Chapter 62
Just under 17 weeks later, Kagome and Sesshoumaru sat in the den with their newly adopted daughter, Rin, who had spoken again for the first time two months ago, giving them the ability to proceed with adoption. Her first new words had been "Rin wants to go with you," which had warmed their hearts. They were sipping hot chocolate in front of the fire and toasting marshmallows for s'mores. Kagome had made sugar-free marshmallows and cut them into little hearts special for the occasion. Rin was, amazingly for a little girl, more interested in feeling Kagome's bulging tummy and the kicks of her sibling than in the melty treats. Kagome, chock full of hormones, though touched by the child's interest, was definitely more interested herself in gooey, chocolaty goodness.
And so it was that when Kagome's first contraction came, two pairs of brilliantly blue eyes met. Sesshoumaru, knowing she was very due, rushed from his spot on the couch where he had been watching his females to Kagome's side. "Is this…?"
The discarded treat on the floor spoke volumes. After a moment, Kagome said, "You know, that really wasn't so bad, just surprised the heck out of me."
"I am calling Inari-sama. It will take her awhile to get here."
…..
Kagome's labor was blessedly short and her pain was lessened with a tea Inari-sama kept brewing for her. The females in the family helped out in the delivery while the males mostly brooded, drank and paced in the den. None of them liked hearing their Kagome in pain and gods knew she was highly vocal when she was even just uncomfortable. Shippou played with and reassured his friend, Rin, in the nursery.
Three sets of widened, golden eyes raised and met when they heard the lusty, growling cry. They took off with demon speed for the bedroom in the family wing which served as Kagome's birthing room. Inari-sama met them at the door, tsking, and stalled them for a few moments white everyone got cleaned up before whisking it open and letting them in.
Propped up on pillows, her lower half covered with sheets and blankets, Kagome, sweaty and tired, reclined in her pink yukata, cradling her naked son in her arms. She smiled blissfully up at her males, watching as her Gramps finally caught up with the rest of them, snapping a picture, and they approached the pair slowly, almost reverently. Sesshoumaru looked down at his pup, and knew a whole new kind of love.
They had left him bare so his sire could examine him as was his duty. Kagome weakly offered up their son and Sesshoumaru took him, wonder and awe plainly on his face. He conducted his appraisal, noting the strong bone structure and limbs that would one day be thick with muscle. He was a silver, as were all males in his line, but when he opened his large eyes to see the demon assessing him, Sesshoumaru gasped when he saw his eyes. Unlike all the other males in his family, his son had Kagome's blue eyes, a sign of his mate's power, with a ring of gold at the outside of the iris. It was a sign of his son's power that his eyes were open at all as usually it took time for them to open after birth.
Gramps busied himself snapping pictures of the scene.
Holding his pup aloft, he recited, "Born of Kagome, the Shikon Miko, who is powerful and strong, pure of heart and just, this Sesshoumaru presents his first-born son, Tenkei, who will learn the ways of his sire and dam and bring pride to his forebears. Let his name be recorded and let the kami smile down upon him."
Everyone responded solemly, "So let it be."
Sesshoumaru lowered his squirming pup to his breast. Inari approached Sesshoumaru and kissed her fore- and middle fingers before placing them on the infant's forehead. "May his efforts be met with success in his long life," she spoke, before looking up into Sesshoumaru's eyes and nodding. He closed his eyes and bowed his head in gratitude for the blessing. "Now I think this little guy needs the warmth of his mama's breast and a blanket right now. May I?" She took the pup to the bassinet that had been set up for him and swaddled his tiny body before placing him back in his mother's arms.
Gramps snapped more pictures.
Kagome closed her eyes and bowed her head in thanks for all the goddess had done for them. As she was raising her head, two balls of fuzzy energy, one red, one black, came barreling through the doorway and past the adults to stop at Kagome's bedside.
"Is this him?"
"Can we see him?"
"What's his name?"
"Did mama kiss him yet?"
"Shhh," Kagome soothed. "Children, this is Tenkei, Rin's little brother," she said gently. She leaned down slightly on her pillows to give them a better view.
Both children stood on tiptoes and gazed wonderingly at the bundle of white fur with the large, soulful eyes and the tiny pink nose. He yawned and they saw a matching pink tongue. Rin had been warned about the fragility of pups and that her mama would be sore and tired after he arrived so despite wanting to jump up on the bed and cuddle with them both, she held still, clasping her hands tightly behind her back, and put all her pride and love into the look she gave him.
Shippo looked up to Kagome and said, "Mama said I could, if I wanted…" He kissed his fingertips and asked, "Is it ok?" Kagome was overwhelmed with gratitude but nodded, smiling, as grateful tears formed in her eyes. He pressed his fingertips lightly to the pup's forehead and smiled up at Kagome.
More flashes of the camera.
Inuyasha spoke up then, "Alright, everyone, I vote we give them some time alone and find something to eat 'cause my stomach is finally not doing somersaults now that Kags isn't crying out in pain and I'm hungry enough to eat an elephant. Let's go!" He ushered everyone out, leaving Sesshoumaru and Rin behind before closing the door.
He stopped when he heard Kagome's soft, "Inuyasha?"
He peeked inside and said, "Yeah, Kags? What can I do?"
"Can you ask Jaken to make some fried chicken?"
He laughed and answered, "Heck yeah! I could go for that myself! Anything else?" Inuyasha had strict orders to watch his language when in the presence of his niece.
She looked to her mate. She no longer had to follow her diet, having a demon's metabolism, but old habits die hard. She had followed a pregnancy diet on the orders of Inari-sama that was nearly identical to the diet Sesshoumaru had put her on. Apparently growing pups needed a whole lot of protein. When he simply smiled indulgently at her, she added hopefully, "Coleslaw and biscuits?"
Inuyasha barked out another laugh. "There'll be chocolate pudding for dessert, too, babe. No worries, it's taken care of." He winked at her and closed the door behind him.
Kagome sighed happily and watched as Sesshoumaru lifted his daughter up on the bed and set her next to her mama, who put her arm around her, holding both her children. He followed her in, putting an arm around his mate and sandwiching his daughter between them. He looked in his mate's tired but happy eyes and smiled a real, full smile to match her own. They had everything they ever wanted. They were truly blessed.
Cuddled with her new family, Kagome couldn't help but be thankful that the kami had seen to balance great suffering with great joy. She had risen from a scared, angry, withdrawn child and adult to a powerful priestess who had literally fought the demon from her past to what she saw as her greatest accomplishment: being a mate and mother. There was so much love in her life where once there had been none. She was happy and complete and home.
The End
….
A/N: Thank you all for your support during the creation of this story.
For those that offered help when I was stuck, you are the best and I cannot express how grateful I am.
All of you who took the time to review and send me encouragement, I wish I could bake for you and send dozens of goodies.
All who favorited this story, I am well and truly honored.
All of you who enjoyed the story silently, thank you as well.
Watching as the read and review counters went up on this labor of love warmed my heart and encouraged me to continue when I got moody. This story is dedicated to all of you. I sincerely hope the story lived up to everyone's expectations and if you enjoyed it, I hope you will let me know and follow me to my next endeavor here.
Happy Valentine's Day from the girl who believes in Happily Ever After.
Much love,
golden eyes hypnotize
P.S. Tenkei means "Heaven's blessing."