standard disclaimers apply:  I don't own sailor moon or any of the characters related to it and i don't own the song either, so please don't sue me! Don't find a fault.  Find a remedy.  - Anonymous Only the heart can change the heart. Friends are never far apart when they're together in the heart. Love doesn't  imprison, it sets you free. My love for you - that is my only sin. - William Shakespeare now on with the story . . . enjoy! . . . Happy Birthday Serena!  Happy Birthday Redrose! Truly, Madly, Deeply - Sequel to Falling into You & Could I . . . ? Takes place about 8 months after Could I . . . ?   The sun's rays began slowly filtering through the blinds of the room, illuminating parts of it.  The rays fell upon a frame on the nightstand.  The picture was of a happy couple in the park.  They were sitting on a bench near the lake.  The dark-haired man had his arm around her waist.  The woman was blushing.  Both had smiles on their faces.   The rays also fell upon Darien, causing his eyes to tighten slightly before finally giving into the morning rays.  Darien's stormy blue eyes fluttered slowly open.  His body turned to face the picture on the nightstand.  He always loved waking up every morning and seeing her beautiful face, even though she wasn't physically there.   He longed for her to be in his arms and in every moment of his life.  He knew that she completed him and wanted nothing more from her than her brilliant smile and undying love.   Darien took the frame from its place on the table and put it on the empty side of his bed.  He stared at it for a long, long time, almost picturing her body there next to him.  Her hair would be a little messy and a few strands would be in her eyes just for him to move away.  She would wear one of those cute, yet sexy nightgowns he knew she had (AN:  if you don't remember, they were stuck in a laundry room, so he did see some of her clothes).   Darien blushed at the thought and felt somewhat ashamed to be thinking like THAT.  Yet, . . . he wanted her there, wanted to finally BE with her like THAT.  They had come close once.  Their passion for each other was more than they could handle.  They couldn't resist anymore . . . to think it all started with just one kiss . . . Flashback . . .   Darien and Serena are sitting on the couch in his apartment watching a movie.  Darien has one arm around her shoulder and the other around her waist.   "Darien?"   "Hmmm?"   "I love you."   "I do too."   They stared at each other, neither knowing what to say or do.  Darien caught her gaze as blue met blue intensely.  They saw many things in each others eyes, love, passion, longing were just a few of them.   Both unconsciously began moving closer and closer to each other.  Their lips were close, but not quite touching.  They could feel each others hot breaths before the gap was closed between them.   Darien kissed her passionately and hungrily.  Serena responded to his kiss with equal fervor.  All their pent-up emotions were poured into this soul-searing kiss.   Serena opened her mouth to Darien's tongue, allowing it to probe her mouth before dancing with hers.  She moaned in response and began moving her hands up and down his back and through his silky jet-black hair.  He responded by undoing her "meatballs," letting them cascade like a waterfall around them.  He then began lowering her body on the couch as he leaned into her, positioning himself on top of her.   Darien started undoing the buttons of her shirt and tugging her skirt slightly upwards.  Serena kissed him on his temples, in his hair, on his nose . . . Darien growled in response and captured her lips once more.   The kiss lasted for a few moments before they had to stop it due to the lack of air.  Their breaths were ragged as they struggled to control their breathing.  They stared at each other once more.   "Darien I-"   "I know Serena.  We shouldn't do this, not yet."   Darien buried himself into Serena's embrace, contenting himself with just holding her close and allowing her intoxicating smell to invade his senses. End flashback . . .   Thinking back to that night, Darien realized that the love he shared with Serena was pure and irreplaceable.  He also realized that it went beyond physical attraction and sex.   Darien knew that he had waited long enough and that he didn't want anyone else in his life but Serena.  He knew exactly what he had to do and only had a week to prepare.  Serena's birthday was on Friday . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love Be everything that you need   Darien walked out of the store completely satisfied. He had taken the day off and it was paying off.   'Alright, I got that done and the lady said that it would be ready on Friday morning.  So, what's next? . . . Oh!  How could I forget?!'   Darien walked to his car and drove off to his next destination. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, June 30th:  Serena's Birthday   Serena woke up to a new day.  She looked at her nightstand and stared at the picture of her and Darien before frowning slightly.   She hadn't seen him all week.  Well, that's not entirely true because they did live in the same apartment complex and destiny always had a way of making sure that they collided with one another at least once everyday on the street.   But still, she really didn't get much of a chance to talk to him or anything like that.  She longed to be in his warm embrace and feel his lips on hers.   Serena sat up in her bed causing her long golden locks to surround her like a blanket.  