Chapter Seven:

Imperfect Timing

Sesshomaru walked into the University and nodded his head in greeting to the receptionist as he had every night for a month. Since Madeline's attempted rapist attended classes with her, Sesshomaru insisted that he come to class with her. He never sat in class with her, but he walked her to and from class and patiently waited in the car during her classes. He strolled down the hall silent as a ghost and turned left down another hallway. He walked halfway down the hall, and waited outside of her classroom. He glanced through the slim window in the door and spotted her sitting in the first row. She was taking notes feverishly, and he admired her every move.

How did this woman capture me so completely? Everything about her captivates me, and I love everything about her. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her . . .

Madeline began packing her books into her backpack. She stood and saw Sesshomaru waiting. Smiling brightly, she walked out of class before anyone else and hugged Sesshomaru tightly. "Did you miss me?" she asked.

"Every second," he held her to him and kissed the top of her head. Sesshomaru took her backpack from her and slung it over his shoulder. Once the bag was secure, Sesshomaru put his arm around her waist, and they walked out to the parking lot together. Once in her Blazer, Madeline sighed and said, "Sesshomaru, I have to stop by the store for something, and we need to talk." She looked worried.

"About what?"

She started the car and turned the heat on to medium, "I'm late."

"Late for what?"

She took a deep breath before taking the plunge, "My period."

"Your what?"

"I don't want to get into details right now but I could be pregnant."

"What is 'pregnant'?"

Madeline wanted to scream. Why can't this of all things go smoothly! "We might be having a baby."

"Oh!" he said and chuckled softly, "Madeline. My dear, beautiful Madeline," he pulled her to him, nuzzling into her, "I've known. I knew the moment we awoke the next day."

She clutched him tightly, "The first time? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Honestly, I didn't know how you'd take it. I didn't know how to tell you," he held her.

"You won't leave me?" she blurted out.

"What?" he was shocked, "Why on Earth would you think I would leave you?"

"Most men in my age run off when they get a woman pregnant."

Sesshomaru tilted her face towards his and kissed her lovingly. When he finished he put his hand over her belly and smiled, saying, "This is our child. Thanks to you, I will be a father," he continued more seriously, "I will never leave you or the babe. You are my mate, Madeline; not some random whore. I will never leave you. I love you."

"I love you, too," she smiled, "I'm going to be a mother!"

They embraced each other excitedly, knowing that in a few moons, they would have a child born of their love.

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The drive home proved an interesting conversation. Madeline explained that she would have to see a doctor, and she explained what the doctor would be doing during her visits.

"Examining where?" he growled.

"Relax! It's just a doctor."

"I honestly don't care! I don't want another man, doctor or not, 'examining' you there!"

"Would you prefer I saw a female doctor?"

"A female healer? You mean a midwife or priestess?"

"Well, there still are midwives today, I could go to one."

"If a doctor is better, see a doctor. I don't want to endanger the child. But, please Madeline, see a woman doctor. I would feel much more comfortable."

"All right. A female doctor it is."

Sesshomaru was silent in thought, and then he asked, "Madeline, do many women die in childbirth in your age?"

"Occasionally. It is not nearly as common anymore. There have to be serious complications for that to happen."

"Good. That puts me at ease."

The next day Madeline saw her family physician and the pregnancy was confirmed. She decided on a female doctor by the name of Dr. Franklin and made an appointment to see her later in the week. She coached Sesshomaru on what to expect during these doctor visits. He was already relieved that she found a woman doctor, but when Madeline told him about things like ultrasounds and fetal heart monitors, he became positively excited.

"I'll get to see the babe?"

"Not yet, but you will."

"When?"

"I'm not exactly sure. We'll have to ask the doctor."

He could hardly contain himself. "What amazing things your age possess! Seeing the child within the womb . . . Such technology!"

Madeline smiled, I wonder if he's always acted like this. No, even I know that this is completely new to him. I've never heard of a man behaving so giddy at becoming a new father. I'm glad that he wants this child, for I would never have forsaken it.

The morning of the appointment dawned brilliant and dewy. It was a beautiful morning in late April. Sesshomaru awoke and cuddled up to Madeline to rouse her gently. "Madeline . . ." he whispered, kissing her shoulder.

"Hmmmmm?" she moaned, still asleep.

"It's time to get up, love. We have to see the doctor today."

"Five more minutes, please, sweetie . . ." she mumbled, pulling the covers closer.

"Madeline," he said, "You can sleep later. Let's get ready to see the doctor."

"Oh, all right" she opened her eyes and removed the blankets, then laid there with a strange expression on her face.

Sesshomaru became concerned, "Are you all right?"

Madeline bolted from the bed and ran out the door mumbling, "I wondered when that would kick in."

