Crystal Flaws - Part 05 Crystal Ties

Serenity woke suddenly from a dream and looked at the clock. [2 a.m.,] she thought with a sigh. She had been dreaming she was running in a marathon through a field of pea soup. [Whew! I’m glad I woke up. What a disgusting dream!] she mused as she tried to get up from the bed to go to the bathroom. Her next thought was, [A race of all things! It’s really sad when even your dreams make you tired!]

She knew that at eight plus months pregnant with twins, it was futile to try to get out of bed by herself, but she tried anyway. She hated having to wake Elios just so she could go to the bathroom! Finally admitting defeat, she shook Elios.

“Huh?” she heard from the depths of his pillow.

Sighing she said, “I have to go again. I need your help to get up.”

Elios rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stifled a sigh. He knew if he made any sound that she could construe as reluctant, Serenity would start crying. For the sixteen hundredth time in the last three months Elios reminded himself, [Remember, you want this!]

Rolling out of bed, Elios stumbled to Serenity’s side. He grabbed her hands and slowly pulled her to sit up on the edge of the bed. He now put his arm around her body where her waist used to be. Bracing his leg against the side of the bed, Elios hauled Serenity to her feet.

As she leaned against Elios in the dark, Serenity whispered, “Thank you.”

Hugging her, Elios quietly said, “Anytime. Are you awake enough to get there?”

Serenity nodded her head and stepped away from Elios’ arms.

Elios turned to go back to bed when he heard Serenity gasp then say, “Oh, no!”

Immediately, Elios was wide-awake. He rushed back to her side as he worriedly asked, “What? What’s wrong?”

Elios’ bare foot stepped on a very warm, wet spot on the rug at Serenity’s feet. Fortunately, Sailor Mercury had warned them Serenity’s water might break but it was still a bit of a shock.

Leaning heavily against Elios, Serenity said, “Eww! This is even worse than pea soup!”

[I’m not even going to ask!] Elios decided. He tried to think of what to do next. “Do you want to lay back down?”

With an annoyed look Serenity said, “No. I still need to go to the bathroom. What I need is a towel and help to get there without leaving a trail.”

They finally got Serenity in the bathroom. She used the toilet then decided to take a quick shower. Elios helped her get clean, dry, changed into a new nightgown and back in bed. He threw a few towels on the rug then went to sit by his wife. Serenity was worn out and had already drifted back to sleep.

Elios gently brushed her damp bangs out of her eyes as he thought, [I guess she hasn’t had any contractions yet or she would have said something.]

Standing up, Elios walked to the dresser and picked up Serenity’s communicator. He walked into the living room and pushed Sailor Mercury’s button. Mercury answered and Elios thought, [She seems surprisingly awake and alert for 2:40 in the morning.]

“Hello, Elios. Is it time? Is there anything wrong?” Sailor Mercury asked.

Elios told her what had happened and that Serenity was now sleeping.

Mercury nodded her head. “Contractions will probably start within the next few hours. Let her sleep as long as she can. Call me as soon as they start. I’ll be there at seven if you don’t need me before that.”

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Serenity was again dreaming. This time she was wearing clothes that were too tight. She tried to take them off because she didn’t want them to hurt the babies. The clothes were so tight they wouldn’t come off, and they were getting tighter. Serenity awoke with a start and realized what was going on. The contraction subsided. Looking at the clock again, she sighed. It was only 3:30.

Serenity breathed deeply and tried to relax. She was excited, but also afraid. She thought to herself, [Maybe by this time tomorrow we’ll be able to hold our babies in our arms.] She tried not to think about what it would take to get to that point. She had just started to drift back to sleep when another contraction started. Serenity opened her eyes and began to rub her belly. The clock said 3:40.

As the contraction continued to build in intensity, Serenity looked over at Elios. He looked totally relaxed and was quietly snoring. She decided, [That’s enough of that!] “Elios, Elios!” she called. When she got no response she reached over and poked him. “Elios!” she said louder.

As Serenity’s insistent words reached through the fog in Elios’ sleepy brain, he opened bleary eyes and looked at her. Her statement of, “I’m having contractions,” finally reached his consciousness.

