Chapter 19
A gift from Lorn
"It's a boy," Marian said as she joined Kagome on the couch.
"How can you tell?"
"Well," Marian glanced at Kagome's stomach and smiled. "Some things are just obvious. I was huge when I was pregnant with Daemonar."
"He has wings, Marian," Kagome protested. "Although my mom was really big, too, when she was pregnant with Sota. And she always told me that she wasn't that big with me," Kagome smiled brightly. "I think Inuyasha knows that it's a boy, he just won't tell me for sure,"
Marian patted her shoulder, her eyes shining. "Well, I've finished with the midday meal and the laundry. Daemonar is down for his nap, so we've got a few moments of peace before the males come back for lunch and then back to the Hall we go."
"Sounds good," Kagome said cheerfully, snuggling into her jacket.
"Are you warm enough?"
"Oh, now, don't you start, too." Kagome groaned, still smiling. "I've had more blankets and jackets and layers of clothing thrown, wrapped, and tucked around me in the past few weeks than I can count. I can only imagine how you lived through your pregnancy with Lucivar for a husband."
Marian laughed, long and hard, her arms wrapped around her stomach, clutching it with the laughing cramps that attacked her.
"Was it that funny?" Kagome giggled, unable to hide her own laughter.
"Lucivar fussed as much as he could until I finally stomped on his toes hard enough to make him stop for a few hours," Marian wiped her eyes, still laughing. "If you think he was bad before the birth...Mother Night he liked to have died when I fell into labor."
"That bad?"
"Well, no, not really. But it was my first pregnancy, so when the labor started, it was light, and the contractions were so far apart that I could get some work done and keep us both fed for the day. Unfortunately, when Lucivar smelled the coffee and came to get some he got one look at me and exploded. And when I refused to lie down and relax for a while he got snippy. So I compromised. While I worked, he paced behind me. When I did the laundry, he carted the baskets for me. And when I finished making the meals for the day he cleaned everything up. I was still fine and I was going to start cleaning the floors a little bit. I had the bucket, I had the water and the soap and mop and Lucivar had just started growling at me about it when a contraction hit that threw me off. It hurt, and I mean it hurt. Lucivar went from snarly male to concerned husband in less than a heartbeat." Marian smiled at the memory of the entire ordeal. "I didn't even bother trying to finish up my work after the contraction passed. I know my limits and I had definitely reached them. Besides, arguing with him about it after that would have been useless anyway. So I let him carry me to the bedroom; let him wrap me up in a million blankets, feed the fire, and then send for Gabrielle. Why he didn't just call one of the healers from Ebon Rih, I don't know, but I guess he just felt comfortable with someone he knew very well and trusted helping to bring his son into the world."
"How was it?" Kagome grimaced just asking about it. Please, please, please tell me they have something for the pain like we do at home! God, find me a hospital...!
"Painful, but well worth it," Marian breathed deeply, happily. "When Daemonar was put into my arms...Oh, Kagome, it's absolutely the most wonderful moment in a woman's life when they hold their child for the first time. And Lucivar...he was crying, it was such an emotional day,"
"How long were you in labor with him?" Kagome was almost afraid of the answer.
"Hm," Marian thought for a moment. "Goodness, a long time. Counting from the very first contraction, I'd have to say around seventeen or eighteen hours. Twenty at the most. It was rather late when he was finally born." Marian giggled. "Of course, at dawn the following morning, the family had shown up in droves to see him. Jaenelle and Saetan were the first ones at the door, and then Karla was stepping on Lucivar's toes after that. It was such a good day,"
"It sounds like it,"
"Oh!" Marian laughed, wrapping her arms around Kagome's shoulders, hugging the panicked-looking woman. "I promise you, it won't be that bad. And in the end, it's all well worth the bundle of life that'll be put into your arms."
"You said Lucivar cried...I wonder what Inuyasha's reaction will be...?"
"Something very similar, I'm sure," Marian said with a knowing smile. "He was attached to that pup before it was even conceived."
"All he's ever wanted was a family of his own," Kagome said dreamily. "I'm just really happy that I can give him that,"
"See? It's all worth while."