Sesshomaru assumed it was the "morning sickness" she spoke of. He got out of bed and chose his clothes for the day. Madeline was gone for a while, and when Sesshomaru was about to go check on her, he heard her climbing the stairs. She walked into the room nibbling a saltine cracker.

"Morning sickness?" he asked.

She nodded, eating her crackers. He kissed the top of her head, "I'm sorry, little one."

They got ready for the appointment. Madeline put on loose jeans, a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt, and a worn pair of sneakers. "I feel nauseous. I don't care how I look right now." Sesshomaru pulled his shirt down over his muscular chest, looking at Madeline, "You're beautiful. You always look beautiful."

"You're just saying that because in a few months I'll be fat and ugly."

"No. In a few months our child will be growing in your belly. You will not be fat. You will be even more beautiful carrying our child," he closed the space between them with a few steps and kissed Madeline gently.

"Mmm," she smiled, "That made me feel better," she buttoned and zipped his jeans. Sesshomaru slipped on a pair of sandals and they were prepared to go.

Dr. Franklin welcomed the young couple (if you can call Sesshomaru young) as she entered the exam room. She shook their hands, first Madeline then Sesshomaru.

"Good morning, Miss Berkley," she turned to Sesshomaru, "Good morning young man, are you the father?"

"Yes I am."

She opened the chart, "It's good to see you with her at the check-ups. Will you be attending all of them with her?"

"Absolutely."

"Excellent. I see so many young women come in here abandoned by the fathers. It makes me happy to see a man who is so supportive. Could I get your name so it is on file and the receptionists know that you can take calls for Madeline?"

"Sesshomaru."

"Japanese?" she asked, and he nodded, "My husband was stationed there while he was in the Marines. And what's your last name?"

"Excuse me?"

Madeline interrupted, thinking quickly, "Taisho," she gave Sesshomaru a quick glance to play along, "Your surname dearest."

"Ah, yes," he said catching her drift, "I am still not used to some of this American terminology," he squeezed her hand in a covert "Thank you.."

"Great. And do you two have a rough guess at the date of conception?"

"March fourteenth," Sesshomaru answered without hesitation.

Dr. Franklin mumbled as she scribbled, "Estimated date of conception . . ."

"Not an estimate, doctor. I know," Sesshomaru said firmly.

"Oh," she gave him a puzzled look, then just stood up with Madeline's chart, "Okay, I'll step out and give these to the ladies at the front desk. While I'm out I'll give you a few minutes to change into the exam gown and we can start the exam when I return."

When Dr. Franklin left, Madeline stood and began to undress. She carefully folded her clothes and donned the exam gown.

"What is the doctor going to be able to tell us today?" Sesshomaru asked.

"She'll start a record of my weight, examine me to know how far along I am, even though we already know that much. She'll put me on a diet so that the baby and I get everything we need, and I'll ask her about books that she would recommend. That way I can give you a better idea of what's going on," she finished tying the exam gown in place and sat on the exam table.

Sesshomaru intently studied a fetal growth chart on the wall. Madeline watched him. He reached up and traced an illustration of a six-week-old fetus with his index finger. "Amazing . . ." he whispered.

Dr. Franklin returned shortly and saw him staring at the chart. She smiled, "I'll be able to show you more on that when I've examined Madeline."

Madeline leaned back and put her feet in the accursed stirrups, and Sesshomaru sat beside her on a chair, holding her hand. The exam went smoothly. When Dr. Franklin removed her gloves and said, "All right, Madeline, dear, you can sit up now. It looks as though you are about six weeks along. Young man, you were right! And that will put your due date at abouuut . . ." she fiddled with the calendar, "Mid-December. I'd say anywhere between the tenth and the twentieth. Now, I'm going to give you an outline for a basic pregnancy diet, and a prescription for pre-natal vitamins. They tend to make most women nauseous, but taking them with meals or a glass of milk tends to help. Take one every day. Okay," she stood up from her stool and walked to the chart Sesshomaru had been observing, and pointed out the same illustration that caught his attention, "Here is what the baby looks like right about now. It's only about seven-eights of an inch long," she went to a drawer and pulled out two sheets of paper. She handed them to Madeline, "There is your diet, and a list of books that are useful to first-time parents."

"You read my mind!" Madeline exclaimed.

"I'm just thrilled to see an involved and excited father-to-be!" she shook Sesshomaru's hand again, "I'll want to see the both of you in about two to three weeks. No later. And Sesshomaru . . ."

"Yes, Dr. Franklin."

"I'd cut that hair before she goes into labor if I were you. It's gorgeous, but it will become a weapon against you."

Sesshomaru didn't know whether to be offended by her advice, or grateful.