That Special Magic 69

That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"

> Chapter 69 - Surprise <
       Kenji and Ikuko walked through the mall, amidst a crowd of holiday shoppers and a variety of garish, overly commercial decorations.
       She glanced over at him, seeing that he looked preoccupied. "Rough day?"
       He shook his head. "Not really... At least not work," he said. "I guess... I'm just not in the holiday spirit."
       Ikuko laughed softly while squeezing his hand supportingly. "Do you need your own Santa suit?" she asked, pointing to a nearby costume shop.
       He grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Oh, that's just what I need."
       She pulled him toward a store. "Well, I'm certainly in the mood to buy gifts for my family."
       Kenji looked up, seeing she was leading him to a baby store. "Somehow, I think you're really into becoming a grandmother."
       She laughed again. "Why not? I can see how happy and excited Usagi is. And Mamoru is the same way."
       He frowned, stiffening slightly.
       She tightened her grip to keep him moving. "None of that, now," she said. "Besides, I can now understand my mother's excitement when we were expecting Usagi..."
       "But she was forty-nine then," he pointed out. "Neither of us is even forty yet."
       "That just means we'll have more time to enjoy seeing our grandchild grow up," Ikuko said with a grin.
       He rolled his eyes and groaned softly at her reaction.
       "You can't tell me you aren't going to enjoy it," she said.
       He frowned, unwilling to answer.
       She smiled, knowing that he just didn't want to admit it. "And it is still the most impressive thing to see how much Usagi has matured in such a short time," she said thoughtfully. "It seems hard to believe she's the same girl who once was always oversleeping, tripping over her own feet, and had such difficulty with her studies."
       He nodded in acknowledgement, having noticed that himself.
       She picked up a pink dress in newborn size from a rack. "Do you remember? Usagi had a dress very much like this one for the first time we took her to visit your parents."
       "Yes, I remember," he said quietly. "But Usagi doesn't know what the baby will be yet."
       "I know," she said, putting the dress back. With a grin, she stepped across the aisle and picked up a blue-and-white sailor suit. "Here's something for a boy. Your mother has an adorable baby-picture of you in a very similar outfit."
       He sighed, but smiled in spite of himself.
       She returned the suit to the rack, then took his hand and they walked out of the store. "Do you need some time alone to purchase a gift for your wife?"
       Kenji kissed her cheek. "No. I've already taken care of your gift, darling."
       "Oh, really? Care to give me a hint?" she asked.
       He shook his head. "Only that it is something suitable for the most wonderful woman," he said.
       "You're such a wonderful man," she said softly. She gazed at him, considering. "Do we want to get a joint gift to both Mamoru and Usagi?"
       He was silent for a moment. "I... I think I have that one covered."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Usagi stood on the scale in the office of Dr. Hamada, her obstetrician.
       "Hmm. You do seem to have put on a bit of weight since your last visit," the nurse observed, writing down the amount on Usagi's chart. "You haven't been over-eating?"
       "I don't think so," Usagi said, stepping off the scale. "I've been following the dietary recommendations Dr. Hamada gave me very carefully."
       The nurse nodded as they returned to the examination room, where Mamoru was waiting. "Well, I'm sure the doctor will want to look into this," the nurse said. She stuck a test strip into the urine sample Usagi had already given.
       Usagi sat down on the edge of the examination table.
       "Everything else seems normal," the nurse said, looking at the strip "But this is why we want you to track your weight, Tsukino-san, so the doctor can catch this before it becomes a problem." She checked Usagi's pulse and blood pressure, and added notations to her chart. "Dr. Hamada will be with you shortly." She pulled the door closed behind her.
       Mamoru took Usagi's hand in his own. "Did their scale show the same weight gain?"
       She nodded. "Yes, it did." She flipped open her pregnancy journal, where she had been recording her weight daily.
       "Well, that is good, in a way," he said. "And the nurse didn't seem concerned."
       "I guess so," she agreed tentatively.
       There was a soft tap at the door just before the handle turned and Dr. Hamada entered the room. "Ahh, Tsukino-san," he greeted Usagi brightly, letting the door swing closed. "Are things going well?"
       "I... guess so," Usagi said softly.
       "Any bleeding or spotting?" Hamada asked, flipping open her chart.
       "No," Usagi answered, shaking her head.
       "Nausea?"
       "Only a little, and not very often," Usagi said.
