AN: So, here we go, everyone! This is the last chapter, so I'm not going to bore you with notes at the beginning, but be sure to stick around for some at the end!

Hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!

oOo

He was running faster than he could ever remember running in his life, and yet, everything around him seemed to be moving in slow motion. As if his entire life had led him to this very moment.

Endymion ran past numerous workers, many calling out out to him in concern, but he just kept running, his brain unable to form responses, due to the fact that it was solely focused on one thing, one person, in particular.

Serenity.

She loved him. She didn't want to push him to the side. She didn't want to have an affair with another man. She loved him.

How could he have missed it? How was it possible for him to have been so, incredibly blind? All those moments. Her hands trembling under his in the kitchen. How she'd clung to him so desperately during the thunderstorm. Her eyes lighting up everytime she saw him.

And god, how he'd treated her! There was so much he needed to apologize for! So much he needed to say…

When he entered his gardens, and she came into view, his feet stopped, and his heart along with them.

She was sitting on a stone bench, her back to him, bathed in sunlight, and Endymion smiled to himself when she leaned her head back slightly, eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there, staring at her, the feelings coursing through him refusing to allow his body to move. But the need to talk to her, to tell her he loved her, grew so strong, his heart told his feet to move before his brain could even think to stop himself.

His footsteps were soft on the lush grass, making almost no noise, until a twig snapped and lay broken beneath his feet.

Serenity turned her head at the sound, alarm registering on her face, for the briefest of moments. But her startled expression soon led to the sweetest smile Endymion had ever seen.

His chest heaved with deep breaths in and out. "Ren, there's so much I need-"

"Come sit with me, Endy," she said quietly, patting the empty space on the bench next to her.

Endymion swallowed nervously, opening his mouth to ask her why, but the dryness there kept him from speaking. After another long, silent moment stretched between them, his feet were moving again, and in ten strides, he was standing before her.

Serenity looked up at him, the same, sweet smile on her lips, as he battled with himself internally. He was afraid of her rejection, and he'd pushed it down when the urge to see her overwhelmed him. But now, here he was. There was no escaping what was before him.

Should he sit? Should he stay or run? Was there any possible hope of atonement?

She loves you.

The words rang through his head, his decision made crystal clear, and he sat next to her, hands shaking. He placed them on his thighs, hoping it might do something to hide just how frightened he was.

He turned towards her, meeting her eyes for the first time in days. Sucking in a breath, he suddenly became very aware of just how much the princess before him had claimed his heart. In that moment she was everything, and he knew she would remain so, until the last breath was drawn from his lungs.

Endymion smiled at her then, a peace spreading through him like he hadn't felt in such a long time. "Ren, I don't even know where to start," he said with the slightest hint of a laugh, his hand raising to thread through his hair.

Serenity didn't speak, her only response was a slight widening of her smile, and she reached over, taking one of his shaking hands from its place on his leg, holding it gently in hers.

He watched as she gently rubbed his skin with her thumb, her eyes closing while she drew in a deep breath of her own. And when she opened her eyes, once more, Endymion felt that same peace that welled up in himself, radiating from her in waves.

"It's alright, Endy. Everything is alright."

The prince's smile fell slightly. He knew everything would be alright, but there was still so much he needed to tell her. "Serenity, I lov-"

But she raised her other hand, placing a finger to his lips to stop the inevitable rush of words they both knew were about to start flooding the space around them.

Serenity shook her head, a knowing look on her face. "I know, Endymion."

He barely had time to react to her words, before she threw herself forward, her small arms barely encircling him in the tightest and sweetest embrace he'd ever felt.

And he heard her whisper softly, "Me too."

oOo

"Endy, can I ask you something?" Serenity said, looking up at him from her place on his bare chest, as the couple lounged in her bed that now belonged to the both of them.

He smiled at her, tracing invisible patterns along her back and arms. "The last time you said those words, we ended up talking about unpleasant things."

She giggled lightly, recalling the exact time he was speaking of, when she had first brought up the subject of Beryl.

"Well, this is about Beryl…" she trailed off, a nervous air in her voice.

Endymion sat up slightly, concern written on his features. "You're not worried that I'm still in love with her, are you?" he asked, mind racing to come up with ways he could prove himself to her.

Serenity's entire body felt flushed at the question. "No, of course not," she replied sheepishly. After all, he'd just spent the last few hours showing her just how much he loved and wanted and needed her. "I just…" she faltered, trying to find the right words. "I suppose I was just wondering why you chose me over her?"

And when she finished her question, she buried her face into his chest, trying to hide from whatever consequences her curiosity might bring.

But she was surprised when she felt Endymion laugh underneath her. "You always were the curious one, weren't you?" He tightened his arms around her, rubbing his cheek against her head briefly, luxuriating in the feel of her silky hair against his skin. "You know, one of these days, that's going to get you into trouble," he teased lightly.

She responded with a playful swat to his chest, as she raised her head to look at him. "You're avoiding the question!"

The rumble of his laugh was felt against her cheek, again, but she whimpered slightly at the loss of contact when he sat up and placed her where they were facing each other.

His face turned thoughtful and serious as he spoke. "It wasn't a choice, really. When I found her that day, I knew instantly that she would be gone as soon as our conversation was over," he said, and Serenity's brow wrinkled at his words in confusion.

"I did love Beryl. Very much. I won't deny it," he confessed, delving into emotions he would have rather forgot existed.

"I struggled. Deeply. I had promised her I would never love another, and I was angry at myself for betraying that so easily. She's a part of my past, and always will be. But you, Ren…" he paused, shaking his head at the impossibility of it all. "You changed everything for me. I fought so hard to keep you away, but you found your way in without even trying. You were just...you. This extraordinary, beautiful, kind woman."

