I disclaim everything that needs to be.
Bold means a change in location and/ or time or time period. Italics are thoughts or Sesshomaru's inner demon talking, or flashbacks.
(Kagome means "Lost", Shynah means "she is a victor"
Love Letters- Chapter 14, Letter 15
Sesshomaru awoke to his phone buzzing. The time flashed- 6:30 AM. Kanna was calling, and had been for the last 15 minutes.
"hello" he said quietly, moving to get up so he wouldn't wake Kagome.
"Sesshomaru, I know its early I'm sorry. I just thought you should know."
"Know what, Kanna?" He could've guessed had the fog of sleep left his head.
"Kagome's post went viral. As did yours. If at all possible, take the day for yourselves. Take Kagome on a lunch date or something. The phones are ringing all over the place here and Miroku's started the press release and interview rights. Then you have to bring Kagome in to discuss what you'd like to be public and…"
"Kanna, I'll take care of it. Don't worry. We have a lot of time. She's only 3 and a half months." He sighed as she rushed off the phone. He knew that their oasis of privacy was over. Keeping his beautiful glowing wife to himself wasn't going to be as possible. He had gotten a few pictures of her since his return, but the background image on his phone was a shot Kagome had taken of herself. Dressed in one of his t-shirts, posed in one of the full length mirrors peppered around the house, Kagome had one hand smoothing the shirt around her belly, and the other holding the phone. The profile shot showed just how much the twins were growing inside her. Her hair, grown past her shoulders now, waved around her titled head. She took pictures of herself monthly, her camera was full of images of her belly growing and her body changes. The photos on his phone, and his camera he hoped to save for himself, for the most part. Some shots of Kagome's growing belly would be co-opted by Kanna and his PR team.
Laying back down, he stared at his phone background, and decided that he and Kagome would shoot their own maternity shoot, for their inner circle, and get a photographer for the public shoot. The baby shower will have a start studded list anyway, with Kagome's snapchat as the only other live content. He wanted them to have as much control as possible over what they shared with the public, but he could already hear the paparazzi setting up to accost them as soon as they left their property.
Kagome rolled over and groaned, her phone was vibrating and she knew it was the notifications from their posts. She checked the time: 7:15 AM. She sighed.
Sesshomaru kissed the top of her head, "Good morning, did I wake you?"
"No, something else did."
Just as he was about to ask, she threw the covers of of her body and jumped up. She took quick steps to the bathroom and Sesshomaru heard her flip up the toilet seat and empty the contents of her stomach into it. he followed, stopping to pick up a hair tie off the counter. He tied her hair back as she threw up, rubbing her back. He left her side briefly, to get her a bottle of water. When he came back Kagome was sitting on the floor, leaning her back on the bathtub. He handed the water to her and sat next to her.
"So that's morning sickness?" He asked softly
She smiled, "Welcome to pregnancy"
Jaken burst into the bathroom, "Lord Sesshomaru! I was looking all over the house for you, sir. Lady Kagome's mother is at the door!"
Kagome swallowed, "fuck."
Sesshomaru took a deep breath, "Kagome, stay up here. I'll go down and see what she wants."
Kagome nodded and put her head in her hands.
Her mother wasn't a welcomed presence in Kagome's life. She hadn't spoken to her in a few years, since she graduated from USC. Her mother remarried when Kagome was in high school, and her husband was more than disgusting. Kagome was repulsed by him, and even a little afraid. She didn't trust his eyes. Her younger brother, Souta, was 21 and about to graduate from Stanford. He had his falling out with their mother at the same time Kagome did, after Papa Inu pre-paid all of Souta's tuition. Her grandfather, Jii-chan, passed before Kagome left for college, but was on the record saying that he didn't trust her new son-in-law either.
*Downstairs*
Sesshomaru, now fully dressed in some linen pants and a soft t-shirt, walked down the stairs into the sitting room where Shynah Higurashi-Onigumo was waiting. He recognized her simple tailored dress as Armani, and her kitten heel Louboutin's clicked as she tapped her feet on the warm wood.
"Sesshomaru, I take it you're here in place of my recluse child?"
"Good Morning Shynah, Kagome's still in bed. It's only 7:45."
She sighed, tucking a black curl behind her ear, "and here I thought my little sun child would be up with the sun. I suppose its all this time in the darkness, with you people. She's made herself into her best, irresponsible, artist self here."
Sesshomaru felt her staring at the crescent moon tattooed on his inner arm, the mark of his lineage. His family was a powerful, ancient line of daiyoukais, and he was the heir to the entirety of Southern California, business wise. Legacy wise, an entire island off the coast of Fiji.