       "Very good," Dr. Hamada said. "Are you feeling the baby move yet?"
       "Uhm... well, I have felt a... sort of a... fluttering sensation, I guess... and only occasionally," she said.
       "That sounds about right," Hamada said, making a note. He glanced at the chart again. "Now, I understand there is some concern about weight gain."
       Usagi nodded.
       "Well... remember, I said you needed to gain weight," Hamada said. "That is a normal part of pregnancy." He skimmed over the chart.
       "I know," Usagi said. "But... my weight has gone up faster than either the journal or the chart you gave me said it should."
       Hamada nodded, comparing the figure with her weight from her last visit. "May I see your journal, please?"
       Usagi handed it to him.
       Hamada studied the record of her weight gain closely. "Well... there are several possibilities for this," he said. "But I don't think there's reason for concern just yet." He closed her journal and handed it to Mamoru. "If you would lie down, please."
       Usagi lay back on the table.
       Dr. Hamada picked up a measuring tape. "Slide your skirt down to your hips, if you would." He measured the now clearly visible bulge of her uterus. "A bit ahead of schedule here too."
       "Is that a problem?" Mamoru asked.
       "That depends on what is causing it, Chiba-san," Hamada answered. "Causes that would lead to potential health problems usually won't show up this early... and you have no history of those, Tsukino-san."
       She glanced over at Mamoru, feeling him squeeze her hand reassuringly.
       Dr. Hamada picked up a small black box with a bell-shaped probe attached to it by a coiled cable. "But now, let's see if we can pick up the baby's heartbeat," he suggested.
       "Really?" Usagi asked.
       Hamada nodded. "Sure. This doppler unit should pick it up." He applied small amount of gel to Usagi's abdomen, then placed the probe on her flesh. At first, they heard only a few rough noises of the probe sliding over her skin. Hamada adjusted the volume as he moved the probe to one side. From the speaker came a rushing noise, pulsing very fast with almost mechanical precision. "There it is."
       Usagi's eyes widened in awe as she heard the sound. 'Mamo-chan!' she gasped through their link.
       'Usako,' he whispered into her mind, even as he listened to the sound.
       Hamada measured the heart rate. "160," he commented. "Just where it should be." As he adjusted the probe's position, a faint echo could be heard. He moved the probe across her abdomen, and the rate seemed to change slightly. Pausing, he measured the rate again and listened closely. "Very interesting... I think we may have our answer," he said with a smile. He switched off the device, then wiped the gel from Usagi's skin.
       "What is it?" Mamoru asked.
       Hamada chuckled softly. "I think we also have your ultrasound scheduled for today, Tsukino-san," he said. "I don't mean to prolong your suspense, but I think it is always best to double-check things like this."
       "Today?" Usagi asked, pulling her skirt back up. "But I only had this appointment."
       "That's correct," Hamada said. "I guess I didn't explain properly last time. I have my own ultrasound machine right here. I find it much preferrable to be able to take scans myself and see the images, than to have to wait for a technician at Juuban Hospital to call with results." He reached for the door handle. "If you will come this way...?"
       Mamoru rose to his feet and helped Usagi sit up. Together, they followed Dr. Hamada past a second examination room and his small private office. The last door took them into a dimly lit room with an examination table next to what appeared to be a computer terminal and printer. An ultrasound probe sat on a shelf next to the keyboard.
       "Please lie down, Tsukino-san," Hamada instructed. "Chiba-san, you may stand over here opposite the screen." He quickly typed something at the keyboard, and Usagi's name appeared in the corner of the screen along with the date. "Tsukino-san, please slide your skirt and panties down to your hips."
       Usagi did as he instructed. A slight shiver went through her as he poured more of the gel onto her skin, even though it was not that cold. She glanced over at Mamoru. 'What do you think it is?'
       'I'm not sure,' Mamoru answered. 'But for a moment, I thought it had sounded like two different heartbeats.'
       'Two?!'
       Dr. Hamada picked up the probed and placed it on her abdomen. "Now, let's have a look, Tsukino-san."
       The image was quite fuzzy and indistinct. Usagi and Mamoru couldn't make much out of it. A shape would appear on the screen, but would then vanish. As one shape appeared, Hamada paused, gaging the shape against the scale indicators across the top and side of the screen. He pressed a button and the printer came to life, slowly printing out the image. Moving slowly across Usagi's abdomen, he printed several more images. He then adjusted the settings, and moved more slowly.
