Chapter 31

Kagome ducked into the dress shop, Sango, Naomi, and Izayoi surrounding her. The camera's flashed, blinding Kagome, making her see spots in her eyes. The divorce has been a public affair. That wasn't anybody had wanted, but, with Kouga being one of the top males in Japan, it was bound to happen.

Miroku proposing seconds after Kagome's divorce was finalized, just made matters worse. Miroku was the adopted son of Touga Taisho, the number one male in Japan. Adopted or not, Miroku was still considered something of a prince, just like InuYasha and Sesshomaru. For the most part, people left them alone, minding their own business.

At least they had.

Now, if any of them walked outside, they were hounded by questions from news reporters and paparazzi. Cameras and microphones were almost always thrust into their face, even two weeks after the divorce. No one had gotten the scope they wanted, so they continued to try. They were like persistent little gnats.

Miroku was able to let it slide off his shoulders. He just ignored them and went on his way. The only time he pushed them away was when Kagome was involved. He would keep her face pressed to his chest, protecting her from their photos, and glaring at anyone who got too close.

Someone had even made a point of publishing an article on the overprotective club owner. Miroku found it mildly annoying, but it was something he was used to. He had lived with the Taisho's since he was eight years old. Someone was always standing around, hoping to catch the next scandal.

They were lucky no one had been looking around before Kagome's divorce. Had it gotten out that she and Miroku were together while she was still married, then she may not have gotten the divorce like she had.

There was one time she had made the headlines and she actually didn't mind. The assets she received from the divorce she sold. The house she gave away for next to nothing, donating the money to multiple charities. The part of the business she received, she divided, selling out to so many people she lost count. Kouga would never fully own his business again. He was screwed in that department, and still she didn't keep the money. She gave it away along with most of the money that had been freely given to her from the divorce. They printed her out to be a surviving angel, a guidance of sorts.

She chose not to keep the money that many would have, gave it to those that needed it, and helped with Safe Haven, which had a new girl. Kagome had been the only one to get through to the girl. Miroku had found her, like always, and the child refused to come anywhere near him. He had called Kagome, and she had been able to convince the teenager to come to Safe Haven. She of course wasn't a stripper, and instead, Miroku hired her to help clean up after the bar closed. She was only seventeen, just barely considered an adult.

She didn't mind being called the surviving angel, though she never asked for recognition for her selfless acts. That was just how she was. While Miroku's proposal had caused the influx of paparazzi to rise, Kagome's actions with helping those that needed it brought in that much more. Everyone wanted a photo or video of her in action.

"They act like we are royalty." Kagome rolled her eyes, watching as the store clerks locked the doors behind them and closed the blinds to the windows. No one aside from them would be getting in, and no one would be able to see what they were doing.

Of course, it was obvious. They were in a wedding gown store. Kagome had been worried that she would find the perfect dress, but the surprise of it for Miroku would be ruined because someone got a photo of her in it. So Izayoi called around and found a dress shop that was willing to work with them on the short amount of time needed to get the dress, and the annoying followers that the Taisho family just couldn't shake.

Naomi signed that she practically was, causing Kagome to roll her eyes again. Izayoi just patted Kagome's back, chuckling. "It is something you get used to. I am from a wealthy family, but I did not understand true wealth until I married Touga."

"I guess." Kagome looked around, still slightly irritated. Thousands of dresses glared back at her and suddenly she wasn't sure she was going to be able to do this. "How am I supposed to pick one dress out of all of this."

"That's easy." A woman expensively dressed walked up to them with a large and friendly smile on her face. "You tell us what your dream dress looks like, and we will find it for you. I am Akito, the manager here, and I am going to help you find your perfect dress. What are you looking for?"

"Um, something simple. I don't want anything over the top, nothing blingy or too revealing." Kagome wrung her fingers together, suddenly shy. "And nothing expensive."

"Price doesn't matter. She is just stubborn." Izayoi smiled at the woman, who nodded and then walked off. Kagome tried to argue, but Izayoi grabbed her arms, squeezing. "Listen to me, Kagome. You are my daughter. Soon you will be married to my son, and even more a part of our family. Touga and I have already discussed it, we are paying for this wedding, and there is no expense spared. If you love it Kagome, it is yours."

"Thank you." Kagome hugged Izayoi, thanking the woman that had quickly become the closest thing to a mother she ever had. She completely understood why Miroku cherished her. She could save anyone with her mothering touch.

After their touching moment, they immediately got to work on trying on dresses. Dozens of dresses had been brought to Kagome. Some she immediately knew she wouldn't like and sent them away. Others she tried on, but none of them were the one. After a few hours, they were just about to give up when Sango and Naomi brought over a dress, claiming they found the perfect one.

They had been right.

