Gift from the Heart

A Valentine Day’s Special

Mina’s Tale III – Part 4

Someone once said that a pregnant woman glows as she grows larger. Well, those people have never been with a child in them. I have my memories of carrying Chibi inside me but that was in another body and another time. At this time I wish that I can get the next five months over with in a couple of minutes. Truthfully, it hasn’t been so bad since the morning sickness stopped but I can say that I miss the constant attention of my love, the father of my son growing inside of me. Nova has started taking a more active role in building our future here, at the end of time. Serenity and Beryl did a good job but they just don’t have the power or respect from all of the Sailors that are gathered here. Hundreds of Sailor Warriors answered his call to arms and none wanted to return to their original point in time. They, like me, just wanted to be near him.

A noise from the outer rooms brought me back to the present. I knew that it was Chibi but when she and her companions rushed in the room it was like a swarm of bees buzzing around me. Chibi holding Artemis lead the assault but Chibiusa was close behind carrying Diana in her arms. Close on their heels were Terri and Para Para, from the Amazon Quartet, rushing in to follow their two leaders in most of the exploits of the foursome. Chibi knelt down beside my chair and Artemis jumped in my lap. I stroke the white cat while he softly purred. I can tell that my daughter was excited but I didn’t know the cause, “Mom, do you know what tomorrow is?” Tomorrow, I started to think about the system that Nova determined would approximate the normal passage of time on Earth. “It’s the middle of February … I think?” was my answer but by the look on her face, I can tell that I gave the wrong answer.

I gave her a puzzled look. “Mom, what holiday comes in the middle of February?” Holidays, after over seven hundred years of living, I thought little of holidays. Actually, they usually came to me as a surprise like last year when Nova gave me that piece of white chocolate. Wait a second, middle of February, “Honey, you don’t mean Valentine’s Day? We haven’t celebrated that holiday for years.” Chibi looked sad, “I know but I thought that since we have settled down and there’s no more enemies to fight that we could … well, you know, get back to normal.” Normal, we may never be normal again but may be my little girl was right, we might need some little surprise in our lives. “Okay, honey, we’ll celebrate tomorrow. Go get your Aunts and we’ll get to work arranging everything.” The four started to bound away, “And don’t forget your Aunt Serenity and Beryl.” I looked down at the cat in my lap, “My little friend, what have I gotten myself into with these four?” Artemis lifted his head, “Usually a world of trouble.” I chuckled slightly but I knew that he was right.

Artemis has become more intelligent and correct in his later years. I sat in a chair with Serena near by as Chibi organized the Sailor Warriors in their task of making chocolate for their favorite males. Serena and I were able to talk our daughters into making ours. Having a child inside you sure gets free work from your family. We enlisted the help of Serenity and Beryl to keep Nova away from the kitchen or he would have noticed the smell of chocolate in the air. I hate to say this but I snuck a couple of pieces of chocolate as they cooled before me but Serena ate more than I did. “Mina, isn’t it wonderful?” I looked at her, “What do you mean?” Serena got that far away look in her eyes, “Valentine’s Day was always one of my favorite holidays, along with Christmas and Easter. May be I just enjoyed getting presents from people but I also like giving them to the ones that I love. Why did we stop celebrating?”

I placed my hand on my best friend’s arm, “Serena, it just may be that we didn’t need those holidays or just couldn’t enjoy them. With the attacks of the Galaxia, the avatars, the Death Phantom, and the Dark Moon, we just didn’t have any time to think about anything except keeping the final remnants of humanity from disappearing from the universe. I know what Darien and Nova went through just to keep the small piece of the world, after the attacks of the avatars, from slowly sinking into the waters of the Earth. We owe a great deal to them and may be deep down we didn’t want to take them away from their daily work to celebrate a holiday. Most people can’t think about having fun when they worry about where they will find their next meal.” Serena gave a deep sigh and shook her head. She reached over and took my hand in hers, “Mina, it’s up to us to keep the boys in line and if it take us having to suffer through a little fun then so be it.” She had a large smile on her face as she slipped one of her daughter’s handmade candy in her mouth, “Never thought that the pink hair brat would every become such a good cook and a wonderful young lady.” I squeezed her hand and nodded my head in agreement. They were wonderful children.

