I disclaim everything that needs to be.
Bold means a change in location and/ or time or time period. Italics are thoughts or Sesshomaru's inner demon talking, or flashbacks.
Rin means "dignified", Kama means "love", Haru means "Eternal Treasure", Lev means "love", Kei means "blessings", Caia means "rejoice"
Love Letters- Chapter 18, Letter 19
Sesshomaru could never get tired of looking at her. He realized more and more of his camera roll was Kagome asleep. But it was how she slept. Her growing stomach was always out, he slept at her belly button most nights. He was obsessed with it as it grew, and loved seeing the peace on her face when she slept holding it. Now, in her thirtieth week, she could really only sleep on her side, and her only real comfort came from Sesshomaru rubbing her back and feet.
She blinked to look at him. Smiling softy in the sunlight hitting her face, she stretched her legs.
"I wanted to do your shoot today." He suggested softly, brushing curls from her face.
"can I wear my pointe shoes?" She rolled over to swing her legs over the bed.
"Kagome…." He started.
"The bar is gonna be right there. And you'll be there. And Dr. Kaede said it'd be fine!"
He sighed, he might as well just give in, "okay, love. For a few shots…I guess you could…"
She leaned back and kissed his chest, "thank you baby!" she flipped back up, "I'll meet you in the ballet studio!"
Sesshomaru went to his closet and pulled out Haru's camera. He knew this was important to her, a way for her to honor a part of herself she didn't really acknowledge publicly, or even to him a lot of the time. She loved ballet. It made her happy, helped her feel free, but it was tinged with so much pain. Sesshomaru took his camera from his desk, gathering his supplies for the shoot. He thought about the strain on her body getting up on her toes would do, sighing, he just didn't want her to push herself too hard.
In her own closet, Kagome dressed in the silver tulle tea length gown Aia made as one of her Maternity looks. It was the color of Sesshomaru's hair, and it billowed around her like a true ballerina, curving around her belly. She tied her Amber pointe shoes on, a gift from Ken, and went to meet her love in the ballet studio. Sesshomaru gathered the other outfits he had in mind for her shoot and walked down the stairs to meet her.
He walked in to see Kagome stretching her leg on the bar. Soft piano music played in the background, from the speakers, and Sesshomaru recognized it as Swan Lake, one of her favorites. She was visibly excited, watching him tweak the camera to the right settings. He moved to a blind spot in the mirror and starting shooting. Kagome fell into her work, stretching and doing all she could with her stomach size. Her mind was on the music, and she soon started to dance. Sesshomaru followed her around the room, switching between Haru's camera and his Canon. She was mesmerizing, he didn't even notice Souta standing in the doorway, watching them.
Sesshomaru was far too focused on Kagome, making sure to capture every moment she danced, especially when she was up on her pointe shoes. She was right, the shots of her on her toes looked elegant and graceful, especially as she caressed her belly. The song slowed to a stop as Kagome finished the routine she knew by heart.
She took a deep breath, "that was so fun! I haven't danced in forever."
"I think that little girl of yours might be a dancer, sis." Souta said from the door, smirking.
"Oh, wouldn't that be a dream," she cooed back, taking an outfit from Sesshomaru's arm.
She wandered into the guest room, where Sesshomaru laid out the rest of her outfits, and changed into her next look. Aia designed the next dress to cling to her body, much like a Greek statue. She met Sesshomaru and Souta in the hallway, with Sesshomaru leading them to the gardens. Kagome knew they'd end up here, Sesshomaru talked about it every time he mentioned the Maternity shoot.
Souta put himself in charge of playing music he knew Kagome would enjoy hearing as she was photographed. Her bare feet felt good in the grass and she beamed at Sesshomaru's camera. After a few more shots, he set up the tripod with his remote shutter, and moved to wrap his arms around her.
"You look beautiful." He whispered as he clicked the shutter.
She turned to face him, letting him turn her and position her for the camera. She wasn't sure if these more intimate pictures would be made public, and she didn't care. She felt safe in Sesshomaru's arms, and that was her focus.
She was thinking about her twins. Their names. She was having vivid dreams, convinced it was her babies telling her their names. Her son radiated a love she could only recognized as her father's. There was no other option. Haru. Her daughter was elegant, sophisticated energy. She glowed with a serene power, Rin. Their nicknames came through much clearer. Love. Her Kama, her Lev. She was just so excited to meet her little baby Tashios. With every little movement and kick she longed to meet them. Only ten weeks left.