Her eyes burned, but he drew his eyes up to meet hers gently, but sternly, "Unless you'd like to wait here until she wakes up, I'll have her call you as soon as she does."
"That's okay, Sesshomaru. I'm up. Hello, Mother." Kagome said, walking down the stairs. She piled her hair on top of her head with two chopsticks, and wore a pair of leggings with one of her painting shirts. The denim button-up was cuffed up her arms, and was at least 3 sizes too big for her.
"There you are my lost one. I'm Mother today?" she laughed, "How cold you're being Kagome! I thought you'd be happy! Marriage and pregnancy was your plan all along, after all. You've finally completed your spiteful mission of doing the opposite of what we both know would be the best thing for you."
Kagome's bare feet landed at the bottom of the staircase, "Mother, please. You'll think I'm spiteful no matter what happens in my life. Its always about you", she ushered her mother and Sesshomaru to the Sun Room, where they'd be eating breakfast, "you can spare me your theatrics."
Shynah's eyes narrowed as she followed her son-in-law into the room, seeing that the only seat left was the furthest from her daughter.
"Forever her loyal beast, Sesshomaru." She muttered.
"Mother!" Kagome snapped as Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed back at the woman, "why are you here, besides to insult my husband and ruin my day?"
Shynah crossed her arms and recited, "I'm watching life inside me grow; there's life growing inside me and I'm beside myself with dreams."
Kagome rolled her eyes, "I have three hearts", she said back. Shynah was reciting the poem used to caption Kagome's instagram photo the night before.
"I found out on the internet that my child is married. Imagine my surprise to find that not only is she married, she now has three hearts. Twin grandchildren, my very first. Imagine how my heart would have burst to hear these words from my own daughter's lips. Not by some Ryan Seacrest knock-off on The View screaming it like its Breaking News. I'm your mother, Kagome. I'd hoped as immature as you've been, you would have the decency to call with this kind of news."
"Shynah, you have not spoken to Kagome since she was 20 years old. She's 25 now, an adult. She has her own life and she's made it clear that she doesn't want you in it."
"Okay, guard dog. My daughter has her own mouth to speak from. You haven't brainwashed that out of her, have you?"
"Mother," Kagome began, "I didn't call because I didn't want you to know. I don't want you in my life, as long as he's in it."
Shynah huffed, "I can't wait until you grow out of this childishness Kagome. Its bad enough that you've infected your brother. You know Hiro did nothing wrong. To either of you."
Sesshomaru felt Kagome shake, he could smell her blood. The copper smell staining his nose, making him taste it, she was angry. He stood, "Shynah, I'll have to ask you to leave."
"Ooh, Kagome, call off your mutt so you can talk to me like a big girl." The taunt in her voice dripped like acid.
"Get out. Now." Kagome said icily.
Shynah laughed sharply and stood up, meeting Jaken's tray of food at the door. She snatched a chocolate doughnut off of the plate of pastries, and sauntered to the door, "be careful with these, Kagome. You know dogs are such visual creatures. He won't want you if you balloon up after the babies are here."
Kagome didn't move, her eyes locked on Sesshomaru's hand on her thigh. It was her one point of calm in the shit-storm her mother brought into her morning.
"I'll see you soon, my daughter! Imagine the headlines if I'm kept from my beloved grandchildren." she said as the door shut behind her. They heard her driver open the door, and listened as the car sped down the driveway, past the flashing cameras.
Sesshomaru immediately bent in front of Kagome, putting his hands on either side of her belly. Looking in her eyes, "are you alright?" he asked quietly.
Kagome took a deep breath, "Yea I'm okay. She just riles me up."
"I can hear all three of your heartbeats, you were on the edge, Love."
She nodded, "We should call your parents. We need Papa Inu's lawyers if we want to protect Souta too."
"I'll call Father. You call Souta, he can stay here. He's out of school, right?"
"Yeah but he might have an internship. I'll call." She said as they pulled out their phones. She nodded her thanks to Jaken as he placed their breakfast options in front of them. She dialed her brother's number and pressed the speakerphone button.
"What's up new mama!" her brother answered, "you're lucky I'm studying for a final I have tonight or I wouldn't be up to answer."
"Souta, Shynah just left my house. Can you come straight here after your final?"
His voice lost its cheerfulness, "Shit Kagome, was Hiro with her? Are you okay? Are the babies okay? Where's Sesshomaru?!"
"We're all okay. He wasn't with her, and if he was- the guards have his photo. He's not allowed on the property. I'm calling my father to get the protective orders. I thought she'd stay away but something's got her back. She's up to something." Sesshomaru said, sending a text to Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango updating them to situation.
