Hello everyone and welcome to the revised version of Second Chances Only Happen Once! It's taking me longer than expected to revise all the chapters but I wanted to upload what has been done so far. I have changed quite a lot so you will have to read from the beginning again. I am currently working on revising chapters five and six and I've already got a head start on chapter seven. An update should be happening this week. I am really happy with this new version of the story and I hope you guys are too. I have so many great things planned for this story and I cant wait to share it with you guys. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon!

Serena covered her eyes from the rising sun that seeped in through her red curtains with her blanket. She rolled over onto her side and nuzzled her head deeper into the soft feather pillow hoping to fall back into the arms of peaceful sleep but felt her dream crumble when she heard her door swing open and felt a small body climb up onto her bed and plop itself right next to her. Two small dainty hands shook her slightly as the squeaky voice of the child whined.

"Mommy, get up! Come on! You said we could go shopping today."

Serena sighed heavily and groaned. The blankets were so soft and beckoning her to wrap them around her body and drift into slumber for another hour or so but she knew her daughter all too well.

"Five more minutes Serenity. Please?"

"No." Serenity tried to put every bit of anger into her high pitched voice. "Five minutes to you is two hours. You know what happens when you sleep for another two hours Mommy? You won't be ready to go until five and by that time its already dark and then you won't want to stay out that long because you're afraid of the dark and then we'll have to come home after an hour of shopping without anything and then-"

"Alright, alright! I'm up. Jeeze." Serena sat at the edge of her bed and slipped on her slippers and robe. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and opened the curtains letting the sunlight flood in to her room. The bustling metropolis of Seattle just began to rise as the shadows of the night began to fade with the morning light. The fog layer began to recede from the ocean just beyond the Pike Place Market and the frost on the window of the many loft and apartment buildings around hers began to melt. But a hint of wind made itself present in the trees. "Looks like another chilly day." She turned back to her daughter who sat on her bed, her tiny legs twisted into a criss-cross-applesuce position and a big smile sat upon her small round face. She mirrored her father's appearance on every inch of her body; midnight black hair, sky blue eyes and sculpted features. She was so beautiful and smart. She was everything Serena had hoped for in a daughter. "Come on Munchkin, let's see what Luna cooked up for us."

Hoping to smell bacon sizzling and coffee roasting Serena and Serenity entered the kitchen only to be greeted by the smell of burning incents. Luna sat on a zafus meditating to her newest "energy of the water" CD.

"Good morning Nana Luna!" Serenity said excitedly jolting Luna from her meditation.

"Good morning dears. The winds are happy this morning." Luna said softly.

Serenity looked at her mother with confusion and Serena shrugged not knowing almost any of the meanings of the metaphor Luna spoke. Serena walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a glass jug of orange juice and two cups from the cabinet. She poured Serenity and herself a glass and went to the pantry to find ingredients for pancakes. Ever since Serena had moved in with Luna and Artemis she had to learn how to cook food from scratch since they refuse to buy anything that was packaged or processed. She couldn't believe that it was five years ago when they had seen her three months pregnant looking for an apartment in the rain. They had been so kind and took her in, took her to doctor appointments, shopping for baby clothes, fed her and clothed her. They had been a mother and father figure to her during pregnancy and labor and they loved Serenity as if she were their own granddaughter just as they treated Serena as their own daughter.

"Mm. Smells like breakfast." Artemis walked out from the hallway stretching his arms up high. The silver haired man walked to the table and placed a kiss on top of Serenity's head as she drunk her juice. When Serena first saw Artemis she thought he was older than he actually was because of his hair. She never understood how someone's hair could be natural silver, almost gray, and Luna's hair was so dark it was almost a deep purple. It seemed so strange to her but then again so many things about them were strange.

"Good morning Papa Artemis!" Serenity put down her cup and jumped into Artemis' arms hugging him tightly."Mommy is taking me shopping today!"

"Oh, really? What for?" He asked gently putting her back in her chair.

"Because I bet her that she couldn't last five minutes in the dark without a nightlight and she didn't." Serenity said prideful.

"How long did she last?" He asked with a throaty laugh.

"One minute and thirty-two seconds."

