CHAPTER 22
Two Years Later
Kagome sat comfortably on a sofa in her new home. She hugged the blanket to her body as a chill blew through the dining room windows and into the living room. Boxes still lined the walls of the various rooms, newspaper and bubble-wrap pieces still littered the floors in designated areas.
She sighed, the mug in her hands were still warm and sending soft white swirls into the chilly morning air. Kagome was content with her life so far. She traced the ring on her finger, smiling at everything that led up to that moment, and everything that happened after. A soft creek alerted her to the tiny feet waiting in the archway.
"Morning Rin," she greeted softly, it was still early and she did not want to wake the men,
"Morning," Rin tippy-toed closer, a bigger blanket and her own mug in tow,
Kagome lifted her small blanket and threw it over them before Rin added the larger blanket. She snuggled into Kagome's side, putting her head on Kagome's shoulder. She sighed happily and took a sip of hot chocolate,
"Sleep well?" Kagome brushed her fingers gently through Rin's rowdy hair,
"Jip!" she took another sip, "And you?" she looked up towards Kagome,
"Surprisingly, yes I did," Kagome brushed her fingers through her own hair lazily,
The two sat in a comfortable, mutual silence; just enjoying the closeness they shared. So much has changed in the past two years, Kagome thought with a smile…
"I wonder if it is going to start snowing soon," Rin's eyes were fixed on the window,
"I suppose it would soon," Kagome said, slowly coming out of her daze,
"What's the matter?" Rin looked slightly confused,
"Oh nothing," Kagome leaned her cheek onto Rin's head,
"Just thinking about how much you and Shippou have grown," she sighed,
"Yeah, I'll be 18 this year, and Shippou will be 20," Rin chimed,
Yes, so much has changed in the past three years of her life. Three years ago she started at a prestige school with minimal experience. She had so many emotional trials and tribulations that year. She had luckily gotten custody of Shippou, and he joined her new life. InuYasha had not made things easy. Her relationship with Sesshomaru blossomed in the heat of love and passion. Many things had confused her that year. But luckily it ended in the most amazing way she could have ever imagined… She got engaged to the most handsome man she had ever known. Kagome smiled down at her ring again. She remembered the awkward moments leading up to the best afternoon in her whole life. She had gained a son, she had gained a daughter, and most of all a lover, and a partner. Sango had also found her partner.
"Can we have a big party again? Like we did for Shippou?" Rin was staring into her cup,
"Of course we can sweetie," Kagome kissed the top op Rin's head,
After their first and perfect holiday, Rin had come out of her shell. She had tried out for figure skating at a club and was amazing. She was still a bit clumsy off the ice, but she had found herself a little more every year. She was blossoming into a strong young woman and Kagome could not be more proud.
"Had auntie Sango called yet? She left a message and said it was urgent?" Rin looked worried again,
"Oh yes, she will be coming over later today," Kagome recalled the previous night's conversation.
Sango and Miroku had been married for a year now, and already had one baby boy. He was born 7 months after their wedding. Sango did however, sound very excited over the phone, and Kagome's mind started wandering to all the possibilities… Did he say his first words?
Kagome felt a slight knot tightening in her stomach. In a month's time it would be her turn to walk down the aisle, towards a very straight faced Sesshomaru. Rin was probably the most excited of them all. Sesshomaru had to keep reminding her to calm down 'or she would pass out because of lack of oxygen'.
Kagome smiled into her half empty cup. Rin smiled up to her almost mother. She had always felt that way about Kagome, but now, it would be official. She barely remembered anything about her own parents. She did not mind however. She always had Sesshomaru who took very good care of her. Jaken only came into their life later, but he too took good care of her – to his own dismay. Rin stared out the window herself; winter break was almost upon them. She looked forward to another snow-filled few months. She loved the snow. The white glistened, just like she'd hope Kagome's wedding dress would.
"Kagome," Rin started,
"Mmm,"
"I cannot wait until next month!" she smiled widely, the small gap in her teeth almost gone,
"Yeah," the nervous knot tightened in her stomach again,
"You will be so pretty! NO! Beautiful!"
"Yes she will," Sesshomaru said from the archway, leaning against it, coffee mug in hand,
The two jumped, luckily their own mugs where almost finished.
"Morning love," Kagome smiled, her neck craned awkwardly,
"Morning!" Rin chimed excitedly from her seat – making no effort to move,
"Morning," his long legs quickly closing the gap between them, he placed kisses on both their heads,
Soft morning greetings where exchanged, Sesshomaru joined them by sitting on the floor. The discussed the plans for the day, continuing late into the morning. Shippou eventually awoke, joining them with his own glass of milk. The new family-to-be did not notice what time it was, until a hard knock thundered on the door.
"Must be auntie Sango! I'll get it," Rin jumped up, running towards the door,
The rest stared after her, laughing softly amongst themselves.
"Good day," Miroku was first to enter,
His one year old, little , on his hip. He clung to his father in the mornings. Sango came in after, carrying a small box with a few things inside. The baby bag was over Rin's shoulder.
"Morning," Sango smiled, receiving a loud, unison greeting from the group.
Everyone got dressed up to get dressed quickly, Sesshomaru joined Miroku and the baby in the living room. Little - was still stuck to his father side. Rin and Shippou started on snacks in the kitchen, but Sango and Kagome took much longer in the main bedroom.
"Sooo, how's the new place?" Sango asked, ripping the tape off of the third box, and looking inside,
"Kinda huge," Kagome was digging through her own box for another shirt.
She came across the same one she wore the day her relationship with Sesshomaru began. She flushed a bright red, but pulled it over her head anyway.
"Oh, you will get use to it," Sango smiled, ripping off the next box's tape,
"Yeah," Kagome brushed her hair and pulled it into a high ponytail,
"I mean, as soon as the unpacking is done it will sink in," another box ripped open,
The excessive and totally unnecessary tearing sound was slightly annoying to Kagome. She closed the flaps of her clothing box, pushed it back into the corner, and placed another on top. She could not wait for order anymore. Another tearing sound and Sango's digging sent Kagome over the edge,
"What the HELL are you doing?" Kagome eyed her suspiciously,
"I am looking," she continued digging,
"I think I might have lost my," Kagome's tapping foot made her look up,
Kagome's arms where folded across her chest, the stretched out neck hanging over her shoulder,' "I think I might have misplaced my period somewhere," she folded her own arms across her chest,
"Your period?" the annoyance in her voice evident,
"How on Earth- wait, what?" Kagome's confusion made Sango laugh,
"You're PREGANANT?" Kagome squealed, running to Sango for a tight hug,
The two friends jumped up and down, hugging and screaming.
"When?"
"Don't worry, expansion is not until end of next month," Sango calmed down,
"So no alterations to your dress?"
"Nope"
The two friends went downstairs, Sesshomaru congratulated Sango with a hug. The snacks was quickly finished by the laughing and talking group. Little , sat on his father's lap the whole time. A few arrangements were made for the wedding before the family of three left.
Sesshomaru hugged Kagome from behind as they watched the car drive out of the driveway and towards its destination. He kissed the top of her head, hugging her closer when a cold breeze swept across the lawn.
"Feels like the snow is coming early this year," she cuddled into his chest,
"Indeed," burying his nose in her thick hair,
"Hot chocolate?" Rin shouted from the kitchen,
"Yes please," Kagome called,
The couple retreated into their new house, Sesshomaru started a fire in the fireplace. The four finished up the boxes in the living room just before sunset. They retired in front of the red coals with a few take away pizzas, enjoying a quiet evening. All was well in their private little world…
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