My dearest readers,

No, your eyes are not betraying you. This is an update! :D

First of all - HAPPY 2015 TO YOU ALL! Hope everyone had a great time during holidays and that everyone of you are well! :)

I'm really sorry for the delay; Life has been chaotic and full of twists so I had to postpone the update.
Things at school are going better but I still need to keep concentrated on my studies. I have exams coming up and I have to focus on that!

This chapter was already finished and just needed to be reviewed so I decided to go ahead and post it.

As for my other stories, I really will try and update them as soon as I can - I havent't given up on them! ;)

I really have no words to thank you all for your PM, favorites and reviews of this story! Thank you so much for keeping up with this story – it makes me really humble to have readers such as you guys! :')

Without much more delay, here's chapter 21. It's small but I really hope you enjoy it!

I'm sorry for any mistakes that may appear!

ENJOY!

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and his characters belong to his rightful owner, the brilliant genius that is Rumiko Takahashi! This story, once again, belongs only to me; Inuyasha's characters belong to me only in my dreams! ;)

CHAPTER 21 - Coffee Confessions

A few days after the wedding Kagome met Sango at the nearby mall for some shopping and to have a cup of coffee.

After ordering a coffee for herself and an orange juice for Sango – she was still breastfeeding, after all – Kagome noticed how quiet the babies were, peacefully asleep in their stroller.

"They seem to be better from those colic episodes…"

"Tell me about it!" – Sango sighed as she leaned back on the chair. – "It was so awful that feeling of almost impotence… as if no matter what you did, it was never enough… I just wanted to do something, anything to keep them from suffering… and at the same time I couldn't."

"Hiroyuki didn't have those frequently but I remember feeling the same way when it happened…"

"They have been calmer, these last few days… let's see how we'll do from here… I'm still juggling "with how to be a parent of two!"

"They look lovely, Sango… and so big! It's hard to believe they're almost two months old…"

"Now, now… they're one month and a half!" – Sango said smiling as Kagome rolled her eyes. – "Don't make them grow much faster!"

"I love the outfits. Can you tell them apart already?"

"It's becoming more easy with each day… they're both calm when they're awake but Ayumi is more sleepy and Aiko eats a lot more and faster than her sister…"

"How about their weight? Have they been checked already?"

"Yesterday, actually, was their scheduled appointment. We had to postpone to a few days later because Miroku wanted to be present at the checkup so… they're both doing fine, thankfully."

"Speaking of Miroku, how's he holding up being the only male in the house?"

"Surprisingly great, actually…" - Sango answered seemed genuinely surprised.

"Really? You sound surprised…"

"That's because I wasn't expecting him to be so committed to us. I think, deep inside, I was always afraid that once the babies were out he would lose interest in me…"

"Sango!"

"But!" – the nurse said, quickly checking on Ayumi who had moved around in the cot. – "He's been making a terrific effort, Kagome. I'm really impressed – he has already started working, unfortunately, but he always calls to know how we're doing. He's been searching the internet for baby activities that can help development, he gets up during the night, and he helps to bathes them and change them… I think he would feed them too if he could!"

"That's really good to hear, Sango…" - Kagome said, smiling. In her cot, Aiko stirred and lost the pacifier from her mouth but Kagome was quick to replace it.

"I honestly can't believe he's still the same Miroku from college, you know? He even finds the energy to…"

"To what?" – Kagome asked, curious as she saw her friend blush bright red. – "Oh!"

"I mean, it's been a month I know and I still look fat but… yesterday, it was like he couldn't keep his hands to himself! Like in college!"

"First of all, you're not fat. Everything you gained will quickly be consumed while you breastfeed. And honestly, that's gross… that's TMI for me!"

Sango couldn't help but laugh and Kagome couldn't help the smile.

"How about Hiroyuki, how's he doing?"

"He's okay. Still excited about new Aunt Rin who he complains he hasn't seen since the wedding… I'll be picking him up after."

"He's not the only one, it's been days since I've heard anything from her!" – Sango said, sipping her juice. – "Have you talked to her?"

"Do you really think you'll be able to? I bet those two haven't left the bed yet… Sesshomaru spent years trying to keep Rin away from him, with some distorted freedom of choice in his mind. Now that she's his… I bet we'll only hear from her once she's getting on the plane to come back home…"

"The wedding was nice, wasn't it?" – Sango said, coyly while Kagome finished her coffee.

"It was quite nice, yes…"

"Something you want to share…?"

"Whatever your mind is making up, you can forget it. There's nothing like that going on."

