Disclaimer: I don't own jack!

Summary: The things they wanted they couldn't always have. But that didn't make them any less of a family.

Pairing: Sugawara/Kagome

Suggested Listening: Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson

The World Between Our Fingers

Chapter One: Choice

Sugawara woke to the sensation of his limbs feeling heavier than usual. His gaze drifted to the strands of hair still threaded between his fingers. His wife buried herself into the crook of his neck. Her knees curled over his stomach as she tried to hide away from the light of the sun.

"Are you sure they won't do it?" He began to rub soothing circles into the space behind her ear. She nodded once, not speaking. Her voice had long since gone hoarse from illness and opted to not strain it as much as possible. Thankfully, it appeared that her fever had managed to break.

"Should I try to set an appointment for a place closer to your family?" It was the only option he could think of at this point. It seemed so unfair considering their circumstances, but who was he to judge? He wasn't a doctor. The young man's eyes narrowed. He never once thought that he could have so much disdain for the small town practices like he did now. It wasn't right but apparently it wasn't their call. His teeth clenched in frustration. Was there noting else they could do?

"No good. It's the same there." Kagome shook her head. "Tried before." She kept her sentences short. Sugawara pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. It was the only thing he could do at this point. The pair froze as his phone vibrated.

How predictable.

His arms tightened around his wife. He wouldn't bother with it for now. They could wait. Them and their invasive questions could be ignored. He had more important matters to deal with.

"It's not your fault, you know." Sugawara stated firmly. "We made this decision together. We'll figure the rest out as we go along. Besides," a small grin broke out across his face. "We still have an infant to look after."

At that moment a small whine came from the foot of their bed. A tiny ball of fur clumsily crawled over their legs, pushing its way towards Kagome's face. The clouded expression lifted, temporarily being replaced by a smile and gentle laugh. He felt his heart warm at the sight. This suited her best. Not tears.

"See? Even Shiro agrees." He smiled down at her affectionately. "Besides, this way there won't be any late night emergencies or dirty diapers to change." He started to kiss at her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair more thickly.

The puppy began to lick at her face and nose, causing a small laugh to escape. An idea ran through his mind. In a instant he carefully rolled her under him. He used his weight to keep her from wriggling beneath him.

"Get her Shiro!" Sugawara teased. As if on command the puppy immediately crowded her face, licking at her and sniffing happily.

"Kou!" Kagome writhed from side to side. It was clear that she was trying to escape their pet's version of love but he wouldn't allow it.

"I'm not moving until you laugh." He would've kissed her again had it not been for the tiny dog crawling over her shoulder and face.

"I'm laughing!" The young woman tried to curl away, tears brimming her eyes from mirth. "Uncle! I call uncle!"

The light-haired male gently called the puppy off of her, "Alright boy, let's give her some space." The little creature whined sadly as it made its way back to its spot at the foot of their bed. He nuzzled his wife's temple as her arms went around his back.

"You're good at that." He felt her press a feathery kiss to his bare chest.

He shifted one hand to trail along the length of her thigh, "Good at what?"

"That!" Her small smile grew brighter. "I can't stay upset when you're around."

He understood what she meant. It wasn't that she wanted to be sad, but rather their current circumstances didn't allow for them to take solace in much.

Sugawara trailed his lips along the hollow of her throat, "Then I consider that as my job done well." He smiled against her. "I won't let this stop me." He moved his hands to intertwine their fingers intimately. "So don't blame yourself. I won't. Not now, not ever."

The look that crossed her face was one that he'd never forget. Shock, awe and an exponential amount of love.

"Hey," He started by kissing her between words. "I love you." She wrapped her legs around his waist as her arms pulled him down on top of her further.

"Show me," Her mouth met his.

So he did.

Kagome stood by the counter. He settled into his routine of taking care of Shiro while she got their meal prepared.

"I think I'll talk to my mother and see if she can't help me find somewhere else that we can try." Her voice was hoarse and cracked but he still loved it all the same.

He latched the collar around their dog's neck. It jumped and whined in its excitement for the upcoming walk.

"Sounds good," The young man glanced towards his calendar. "We have an early day this Friday so I can go with you then." It was an action they'd tried before only to be met with skepticism and condescension. However they usually had an easier time if he was with her. The comments were far less frequent with his presence near. His expression soured at the thought.

Even strangers were beginning to talk. They weren't just 'the couple on the third floor'. They were 'those people with the empty nest' as according to their neighbors. His family was even worse. As if on cue his phone began to vibrate.

"You should answer it." Kagome's voice was despondent again.

Sugawara scowled. His teeth clenched as he looked between the contact and his wife's frail back. Her fever looked to be gone but she was still too pale and thin. He knew where this would go. He knew how it'd affect her.

They were the childless fools that were wasting away their youth. At least that was what the rumors said. They were lazy. They were just scared of responsibility. They would regret their decision when they were old and alone.

They'd heard it all.

But who were any of those people to judge? They'd never seen the illness that would frequently strike Kagome. They never saw her suffering; struggling each day just to work through the pain and exhaustion. Her body could not handle a child. They'd only tried once and that'd been more than enough to concrete their choice.

The phone continued to vibrate. The worst offender of those comments was calling. Kagome's shoulders were slumped in defeat. He knew what they wanted but he couldn't bring himself to care. He brought his arms around his wife's waist. He pressed his face into her neck.

"Don't want to." So maybe he was being a bit petulant, but damn it, he was not going to make her feel any worse about this than she already was.

The young woman leaned into his embrace, "It's probably about the reunion. That's Saturday, isn't it?"

His brows furrowed. Right. Saturday. How could he forget? His arms tightened, "Not going."

The device ceased for a whole five seconds. He waited and predictable it began to vibrate again.

"She'll keep calling until you answer." Kagome warned. She was right. His arms dropped as he made his way back to his phone.

With a frustrated sigh Sugawara flipped it open.

"Yes mother?" His greeting was more terse than intended.

In that instant another round of interrogations began.