Wide-eyed and still slightly disoriented, Elios jumped up from the bed as he grabbed the communicator off the end table. He pushed Sailor Mercury’s button and her cheery face popped up on the screen. Elios looked at her and realized he had absolutely no idea what to say! He just stared at her with a dazed look in his big, honey-brown eyes.

Sailor Mercury smiled and said, “Hi, Elios. I guess it’s time for me to come over. I’ll be there in five minutes. Bye.”

Elios looked up at Serenity and said, “Um, she’s coming.”

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“Deep breath, now *PUSH*! More! *PUSH*! Okay, short break, breathe.” Sailor Mercury looked up at Serenity and saw her struggle to do what Mercury was telling her to do. Mercury sighed and pushed her bangs off her face with her wrist. They had been at this for quite a few hours and all three were starting to show fatigue.

They were still in Serenity and Elios’ bedroom at the Palace. So far things had been going normally, but now they were to the more difficult part. Mercury picked up her handheld and again checked the babies’ vital signs. [So far so good, just this last part now,] she thought.

Elios was sitting behind Serenity as he propped her up and supported her. He brushed her sweat soaked bangs off her face then grabbed a cool washcloth and gently wiped her forehead, cheeks and neck with it. He could feel her body tense with the beginning of another contraction.

Mercury again stood next to Serenity as she said, “Time for some more.”

Tears welled up and overflowed down Serenity’s cheeks. “NO!” she insisted. “I’m *TIRED*! Please stop this! I can’t do it anymore!”

Mercury tried to encourage her. “You can do it. We’ll be done soon. You just have to keep at it!”

Vehemently shaking her head no, Serenity wailed, “*I can’t*! I’m too tired!”

Elios tightened his arms around Serenity and leaned his head down against hers to hold her still. He whispered in her ear, “Maiden, our sweet little ones are depending on you. Please don’t give up. You can do this!”

Serenity cried harder as she felt her body relentlessly clamp down like a vise tightening. “Okay! *OKAY*!!” she screamed as she reached up and grabbed Elios’ upper arms. Taking a deep breath, she pushed with all her might as she squeezed and pulled on his arms convulsively.

Mercury cheered, “YES! *GOOD*! A few more like that and you’ll have a baby to hold! Get ready and do that again!”

As Serenity put everything she had into giving birth, she again squeezed and pulled on Elios’ arms. He felt her fingernails digging into his flesh and thought, [I’m going to have welts and bruises from this for weeks!] He didn’t try to stop Serenity or say anything though. Elios was determined to take whatever was necessary to help. A fleeting thought did cross his mind. It wondered whatever had possessed him to marry a female warrior!

“Here it comes!” Mercury encouragingly said. She expertly grabbed the newborn and exclaimed, “It’s *A GIRL*!” Mercury quickly suctioned out the baby’s mouth and noticed the crescent moon on the infant’s forehead. Suddenly, she remembered. Quickly knocking her visor into place, Mercury advised, “Cover your eyes!”

The baby let out a wail and a white-hot burst of bright light filled the room. The blaze of energy quickly dissipated, but Serenity and Elios could barely see. Mercury’s visor had absorbed the intense light and protected her from the temporary blindness.

Elios exclaimed, “What was that?!”

“Well sweetie,” Mercury crooned to the baby as she quickly cut the cord, cleaned her up, put her in a diaper and wrapped her in a blanket for warmth, “your mommy taught me that lesson, but you almost got me too.”

Mercury looked up at Elios and Serenity. She held the swaddled baby up and announced, “A Moon Princess is born!”

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In the living room, Terrance and Hotaru, who had been married in November, sat on a couch with the King and Queen. Ceres and Castor sat on the other couch with Pallas and Pollux.

Vesta and Volans snuggled together in a large upholstered chair. They had gotten married only two weeks ago, and Pallas and Pollux had been married two months before them. Ceres and Castor had been married since September.

Juno, Jabbath and the Planet Senshi were all sitting on the floor.

During the hours they waited, Mamoru had stopped Usagi from running into the bedroom a few times.

Finally, they heard a baby’s cry and saw the bright light blaze out from under the bedroom door.

Usagi shot up off the couch and ran into the bedroom. Jumping up, Mamoru exclaimed, “Usako, wait!” as he ran after her.

Everyone in the room looked at each other with surprise then started laughing. They all dug out piles of money and handed them to Sailor Jupiter.

