I'm sorry this thing is a day late - really, I had it in by, like, 1:30 on Feb.15,
I swear! I just was out of town all of Valentine's Day, and didn't get back
'till late. But did I go to bed, like I should've? No! I put this story up for
you because I promised it! Aren't I so good to you? ^_-
 
For any of you that read the preview I had up of this story, I revised what I had up
a bit, but kept most of it the same and just wrote the rest. But the preview showed 
only about a third of the whole story, so there's plenty of new stuff here. ^_^
This story takes place in my "Usagi and Mamoru's Love" series, although it's 
not officially a part of it. It's just kinda a side-story. It takes place in the 
time period between "Blossomings" and "Surprises." You SHOULD have read 
those before you read this, as there are some references to them, but if you 
haven't, you probably won't be TOO confused. ^_- I don't think I ever mentioned 
what happened to USAGI after they got married in "Blossomings" - basically, 
she didn't go to college, but, rather, continued a job she had started late in 
high school. She works in a clothing store in the Juuban district near her 
apartment, and Minako also works there (she also didn't go to college). I hope 
it doesn't sound like I'm being sexist or trying to keep women down with this
situation (hey! I AM a female, too!) but I just found it worked well. Now maybe 
you won't be confused, K? Gomen. ^_^ Also, MinaP is a term of affection for
Minako used in the later manga. Arigato, minna! ^_^
-Lianne (LianneSen@aol.com)

*Valentine's Day*

	I woke up, but I refused to open my eyes. 
	I had spent a lot of time hoping in the past week, and especially the night 
before; but now was the most important time of all. I started to hope the hardest 
I had hoped yet, refusing to open my eyelids and let even the lightest hint 
of morning sunlight into my eyes. Please, PLEASE let him remember...I was 
hoping SO much he'd remember without me telling him...PLEASE let him 
remember...I popped open my eyes determinedly, my mind and jaw set to 
face him to see if my dreams had come true.
 	He wasn't there.
	I blinked, then sat up in the bed. I looked over at the bedside clock - 7:30. He
wasn't usually up until this time, anyway. But where was he? I looked around
the bedroom. It was neat, as it usually was. But there was no sign of where
he was. In all the emotional buildup I had pressed myself into like a vise I
had trouble thinking straight, and I couldn't fathom where he would be. I felt my
throat go tight. "Mamo-chan?" I squeaked.
	I heard a slight sound from the other room, and Mamo-chan entered, completely
dressed, a mug in his hand and a happy smile on his face. "Morning, sweetie!"
	I blinked again. "Mamo-chan?" I croaked. "What're you...doing up so early?"
	He walked over to the dresser and picked up his keys, shoving them in his
pocket. "Gotta get to the lab early today."
	My heart nearly fell through my feet and to the bed, only to roll off and splat
on the floor. "You...do?" I could hardly say it, my throat was so dry. He didn't
seem to notice as he took a swig from the mug. He nodded. "Need to work 
on some important stuff. And I don't wanna skip out - there're enough guys
on the job that dislike me enough as it is."
	THAT I couldn't understand. For a second, I put aside the sinking feeling in me
to interrogate him about the sudden comment-in-question. "I thought all those 
guys were really nice, Mamo-chan," I remarked. "They've all been REALLY nice 
to me every time I come. They really don't like you?"
	I saw an expression I couldn't place flash through his face, and he giggled
awkwardly. "Uh...don't worry about it. I'm just trying to get on everybody's
good side, is all. Don't worry, Usako."
	I stared at him a moment, then shrugged it off. Apparently it wasn't 
something I was going to understand anytime soon. "Ok." I didn't realize
how disappointed my voice actually sounded  until I said it. He looked
at me curiously, and I blushed furiously, looking away.
	"Usako?" Mamo-chan came up and sat next to me on the bed, looking
at me confusedly. "Daijobu?"
	I nodded briefly, but I still didn't turn to him. "Daijobu," I mumbled
quickly.
	 I heard him sigh. Long fingers took my chin and turned my face to him.
I tried not to look into his eyes, but he looked into mine. He seemed to
be enough satisfied with my answer as of the time being. "Ok," he sighed.
"But if you're upset about something, cheer up, OK? I hate to see you
sad." I smiled unwillingly at this, and he smiled back gently. He leaned in 
and kissed me softly. I could smell the warm, comforting aroma of coffee on 
his breath, and it felt welcoming and protective. I cheered up a bit, and he 
looked down at me with a little smile. "Have a good day, Ok?" he said quietly. I 
gave a little nod, and he pecked me on the lips again. "Bye, baby."
	"Je ne," I said back, and he got up and left, waving as he left the room.
I watched the doorway as I heard him move around in the other room, 
then finally leave the apartment and close the door behind him. I sat in bed
a minute, then flopped back on it with a sigh. Valentine's Day. He had 
forgotten today was Valentine's Day. "Oh, Mamo-chan..." I mumbled sadly.