This time it was Luna's turn to laugh as she ended her morning meditation and walked over to the table. "Oh sweety, your mother could never last ten minutes in the dark if her life depended on it. If you bet your mother that all the time you'll go shopping every day."

"Ha. Ha. Vary funny." Serena placed the last pancake on the platter and turned off the flame of the burner. She sat Serenity's plate down on the table and was about to sit down herself when the phone rang. "I'll get it." She walked into the living where the phone was and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" At first there was no sound on the other end but then she heard a familiar voice that made her heart skip a beat.

"Serena? You finally answered." The young woman's voice weaved between excitement and relief. "It's me, Ami."

There was a moment of silence as Serena tried to grasp what was taking place. She hadn't spoken to Ami for over four and a half years and when she had it was a brief call explaining that Serena was in labor. After Serenity was born she had given up her nightly call with Ami and the two page letters asking about the health of her family and illustrations of her adventures in the North West. Ami had still proceeded to call but had given up after Artemis picked up the receiver every time telling her that Serena didn't want to talk. "H-hi Ami. How are you?"

"Don't Serena. Why did you stop accepting my calls? It's been almost five years since we last spoke. You never even sent me a picture of the baby." Ami's stern voice frightened Serena somewhat.

"It's hard to explain Ames." For a brief moment both of the girls laughed at the usage of Ami's old nickname from high school but after their giggles subsided it became unbearably quiet and Serena felt the sudden need to say something. "I'm sorry I never called after Serenity was born. It was just something I was dealing with at the time." She knew that it would bring no rightful reason for her negligence to Ami but it was all she could explain to her for now.

"I really miss you Serena. Your dad does too. But, look, that's not why I'm calling. I just wanted to know if you're coming to my wedding. You never responded to my Save The Date."

"Oh, Um.." Serena looked at the Save The Date letter she had stuck to the fridge with a magnet. Ami had sent to her about a month ago and Serena remembered how she had almost cried when she pulled it out of the mailbox. She suddenly felt guilty for not calling her best friend these past years. She had missed so much all because her stupid faults had driven her to leave her home and loved ones behind. Ami had probably tried to call her the night her high school sweetheart proposed but she was too selfish to pick up the phone. It's time to get over it, she thought to herself, I have to deal with what happened in the past and move on. I can't keep running away from my problem. "You know what, I'm coming home Ami. It's time I need to face my ghosts and try to move on from this. I haven't spoken to my father since the night I left. Or Darien for the matter of fact."

"You mean you never told Darien why you left?"

"No. Not the real reason. Does he still live in Astoria?"

"No. He moved to New York about three years ago."

"New York?" Her reasons for leaving felt more clear when Ami explained to her that he left to New York on a business scholarship. When she was dating Darien all he would talk about was his future and goals in life but when Serena found out she was pregnant she saw Darien's dreams slipping away. It would be because of her that his life would take a down spiral and she knew that in the end of it all he would hate her for it. He had a future waiting for him and she had left with a deep secret so that he would live his dream and now she could see that it was the right choice.

"You should tell him Serena. He has a right to know that he has a five year old daughter." Ami chided.

"No. He...He's just getting his life started and for me to come into it right now wouldn't be fair. I'll tell him when the time is right." But she knew that it would possibly never be right. "I'll see you in a few days Ami."

"You're really coming? Serena, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, I know it was hard for you when your mother died and for you to come back here would bring back all of those memories and emotions. I know how much your mother meant to you."

"I have to face it Ami. I've been hiding from everything all these years and I can't keep running away from it. This is something I have to do for myself."

"Okay. Well, you're always welcome in my house if you need a place to stay."

"Thanks Ami. I'll see you in a couple days. Bye."

...

