Title: Life Without You - Epilogue Author: Sailor Europa E-mail: sailoreuropa@geocities.com Rating: pg13 ******************************************************************************** I'm sure you're all anxious to read this so, all my authors note's will be at the bottom this time! Well, read! NOW! :) - Sailor Europa ************************* Life Without You -EPILOGUE- It was only four days after we that fateful day at the airport that my life became even sweeter. I was at Mina's, leafing casually through Wedding magazine's when the doorbell rang, and to our great surprise, Lita was standing on the other side! After a few minutes of high pitched screaming and jumping, we all calmed down and went back inside her apartment, one person extra. She told us that the reason she hadn't gotten her mail is because her restaurant was failing, and she had to sell the house she had been living in, in order to move into a smaller space. Well, after a few months, she had to close up shop, and used the money she had left to come back to Tokyo to see me and Mina. She said that even though she was horribly depressed about failing at the ones thing in life she loved, she knew exactly where to come. And Lita's never one to be down too long, you know. She had already made plans for a few interviews, and decided that instead of owning her own place, she's rather just cook for someone else. She was incredibly surprised, to say the least, when I told her all that had happened, in just the past few weeks. She was amazed at how far I'd come since not that long ago, when I first saw Darien back on TV. I hadn't really thought of it, but it really wasn't too long ago. After all I'd been through, that first lunch with him and Mina, my horrendous date with Jared, the hospital and all that followed, it seemed more like a movie, rather than my own life! It is still rather impossible to comprehend all that's happened, even though every time I look down at the 2 carat engagement ring Darien presented to me a week after he proposed, it becomes more and more clear. I was rather surprised he could afford it, but 4 years of teaching at University's seems to be a lucrative career move, and he had quite a savings stored away. So, now I was about 2 pounds heavier with this thing on, but I couldn't be happier. I have to keep reminding myself of the mess I was in, in order to keep myself from getting too pig headed. I never could have made this decision 3 weeks ago, when I was still waist deep in love's trials and tribulations. But, now here I am, head over heels and completely unaware of my surroundings. Go figure, huh? ********** "Mina, Lita, let's go!" I bellowed from the entryway, jacket and sunglasses in hand. "Ami's flight arrives in half and hour! I don't wanna be late!" I leaned against the wall impatiently and tapped my foot on the cool marble floor. I had been staying in Mina's apartment for the past three weeks, ever since I had moved out of my own place. It was only a matter of time before 'my' place, became 'our' place, and this was my way of acclimating myself to the change. A few seconds later, Mina's tiny little open toed pumps clicked on the floor, and the soft muffling of Lita's sneakers became audible and they emerged around the corner a few seconds later, car keys in hand. Mina grinned and placed her glasses on top of her head. "When does Rei get in?" Lita asked as she grabbed her coat and put it on. I sighed and shook my head. "I have no idea. I haven't gotten a reply from her agency, and the wedding is only a week away!" I sighed and opened the door for the other two. "I wanted her to be in the wedding, but I'm not sure we're gonna make it." ********** Mina paced anxiously outside gate C18 (ironic, ain't it?), flight 1738, connection from LA due any minute with one blue haired doctor on it. Lita was shifting impatiently in her seat, and I had proceeded to chew on the nails I was _suppose_ to be saving for a manicure. I was so nervous, and I just wanted to get her back into Tokyo, where she rightfully belonged. Just then, the intercom clicked on, and the steward announced that Ami's flight had arrived, and they were prepare to empty the craft. We all let out a breath of relief and Mina stood up and stretched. A few seconds later, the doors opened, and we all grasped hands as we looked for our friends' familiar blue head. A petite woman emerged miraculously not too long later, black stretch business pants, and a silk blazer covering her tiny frame. Mina squealed (no big surprise) and Lita waved frantically and I just laughed. Ami's face got red and she hurriedly rushed over and immediately dropped her carry on and wrapped Lita in a huge hug, with Mina following. She stopped just as she got to me, and gave me a huge grin before throwing her arms around me, a