Jupiter smirked as she accepted the money. “I knew they wouldn’t stay out once they heard the first baby’s cry,” she boasted.

Castor had his arm around Ceres, who absently rubbed her very swollen belly. She laughingly said, “I thought the King at least would wait, but I was wrong.”

Terrance hugged Hotaru when he heard her sigh. Her arms rested on her smaller, but still obviously pregnant belly. She said, “Well, that’s one of us down, and four more to go.”

Jabbath looked at Juno. He took her hand in his and smiled. Juno blushed then quietly said, “Make that five.”

Everyone in the room turned to look at Jabbath and Juno with surprise.

Pallas laughed. “So, you two finally gave in and decided you love each other. It’s about time!”

Everyone congratulated them warmly.

Sailor Venus looked at all four Pegasus brothers and the Asteroid Senshi. She was glad they all were happy and content. She then looked at Terrance and Hotaru. Venus was especially proud of the part she had played in their lives.

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Usagi and Mamoru stood just inside the door and watched as Elios went to Mercury and took his first born in his arms. Her eyes were squinched shut and her face was bright red as she furiously protested the abrupt changes in her environment.

Mercury thought it was interesting to note that the first thing Elios did was lift his daughter to his face and smell her deeply. He then looked at her. Smiling, he softly said, “Our own Small Lady. Welcome to our world.”

When she heard a voice that was so familiar to her and yet now sounded different, Small Lady stopped crying and opened her big, pale-lavender eyes. She stared at her father for a moment. Then, deciding he wasn’t doing anything to make her happy, she again started to wail.

Elios smiled again then looked up as he heard his wife react to a strong contraction.

“Don’t I get a break here?” Serenity wailed over the sound of her baby.

Mercury shook her head. “Apparently not.”

Elios walked over to his mother and father in law with the baby still in his arms. He smiled at them and asked, “Would you please hold her while I finish helping Serenity?”

Their faces lit up with awe and Usagi whispered, “Yes, we’d be honored to!” Elios gently placed the crying baby in Usagi’s arms then turned back to his wife.

The second birth wasn’t quite as difficult or as long as the first. Soon Mercury, with her visor down, grabbed Serenity and Elios’ second born daughter and pulled her into the world. She suctioned this little girl and noticed there wasn’t a crescent moon on her forehead. Her forehead didn’t have a mark or a jewel. It was just a plain, blank forehead.

Everyone had been expecting a bright light again. Mercury put her visor away. She quickly cut the cord, cleaned, diapered and swaddled the softly mewing baby. She announced with a perplexed voice, “Your second daughter doesn’t have a forehead mark at all.”

Elios stood up and walked to Mercury. Putting his hands up, he quietly commanded, “Give her to me.”

Mercury quickly complied.

Again, Elios brought the baby to his face and smelled her. He then placed his lips on her forehead and gently kissed her. When he lifted his lips away, a small red jewel softly glowed where he had kissed her.

Elios looked at his second daughter. With a smile he quietly said, “Hello, Little Maiden. Welcome to our world.”

When the baby heard his familiar voice, she opened her big, pale-lavender eyes and solemnly looked at her father.

Even more perplexed, Mercury asked, “Where did that jewel come from? I know it wasn’t there before.”

As Elios and his daughter continued to gaze at each other, he quietly explained. “A Pegasus’ jewel needs to be activated by a kiss. Traditionally, the father’s kiss.”

Mercury nodded her head as she stored this new information in her brain for future reference. She knew she still had a lot to learn about Pegasuses both medically and culturally.

Serenity had finally caught her breath. She looked around and realized everyone else had her children.

“I want my babies!” Serenity forcefully stated.

Elios looked up at her and nodded. He walked over to Usagi and Mamoru who were still holding a wailing baby. Smiling, he said, “I can take her now.”

Everyone in the room watched with amazement as Elios easily put each baby in a football hold then confidently carried both of them to the bed. Elios handed Small Lady to Serenity then sat down next to her and held their Little Maiden.

Gently, Serenity touched each baby’s face. “Hello, little ones,” she whispered.

Elios looked up at Serenity with tears in his eyes. He gently kissed her lips then quietly said, “Thank you. You have given me the two most precious and wonderful gifts I have ever received.”