Ami has taken over the activities and, well, she’s better suited than any of us. She has grown to a beautiful lady with her blue hair shining like a blue giant among all the stars of heaven. She is the glue that holds everyday life together and allows the rest of us to enjoy our days. She established the daily work schedules for all the Sailor Warriors including our entertainment. I don’t know how she keeps everyone in line but since she started running what poses as our government, our little part of the universe has been made into a paradise. Truthfully, it has helped that the Fortress trusts her and has established a connection to her similar to Nova’s. I guess having the knowledge that has been absorbed from the entire universe would help a person with any endeavor. She has found a large amount of red material and started Galaxia and others on the task of making decorations for the party. The Starlights are in charge of the entertainment since they have the most experience with music and songs. I think that Taiko and Ami are starting to develop a good relationship if only our little blue hair friend would realize that all work and no play would make her a dull girl. I guess that I need to get Serenity to talk to her about male – female relationship. Ami seems to respect Serenity’s judgment and may be a little pushing for her will get Ami to see what’s before her eyes.

Everything is coming together. The food, decorations, and the entertainment was starting to come together into what I think will be a grand party. Grand party, how I remember my first party with Nova. It was so many years ago and an entire lifetime. It was Serena and his birthday party. I was dressed in that lovely orange and blue gown with the gold and blue jacket that Nova left for me in his stateroom on his yacht. I was so nervous when I saw him walking down the reception line dressed in his gold, blue and orange uniform. I felt like crying when I saw him wearing a similar outfit but my father realized that he wanted to make sure that everyone knew that we were together. I guess that we feel in love with each other before we even met. He has been my only true love for more years than I can remember and he tells me that we were together for as long as he remembers. His memories span many millions of years and in each life, we were together at the end of each life.

It took us three hours to finish everything but in the end, it was well worth the trouble. Everyone retired to their room to dress for tonight’s festivities. I decided that I would honor the first night that I spent with Nova. The night that I fell deeply in love with him and made a decision to spend the rest of my life with him dwelled deeply in my mind. I found my old transformation pen and activated the disguise function that was present in all the devices. I formed the image in my mind and in a flash the clothes I imagined appeared on my body. I stood in front of the mirror taking each moment in as I smoothed the blue and orange gown over my expanding figure. I thought for a second that I would love to have the slim me back but as my hand passed over my stomach I was glad that I had our child inside of me. I would not trade anything in this universe for my children. They are the most precious things in my universe. My son hasn’t started to talk more than a few words, like Chibi had done, or at least he hasn’t talked to me. I think that he’s secretly talking to Nova but he hasn’t said anything about it. May be I need to trick him into betrayal the secret or perhaps my small co-conspirator that lives inches below my heart would warn Nova in advance. I think that I will let the status quo stand for the moment but I’ll find out soon. I gathered my blue and gold jacket from the bed and rummaged through my jewelry box until I found my original necklace that Nova gave me years ago. I took a final look at the mirror. I have to say that I’m not bad for a married woman expecting a child. Not bad at all.

We gave chocolates to all the male Sailor Warriors and associates that were with us at the end of time. Even including the Starlights, it’s not a large number. All of us decided that we would wait to give Nova’s at the party tonight. When Serenity and Beryl returned with Nova, he was extremely surprised at what we had done, “Everyone, I am glad that we are getting some normalcy back in our lives. I may have been too obsessed with getting everything right that I forgot that we are still human.” He sat in the place of honor that we prepared for him, “Please, continue with the party.” Every Sailor Warrior came to Nova and presented their gift to him. Some gave speeches and others just handed him their treat and kissed him on the cheeks. It continued for hours until only Nova’s first Sailors were left to offer him their presents.

Susan was the last Sailor that was found so she was the first to present her gift to Nova. Her chocolate was in the form of a small key, “Nova, you took me from a cold and heartless planet on the edge of the solar system. A large task was given to me but I accepted it gladly because I knew that the job was important. My present represents your trust in me and I love you because you were able to see the real person inside the cold exterior. I may not say it enough but you gave me a life that gave me meaning. I thank you for that life and the friends that I have because you was willing to take a chance on me.” Susan pressed the key in Nova’s hand and kissed him softly on the lips. A small smile stole across her face as she left Nova’s side.

Michelle was the next to give Nova her present. Her gift was in the shape of a small mirror similar to the one that she wielded as a Warrior. “Nova, this gift represents the reflection that I see when I look into your eyes. You see beyond all the exterior of a person and stare directly into their souls. You gave me the gift to touch those souls and make them brighter. I love you for the ability that you make others see the good within themselves.” Michelle kissed Nova and brushed his cheek as she left his side.