"Yeah," Kagome grinned. "Yeah, it is."
"And you'll be celebrating in early to mid April, if I've counted right,"
"Yeah, that's what Inuyasha says, too." Kagome smiled, breathing deeply for a moment. "I promised him that we'd have a pup in the Spring. I can't wait...!"
"Can't wait for what?" Lucivar purred as he came into the room with Inuyasha, both looking a bit ruffled.
"What happened to you two?" Kagome asked, grinning at them.
"Well, Tassel decided that he wanted to play with Inuyasha." Lucivar smirked. "So they played."
"He almost got me, too," Inuyasha rolled his right shoulder, looking impressed.
"The Lord knows well how to train a warrior," Lucivar flashed his lazy, arrogant smile at Kagome.
"Wonderful," She forced a chuckle, sinking further into the couch, her arms wrapped around her torso. Please tell me that he's going to wait until the pup can walk on his own before he starts training him!
"Now that Kaelas is back up to speed," Lucivar grinned back at Inuyasha.
"Oooh, no! I can train the kindred wolves and the dogs, and maybe even the tigers, but I am NOT under any circumstances, tangling with Kaelas." Inuyasha protested, shaking his head.
Lucivar laughed, pulling his wings tight to his body. "Well, I can see why you'd feel intimidated. He is 800 pounds of feline flesh and temper."
"Yes, and you have more experience with him, so how about you just continue with that yourself," Inuyasha leaned over the back of the couch and nuzzled Kagome's neck with the tip of his nose. "Are you warm?"
"I'm not answering that question," She moved to reach for her book in attempts to ignore him, but his fangs grazed the flesh at the crook of her neck and she stopped, looking more grumpy than she had ever been before.
"Why not?"
"Because no matter what my answer is, I'm just going to get fussed over anyway. So what's the point? Isn't it a little redundant?"
Inuyasha just smiled, licking the spot on her neck where he'd nibbled and wrapped his arms around her shoulders to rest his hands on her stomach. "I can feel him, Kagome,"
"So can I," Kagome said as she rubbed the bottom of her rib cage. "He's been kicking me all morning,"
Inuyasha came around to the front of the couch and knelt down in front of her, resting his head against her stomach, listening to his pup's heartbeat. Marian just smiled, looking over to Lucivar for a moment before she rose to make sure everything in the kitchen was still in order. Lucivar smirked as he followed her, his arms coming around her waist possessively, pulling her hard against him. She leaned back against his chest and smiled.
"Yes?"
"I saw that look," He kissed her neck, his arms tightening. "I've seen that look on you once before, Marian. Seven years ago to be exact," His arms loosened as he turned her so that he could see her face. "You're giving me that look again now,"
She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, her arms curling around his waist. "I don't know, Lucivar...seeing Kagome and Inuyasha like that...I loved being pregnant,"
"You want that again," He couldn't mask the hope in his voice even if he had wanted to.
She nodded, lifting her head to look at him. "Yeah, Lucivar, I do. I want to have another baby with you,"
He just smiled his lazy, arrogant smile and kissed her. "I've been waiting for you to tell me that for weeks now. I've seen the hopefulness in your eyes, Marian, every time you look at Kagome. I felt what you feel now and I'd be happy to give you another child,"
"Should we warn the family?" And by family, she meant Saetan.
Lucivar shook his head, nuzzling her nose with his own. "No, we'll let him roll over on it after the fact,"
Marian giggled, cuddling against him. "We're going to make him feel really old,"
"Sweetheart, he is really old,"
"Is it just me, or is it getting even colder out there?" Jaenelle shivered as she came into the study, plopping down onto the desk in front of Daemon, covering the papers he was going through. Agitated, but grateful for the interruption, Daemon lifted his gold eyes to look at his wife, and felt his blood heat at the look on her face.
"We have a few hours before they get here,"
Daemon just smiled and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, pulling her easily into his lap so that she straddled him. The door was instantly black locked and the entire room was wrapped in black aural and psychic shields.
"Will you warm me up, Daemon?" She grinned at him, kissing him, her arms coming around his neck.