       "It takes a little practice to read these," Hamada said. "So don't feel too bad if you can't make much out of this." He pointed to a small shape. "Those are feet." He turned the probe slightly, and the form did seem to look more like feet. They jerked a bit in the field of view.
       "Wow," Usagi whispered, squeezing Mamoru's hand.
       Hamada moved the probe until a rounded form took shape. "That is the head," he said with a grin.
       Mamoru and Usagi stared at the screen. The image shifted a bit as the probe moved, and the image seemed to become strangely elongated.
       "And that... is the other one," Hamada said, his grin even larger and his eyes twinkling through his glasses as the elongated form now separated into two distinct objects.
       "Other one?" Usagi asked. "Twins?"
       Dr. Hamada nodded. "Congratulations," he said. "Based on the heartbeats we heard earlier, both seem quite healthy."
       "Wow," Mamoru whispered in amazement.
       Still grinning, Hamada moved the probe around, adjusting the view. "Do you want me to try to determine gender?"
       Mamoru looked down at Usagi.
       "Yes, please," she answered.
       Dr. Hamada continued to move the probe, studying the screen closely. "Well... that has to be a boy," he said, indicating a protrusion. "These are the legs... and girls just don't have that part... Gender has been determined by this stage, but the penis is not always so easy to spot."
       'I guess he takes after his Daddy,' Usagi giggled through their link, seeing Mamoru blush slightly.
       Dr. Hamada slowly moved the probe around. "This one is harder to tell," he said. The form of the legs took shape, though still fuzzy. He adjusted the probe for a different angle. "I can't be quite as certain... but I think this one is a girl. Congratulations, Tsukino-san. Chiba-san. It looks like one of each."
       "It's amazing," Usagi said softly.
       Hamada smile at them both. "That explains your increased weight gain, Tsukino-san," he said. He moved the probe back up until one rounded shape was in view. Pressing a button, the printer slowly scrolled out a grainy image. He moved to the other head, and printed an image of it as well. "There you are. Your first baby pictures." He handed them to Usagi. "This one is the boy... and this is the girl."
       Usagi stared at them in awe.
       Mamoru looked at the pictures, then straightened up again. "Um, does this... change anything as far as what we should expect or what she needs to do?"
       Dr. Hamada returned the probe to its shelf and wiped the gel from Usagi's abdomen. "Well, it does change a few things," he said. "The basics remain the same. We still expect delivery by c-section. Now that we know you're carrying twins, Tsukino-san, we have to change your diet to have you eating even more."
       "Even more?" she asked, having pulled her skirt and panties back up.
       Hamada nodded. "The diet plan you currently have assumes your body is supporting only one fetus," he said. "Instead, it is supporting two, which means of course that it has to work that much harder."
       Usagi nodded in understanding. "OK. That makes sense," she said. "What do I have to do?"
       "You can get a revised diet plan on the way out," Hamada said. "Like the one you already have, it is just guidelines, but it will help you keep yourself focused. This also means you should expect to see a larger weight gain than we had discussed earlier."
       "OK," Usagi acknowledged.
       "Could this cause any problems later on?" Mamoru asked. "You've expressed concern about her size."
       "That is a possibility," Hamada said. He turned back to Usagi. "The potential difficulty is that your body will be working even harder and carrying a greater load. That will certainly require you to give up athletics right away. My nurse can write you an excuse for your school before you leave. You also need to eliminate all physically strenuous activity. I know you've already done this to a considerable extent, but now your tolerance for that will be reduced even more than we had originally planned. Over the next several months, we'll want to keep a close eye on how things are progressing. We may have to take you out of school earlier than we had planned. If even that isn't enough, we might have to put you on complete bed-rest... but we're getting ahead of ourselves on that one."
       Usagi nodded, looking a bit nervous.
       "On the positive side, however, you are fit and healthy, Tsukino-san," Hamada added. "Your body is fully capable of carrying twins to term. Our responsibility now is to minimize the stresses that could interfere with that."
       "I think I understand," Usagi said quietly.
       "What would be the difference between being taken out of school and bed-rest?" Mamoru asked.