"Hiro probably is. I'll be there as soon as I can. Will you two be home all day?"
Sesshomaru looked at Kagome, she nodded, "yes. I'll be working from home today. You have a key and the passcode to the gate. Go to the back one if the paparazzi are crowding the front one."
Souta laughed, "you two are so mysterious, of course those vultures are camped out at the gate. Especially after these announcements. There's not one tabloid photo of Kagome looking the way she does yet. I'll see you soon." He hung up the phone and typed an email to his professor. Citing a family emergency, he begged to take the final early. Once he got his confirmation, he packed a bag, locked his apartment and got into his car.
*Angelino Heights*
Kagome stirred her tea as Sesshomaru spoke to his father over the phone in the next room. She scrolled aimlessly though instagram and answered Sango's concerned texts and Souta's confirmations of his arrival within the next 6 hours, traffic depending. Once he hung up, he stepped back in the room and drove his fork into the bacon.
"What do you need from your studio today? I'll have Jaken bring it with his usual errands so it doesn't look suspicious."
"The early canvases, he'll know which ones. I have paints here so that should be it." she sipped her tea.
Sesshomaru nodded at Jaken in the corner, having already given him his requests for the day. He rushed off, leaving Sesshomaru and Kagome to their breakfast. He watched the sun illuminate her face, watched her inner glow as she looked out the window onto the garden. Her mother's visit had not shaken her up as much as Sesshomaru thought it would. Her anger had chilled as they ate together, helping one another with the New York Times crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
He reflected on the morning, Shynah's visit was unexpected. He hated her more than Kagome did, he thought, and he was nothing to the protection of Inuyasha and their father. The three of them loathed her, and it was palpable. She was a horrible woman, married to an even worse man. It took all of Sesshomaru's strength not to maim him upon their first meeting, even more so after he found out what he'd done to Kagome and Souta.
Hiro Onigumo married Shynah when Kagome was starting high school, but had been dating since she was 11. He was planted drugs in Souta's backpack during his freshman year of high school, and nearly got him expelled. Kagome found hidden cameras in her bedroom, certain and terrified that he was watching her all the time. Souta was the one who caught him masturbating to one recording of Kagome undressing when she was only 14 years old. Kagome was 16 years old when Hiro was caught, and Ken Tashio immediately filed for the removal of both Souta and Kagome. They won a change in guardian, from Shynah and Hiro to Jii-Chan, and Ken moved the three of them into their guest house.
That was when Kagome and Sesshomaru started to get closer, he would sit outside with her, in the middle of the night, and watch her paint the stars.
Sesshomaru's mind wandered as they ate breakfast together. Their morning had found peace again, after the chaos of Shynah. After they finished, Kagome stood to stretch her body. Sesshomaru watched her muscles tense and release felt the spark of love wash over him as his eyes drifted to her growing stomach. He looked at her when he felt her eyes on him.
"You are so beautiful" he said softly.
She took the two steps toward him. Leaning forward, she kissed the top of his head as he kissed her stomach, "I love you"
She took a step back and turned her attention to Jaken, who had just returned, out of breath.
"Lady Kagome, your art is in the downstairs studio. Lord Sesshomaru, the paperwork you asked for is in the library. Your father, Lord Inuyasha, and Lord Souta are on their way. Miss Sango and Mr. Miroku will be here after the end of the work day. Lady Izayoi wanted to come but she's in Beverly Hills picking linen samples for the wedding shower."
Kagome sighed, "remind me to call her and tell her our schedule. We are so far from the wedding shower."
Sesshomaru stood, gathering the newspaper and chuckling, "she thinks we won't tell her the genders, so she's meddling in things that are too far away."
"The appointment is in a few days, we'll let her plan a gender reveal party."
He stopped, "you don't want to know right away?"
She smiled, "no, I want it to be a surprise. Plus, your mom is gonna tell everyone if we don't let her plan a party. Sango, Jakotsu, and Kikyo will kill me if they don't get to do the baby shower!"
He nodded, "gender reveal will be more fun for her anyway. She can go nuts with blue v. pink."
Kagome walked across the house to her painting room. Sesshomaru built several additions to their property as their creative endeavors flowed. They now had a fully functional darkroom, photography studio, painting room and inspiration room, in addition to their other entertainment spaces. Next to Kagome's painting room was the West Library, where Sesshomaru would be working for the day. Their relationship thrived on their nearness to each other, feeling the most at peace when they could feel one another's auras nearby. As Creatives, they also thrived in their solitude. To maintain their balance, they naturally gravitated towards different rooms on the same floor, if they were working in the house together.