********************

	"Usagi-chan!"
	I turned around, then felt my face automatically melt into a smile. "Hey, 
Mina-chan."
	Minako was full of energy, as always. Her hair bounced around her
as she talked, her eyes glittering happily. She had something clutched
in her hand excitedly, and she jiggled it in the air as she spoke in her
quick, serious way despite her carefree, jubilant manner. Her voice was
always more serious than she was. "This is TOTALLY great! I just
COULDN'T believe it when I went to my cubby this morning and saw
it, I just almost DIED on the spot, this is so WICKED kakkoii I just don't
know..."
	I blinked. "Minako-chan, what are you talking about?"
	She thrust the object in my face - I saw it to be a piece of red paper
with pink hearts gaily decorating it in bursts of cheerful color. "I got a 
VALENTINE this year!!!!!"
	I looked at it, my heart sinking against my will again. Valentine's Day was my 
forever favorite holiday. Her excitement reminded me so much of earlier 
that week, when I had been WISHING with all my heart that maybe my 
first Valentine's Day since Mamo-chan and I got married could be special,
that maybe he'd remember and we'd do something together...JUST my luck 
Valentine's Day had to be on a day when he had to get to work early! Maybe 
if he hadn't needed to go before I even woke UP he would've remembered...
	Through my thoughts, sinking emotions, and staring absently at the card, 
I suddenly noticed something. "Mina-chan, can I see that?"
	Minako crammed it at me quickly, her energy shown in every jolty movement.
I took the card and looked at it. I winced. "Uh, MinaP?"
	Minako was still shining. "Hai?"
	"Um, this is from our boss. She gives it to all her workers on Valentine's
day. I got one, too."
	Minako's face fell. Oh, God, MinaP...I hate to see you make that face...why
can't you stay cheery all the time? Oh, God...I just sounded like Mamo-chan 
when he had seen ME upset this morning...internally, I winced. How strange it
is when we see the people we're used to seeing happy get on the down side of
life. It always seems that things must be REALLY bad, then. I can see maybe why
Mamo-chan was upset to see me sad that day. "Oh." She looked down. "Well, that's
ok."
	I frowned. "You were hoping it was from a guy, weren't you?"
	Minako shrugged, not looking up. "Yeah, kinda. I just wish...oh, y'know...I
could maybe be on a TRACK to find someone. It's kinda weird to have a 
friend that's married and I've never even had a stable boyfriend."
	Poor Mina-chan. She's the girl I pity most in the world. With MY love
life, I know I'd be dying if I were in her position. I put a hand on her 
shoulder, and squeezed gently. "MinaP..."
	Minako shook her head, looking up, a bright smile on her face. "I'm ok!"
she said solidly, surprising me. "I'm waiting for Mr. Right! And I KNOW
he'll be along any time now! Why do I need to worry?"
	I fought the laugh that desperately wanted to make its way out, but 
couldn't win against me. Mina-chan - always willing to hold onto faith
as her key to happiness! And there's nothing wrong with that, in my mind.
I think she'll find love if she stops looking for it.
	She poked me in the ribs, cocking an eyebrow at me. That wicked glint
was in her eye, and I suddenly wanted to run. "So, Usagi-chan...what are
you and Mamoru planning on tonight? Dinner? Romantic music by 
candle light? Dancing the night away?"
	I blushed furiously, looking down. "MinaP..."
	She got up closer, bouncing happily but talking in secretive tones. "Aw,
Usagi-chan...you don't have to be embarrassed! I'm your bud! Now c'mon - spill!"
	I shook my head quickly. "Ah...I don't think anything real special...we haven't
planned anything..."
	"What'd he say this morning about it?"
	I wilted a little at the thought. "Well, he had to get to work early, and I
just got to see him a minute before he left."
	"Did he wish you a happy Valentine's Day?"
	"Well, no. He had to leave really early." My heart started to sink. "I don't 
think...he remembered."
	Minako gave me a pitying frown. "Aww...are you sure? I'm SURE he'd
know how important Valentine's Day is for you."
	"Yeah, but he's been busy lately," I answered quietly.
	"Well, maybe. But don't jump to conclusions." Minako checked her watch.
"Crap. Gotta meet Mako for an early lunch. You wanna come?" 
	I shook my head. "No thanks. I just wanna...be alone for a bit."
	"Ok." She gave me a quick hug, then waved as she left. "Ja ne!"
	I waved absently as she departed, my thoughts elsewhere. I plopped down 
in my chair, staring at my bento box with unseeing eyes. I didn't feel
like eating. That day I had had trouble focusing on ANYTHING, I was so 
busy feeling bad about Mamo-chan. Could he...remember tonight? I SO
wanted to grasp hold of that hope and not let it go, but I knew deep
inside that it would probably just end up that he'd remember later,
and it would be too late to do anything. My first Valentine's Day, and 
nothing was going to happen. I sighed and leaned my cheek against my
palm, my elbow rested on a little table in the workers' lounge. It was
my break. Maybe I'd just mope. I felt like being depressed that day. I
rarely was - maybe I'd try it for a day.
	One of the other workers popped her head in. She was a good friend
of mine, Yamine-chan. She had wavy brown hair that seemed to sigh 
around her as she moved. "Usagi-chan!" she said quickly. "You got something
delivered here!"
	I looked up, confused. "Nani?"
	She beckoned to me quickly. "C'mon! I think it's from your husband!"
	I got up quickly and went with her, curious. She brought me to one of
the side rooms, where there was another worker's lounge. But, on the 
table of this one, was a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses and an adorable
stuffed bunny holding a red, heart-shaped card. Yamine-chan giggled
excitedly, and I covered my mouth with wide eyes. She pushed me towards
it. "Well? C'mon! Open the card!"
	I couldn't move - everything in my body seemed to stay frozen, like I was 
in suspended animation or some giant jello mold. My mind could hardly function. 
Had he...had he..."Well," I heard Yamine-chan giggle beside me, "I sure HOPE
it's from your husband. 'Cause if it's from some OTHER guy, your Mamo-chan's
gonna be a TAD upset."
	This sudden thought scared me enough for me to reach out and take the
card out of the bunny's hands. I opened it slowly, holding my breath.