       "In the first case, she can still engage in very modest physical activity," Hamada explained. "You could help with preparing meals and that sort of thing, Tsukino-san, as long as it didn't involve heavy lifting. You would still be able to sit upright, and you could still travel short distances to visit family. In the case of bed-rest, you would need to be lying on your back as much as possible, getting up only to wash and use the toilet." He looked at her for a moment. "I'm not trying to scare you, Tsukino-san... well, at least not seriously. I just want you to understand the implications. If you restrict yourself to only light physical activity right now, and keep it that way, then hopefully we won't need to worry about bed-rest. OK?"
       Usagi nodded. "Uhm, at one of our earlier appointments, you said something about the fact that I'm still growing..."
       "That's correct," Hamada said. "One the plus side, you're still growing, and teenagers tend to have lots of energy. That could mean you'll avoid some of the problems a fully matured woman might have, since everything is still growing and is still more flexible. I still think that's a major part of why you got off so lightly on the morning sickness."
       Usagi looked over at Mamoru with a smile, knowing they couldn't tell him the true reason.
       "But on the negative side, you're still growing," Hamada continued. "That means energy we want to see go toward the babies' growth is actually going toward your own growth. In the end, if you're careful, I think we have a good chance of taking advantage of the plus side of you still growing, so long as we can greatly minimize the non-pregnancy stresses on your body." He looked first at Usagi and then Mamoru as they considered this. "If you have no further questions...?"
       Usagi sat up, glancing at Mamoru, then shook her head.
       "Then I'll expect to see the four of you again next month," Hamada finished.
       "Thank you, Dr. Hamada," Usagi said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       "Twins," Usagi exclaimed again as she settled into the passenger seat of Mamoru's car. "I can hardly believe it." She absently ran her hand over her abdomen.
       Mamoru nodded as he slipped in behind the wheel. "A girl and a boy," he said.
       She looked over at him. "We'll have a complete family all at once," she said. "Unless you want more than two children."
       "I'm happy with whatever we have, Usako," he said. "You are what I need the most."
       "And you're what I need the most, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
       He leaned over and kissed her. "I love you, my princess."
       "I love you," she said softly.
       He started the engine and slipped the car into gear.
       "But do you realize how big I'm going to get?" she asked, her eyes wide. "I'll be the size of a house!"
       He shook his head. "No you won't, Usako," he said. "In my eyes you will always be the most beautiful woman ever."
       "Yeah, but you're just a little biased, Mamo-chan."
       "Maybe a little," he acknowledged. "But you're still a very beautiful woman, and being pregnant does not change that."
       "You are such a wonderful man," she sighed.
       "And all yours."
       "That is definitely the best part," she said.
       He brought the car to a stop for a traffic light. "Perhaps you should let your parents know," he suggested.
       She nodded, reaching for his cell phone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Kenji and Ikuko had just returned home when the phone rang.
       "I'll get it," Ikuko said. She picked up the phone. "Tsukino residence."
       "Hi, Mom," Usagi greeted her.
       "Usagi. Did you just finish with your OB appointment?" Ikuko asked. She could tell that Usagi was calling from Mamoru's cell-phone.
       "Yes," Usagi answered, excitement plain in her voice. "And we've learned what we're having."
       "Really? Is it a boy or a girl?"
       Usagi paused. "Well, Mom... actually, it's one of each."
       Ikuko leaned back against the wall, her eyes widening. "One of each? You mean... twins?"
       Kenji walked over, seeing her expression. "Did you say twins?"
       Ikuko took a breath and nodded.
       "That's right, Mom," Usagi said. "It was a shock to me too, but we saw the ultrasound. There are definitely two there... and Dr. Hamada said he's as certain as he can be that one's a boy and one's a girl."
       "Twins," Ikuko repeated. "I think that's a first, honey... I can't recall any mention of twins in my family..."
       "None in mine, that I know of," Kenji said quietly.
       "And your father doesn't know of any in his family," Ikuko said into the phone. "Uhm, what does your doctor say about this? I mean, as far as possible complications you need to watch out for."
       "He said I can't do athletics anymore," Usagi answered.
       Ikuko nodded, pleased that Usagi's doctor was so quick to anticipate the specifics of her situation as a student.
       "He also said he may have to take me out of school earlier," Usagi added. "And I have to greatly limit my physical activity, or he could have to put me on bed-rest."
       Ikuko cringed with concern for her daughter. "Does... does he think that's likely?"
       "He said it's not clear yet, but he's hopeful I can avoid that," Usagi said.
