Chap 31 Near the end –moment of final suspense-

31 Dec 2299

Two weeks later the astronauts landed at the space port and all the Takahashis except Kenichi gathered to greet their heroes. Sesshomaru held Inuyasha to his side as the heroes made their way through the GASA technicians to their families. Tsume got to Kouga and Amaye first. Loud wails of joy filled the open air as Amaye flung herself in her son's arms while Kouga nearly beat a permanent hand print in his son's shoulder. The rest of the wolves waited and then made a wolf pile. The last they saw of Tsume was a permanent grin on his freckled face.

Kohaku walked steadily toward his parents, occasionally looking back to assure Yoshiko was following him. Prior to landing Kohaku had told her that she was coming with him to his parents and initially she agreed but then as they got closer to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha and the rest of the family, Yoshiko's legs seemed to freeze in place.

Kohaku stopped and returned to Yoshiko. Reaching out a hand, he smiled.

"You just SAVED the planet and made friends with aliens. You can handle this. Give me your hand."

It was a command. The power and strength radiated from her grandson to her and with it the confidence to take a few more steps.

They arrived in front of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha.

"Hi Dad! Hi Father!"

The two parents stared at their puppy eared son for one millisecond and then Inuyasha started crying tears of joy and glomped onto the young hero. Sesshomaru encircled the two beaming such pride that if it could have been captured it would have powered the world for several hours.

The rest of the Takahashis stood by smiling and waiting their turn to welcome home their hero.

Yoshiko started getting cold feet again and stepped one half step backward.

Even though he was surrounded by his parents' powerful youki, Kohaku sensed it and broke from his parents' grip to grab the shrinking astronaut.

"Everyone! I want to introduce you to my fellow astronaut, she who saved the world and befriended aliens! Yoshiko Takahashi!"

The children smiled. So this was their grandmother and great grandmother. She was a lot smaller in person than on the video that had been broadcasted. They all jostled for position so they could see her clearly and formed a semi-circle around her.

Yoshiko looked at Sesshomaru first.

"Son—I-I-" she started, but was quickly interrupted.

Sesshomaru stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug. Perhaps it was the first hug they had shared but it was the "best-hug-ever" in her mind. She snuggled into his embrace and took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"As am I," the great dog demon replied. "Welcome home Mom!"

The proceeding celebration lasted hours at the space port and then all teleported to Castletown where a huge festival awaited them.

Kenichi had just finished with the final touches when the crowd walked up the hill to the main gates. He quickly ran out the front door to greet his parents. He was wearing traditional clothing and had his hair tied up in a high pony tail. In every way he looked like his grandfather.

"Hi Everyone! Welcome home!"

Yoshiko stopped and stared.

Kenichi smiled.

Then Yoshiko gathered her wits and said, "Hello. My name is Yoshiko Takahashi. What's your name? Would you join me for a cup of tea?"

"I'm Kenichi and I'd love to have tea with you," the handsome demon said. Kenichi proffered Yoshiko his arm. "Allow me to lead you. Dad, Nikki's filled the kitchen with even more delicious treats. I've had trouble keeping Usagi's leash from eating them all. And there are "cheesy bites" for a small army." Kenichi smiled.

Yoshiko allowed the gorgeous dog demon to lead her and the crowd into the court grounds.

Turning he nodded to his father. "Father, please give the official word for the festival to start."

Sesshomaru looked to Inuyasha, who smiled in return. Then he turned back to Kenichi.

"Do the honors, Prince Kenichi."

A regal nod of the head and Kenichi's voice rang out loud and clear to all of Castletown.

"OUR HEROES ARE HOME! LET THE FESTIVAL BEGIN!"

Clapping, shouts of joy, and all other sorts of noise filled the air!

As the family spread out and started intermingling with friends, neighbors, and Castletown inhabitants, Inuyasha relaxed against his mate. "I think we need to rest for a bit my love. Would you be so kind to escort us to the first floor study?"

Sesshomaru leaned to kiss his mate on the lips. Then picking him up bridal style, he walked into their castle and straight to their first floor study where he placed him gently on the daybed, a pillow behind his head and back.

