By Reall-Goodchild
Epilogue
The sun was setting on a crisp autumn evening. Ayame's emerald eyes looked out the window of the house her father had built; the house she had found her happily ever after in. With a lazy smile she looked down at her rounded belly. "He'll be home soon," She said, gently rubbing her stomach, trying to calm the impatient child within. With a sigh she looked back out the window.
It had been a whole two years since the entire fiasco with Naraku and the wedding. Two years since she had found her true love and nearly lost it. She smiled as she remembered the whole thing. From the moment she first laid eyes on him, to the moment they said 'I do'. They had decided to wait until the following spring to get married. Give themselves time to be together, to go over plans and set everything in stone. In her mind, it couldn't have been any better.
The wedding had taken place here, in the front yard of the very house she was now living in, overlooking the ocean. Anyone could plainly see the difference between the two ceremonies. Not just the dress, which had been her mothers, one she refused to wear at the previous occasion, or the groom, or those in the wedding parties. The air about the place was different. It wasn't tense, sad, and desperate as the last had been. It had been a time of joy and celebration. The smile on her face as she walked down the isle with her grandfather could have lit up the world. The sheer excitement radiating off the two of them was enough to keep everyone awake and lively, as the reception went on late into the night, even after the couple had left to start their lives together.
Now here she was, a year and a half later, waiting for her sailor man to come home. He had agreed with her grandfather to go on one last run on the Sally Ann before the baby came, then he would get time off to be with his family. Her grandfather was working him hard, now that he was the heir to the fleet. Not that he minded of course. He had always loved his job, the sea, and he was proud to know that her grandfather believed in him enough to pass it on to him when the time came.
"Hush, little one," She whispered with a smile, feeling the baby kick. He was a fighter for sure. A boy, Kouga had assured her the minute they had dicovered she was pregnant. She had asked him how he knew and he merely shook it off. She had a feeling he might be right. Ayame hadn't wanted to find out from the doctors the gender, so Kouga had gone along with her. But there was a gut feeling deep within her telling her he was correct. Some nights, when he thought she was asleep, he would talk to it in a hushed whisper. He would promise to be the best provider for him, the best father he could be. He'd talk of the adventures they'd have and how he'd take him out on the boat when he was old enough. He called him Kyo. It was the perfect name, she thought, and it warmed her heart to hear him speak of such things.
The last of the light for the day was disappearing, causing her heart to sink a little bit in her chest. She had been told that the ship would be in three days ago, but it was still yet to arrive. And she hadn't heard anything from any of the crewmen who were listening for them on the radio. She glanced down at her stomach again. She was only a week from term now. She didn't think she could have the baby alone. And what if she went into labour? She had been ordered to bedrest. She wasn't to leave the house, or move too much for that fact. Kagome and Sango dropped in every day for lunch but that was it. If she were to go into labour at night time, or anytime after they left, she'd be terrified. What if she couldn't reach the phone? What if something went wrong? What would she do? Would anyone find her before it was too late? Where was Kouga?
That one question had been plaguing her mind for the past three days. Where was he? Why were they not back yet? He had promised he'd be back! All the possibilities that ran through her mind scared her beyond reason. If anything had happened to them, to him, she didn't think she could make it.
Shaking her head she bit back the tears and the mental images. He was safe. She wouldn't believe otherwise. Slowly, she eased herself off the sofa. With one hand on her back and the other calmingly rubbing her swollen abdomen, she looked out the window with sad eyes. "Be safe..." She whispered as she turned toward the stairs. She had just made it to the top of the stairs when she felt it.
Shock ran through her as she heard the splash of water on the ground beneath her. No, it's too early, her mind chanted, please not now! Almost immediately she felt pain rip through her. She gripped the banaster for support as her legs turned to gelly from the immense pain. A small whimper escaped her as she felt herself sink to the ground. Her fist balled as she held herself up. Slowly the pain eased and went away. Panting, she looked up towards her bedroom door. There was only one telephone in the upstairs, and it was there, a good 10 feet away from her.