       Ikuko thought for a moment. "That will mean you'll have to think about everything you do. You probably shouldn't lift anything more than about 5 kilos. That's a little more than the typical weight of a newborn."
       "I understand that, Mom."
       "Yes, but you need to think about things that weigh more than that," Ikuko said. "I remember being surprised at what all that included. Things like a basket of laundry, unless its very small, more than one or two bags of groceries, a large parcel... Have you thought about how much all your school books weigh?"
       "The weight of my school books?... What?... Oh, Mamo-chan says he already has an idea for that," Usagi said.
       "That's good to hear," Ikuko said. "Well, congratulations on the twins, honey. I guess you need things for both a boy and a girl."
       "Yes, we do," Usagi confirmed. "And thanks."
       "Take care of yourself, honey," Ikuko said. "And give our best to Mamoru. We love you."
       "I love you, Mom," Usagi said.
       Ikuko hung up the phone.
       "She's having twins?" Kenji asked.
       Ikuko nodded. "A boy and a girl. She sounds very happy and excited about it. But her doctor does seem to have given her a clear understanding of the risks. He's already told her she can't participate in athletics anymore."
       "Don't twins run smaller to begin with?" he asked.
       "That's what I understand," she confirmed. "And of course, Usagi's small to begin with."
       He embraced her. "Twins," he said again. "They're really going to have their hands full."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       "What was your idea for my school books?" Usagi asked Mamoru as they entered their apartment.
       He slipped off his shoes, then opened the closet. "I have a small travel case on wheels." He pulled out the case. "I briefly used this for carrying books when I was in high school," he explained. "It's a good size for it, and it has a collapsible handle that makes it very easy to pull behind you."
       She took hold of the handle and nodded. "It does feel nice," she said.
       "Yes," he said. "And with this, you will only rarely have to actually lift your books."
       "Maybe only when I have to go up and down stairs," she said.
       "That sounds about right," he agreed.
       She slipped her arms around him and kissed him. "You are such a wonderful man."
       "And you are a very wonderful woman," he said, kissing her in return.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Usagi and Mamoru's apartment was now decorated for the holidays. A small artificial Christmas tree stood in the living room by the doors to the patio, its lights blinking. A wreath hung over the faux fireplace, and a second, smaller wreath hung from the wall in the entry.
       The living room was filled once again as the senshi and their boyfriends, joined by Akari, gathered for an impromptu meeting. Usagi's announcement had brought stunned silence to the room.
       "Twins?" Minako finally exclaimed. "But... I thought the first child of a Sailor Senshi was always a girl."
       Everyone turned to look at Luna and Artemis.
       "Uhm, well..." Luna stammered, finding Artemis looking at her as well. "As I remember, that always was the case... But once again, we are really in uncharted territory here. You are the only generation of senshi who are known to have been reincarnated into second lives as senshi... I think you are absolutely right that, had Princess Serenity become pregnant, she would have conceived just one baby and it would have been a girl."
       "That was how I had learned it always to be," Akari agreed.
       "But reincarnation isn't the same as just sending Princess Serenity, her senshi, and their companions forward in time to the 20th century as Atana did for himself and Kara," Luna continued. "It appears that reincarnation was what allowed the rest of you girls to achieve your 'princess' forms. I think we need to assume that other 'rules' have changed as well."
       Ami was doing some calculations on her computer. "I do see one issue the rest of us need to be aware of," she said. "I'm pretty sure the limitation on Usagi's physical activity will need to include her not joining the senshi even as Princess Serenity, should a threat appear."
       "I was thinking the same thing," Mamoru said quietly.
       "My doctor said if I take it easy, I should be able to avoid complications," Usagi said. "He thinks the fact that I'm young and still growing is what allowed me to get by with such a short bout of morning sickness, but he said the fact that I'm still growing could draw away energy that the babies need to grow."
       "But that isn't a problem for you, Usagi-chan," Ami said. "Remember, none of us are physically aging anymore. That means, as long as you don't exert yourself, and follow your dietary guidelines, you should actually have more energy than your doctor anticipates to support the babies."
       "Hey, that's right," Usagi acknowledged, feeling a renewed sense of optimism.
       "But it does mean that you now have to be in retirement as a senshi, Usagi-chan," Ami said. "At least until after the babies are born and you recover from your surgery."
       "I agree," Artemis said. "Even with the boost you've been drawing from the ginzuishou, it will be far too risky."