Usako-
I love you. Happy Valentine's Day. 

	I could only stare at the card for a moment, until I saw a tear fall down
and land with a PAT on the paper, leaving a small, dark, wet spot. I lifted
my fingers to my cheek, and saw with a hazed shock that the tear had been 
mine. The card wasn't signed, but of course I knew it was Mamo-chan. 
That quick, scrawled-but-still-easy-to-read handwriting I
could pick out of a million samples. I started to sob quietly, although I
fought it with all my might. Why did I need to cry? "Mamo-chan..."
	I heard Yamine-chan chuckle beside me, and she pulled me into a hug. "It
was from him?"
	I nodded, but couldn't stop crying. Yamine laughed. "Usagi-chan!
You're THAT happy?"
	I rubbed my eyes on her shoulder, sniffling. "I thought...I...thought he...
forgot..."
	Yamine rubbed my back comfortingly as she smiled gently. "Well, I guess 
this proves he didn't, ne?"
	I sniffed in her embrace. Yamine's 20, but she's never had a stable 
relationship. I wonder how she understood what I was going through? I guess 
some people can understand, whether or not they've felt what you're feeling
before. She led me gently to the bathroom as I rubbed my eyes and 
sniffed, fighting down the crying. "C'mon, Usagi-chan," she said with
a smile. "Let's clean you up. You're lookin' disheveled. All finished with your
happy-and-in-love Valentine's Day cry?"
	I gave a weak smile. I looked in the bathroom mirror to behold my 
reflection. I looked kinda tired and worn after crying in the middle of the 
day, combined with all the moping I'd done earlier. And I hadn't done a 
great job with make up that morning.
	Yamine-chan pulled out a compact. "Look at me," she ordered. I turned to 
her, and she started fixing up my face gently. Her hands were soft and delicate,
and EXPERIENCED. If there's ONE thing NO ONE can match Yami-chan in,
it's applying make up. A minute later, she had touched off my eyeliner, then 
nodded her head in satisfaction. "Great. Now use some lipstick."
	I looked in the mirror and smiled. I DID look better. I reached into my
pocket and pulled out my lipstick, applying it with care. I smacked my
lips together cheerfully. I heard Yamine laugh again. "Feeling better?"
	I nodded cheerily. Man, how Mamo-chan can change my moods...my
eyes were dry, and no longer held that look of sadness from earlier - that 
one sweet act he had done had changed my entire outlook of the rest of the 
day. "MUCH better."
	She took my arm and smiled. "Well then, let's go find you a place to put 
those roses for now, shall we?"
	