Taking a deep breath, she began to push herself towards the door. Barely making it 3 inches, she screamed in pain as another contraction hit. Her eyes wide and paniced she looked at the ground, her balled fists still supporting her upperbody. It was happening too soon and too fast. The doctor had said it could be hours, and most usually was. This was too quickly. The contractions were too close together. She'd never make it. As the pain withered away, she pushed her back against the wall. Clutching her stomach, tears trickled down her cheek. "Please..." Her voice barely more than a whisper, and shaking with fear. "Please, someone help me."
--
He walked up the path to his home, enjoying what he concidered a fine autumn evening. Most would concider it too cold, barely 12 degrees celcius with a light wind with just enough bite to it to keep many citizen indoors. But to Kouga, it couldn't be a more beautiful. He was home, finally, after almost a week and a half at sea. He was finally going home to his house, where his pregnant wife would be waiting for him.
He couldn't wait to see her. He couldn't wait to see her eyes light up when he showed her the jumper he had bought for the baby when they had docked for a night in a town just west of them for a couple of nights because of a terrible storm. Knowing Ayame, she's be worried off her rocker, but that would make the homecoming all the more sweet.
The house came into view as he turned the corner. All the lights were off inside, meaning Ayame was more than likely in bed, or on her way to bed. The only light was provided from the full moon above. With a broad smile he jogged the short distance to the front door. Taking his key out of his pocket, he slipped it into the lock and turned it. Quietly he pushed open the door and carefully slipped inside, locking the door behind him. He set his suitcase down and gave a sigh of releif. It was good to be home.
"Ayame?" He called out. She was a light sleeper, always had been, he knew one call was enough to wake her. "Ayame, I'm home." He called out again.
Silence.
Something was wrong. Kouga narrowed his eyes as he glance up the stairs. He could hear somethings, like heaving panting, coming from the hall just out of view. He started cautiously up the stairs. "Ayame, honney, are you awake?" He asked, his voice raised.
"Kouga?" He heard a her voice choke out. "Is that you?"
"Ayame?" He ran frantically up the stairs towards her voice. She sounded like she was in pain. He got up to the landing and looked down the hall. There she was, sitting on the ground in a white night dress, her back to the wall. Sweat was pouring down her face and he could see that her eyes were wide and wet with tears. He ran to her side, falling to the ground next to her. "Ayame, sweety, what's wrong? Are you ok?" He asked, his voice as paniced as she looked.
"The b-ba-AH!" She screamed, grabbing a hold of his hand and squeezing it tightly. "It's coming..." She told him through clenched teeth.
"But... But you're not due for another week!" Kouga cried, watching her as the contraction peaked.
"Try telling that to the baby." She glared at him, her grip loosening, her breathing heavy and irratic.
"We have to get you to the doctor," Kouga stated, trying desperatly to think rationally.
"No!" Ayame yelled. "No, there's no time." She closed her eyes and goaned as another contration hit. "The contractions are too close together... There won't be time. And... I don't think I could walk."
"Y-you can't h-have the b-b-baby here!" Kouga shouted, giving his wife a desperate look. "We need to get you out of here, into town, to the doctors. We-"
Ayame grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Listen to me, damnit! The baby is coming here and now, whether we like it or not!" She winced in pain. "Just... call the doctor... he can walk you through it I'm sure."
Kouga's eyes went even wider. "You mean... I-I'm going to deliver the baby?" He asked, his voice cracking. "I-I can't d-deliver the baby!"
"In case you haven't noticed," Ayame growled, pushing herself up into a somewhat more comfortable position. "You are the only one here. And as I can't very well deliver it myself..."
"Alright, alright. Just... just stay there." He commanded, getting up and heading into the bedroom.
"Oh, yeah... like I'm gonna go anywhere..." Ayam muttered under her breath.