Serena drove past the green wooden sign that marked the boarder of her home in her Landrover and down the coast line to the street that turned onto the hill where she lived during her adolescence. The drive was only three hours from Seattle and Serenity had fallen asleep an hour into the drive. It was hard to explain to Artemis and Luna why she was going back to her home town on such short notice and all though they insisted that she stay they let her depart without many questions. Serenity on the other hand was overwhelmed with joy over the fact that she was going to meet her real family. But as she drove past her old high school she began to regret her decision. It was there that she met Darien for the first time when he transferred into Astoria High School and thus began a romance that would lead to her precious Serenity. He was so different from all the other boys that lived there; dark, handsome, mysterious, and a gentleman. She remembered the time when they had went to the beach at night to look at the stars and she had fallen in the freezing water. He had given her his shirt and coat off his own back to keep her warm and dry while he stood half naked in the cold wind. Thinking about it made her heart hurt and eyes water.

She drove up to the blue two story house that was her friends and put the car in park. She didn't know if she was quite ready yet to face everyone and all the changes that took place while she was gone. Her palms became sweaty over the steering wheel and she had butterflies in her stomach. Seeing Ami would bring back all the memories of the times that Serena's mother had taken them to the mall and movies. Everything in Astoria reminded her of her mother and she didn't know if she was ready to deal with all of that.

Just as she was about to put the car in reverse and return back to Seattle Ami Madison, so to be Ami Griffin, stepped onto the corner porch of her house and waved her hand high in the air. She was so different from the last time Serena had seen her; her hair was collar bone length, her trademark glasses were replaced with contacts and her skin was slightly bronzed.

Serena opened her car door and embraced her friend as Ami made her way to the driveway.

"Oh my god! I can't believe you're actually here." Ami said into Serena's shoulder.

Serena felt tears slide down her cheeks as she relished the feel of her friend pull her into a tight hug. After they let go of each other Serena opened the back door and unbuckled Serenity from her booster seat. Serenity wrapped her arms around her mother's neck, her black hair draping over Serena's shoulder like a blanket.

"My god Serena, she's like a clone of Darien." Ami stood in shock as she looked at the small child in her friend's arms. There was no doubt in the world that she was Darien's daughter.

"I know. Wait until she wakes up. You won't believe how smart she is."

"Have you told her who her father is?" Ami asked pulling the luggage out of the trunk.

Serena picked up the small stuffed bunny that her daughter carried with her everywhere then grabbed her purse from the front seat, double checking for Serenity's inhaler. "No, I've only ever told her fairytales about him."

"Fairytales?" Ami was confused

"Don't judge me Ames," Serena smiled slightly looking over at her friend. "In Seattle we live with this really sweet hippie couple, Serenity grew up with a man named Artemis who she calls Papa Artemis but Ive made sure that she understands that he's not her father. With Artemis around she hasnt really felt the abscence of a father figure but whenever she does asks about him I tell her stories about a prince who fell in love with a princess but had leave to protect his kingdom."

Ami remained silent but Serena could sense her dissaproval.

They walked into the house and Serena was greeted by the smell of cinnamon spiced pinecones and backed sweets. It looked the same since when she last stepped into the house to tell Ami goodbye; hardwood floors, cherry oak furniture, white leather sofas and blue pillows. She felt tears welt up in her eyes as the memories of sleepovers, playing during summer nights and parties she spent at that house flooded back. She laid Serenity down on the bed in the guest room and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Have you seen my dad around?" Serena asked as Ami sat the luggage down by the bed.

"I had seen him last week at the farmers market. He's been pretty lonely ever since Sammy left to college. You should go see him Serena. He'd be really happy-"

"No. Not yet. I'm not ready to go back there. Seeing him looking at me like I'd disappointed him, I don't think I can deal with it just yet." She could imagine her father's hazel eyes looking down at her as if she were a puppy who soiled the carpet.

"Who's says he'd be disappointed in you Serena? He loves you no matter what." Ami tried to convince her.

"Yeah, but, you know him Ami. When I entered high school we planned my future down to the very print of wallpaper to go into my new aprtment next to the college I was going to attend. I took the money out of the trust fund so I could leave Astoria. I just don't think he would be very happy to see me and where my life went." Serena looked at her daughter who was presently dreaming of god knows what a child dreams of and brushed the strands of black hair out of her face. Serenity was her life now and she was the only thing that mattered to her.

Ami squeezed Serena's hand gently. "I won't push you to see him but I know that he could never be disappointed in you. You and Sammy were his life after your mom died and I know that he would be proud of you no matter what."

