Chap 24 Sango's Birth-A Very Private and Special Delivery
Date: prior to Christmas/New Years 2046
"Would you consider allowing Steven in the birthing room for Sango's delivery?"
"WHAT?!" Inuyasha's indignant voice boomed through the house.
Frightened by the noise, Dolly scrambled to the rec room and hid in the corner under her dog bed.
Any other life forms in the house ran to the rec room and were suddenly engrossed in a movie that was playing at a louder than normal volume.
"You know I hate to repeat myself and I know you have excellent hearing." Sesshomaru sighed. "I asked you if you would consider allowing Steven in the birthing room when I deliver Sango. Steven wants to deliver all of his children just like I have delivered all ours. Frankly I think it's a tremendous idea. As I watched you labor, I realized just how much you were going through for us. I've told you this before but it never gets old. You are brave, courageous, beautiful, amazing, and strong. I am again standing in your shadow. Just about the time I think we are on equal standing you soar past me again."
Sesshomaru made a move to caress his mate, but Inuyasha batted his hand away.
"You would let someone else see my raphe—Are you nuts! You are the only being since Kagome to see it and you will be the last. No one sees my body but you! Oh, And I will repeat myself over and over again for as long as it takes!"
Deciding he couldn't beat Inuyasha's current state of mind with logic, Sesshomaru upped his game to flowery and emotional words.
"Steven predicted you would have reservations so he approached me about it. I told him you would consider it precisely because it was for family. He's been a physician for at least 30 human years! Thanks to you, my amazing mate, he is exceptionally skilled and has phenomenal bedside manner."
"Well, that's all the more reason he doesn't need to be there. He is an old pro now." Inuyasha said defiantly with crossed arms resting on baby bump.
Undeterred and holding a final emotional card, Sesshomaru said, "I know you've been sharing pregnancy stories with Keiko. Did you notice how scared she is? You're the old pro now but it is her first pregnancy. You remember all the things we went through."
Sesshomaru stared at his lover, his mind waxing nostalgically of memories of Inuyasha's pregnancy with Keiko.
Inuyasha remained silent. Gradually he relaxed his arms in acceptance and they fell to his side.
"Inuyasha, there are very few male pregnancies these days. Steven needs this skill. It's cannot die with me."
Inuyasha flopped in a soft chair and rubbed his belly.
"I—I-I - Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha's resistance was lowering as he thought of Nana and his first pregnancy. It had been nice sharing pregnancy tips with Keiko. He told Keiko a little too much information early on in her pregnancy and it made her queasy. He didn't realize how little she knew. 'We were just talking about pregnancy and I started talking about something and when I looked at her and she was pale and sweaty. If I could help her…'
Turning to look directly in his brother's eyes he stuttered.
"You - You'll be in control, right?"
Recognizing the significance of this moment Sesshomaru responded quickly.
"Absolutely."
"Then- okay." The beautiful triangles drooped into the luscious hair.
Sesshomaru scooped his mate up in his arms. "I'll give you a treat for that," winking suggestively Sesshomaru phased the couple to the bedroom.
Xoxoxoxoxoxxxxxooooxxoooooh!
A couple of days later, Inuyasha felt the familiar twinge of labor. Convinced it was early still, he plodded on with his duties around the home. In the middle of the laundry room while sorting clothes, his water broke. Realizing that Sango was coming he rubbed his mark to let his spouse know.
Steven and Keiko were visiting their father at the clinic when Sesshomaru got the message.
"Children, she is on her way."
All three dashed out and were at the family home in moments.
Inuyasha had taken time to clean up the laundry room and had even started a load of clothes soaked in amniotic fluid when the three dashed in.
"I was so sure we had more time. I have had very mild cramps. But Sesshomaru, mate, I believe she is crowning." Inuyasha said, moving to the master bedroom.
"Let us look." Sesshomaru said as he assumed the catcher's position, pulling Steven down behind him.
There in front of him, Sesshomaru saw a crowning head complete with a twitching triangle.
The great dog demon stopped moving.
Steven stepped closer to see why his father had frozen. Seeing the triangle, he froze as well.
Keiko stepped up to her mate to see what was going on. She started crying. Breaking the spell, Steven turned to comfort her, pulling her into his arms.
Inuyasha looked at the threesome. His face bunched up and he took a deep breath to chew out Sesshomaru.
"I told you this was bad idea! Bast—WAIT! I've got to push but you are not off the hook!"
Sesshomaru raised his head to look at this mate, tears running down his cheeks. "Inuyasha - I love you!" his voice catching in his throat, unable to continue. His face contorted as he tried to get his emotions under control.
To Inuyasha it looked as though he was grimacing in pain or deeply concerned. What was wrong?
"WHAT!" Inuyasha managed to get out just before he pushed again. As soon as the urge had passed and he had regained his breath, he asked now with sympathy in his voice. "What? Come on. Tell me. What? Is she okay? Oh, no. The cord is wrapped around her neck, isn't it? Get Tenseiga! Now! I can't lose her now that she's here." But the urge returned and he had to bear down again.
Keiko continued to sob in Steven's arms. "It's not fair. It's not fair."
"Hush now my love." Steven cooed.
Hearing her concern and only being able see her beautiful face scrunched up in tears, a worried Inuyasha said "Sesshomaru, take care of Keiko. I can labor this. Just a couple more pushes."
But Sesshomaru didn't move or speak. With one hand on the perineum and one on the baby he continued to monitor the delivery.
"Kami! Someone! Talk to me! What is happening? Why are you crying? Keiko, Baby-Daddy's okay. Father can fix it. You will be okay. Don't worry." Then Inuyasha took a big deep breath and pushed.
Seconds later a loud cry echoed through the bedroom.
Startled the inuhanyou looked at the threesome, his ears perked.
"Somebody better talk now!"
An earthshaking smile covered Sesshomaru face. He lifted Sango and faced her toward Inuyasha. Barely finding his voice he breathed out,
"My love, meet our Sango."
Two sets of ears twitched as Inuyasha and Sango saw each other for the first time.
Regaining her voice Keiko whispered, "I'm so jealous. I wanted Daddy's ears!"
Steven cradled his wife to his side and smiled joyfully. "I'm glad someone got them. We all love your ears, Dad."
Sesshomaru nodded.
Reaching out, Inuyasha said, "Hello Sango. Welcome to our family," with a single tear of joy trickling down his cheek. "Can someone move the clothes to the dryer?"