Kagome allowed Sesshomaru to usher her back into the house, and into another outfit. Her final look was a white dress that split down the middle. Carefully tying her black bikini on underneath the dress, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her belly was large, poking out of her dress, with the sides fluttering gently around her. Rubbing her stretch marks, she sighed.
"Kags?" Souta peeked into the room, "you ready to get in the pool?"
"mm, yeah," she replied, turning to him, "I'm just surprised he's actually letting this happen."
"It was on Papa Ken's list of shots he and Kanna decided would be public, I guess…" Souta shrugged
"he acquiesced." She finished, walking out to the swimming pool where Sesshomaru was waiting, tinkering with the camera settings and music.
He watched as Kagome walked directly into the pool, immediately submerging herself. He briefly wondered why she never modeled, as it was one of her natural gifts. He knew her mother's influence was something she steered clear of, leaving things she enjoyed and some talents left in the shadows. She was happy being his model, his muse. She modeled for him, or if he was present. He held her hand as she walked the creative tightrope her parents' split placed her on. Turning his attention back to his wife, who was now slowly walking towards him, through the water. She looked celestial, the afternoon sun filtered through the trees and made her skin sparkle with the water droplets.
Wrapping Kagome in a large towel when she exited the pool, Souta smiled, "that's a warp on the maternity shoot!"
"Just in time to get ready for our Doctor appointment!" She grinned back, waiting for Sesshomaru to join them at the patio door before heading inside. He looked at his phone, 12:15PM and a text from Inuyasha. He would be there soon, to join Souta, Sango and Miroku in seeing the twins. They were all so excited, and Sesshomaru was too. He couldn't wait to see how they've grown.
Walking into the bedroom after Kagome, Sesshomaru set both cameras down. He'd gone through four rolls of film on Haru's camera, and more than enough photos on his digital camera to satisfy both the PR needs and their family collection. Izayoi and Aia were already asking for copies. He knew he'd want to be up most of the night in the darkroom, and editing on his computer.
Hearing the shower turn on, Sesshomaru turned his attention to her nightstand. A basket sat in front of the framed photo of their first official date, filled with silk flowers. She was on the calla lilies now, and she was nearly at her 500 mark. She'd gone through roses, violets, and marigolds on her bed rest, and the calla lilies were the last flower on her list. Sesshomaru only let her out of bed for a few hours at a time, during her weeks of exhaustion, wanting her to rest as much as possible. While in bed, she worked on creating her flowers.
Kagome washed her body underneath the waterfall shower head. She had her energy back, and she was excited about the day. As the days passed and she grew closer and closer to her due date, she grew more excited. Her next focus was the baby shower. Sango, Kikyo, and Jakotsu weren't telling her anything. The theme was a surprise, the favors were a surprise, everything was. Even Sesshomaru had a surprise for her. She knew what she had to do, Jakotsu was very clear.
Look cute, remain adorably pregnant, prepare to be doted on.
"you know, love, you didn't open the box." Sesshomaru reminded as she walked into the bedroom, robed.
She sighed, walking into the closet, "I'll open it tomorrow, love. If it's an art piece, you'll know I'll wanna hang it somewhere right away and we're completely out of wall space."
Sesshomaru smiled, he was genuinely surprised she hadn't figured out his big surprise. Kagome noticed, during her bed rest, that the house they built for themselves was exactly that. For themselves. Besides the lack of wall space to hang any new art or photographs, there was no real room for the twins as newborns here. She wanted them to paint their rooms and add onto this house as their passions grew. He remembered her crying in bed, announcing that this was their play house. Their place to "be young and free", and their kids deserve to have their say in what goes on in it too.
Plus, he didn't think moving was such a bad idea. Shynah and Hiro wouldn't know of any address change, since they were keeping the house. They wouldn't know where they were actually living. Ken had been on board almost immediately and Izayoi and Aia even helped him find the perfect place. It was the location of the baby shower, in Calabasas. Their new home was one he knew Kagome would love for their new family, and the next phase of their lives. Everything was done and decorated but the nursery; left for Sesshomaru and Kagome to decorate together, and the rooms the twins would eventually decorate for themselves.
He watched as Kagome stepped out of the closet, dressed in a pair of black linen overalls and a grey t-shirt crop top, holding her socks and Adidas. Lowering herself on the bed, she struggled to put her socks on. He got on his knees, gently taking the socks from her and pulling them onto her feet. She resigned herself, letting him put her socks and shoes on for her. Helping her up, he kissed her forehead.