soft laugh escaping. "Oh Serena!" She mumbled, rocking me back and forth. "I can't believe it!" She laughed and shook her head. "I mean, I can believe it, it's just so......Shocking!" She giggled again, then let me go, and stood back to get a good look at all of us. "You all look wonderful! I can't believe how different you are!" She turned to me and raised an eyebrow at my hair. "Well, some of you." I laughed and waved her off. "Come on, you didn't expect me to change this did you? You'd never recognize me!" She smiled and nodded. "You're probably right!" She laughed and resumed walking as she picked up her carry on luggage. "Well, let's go get the rest of your stuff." I said, grabbing her by the arm and motioning for the others to follow. We headed back down the terminal, towards the baggage claim, and away from C18. ********* "SERENA!" Mina screeched, lungs cracking under the pressure. "Come on, Darien's gonna be wondering where his beautiful bride is!" "Well, he won't get her, unless I have ample time to _make_ myself beautiful!" I screamed back from her guest bathroom. I heard her give a loud, exasperated sigh, meant for my ears and shook my head, smiling. She's one to talk, she was just finishing 5 minutes ago. I applied lipstick to my mouth and puckered. Satisfied that I was completely through, I stood up and straightened up her vanity. Flicking off the lights as I went, I shut the door and ventured back into the living room, only to find a very perturbed Mina. Her back was hunched, and arms crossed defiantly. I laughed and yanked her up off the couch. "Come on Mina, Darien said he has a surprise for us. I just wanted to make sure I looked good." I said, doing a full pivot for her to see. "Lita and Ami are gonna meet us at the restaurant." I pulled her fully out the door now, and yanked her keys off the table and thrust them into her stubby little hands, and finally shoved her out the door. ******** "Do you see them?" I asked, searching the dimly lit seafood restaurant that Darien had told us to meet him at. I heard Mina reply a negative, and I craned my neck some more to try to see over the silk potted plants climbing up the walls. I jumped out of my skin as Mina let out her signature shriek and I growled and turned around in order to smack her over the head, when I ran smack dab into someone, and let out my own scream as I realized who it was. "REI!" My mouth dropped open as I stared back at my raven haired friend, now smirking down on me from her 4 inch heels. I gave her the complete look-over, turning her around so I could get a good view. I whistled and winked, causing both of us to erupt with giggles. I threw my arms around her then and hugged her so hard I thought her head would pop off. She did the same and I sighed in contentment. Everyone was here. Absolutely everyone. "I got your message, but decided I wanted to surprise you. So, I called Darien and had him pick me up from the airport and bring me here." She roughly grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the table where her, Darien, and the other two had already been seated, and pushed me into a seat. "I have my own surprise anyway." She thrust her left hand in my face and a huge diamond solitaire sparkled under the few lamps inside the room. I shrieked, clapping my hands in joy. I jumped up and hugged her tightly again. She laughed and pulled away, her eyes shining as she spoke. "His names' Joe, and he's amazing." She sighed and sat down next to Lita, leaning her head into her hand lazily. "He's a photographer and we met while he was shooing me." She heaved a huge sigh as she traveled to her own little world and could feel my heart swell with happiness. I couldn't believe she was here. It was too good too be true. "Well, when is it gonna happen?" Lita asked eagerly and Mina nodded empathetically. "Not until we can both free up enough time. But, we're both totally committed, so we're not in any big hurry anyway." She replied, pushing her hair behind her ears. I couldn't get over it. It seemed like her life, and everyone's life, had changed so drastically. Ami was working her way up to head of staff at her hospital, Lita was just beginning to start her life over AGAIN, and now Rei had gotten engaged on a modeling job in the islands! I gave myself a little laugh as I tuned out the chatter that had begun and just thought happily to myself. I had to admit, that it was a bitter sweet emotion that swelled over me. I was beginning to realize how much Luna and Artemis had meant to me, and I guess I never really realized how much I wanted them back in my life. It was funny, for a while I had forgotten that they weren't human, and that it would be next to impossible to contact them should I want to. I missed having Luna around 24/7, having someone to talk to. I