"It's been a while since we've rested in this room while I've been pregnant," Inuyasha murmured holding Sesshomaru's hand.

"Yes, it has. We have so many special memories of this room. "The first time we saw Keiko…" Sesshomaru kneel in front of the day bed and held his mate.

Inuyasha basked in the warmth and love of his mate as well as the precious memory from so many years ago.

Several seconds passed while the two reflected. Inuyasha spoke next.

"I'm thinking of Keiko and Steven's wedding. Remember standing here giving them last minute advice?" Inuyasha reflected. Sesshomaru raised his hand and directed his mate to look in his eyes. Pointedly he said, "You mean our mating renewal vow ceremony?"

Inuyasha beamed. "I love you so much. I can never forget that. You stood before the entire group and said the same vows. How did you remember them word by word?" Inuyasha's eyes sparkled with adoration.

Sesshomaru crooked the corner of his mouth. "I am perfection."

Inuyasha snorted and laughed heartily.

"Okay then, how about the time you nearly lost control of your youki…" Inuyasha stared emphatically at his mate.

"You mean the time someone nearly killed my mate-my world?!" Sesshomaru wrapped Inuyasha possessively in his arms.

"I will never leave you, my love. You are the air I breath. What must I do or say to assure you of that? I am so grateful Kouga caught you and brought you to me. You know he was teasing me about crying and being all girly faced but all I could think about was you. Don't do anything stupid like that again, do you hear me Sesshomaru!"

"Loud and clear, Koi. Now rest while I go get you some water. We don't need you going into false labor or deliver early." Sesshomaru rose to get the water but turned when Inuyasha spoke.

"Probably the best place to do it, Sesshomaru. Here with You, Steven, Jinenji, the castle clinic and the city hospital. We couldn't be in better hands." He rubbed his baby bump and then beamed at his mate.

Sesshomaru looked them over lovingly and left to the kitchen to get the water and a few cheesy bites.

Nikki had made more than a kitchen full of food for her favorite royal family. She had out done herself! All the castle freezers and refrigerators were full as well as a number of other Castletown homes and businesses. She had stayed up late the day before finishing some special treats for the heroes. She had gotten information on their favorite desserts so she would have them done. Now she finally rested.

As she lowered herself gently into the kitchen chair she paused. Pain racked through her lower abdomen and back. Her baby bump tightened in unbelievable spasm and she screamed.

Sesshomaru heard the scream seconds before he entered the kitchen. He increased his speed just in time to see Nikki collapse to the floor.

"Nikki, hang in there. I've got you." Sesshomaru lifted her and sped to the castle clinic. Other staff were mingling there but went straight to business when they saw their Lord and the Captain's mate.

Sesshomaru gave short commands. This was his arena.

"Get the Captain," he barked to the nurse closest to the door.

"Get Steven," he called to another.

"You," he pointed. "Vitals, IVs, and get the US now! I want this baby's heart rate."

Finally he gave one more command. "My mate is in the first floor study. Bring him here and put him in that cot right there."

Staff members flew about following the lord's commands.

Nikki's fetus was strong and healthy. Sesshomaru breathed a deep breath of relief. He spoke to Nikki and reassured her all was fine. Just then a panicked Capt Kenichi rushed into the clinic. Nikki smiled and her mate relaxed.

The clinic was calming down when a howl of pain rattled the roof.

Inuyasha was having what sounded like false labor pains! He had walked to the door of the clinic and started to crumple.

Sesshomaru grabbed his mate and put him on the cot next to Nikki.

"Start two large bore IVs now!" Sesshomaru commanded.

Two nurses struggled with IV tubing. Two others grabbed the inuhanyou's arms and searched for vein sights. Inuyasha was dehydrated.

Sesshomaru grabbed the ultrasound machine and found a site. It was a tough stick but the needle was in the vein. Life giving fluid trickled in.

Inuyasha cried out in pain.

Sesshomaru checked the fetus. She was healthy too, but these were real labor pains.

"This is going to be a longer day, Kenichi. Settle in next to your mate. Our daughters want to join us."

