A/N- Hello! I'm sorry to say that this is the last chapter to Phoenix. It's been a great story and journey though. I have some good news though. I do have some more story ideas right now. The bad news, I don't know when I'll be posting them. I have other stories for other categories being posted right now so I want to get farther into those before I start the next story for SM. Then again, I might not be able to help myself and I might start posting a new story. That's a big might though. Also, I left the ending open for a sequel and that is because there could possible be one. I don't know right now, but I am seriously considering it currently.
Thank you to everyone who has been staying with this story! I love you guys!
Sunny38- All the knots are finally tied. Thanks for pointing out the error. If I ever get time to go back and fix it I will. I have a beta now so I'll have her check on all of my other stories.
kenshinroks2111- I'm glad you liked it! Here's part 2! It's short, but it's still pretty cute.
vegetasprincess1- Well now you get to be really sad because this is the last chapter. I hope you like it though!
Silver Moon Goddess1- I'm glad you liked it!
Melody87- Good news, I have an idea for another SM story. It's going to be another historical fiction story like all of my other ones have been.
Butterfle- Yup they all had children, but only Rini gets to be in this chapter.
Milkshakelvr- Thanks
cosmoscrystal96- I'm glad you really like them!
Neo-Queen Serenity- Well you only get one more chapter, but there will be some more stories coming. I don't know when though so keep an eye out for them.
Serena and Darien rode into Serena's old town with a party of five soldiers, Rei, Jadeite, Charles, and of course Rini. Darien and Serena rode in the front with Rini riding a small pony right behind them. Rei and Jadeite had left the twins with Mina and Malachite so that they could come. As soon as they were within the town's borders Charles excused himself to go back to his old home where Molly was still living. Serena showed the soldiers a large field where they could set up their tents. When everyone else was settled the remaining five went to Serena's old home where Selene was waiting for them.
"Grandma!" Rini exclaimed quietly. She had been falling asleep in Serena's arms, but at the sight of her grandmother she was flying right out of her mother's arms.
"Hello my dear." Selene laughed. "Why don't all of you come in? You must all be tired; I'll show you to your rooms."
"Thank you Momma." Serena smiled. Selene quickly showed Rei and Jadeite into the guest room on the bottom floor. Rini chatted quite lively as the royal family made their way to the second floor where Serena and Darien were staying in Serena's old room and Rini had her own room that Selene had someone redecorate for her. "Mom, do you want me to take her now and put her to bed?" Serena asked as she let out a yawn.
"No, no. You look like you could fall down any moment out of exhaustion. You should have planned your trip better so that you would come during midday or even breakfast. I will put Rini to bed and you and Darien can go get some rest. I don't want to see you up and moving until tomorrow morning when you need some food. Is that understood?"
"Yes Momma. Good night." Serena gave Rini a kiss on her forehead and her mother a hug before she disappeared into her room. Darien said goodnight to Selene and gave Rini a kiss goodnight before he followed his wife into their room.
"Your mother is right; you do look like you could fall asleep any moment." Darien said as he walked up behind Serena.
"I know, I can feel how tired I am. A good night's rest will do me well though." Serena smiled. She quickly changed into the slip she brought to sleep in and got under the covers. She traced a small stitch near the top of the bed sheet that she had sewn when she discovered that there was a hole in the sheet and she did not want her mother fussing over it. Darien got into the bed next to her and gathered Serena into his arms. Serena yawned a goodnight and used his chest as a pillow as she quickly fell asleep.
"Good morning." Darien whispered as Serena started to stir the next morning.
"Good morning." Serena mumbled. She opened her eyes and looked up and Darien. He was gently tracing patterns up and down her back. Serena stretched and snuggled into her living pool a bit more to try and hide from the sunlight. "Why did I never get curtains for those damn windows?"
"Because you almost always love waking up in the morning. I remember you trying to get me up to see the sun rise the last time we came here."
"I won't do that again. Though you have to admit it was amazing."
"That it was… that it was."
"I think we need to go get some breakfast. Rini is probably driving Mom crazy and Rei and Jadeite are probably up as well."