***************************

	Later I was putting some new retro-style jackets on the rack with a bit of 
difficulty, standing on my tiptoes to try to move the heavy things around
the already crammed rack. I mumbled angrily and creased my brow, trying to
push over some of the other clothes on the rack as the hooks of the close-hangers
refused to catch onto the bar. I HATE doing that. I'm small enough as it is,
and those stupid jackets are heavy and awkward, not to mention the rack is 
really tall! Why am I always stuck doing this?
	I was nearly plowed over from behind by two rampaging teenagers who zoomed up behind me like rocket-powered roller skaters. "USAGI-CHAN!"
	I was so caught off guard I fell forward and dropped all the jackets; I was
a bit surprised when a strong arm caught me and a thinner one grabbed the jackets
as they flew out of my hands, shoving them up on the rack apparently without 
any of the difficulty I had fought moments before. I was heaved to a straight
standing position and whipped around. Although I shouldn't have been, I was
surprised to see Minako and Makoto staring incredulously at me. I guess
all the movement that had taken place in a total of .3 seconds had rattled
me. REALLY badly. "USAGI-CHAN!" Makoto yelled at me. "You thought he 
didn't REMEMBER?!"
	My thoughts were still jumbled. I blinked confusedly. "Nani?"
	Minako gripped me by the shoulder. "I TOLD you not to jump to conclusions.
See? DIdn't everything work out? Why don't you ever listen to me?" She shook 
her head sadly.
	Makoto put a hand on her hip. "You SERIOUSLY thought he forgot? I mean,
your hubby's GOT to be one of the most romantic guys I know. He loves
you to death, Usagi-chan. You gotta start having more faith."
	I blinked a second, then everything hit me. I blushed and looked down. "Oh.
Uh...right. I...I just thought since he's been so preoccupied lately..."
	"Don't gimme that crap," Makoto said flatly. "It's not a valid excuse."
	I coughed, trying to stand up to their glarings. "God, you guys are...
what DID you eat for lunch?"
	Minako frowned, and Makoto grabbed me in a head lock. I choked as she
rubbed her knuckles in my hair. She doesn't know her own STRENGTH..."Urasai,
baka. You have NO right to start flingin' insults. When your FRIENDS have
more faith in your husband than you do, you're REALLY pathetic."
	I straightened up, trying to regain some of my pride as I looked her full
in the face. "I DO have plenty of faith in Mamo-chan, Miss Kino. I simply 
decide not to assume or expect anything romantic because it can be
disappointing if I'm mistaken."
	Minako rolled her eyes. "God, with Mamoru, you can assume. GOD, you
can assume. Usagi-chan, THINK ABOUT IT. This is your MAMO-CHAN we're
talking about! Tuxedo Kamen! Man of the night and of that WICKED cool
cape with the red lining!"
	I rolled my eyes. "Right, right. The cape. You LOVE that cape."
	"Urasai! That's not the point!" she yelled in a high-pitched squeak. Makoto
covered her ears. "Mina-chan! Not so loud!"
	I brushed her off with a hand, my eyes easy. "Don't worry, MinaP. I get 
what you're saying. I just kinda...worry a lot. You know how it is - I love him so 
much, it's natural that I always fear something is going to make this living dream end."
	"'Living dream?'" Mako crossed her arms and scowled. "Sure, just RUB it
in, little miss 'I'm-married-to-the-man-of-my-dreams-at-age-18-with-my-
single-friends-without-even-boyfriends' Tsukino." 
	I smiled. "Sure. Gomen. All my fault you're single."
	Makoto crossed her arms in false anger. "You better WATCH it, 
Chibi-Usagi. You KNOW how much I can hurt you."
	"Right. Gomen nasai." Makoto rolled her eyes at me as I tried not to laugh.
	Minako suddenly took my hand and gave that big, cheerful smile of hers. She
giggled excitedly. "Well, then," she chirped. "Let's SEE those gorgeous roses
Yami-chan said he sent you!"
	I smiled and shook my head. "You guys are SO desperate for romance. I'd
wish you'd go GET some."
	"Trains don't come by every minute, Usagi-chan, so give us a while," Makoto
said with a wink as she took my arm. "YOU just happened to have a ticket to
one you got a millennium ago."
	Minako took my other arm. "Usagi's just LUCKY, is all. She's ALWAYS
had the luck. Men, clothing, measurements, hair length..."
	Makoto laughed. "Hai, odango atama. I wish *I* could grow my hair as long
as YOURS is..."
	I smiled as we went back into the store. With Mina and Mako around, I could
NEVER be bored.