"Of course, sweetheart," His arms tightened, drawing her closer to him. "I'll always warm you up," He hooked his fingers into the folds of the turtleneck sweater she wore and gave it a soft tug, revealing the flesh at her neck to his lips and teeth, pleased with her reaction. He grunted, annoyed, as a light tap came to the door. "You should have put the hourglass out there," His voice was husky, barely more than a soft purr really. Jaenelle kissed him, looking towards the doorway.
What is it, Beale?
Forgive the intrusion, Lady, but there is a Warlord here with an appointment to see the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan,
Oh, well, in that case, Daemon will be with him in a moment. She looked down at Daemon and chuckled as he groaned and rested his head against her chest. "Duty calls, boyo,"
"My only duty is to you," He growled, biting her breast gently. She purred, giggling, and tapped the head of black hair resting on her chest.
"Well, at the moment, it's to everyone else, too." She slid out of his lap, despite his attempts to keep her right where she was, and they were very good attempts. "I'll come back in a few minutes,"
"Oh, no you don't," He grabbed her as he jumped to his feet, pulling her hard against him, kissing her thoroughly, fiercely. "Ten minutes," He purred, covering her neck again with the top of her sweater.
"Ten minutes it is," Jaenelle murmured, grinning as she moved towards the door. Daemon whimpered after the door closed and glared at the paperwork on his desk. "Ten minutes won't get here fast enough," The knock on the door sobered him up for a few moments and he tightened the restrain on his temper. Oh he had better make this quick.
Jaenelle smiled as she slipped back into the study, pausing to admire her husband for a moment. He looked so damn cute all hunched over that desk. He obviously needed a break.
"Ten minutes, as promised,"
He looked up at her and she slowly moved around to the front of the desk. "What is it?"
"That Warlord...he was a messenger from the Keep."
Jaenelle shifted, folding her arms over her chest. "What was the message?"
"Lorn made a discovery about the barrier. He wouldn't be specific, but the messenger said that Lorn instructed him to inform us that in two days the breach will reach a landing web at the Keep and will be held there, undetected thanks to Lorn, for a week."
Jaenelle stared at him. "He wants us to go through?"
"Yes," Daemon smiled up at her. "He's found a way to allow Kagome to go home to her family for a week. But only for a week. Once that week passes, the spell holding the breach will vanish and whether we are back here or not, and he demands that we are, it will be another six months before that breach comes back to allow us through again."
"So for a week Kagome can go home and enjoy the company of her family?"
"Yes," Daemon's smile remained. "And he wants you and I to accompany them. He says that in order for the spell to hold an entire week, you, myself, Kagome, and Inuyasha are the only ones who can pass through. Anyone else would drain too much power from the web and the spell will vanish."
"He's placed another web to make sure that the barrier isn't noticed."
"Once we pass through, no one else can," Daemon leaned back in his chair, his black tinted nails resting on his chin as he thought on the matter. "Two hours before the spell vanishes, the breach will reopen on the other side and we'll be allowed to go through. After we have all gone through, the spell will release and that will be the end of it. At least, for another six months."
"Kagome's going to be so happy," Jaenelle grinned, clapping. "Oh, Daemon, this is wonderful news!"
"Yes, it is," He rose from the chair, his eyes glittering. "So now that I've delivered that message to you..."
She giggled.
"Ok, so what's this big present for me that you've been bragging about since dinner?" Kagome asked as Jaenelle lead her and Inuyasha into the study. The others had followed, save for Rin and Sesshoumaru, and thankfully so. If Sesshoumaru knew about this and decided that he was going back to his home in the western lands of the Feudal Era, it could mean serious trouble, especially since Jaenelle kept going on about Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha having to work together in order to defeat Naraku and Hakuuyo. So, of course, it was better that "Lord Fluffy" as Inuyasha had recently put it, was left unaware about this.
"You're going to love it," Jaenelle said after Lucivar had closed the door behind them. Sango and Miroku sat down with Kilala and Shippo and Marian leaned against Lucivar.
"The suspense kills me," Kagome said then, looking confused. "Well?"
"Lorn has found a way to let you go home to your family. But only for a week, and only if you agree to allow Daemon and myself to come along as escorts."
Kagome just stared at the woman, shocked speechless.