       Usagi looked around the room, seeing only full agreement on every face.
       'They're right, Usako,' Mamoru said through their link.
       Akari leaned forward. "I also must agree, Usagi-chan. When I was pregnant during my life in the Silver Millennium, my fellow Sailor Soldiers shared their energy to keep me alive. Right now, your daughter and your son need you far, far more than your senshi do."
       Mamoru drew Usagi onto his lap.
       Looking into his eyes, she could see his love for her. With a sigh, she nodded. "OK. I'm retired."
       He kissed her cheek. "Thank you," he said softly.
       "That is a very wise decision," Luna said. She then turned to the others. "I want the rest of you to make sure you keep your communicators with you. Hopefully there won't be any new threat that requires the Sailor Senshi, but we can't depend on that. Obviously, Mamoru's attention will be focused on Usagi. That means the rest of us will have to plan on not having the support of either. Of all the young men, Shinozaki is the only one who has not demonstrated any special abilities, but Ryo's ability to see the future could prove crucial in alerting us to any new threat, while Atana and Geoff have both shown that that can handle themselves in a fight if necessary. I think we need to seriously consider resuming training sessions from time to time, both to better involve the young men within our teamwork, and also so that you girls can train with your increased powers."
       Murmurs went around the room.
       "I think Luna is right," Artemis said. "The leader of the senshi has just had to retire, and many previous fights have depended on the sudden intervention of Tuxedo Kamen. We won't be able to depend on that, either. With one key member out for perhaps a year, and another who will possibly be unavailable because of an overriding commitment, we have to change our tactics."
       "Usagi and Mamoru-san aren't the only ones with parental responsibilities," Rei pointed out.
       "Very true," Artemis said. "And each of you has a partner you care about. But that is all the more reason to maintain your preparedness."
       "Yes," Minako agreed, holding Geoff's arm affectionately. "But surely we don't have to start a new training program until after the holiday. I mean, we're all busy enough as it is, and we'd have a hard time finding a place to train."
       "She's right," Rei said, seeing Luna about to object. "Temples and shrines see quite an increase in traffic just before New Year's. My grandfather has said he's already starting to get busy with people coming to pray and seek charms for a healthy and prosperous year. That would make it very difficult for the senshi to train on the grounds without being noticed."
       "Good point," Artemis agreed. "Thank you for letting us know that, Rei-chan. I think we had come to take it for granted that we could always remain concealed on the Temple grounds. We can consider a training schedule after New Year's." He saw Luna still looking displeased. "That will give Luna and I time to develop a new training program to take the best advantage of each of your strengths."
       Luna hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, we will have to work on that."
       "Great," said Minako. She turned toward Usagi. "Usagi-chan, weren't you saying you'd found a solution for your school uniform?"
       "Oh, yes," Usagi said, jumping up. "Mamo-chan found it, actually." She hurried into their bedroom, returning with a garment bag. Opening the bag, she produced an outfit that looked very much like her school uniform. As she turned it, they could see it was actually a one-piece dress.
       "It's almost exact," Makoto remarked. "Unless you look really closely, you probably wouldn't spot the differences."
       Usagi nodded. "Mamo-chan heard of this company where I could order dresses to my specific size. They had a blue and white dress that was fairly close to our school uniform. They're very nice, and were most willing to help. I told them what uniform style Juuban Junior High uses, and they were able to modify their dress design to look like it. The bow at the back conceals an adjustable belt for the waist, so that I can expand it as I get larger. I've ordered several in two sizes, since I expect to need the larger one as I get farther along."
       "Have you had this approved?" Ami asked.
       "Yes," Usagi answered. "The principal, Yoshiro-san, has seen it. He said he was pleased that I had found a design so close to the official uniform."
       "He didn't give you any fuss about it?" Makoto asked. "I recall that he wasn't very happy when I asked to be allowed to wear an alternative uniform, and it was only when I showed him it didn't come in my size that he agreed." She frowned. "Even before that, he didn't really want to admit me to Juuban... given my... background."
       Usagi nodded. "Well... Yoshiro-san is scared of my father... He's afraid that Daddy will expose his violation of the privacy law if he doesn't behave himself. I think that's why he didn't object."
       "Privacy law?" Geoff asked.
       "Usagi had to tell her school nurse she was pregnant," Mamoru explained. "By law, the nurse is forbidden from sharing a student's medical information without permission from the student's parents. In spite of that, Usagi's parents were called in by the Juuban principal the next morning to discuss the fact that she was pregnant."