Kouga dialed the telephone number as quickly as he could. It rung 6 times before anyone answered. "Hello?" The tired voice of Riku came.
"Ayame...A-Ayame... she's in labour." Kouga near shouted into the phone.
"Hey, congratulations man, I-" Riku started.
"For gods sake man, shut up and tell me what to do!" Kouga yelled, looking out into the halways in time to see his wife suffer through another contration.
"Why the hell are you asking me?" Riku yelled back.
"Because you're the ships doctor!" Kouga cried, watching Ayame cringe helplessly. "Come on, you have to have some idea of what to do! She's in pain... she said there wasn't enough time to get into town! She can't walk... the baby is coming now!"
"Alright, alright." Riku took a deep breath. "First things first, you need to calm down."
"I am calm!" Kouga shouted.
"Like I said, you need to relax." Riku repeated himself, thinking over the steps he had heard in his training. "Ok, so you need to get some clean blankets, water, ice chips and sharp scissors."
"Scissors?" Kouga asked.
"To cut the cord you idiot." Riku rolled his eyes.
"Right." Kouga nodded, looking around. "Hold on a sec." Dropping the phone, he grabbed the nearest set of sheets and brought them out into the hallway, putting them down next to Ayame, he took the time to place a small kiss on her forehead. "Everything is going to be fine." He soothed her, just as much as himself. He ran down the stairs. Grabing a bowl out of the cupboard he filled in with water and grabs some scissors out of the drawrs. Opening the freezer he grabbed a tray of ice and ran back up the stairs. Placing all the materials down next to her, he went back into the room.
"Alright, I got everything you said to." He told his friend as he took the phone out into the hall, stretching the phone to the limit.
"How far along is she?" Riku asked, from the sounds of it he was pacing.
"How the hell should-" Kouga started.
"I have to push," Ayame screamed. "I have to push NOW!"
"Then... uh..." Riku stumbled over his words. "Push... I guess..."
"You guess?" Kouga yelled into the phone.
"I'm pushing!" Ayame yelled, gripping her knees to the point her knuckles turning white.
"Oi!" Kouga shouted. He lifter her night gown, just in time to see the head of his child begin to crown. "It's crowning!" He yelled, half in panic, half in amazment. "Keep pushing, it's coming!" He smiled at Ayame, as her face took on a determined look. "The head is out!" Kouga stated in awe.
"You'll have to adjust the child position so the shoulders will come out more easily." Riku dictated over the phone. Carefully, he adjusted the childs position. Almost immediatly the baby slid with ease into the world, letting out a loud wail as it took its first few breaths.
"It's a boy..." Kouga said with a goofy smile planted on his lips, his eyes not leaving the child in his hands. He grabbed the scissors from beside hims and carefully cut the ambilical cord, breaking the physical link between the child and mother. He grabbed the sheets and wrapped them around the baby. Letting the phone drop from his ear, he crawled up to sit next to Ayame.
Ayame's eyes filled with tears as she saw her son. "He's perfect," She breathed, taking in his appearance. Even though he was still cover in gunck, he was still beautiful to her. "Let me hold him." She ordered, holding out her arms. Kouga smiled and gently placed the child in her care. It wasn't long before he calmed, small coos and sighs were all that could be heard.
Kouga planted a kiss to Ayame's temple. "Kyo." He stated simply, watching as Ayame wiped away the mess on they're childs skin. He moved over, pushing the bowl of water and remaining cloths over to her side, to aide in her task. He picked up the phone. "Thank you..." Was all he said.
"Hey, no problem. Congats. Sounds like you've got a perfectly healthy baby boy there." Riku said with a lighthearted air. "Look, I'll call the town doctor and send him over your way. You just get things cleaned up and ready, Alright?"
"Alright." Kouga nodded, his eyes still on his now clean child. "Thanks again, man."
"No problem." Riku said before the line went dead.