"Did you hear her, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as his mate sank towards the couch opposite of Miroku and Sango.
"When?" She breathed.
"Two days from now," Daemon said, smiling faintly at her reaction.
Kagome bit her lip, taking a deep breath. "I'll be home for Christmas..."
Inuyasha smiled as the tears of utter joy lit his mates eyes. "Inuyasha, we're going back for Christmas!"
He hugged her as he sat next to her, nodding. "Despite all the gifts under the tree, I think you'll be the best gift they get this year,"
"Sota's going to be so happy to see us. To see all of us. Oh, Daemon!" She jumped to her feet and hugged him, too, followed by Jaenelle whom she held the longest.
"Will you be ready in two days?"
"Yes, of course," Kagome wiped the tears from her eyes. "It's such a wonderful gift. Please tell Lorn how much I appreciate it,"
"He knows," Jaenelle smiled, looking towards Inuyasha. "What's the matter?"
"Her grandfather is going to have my head,"
"Then we'll just have to bribe him," Kagome chuckled, uncaring of what her family's reaction would be to her pregnancy. "If we bring him something to attract his attention, we won't have to worry about it. You know how he is. He likes all that ancient kind of stuff,"
"I think I have just the thing," Jaenelle grinned. Daemon looked over to Lucivar and Marian and smiled, slipping out of the room with his brother. "I've already informed father of our adventure, so he'll be coming back here for a week. So, if you need him, he'll be here rather than at the Keep."
"I bet he wasn't too thrilled about that,"
"Yes, well," Daemon smiled gently. "But now that you know of our intentions, you can go enjoy your lady."
Two days later, the group of four travelers stood just off the landing web, their friends with them.
"Have fun you guys. And no stops until you get to the well," Sango hugged Kagome tightly. "If you run into Kaede she'll keep you there for hours. Just head straight home,"
"We will," Kagome hugged Miroku next, followed by Marian and Lucivar.
"Kagome-mama!" Shippo cried, hopping into her arms. "Will you bring us back some surprises?"
"Food?" Kagome giggled, hugging Shippo tight. "Yes, I'll bring back plenty of junk food for you."
"Thanks. Have fun!"
"We should go," Jaenelle smiled. Kagome nodded, waving to everyone as they stepped through the breach. Inuyasha's nose was working the second they reached the other side and felt the spell snap up behind them to conceal the barrier. Kagome took a deep breath, let it out slowly.
"We're back,"
"We have to hurry," Inuyasha pulled Kagome onto his back and smirked. "I smell men close by."
"Try not to make a scene," Kagome muttered as the group headed quickly towards the clearing that held the well. Inuyasha paused as they reached the lining of the trees, sniffing the air to make sure nothing unfriendly was close by. Satisfied, he lead the group to the well and allowed Kagome a few moments to ready herself.
"Are you ready to go home, Kagome?"
She looked around the clearing, took another deep breath, and nodded to her mate. "Yeah, I'm ready to go home."
"Stay close to us," Inuyasha murmured as he climbed into the well. "I don't know if the well will let you pass or not if you're not touching Kagome in some way. We'll take it slow,"
"Agreed," Daemon said as he motioned Jaenelle forward.
"A little crowded in here, Inuyasha," Kagome giggled as they neared the bottom of the well.
"Are you sure that this is going to work?" Daemon asked as they gathered at the bottom of the well. The fact that they hadn't passed through yet wasn't a good sign. Kagome knelt down and ran her fingers over the dirt, looking up at Inuyasha, slightly worried.
"What if-"
"Grab on!" Inuyasha shouted as a pink portal opened beneath Kagome's legs.
"Oof!" Inuyasha silently sputtered over the new weight on him as they landed in the well back at the Higurashi shrine. "Get offa me, Daemon!" He shoved, growling slightly as he reached for Kagome. "You all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," She looked up into the familiar darkness above and smiled. "You two ok?" Inuyasha looked to Jaenelle and Daemon who both nodded, before he pulled Kagome onto his back, knelt, and leapt straight out of the well. Daemon and Jaenelle air walked out of it.
"Wow, it's cold," Kagome muttered as she climbed the few steps to the sliding door.