       Geoff nodded his head in understanding. "The principal probably wanted her transferred."
       "That's right," Mamoru confirmed.
       "But Usagi's father threatened to publish it," Geoff continued.
       "That would have destroyed the principal's career," Atana said. "And that of the nurse."
       "It would have done more than that," Mamoru said. "Though illegal, this sort of thing really isn't that uncommon. Had it been published, the story could have provoked a major scandal in the entire educational system."
       "And since then, Yoshiro-san has been on his best behavior with me," Usagi said.
       "I suspect the other students will start to catch on to your condition after the holiday, Usagi-chan," Makoto said. "Both when you start wearing your new uniform dress and when you stop participating in athletics."
       "I know," Usagi said softly. "In a way, I'm a bit surprised no one has caught on this far."
       Rei squeezed Atana's hand and stood up. "I'm afraid we have to go," she said. "My grandfather is watching Kara, but he usually goes to bed fairly early since he starts his day well before dawn."
       "I understand, Rei-chan," Usagi said, rising to her feet.
       Rei embraced Usagi. "Congratulations," she said. "A little Sailor Moon and a little Tuxedo Kamen. That's really something."
       "Thanks," Usagi said.
       The others were standing up as well.
       "Good night, Rei-chan. Atana-san," Mamoru said.
       "Good night, Mamoru-san," Rei said. She grinned. "You know, if both your children inherit their mother's appetite for food, it may take the entire Chiba forture just to cover your grocery bill."
       "Rei!" Usagi protested.
       Atana took Rei's arm and steered her toward the door. "Good night, Chibas," he called.
       "Good night, Magis," Mamoru answered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Usagi and Mamoru sat together on the sofa, as soft music played from the stereo. She sighed happily as she leaned against him.
       "I love you, Mamo-chan," she whispered.
       "I love you, Usako," he said softly.
       As they sat there, a silver-white glow appeared in front of them, flickering irregularly, before coalescing into the form of Queen Serenity. For the first time that either of them could recall, Queen Serenity looked genuinely surprised.
       "Mother," Usagi exclaimed.
       "I just spoke with Akari," Queen Serenity said. "She said you are expecting... twins?"
       Usagi nodded. "That's right. A boy and a girl."
       "Incredible!" Queen Serenity exclaimed. "This has never happened before... In all my projections, I had always assumed you would only have a daughter... especially since the prophecy referred to Earth and Moon being made one."
       Mamoru glanced over at Usagi, a bit taken aback at seeing Queen Serenity surprised like this. "Uhm... well, Luna couldn't really explain it either," he said. "But her theory was that the fact this generation of Sailor Senshi was reincarnated into second lives as senshi changed the requirement that the first-born would always be a girl... just as reincarnation seems to be what allowed the others to achieve their princess forms."
       Queen Serenity nodded. "Yes... that is entirely possible... But at least the possibility of the princess transformation had been anticipated."
       "I was certainly surprised," Usagi admitted. "But I do like the idea of also having a boy... Rei-chan said we'd be having a little Sailor Moon and a little Tuxedo Kamen."
       A smile formed on Queen Serenity's face. "Yes, indeed," she said softly. "Twins... Amazing." She drifted closer to Usagi. "I am very proud of you, my daughter. You have achieved things that I never would have dreamed were possible when I was your age."
       "Well, we certainly didn't plan on twins," Usagi said.
       "Before you met Luna, you hadn't planned on any of this," Queen Serenity pointed out. "Neither of you had. And still, you have handled this so very well."
       Usagi hugged Mamoru. "I have the help and support of the most wonderful man."
       Mamoru smiled and kissed Usagi's cheek. "You're the most wonderful young woman, Usako."
       Queen Serenity nodded again. "I am very glad to see you both so happy. You're already such wonderful partners to each other, and I'm sure you will be wonderful parents." She faded away.
       "Good bye, mother," Usagi said softly.

< To be continued >

* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: Sorry for the very long delay, but between a career change and helping my pregnant wife, I have been quite busy. The next chapter is already about half finished, so hopefully I can keep things moving along better. The biggest variable in all this is our son, who is due in four weeks, but is already showing signs he doesn't want to wait that long. Little boys are very impatient. More to come.

Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ .

Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.

-07.04.2005