She brought her face down to her knees as she stared at the calendar on the wall in front of her.   It was her birthday.   She should be happy, but she really wasn't.  She felt that Darien probably forgot her birthday like a few of her previous boyfriends.   'NO!' she thought, 'Darien's not like that!  He's not like them!  He's different!'   'If he's so different,' the other side of her brain responded, 'then why did he go out of his way to ignore you?'   Serena couldn't answer that.  She didn't want to think of the possibility of Darien getting bored of her and finding someone else.  So she got up and began her morning routine, hoping that what the girls planned for today would cheer her up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'll love you more with every breath Truly, madly, deeply do I will be strong I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on   The girls had taken Serena out for an all-day celebration that lasted till sunset.   Lita had made her one of her favorite breakfasts.  Mina took her to the spa and beauty parlor.  Ami had taken her to a surprise party given by the children at the hospital where she volunteered during her spare time.  Rei took her for a quiet early afternoon picnic at the park.  Haruka and Mirchiru took her on a scenic ride through the mountainous roads overlooking the ocean.  Hotaru took her to the candy store.  And last, but certainly not least, Setsuna took her on a shopping spree.   Serena ended up wearing one of the new dresses to her apartment for a small party with a few other friends and family members.   The dress was a faint silver color that hugged her figure in all the right places.  Her hair was left flowing freely, but curled slightly at the bottom.   Serena couldn't ask for more . . . except for one thing, actually, one person.   She searched for him through the crowd of people that had gathered for her special day.  But, HE was nowhere to be found.   She had asked Andrew and some of the other guys if they knew where he was, but they told her that they didn't know.  From the look she saw in Andrew's eyes, she knew that he was telling the truth.  Andrew, Darien's best friend, didn't even know where he was.   Serena felt heartbroken and wanted to kick everyone out of the apartment and cry.  She felt very neglected and unloved at this point.  Andrew kept reassuring her that Darien would be here, that he wouldn't miss this . . . but it didn't help to brighten Serena's ALMOST lost hope.   "Sere!  Its time to cut the cake!"   "No Mina, not yet."   "Sere, c'mon, you have to do this.  Everyone's waiting!"   "Mina and Rei are right.  And if HE'S not here, then its HIS fault."   Serena reluctantly agreed and allowed herself to be taken to the table with the cake.  The lights were turned off as everyone began singing to Serena.  She made a wish and blew out the candles while everyone cheered her on.   Serena cut a piece and was being fed the cake by various family members and friends.   The lights were turned on again, and directly in front of her stood a dashing Darien in a black tuxedo.  He had a bouquet of perfect red roses in his hand and was smiling brightly at Serena.   "Dare!  There you are!  We were worried!  Almost thought that you wouldn't make it!"   "I wouldn't miss this for the world," he replied as he walked to Serena and handed her the flowers.  She blushed crimson red. He then took the plate from Ami and fed Serena a piece, as everyone took a picture of the lovely couple.   The flashes blinded them and Serena turned an even darker shade of red.  Darien kissed her on the cheek and whispered huskily in her ear, "Lets get out of here."   "Sorry everyone, but I have to take my lovely girlfriend away from all of you in order to give her her present.  On behalf of Serena, thanks for coming!  Now if you'll please excuse us . . . "   The crowd reluctantly parted and both Darien and Serena's friends have him a confused look.  He responded with a huge smile which confused them even more.   Darien led Serena out of the apartment and onto the street, where a white stretch limo was waiting.  The driver opened the door for them.  Serena looked at Darien in surprise. He smiled again and led her into the car.  The driver shut the door after them before driving them to their destination.   Inside the limo, Serena sat staring at Darien who just kept smiling. Once Serena got over the shock and was able to speak again, she asked, "Darien, what is all of this?"   "You'll see love." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   A little while later, the limo stopped and the driver opened the door for them again.   Serena looked around her surroundings and noticed that she was in front of someone's private garden, a private rose garden to be exact.   Serena gave Darien a questioning look.  Instead of responding, Darien led her through the gates and into the garden. They walked through a maze-like path of many different colors of roses. They were all perfect and in full bloom. A new beginning A reason for living A deeper meaning   Finally, after going through the many twists and turns, they reached the center of the maze.  Serena gasped in surprise at the sight before her.  She kept looking from the center to Darien and back again.   There was a fountain in the center.  Different color roses were floating about like water lilies.  To the right of the fountain was a table for two set up with candles and a cake.   "Darien, I really don't deserve any of this."   "Don't be silly love.  You deserve this and so much more," he responded huskily in her ear, causing her to shiver slightly. He then proceeded to lead her to the table.   