"It's clear," Inuyasha informed the group as they joined her. "So far so good,"
"Yeah," She pushed the door open and stared into the snow covered grounds of the shrine. "Home..."
"Come on, it's freezing out here," Inuyasha pulled her close to him as they made their way towards the house.
"I wonder what they'll say..." Kagome murmured as they neared the house.
"Don't start asking a bunch of what if questions or I'm going to throw you over my shoulder and carry you in there kicking and screaming," Thinking about it, he lifted her, grinning at her annoyed expression. He pulled the front door open and lead them all inside.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome hissed. "Shoes,"
"Yeah, yeah, details," He paused to let her take her shoes off and drop them at the doorway to the house. Daemon and Jaenelle took the hint, discarded their shoes and followed them down a small hallway.
"Christmas is lame," Sota muttered at the kitchen table, pushing his rice around with his fork. "At least it is without Kagome,"
"Well, of course it is, Kid,"
"I-Inuyasha?" Sota stared at the Hanyou as he pulled back the sliding door to reveal himself. Grandfather Higurashi just stared at him in disbelief.
"Oh, Inuyasha!" Mrs. Higurashi rose to her feet. "You're here! But...where...?"
"She's hiding," Inuyasha muttered, snatching Kagome's arm and tugging her into view.
"KAGOME!" Sota ran for her, throwing his arms around his big sister, hugging her close.
"Oh, Sota..."
When he finally released her and stepped back, he looked to their mother and fell silent.
"What...Oh..." Kagome suddenly felt like a spot light had just been pointed right in her face, but Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her possessively, almost daring them to disagree with their being mates.
"Oh, Kagome..." Her mother smiled brightly as she embraced her daughter. "I'm going to be a grandmother!" She hugged her daughter tighter, genuinely happy for her. "I'm so glad you're home!"
"Mama," Kagome wrapped her arms around her mother, relieved to be accepted without a second thought, although she could tell that her grandfather was silently sputtering.
"Is it a boy or a girl!" Sota demanded. "Am I going to have a niece or a nephew? Come on! Tell me!"
"Well..." Kagome smiled as her mother stepped back. "I don't know, Sota,"
"Oh," Her mother smiled apologetically. "Forgive us for being so distracted. We've made no introductions."
"Oh, gosh!" Kagome's face reddened a bit. "Mom, Sota, Grandpa, this is Daemon Sadi and his wife, Jaenelle. They're friends of ours,"
"Nice to meet you!" Sota grinned, turning towards Inuyasha. "Hey, Inuyasha! How come you guys were gone so long this time? Where were you? Did you defeat Naraku? What about the jewel shards? Did you get them all? And what about-"
"Whoa, slow down kid," Inuyasha protested, staring at him. "We'll answer your questions later, right now we need something to eat and I want Kagome off of her feet,"
"Here we go," Kagome grumbled as she eased herself onto the floor at the table. "Let the fussing begin,"
"It never ended, sweetheart," Daemon said as Mrs. Higurashi motioned him and Jaenelle to join them at the table.
"Fine, let the fussing resume then," Kagome muttered as Inuyasha sat down next to her, nudging her.
"I'm entitled to fuss, Kagome. And besides, what-oh...hey Buyo," The cat had leapt happily into the hanyou's lap, meowing excitedly.
"Well, someone has definitely missed you," Kagome giggled, scratching her cat behind his ears. After her mother placed bowls of food in front of them and regained her own seat, she looked at her daughter, her face set in a look of concern.
"Kagome, sweetie, have you seen a doctor?"
"Well, Jaenelle is a healer...!" Kagome offered, fidgeting. She already knew what was coming.
"Then that settles it. I don't doubt your abilities, Jaenelle, but this is a different time line, and I'm afraid I've grown rather accustomed to the whole doctor, nurse, hospital thing."
"Mom..." Kagome whined.
"Kagome, tomorrow morning you're going to come with me to the hospital so we can get you a check up and an Ultra Sound. And now that I think about it,"
"Don't say it," Kagome whimpered.
"I want you to get an Amnio is well."
"No...!" Kagome whined, looking horrified. "Mom, you know I can't stand needles!"