**********************

	I leaned against one of the walls on the inside of the elevator as its bell 
dinged at each floor. The elevator was empty, as usual. For some odd reason, 
nobody seemed to use it at 5:30 in the evening when I finished walking home 
from work. Didn't Americans call this time something? Something implying that 
it was a BUSY time of day? I tried to remember..."Rush hour?" Was that it? 
Probably not, that sounded too dumb. Oh well.
	The bell finally chimed at my floor, and the doors slid open with a 
CHUNK. I stepped out of it and started walking simply down the hall, 
my footsteps quieted to a state of near-silence on the carpeting. It
was quiet - not surprising, as I had soon come to learn that most of 
the tenants in this apartment building were middle-aged,
lonely people that had trouble finding even an UNSTEADY relationship, 
so there probably wouldn't be a particularly LARGE amount of action on
this Valentine's Day. Moping, probably. But that would be behind 
closed doors, anyway.
	I unconsciously began fishing through my pocket for the key as I neared
the door. Common routine; Mamo-chan didn't arrive home until an hour 
or so after me on the weekdays. The hallway was rather dark, from the lack
of light through the hall windows and the fact that not many of the 
hall lights had been turned on yet. I shook my head. Couldn't the stupid building
turn on the lights before it got pitch black outside? It'd certainly make the
atmosphere at least SLIGHTLY more warm. But, I had to admit, the reason this
hallway often seemed to carry foreboding with it was because MANY of the
people behind the doors I passed were ENVIOUS of Mamo-chan and my 
happiness...
	I reached the door as I pulled out my key, sticking it in the keyhole
and turning it. I immediately started to feel a bit better. I SO much more
loved the INTERIOR of my apartment than the hallway...I found myself
smiling as I pushed in the door.
	I stopped. My eyes widened as I unconsciously held my breathe.
	There were candles everywhere. I mean, the lights were OFF, but there 
was a dim, soft light from all the...God, it seemed like THOUSANDS
of tiny flames. It didn't remind me of any...RELIGIOUS candle burning
or anything, but they were just...everywhere. On the tables, the counters,
the shelves...and they were so PRETTY. Tall, elegant white candles in little
silver-looking holders. The little floor table Mamo-chan and I usually ate
at had two beautiful candles on it, taller and even MORE graceful than
the others. The table was set neatly for two, and on the place where I
usually sat at there was a small plate, a single red rose resting upon it.
	I couldn't think for a moment. It was so...AMAZING, I couldn't
even comprehend what was happening. WHAT was going on?...I felt
my heart start to quicken...what was all this?
	Long arms circled around my waist from behind. I blinked as I felt
soft hair pressing against my cheek, and a warm body come up 
behind. Gentle lips were in my ear. "Hi, baby," they breathed.
	I couldn't think. Nor breathe. My insides suddenly seemed to get fogged 
up...I was so warm, and taken TOTALLY by surprise..."M...Mamo-chan?" I 
squeaked. "W...what are you...doing home so...early?" It was the only thing 
I could THINK to say, OKAY?!
	He chuckled. It rumbled against my shoulder, where his chest
lay. A tingle ran down my spine - a tingle that was warm..."Happy
Valentine's Day," he whispered. I could feel his smile.
	My thoughts were incoherent. Mamo-chan had done all THIS?! I
wouldn't have guessed in a million years. I had thought he had FORGOTTEN
Valentine's Day that morning, and he had already sent me those roses...
all this? He was doing all this? Warmth spread through me, and after a 
moment, the full impact of all that he had done, all that he was DOING, hit
me...Mamo-chan...my eyes softened. Oh, Mamo-chan, you did all this...for
me? "H...Happy Valentine's Day," I whispered back, a little shakily. I kinda
felt like crying, or simply resting in his arms...maybe both...Mamo-chan...
	I felt him smile again, then he pulled back a bit so he could turn
me around in his arms. There was something in his eyes...something...
soft, that I saw occasionally, perhaps if I saw him watching me
do something and he thought I couldn't see. But it was...odd, to see him looking
