"A Love Carol" A Sailor Moon Christmas Tale By Sailor November EPILOGUE <>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<> It was Christmas morning in the Tsukino hosehold, and the whole family was gathered around the Christmas tree enjoying hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. Usagi waited nervously for Mamoru to arrive, jerking her head up every time she thought she heard a sound from outside the doorway. But before she began to seriously worry, the doorbell rang twice, and her mother raised to answer it. Usagi silently prayed that things would work out that night as her mother approached the door. Iukuo cheerfully called, "I'll get it!" and opened the door widely with a grin. Infront of the door way, Mamoru stood smiling nervously, awaiting Mrs. Tsukino's reaction. "Hello, you must be Chiba Mamoru! We're all so happy you could make it." Iukuo said with glee. "Thank you, Mrs. Tsukino. It's nice to meet you too," Mamoru said while shaking her hand formally. "Oh, no need to be so formal, call me Iukuo!" "Alright, Iukuo! Oh, this is for you." Mamoru said, handing Iukuo a small boquet of christmas pointsettias. He smiled at her constant cheerfulness and kindness and figured that's where his Usako got it from. "Why, thank you!" Iukuo exclaimed as she accepted the flowers. "You shouldn't have, Mamoru!" Mamoru's smile widened. "I have more gifts in the car, I'll be right back." He began to turn back to his red sport's car when Iukuo's sing-song voice stoped him. "Oh! Let Kenji help you." Mamoru gulped and turned around warily as Iukuo called her husband to come out. "Dear, Mamoru is here! Why don't you help him bring his things in!" "Mamo-chan!!" Usagi squeeled as she scurried towards the door. Kenji raised from the couch and walked towards the doorway to greet Mamoru. "Hello, Mr. Tsukino, it is nice to meet you." Mamoru said kindly. Kenji eyed him, and took a quick glance at Usagi who was already in Mamoru's arms. A sweat drop dangled from Mamoru's head as Usagi silently pleaded for acceptance from her father with her facial expressions. Kenji turned his attention back to Mamoru in defeat, extending his hand to properly welcome him. "Hello, Chiba Mamoru, it is nice to finally meet you, too." Kenji said with a firm handshake. "What did you need help with?" A ton of bricks suddenly lifted from Usagi and Mamoru's shoulders with Kenji's acceptance. "Oh, I had more gifts for the family in the car." As Kenji brushed past him and walked outside, Usagi turned to greet Mamoru more warmly. "Thanks for coming, Mamo-chan!" Usagi said sweetly with peck on the cheek. "Thanks for inviting me, Usako," Kenji turned around violently at the sound of this pet name. "Er.. Usagi." Usagi angrily walked ahead of Mamoru and whispered harshly into her dad's ear. "Daddy, PLEASE, you said you'd be kind and give him a chance! He means a lot to me, and I want him to feel like he's a part of my family. He really needs that at this time of year." "Usagi.." Kenji whined, but reluctantly gave in. "Fine, I'll try - for *you*." "Thanks, Daddy!" Usagi said sweetly. The three of them carried the gifts from Mamoru's car into the house, and Mamoru met the one member of family who had failed to greet him at the door. "Mamo-chan, this is my brother Shingo." Usagi said. She kicked her brother's ankle, signaling punishment if he didn't show curtisy. "Nice to meet you, Mamoru." Shingo said as if he was reading a cue card with out his glasses. "Uh, same here.." Mamoru said, lightly chuckling. "He's here now, can we get to the presents finally?" Shingo whined. "Shingo!" Iukuo scolded. Shingo rolled his eyes as he headed towards the living room, muttering beneath his breath. Shingo ripped the wrapping paper off of the gifts, enjoying himself, while Mamoru got along well with Usagi's parents. Usagi was pleased to tears as Mamoru and her father discussed things she barely understood; Christmas theology and things like that... but she did understand that everything was perfect, and Mamoru would one day become a true part of her family. "Mamoru-san, why are you not spending time with your family for Christmas?" Kenji asked curiously, meaning no harm. "Um..." Mamoru studdered as he looked down to the floor. Thoughts of lonliness and fear flashed through his mind as a brief image of an empty apartment surfaced dark memories. Usagi instantly put her arm around him, comforting him, for she knew just what was on his mind. "You don't have to talk about that, Mamo-chan." "It's okay, Usako." He whispered bravely. Looking up to Kenji, he simply said, "I don't have a family... Usagi is all I have." The room was filled with a thick silence. The blunt words Mamoru had spoken broght a temporary end to the Christmas cheer. Usagi genly rubbed his hand as Iukuo and Kenji realized Usagi's compassion for his family membership. "Oh, Mamoru! I'm so sorry we brought this up!" Iukuo apologized. Inturrupting the conversation, Shingo, who had ignored everything, picked up a little gift and shoved in Usagi's direction. "Usagi," Shingo said in a fake gushy voice, "This one's for your from your *boyfriend*." "How kind of you to *bring* it to me." Usagi's voice dripped with sarcasam. She stuck her tongue out at him before grabbing the box from his