Serena smiled at the edge of her lips and laid her head on Ami's shoulder." I missed you so much Ames. Im sorry I've missed so much of your life. I'm so sorry that I wasnt there when you got into Pre-Med or when Zach proposed.

Ami wrapped her arm around Serena's shoulder and squeezed gently. "It's okay, you can start making amends by being here for all the other important life chaging momments from now on."

"Ma...Mommy," The sweet momemt between the dear friends was interupted by Serenity's struggled breathing, her tiny little fists were clencing her stuffed cat and she wheezed rapidly, trying to inhale as deeply as she could. "I...can't..."

Before Ami could even process what was happening Serena had gotten up and dumped the contents of her purse and grabbed the inhaler amongts the miscellaneous items now spred across the bed. She sat Serenity up right and instructed her to sit as stright as she could and take slow deep breaths. The small child did as she was told as her mother shook the inhaler and attached it to a plastic tube with a mouth piece. All too familiar with the process Serenity opened her mouth once her mother was done conecting the inahlers together and breathed in deeply when she pressed the botton.

"That's it honey, breath in deep and slow." Serena watched as Serenity's grip on her stuff animal softened, a sign that her breathing was returning to normal. "Better?"

Serenity nodded her head as she took a last enhale of the medicine from her inhaler.

"She has asthma?" Ami asked.

Serena nodded as she took apart the inhalers. Serenity crawled over into her mothers arms, curled up into a ball and laid her head against her chest; something she always did after an asthma attack. Serena rocked her back and forth and placed a kiss atop her head.

"You've been doing this all on your own?" Serena could see tears in Ami's eyes. "Serena, I'm amazed at how strong you are. To be a single mother and take care of your child like this but...it's not fair. Its not fair to you. Or to Serenity. He has to know, you have to tell him."

Serena continued to rock her daughter back and forth, rubbing he back in small gentle circles. She knew Ami was angry at the fact that she's taken on this responsiblity all by herself whilst Darien was out there continuing to build a life and career for himself. But this is the life I chose and I wouldnt trade it for anything. Serena knew most people wouldnt understand but she was okay with the jugdement so long as she and Serenity were together and happy.

"I'll tell him Ames." Serena siged. "When the time is right I'll tell him."

...

The local market had change dramatically since she left Astoria. It used to be a small family run local market but was now once of those commercial superstores with endless aisles. There was even a large vitam and fancy soap section in the middle of the store. Serentity had managed to convince her to buy a few of the fancy sparkly soaps that were way overpriced. She had picked out a white one covered in tiny dry flowers wrapped with a blue ribbon and smelled of lilacs and vanilla, the other was pink and covered in purple sparkles and covered in what could only be cake sprinkles. They were definalty things thay would grab her daughters attenton but Serena didnt mind much. She loved the sight of her daughter walking beside the cart, smilling so big holding the soaps as if it were a small dog.

She pushed the metal shopping cart down the vast aisles of packaged goods and boxed cookies. She had lost her appetite for the processed junk ever since Artemis and Luna had introduced her to organic and natural food but her daughter still had a craving for the sugary sweets as most young children do.

"What do you think? Alphabet cookies or yogurt covered bunny bites?" Serena held up the boxes in each hand to show her daughter.

"Yogurt?" Serenity scrunched her nose and made a face.

"Haha. Thats what i thought." Serena threw the alphabet cookies in the basket and headed to the checkout counter.

The young man at the check stand greeted her with a smile as Serena unloaded the basket. She hadnt realized how much stuff she gabbed but she knew Ami and Zach wouldn't have most of the things that Serenity and her consumed in their daily diet. Serenity immediatly grabbed her soaps as soon as the man scanned them.

"Your total comes out to $97.48."

Serena reached into her purse and suddenly realized she had left her walet on the dresser when she was looking for Serenity's inhaler. She unzipped the inner pockets hoping she had some loose bills floating around. Thankfully she found a couple of twenty dollar bills hidden in there but it surely wasnt enough to cover it.

"Crap." she whispered as she checked the pockets of her jeans. Nothing. The one time she accually didnt have random things or spare change in her pockets had to be this exact moment.

