The moment we've all been waiting for is getting closer. It's been a long time coming I think. I just have to say that this is one of my favorite chapters because of the hilarity of it.

December 10

As the days go on, it becomes more and more likely that I'll go into labor soon. Inuyasha and I have been doing little things to distract ourselves lately, but the anxiety over it still hangs over us and gets stronger as time goes on.

Miroku invited us to come over today and we happily accepted as we thought another distraction was much needed.

Once we got there, the four of us sat around and talked for a while as the kids played nearby.

"Just think, very soon there will be four of them running around playing together," I said thoughtfully as I watched them.

"They're very excited about it," Sango replied. "They keep talking about how eager they are to meet your baby."

That made me and Inuyasha laugh. "Really?"

"We have to keep reminding them that the baby is going to be too little to play with them for a while."

"It's cute that they're so excited," I said.

Then Midori came over to Miroku and pulled on his sleeve. "Daddy, are we still gonna get candy?"

"Oh yeah, thank you for reminding me, my dear," Miroku said to her. Then he turned to us. "I told them I'd take them to Hiroto's new candy shop. Do you want to come with me, Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, sure."

Miroku instructed the kids to get their coats on and a few minutes later they went off.

"Now that they're gone, I think this would be the perfect opportunity to go over some labor and delivery strategies," Sango said to me.

"Labor and delivery strategies?"

"Of course. I'm not going to lie to you, it's extremely difficult and you're going to be in a lot of pain. But there are ways to breathe and push that make it somewhat better."

So we sat in the middle of the floor and I listened intently as Sango instructed me.

"Now, the first stage of labor is the easy part. Still, you should try to take slow, even breaths like this."

I followed her breathing in and out.

"Good. Also, remember that the main thing through all of this is to try not to panic."

"I feel like that's easier said than done."

"Then you'll get into active labor and this is where it gets really intense. So at the peak of the contraction, try breathing really quickly like this." She took one breath a second and I did the same. "And then as it decreases, start to slow down."

I followed her demonstration and giggled. "It feels kinda silly like this."

Sango laughed as well. "True, but all of the breathing will give you something else to think about."

"What's next?"

"Once you're fully dilated, it's going to come time to push the baby out. Try to be as controlled as possible. Kaede will tell you when to push."

"How long did it take with yours?"

"The twins each came out really fast. Shinichi took a little bit longer. What you mainly want to remember is to have as much control as possible and push as hard as you can. You should also scream. It relieves a lot of pressure."

"Got it."

"You should try to push for a certain amount of time in one go. Like 20 to 30 seconds. Okay, so we'll try it."

I did it a few times to try to get comfortable with it. It wasn't the real thing but at least now I knew what to do.

The last time I was pretending to bear down and scream, I guess Inuyasha heard me as they were coming back and he burst through the door.

"Kagome! What's going on?! Is the baby coming now?!"

"Inuyasha!" I said, surprised to see him there all of a sudden.

He ran over and bent down next to me. "We need to get Kaede!"

"Inuyasha…" Sango tried to explain.

Inuyasha started to pick me up. "I'll take you home!"

"Inuyasha…" I tried.

"Just relax and breathe, honey!"

"Inuyasha, the baby is not coming!" I exclaimed.

Now Inuyasha looked confused. "Are you...are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm not in labor yet."

"Then what...what the hell were you doing then?! You had me worried sick!"

"I was teaching her birth techniques," Sango replied. "It's very important for her to know this before the birth happens."

Inuyasha kind of looked like he was malfunctioning. This had put him at the pinnacle of stress.

Meanwhile, Miroku was laughing so hard he was gasping for air.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha said to him.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," he said, still laughing. "Believe me, Kagome's screams will be way worse than that when she's actually having the baby."

"What?!"

"Come on now, Miroku," Sango said. "Let's not give Inuyasha more than one heart attack in a day."

I gave Inuyasha a hug. "Are you going to be okay?"

He hugged me back and kissed me. "I'll be fine...just don't ever do that again."