felt that, even though it seemed impossible, I would see her again. I couldn't say why or even when, but I had to believe that Luna missed me too, and that she couldn't stay away forever. I hoped not, at least. I could take care of myself, true, but it was nice having a constant friend around all the time. It was then Darien reached over and grabbed my hand and squeezed it lovingly. He gave me warm smile and my heart melted once again. I smiled back brightly and kissed his hand. His grin widened and I realized that it didn't matter. Right now, everything was right. Even with Luna gone, I was perfect. In a few weeks, my life had done a complete 180. Just like it had before, only now, it was much sweeter. I looked around the table as my best friends in the world talked animatedly to each other, as if nothing had changed. As if it had only been a few days since we've seen each other, instead of a few years. I was blissfully aware of the fact that I had giggled so much lately and that I wore a permanent smile on my face as well. It wasn't just Darien, although that was the start of it all. Lita had come back, and it was so right. So completely wonderful and just what I needed at the time. I look back on all the pain and heartache I'd been through, and even though I shudder and feel the tears come back again whenever it enters my mind, I wouldn't change any of it for anything. Looking around the table, my eyes pooled over with tears, and this was why. These people were why. All that crap, pain and tears, sweat and hardships, brought me and all the people I loved most in the world here at this moment. And if one minuscule thing had changed, I might not be here right now, and I didn't want that. I was content to sit here, and watch everyone laugh and talk and love everyone of them equally, and know that they felt the same way. I didn't have to question it, I knew that by them being present here now, it _was_ true. And this night, these few tiny hours, made the past four years worth it. ********** "God, Serena, aren't you nervous?" Mina asked, fiddling with my veil anxiously, an annoying giggle erupting every few seconds from her. I shook my head and laughed. "Of course not Mina." I grabbed her hands and looked into her eyes, squeezing her palms. "I'm _happy_ ." "Well, I sure as hell am." She exhaled shakily and she adjusted her pale lavender dress that I had finally picked out. Mina wore a beautiful orchid upon her lapel and she began to fiddle with that. It didn't take me five minutes to chose her as my maid of honor. If she hadn't been there for me, if she hadn't stayed in Tokyo with me, I wouldn't be here right now. It had been the only choice. "I don't know why." I said smirking and picking up my long gown as I walked back over to her pacing figure. "You are, after all, the one who _knew_ that this was right from the beginning." She gave the evil eye and return to pacing. I smiled in amusement as I returned to the vanity that sat in the small Bride's Room at the church. Mina had just finished my hair, and now was suppose to be helping me with my make up, but she seemed a bit preoccupied. I chuckled to myself and watched her reflection in the mirror. She adjusted her corsage to the right, then to the left, then back to the right. Satisfied, she began twisting the fabric of the table cloth in front of her. "I can't take this. When are we suppose to be out there?" She asked, and turned around and checked the clock behind me. "In about 7 minutes." I stood up and walked over to her. "Calm down. I'm the bride for Gods' sake! I should be pacing!" "I know." She gave me nervous, shaky smile and grabbed my hands. "God Serena, I'm so happy for you." I could see the tears begin to block her vision and she sniffed through her smile, and I affectionately wrapped my arms around her. "Me too, Mina." I pulled her away and kept my hands on her shoulders. "This is just the beginning though." "I know. I just think about how far you've come in just a short amount of time. I'm just so.....so...." She wrinkled her forehead in thought then laughed. "Happy." I grinned, and whipped away a few stray tears of my own as we hugged a few more minutes. "I love you so much Serena." She said, her voice paralyzed momentarily by a few choked cries. I nodded in agreement. "I love you too Mina." We both erupted with half sob-half laughs as we realized how silly we must look. I gave her a smile as I sucked back a few last tears. "Thank you." She gave me a knowing grin and smiled, reaching up and squeezing my shoulder. There was a knock at the door just then. "You ready Mina? Andrew's gonna walk you down now." Lita said quietly as she peeked her head in. Mina nodded and gave another laugh as whipped her eyes one last time. She gave me one last hug and headed for the door. She