Erica rose from her chair. She wore a light blue dress and had her hair pulled back from her face. It brought the word, demure, to my head as I saw her walk slowly to Nova. Sailor Uranus is a complex being. Sometimes she seems more male than Nova and at other times, she appears and acts like the most feminine person that you could imagine. Erica is probably the person that loves Nova the most, besides his family, because she gave up the most to join him. She was the sole princess of House Uranus and was heir to her family’s fortune. It took her only a second to give up all her position to come to Nova. When I carry Chibi inside of me, Erica was there for Nova. She was his companion when I didn’t want him around. She is a precious gem in our midst, our strength and gentleness at the same time. She had made a sword in the shape of the Space Scimitar that she used as a Sailor Warrior, “Nova, my sword has been used in your cause for many years. It has been used to attack your enemies and defend your person. My love for you is like my sword. I will be there for you no matter the cause or the amount of space I have to cross.” Erica pressed the gift in Nova’s hands and kissed him gently. I saw a small tear form in her eye as she sit by Michelle who took the scarf from her neck and wiped Erica’s tears.

Terri was the next Sailor that gifted Nova with a present. She is so small as she rose from the table but you could see the strength in every step that she took towards her goal. In her hand was a replica of her glaive molded from the dark chocolate that Nova cherished above all other types. The Sailor Warriors literally rescued her from death as she was on trial for being a witch when we found her. She was morose when we first met her but when she saw Nova her eyes brightened with the sparkle of a hundred stars. Nova picked her up by her shoulder after she fell to the ground before him, “Sailor Saturn, you must never prostrate yourself before anyone. Your mission is grave and you must never show any emotion.” She hardly ever smiled when we were on Earth but now it scarcely went a moment that she didn’t have a smile on her face or a laugh on her lips. She held her gift to Nova, “Nova, the prince of my heart, you knew from the first time that we met my road would be long and painful but whenever it was too much for me to bear, I only have to picture your smiling face to give me comfort.” Terri hugged Nova fiercely and kissed his cheeks. I could see that soft smile on her lips as Nova wiped her tearful eyes.

Lita, wearing her standard green and pink outfit, rose from her chair to cross the distance to Nova. She has grown in confidence since that first time that the Sailors laid their eyes on that shy maid at the tavern. She was ill prepared for the life that she was destined to have but Nova spent many hours with her until she held her head high when she made a public appearance. Time has changed our tall friend, she has taking over the training of the next generation of Sailor Warriors, Chibi and Chibiusa, and I’m sure that she will train Serena and my children. Her haughty appearance does not lessen her feminine ways and one day I’m sure will make a good wife and mother. Until that date, I am more than willing to let her share my child. I want the best for her and Lita is that person. A chocolate oak leaf was on the small plate that she carried to Nova. It looked so delicate that I was afraid that it would blow away if a breeze came in through an open door but like her, the leaf is strong and it would take much to damage it. She raised her plate to Nova, “My prince, you took me from amongst the low and drew me to the pinnacle of society. Most girls dream of being a princess but I became one by your grace. I have much to thank you for and if I told you of my love for you every day for the rest of my life, it wouldn’t come close to my debt to you. I will always be at your side.” Nova placed the plate before him and rose from his chair. His arms embraced Lita and held her for a couple of minutes.

The next Sailor to rise from her seat was the dark hair former priestess from Mars. Nova had pulled her from her training in that planet’s religious caste but he required her. She was spiteful for a few days but when Nova contacted her mind I felt those angry thoughts about the Sailor Warriors fade as Nova soothed her thoughts. She was close to Nova because she would read the prophecies with him and try to see what the present hold as it pertain to the words of the prophets. Nova refused to teach her the reading of the future because she wasn’t ready for that task and at the end of time; no future exists so she has taken to write about the past. Raye is the official chronicler of what she calls our exploits and is presently recording the stories of the hundreds of Sailor Warriors and others that answered Nova’s call. Her gift was in the shape of the flame that I remember her huddling before many times, “Nova, you took me from my past life and protected me from the future. My life was to be one of service but you showed me that I must be my own person and I grew in my ability. I will always be grateful to your strong-arm tactics that drilled in my head that I should be my own person. I will always thank you for the chance to be just myself.” Nova held Raye’s hand until her reach fail him. She smiled at him and came back and kissed the back of his hand.