"Well, sweetheart, I'd feel better if you did."
"But...oh all right." Kagome sighed, taking a bite of her food. "How come you guys didn't open any presents this morning?"
Sota shifted uncomfortably as he looked towards the Christmas tree in the far corner. "We didn't want...But you came home, Kagome!"
She smiled at her younger brother. "You guys didn't have to wait..."
"It's ok!" Sota said, brightening. "There's presents for you under there! There's even one for you, Inuyasha!"
"Wonderful," Inuyasha muttered, looking across the table to Daemon and Jaenelle who seemed smug about something. "What are you two grinning about?"
"We did some shopping in Amdarh," Daemon lifted his hand and the presents already under the tree doubled.
"Mother Night," Kagome breathed, staring at them. "You two cease to amaze me."
"How did you do that!" Sota stared at Daemon in wide eyed amazement.
"Oh, look out, Sadi," Inuyasha smirked, pleased. "The kid's going to be attached to your hip now just for that one."
Jaenelle giggled as she faced the youngest male in the room. "We have power that allows us to do different things. Our jewels measure our strength,"
"Nifty!" Sota stared at the golden haired woman in front of him. "So you can cast like...spells and stuff? That's so cool!"
"Oh yeah, real cool. Until they use that power to shatter your mind,"
"Could you not make him paranoid? We want them to like our new friends, Inuyasha," Kagome hissed. "Besides, they wouldn't do that to friends. Right?" She looked up at Daemon and shuddered.
"Of course not,"
Jaenelle rolled her eyes as she finished her meal. Once everyone else had finished, Sota started up on the questions. "All right, Inuyasha! Where have you two been? Explain!"
"I never want to do that again," Kagome muttered as she climbed the stairs with Inuyasha to her bedroom. "Sota is so full of questions. I just hope he won't have any more until after dinner tonight,"
"Feh! Fat chance!" Kagome shook her head as she opened her bedroom door and nearly melted in awe of the sight. Her bed was waiting for her, practically screaming for her to lie down on it and rest.
"My own bed, my own room, oh I'm so glad for this!" Kagome sat on her bed and sank into the soft mattress. Inuyasha closed her door and approached her, kneeling in front of her.
"Kagome..."
"Hm?" She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at him curiously. "What is it?"
"What's that Amnio your mom was talking about?"
She paled. "I'd almost forgotten about that. Ugh, it's some kind of test they do to make sure the baby is in good health. You know, to make sure it doesn't have any kind of disorders or anything like that,"
"And the needle?"
She grimaced. "They put it in my stomach and draw out amniotic fluid to test it."
"But you're afraid of needles,"
"Yeah,"
"Then I don't want you to do it," Inuyasha glared at the floor. "I don't want that thing near our pup. I don't care what good it's meant for, Kagome. You don't like needles and if they distress you then they'll distress the pup," His hands came to rest on her stomach, and so did his forehead. "I don't want to risk..."
"I know, Inuyasha," Kagome murmured, covering his hands with her own after sitting up completely. "I know you don't want me to do this, but it'll be ok. Besides, it might warm my family up a little more to the idea of you and I starting a family."
"Your grandfather didn't say anything on the matter, but I could see that he was silently sputtering. He doesn't like it,"
"Well, he'll get over it." Kagome growled, sighing heavily. "Besides, there's nothing we can do about it now. And if he can't accept it, then, well...Kaeleer awaits,"
Gold eyes met brown and held there for a moment, stunned. "You'd leave your home for Kaeleer if they didn't accept our pup?"
"Inuyasha, if they didn't accept this pup then I'd go anywhere to get away. It was my decision. You asked me to give you a pup and I agreed. It wasn't anyone's choice but ours and we chose to start a family. If they can't accept that, then how am I supposed to stay here?"
"I don't know...but even if your grandfather doesn't accept it, your mother seems to have and we both know that Sota doesn't care. Kagome, could you really leave your brother and mother behind? Even knowing they would never accept the life you lead?"
"No, of course not..." Kagome shook her head. "But they will accept. They just need time. I mean, we didn't exactly give them much warning,"
Inuyasha nodded, searching the room for a decent change in subject. "Where's Daemon and Jaenelle going to sleep?"