On the table there was a small, strawberry shortcake covered in white cream (AN:  mmmmm!  my favorite!).  In pink letters it read:  'Happy Birthday My Little Bunny.'   Darien held Serena's hand as she cut the cake.  He then took the piece and fed it to her.   A few dark clouds that were looming over the atmosphere cleared up, letting the silver rays of the moon to fall upon Serena, making her glow like an angel.   Darien kept looking at her, not quite believing how beautiful she got every second.  Heck, even if she was dressed in rags she would be beautiful to him.   'Well, here goes nothing!'   He led Serena away from the table and began dancing with her.  Soft music could be heard in the background. I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me   "Darien, how'd yo-"   "How did I do all of this?"   "Yes."   "Remember the friend I was telling you about."   "Fiore."   "Yes.  He was my first friend, even before Andrew."   "He died of cancer, right?"   "Yeah, he did . . . "   "Sorry."   "Its alright.  Well, anyway his family owned this garden and he asked that it be given to me."   "So this is . . . its . . . "   "Yep, its all mine . . . OURS."   "Ours?" And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky I'll make a wish, send it to heaven Then make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of   Instead of responding, Darien had Serena sit on the edge of the fountain, as he got down on one knee.  Serena gasped.   "Serena, you mean the world to me.  You're my life and I can't imagine living it without you . . . "   Darien pulled out a black velvet box from his jacket and placed it in her hands.   " . . . I love you.  Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"   Serena was surprised, to say the least.  She didn't expect this.  She looked at Darien, who looked at her with love shining in his eyes as he waited patiently for her answer.   Her gaze then wandered to the box in her hands.  A diamond ring sparkled back at her.  She didn't have to think twice before giving Darien her answer . . . The End!  j/k!  Calm down everyone!  Have a sense of humor!  Can you guess what she said? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The highest powers In lonely hours The tears devour you I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me 1 year later . . .   A tall young man is waiting anxiously at the alter as the procession begins.  He can barely hear the organ playing in the background or the comforting words being spoken to him by his best friend and best man, Andrew.   Each girl walked slowly towards him before taking their rightful places on the other side of him.  They each give him a warm and friendly smile.  He somehow manages to smile back at them.   He hears the music change and the sounds of people standing up.  He looks up to see the most beautiful sight before him.   She is wearing a traditional white satin wedding gown, with a fitted bodice and lace trimmings.  Her face is veiled and her father begins to walk her toward him. Oh can't you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes 'cause its standing right here before you All that you need with surely come   She was finally by his side.  Her father reluctantly let go of her arm and gave it to Darien before walking back to join his weeping wife.   Before the ceremony began, Darien lifted Serena's veil to reveal the blushing bride. I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love Be everything that you need   Her hair was put up into a bun with a few lock curled around it.  She wore a double-crown golden tiara made of ivory porcelain rosebuds and clear crystals.  The tiara was a family heirloom, passed on from mother to daughter throughout many generations. I'll love you more with every breath Truly, madly, deeply do   The ceremony began and the couple finally exchanged their vows. (I love you)   "I know pronounce you husband and wife!  You may kiss the bride!" I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me   Darien and Serena stared at each other.  They were finally married and couldn't be any happier.  Everyone cheered the couple on as they moved closer and closer to one another.  Serena blushed profusely and Darien's cheeks were tinted a light red hue.   They closed the gap between them and ended up in an earth-shattering kiss.   Darien kissed her passionately and never wanted to let go.  Serena responded to the kiss equally.   Some of the men began whistling and the woman were wiping the tears from their eyes.   Finally, due to the lack of air, the newly married couple ended the kiss and walked down the aisle.   Everyone clapped and threw rice and confetti at them.   "I can't believe that we're finally married!"   "Believe it Sere!  'Cause we are!"   "I couldn't be happier!"   "I could."   "What's that supposed to mean Darien?"   "Well, I want to see you in one of those sexy nightgowns I know you have," he replied in her ear.   Her eyes widened in surprise.   "How did yo-"   Serena couldn't finish her question because Darien captured her lips with his in another kiss.   'How did he know,' she thought until she finally let herself melt into him, giving into the kiss. I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me The End! hey everyone!  i'm all done with this trilogy.  i hope all of you enjoyed it.  thanks for reading! send me comments! i love feedback! happy birthday to me!  happy birthday to me!  if you haven't guessed, serena/usagi and i share a birthday!  happy birthday serena!  happy birthday redrose! ja ne! redrose