Steven dashed in with Jinenji. Both looked over the scene. "Wanna bet who delivers first?" Steven quipped.

Jinenji shook his head. "Young Prince, I would never want a piece of this bet. Your Dad is stubborn but Nikki is a force of nature. Best if you bet with some unknowing soul."

Assured that all were safe and labor was progressing appropriately, Steven stepped out to find a gullible soul to bet against.

Keiko brought him back into the clinic a few moments later by the ear.

"Ouch, ouch, aw Keiko, that hurts," Steven whined.

"Dad, Father, Forgive this mate of mine. Nikki, Kenichi, Forgive us, please." Keiko pulled Steven into a bow.

The laboring duo laughed as they saw the petite woman manhandle her tall, lanky husband.

"Keiko, let go of him and come to me," Inuyasha panted. "Give your Father a break please."

Keiko dropped her brother and rushed to her Daddy. Steven rubbed his ear.

Inuyasha winked at Steven and mouthed you owe me.

While Keiko fussed over her Daddy, Sesshomaru checked on Nikki's labor with Jinenji.

"How are you feeling Nikki?" Sesshomaru asked while Jinenji checked her status. She was 90% effaced and 9cm dilated.

"Ready to see my baby," Nikki panted.

Kenichi squeezed her hand. "Me too," he whispered.

"I'm afraid this will be a bit of a zoo with the two of you laboring," Sesshomaru started.

"S'ok," both Nikki and Inuyasha answered.

"Then, Jeninji, Nikki will need you to catch while I catch Inuyasha. Steven, you are on baby duty."

Ryuu walked in just then. "Hey, Father, I can help."

Keiko slide to the side as Inuyasha reached for his hand. Ryuu knelt next to his Dad.

"You would help even after how I treated you," Inuyasha's eyes welled.

"I adore you Dad. If I can be of service, please allow me to help," Ryuu pleaded.

Sesshomaru watched the interaction. Comfortable that all was well, he directed, "Ryuu, once I catch your sister, I'll pass her to you to clean and check. Let me know if you have any questions."

Ryuu nodded and joined Steven at the sink to scrub his hands.

All players in place, the final stage of labor hit Nikki and Inuyasha at the same time.

"Oh Baby, Kenichi, it's time! Our little girl is on her way," Nikki cried out.

Inuyasha breathed. Now that his fluids were back to normal the pain had resolved. "Sesshomaru, get ready."

Sesshomaru put his hand on his mate's perineum and gently stretched the opening. A white head of hair greeted him.

"Alright, Inuyasha, on the next contraction bear down. I see her head."

Nikki cried out again.

Sesshomaru called out, "Jinenji, what's your status?"

The horse hanyou replied, "I see a head of ebony hair." Then Jinenji spoke to Nikki. "On your next contraction..." But he didn't finish his sentence because Nikki pushed with all her might.

Steven quipped, "First place goes to Nikki! I'm ready Jinenji. Let's clear an airway."

Ryuu shook his head. "Glad you are Keiko's problem."

"Me too, brother!" Steven flashed a cheesy grin. Keiko smiled.

Inuyasha took in a deep breath and nodded to Sesshomaru. The duo had worked together delivering their children for 500 plus years. They had this down. Sesshomaru stretched Inuyasha's opening and Inuyasha pushed. The baby's head extended as it cleared, and she rotated. The upper shoulder delivered first, followed by the other shoulder and then Kagome was expelled into the big world.

Both girls cried at the same time just as the clock struck midnight on the first day of the New Year.

"Happy Birthday Jazz," Nikki cooed.

Captain Kenichi wrinkled his brow. "Why do you insist on calling my baby girl that silly nickname? Her name is Jazzmyne, she's not a sheet of music!"

Nikki and Capt Kenichi were so into their baby that they forgot where they were initially. Then Nikki gritted her teeth and whispered to her mate, "Sweetheart, The KING is right there,".

Capt Kenichi blushed.

The rest of the room laughed.

Handshakes, hugs, and congratulatory words abounded. Both birthers and babies did well and soon Prince Kenichi's voice boomed out the good news to the entire kingdom.