turned around just before she walked out. "Good luck." She murmured. I nodded and she shut the door behind her. I took a deep breath and shook my hands frantically. "OK, _now_ I'm nervous." ********** "You ready honey?" My father asked, my arm now looped through his just behind the huge wooden double doors that lead to the sanctuary. I took a deep breath and gave him a brave smile. He smiled as the wedding march started, and the doors were pulled open with a flourish. I gazed out upon my wedding, the beautiful flowers that seemed to cover the whole room, the guests just beginning to stare as we started our walk down the aisle, and my family. Both immediate and spiritual. All four of my friends in their matching gowns, smiling broadly as they watched the first of us five to head this way. And finally, my incredibly beautiful groom, eyes huge, face red with anxiety, in a crisp black tux. The only thing missing was the mask. My heart slowed to the beat of the violin that stood at the end of the walk, and I was aware of every face that gasped in awe as I passed, and blushed continually throughout the time, honored to be the center of so much attention. We neared the end, and I watched my fathers eyes pool over, and I gave him one last kiss on the cheek as he let go of my arm. One last kiss as his little girl. I now faced my betrothed, in all his splendor and glory. My true love of the past millennia, my heart and soul, my passion and my fire. The one that I've waited _two_ lifetimes to join my own being with. I could barely hear the preacher begin the ceremony, as I let myself get lost in his eyes, as I had done so many times before. This time was different however. Now, it was forever. I would stay this way forever. "Darien Chiba, do you take this woman, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death parts you?" He turned to me. "I do." No hesitation. "And do you, Serena Tsukino, take this man, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death parts you?" I turned back to him, once more into the window of his world, those pools of life. I smiled, my cheeks getting hotter, my hands growing numb. There was no doubt. "I do." *~*~*~*~ THE END ~*~*~*~* *sobs* OH MINNA! IT'S OVER! *sniffles* I never thought it would happen, but it did. It's over, completely and totally. I wasn't even planning on having these two parts done by this week, but man, when I got started on the epilogue, woooo! I was so happy in my little zone, that it would have been a crime to not finish it up in one sitting! Minna, I can not tell you how happy I am with this ending! I was in such a GREAT mood, and wouldn't you know it, it's also the last day of school! Sailor Europa is officially a high school senior! YAY!!!! (Praise GOD I passed Chemistry!) Now, a few notes - 1) I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean it, all of you who have taken time out of your own lives to e-mail me! I swear, you all gave me the inspiration I needed to finish this darn thing! Especially when I was suffering from my first major case of writers block! I really do appreciate you all soooooo much that I can not even express it here! I TRY (key word, TRY) to reply to all e-mails that I get to help you all realize how much that means to me, and if I never replied to you, I'M SORRY! Things have been hectic the past few months, what with finals and all, and it's been hard for me to even get a new chapter out, as you all know. But believe me, if anyone e-mails me now, I will have plenty of time to reply and thank you personally. It seriously means the world to me. 2) Special thanks to my editors, Sidnei and Sailor Elysia! I got LOTS of feed back on this story, and it seriously helps me a TON! By the way, everyone go read their stories! They're FAB! 3) More special thanks to all those EXCEPTIONAL writers who inspire me without knowing it! Jennifer Wand, Lianne, Razzz, and soooo many more! I can't thank you enough either, for writing such great stories! You are all the BEST! 4) Well, with the end of this, comes the inevitable rut. I NEED HELP! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE E-MAIL ME YOUR IDEAS FOR A NEW SERIES! I plan on working on "Love Through Time" also, but I'd like to also try something new. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT! Otherwise, it will be forever before I get anything new out! PLEASE! 5) PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS STORY! I love feed back (As I've continually said....), and this is the perfect opportunity to tell me what you thought! I live off e-mail, so please! DON'T BE SHY! I need more pen pals anyway! - sailoreuropa@geocities.com 6) Thanks to all the readers who enjoyed the story! I hope you will all read my next project, whatever that may be! :) Ja for now minna! Michelle Merriman