Seiya stretched her arms behind her as she finished up reading the newspaper. Many thought it curious that one of the royals still read a plain old newspaper when there was the Internet and such to get the information from, or advisors who could compile everything for her. But there was just something nice about having a pile of papers in front of her to read at her leisure.

She'd just set the paper down when Chibiusa came bursting in through the ivory doors from the veranda.

"Mama!" The pink-haired girl scampered over to where Fighter was lounging, tripping to her knees a few times, before ducking for cover behind Seiya. "Save me!"

The Starlight quirked her eyebrow. "From…?"

"Mom's being a meanie!" Chibiusa whined. "A big one!"

"Is that so?" Seiya chuckled and started to get up. "What is she-..."

A crashing noise from the veranda and a loud yelp cut her off. From the open doorway a potted plant rolled in on its side, dirt falling out onto the floor in large clumps.

"Got her!" The little girl giggled evilly. "I knew my anti-meanie defense would work on her."

"What in the world did you do?" Fighter asked with a tinge of worry.

"I just set up a trap," Chibiusa said casually.

"Uh-huh." Seiya began walking over to the doorway and called out, "Everything okay, Odango?"

"No!" The cry sounded more frustrated than anything, which made the Starlight relax. "Where'd she go?!"

"In here."

The pink-haired girl looked up at Seiya, betrayal on her face. "Traitor!"

Some shuffling noises could be heard from the veranda along with a couple softer sounds of ceramics being dragged. Then, after a moment, Usagi appeared in the doorway. Her cloth wings were crumpled and dirty against her sides. The beautiful crown on her head was now lopsided and dull, and her moon queen dress was smattered with dirt. Her face was puffed up in her own ineffectual brand of angry.

Chibiusa was suddenly clinging to Seiya's leg. Her eyes were looking back up at the Starlight, glassy and pitiful. She repeated, "Save me!"

"Oh no you don't!" Neo-Queen Serenity grumbled, "You need to brush your teeth! It's been days since the last time you brushed them. It's time to be a big girl and do what your mother says."

"Nuh-uh!" Somehow the little girl was clinging harder to Fighter's leg.

"Awww, c'mon now, Chibiusa. Don't be like that!" Seiya abruptly picked the girl up and cheerily looked her in the eyes. "It's a big girl step. You're growing up! You're on your way to being a grown-up."

"I don't want to be a grown-up!" Chibiusa wailed, flailing in the Starlight's arms.

"Ah, but you know what grown-ups get to do that little kids don't?" Fighter pulled the girl close and whispered, "We get to eat ice cream whenever we want."

Setting Chibiusa down, she threw a quick wink at a confused Usagi before looking back at the girl. The child's eyes were sparkling as she asked with wonder, "Really?"

"Really. In fact…" Seiya looked around herself as if she was being sneaky and said, "I think I can get ya some ice cream...as soon as you prove you're big enough to handle it."

"I'm a big girl!" The pink-haired child bounced up and down.

"Prove it! Go brush your teeth, then come to the kitchen with me so we can eat ice cream together."

"Ice cream!" Suddenly Chibiusa zipped away and down the corridor, past her dirty and exasperated mother.

Usagi limply watched her go, a twitching frown on her face. "I don't know how you did that."

"Bribery. Pure, unadulterated bribery." Seiya walked over to her wife and began brushing her off. "Woof. She really got you this time, eh?"

"You're telling me." The blonde grumpily straightened her crown. "Little monkey, setting up that trap like she did." Straightening up, she grumbled as she pat her slightly rounded belly, "She thinks this is bad? Wait until her younger brother or sister shows up! Then she'll get to see what being a big girl is all about!"

Fighter gave a smarmy laugh before wrapping her Odango up in a hug. "I love you, you goofball."

Usagi gave her one of her confused innocent expressions before giving a smile in return. "I love you too, Seiya."

The Starlight lifted her dirty queen in her arms and swung her around. The joyful cheering from her wife made Seiya's heart swell.

This. This was everything she had ever wanted. Everything she'd dreamed about. Her life, with her Odango and their daughter and soon-to-be other child…

Seiya was home.