fully at me like that now...I felt myself slipping into the softness of his 
eyes, losing myself in the pillowy blueness...my eyes went glassy as his hands 
slipped to my arms and he pulled me gently back, closing the door behind us 
with his foot. He motioned to the little floor-table with his head, his eyes 
glowing. "C'mon. I made you dinner."
	I blinked. "N...Nani? Mamo-chan, you-"
	He laughed and shook his head, pulling me gently around and leading me to it.
"Sure, Usako. Why - you think I'm a bad cook?" His eyes twinkled mischievously
as he pulled me to a sitting position on the floor at my normal spot; he 
didn't sit with me, but, rather, bent over me with a teasing anticipational look
in the glittering blueness of his eyes.
	I looked down as I felt a blush rise up on my cheeks. Mamo-chan...you can still
make me blush when you look at me like that..."Mamo-chan," I whispered with a
smile. "You know it's not that..."
	I knew he was smiling again, though I wasn't looking up at him to see it. 
His slippered feet padded softly out of my vision and left the room. It made
me suddenly realize I hadn't yet taken off my shoes; I pulled them off a little
hazily and put them beneath the table. I looked around the softly lighted room
slowly, and a dreamy little smile came on my face. He certainly knew how
to create atmosphere...that was my Mamo-chan - Mr. Romance, all right. But
it was still a bit unbelievable - I had NO idea he would...do so much, after he 
sent me those roses at work (and I had left there, incidentally, in order to 
cheer me up for the next week or so that they would live). I...hadn't expected 
anything like this at all. It was a little...different, the way I felt with all this...
kinda like we were dating again...I chuckled internally. Mamo-chan...
	The chink of china snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see that 
Mamo-chan had put a platter in front of me. I stared at it - God, it looked like 
he had REALLY known what he was doing. A very complex rice dish with 
vegetables and meat - one I was familiar with, but could hardly ever pull off. 
"Mamo-chan," I said quietly. "You...made THIS?"
	His laughter made me look up. He looked down at me, his eyes glittering.
"Didn't think I could cook? Usako...and I thought you had FAITH in a man that
lived alone for as many years as I did..."
	I smirked at him. "You baka...you know my faith as much as I do. Of course
I know you can cook. You just shouldn't have gone through so much TROUBLE..."
	He bent lower, pressing his forehead against mine as he touched my cheek. 
"What trouble?" he whispered softly. "NOTHING'S trouble for you, Usako. 
I'd die for you. You know that."
	I looked into his soft blue eyes, then closed my own. "I would die for
you even sooner, baby," I whispered back. "You know THAT."
	I felt him smile, and he put his lips near my ear. "Why is it ALL our 
conversations lead to talking about death?" he chuckled. "Can we have
a NICE conversation for once?"
	I pushed him playfully, smiling. "You started it."
	He smiled. "Right. Gomen."
	I chuckled as his blueness glittered at me again, and he silently went 
to sit at his side of the little table. His soft steps reminded me so much of 
how a cat would walk...cat? That reminded me. I looked around
curiously. "Mamo-chan? Where are Luna and Artemis?"
	He sat down, then rested his chin on his palm, his elbow propped on the table.
"They went out for the evening. Said they'd spend the night somewhere.
Y'know - romantic kitty stuff."
	I giggled at that, and he smiled at me. I put a little of what he had made 
on my plate, gently taking the rose off first and putting it by my side. After
a moment, I looked up. "Baby, whatcha sitting all the way over there for?"
	He laughed. "It's where I usually sit," he said with a smile.
	I made a face. "Sweetie, this is SUPPOSED to be a holiday celebrating love. 
So come sit next to me already."
	He smiled and came to sit beside me quietly, crossing his legs and 
watching me as I tried a mouthful. My eyes brightened. "Hey!" I remarked with 
a full mouth. "Mamo-chan! You did a REALLY good job on this!" I giggled. "My baby is 
SUCH a good cook."
	Mamo-chan smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
	"Did you try it?"
	He shook his head. "Not really. I made it for you."
	I laughed. "You're so sweet. Open up." I picked up some of the stuff with