The moment Kagome tried it on, she fell in love with it. When she started to cry, everyone else did and Izayoi bought it right then and there. Wedding dress secured, they turned to the bridesmaid's dresses, and found a purple set that would be perfect for Naomi and Sango. In the end, a single trip had everything they needed for dresses. They were one step closer to being ready for the fast approaching wedding.

…

Kagome was leaning over the sink, rinsing her mouth out as she brushed her teeth. She was exhausted. After spending most of the day dodging camera's and trying on dozens of dresses, she returned home just to have to turn around and go to work.

Miroku noticed her tired state, and had offered her to take the day off, but she refused. Sango and Naomi had been with her, and they were still going to work. She was unusually tired, but that didn't mean she could slack off.

Two arms wrapped around her waist, lips kissing along her shoulder. Miroku's hand pulled at the spaghetti strap tank top she wore, plucking at it. "Why you wear clothing to bed I will never understand. It will just be removed anyway." His voice was like a purr, and even with her exhaustion her body began to heat. She would never be too tired for an intimate encounter with her fiancé.

"It would make things too easy for you if I discarded my pajamas." She chuckled, turning in his arms and wrapping her arms around her neck. He kissed her, their minty breath mingling. She pulled away first, working herself out of his arms and making her way back into their bedroom.

Miroku stood in the doorway of the bathroom, arms crossed as he leaned against the door frame. Aside from a tank top that showed her midriff and belly button, she wore a small pair of shorts that hugged her backside and even rode up from time to time so he could so that perfect creamy flesh. He honestly didn't mind her wearing clothing, especially when it teased him.

"InuYasha took a class today online. He is now legally able to marry us." Miroku smirked, as Kagome spun around, eyes bewildered.

"InuYasha marry us? Can he even be…. presentable?" Kagome just couldn't fathom InuYasha not cursing or making some sort of crude comment while having Miroku and Kagome say their vows. She could only imagine the things he would say that could potentially ruin their wedding.

"He has promised to behave." Kagome gave him an incredulous look, and Miroku chuckled once more, his smile tender. "He has also been threatened by me, Sesshomaru, Naomi, Sango, Touga, and most frighteningly, Izayoi."

"I guess that makes me feel a little bit better." Kagome looked down, wringing her hands together. "InuYasha touching me still makes me nervous. Just like Touga and Souta. I… I was kind of hoping Sesshomaru…"

Miroku pushed himself off of the wall, walking up to Kagome, and rubbing his hands over her arms. "You have come so far from the woman I met in the hospital. I couldn't even touch you, or go near you, and now… These things take time, Kagome, and soon you won't have any problem with any male. Though, I might." He rolled his eyes at his last comment, and Kagome smiled. Leaning down he kissed the corner of her mouth. "As far as Sesshomaru, he is not one for public speaking."

"He is a lawyer."

"I know. It doesn't make sense, but I did ask him first. I knew you would prefer an officiant that you were comfortable with. Unfortunately, he turned me down, and InuYasha volunteered. I really do believe InuYasha has enough control to keep himself in line, and he knows not to touch you." Miroku leaned back, bending his knees slightly to be on her level. "You will be fine Kagome; remember you are strong."

"Okay." She leaned into him, laying her head on his chest. The familiar warmth that came with touching him began to flood her, and she closed her eyes, letting it warm her.

"Kagome." Miroku was nervous, and she could hear it in his voice. It caused her to look up to him, and he looked away, trying to get his thoughts together. "I know we have spoken about children before, but we never said when. We will be married in two weeks time, and I can't help but to wonder when you wish to start a family."

Kagome smiled, placing a hand over Miroku's heart. He grabbed it, squeezing her fingers and then kissing them. "Honestly, Miroku, I wouldn't care if I was pregnant now. I'm okay with letting you pick when we have a baby."

"When does your birth control end? Is that something you will have to go to the doctor for?" Miroku moved them to the bed, sitting them down on the edge. His heart was pounding in his chest. They were actually talking about having children, and it excited him. He wanted that with Kagome, more than he ever realized.

Kagome started counting on her fingers, and then smiled, looking up at him. "Next month. I am due for another shot next month. Meaning if you want to have a baby immediately, I will just skip it. Although I should still probably go to the doctor to make sure getting pregnant immediately after being on birth control for so long would be okay. Plus, I would want to make sure that my past miscarriage wouldn't affect any future children."

"If all of that was okay, you would be willing to try to have a baby immediately? I know a lot of couples would like to wait, but I…" He swallowed, lacing his fingers with Kagome's. The lump in his throat was making it hard for him to speak.

"Yes, Miroku. I would love to have a baby with you as soon as you want." She threw her leg over him, straddling him. His hands immediately went to her waist, his eyes intense and full of love and happiness.

"Kagome. I love you." Her lips descended down to his, and he leaned back on the bed, lacing their fingers together. They had just decided on the next step of their future. A baby. They were going to try and have a baby. The elation he felt at that moment would be forever ingrained in him.

...

And their lives continue. I hope you all enjoyed.