"It didn't seem like it…"

"I know but it also wasn't what it seemed, Sango. It… things just went out of control, for a while…"

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I did love seeing you two together but… he's still with Kikyo, as far as we know… and you're better than that, Kagome…"

"I know. I just… I can't explain! Things were just moving so fast… like we were trying to catch up… or remake the past…"

"You can't remake it, Kagome. That's the thing! You have changed and so did Inuyasha. That past you're trying to recreate changed both of you!"

"I know that! What am I supposed to do?" – Kagome said, sounding angry. She knew Sango meant well but she was having trouble acknowledging that.

"Look, I don't want to upset you. It's your life, you make your own choices. The best I can do is support you, no matter what you decide, and you know I'll do it. I'll always be there for you; but if you expect me to just stay put and not speak my mind about the matter, then you'll have another thing coming!"

Kagome stared at her friend's fierce expression before sighing loudly.

"I feel lost, Sango… I really don't know what to do or where to start…"

"I think you both need to take a break from all the eye-sex and the cute whispers…"

"Sango!"

"Seriously, Kagome. You guys need to have a serious talk, clean things up between you two before you act on your feelings…"

"… And what if he simply decides it's too much trouble? That he doesn't need or want to talk about… what if I lose him again, Sango?"

"You won't, not because of something like this. But you will if you don't come clean with everything."

After helping Sango to the car and saying goodbye, Kagome drove to pick Hiroyuki up from school with her friend's speech revolving in her head. She waited near the gates, near other parents also waiting for their children to be released from school.

Sango was right, she needed to tell Inuyasha the truth about everything if they wanted to start anything. They could end up hurting each other without intention if they weren't honest enough and Kagome still needed to clear the air between herself and Kouga. Picking up her phone, she quickly texted Kouga asking if he would be available to meet her the next day, for coffee. His answer came up surprisingly fast but affirmative. She was replacing her cellphone in her purse when the bell rang and the doors were opened. Hiroyuki was talking with some friends, his backpack on and seemed pretty excited about whatever they were discussing. She waited patiently for him to notice her presence, before he turned his head and quickly said goodbye. He then came running her way, eyes widely open and smiling. Kagome hugged him fiercely, bending down as soon as he came close.

"Hi mommy."

"Hello honey. How was your day?"

"It was great! We learned a lot of new things!"

"That's good. Did you behave today?" – Kagome asked as she started to lead him to their car.

"I did, mommy."

He spent the rest of the way home describing his adventures and Kagome allowed herself to relax and listen to his excitement.

It was only after bath time that Kagome noticed he seemed strange, as if lost in his own thoughts. He played with his food around in his plate for a while and Kagome decided it was time to know what was bothering him.

"Hiroyuki?"

"Hm?"

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you not hungry?"

He nodded his head, seriously.

"Then what is it?"

"…"

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" – Kagome said, pushing her plate aside and giving him her full attention.

"I don't want you to be mad at me…"

"Mad? Why would I be mad?"

"… I don't know…"

"Well… if you don't tell me I will never know if I should be mad or not…"

"… Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Why do I smell like Inuyasha after the bath?"

Kagome was thankful that she was already seated; of all the things he could ask, that was not something she would expect.

"What?"

"I smell like him, mommy. I noticed at the wedding… I also smell like uncle Sesshomaru… is it because we're dog demons?"

"... I think so, dear. Mom doesn't honestly understand much about demons and smells… but if you want we can ask uncle Sesshomaru to explain it to you when he gets back?"

Hiroyuki seemed to ponder on the suggestion before nodding enthusiastically. Seeming more at peace with himself, the boy re-started to eat.

"Hiro? Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"Do you… do you like Inuyasha?"

It seemed as if his eyes couldn't get any bigger and his smile couldn't get any wider.

"Inuyasha is great, mom!" – he said, still munching on his food. – "He's the bestest friend I've ever had!"

"The bestest, huh?" – Kagome said as her boy nodded excited. – "Well, would you want to go have ice cream with him?"

"Now?!" – he said, already getting up.

"Sit back down, mister! Of course it's not now!" – Kagome said, laughing.

"Then when?"

"When he invites us, I suppose…"

"And when is that?" – he said, seeming confused and frustrated. Kagome couldn't help the laugh at his stubborn face; it seemed it was only Inuyasha that couldn't see the similarities.

Kagome watched him finish his food while she pondered on her next step. Telling Inuyasha would be difficult because she had no idea how he would react to such news. She was a little more confident now in Hiroyuki's reaction but she still dreaded the day she had to come clean with her son.

But first things first – the first step was to talk to Kouga.

So what did you think? Did you enjoy?

Next chapter is almost finished and I'll try and post it as soon as I can, ok?

See ya next chapter!

ENJOY!