Endymion brought his hand up to her cheek, and he smiled when she leaned into his touch, her eyes closing at the gentle stroke of his thumb. "There was no choice for me, Ren, and I'm glad there wasn't. I can't compare the two of you, because by the time you brought Beryl back, I had fallen so deeply in love with you, there was no way out. There was no comparison."

Serenity smiled sadly at him, launching herself into his arms, a move he was quickly becoming accustomed to. "I'm so sorry," she whispered into his neck, tears making their way down her cheeks.

Endymion tucked her head beneath his chin, stroking her hair and back in comforting movements. "What are you sorry for, love?" he asked, somewhat incredulously.

She sniffled and rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. "Because...because you had to lose so much for us to be happy."

What he had done to deserve to even breathe the same air as the woman in his arms, he would never understand.

"Ren, look at me," he said gently, moving back from her and placing a hand under her chin to raise her head. He smiled fondly at the watery, ocean blue depths that stared back at him.

"Yes, I did lose something when we married. But look at all I've gained. It's immeasurable," he told her, as her tears continued to flow, but they seemed happier now, more joyous. "You are everything to me, princess. And if anyone should be apologizing it's me."

"Oh, Endy, you have nothing to apolog-"

"No, I do," he interrupted with more force than he intended. "I was hurt and angry and confused, and I lashed out at you, the one who was least deserving of it. And I'm so, so sorry."

Serenity was, once again, in his arms before he had the chance to blink. "I'm sorry, too. So much of this could have been avoided if I'd just been honest with you about how I felt."

Endymion laughed, then, and she looked up at him in surprise. "I'm sorry, Ren, I'm not laughing at you. I just can't believe we were naive enough to promise each other complete honesty after we were married."

She giggled with him, his laughter infectious, leaning up to place a soft kiss on his lips. "Well, can we make a new promise, then?"

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers, grinning happily. "Anything."

"No more completely unattainable promises? Let's just love each other, and take life as it comes?"

Endymion flipped Serenity onto her back in one, fluid movement, his spirit freer than it had been in his life, as he kissed her fully, and when he came up for air, he smiled. "Deal."

oOo

Some months later….

King Aethlius walked briskly down the corridor towards his son's chambers. He resisted the strong urge to run, for kings did nothing with undue haste. His pageboy struggled to keep up the pace, being a good head shorter than his king, and having to take two steps for every one of Aethlius'.

"Is she here, yet?" he asked, a nervous edge in his voice.

The page shook his head. "I'm not sure your grace. I was only told to summon you at once."

The king huffed in annoyance. He was supposed to be the first to know every occurence in his palace, and he was being kept in the dark about something as vitally important as this?

It was simply unacceptable.

When he reached the door, Athelius didn't bother waiting for the page to announce his presence. There was no time for such ridiculous practices, now.

He did, however, have the sense to knock once, instead of barging in, as every ounce of him screamed to do.

The door opened quietly, revealing the calm face of Venus. She stepped out of the way, bowing low to him, as he entered the room.

The sight that greeted the king was one that made his heart stop.

Serenity was laid back on the large bed, propped up by numerous, down pillows. She laid on top of what were obviously new and cleaned sheets, her hair damp, and curled around her face from perspiration.

The princess was obviously exhausted, but her face was blissfully calm and serene, as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

But the sight by the window was what made his breath catch in his throat.

Endymion stood in the sunlight, his large form huddled over the small bundle he held in his arms. He turned and smiled at Aethlius, speaking softly, "Why don't you come meet your new granddaughter?"

Aethlius moved slowly, afraid that any sudden movement would shatter the immeasurable peace in the room. And when he reached Endymion, his eyes falling for the first time on the baby that his son held, he nearly forgot how to breathe.

For there, nestled amongst soft, white blankets was the most perfect sight he'd ever seen. The baby's eyes blinked in the light, revealing bright, crimson irises, and a soft, strawberry blonde patch of hair sat upon her head. She gripped Endymion's finger in her tiny hand, as she, like her mother, fought back the urge to sleep.

The sight of her alone was enough to make the seasoned king weep, but when he saw her eyes, the same brilliant red as his wife's had been, he let joyous tears fall from his eyes without embarrassment. This perfect child had already brought hope into the world simply by existing. Her birth bringing assured peace to two kingdoms.

"What's her name?" he choked out, the only thing his emotion filled mind would allow him to ask.

Endymion smiled fondly, leaning down to place a kiss on the crown of the baby's head, before he answered proudly, "Small Lady."

The end

AN: WOW. IT'S DONE. I can't believe I managed to finally finish this beast, and I hope you all have enjoyed the ride with me!

I have to, first and foremost, thank my AMAZING partner in fic, FloraOne, for being my relentless cheerleader, friend and support during this process. Thank you, love, for being there, dropping everything whenever I sent something your way, forcing me to recognize things in myself I would have rather not have, and for never letting me settle for less than what I should 333 I love you, and you're the BEST!

Now, I know a lot of you were expecting a different ending to this more along the lines of canon, BUT I've said from the beginning that this is not THAT story. That story has already been told, and as much as I love the tragedy of it all, I wanted to create a little slice of peace and happiness for these two. Hopefully, I managed to accomplish that for you, as well.

Thank you all SO much for your reviews and support! I'm seriously blown away by it, and I cannot thank you enough. I'm sad that this story is ending, BUT it's not the end of my fic writing, so I do hope you'll stay around and see what's coming up next 333

Love to you all, and please let me know what you think!