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Usagi and Mamoru were standing beside the bed. The other couples and the Planet Senshi stood next to them. The room was very full and everyone was talking and congratulating the new parents.

Vesta was looking at the babies and couldn’t help but curiously observe, “The babies aren’t identical.”

Mercury paused from cleaning and putting things away. With a thoughtful expression she said, “That had me perplexed too at first but I think I may have figured out why.”

Everyone in the room except for Small Lady quieted and looked at Mercury expectantly.

Mercury continued, “Now, this is only a theory but I don’t think the crescent or the jewel are actually physical things.”

Terrance interrupted, “How can they not be physical when they can be touched?”

“I think they are actually a physical manifestation of a spiritual state,” Mercury explained, “We know that the twins are physically identical but they are also spiritual individuals with individual souls. If magical abilities were a part of the soul then each twin would have different magical abilities based on each of their individual souls. Their different magical abilities would then generate either the crescent or the jewel.”

“That’s a very interesting theory,” Elios mused. He thought some more and added, “That would also explain many things that haven’t made sense about magical abilities. It’s definitely something worth looking into.”

Everyone thought Mercury’s theory sounded good, at least what they understood of it did. With that settled the conversations changed to more simple things that wouldn’t make most of the room’s occupants’ heads hurt to think about.

Through out all this the sound of Small Lady’s continuous wails rose above the chatter. Elios reached out and gently touched her lip. Small Lady’s wailing paused as her mouth opened wider. She turned her head as if searching then began to cry again.

Looking at Serenity, Elios smiled and said, “I think there is only one thing that is going to make her happy and you have it.”

Serenity looked up at Elios a bit nervously.

Usagi, who had heard Elios’ observation, smiled and added, “Yes, that was the only thing that could quiet you down too.”

Mercury, who had just finished cleaning up and putting things away, had overheard the conversation and noted Serenity’s shy and unsure reaction. She decided it was time for her to pull rank. Turning to the crowd, Mercury stated with a firm, loud voice, “It is time for everyone to leave. The new family needs time together alone.”

Slowly, everyone said their goodbyes and headed for the door. Usagi had the hardest time leaving. Finally, she kissed her daughter, hugged Elios and allowed Mamoru to lead her out.

Standing by the bed, Mercury said, “Now is a good time to feed them. They are both still alert from the birth.”

Serenity gulped and nodded her head yes. Opening the front of her nightgown, she uncovered a breast. Mercury showed her how to hold Small Lady and how to bring the baby up to her body. Mercury then told Serenity to touch her nipple to the baby’s bottom lip.

Small Lady eagerly opened her mouth at her mother’s prompting, and Mercury helped Serenity place the baby’s mouth over her nipple.

Next, Mercury showed Serenity how to check the baby’s bottom lip to make sure she was latched on correctly. She also told Serenity how to break the baby’s suction with her finger and warned her not to forget that step when removing the baby from her breast.

As Mercury turned to pack a few last things in her bag, she told Serenity, “Because you have twins, it will be easier to give each baby one breast per feeding. Just be sure to switch which side each baby is on at the next feeding. Drink at least sixteen ounces of water at each feeding. If you want, up to half of that can be milk three times a day. This will replenish your fluid levels and help build your milk supply.”

Mercury thought a moment then added, “Also, to begin with, fifteen to twenty minute feedings every two to three hours are fine unless the baby makes it obvious she’s not full. This will let your breasts get used to nursing gradually.” With a smile, Mercury asked, “Any questions?”

Elios had listened carefully to Mercury, but Serenity had not paid attention at all. She was too enthralled with watching her daughter nurse. Elios shook his head no and said, “I’ll help her. If we have more questions we’ll call.”

Elios stood up from the bed still holding his Little Maiden. Mercury picked up her medical bag and headed towards the door. As Elios walked with her, he said, “Thank you, Mercury.”

Smiling at him Mercury said, “You’re welcome. Take good care of them. I’ll stop by tomorrow to see how things are going. Bye.”

Elios turned around and saw Serenity drooping over from fatigue as she still nursed the baby. Quickly putting their Little Maiden down on the bed, Elios sat beside Serenity and supported her and the baby with his arms.

Small Lady looked like she had fallen asleep and fifteen minutes had passed. Elios suggested, “Serenity, I think it’s time to switch babies.”