my chopsticks and stuck it in his mouth. "So? What do you think of your
own work?" I asked teasingly.
	He chewed a moment, then looked like he was mock-thinking. "Hm. Guess
you really DON'T taste the eggshells I dropped in..."
	I laughed and pushed him. "Urasai. You're so annoying."
	"Maybe. But you married me, so live with it."
	I giggled as I put some more in my mouth. "That I did. But I STILL think it was the 
best thing I ever did in my life."
	Mamo-chan chuckled as he leaned his face close to mine. "You're so 
good to me."
	I smiled. "Of course I am. And I'm not eating all of this by myself so 
open wide." I popped another mouthful at him, and he accepted it quietly,
his eyes light.
	After a while, he took my hand as I put it up to feed him again. "Usako.
Hang on."
	"What?" I gave a look of false horror. "Don't tell me...the RAT poison in here
is starting to get to you?!"
	He let out a breath as he smirked. "Actually, I wanted to see if you were...
finished. I...wanted to...say something."
	I looked at him curiously, slowly bringing down the chopsticks and resting
them on the plate. "Say something?"
	"Yeah." He gave his little loving smile then - that little dreamy smile
that I absolutely DIE for and STILL gives me little warm chills even though
we've been married for half a year - and took my hands, pulling me closer.
"Usako," he whispered, his eyelids drooping down a bit, his blue pupils 
glittering. "Close your eyes."
	I softened under his gaze, and I smiled fondly. I closed my eyes slowly,
scooting up a bit so I could be closer to his warm presence. I held my
face up, smiling as I waited a moment...I felt long fingers brush against the
skin of my neck, and something cool sliding like a teardrop upwards.
The warm fingertips reached the back of my neck and stopped for a moment,
touched something that I could barely feel with the hair on my neck, 
then removed themselves. "Ok," he whispered. "You can look now."
	I opened my eyes and looked down at my neck. I gasped. 
	It was a necklace. A gold chain, with a small, simple, but very loving
diamond heart on it. I felt my insides go warm, and my heart melted...
"Oh, Mamo-chan," I breathed. "You...you didn't need -"
	He stopped me by putting a finger gently on my lips. He shook his head
as he smiled. "I don't need a reason," he said softly. "I love you. Isn't that 
reason enough?"
	I felt my eyes quivering as I looked at him. "Oh...Mamo-chan...you...you're
so...oh, I love you, too!"
	He rested the side of his face against mine, whispering to my temple.
His breathe was warm and soft. "You're so beautiful, Usako," he whispered.
"I...I never fail to be amazed at how I got such a beautiful woman to be my wife. 
You're more beautiful than the stars, the moon, the sky...but you're not just beautiful.
You're YOU. And I love you. For everything about you."
	I closed my eyes and put my arms around him, hugging him tightly. 
"M...Mamo-chan, I love you so much...for everything about YOU, too. There's...
there's NOTHING about you I don't love! I love you so much I'm sometimes afraid 
my heart will burst!"
	I heard him chuckle. "Usako...you're so kawaii...don't ever leave me, ok?" He
whispered the final words so softly he almost sounded...afraid...
	I closed my eyes and hugged him tighter. "Never! Mamo-chan, never! But you
have to promise the same, ok?"
	"Of course." He put his arms around me and hugged me back. "I'd never. You're
everything to me, Usako. You know that."
	I buried my face in his shirt. He...he was being so LOVING...the little
diamond heart was so symbolic to me. It was like his love - delicate, humble, but 
undeniably pure and indescribably beautiful. Like him. He was the rose of my 
heart, the bloom that flourished in me always. "Mamo-chan..."
	"Usako," he whispered. "My baby...would you ...dance with me? I want to 
hold you close to me..."
	I nodded within his shirt. He released me slowly, then stood up and 
held out his hand softly. I took it, and he led me to my feet gently,
pulling me close. His long fingers clasped over mine as he put his lips
near my ear. "Beautiful...do you want music?"
	I leaned my head on his shoulder, my eyes closed as I whispered into his
neck. "I want the music of your heart. Sing to me, Mamo-chan."
	He pulled me closer, and I rested in his warm embrace. His lips parted
softly...