She sighed. She hated what she was going to have to do. "Serenity, we have to put the soaps back honey."

Her daughter held on to the soaps tightly, hugging them close to her chest. "But mommy..."

"Im sorry baby, mommy doesnt havent have enough money for them right now. We can come back tomorrow and get them, okay?"

Serenity's eyes started to fill with tears. "But I like them." her voice qivered as she sniffled.

"Serenity, dont cry honey." Serena knelt down to her daughters level. "I know you like them but were going to have to leave them in the store tonight. We'll come back first thing tomorrow when we wake up okay." She reached for the soaps and Serenity let out a small wimper. Serenity wasnt usually one to cry over something like this, Serena had taught her better, but she knew it was the long drive and the fact that they were so far from the only home that she knew. Even though she had shown such excitment during the drive over and when they arrived at Amis she knew her daughter too well, she knew she missed her home. Maybe this all was a mistake, maybe it was better not to come and throw Serenity into all of this.

"I can take care of the bill for you."

Serena froze at the sound of the familar voice. She honestly hoped that it wasnt him, wished to God it wasnt him. Serenity's face lit up as she turned to the owner of the voice and pulled her mother's coat.

"Mommy, he said he'll buy my soaps for us! You'll buy my soaps?"

Serena tried to stop her daughter before she walked over to the man but she was too fast. This can't be happening. The butterflies in her stomach turned to nausea, the palms of her hands became clammy, her face felt hot and cold all at once. She wanted nothing more than to grab Serenity and run out of the store without facing him but she knew she couldn't. Defeted, she sighed, stood and turned to face the man Serenity was gleefully talking to.

Darien Shields stood before her smiling down at her daugher. God, he was still as handsome as ever although he could have done without the windbreaker vest and just settled for the black turtle neck and...wait, was he really wearing slacks? His fashion sense was a little questionable in high school but never in her life would have ever thought she would see him wearing buisness slacks. Unlike Ami, Darien's features remained unchanged, his dark black hair swept across his forehaead framing his chilseled jawline, his beautiful blue eyes held such softness, and his lips curled at one corner as Serenity thanked him. He towered over them, reaching well above six foot in height. Serenity turned to her mother then and his attention shifted to Serena. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes made contact.

Altough he kept his composure Serena could see in his eyes that he was just as bewildered as her as they stood in the check out aisle looking at each other. "D-Darien."

Darien walked past her and handed the chceck out clerk the two water bottles and the box of toothpaste he was carrying. "Add this to the bill please." He said then pulled out a few bills from his wallet.

"No! wait, you really dont have to do that." Serena peristed.

"It's okay. She seemed to really want those soaps." Darien took his spare change and receipt from the clerk and gestured to Serenity who was holding the soaps in each hand in the air and whispered a high pitch "Yesssss." Darien began to load the grocery bags into the basket."Do you need some help out to your car?"

"S..Sure." Serena took Serenity's hand and followed Darien out of the store.

Darien loaded the bags into Serena's car all while trying to keep his composure. He hadn't seen her since that hot July night when she left Astoria leaving him with only a note explaining that she could deal with the loss of her mother any longer and how everyone and everything reminded her of her. She looked the same since high school except her hair twisted into a messy bun and she wasn't wearing make-up. He couldn't remember a day in high school when she would venture outside without make up. Her eyes were still that bright beautiful cerulean that he loved and her lips were a soft hue of pink. He remembered kissing those lips many times when they were together.

"When did you get back into town?" He asked trying to hide the anxiousness in his voice.

"We just got here this afternoon. We're staying at Ami's for a bit. I'm in her bridal party."

"Oh. That's great for Ami." Darien replied not really caring for the status of Ami's relationship but more curious about the sweet young girl at Serena's side trying to find a safe spot for her soaps in one of the bags. The black coat she wore looked to be a size too big and her purple beanie was sliding off her head exposing her dark black hair that was braided into two long pig tails, her tiny nose and cheeks were rose red from being kissed by the frosty winter wind. She was so small. He could see that it hadn't taken Serena long to get over him. Darien loaded the last bag into the trunk and closed it, he looked over at Serena who was now holding her daughter. "You're a mom now?"