hands. "Jeez, Mamoru, it's so small!" Shingo eyed the present with dissaproval. "Go ahead, Usagi, open it!" Iukuo said sweetly. A slight blush rose on Mamoru's cheeks as Usagi smiled at him. She cautiously unwrapped the beatiful paper that covered the box and set it on her lap. She opened the lid and inside found a small card with cursive writing. Hiding it from her curious family members, she read: "Usako, My gift to you is from the heart, I hope you will accept. But it will have to wait until we can share a Christmas moment alone. Eternal Love, Mamo-chan" Usagi smiled and tucked the card neatly back in the box. "Alright.." she whispered as she lightly kissed him on the cheek. "What! What!" Shingo quizzed. "What was it, Usagi?" Kenji asked. Usagi smiled lovingly at Mamoru. "My Christmas gift." The day was done, the dinner was consumed, and the family stood by the door as Mamoru prepared to leave. "It was absolutely wonderful having you here with our family, Mamoru. You're welcome to come next year." Iukuo said and kissed him on the cheek. "I would love to," Mamoru grinned as he gave Iukuo a hug. "Thank you, Mamoru-san. I was wrong about you. And now, I'm proud of Usagi, for I see she has chosen a mature and intellegent gentleman to give her affections to." Mamoru smiled and shook Kenji's hand. Usagi looked on, teary-eyed. "Nice meeting you, Shingo." Mamoru said as he shook his hand. "Same here," Shingo said with more heart than he had when Mamoru first arrived. "Mom, Dad... may I have a moment alone with him?" Usagi asked nervously. "Of course dear." Iukuo gently pulled Kenji and Shingo from the doorway and lead them inside the house. "Goodbye, Mamoru! Merry Christmas!" Iukuo called before she shut the door. Usagi turned to Mamoru, and whispered to him, "Lets go somewhere private." They walked towards Mamoru's car, and as soon as they were clear of parental supevision, Mamoru swept Usagi up in a warm hug. "Oh Usako! It went perfectly! Your Dad didn't kill me, and your mother was so nice! Oh, Usako.." Mamoru looked into her eyes. Usagi laughed joyfully and playfully slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, you still owe me that secret present, buster!" "Yes, I do." Mamoru said, turning the conversation serious. He pulled out a small box from his pant pocket. It was wrapped in gold and white starred paper. A beautiful gold ribbon finished off the gift's elegant look. "Mamo-chan.." Usagi was breath taken. With shaky hands, she took the box from Mamoru's outstretched hand. Slowly she unwrapped the paper, careful not to tear the slightest piece, and opened the small, burgandy box. She smiled sweetly as a gold necklace sparkled back at her. "Oh Mamo-chan, thank you." She began to pull the gold necklace from the velvet display, but suddenly, as she removed the whole necklace from the box, a gold ornament slipped out and weighed the necklace down. As she picked it up and examined it; sparkling back at her, perched on a gold ring, was a beautiful crescent moon surrounded by small diamonds Usagi was at a loss for words. "Ma.. Mam.. Mamo.." "Usako... when you're finally old enough.. and your dad calms down, that engagement ring will go on this finger." He said sweetly as he held her left ring finger. "Until then, I want you to wear it on your neck." "Mamo-chan!!!!" Usagi squealed and embraced him. "You.. you're serious?" "Usako!" Mamoru said, "You don't believe me?" "I.." Usagi studdered. "Fine! I'll have to just spell it out for you!" Usagi tried to stop him as Mamoru got down on one knee. "Usagi, will you marry me?" A gentle silence clouded the air as they stared into eachother's eyes. "Of COURSE!" Usagi barely managed to assure him as she kneeled down to his hight and embraced with a passionate kiss. Before Mamoru left, he rolled down his window to give Usagi one last goodbye. "Usako, thank you for sharing your family with me tonight. That was the best Christmas present I could ever recieve." "Mamo-chan, you're a part of the family now, I didn't just share it for one day." Mamoru glowed with love as he cupped Usagi's soft chin. "Soon, Usako, that ring will be on your finger, and we'll be our own family." Usagi nestled her chin against his warm hand as a sparkling tear escaped from her eye. "Mamo-chan, Nothing could make me happier." <>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<> The End, for real! Hope you enjoyed reading, I enjoyed writing! ^_^ Sorry the epilogue was so brief. I know that I shouldn't have kept the family visit scene so short, but I wanted this to come out around the holidays! Maybe I'll go back and add more later. And a MILLION thanks to one of my closest moonie friends, SIDNEI!!! Without her, there WOULD BE NO epilogue OR part three!!!! Thanks, girl!!!! And a BIG THANK YOU to Ricci, who helped too! ^_^ You are SO the best!!! And thanks to April, who incourages me when I put my work down. Thankyouthankyouthankyou! To everyone, Have a Merry christmas this December, and may all your Christmas' to come be bright. Sailor November "Usagi, Mamoru, Romance, and you got yourself a fic! ^_^" The Usagi and Mamoru Fanfiction Archive http://members.tripod.com/~usamamo The Sailor Moon Mini-Mall! http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/9103 Completed December 26, 1998