December 3

As my pregnancy comes to an end, me and Inuyasha's frustrations have been replaced with anxiety. I could go into labor any minute and our biggest dream, and also biggest fear, over these nine months will finally become a reality.

This afternoon we went to Kaede's house to have tea with her and talk about the birth.

"I should carry you," Inuyasha said on the way there.

"I don't mind walking. Besides, it's good for the baby for me to walk."

"Okay…" Despite that, he still looked worried. "Are you warm enough?"

"I am."

Inuyasha had been like this all week. He's become increasingly anxious about the whole thing and has been extremely attentive to me. I don't mind though, I think it's sweet that he cares so much.

We finally arrived at Kaede's house.

"Come in out of the cold and have some tea," she said.

We discarded our coats and scarves and sat with her. Sango was also there as she had come to get some herbs from Kaede.

"Both of you look incredibly anxious," Sango commented as we sat down with our tea.

"No, we're not," Inuyasha replied, stubbornly.

Sango didn't believe it. "Oh really?"

"Maybe just a little bit," I said as I sipped my tea.

"There's no need to be so nervous, you guys," she said gently. "Everything is going to work out fine."

"I'll feel better when it's all over and everything has actually worked out fine," Inuyasha replied.

Kaede gave a final examination of me. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm going to burst," I replied.

Sango giggled. "Sounds accurate."

"Have you been having a lot of contractions?" Kaede asked.

"Quite a few."

"Good, and you'll continue to have them. However, if the contractions become more frequent, that's when you'll know the baby is coming."

"They're going to be repetitive and more painful," Sango explained. "If they start getting closer together, then that's when you'll know it's starting."

I nodded, glad that I knew what to look for but still worried for when it comes. "Got it."

Inuyasha put his arm around my waist to comfort me. I leaned into him and immediately felt better.

"Come get me as soon as it starts, Inuyasha," Kaede said to him. "I'll be right over to take care of her."

"I'll come too," Sango said. "For some extra support."

I was grateful that Sango would be there. She's given birth to three babies so she'll be a good coach.

"I'll also bring Miroku to keep you company, Inuyasha. I think you'll need support too."

"Can't I be there with her?" Inuyasha asked. As he said it, he held me a little bit tighter. I knew the last thing he wanted was to leave me alone in a moment like that.

"No, of course not," Sango replied.

"She'll be completely fine in our care," Kaede said.

Inuyasha sighed, accepting that there was no way around it. I also wished that he could be by my side throughout the whole thing but I understood that in this era men were supposed to be out of the room during the birth.

So I gave him a reassuring kiss. "Think of it this way, after you leave, the next time you see me you'll be able to hold our baby."

He gave me a grateful smile and then pressed a kiss to my lips. "I'm really looking forward to that." Despite his anxiety, I could tell he really was. It warmed my heart to know how happy Inuyasha was about this.