Ayame raised her head to look at Kouga. "I love you." She said, her eyes full of joyful tears. She laughed and looked down at their son. "He's got your eyes..." She said. "And your hair."
Kouga walked over to her and gently scooped her up in his arms. "All babies eyes start out blue... We'll see in a few weeks who he really takes after." He slowly made his way into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. "I'll go clean up the hall... Riku said he'd call the doctor." Ayame nodded looking still watchin the baby. With a light sigh, Kouga sat down on the bed next to her. Wrapping one arm around her, he looked at his son aswell, to see the baby looking straight back at him.
"Hey there, Kyo," He said, gently rubbing the boys headful of thick black hair. "Welcome to the real world." He heard Ayame giggle next to him as she leaned on his shoulder. Everything was perfect. He had his job, his home, his gorgeous wife, and now the first addition to their growing family. In this one moment Kouga couln't ask for more. And as one chapter of their story came to a close, another, was just beginning.
The End
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AN: OMG! OMG! -sniff- how sweet. giggles it's almost 3 am... I appologise now for any errors in grammer and what not... my laptop just got a new hardrice and we are yet to put Word on it so I have no spell check... sorry. I know I'm late posting this, and I'm sorry, I truly am. There are many reasons, like my harddrive getting fried and me losing everything. You know... that kind of crap. But I hope you liked it. I was so not sure what to do for this so I kinda winged it. It was inspired by the ending of a Nora Roberts book... cuz I needed ideas. I have not had a baby and so I really don't know how it goes, my only clue was from the book so... yeah. I hope it sounded remotely believable.
The poll has ended and the results are in! You guys chose to have my next story be... -trumpets- The Game of Love (formerly known as Untitled). It probably won't be out before I leave for holidays on Friday, so don't get your hopes up cuz it will probably be another month before I get a chance to post the first chapter... but they should be out rather quickly then cuz I'm really into the idea right now and will probably be writing a lot while I'm in Newfoundland and then when I get back aswell.
Review Responses:
Dakyu: Well, I think most stories have a stereotypical ending but, oh well, what can you do. As for the story, as it is the one I'm doing. I am going to go with the Sess/Rin pairing. I can understand your dislike for the pairing, and though I like both Kagura and Karan, for plot sake, it works out best with Rin being the one Sessy ends up with. This will be an AU story, so keep in mind, though there will be an age difference, it won't be quite so large... say mabye 5 years... tops. Thanks fo reading the story!
Star Gemini: Aw, I'm glad to brighten your day. It brightens mine to hear it... er... night that is... or uhm... early early morning (god it's early!) lol. Thanks for reading.
phantomoftheflame: I know you didn't use this name for the review... but I'm tired and to its got a lot of x's. lol. Yeah, I know, I thought of you when I wrote this... and I was like... Woah, dude. I totally named it after her. But the name just suited her you know. I tried to think of other names but Hanna just stuck. Did you get my last email? I haven' heard from ya in a while now... I ish sad.
kougalover121212: Aw, I'm sorry number 2 didn't win. Since I do have the first chapter written, if you really want it, I'll send it to you (just email me) I might decide to end up posting it anyways... cuz I'm into that one too.
Fran KC: I'm sorry for such a long wait for the epilogue. I hope it was worth it.
Shura: The Noble Pirate: Lol, I always love your reviews. I'm sorry I almost made you cry, but all ends well right? HEY EVERYONE OUT THERE READING THIS! SHURA HERE IS CONTINUING BEAUTIFUL STRANGER... er... eventually, lol. Sorry about that, just though I should let everyone know... I need to put that in my profile. Send me a link when you get it up, k? Thanks so much!
XInfernal: Aw, thanks!
yellowroseinateacup: I love Nora Roberts too... my friend got me into her and I have a whole library of her stuff cuz my mom and grandma love her too. teehee. Thanks for reading!
And so it ends. Thanks everyone for reading this and reviewing. I hope you all tune in to real The Game of Love! TOODLES!