A/N: thank you everyone who had a hand in helping me finish this story. I'm really sad to see it end, but there comes a time for every story to finish.

For this chapter, the final song I used for inspiration was 'My Valentine' by Paul McCartney, though the cover by Andrei Ionescu is incredibly beautiful.

I love all of you guys. XOXO. Thank you for the support and patience.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Epilogue: My Valentine

It was the biggest night for the American Music Industry; the 2019 Grammy Awards. Held in the immaculate and intimidating Staples Center, everyone who was anyone was in attendance. Red carpets had been rolled out and paparazzi and entertainment agents were in abundance to catch a few pictures and interviews with the arriving guests. Broadcast throughout the world, countless viewers discussed which nominees deserved the various awards. But there was one name on everyone's lips; Inuyasha Taisho.

It was his second nomination, but this category was much more prestigious than the previous one he had been in the running for. Inuyasha was nominated for Artist of the Year, a title given to those who embodied success, influence, and talent that was undeniable. It had been a tumultuous uphill battle to get to this point, especially considering the personal tragedies that had befallen him recently. Many expected that he would take a hiatus from music, if not leave the business completely. Not many would be able to recover from such a devastating misfortune in such a short amount of time, let alone release a song that served as a milestone in his career.

'My Valentine' was a very simply composed song, taking inspiration from a folksy sound, that transcended multiple genres to reach a massive, receptive audience who couldn't get enough. It spoke of the undying love he felt for his wife, of the hope she brought to his life even in the darkest of days. Inuyasha depicted a love so deep that it made him feel as if he could fly…but the tone gave it a somber and melancholy feeling that spoke to the sadness he felt when writing the lyrics. Releasing the song was the equivalent of revealing one's most honest and transparent self for the entire world to see, which was a major risk for Inuyasha's emotional well-being. Had audiences and critics not reacted with such praise and gratitude, it could have spelled depression for Inuyasha's future.

All of that made the magnitude of his achievement so overwhelmingly humbling. When Inuyasha's name was called to the stage to accept the 'Artist of the Year Award', the massive auditorium erupted in a cacophonous chorus of applause and excitement. A cameraman caught the stunned twenty-seven-year-old's reaction, and then the relief and humility he felt while approaching the beautifully lit stage. Inuyasha smiled gratefully as he waved at the boisterous crowd, ascending the stairs easily as his song, 'My Valentine' played throughout the massive room.

A beautiful woman stood at the microphone, holding the brilliant Grammy Award for Inuyasha to accept. The two hugged politely as the applause began to slowly die down, and Inuyasha was finally left on his own to face the sea of his peers. The lights beat down on him, illuminating the amazing man and musician Inuyasha had become. As he grasped the smooth, mounted award in his shaking hands, Inuyasha found the words to say.

"Ever since I even knew what the Grammy's were, I've always wanted to win this award." There was some staccato laughter from the audience at the humorous statement. Inuyasha looked down at the polished, brass surface of his award and saw his reflection. "I'll start by thanking my manager, whose been with me since I first signed with the Sony Record label. Everyone at Sony, the producers and sound mixers, everyone who has helped me get to this point; I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family and friends, without your support I wouldn't have even gotten that far. But there is someone else that I have to mention, My Valentine, Kagome…" The air became heavy as everyone took the moment to remember Inuyasha's beautiful wife, Kagome.

"Two years ago, when my life was changed suddenly and without warning, I never thought I'd play music again. I came close to putting my guitar away for good…but my wife would not let me." Inuyasha finally lifted his emotional, teary gaze up from the award to look towards the audience. Beside his vacant chair, Kagome was seated. Many eyes shifted to look at the beautiful woman, fully recovered and glowing with the discreet appearance of a protruding belly.

Kagome was dressed in a beautiful designer gown, her hair pulled up into an elegant up-do, and makeup applied by masterful professionals; but what made her most beautiful was the smile that curled at the corners of her mouth. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears, and she could be seen mouthing the words 'I Love You' to Inuyasha.