"Sota's room I should think. He'll sleep on the couch without argument for the first few nights simply because he's glad we're back. After that...well, I don't know,"
"I'm coming with you tomorrow?"
Well, that was abrupt. "Of course you are, Inuyasha, why wouldn't you?"
He shrugged.
"Hey!" Sota's voice brought their attention to the still closed door. "Come on you guys! We're gonna open the presents now!"
"Oh! Cold..." Kagome shivered as the doctor applied the ointment to her stomach and reached for the ultra sound equipment. Inuyasha and Kagome's mother both stood on her left, while the doctor sat on a stool on the right, hooking up monitors and chuckling at Inuyasha's soon-to-be-a-father attitude.
"There we go," The doctor exclaimed as she moved the scope onto Kagome's stomach. The image that came onto the screen stunned her into an awed silence. "That's...that's my baby?"
"Yep," The doctor smiled at Kagome's awe. "Looks good. Well developed,"
Inuyasha stared at the screen, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. If that scope could produce a picture of the pup, could it not also tell the sex of it?
"All right, let's see here," She moved the scope over a bit and widened the frame. "The legs are closed right now, but maybe he'll move for us?"
"Oh, Kagome, he's precious," Her mother kissed her daughter's forehead and patted Inuyasha on the head, grinning as the hat fell forward a little, blocking his view of the screen. He readjusted it hastily, waiting for word on his pup's sex. Unfortunately, the pup never opened his legs for them, and after several minutes, they gave up.
"I can't be sure, but I think it's a boy," The doctor said as she wiped the ointment from Kagome's rounding belly. "It's the way you're carrying the baby that pulls at me. I've always seen that girls tend to be a little lower in the uterus. At least, in my patients. I don't know about anyone else. But I do know that I was told that my first child was a girl and it turned out to be a boy. My mom knew from the start because of how big I was."
"You think so? A boy?" Kagome grinned over at Inuyasha who was still stunned speechless.
"Here you go," The doctor handed the pictures from the ultra sound to Kagome and smiled gently. "You know, a few check ups here and there can't hurt. You're in your second trimester and I'd feel better if you would stop in for regular check ups,"
"Well, it's complicated," Kagome sighed as she looked through the pictures. "I can try, but I'm going to be out of town for most of this pregnancy."
"Then at least see another doctor in whatever city you happen to be in. And no flying,"
"Oh, don't worry, there won't be," Kagome giggled.
"All right, well, you can get dressed now. Congratulations on your baby. Mrs. Higurashi, so good to see you again!" The doctor left the room and Kagome squealed, wrapping her arms around Inuyasha.
"I saw him, Kagome!"
"I know," She giggled, tickling his nose. "The doctor thinks that it's a boy,"
"So do I," Inuyasha admitted, looking through the pictures. "I didn't know that you could see a baby before it was even out of the womb."
"Well, you can't in your time. Technology hasn't quite reached that point yet. One of the many quirks of modern times," Kagome smiled. "Mama, did you see him?"
"He's going to be so adorable!" Her mother was genuinely excited and happy for her daughter and her family. "I can't wait until he's born,"
Kagome remembered the conversation she'd had with Marian a few days ago and flinched. "Oh boy,"
They laughed at her.
"You all look like you're having fun," Kagome giggled as a snowball went soaring past her to slam into Inuyasha's chest. Jaenelle was momentarily pleased with herself for such a lucky throw, but then looked like a dear in the headlights. "Damn damn and double damn!" She ran, just barely dodging Inuyasha's retaliatory snow ball. A snowball that was ten times the size of the one she'd chucked at him.
"Hey, Kagome!" Sota grinned as he came up to her. "Niece or nephew?"
"Don't know for sure, but everyone seems to be leaning towards nephew," Kagome smiled as Daemon came up to them. "Having fun with the snowballs?"
He shook the snow from his hair and jacket, bristling. "Not really," He looked over to Inuyasha and Jaenelle and chuckled. "And I think that throwing snowballs at Inuyasha's head has lost its appeal for Jaenelle,"
Kagome just smiled. "It lost its appeal to me years ago. It's just not as much fun when he can make them bigger. Besides, he won't hesitate to tackle me just for trying to hit him with one."