"Yes." Serena smiled. "This is Serenity. Serenity this is Darien Shields."

Serenity held out her hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for buying my soaps."

Darien looked at Serena surprised and took Serenity's small hand in his.

"It was my pleasure and It's very nice to meet you Serenity." He let go of her hand and looked at Serena. "You named her after your mother?"

"I had to." Serena smiled lovingly at her daughter. She knew that her mother would be so proud of the young girl she raised. "I heard that you moved to New York. Are you going to be back in town for a while?"

"Yeah, for about three or four months. My grandfather is having surgery and my parents aren't able to take too much time off of work to care for him but my job was able to give me time off so I came to help." He had to asked the question that was itching at the back at his mind. "Did you come back to Astoria by yourself? Or is Serenity's father here too?"

"Oh, well...um," Serena wasn't quite sure if she was ready to tell Darien the truth. That he fathered Serenity, that the really reason why she left was because she was pregnant with his child. But perhaps Ami was right; he did have the right to know that this young girl in her arms smiling up at him was his child. Perhaps this was as good a time as ever to tell him. "Darien, there's something I have to tell you-"

"There you are."

A tall, seductive woman with sultry red curls and cats-like green eyes approached them as she walked out of the supermarket, her high heeled boots clicking with each step. Serena was slightly disgusted by the amount of cleavage her low cut black dress reviled beneath her trench coat and she didn't understand for the life of her why she would wear something that exposed so much skin in the cold October wind. "I was looking for you everywhere. You could've told me you were checking out." Serena could hear a slight accent as she spoke but she couldn't quite make out what it was.

"I'm sorry, I just ran into an old friend. Oh, um, Serena this is Beryl Sampson. Beryl this is Serena Taylor." Darien introduced the two women to each other but Beryl seemed reluctant to acknowledge Serena's presence.

"You two are dating?" Serena asked dreading the answer.

"Darien, you didn't tell her?" Beryl asked looking at Darien as if he had committed some sort of crime. She didn't wait for a reply from Dairen before she stuck out her left hand and there Serena saw a silver diamond engagement ring on Beryl's freshly manicured finger. "I'm his fiancé."

Serena felt her heart sink to her stomach as she heard the words linger in the air around her. Her mind block out whatever Beryl was saying and she tried to focus on something other than that fat diamond ring on her skinny finger. Darien was going to marry someone other than her. It made sense she guessed. Darien wasn't her's anymore, he hadn't been hers for a long time. She had to let go of him if she were to move on with her life. But she didn't know if she could. She had to get out of there and get back to Ami's.

"I'm sorry but we really have to go. I have frozen food in the trunk and Ami's waiting for me. I'll see you around." She opened the car door and buckled Serenity in her seat then hopped into the driver's seat but her hands trembled so much she couldn't put the key in the ignition. She could feel tears stream down her cheeks but no matter how hard she wiped her eyes or tried to she couldn't stop them. Her heart begged for her to cry but she couldn't just yet, not in front of Darien. She got ahold of herself, started the car and sped out of the parking lot. As soon as she parked the car in Ami driveway she cried as much as her heart begged her too. Her tears soaked her gloved hands as she held them over her eyes. She knew that coming back would be difficult and heartbreaking but she hadn't realized how much it was really going to hurt.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Serenity had somehow unbuckled herself from her seat and moved next to her without Serena noticing.

"That man meant a lot to me, sweety. That's all."

"Are you sad because he's with that lady?"

"Yes. Very much." Serena sighed heavily and laid her head on the head rest. Darien had his own life now with that woman in New York. That's how it was and going to be from now on. She left so Darien could have that kind of life so what was she getting so upset about? This was the path she chose when she left. She carved it herself. It was up to her to lead that road where she wanted it to go. These next few months were going to be hell but it's what she has to do. Darien was going to be around while she was there so she'll just have to get used to seeing him with another woman. Eventually she would get used to it. Wouldn't she? "I love him but," She faced Serenity "Not as much as I love you."

"Good." Serenity smiled and climbed into her mother's arms to give her a hug. Perhaps she would tell Darien that Serenity was his when he was old, retired and divorced from that vixen. One day she will. One day.