Ami was the last of the non-family Sailors to approach Nova. I remember the eight-year old girl that I found waiting for her parents outside the chamberlain’s office. She was so beautiful in her short dress with her blue hair but I saw the promise that she held just outside her reach. I had to bring that little girl to Nova and I guess right, I had found Sailor Mercury. She was shy beyond belief when she first met Nova but she learned that he was her best friend and a rival to her intelligence. Her present was a small chocolate harp, “My dearest friend, Nova, I remember the first time that I saw you. I was so afraid that you wouldn’t find me acceptable that I steeled myself to accept the rejection but you took me in as a friend and later as family. I owe much to you because you gave me the confidence to show others myself not as a one sided person but a person that has many facets to my personality. I will always count you as a brother and not a friend; you can never be less than my family as long as we live. I love you.” Ami kissed Nova and looked at me and winked, “Mina, you better keep him close because I can get use to kissing him.” She walked pass me and hugged my neck as she went to her seat.

I started to rise since I was the second Sailor that was found but Serena placed a hand upon mine, “Mina, you are first in his heart so you should be last.” Serena rose from her chair. She was dressed in a light pink color gown and even though she was starting to show, she was beautiful. Chibiusa stood up beside her mother and the two of them started to Nova carrying their present to him. Chibiusa approached Nova and kissed his on the cheek and she sat down in his lap. Serena smiled at the sight of two of her family sharing a tender moment. The Neo-Queen placed the tray in front of Nova and removed the veil covering the presents. Serena’s gift was a crescent moon while Chibiusa was a chocolate in the shape of her constant companion, her Luna Ball. Chibiusa gave her great uncle a kiss and slowly walked to her seat. Serena took Chibiusa’s place on Nova’s lap, “My dear uncle, you have been more than family to me. Even though we have different parents, in my heart, you are my brother. You have treated me as a sister ever since I first saw you and until time itself comes to an end, I will be your sister.” She kissed Nova and walked to her seat.

Everyone was looking in my direction as Chibi came to me with our gifts. As I rose from my chair, I began to think about all the wonderful times that we have had in the past and the promise of more in the future. I placed a hand on my daughter shoulder and she started to walk the short distance to her father. She placed the tray in front of Nova and lifted the veil. On the tray were our gifts, in themselves they may mean little but it was the symbol that they represent that counted in the end. Our presents were the same, a simple design of a starburst. “My love, our child and I thought long about what to give you and the only thing that matters in the end is our love and admiration for you. You are the star that shines brightly among all the stars and as we have discovered, are the bringers of life. With out the novas and supernovas, we would not have all the elements that are necessary for our existence. We owe all to you and devote the rest of our lives and the lives of those to come to you and your cause.” I placed his and my daughter’s hands on my expanding stomach, “I have the proof of my love for you growing inside me. I love you with all my being. You are part of me because we share the same soul, where it is greater than the sums of our own.” I felt a small tear flow down my cheek but it was swept away by my love’s hand. “Mina,” he said as he looked into my eyes, “I love you more every day.” He sealed his words with a kiss on my lips.

I turned to return to my chair but her hand would not release mine as he pulled me to sit in his lap. I struggled for a second thinking that this position may cause adverse reactions among others but I realized that way of thinking was far in the past. I settled into his arms and placed my head on his shoulder. The rest of the evening was a blur and I couldn’t recall any of the entertainment and little of the evening until Nova told me it was time to retire for the evening. I rose from his lap and smoothed down my gown. I offered a hand to Nova to help him from his chair. He stood and suddenly swept me into his arms. He lifted me smoothly in his strong arms and I placed my arms around his neck and kissed him, “Please forgive me, I have to give my wife her present.” He carried me to our bed and gave me the best present that a woman could ever ask to receive on a special day devoted to love.

I woke before Nova since I love to watch him sleep. I brushed back his hair and heard a small voice, “Mommy, tell me about my father.” I looked down my body and placed a hand above my dear son, “Well, my love, you have to understand that he was the first and I think he will be the last. He gave up much to bring us to where we are today … ”

My thoughts of our past were directed to my son but I retold the tales for myself. We need to teach the past to our children or they may forget the lesson of the past. I felt Nova’s arms around me as I continue to tell our son. I was happy as I lay in my only love’s arms.

So ends a tale of a day devoted to love where we give small presents to those that we love or honor. This tale has been a gift to each and every one of my readers, Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours. Please be kind to everyone that you meet and you will gather the kindness in return.

Nova