He settled into a comfortable chair in the library, at the table where his laptop was placed by Jaken. Flipping through emails, he paused on Kagura's tabloid article.
INDIE ART PRINCESS AND MANAGEMENT KINGPIN ELOPED
Sesshomaru Tashio is even more officially off the market and we're all devastated. Everyone's favorite meta-art power couple, Kagome Higurashi and Sesshomaru Tashio have finally confirmed the rumors that have been swirling for over a year. Now, confirmed by BOTH of their Instagram pages- rings and vows have been exchanged. AND if it couldn't get any juicer, ANOTHER CONFIRMATION- Kagome is pregnant! A snap from her snapchat, AND a separate instagram post captioned with the poem from Warsan Shire, "I have three hearts". Now, is she talking about Sesshomaru or TWINS!?
Sesshomaru stopped reading, scrolling to see if a picture from the day before, when he picked Kagome up from the studio. Just one shot, taken from Kagura's phone, of Sesshomaru helping Kagome into the car. Her outfit covered her belly for the most part, and she didn't look like she was showing. He sighed, that is still their secret. He then turned to the files Jaken picked up for him. In it were the case files of their lawsuit with Shynah, the new management team contracts, and requests for new clients. He set Shynah's papers to the side, for his father's arrival, and dove into his work, listening to the soft music coming from Kagome's paint room.
Kagome spent 30 minutes reading the labels of all of her paints to make sure she could still use them while she was pregnant. She then spent another 15 minutes confirming that information on the internet before she gathered her colors for the second layer of paint for the newest paintings. She was working on the beginnings of the galaxies now, and she always loved painting the stars. She mixed undercurrents of red, purple and turquoise into the deep blues and blacks of empty space. Moving from canvas to canvas, changing the colors to match the overall sketch taped to each easel. A soft knock on the door startled her out of her focus. It was Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. She put her brush in the sink in the corner of the room and walked to them.
"Dad's here for lunch Kaggie. He wants to see you." Inuyasha said, hugging her.
"Don't use your gentle voice, Yasha, I'm fine. Have you talked to your brother? He's probably more shaken up than me."
Inuyasha laughed, turning to Sesshomaru, "Shynah's dog insults?"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and nodded, "Maybe someday she'll think of another subject of insult."
Sitting in the gazebo, Ken Tashio flipped though the file on Shynah. His phone buzzed, it was nearing 2 PM, everyone would be arriving soon. Talking to Sesshomaru, he expected Kagome to be beside herself with anxiety. But she wasn't. When she walked onto the desk, he could sense her aura. She was bored, but calm. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Oh hi Papa! I hope that you didn't miss out on anything important because of my mother."
He hugged her, and rubbed her growing belly, "Nothing is more important than my daughter's safety."
Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Kagome sat around the table with Ken, eating lunch, laughing and joking. They enjoyed each other's company, mostly talking about the wedding and the babies.
"Your mother is so excited. Do you two have a schedule of how you want things?"
"Yea," Kagome said, showing him the ideas she drew up for different accoutrement for these events, "I'm thinking I'll let Izayoi take care of the gender revel party since that's first. Sango, Jakotsu, and Kikyo are doing the baby shower- which is second. The public, photographed part of this pregnancy besides one set of maternity pictures. And then we'll do a small wedding shower. Private. Then the babies should be here! And then, when they're 6 months, and able to travel and stuff, we'll do the wedding, reception, and honeymoon."
Ken nodded, and turned to look at Jaken shuffling towards them.
"Yes?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Milord, Souta is here, I showed him to his room. But it seems a Hiro Onigumo was seen at the gate a few minutes after Souta arrived. He said he was looking for his son."
Ken stood up, "Kagome, go upstairs."
Inuyasha helped her up and walked her inside, quickly. They were going to Souta's room. Sesshomaru and Ken walked toward the front door, Jaken trailing behind them.
"Take him to the security office, I don't want that man in my house." Sesshomaru said
"Yes, sir."
"Sesshomaru, stay calm." Ken warned, he could feel his son's aura flaring in anger.
"He dares to come here. I could rip his fucking heart out." Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. Kagome was upstairs waiting for him to come up and tell her that she was safe. He'd protect her from anything, especially Hiro.
They walked into the front room of the security office, away from the actual view into the house. Hiro was sitting on the couch, in a black suit. Sesshomaru recognized the off-brand Gucci shoes tapping on the floor. He looked up as they sat across from him.
"Sesshomaru! So good to see you. How is the new husband, nearly-new father life? I gotta tell ya, you waited a while to knock her up. Did she wait for marriage or something? I knew I should've had the sex talk but Shy-"
"That's enough Hiro. Its best to not further incriminate yourself. You know you can't be here."
