AN: Thanks everyone for all the reviews. I was miraculously able to give you guys an update within a week so I'm pretty proud of myself!
Someone had mentioned about how most recoveries were so much more difficult and included relapses and more rehab visits and hitting rock bottom. I have to say that I agree, recovery for Inuyasha was definitely prettier than in real life. But one thing I will never forget was finding 2 month clean boyfriend who had overdosed while I was at work. The heartbreak I experienced was from disappointment and fear on if he would survive. I will never forget that nightmare. I can't put Kagome through it. I know she's just a character in a story but I just can't do that to her, mostly because I can't relive it myself. It took months for me to be able to leave him home alone without having a panic attack once I got back home. Recovering from addiction is so damn ugly. For everyone involved.
Anyways...enjoy the chapter everyone. I think I'm ready for some good times to come for this family.

I woke up to the sound of my cell phone alarm going off. My neck was sore from sleeping on the couch and Kagome's nude form was on my own. She slowly sat up as the alarm woke her.

"Sorry." I said as I moved to get up. I didn't want to wake her up this early for nothing. "I gotta get ready for work."

I pulled my boxers on and picked up my clothes from the living room floor. Then I leaned over and kissed Kagome's lips although she seemed half asleep.

I spoke to her while walking up the stairs. "Why don't you go lay in your bed? Get some good rest." I said, rubbing the back of my stiff neck.

I don't know if she listened to me or not as I rushed to my bathroom to take a shower.

It was my first time going to work on my own now; I want to be there on time. Hell I'd love to be early if I can. Get a head start on my sorting, and then I'll have some free time to learn some more business things. I didn't want to spend years going to college for business. Not right now at least. Getting to learn on the job, firsthand is probably more valuable anyways. Besides, it ain't like my dad went to college and he's then one who built the damn business.

I took a pretty fast shower, though I made sure to savor the fact that I was back in my own bathroom again. Then I ran over to my closet and through on my work clothes. I took a look in the mirror before I left the room.

"Damn," I smirked at my reflection, "I look good." Sure all I wore was a nice pair of slacks and a white button down shirt with a white T underneath, but damn it if I didn't look professional. I was ready to take on anything.

I'm sober. I'm focused. I have my goals set. I want to do better for myself. I'm sexy. I have an amazing wife and a beautiful daughter.

Bring it on world.

Walking downstairs to the kitchen I crossed my fingers that we would have something decent to eat. Kagome's grocery shopping these past months has been for Kaiya and herself. I should have brought some of my food from the halfway house, but who the hell packs food?

I searched the cupboards for something to appeal to me. Then the freezer and the fridge. After reviewing my options I figured having ramen for breakfast would start my day off right.

I finished eating my breakfast and checked the time on my phone. 5:18, I should go.

Before leaving I ran upstairs to Kaiya's room. Silently sneaking over to her crib I took a few moments to watch her sleep. I can't get over how much she has grown since I'd left. I knew there was a chance it would wake her up but I just had an urge to hold her. As gently as I could, I lifted her small body up into my arms and leaned her onto my chest. She only stirred, but then was quickly back to her deep sleep.

I made my way to the rocking chair in the corner, and proceeded to sit down on it. I missed this, holding her. I took it for granted in the past. Fuck, I wish I could just hold my baby girl forever. I sighed. I have to get to work.

After rocking back and forth a few more times, I reluctantly got up. I kissed the top of her head multiple times and then put her back in the crib. Then I quietly left the room and headed for Kagome's to give her a kiss goodbye. Every time my dad left for a work, a business trip, going to the store- pretty much any time he left, he gave my mom a kiss goodbye. That made her happy I know it did because I used to feel so important when he would hug me goodbye.

Entering Kagome's room, I found her sleeping under the covers. I sat beside her on the edge of the bed. Then I placed my hand on her shoulder and caressed my way down her arm.

She moaned and moved closer to me. The blanket slipping off her chest.

"Kagome," I smiled looking down at her, "you're still naked?"

"Maybe." She smiled back at me. "I was too tired to put clothes on."

I let out a dry laugh. "Well I'm going to work." I leaned over and kissed her soft lips.

She finally opened her eyes and smiled at me. "Have a nice day. Make good choices."

I sighed. "I know." I pulled my phone from my pocket. "Shit, I gotta go. I love you, Kagome."

"I love you too, Inuyasha."

Kaiya is 16 months old today. I thought with a smile while driving home from work. My first couple days back have been great. No, more like amazing! Kagome and I have never gotten along better. This morning she told me that every Thursday since I'd been gone was movie night. Miroku and Sango would come over and they'd watch movies together. It's been so long since I've talked to Miroku, I can't believe it. We were best friends. I don't blame him though. Who'd want to be friends with the type of guy I turned into?

I shook my head. I don't like thinking about how I was.

Sango's disliked me since we met. So this whole movie night thing should be interesting.

I pulled into the driveway and then sat in the garage a few minutes, taking my sweet time. Kagome opened the garage door with a screaming baby in her arms.

"Oh good." She smiled. "I thought that was you." She hurried over and was holding Kaiya out for me before I even finished closing my car door.

"Miss me?" I joked.

"Of course, oh and I just discovered that Kaiya needed changed. I figured you could do it. I need to clean up before Sango and Miroku get here."

I pouted. "Great."

She was hurrying back in once I took the baby from her arms.

I looked down at Kaiya as I carried her into the house. "You stink."

She didn't answer but just looked away and started to cry.

Oh shit. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." Did she understand me?

We went upstairs to her room and I started to change her. Pulling her diaper open I literally fucking gagged.