"Ready to see our babies?" He asked
She nodded, kissing his chin, "let's see how much bigger they are"
Sesshomaru led Kagome down the stairs where their friends were waiting. Ah-Un ushered everyone into the Cullinan and whisked everyone to Dr. Kaede's office. They waited anxiously to be called back to the exam room as Sesshomaru and Kagome got settled. Dr. Kaede called each of their friends back slowly, inviting them each of them to see the 4D images of the twins.
"Oh, sis, that's so cool!" Souta gushed.
"there's your little girl…..and your little boy" Dr. Kaede moved the camera around Kagome's abdomen, "they're looking good, starting to tilt downward even, but I really want you resting after the shower, Kagome. The average full term pregnancy for twins is 37 weeks. Will Kikyo be around?"
Inuyasha laughed, "We're basically moving in after tomorrow. Mom and Dad were going to, too, but they'll be close by."
Kagome sighed, she knew the last ten weeks of her pregnancy were going to be a fight with everyone around her. Sesshomaru was so worried about her over working herself, that he worked from home to stay with her in bed.
"I'll rest, but the gallery opening is in a few weeks so I'm definitely going to that. I cannot miss it."
Dr. Kaede nodded, "fair enough, my child. I know your husband will make sure you are properly cared for."
Kagome sat up and wiped her stomach with the towel, nodding at the instructions. Dr. Kaede handed everyone their own envelope full of ultrasound photos, "Now Kagome, I want to see you once a week."
Sesshomaru nodded, "We'll be here."
Her pregnancy had been relatively easy. The final trimester had given her Braxton-Hicks contractions to the point that Sesshomaru had someone around at all times, just in case it wasn't a drill.
All she really wanted to do was spend time with Sesshomaru and nest. But there was no room, she pondered as Sesshomaru ushered her back out to the car. The paparazzi presence didn't lessen, if anything it grew as she did. Hiro and Shynah tried to compete with their own stories and jabs, but didn't get more than fifteen minutes of airtime. Sesshomaru's style, Kagome's maternity looks, and their social media posts were more than enough to keep the media interested in the former-elusive couple instead of Shynah and Hiro's chaos. Sesshomaru had taken to posting Kagome's pregnancy updates on his Instagram story, but he knew they were far from out of their lives.
The ride back to the house was fun, with everyone laughing and talking, Kagome and Sango singing songs on the radio. Chef Tati had dinner ready for all of them, and the friends sat down to a meal, excitedly chatting about the next day's shower. After dinner, desert, and coffee, they said their goodbyes, going home to get a good night's rest before the long day ahead.
Helping Kagome up the stairs and out of her clothes, he handed her one of his t-shirts and checked his phone. His father texted him to let him know he left the keys to the new house with Stasi, and she was going to meet them at the new house. After putting on some pajama pants, he plugged in his phone and sighed, getting in bed next to his love. He just hoped she would love his surprise, and their new house.
He scrolled through the digital pictures on his IPad. His love was gorgeous; he didn't even want to edit the photos. Marking the images he needed send to Ken and Kanna later; Sesshomaru laid next to his love and admired her before falling asleep.
*The Next Morning *
The clocked blinked the time. 9:30 AM. Sesshomaru stretched and moved to get out of bed. Kagome wasn't in bed, and a flash of panic went through him. How'd she manage to get out of their bed without him knowing?
He quickly crossed the room and headed for the stairs. He skipped the last three steps, listening for her. No sound from any of the rooms, so he looked for lights. Trying not to run, he sped from room to room, looking for her. She wasn't in the library, or the art studio, or the darkroom. She wasn't in the ballet studio, kitchen, or her study. So where was she?
Sesshomaru walked back upstairs, into the bedroom. He was worried. Scanning the room with a flash, Sesshomaru saw nothing really out of the ordinary. Her robe was gone, her baby shower dress still draped over her vanity chair. He'd looked everywhere. If she wasn't in the house…a soft guitar note hit his ear. Someone close by was playing one of Haru's favorite songs. True Companion by Marc Cohen. He looked at his closet, the door was open like always, but the innermost light was on.
Relief washed over him, he found her. Walking slowly, he gently pushed the closet door open, listening to Kagome play his father's old guitar.