"Mhm"
"Come on Dare, we need to get up." Serena lightly slapped his stomach, urging him to get him so she would have to wake up. Darien rolled out of bed and set his feet on the ground. Serena sat up and gave him a hug as she set his head on Darien's shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you to." Darien replied. He squeezed Serena's hand and stood up. The couple quickly got changed and made their way down to the dinning room. They were surprised to find Charles, Tristan, and Molly sitting there as well.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Rini exclaimed. She raised her hands up so Darien walked over and picked her up. "We've been waiting for you so we could have breakfast."
"Well, let's not wait any longer." Serena said. She sat down with Darien and Rini next to her. A few servants came out with plates filled with ham, bacon, fruits, pancakes, waffles, and juices. Serena and Rei spent most of breakfast asking Molly for every detail that had been planned for the wedding. After breakfast was over Selene took Rini out to the fields while Charles, Darien, and Tristan left with their wives to see where the wedding was to be held. They tried to stay off of the topic of the wedding though.
"Serena, your dress is in your closet at your mother's house. I'm assuming that Darien has brought something to wear?"
"But of course." Serena smiled. They spent the day going through rehearsals and last minute details. That night they took Molly back to her house where Rei and Serena stayed with her and Darien and Jadeite took Tristan back to his home.
The next morning the town was in busy getting the last decorations for the wedding up. Silver and white ornaments were hung in trees and silver cloth was draped down the aisle. Serena went back to her mother's house to see her daughter and get into her dress before returning to help Molly with her dress, hair, and make up.
The wedding itself was beautiful. Selene presided over the wedding since she was considered the wisest in the town. Serena stood next to Molly while Tristan had one of his long time friends stand next to him. Darien was sitting in the crowd with Rini on his lap and next to Charles, Rei and Jadeite. The wedding was simple yet elegant and after the exchange of vows everyone left for an open banquet. Almost everyone who attended had cooked something for the feast. There was music, dancing, and laughter as the night wore on. Serena and Darien had left for a few brief moments so that they could put Rini to bed before rejoining the celebration.
As the moon traveled closer and closer to the horizon Serena started to yawn more and more. The guests had already started to leave and Molly and Tristan had disappeared long ago. Darien led Serena back to Selene's home since Serena was yet again more than half asleep. Once the couple was in bed and about to fall asleep Serena looked up at Darien with a smile.
"Darien?"
"Hm?"
"Do you remember the last time I was always tired?"
"That would be… yesterday." Darien yawned.
"No, I mean continually."
"Hm… weren't you always falling asleep during council when we first discovered that you were…"
"Yes Darien?"
"You're pregnant?"
"I'm pregnant again. The doctor here said I'll probably be due near the winter ball." Serena laughed.
"We'll have another baby to present at the ball." Darien grinned.
"We'll have another baby to present at the ball." Serena repeated.
That winter Serena and Darien were able to present Endymion Terran to the world at their annual Winter Ball. The ball had been postponed by a month because Serena was due when they had originally planned the ball. Serena and Darien spent most of the night with Endymion until he needed to be put to bed. After he was in bed they returned to the ball and too par tin the dancing with everyone else. The usual Lords and Ladies from human kingdoms were there as well as the newly allied Lords and Ladies of all of the supernatural kingdoms. Ever since Diamond was killed and his surviving men chased off or killed the two different kinds of kingdoms had started to come together once again. It was not uncommon anymore to find merchants of different backgrounds selling their trades and warriors with different powers and weapons practicing side by side in all kingdoms. This was especially evident in the balls as some of the Lords who had once though there would be no peace between the two kinds of beings were now mingling and talking on the side of the dance floor.
All of the children of Endymion's court were allowed to come to the ball, although they did have a curfew. Most paired up with their friends, but Rini was escorted by Helios. He was Molly and Tristan's son, but had gained the power to transform into a Pegasus. Currently an old priest was training him to become the guardian of all dreams. Even with his training Helios and Rini always managed to find a way to talk. They would either meet in dreams to utilize Helios's powers or meet in the forest during days that neither had to be in their studies. Serena and Darien knew that there would be a lot more to the relationship once the pair grew older.