"Oh my god it's like a bomb." I said, scrunching my nose up. I had some more remarks but I wanted to keep my mouth closed with the smell like that. Fuck Kagome!

Once I cleaned my stinkbug up and had her nice and fresh I carried her to the nearest bathroom so I could wash my hands. Then we went back downstairs. Where I found her mother in the kitchen.

"Thanks for the warning." I said sarcastically as I put down Kaiya.

Kagome looked up from whatever she was mixing and grinned. "Hey, now how many of those things do you think I changed when you were gone?"

I rolled my eyes. "You still could have eased me back in. I've been back for two days now and you've already got me doing all the dirty work."

She shook her head. "Oh shush."

I smirked and walked around the counter to wrap my arms around her from behind. I peeked over her shoulder and looked into the bowl.

"What's that?" I asked. "Cookie dough?" I felt my lips curve into a smile as I reached a finger towards the dough.

"Don't touch it." She smacked my hand away.

I pouted. "Why not? It's the best part."

"If I let you eat all the cookie dough, I won't be able to make any cookies."

"Just a little?"

Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'll let you lick the bowl."

I smiled. "And the spoon?"

She laughed. "And the spoon."

"Good." I laughed, moving to kiss her neck. "Anything else I can lick?"

"Inuyasha!" she tried to move away. "Go play with your daughter."

"Oh alright." I let go of her, laughing. I turned my head, looking for Kaiya. "Where is she?"

"Better make sure she isn't getting into anything."

"Shit." I mumbled. "With my luck that's exactly what she was doing."

I walked into the living room to find my little angel making a complete mess. Fuck.

"What's with all the toys Kaiya?" I asked the girl. There were toys all over the room. She might have even been throwing them around there was so many. "What are you doing in here?"

She smiled at me and laughed running around the couch. I stood there with my arms crossed to see what she would do next. Nothing.

So I walked around the couch and she laughed, and then ran to behind a different couch. So she wanted me to catch her. I smiled. Damn she was cute.

"I'm gonna get you!" I grinned. She peeked out and screamed, then laughed.

I chased her for a couple minutes around the furniture until I tripped over a toy.

"Shit!" I said, as I landed on my hands and knees. What the fuck was that? I looked at my ankle, wrapped around it was the handle of a small purse. I pulled the object off my foot and looked around the room. It looked even messier than before, now the pillows were on the floor, as well as the throw blankets. "Alright Kaiya game over. We need to put these toys away."

I stood up and started picking up toys as my daughter stood watching. I put a handful in a toy box and I was surprised to see her picking up toys as well.

I smiled at her. "Did your mommy teach you how to clean up?"

"Cleaup." She grinned at me while running with her arms full of toys. Then she dropped them in the box and hurried up to pick up the rest.

Kagome walked in the room at that exact moment.

"Good job Kaiya, you're cleaning up your toys." She watched our daughter, and I wondered if that's what I looked like when I watched her. Just this loving gaze with wonder at something you created.

"Inuyasha," she said, "Miroku just texted me. They'll be here soon if you wanted to help me in here."

I nodded. Then I waited till Kaiya was done to pick her up and bring her into the kitchen. I found a baby gate near the arch and set it up so that she would stay in the room.

"What did you need help with?" I asked.

"You could do the dishes after you finish cleaning that bowl off." She said absentmindedly while digging through a cabinet.

I sighed. Always giving me the dirty work. Then I turned towards the cookie dough covered pot and smiled. I dragged my fingers across the bowl, just like a kid and took a nice sized bite.

"Mm." That's good.

Kagome pulled out a couple pots and put them in front of Kaiya to play with.

"That's a cool idea." I told her.

"Thanks." She smiled and walked over to the oven. She had some pot holders on her hands as she watched the timer on the stovetop.

Beep bee-

She pressed the button and opened the oven door. The delicious smell of fresh cookies entered my nose and I took a deep breath. That smells good.

"Perfect." She said with a smile, while taking out the two pans. "There's twenty four here."

"Great." I smiled.

"You can't have one until you finish the dishes."

I frowned. "Alright, I do them already."

By the time I finished all the dishes I heard the doorbell ring. Shit is that them? I still need to change out of my work clothes.

Kagome and Kaiya were already in the living room with the tray of cookies. I hurried out of the kitchen as soon as Kagome let our guests in.

They all greeted each other and then turned to me. I felt the anxiety creeping up through my body.

"Inuyasha," Miroku smiled walking up to me, "welcome home brother. You look great."

"Thanks bro." I smiled at him feeling a little more at ease. "It's good to see you."

We shook hands and pulled each other in for a quick hug. Then I turned to Sango.

She didn't look so happy to see me.

"Hey Sango."

She forced a smile. "Hi Inuyasha."

"Thanks for being there for Kagome."

She nodded and sighed. "No problem." Then she gave me a real smile. "Just don't make me do it again."

I grinned. "I won't."

Well now that we've all said hello and semi made up. "I've got to get changed; I'll be back down in a minute."

The all nodded at me as I made my way upstairs. I'm sure they were gonna take that free time to talk about me so I hurried to get undressed and threw on a pair of basketball shorts and a red t-shirt before heading back down.

I found the whole group in the living room and whatever movie they had seemed to be in the DVD player on the main menu. Kaiya was sitting on the couch with half a cookie in her hand and the other half on her face.

Miroku began speaking as I entered the room. He pulled out a box from beside him. "So now that we have four adults here, I figured why not do something a little different?"

We all looked at the box in his hands. Pictionary.

"Miroku," I said, "I've never played a game like this in my life."

"It's fun." He answered. "You can be on my team."

I shook my head. This should be interesting.

Hope you all enjoyed it :) Review; please and thank you.