"Kagome, you are my inspiration, my best friend, and my greatest love. I have no idea what you ever saw in me when we were younger, but it just proves that you see the best in people even when they don't see it in themselves." Inuyasha's voice was tight as he tried to contain a sob from coming out, but the smile on his face told everyone that he was simply overcome by gratitude and amazement.

"Kagome, you are the best person I know. I am a better person for having shared a life with you. You honor me by being my wife and having my kids. Everything I do is for our family and I dedicate this award to you, and to our children. Thank you." After holding the award up in a gracious gesture, Inuyasha smiled as he departed the stage. The audience once again came alive with thunderous applause, moved and inspired by the undeniable love displayed for the world to see. The cameraman followed Inuyasha's return to his seat, where he quickly met Kagome in a tender kiss.

"Where should we put it?" Kagome asked eagerly as she walked around their spacious apartment with Inuyasha's precious Grammy Award held to her chest like a child. They had just returned home after a long flight from California, and not a soul seemed to be awake at such an early time. Shippou and Koichi were tucked away at their grandparent's house, and wouldn't be back until later that day. Inuyasha groaned as he dropped their heavy luggage by the door, his energy levels low compared to Kagome's.

"I don't care. I just wanna go to sleep." He grumbled while navigating through the dark apartment. His internal clock was still on California time and threw Inuyasha's senses for a loop, making him especially irritable. Kagome smiled to herself as she watched her husband disappear into their bedroom. He had just won one of the most prestigious and coveted awards available to a musician, and yet remained the same Inuyasha she knew and loved.

"Fine…but I still think we should buy a glass case to hold all of your future awards too." The comment went without a reply, but Kagome could hear the definitive sounds of clothes hitting the floor and the familiar creak of their bedframe. Chuckling to herself, she placed the award on their coffee table and went to lock the door, as Inuyasha habitually forgot to do so. Padding across the carpet, Kagome entered their bedroom and unfastened the front of her jeans. Even in the darkness, she could see the outline of Inuyasha's exposed back and knew that he'd stripped down to his boxers. A tired smile tugged at one corner of Kagome's mouth as she stepped out of her jeans and shed the sweater she had worn that day.

Left in just a matching set of white panties and a bra, Kagome moved closer towards the king-sized bed and reached behind her back to unclasp the hooks between her shoulder blades. As the lacey article fell away carelessly, Kagome put a knee on the mattress as she prepared to crawl into bed beside her husband. Her rounded stomach was swollen past the point of being a secret, and everyone knew that she was expecting their second child. It would be a beautiful daughter named Shima, who'd grow into the spitting image of her father.

"Inuyasha, are you asleep already?" She whispered into the darkness of their bedroom, answered by the familiar snore that no longer kept Kagome awake at night. Unable to stop herself from laughing, Kagome knew that nothing would so easily wake Inuyasha up, and collapsed in the empty space beside him. Kagome shivered against the cold sheets as she pulled them over their bodies, feeling her eyes growing heavy with exhaustion. "Goodnight, sleep sweet." She whispered again before placing a chaste kiss against Inuyasha's cheek, which seemed to go unnoticed.

As Kagome settled onto her back, her eyes drifting shut and chest heaving a blissful sigh, she felt Inuyasha shifting on his side of the bed. As expected, a strong arm came to circle around her body, just below her exposed breasts, and pulled Kagome into her husband's strong chest. Though she could not bring herself to open her eyes, Kagome smiled and curled her back into Inuyasha's stomach. His face found a comfortable position in the crook of her shoulder, putting Inuyasha's mouth within inches of Kagome's ear.

"Love you," He whispered softly and pressed a tender kiss on the curve of Kagome's shoulder. His hand came to rest over her swollen belly, eager to feel a familiar connection with the person growing inside.

"Love you too," Kagome responded quietly, perfectly content to remain in the arms of the one who had known and loved her through life's strangest twists and turns. If life had taught them anything, it was that love did not always come easily; but it certainly did not die easily either. Inuyasha and Kagome continued to enjoy their time together, meeting each new challenge with the trust that their love was strong enough to persevere and transcend. And it did.