"So, how was it?"
"Wonderful," Kagome passed the pictures over to him and, for a moment, the Warlord Prince known as Daemon Sadi was speechless.
"I didn't know this was even possible,"
"Isn't it nice though?" Kagome giggled, looking at the pictures with him. "I'm so glad that he's still young enough that the doctor didn't notice the ears,"
"You can hardly see them. Actually, you wouldn't see them at all if you weren't looking for them,"
"Exactly," Kagome smiled as Inuyasha and Jaenelle joined them.
"Where's your grandfather?" Mrs. Higurashi grumbled as the group made their way inside. "I want to announce something to the family and I can't do that without the family being here,"
Kagome glanced at Inuyasha who was instantly at her side when they gathered in the living room.
"There you are," Kagome's mother smiled. "Now, in light of this wonderful occasion, I'm taking us all out to dinner tonight."
"Oh, mom, you don't have to,"
"Of course I do, Kagome. You and Inuyasha are giving me my first grandchild. And besides, you'll be leaving again in a few days and god only knows when I'll see you again. I want to treat you all to dinner."
"Well, when you put it that way,"
"It sounds lovely," Jaenelle giggled excitedly from behind the younger woman.
"But I want all of us to go," She looked towards Grandpa and waited. "Dad, will you join us in celebrating Kagome's new family?"
Kagome tensed and Inuyasha wrapped his right arm around her. This was it; if he rejected her now, there would be no second chances for him. Kagome would accept his rejection and forever be shunned by him. She wouldn't offer him a second chance no matter how much she wanted to because she knew that if he rejected her now he would never accept it.
Grandpa glared at Inuyasha for the longest time before, finally, he spoke, "I cannot,"
Kagome gasped quietly, looking away from the others, staring at the table rather than anyone else.
"Not unless Inuyasha does this properly,"
"Properly?" Inuyasha growled at the old man, annoyed and becoming more than pissed off.
"If you wish me to accept you as family and the child my granddaughter now carries as family then you will marry her."
"Grandpa..." Kagome murmured, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Things are different for demons..."
"That's what it's going to take for you to accept our pup? What a load of crap! Of course I'm going to marry her!"
Stunned, Kagome looked over at him, at a loss for words.
"Feh, you ruined the whole damn thing!" Inuyasha pulled a small box out of his haori and, annoyed but still blushing, he handed it to Kagome. "I picked that up in Amdarh before we left to come here. Banard had it ready for me,"
She stared at him as she opened the box and choked on a sob as she examined the ring. It was simple and beautiful, and it meant more to her than she thought it would because of who it was coming from. "I...oh, Inuyasha..."
"Oh now we have to go out!" Jaenelle clapped, grinning broadly. "You two conspired, I know it!" She poked Daemon's shoulder.
"Just how much junk food did you have today?" He asked, smirking at his hyperactive wife.
"I don't remember!"
Grandpa Higurashi cleared his throat and focused his attention on his granddaughter and possibly his soon to be grandson-in-law. "Well?"
"I accept," Kagome said quietly as she gazed at the ring.
"I'll go make the dinner reservations!" Her mother said excitedly. Daemon and Jaenelle left the room with Sota and Grandpa lingered to nod his approval before leaving as well to give the couple a few moments alone.
"It didn't happen the way I had wanted it to,"
"I don't care!" Kagome threw her arms around, hugging him close. "Inuyasha, I would have been your mate until the end of our lives without caring about being married, you know that. But..."
"I knew, Kagome," He kissed her hair. "I knew what it would come down to in the end with your grandfather when we finally got back. This is for us. I want to make sure our pup has the family he deserves,"
"I do, too,"
He lifted her head up and kissed her gently. "I love you, Kagome,"
"I love you, too, Inuyasha."
End of chapter. Ahhh, such an uncharacteristically sappy ending... XD but that's ok. I hadn't realized that this chapter was 18 pages long...hmm...XD Anyway, enjoy, and thanks again for the wonderful reviews!