"Oh, is that right?" He raised his eyebrows, "according to this letter from my lawyer those silly protective orders expired yesterday. I wanna see my kids."
"Your kids are adults who do not want to see you," Sesshomaru started.
"And you aren't allowed near Souta, his order is still in place." Ken interrupted his son, "this is private property. We're asking you to leave."
Hiro stood, his body hot with anger, "You are not keeping Kagome out of my reach for long. Her own father couldn't do that."
He stormed out, getting in his BMW and speeding down the driveway, nearly hitting a few members of paparazzi on his way out.
Sesshomaru sat on the couch in the office, sighing into his hands. He ran them through his hair and rubbed his face.
"Son," Ken started, "You have to calm down before you go up to see Kagome. She's going to be worried if you go up there hot. He was only trying to scare us, the guards got his fingerprints, and a much better idea of what auras to look for when he comes back. Everyone's on high alert. You and your family are going to be safe."
*Upstairs*
Souta rubbed Kagome's growing stomach as Inuyasha laughed. They had since moved to the entertainment room, playing pool and air hockey while they waited for Sesshomaru and Ken to return. They were betting something growing more and more valuable, rubs to Kagome's belly. So far, Souta won 10 interrupted minutes of listening to the babies' heartbeat, and talking to them about their "coolest" uncle. Inuyasha was challenging him to another game of air hockey.
"How about one of you play me? I'm starting to feel like a petting zoo and I'm not even halfway through this shit!" she stood, "what's keeping Papa and Sessh? Hiro really must be freaking out."
"Kagome, aren't you worried?" Inuyasha asked lightly, "he's a really dangerous man."
"mmmm" she walked to the window and sat on the sill, "no. I'm not worried. I'm safe here. I'm with my family. I'm not a lost 16-year-old anymore. My mom, Hiro, they don't have a hold on me anymore. I'm not afraid of them anymore."
Sesshomaru, walking up the stairs as Kagome was talking, stopped at the door. Souta saw him in the doorway, and smiled softly. He knew that Sesshomaru was so worried about her, he could see it on his face. Hearing her faith in him to keep her safe, her confidence in her choices up to this point, and her security in their lives together washed a wave of relief over him. Sesshomaru cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"He's gone. Father left to meet with the lawyers. He'll be back, with everyone else, for dinner."
Kagome smiled, "okay. How are you feeling?"
"I'm perfect," he said, kneeling to her belly, "how are all of you?"
She groaned as Inuyasha and Souta laughed, "not you too! I'm gonna live with Papa Inu my whole pregnancy at this rate!"
Inuyasha laughed harder, "you really think Mom is gonna leave you alone. The bigger you get, the worse she's gonna be! You're just gonna have to get used to it."
Sesshomaru laughed, "Kagome, go take a nap. Souta, come have a beer with Inuyasha and I. we'll swim."
Kagome pouted, "I'm going to nap outside, in the sun. I'm going to look ridiculous in my swimsuit and that's fine! Just don't laugh at me! And be prepared for a nip slip." She laughed as she walked towards her bedroom to change. The boys went to their respective rooms, changed into their swimsuits. Sesshomaru stepped out of the closet to see Kagome trying to tie her bikini bottoms around her growing belly. She was showing more in her lower abdomen right now, and the strings shifted as she walked. He moved, to help her, handing her another pair of bikini bottoms without strings. She sighed and put them on. She was wearing a black Calvin Klein sports bra over her bikini top.
"layering up?" Sesshomaru laughed
"Don't laugh Sesshomaru! They're so huge, they grew like overnight."
"Just wear the calvin, love. If they pop out, they pop out. Just be comfortable."
She sighed again and took off the bikini top. She immediately felt better.
"I'll meet you down there, love. I have to make a call." Sesshomaru said, kissing her hand. She nodded and walked down the stairs. Sesshomaru went to the desk and pulled out a pen and paper.
Beloveds,
I write this as your mother demonstrates strength and clarity. She will be the best mother to the two of you. When you are older, you'll ask about your maternal grandmother, and why she isn't around. Know that your mother loves her mother, but she wasn't blessed as you are to have a loving mother. There is no doubt in my mind that your mom loves your more than anything in the world. I love her more than words. I love the two of you more than words. I will protect, love, and care for you all, as long as there are stars in the sky somewhere.
Love,
Dad
*we're going to learn about Kagome's dad soon! Let me know what you think of the direction we're going in. Hope you liked it(: R&R please?(: -Inu'sgurl97*