to forgive me?" She took his coat from him, and laid it over the banister. She slowly turned around, hesitating only a moment, and flung herself into his arms, something she had been longing to do for a very long time. His wet arms immediately came up around her tightly, and he kissed the top of her head. "At first I wasn't sure if I could forgive you, after everything we had said to each other. But then I thought, you didn't realize what was really going on, and so where would being unforgiving get me? We wouldn't bother trying to work anything out, and then we'd both be unhappy." She hugged him tighter, and looked up into his face. "What made you come back so early? Not that I'm not happy to have you home, but I thought you had to stay for at least another month." "Your letter," Darien replied, and pulled a folded piece of paper from his coat pocket. It appeared as though it had been read many times over by the worn creases in the paper, nearly ready to fall to pieces. She slowly took it from his hand, and just stared at it. "When you didn't respond, I wasn't sure if you had even received it," she murmured. Darien sighed, and took the letter in his hand again. "I realize now that the conference meant nothing to me, I just didn't have my priorities straight. You have no idea how swamped I was with that stupid thing. "When your letter came, I set it aside until I was finished with some other projects saving it so I could read it later that evening, but I kept going back to it, like something was drawing me to it. "So finally, I sat down and read it. Everything you wrote hit me pretty hard, and I realized just then what you were feeling, and I knew I was the cause of it. I should have never expected for either of us to change, even though we were living our lives together now." "Remember when you called from New York?" she interrupted, still holding on to him tightly. He nodded. "I was scared you didn't love me anymore because when I said 'I love you', you didn't answer." "I guess we got cut off before I heard you. I remember saying I missed you, but I heard nothing after that." He grinned suddenly. "Would it help if I said it now?" She nodded shyly. Darien caressed her face lovingly. "Serena, there aren't enough words to tell you how much I love you. You are my world, you mean everything to me, and I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." Tears came to her eyes again, and she could see a shining in her husband's eyes as well. It wasn't easy for Darien to openly express himself, even to her, so this really meant a lot. Serena hugged him a second time, happy to have him back by her side. She led him over to the couch, staring at him as if he were a dream. She didn't want to let him go, she was so delighted that he was here. He took her face in his hands, and just gazed at her. "I'm sorry for making you hurt so much. I promise you I will never, ever take your love for granted again. You mean too much to me." He tilted her chin up, and leaned down to kiss her. After they broke apart, she snuggled beneath his arm. Wet or not, she wanted to be close to him. "You can't imagine how lonely it was to wake up and not have anyone next to me." Darien started again. "Yes I can," Serena countered. "In fact, I often cried myself to sleep because I didn't have you by my side." She looked into his eyes, and tenderly brushed the wet hair out of his face. "Please, if you ever have to go anywhere again, let me come with you," she pleaded. "It's a promise. I can't imagine leaving you for so long like that again," he replied, and kissed her again, this time, much longer and deeper. She responded to his kiss hungrily, his behavior surprising her. He hadn't acted like this since their engagement and first months of their marriage. It was good to have the Darien she remembered and loved so dearly back. Suddenly Serena remembered the news she had wanted to tell him. "Darien," she whispered happily, "I have a secret, but I need to tell someone, or I'll go nuts," she said, as she snuggled even closer to him. He looked into her eyes, and grinned. "What is this secret you're just dying to tell?" he responded, as he tickled her side. She burst out laughing, and tried to break away. "Darien! Stop it! I'm trying to be serious for once," Serena said, giggling. She sat up on her knees, and started whispering into his ear. As she backed away, he looked at her incredulously. "Are you sure?" She nodded, her smile growing larger. He stood up suddenly, and picked her up off the couch, twirling her around in his arms. She laughed loudly in delight. "Serena, that's wonderful! When did you find out?" he replied, as he set her back down. "I got a call from my doctor today confirming it, but I've known since that night before you left, the night we had the fight. I was planning to tell you then." Darien reached for her again, and held her out at arms length, just staring at her. Then he pulled her close, stroking her hair gently. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. If I had known, I--" She put a finger to his lips. "Darien, I was so afraid that you wouldn't come back, and I didn't know what I would've done without you. But you're here now, and that's all that matters." He smiled lovingly down at her. "I wish I could forgive myself as easily as you have. That's just one of the things I love about you." Serena kissed him tenderly, and ran her fingers through his hair. "I can't even count how many things I admire about you, I find something new every day." She looked into his eyes again, and couldn't get the grin off her face. "I'm just wondering how Mom is going to handle two huge surprises in one day." This time, Darien kissed her longingly, amazed at how much love he could have in his heart for just one person. "Why don't we plan a special dinner, so we can tell everyone all at once." "The girls too?" "Of course." Serena jumped up from the couch, and sprinted to the phone. "What should I tell them? Are we going to have it here or at our place?" He followed her to the table, wrapping his arms around her, and kissed her neck. She shivered in delight with his touch. "If your parents don't mind, we should have it here probably because there's more room." Serena nodded, and proceeded to call each of the girls, not hinting at any details, just telling them that she wanted everyone to come over for dinner that night. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The shocked look on Ilene's face when she walked in the house later that afternoon sent both Darien and Serena into peals of laughter. She was just as surprised to see her son-in- law home as she was to see her daughter making dinner. She welcomed the changes, though, and gladly pitched in to help prepare the food. The table was set, the cake in the oven nearly done. As Serena peeked in the oven to see how the cake was coming along, the doorbell rang. Darien was about to go answer it, when Serena pulled him back into the kitchen. "You're part of the surprise, remember?" she told him as she kissed him lightly on the lips. "Now stay in here until I come in to get you." He responded with a kiss of his own, and reluctantly let her go to answer the door. Mina, Lita, Ami, and Rei all stood in the doorway, not quite sure what to make of Serena's expression. From the explanation she had given them at the temple, and then over the phone, she had made it sound like she wanted everyone to come over because she was feeling lonesome. "Hi guys! Come on in," Serena replied, acting like her old bubbly self. This was not at all what they had expected from her. She waited until everyone was seated at the table, her parents included. Lita glanced at the table. "Serena, did you make all this?" "Um-hm, but not without a little help." Lita was surprised, for as long as she had known Serena, she had not been much of a cook. She assumed that Mrs. Tsukino had done most of the preparations. Mina, Ami, and Rei were discussing how happy Serena seemed to be, even though they didn't understand her reason for acting so. Serena suddenly jumped up from her seat. "I left something very important in the kitchen. I'll be right back." The girls exchanged looks of curiosity, and the Tsukinos' had large smiles on their faces as they watched her sprint into the kitchen. Four mouths dropped simultaneously as Serena re-emerged from the kitchen, Darien in tow. No one said a word until Serena had seated herself again at the table, Darien next to her. "D--Darien! You're back? But. . . but I thought. . . Serena told us. . . when?" Ami sputtered. The other girls were speechless, and could only nod their heads. "It was just like you said, Ami. He finally realized what was more important." Darien leaned over, and squeezed her hand. "Not that a letter didn't knock some sense into me, right?" he whispered in her ear. She grinned in reply. "Well, is everyone ready to try some of this?" Serena said, as she passed around the various dishes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Half-way through dinner, Rei looked up from her food and noticed that Serena and Darien kept whispering and glancing at each other like two giddy kids. She laid down her fork, and propped her chin on her hands. "Okay, you two. Out with it. What's so important that you can't share it with everyone else?" she asked mischievously. Darien blushed momentarily, and glanced again at Serena. "Do you want to tell them, or should I?" he whispered in her ear. Serena's face reddened. "You do it." "We're waiting," Rei sang out. Darien stood up, and took Serena's hand in his. Everyone's attention was now drawn towards the two at the far end of the table. He cleared his throat. "Well, no doubt that all of you were surprised to see me home so early, I surprised even myself by doing so. Serena and I had a very long talk, and then she shocked me with another surprise. That's why we planned this dinner, so we could tell everyone at once." He paused for a moment, and gazed tenderly down at his wife. "Cut the dramatics, Darien, and spit it out!" Lita blurted out, startling everyone out of their thoughts. "How should I put this . . .?" Darien looked over at Serena's parents, who were fully caught in his attention as well as the others around the table. "Let's just say that about this time next year, the Tsukinos' will be grandparents," he replied with a large grin, and sat down as he and Serena were stormed by four excited girls. "Are you serious?" Mina, Ami, Lita, and Rei squealed in unison. Serena blushed, and nodded. Darien placed an arm around her, pulled her close, and kissed her in front of everyone, making her redden even more. Silence fell over the dining table as Mr. Tsukino stood up, glass in hand. He looked at his wife, then to his daughter and son-in-law. "I know I've never been one for expressing myself openly, but tonight I feel the need to do so." He glanced in Darien's direction. "Young man, I realize I haven't always been the nicest father-in-law a person could have, but I'm trying to change that. You have made my daughter very happy. I can see it when she looks at you." His voice caught. "And now, we can join in your happiness by celebrating the addition of a family member. I only wish that Sammy could be here with us, but the chance for him to attend college keeps him busy." He raised his glass higher. "Ami, Lita, Rei, and Mina, I consider you like my daughters as well because of your close relationships to Serena, and I am grateful to you for always being by her side in her times of need. I'd like to propose a toast to this wonderful evening, that each of you may have wonderful times like this to celebrate one day." Glasses were raised around the table, echoing Mr. Tsukino's blessing. Serena was thrilled to see the changes in the two very important men in her life. She had her husband back by her side, and now they could continue to grow and learn together in life. Her father, once a very meticulous and overprotective man, was beginning to change his own outlook on life. This was like a dream come true, having everyone that she loved so dearly around her in such a time of celebration. She discreetly glanced down at her stomach, extremely happy that soon, this new life within her would be welcomed into this circle of love. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Well, that's the end of that. Sappy as it is, I think this has to be one of the more emotional 'fics I've written. (So far, anyway.) A number of songs inspired me along the way while I was writing this. "Absence of the Heart," by Deana Carter, "Where Your Road Leads," by Trisha Yearwood, "Wrong Again," by Martina McBride, and "Open Arms," by Collin Raye, just to name a few. *grin* I do have some other fics in the works, but I don't have a specific schedule as to when I work on them, or when they'll be posted. I try to take life one day at time, except when I have midterms. Then I panic. Thanks again to Sailor Walnut (you rock 'lil sis!), Lady Carmina, and Snarf, who never fail to enlighten me with their feedback. Sorry for my consistent babbling. See you soon! Sailor Elysia Julcie@juno.com This story copyright October 1998 Sailor Moon and all its characters are the rightful property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha Ltd, Bandai. English adaptation is copyright 1995 DiC Corporations.