Serenity woke from her light doze and began to lift Small Lady away from her body. Elios stopped her and said, “Do this or else it will hurt,” as he slid his finger between the baby’s jaws and broke the suction hold she had on her mother.

Serenity nodded her head yes as she saw how it could have hurt to just pull the baby away.

Carrying Small Lady in his arms, Elios walked to the bassinette. He gently kissed her then placed her in the bed. He whispered, “Be a good girl and sleep. Your sister will join you soon.”

By this time their Little Maiden had realized she wasn’t being held and had started to protest. Serenity looked at her and said, “I guess it’s her turn next. I’m so tired, I hope I can stay awake.”

Serenity began to reach for the baby on the bed, and Elios said, “Wait a second,” as he came back to the bed and lifted the baby up. He brought her to Serenity and continued with, “Don’t worry, I’ll help so you can rest.”

Elios handed the baby to Serenity then pushed the pillows back and climbed on the bed so he sat behind Serenity.

Lifting their Little Maiden up like Mercury had showed her, Serenity touched the baby’s lip with the nipple of her other breast.

Their Little Maiden cooperatively opened her mouth. Serenity moved the baby’s mouth over her nipple and the baby latched on. Remembering what Mercury had said about checking the baby’s bottom lip, she looked and it seemed to be right. Serenity sighed as she realized her daughter had begun to nurse and seemed content.

Elios wrapped his arms around Serenity and the baby. He whispered, “Go ahead and sleep. I’ll wake you when fifteen minutes are up.”

Serenity gratefully leaned her head back against her husband’s shoulder, closed her eyes and was soon asleep.

Elios continued to hold the baby and he watched her as she nursed. He was tired, but he decided he hadn’t ever been this happy before in his entire life. All three had made it through the birth fine, and the babies are healthy. [Finally,] Elios thought. [I have a family, my very own family!]

Fifteen minutes later, Elios woke Serenity enough for him to stand and take the baby. He gently kissed his Little Maiden. Ignoring the second bassinette, he put her in with her sister so each baby had her head at an end and their feet met in the middle. Elios stood looking at his children for a moment then walked to the bed and gratefully collapsed on it. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Serenity was also already asleep.

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“CRYSTAL TOKYO TIMES (Front Page dated February 26th)

King Elios and Queen Lady Serenity of Elysion announce the birth of their twin daughters,

Princess Small Lady Serenity IV
and
Princess Little Maiden Sirrah.

The babies were born on February 25th at 1:25 p.m.. Both weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces and were 19 inches long.

The proud grandparents are King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo.

Both babies and their mother are healthy and doing fine.


Crystal Tokyo Times joins all of Crystal Tokyo in congratulating the new parents. We wish them much health and happiness.”


The End…

Author’s notes:

This is the last book of this series. I have an idea for continuing the story but it’s set 5 years after the end of this series. Before I can write that though, I need to write a 4 book prequel series about the time when Prince Endymion was young, the fall of the 2 kingdoms, Beryl and her group’s exile, Terrance’s birth and life in the Dark Kingdom, how Terrance was concealed, the entire first season of Sailor Moon from the General’s and Beryl’s point of view then how Terrance survived on the Earth after Beryl’s defeat and how he ultimately ended up at the Crystal Palace. (Whew! ^_^;) I’m only a little more than half way through writing the first book so it will be quite a while before it\'s done. ^_^

Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did like my story, or if you have any (kind and gently worded) suggestions/comments about my story, please let me know. I truly appreciate feedback. You can email me at ndeblock@att.net .

This story was edited and enhanced by the great mind and imagination of Sophia Prester. Her help and ideas have been of great value to me! Thank you Sophia! ^_^

Sophia Prester is also the author or a *wonderful* continuing Sailor Moon epic called “Empire of the Sun”. Her story is very intricate and absorbing and I highly recommend reading it! The most up to date version is on Fanfiction.net . She also has two other Sailor Moon stories there. \"As God is My Witness, I thought Turkeys could Fly\" (my all time most favorite comedy fanfiction) and \"Descansos\" (an intersting and deep look at what made Sailor Pluto who she is). I\'m a little biased since I\'m her beta reader but I wouldn\'t steer you wrong so *Go Forth and Enjoy!* ^_^

Bye, Luna Hope