"Share ta koto ienai keredo,
sotto soba ni ite ageru,"

	I could feel his deep voice rumble in his chest, his breathe warm as he
sang softly into my ear...he swayed me softly in a dream-like dance, his
movements loving and full of care. This song...

"Diary moji azayaka ni
kimi to ashita egakou,"

	Oh, Mamo-chan...this song...whenever he sang it, it always made me 
cry...

"Moshi mo kagayaki o motomete,
ai no monogatau
yomioete mo samishii naraba,"

	"Mamo-chan," I whispered as I felt my eyes grow glassy. A tear slipped 
out from under my eyelashes. Oh, Mamo-chan...

"Yume iro DORESU kisete,
hitomi toji ai o kome kuchizuke o sasage you,
I do love you, ore no inochi
pretty baby, dakishimete age you..."

	I started to sob softly. Mamo-chan...

"Kidori gao dekinai keredo,
atsui manazashi okurou,"

	My tears were lost in his shirt. Mamo-chan...the way you do this...oh, I
love you so much...

"Lonely night, hoshikuzu atsume,
kimi o hikari terasou,

	Mamo-chan...

"Moshi mo tokimeki o sagashite
sora ni negai kake
uranatte mo setsunai naraba,"

	I tried to hold back my crying as much I could, but the tears wouldn't
stop. My fingers came up shakily, and I fingered the diamond heart around my 
neck. It was so small and beautiful...it was like I could feel its glittering on my
fingertips...he had given this as a token of love. I knew he had. It didn't matter
that today was Valentine's Day, that today was ANYTHING other than a normal
day. He gave it to me because he loved me...

"Tenshi no tsubasa tobashi
afurederu namida fuki kuchizuke o sasage you,
I do love you, ore no inochi
pretty baby dakishimete age you..."

	Because he loved me...

"Tenshi no tsubasa tobashi..."

	Mamo-chan...I love you...

"Afurederu namida fuki kuchizuke o sasage you..."

	I closed my eyes. My fingertips closed around the diamond heart. Mamo-chan...

"I do love you, ore no inochi..."

	He loved me...

"Pretty baby..."

	He loved me...

"Dakishimete..."

	He loved me...

 "Age you..."
	
	Mamo-chan...

	He kissed me. I put an arm around his neck, the other one kept so I could
still hold the diamond in my fingers. He loved me...I'll never take it off. Never,
Mamo-chan. I slowly let the charm slide from my fingers, and I reached up to touch
his face as we kissed. I love you, Mamo-chan...forever, Mamo-chan...no matter
what happens, Mamo-chan...

I love you...



The end


-Did you like it at all? I hope this wasn't TOO much like "Usagi and Mamoru's
Love: Surprises" Part 2. ^_^ For all of you Sailor Moon EXPERTS out there, what 
song was Mamoru singing in this? Can you guess? No? C'mon, I KNOW you know
it...Yeah. I knew you did. "Dakishimete Itai." I love that song so much...^_^ For any
of you unfamiliar with it, it's a song that Mamoru's seiyuu (voice actor) sang as 
Tsukikage no Knight (for DIC viewers, The Moonlight Knight). I think it was his 
R Image song or something. All I know is it's really pretty, and I got it off the internet
and listen to it all the time. Ok ok...so maybe Furuya Tohru sounds a little bit 
AGGRESSIVE when he sings...^_- But if sung softly, it can be very pretty. I think
Mamoru's a good singer, personally. ^_- If any of you know what the song MEANS,
you may understand a bit why it made Usagi cry. Mamoru singing a song about how
he's nothing special but he loves her more than anything and all he dreams of is for 
her to hold him..."Pretty baby, dakishimete age you." Aww....^_^ Anyway, did any of
you actually LIKE this? First time I included song lyrics, which I sometimes find
a bit annoying if done poorly in stories, but it was something I decided to do for a 
change. Did anyone LIKE it? But besides that, I worked SO hard on this - this is
one of the first times I've written a fanfic that I had to completely change time and
time again! I changed the plot 3 times, rewrote several scenes, cut out discussions,
changed emotions, COMPLETELY redid Usagi's view and feelings at one point...
thank you, Alpha, for listening to that icky first draft and giving me suggestions
on it. Glad I didn't use the original story I wrote for this - neither of us really liked
it very much. I like this one much better. ^_^ So please, WRITE ME ON THIS!! I 
want to see if anyone liked it.  Anyway, thank you for reading, I had 
VERY little internet access this week so I'm even FURTHER behind on my e-mails
(please don't hate me! I really love it when you write! Please don't stop!) special
thank you's to all my friends and a big wave and hugs to Jen Wand, and a Happy
Valentine's Day to you all. Tsukino hikari wa ai no message. ^_^ Domo arigato,
minna-chan! Ja ne! ^_^
-Lianne (LianneSen@aol.com)
*Sailor Moon and all its characters are copyright Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha 
Ltd./Toei Animation, Co., Ltd. and the English adaptation is copyright 1995 
DIC productions, LP. The original preview for this story is copyright Lianne 
Sentar, December 1997, and the final story is copyright Lianne Sentar, February
1998.
**DOWN WITH DUB-BASHING!!! ^_^