Update Note: (2/7/20) Updated for ages.

Sanctuary
A Christmas Story
Epilogue

***Usagi***

Usagi couldn't stop thinking about what her life had been like only a few weeks before. Lonely and sad. She'd been fighting the Cardians alone, and had none of her friends around her. Now she had all of them back in her life, and she couldn't be happier.

The only thing that made her sad was knowing she had to say goodbye to the twins. She couldn't help the way she felt. She only wished she didn't have to wait until she was older to see them again. They had grown on her so much, and she really wanted to keep them around.

But there had been a message waiting on her dresser when she woke, telling her that someone would be coming to collect the babies that morning. With a sigh, she finished dressing Chibi-Usa, and met the sad gaze of Mamoru as he buttoned the overalls of Chibi-Mamo. They were back in the clothing they arrived in, and their diaper bag was packed. Some of the toys and clothes they had purchased were in the bag, but not much would fit.

She swiped at a stray tear, but refused to give in to weeping. She would see them again when they were rightfully hers and Mamoru's. She just had to keep remembering that. Mamoru wrapped an arm around her shoulder as the two of them stood, each holding an infant. Then, together they turned and made their way out of the bedroom.

Her mother, father, brother, and cousin were all waiting near the door. They wouldn't be going alone. They had all insisted on coming with them, saying it was too hard to say goodbye. Usagi couldn't have been more grateful.

Her father carried a large thermos of hot chocolate, and another of coffee. Her mother took the diaper bag, and held tight to her camera. Shingo held a shopping bag full of the cookies they'd all baked together. Haruki just smiled and pulled out a copy of the photos they'd taken with Santa.

With a sad sigh, Usagi covered Chibi-Usa over with a blanket and watched as Mamoru did the same with Chibi-Mamo. They'd discussed bringing the stroller with them, but it was just too sad to roll it back home after, so they decided to carry them. It would give them more time to hold onto the babies.

Ikuko handed each of them a prepared bottle and Usagi thanked her and kissed her cheek. Then the door was open and the family trooped out. Chibi-Usa was smiling and giggling as she stared around at everything. It made Usagi smile. The little one definitely had a zest for life. Chibi-Mamo was quieter, but no less curious about the world around him. He watched the people and everything they passed.

The park was only four blocks from their house, but by the time they reached it, everyone had rallied around them. All the Senshi, the Shitennou, and Naru and Umino, Motoki, and even Reika, who was finally back home. Makoto and Nephrite were the first to appear unexpectedly. They joined the group before they'd reached the end of their block, but before they had gone far they were surrounded.

The large group entered the park and made their way to the opposite side of the pond. It was a relatively hidden spot where their future selves would not be seen when they appeared. Minako set down a blanket on the rough winter grass and Usagi settled down with Chibi-Usa on her lap. Mamoru sat beside her.

They were early. Just enough time for them to spend a few minutes feeding the babies and talking. The chattering of voices around them calmed Usagi, as she held the bottle for the little pink-haired angel in her arms. She would miss the babies terribly, but she knew that one day she would see them again.

After the babies were burped the first time, she and Mamoru switched so that Usagi was holding Chibi-Mamo. He grinned up at her, milky drool spilling down his chin as he watched her intently. He looked so much like Mamoru in that moment she had to smile, tremulous though it was, and kissed his forehead.

There was a sound of rushing wind and a strange light, and a moment later two people stepped forward. Usagi looked up and gasped. She couldn't help that her jaw dropped. The future Mamoru looked just as good as did his young counterpart, who sat beside her. There were differences though. His hair was changed, the tips having become a royal purple, and the Tuxedo he wore was white, the cape lined in the same royal color.

It was her future self that shocked her more. Wearing a long white gown, she looked like royalty. Her hair had gone silver, with hints of pink near the tips, and her eyes had changed, taking on that same silvery hue. She had wings on her back, though they looked to be part of the dress. And there was a tiny circlet above her bangs.

She was weeping.

That, more than anything, prompted Usagi to stand and rush forward with Chibi-Mamo in her arms. Future Mamoru took the child and handed him to future Usagi, then he tuned and hugged the younger version of his wife. Usagi couldn't help but blush as the couple said their thanks again and again. Mamoru too had moved forward with Chibi-Usa, and now the queen was holding both babies and sobbing over their heads as she leaned her own against the younger version of her husband.

"We cannot touch our younger selves," future Mamoru explained. "Though we both wish to. Pluto says it's too dangerous. Nothing might happen, or perhaps we could tear the fabric of space and time." He leaned closer and whispered to Usagi. "She's a bit melodramatic."

Usagi couldn't help the giggle the burbled up out of her. Future Mamoru seemed much more at ease with himself. She saw his current self, speaking to the queen. He turned and smiled at her and she grinned back. They moved closer so she and Mamoru cold kiss each of the children.

"I'm sure the others want to say goodbye," she told her future self. With a nod, she handed the babies to their grandparents, who brought them around the group.

"We remember," future Usagi said. "Everything that happened to you both, and how difficult saying goodbye was. I just hope you know how thankful we are that we could turn to you. And the timing couldn't have been better," she added with a smirk.

The look was so reminiscent of Mamoru that Usagi broke into a fit of giggles. Of course she had timed it carefully. No one liked being alone. The twins had brought love and light and laughter back into her world. She wished she could hug her future self, but she settled for passing the hug along.

"Thank you," she said fervently.

"You both have so much to look forward to," future Mamoru said. "And so many dangers ahead. As long as you face them together, always together, you will be fine." Usagi heard the stress in his voice and turned to look up at him. He looked sad and worried for a moment before his face cleared and he gave her a huge smile.

When the others had said their goodbyes and the babies were returned to their rightful parents, Mamoru wrapped his arms tightly around Usagi's waist, his chin on her shoulder, as they watched the couple disappear. With a few chanted words a light enclosed them and they were gone. Usagi knew tears streamed down her cheeks, but they were a mixture of happy and sad.

She turned in Mamoru's arms, and buried her face in his solid chest. He murmured to her, caressing her hair and neck, and reminded her again that they would see the babies one day soon. She finally nodded, and let herself be comforted.

Soon she was surrounded by her friends and family, all hugging her and Mamoru, letting them know they were not alone in the moment. That they had comfort and support. Together they trooped back toward the Tsukino house, and made their way inside to sit around the living room.

There was music and laughter, and mountains of food, as the group began to prepare for the festivities the next day. Ikuko pulled out arts and crafts supplies and everyone set to work making ornaments and gifts for one another. There were clothespin reindeer and baby food jar snow globes, and cookie ornaments and anything the group of teens and the parents who watched them could think up.

Long into the night they all worked on their presents for one another. Each gift made with love and laughter, and the knowledge that together, they could get through anything. Music filled the air, and hope filled their hearts.

Usagi, who had never heard the story before, listened as Minako told the real meaning of Christmas. That a baby was born who came to save the world, but there was no place for him. That wise men came to give him gifts in a humble manger. And that eventually he would bring the people the gift of salvation and would be sacrificed for them. She sniffled at the thought of his mother and turned to her own, wrapping her arms around Ikuko and holding tight.

Someday soon she would see her future children again. Until then she would have to make sure the world was safe.