Pushing open the study doors, Nova groaned as she saw books piled on the couches and tables, "I'm going to kill you."
"Mate..."
"The system of organization is not that difficult to remember," she interrupted, immediately grabbed a small pile of books.
"Nova," his voice was more firm and she looked over at him and stiffened, seeing Satori staring at her with her eyes wide and mouth ajar.
"Oh..." Nova put the books back down and walked closer. "Satori."
"You're pregnant..." Satori whispered and her hands touched her abdomen hesitantly.
"Yes," Nova spoke carefully, waiting for it to fully register.
"But the well only closed today..."
"Yes."
"You pupped your mate in the past and hid that knowledge from me?" Satori suddenly spun on Sesshomaru and snarled.
"There she is," Nova chuckled and saw Sesshomaru smirk at her.
"The halfbreed had managed to infiltrate the castle through the brother of the southern lord, it was necessary to hide it until he was dead," Sesshomaru spoke. "All who knew were sealed to silence and Touran kept a seal to hide them."
"Them...?" Satori looked back at Nova before her eyes fell to her stomach. "Twins...?"
"A gathering will be happening at the end of this week to announce them. Be sure Inuyasha comes this time," Sesshomaru spoke.
"The announcement of nieces or nephews? He will be there. What of you two? I'm sure that there would be some conflict despite time having merged."
"We'll work through it," Nova spoke coolly, her eyes locking onto Sesshomaru's. "After all, Inu's mate for life. I should go, I didn't mean to interrupt..."
"I was on my way out," Satori spoke as Nova turned around.
"Farewell, mother," Sesshomaru spoke and Nova frowned as the older Inuyoukai left the study.
"When have you ever addressed her like that?" Nova frowned as she turned to face her mate.
"Soon after Naraku's destruction, there was subtle changes when she would come to the moon castle. Thanks to you, our bond had lost its aggression."
"Strange," she murmured before going back to the pile of books and started sorting them. "Honestly, you think you would learn after all the times I've yelled at you about leaving messes behind."
"Or perhaps it serves to entertain this one," he mused and she glanced at him as he moved to relax in his seat.
"Kaya said you need to take me to her office tomorrow," Nova spoke as she focused back on organizing his study. "She wants to do an ultrasound to check on the pups."
"Very well. Regarding the missing person notice, the police department will be stopping by to confirm that it is you and Kaya has the necessary documents to pinpoint where you had gone and medical documents to prove the alibi set up."
"Does it have to be done today?"
"The sooner it is done, then the less we have to worry about then you can return to work."
"Did you happen to call the Mumbai Division...?" Nova whispered as the rhombus around her neck glistened in the light.
"Yes."
"And...?" Nova looked up at him.
"He is on his way," Sesshomaru replied and she took a shaky breath as her head swam. "Nova?"
"I... I'm okay..." she whispered as she gripped the back of a chair to stabilize herself.
"Perhaps you should sit for a moment."
He was by her side in seconds and guided her to an empty chair in front of his desk. She closed her eyes and let her head rest against the back of the chair as he knelt down beside her. Feeling a large warm hand press against her stomach, she opened her eyes and turned her head to look down at him as she saw a hint of pink in his eyes despite the concealment he wore.
"I didn't think returning here would be so overwhelming," Nova whispered as his eyes lifted up from her stomach to her eyes. "So many things have changed and I only have flashbacks of them..."
"It is the same for this one," he murmured before he pressed his face to her stomach.
"Last time you did that, they kicked you," she chuckled and saw his lips lift in amusement but did not move as they heard a knock on the study door and Nova activated the seal on her necklace to hide her ears and tail. "Enter."
"Sorry for the interruption, sir, but two officers have arrived," Touran spoke and Nova turned her head to look over at the door and saw two human men in uniforms enter with Touran and Kaya close behind.
"Nova Draik?" The taller of the two inquired.
"Yes," she nodded.
"We were unaware of your condition..."
"So were we," Kaya spoke. "I have the documents pertaining to the injury that led to her disappearance."
"And the baby?" The shorter officer asked.
"She will becoming to my office tomorrow to check up on her pregnancy. We didn't want to overwhelm her more than she already is."
"Is there a family member that could also confirm her identity?"
"Her father will be arriving from Mumbai within the week," Sesshomaru spoke finally as he pulled away from her swollen belly and got to his feet before grabbing a closed folder. "I have her employment information here."
"Then we will return for the rest of the documents regarding her condition and testimony from Mr. Draik," the taller spoke before they gave a quick nod and left.
"Dimitri is alive?" Kaya inquired.
"With Cayto already dead in the past, there was no reason to assume that he would be," Touran spoke. "Him and his brother still rule the northern lands equally."
"Damian... last I saw him, I was yelling at him..." Nova frowned, "but in the flashbacks of my childhood, I remember him being around..."
"Circumstances have changed, I'm sure your father would have explained it."
"That doesn't excuse my behavior..."
"Focus on getting through this week and getting back into a routine, then we can plan a trip to the Mumbai division," Sesshomaru spoke and she nodded.
"I'm hungry," she frowned as her stomach growled, causing Touran and Kaya to chuckle.
"We'll bring something up for you," Kaya smiled.
"The servants will return to their duties tomorrow," Sesshomaru spoke and the two Youkai nodded before leaving. "Your guards will resume their duties, but in shifts. Only two will be with you at a time outside the mansion to be safe."
"I need maternity clothes. It's not exactly the style to flaunt pregnancy these days like what my clothes currently do."
"Hn," he smirked as he moved back around to sit behind his desk. "It can be done after seeing Kaya tomorrow."
"Thanks," she smiled before getting to her feet and went over to a pile of books to start reorganizing the study.
Sesshomaru glanced up at his mate as she moved around the study. She was working slower than times before and smaller loads, but seemed content to do so. Her braided hair swayed as she moved and her belly swollen with his pups but only a third of the way through her pregnancy made him wonder how swollen she would be come. Feeling his beast stir at the sight, he saw a frown grace her face before she turned to look at him.
"Are you okay?" She asked and walked closer.
"Content," he hummed as she came around the desk and he touched her stomach. "You are even more beautiful carrying our pups. I am sorry for my excuses before you entered the past."
"You're forgiven," she spoke as she bent over and pressed her lips to his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap. "Where's Mokomoko?"
"Why?" He mused at the sudden question as she shifted in his lap and he brought both hands to her belly.
"Because its warm and comfortable to sleep curled up around. Can I have it?"
"I will think about it," he murmured and she whined as the doors opened and Kaya was carrying a tray that was covered while Touran had a smaller tray with drinks.
Nova crawled out of his lap quicker than he expected with the size of her swollen belly and hurried over to the table that the trays were placed on. She gave her thanks before digging into the food. Kaya and Touran sat beside her and started eating as well from the large plater of food they had made.
"Sesshomaru, will you join us?" Nova asked as she looked over where he had not moved.
"Hn."
Feeling that she would not have dropped the subject if he had denied her, he got to his feet and sat beside her. She poured him some tea, a small smile gracing her face as she returned to her food. It was quiet as they ate, but it was an enjoyable silence.