She was sitting on the floor, strumming and singing softly. She recognized his presence coming towards her and looked up, "found us"
He smiled softy, "found you," He moved to sit next to her on the floor, "you ready for your big day?"
She laughed, putting the guitar on the stand it was originally sitting on, "our big day."
"my love, this is a day for you. We are receiving gifts for our children today. Then we can start decorating the nursery and then they will be here." He stood, holding his hand out for her.
She accepted and he gently lifted her to her feet. Kagome moved to leave his closet, leaving him to get dressed for the shower and walking to her vanity and smoothing her dress against the chair.
"You're not leaving, are you?" She asked quietly.
"What?" He poked his head out from his mostly-packed closet.
She took a deep breath, turning to face him, "You're not leaving, are you?"
He stepped out of the closet, "Kagome…"
"Sesshomaru, are you leaving? Because if you're leaving you can just tell me…you don't even have to go to the shower either it's..." tears were welling up in her eyes.
He stopped her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in for a tight hug.
"Shhhh, Kagome…don't rile yourself up. You'll give yourself contractions."
"Are you!?" She cried into his chest.
"No, I'm not. I'm not leaving now; I'm never leaving you. I will never leave you, Kagome." He tilted her head up to look at his, "never."
She took a deep breath, "then why is your stuff packed?"
He tensed, "it's part of your surprise, my love. Please, you have to believe me. Just get ready, we'll go before the baby shower. And then you'll know."
She wiped her eyes, nodding.
"Okay?" He asked, watching her nod again, "you trust me?
She nodded again and he put his head on her collarbone, "you have to say it Kagome, please."
"I trust you, Sesshomaru." She whispered into his hair, "I trust you, I love you."
He kissed the side of her neck and let her go, going back into his closet to get dressed. She sighed, dropping her pajamas and pulling on her bra and panties. Her baby shower dress was gold silk, with Swarovski crystals adding sparkle. It was smoothing over her bump, she felt soft and maternal as she pulled it over her head and adjusted it. She wasn't sure what Sesshomaru was up to, but she trusted him. The morning made no sense, no matter how much she thought about it.
*Earlier*
When she woke up, Sesshomaru was still deeply asleep. Her legs were cold, so she wrapped herself in her robe and went to her closet to find a pair of pajama pants. All of her things were in boxes, neatly labeled in handwriting she recognized as Jaken and Eri's.
"Kagome's Closet-Tank tops, Kagome's Closet- Hoodies, Kagome's Closet-Sundresses." She read off quietly, "what is all this...?"
Bending to the box that read 'Kagome's Closet- Pj's' in Eri's flowy script, Kagome quickly unfolded the flaps and pulled out the first pair she saw. Standing, she went to investigate. The bathroom was also packed, boxes neatly labeled. Their toothbrushes were all that was left on the granite countertops. She moved through the bedroom and down the stairs, no one was around. A stack of boxes sat on the kitchen counter, with labels next to it.
She didn't understand what was happening. Why was everything boxed, like they were going somewhere. Moving back into the bedroom, she looked the clock. 7:40 AM. Sesshomaru would be up soon, was it just her stuff that was all boxed up? Or his? She walked into his closet, his things were boxed too. By Jaken only. She slowly moved to where she knew Ken's guitar would be.
Her fingers brushed the strings. She missed her dad. The waves of loss cascaded around her with the fear she would lose this family, too. A song popped into her head, she recognized it as one of the songs she wanted at their wedding, one of Haru's favorites. She sat on the floor, pulling the guitar down with her, starting the song.
*Now *
Kagome pulled a brush through her hair. She'd developed more curls, the length now nearing her thighs. Most of the time she wore it half up and half down, or in a bun on top of her head. She opted for half up half down for the shower, letting curls bounce around her face. She winged her eyeliner and swiped on her favorite lip gloss.
Sesshomaru stepped out of his closet, taking a deep breath. Smoothing his shirt and jeans, Sesshomaru wrung his hands. His surprise was almost ruined, he almost lost everything. He looked at her, watched as she slipped her rings on and clipped her necklace into place.
Putting on her hoops, she turned to face him, "Ready?"
He nodded, holding out his hand.
The two walked down the stairs and to Sesshomaru's Range Rover, stopping to slip on their shoes on the way. He helped her into the front seat and drove them toward their new home. Kagome was relatively silent for the ride, looking around at the beautiful houses they passed.
"I thought we said no more surprises…" Kagome trailed off, as they pulled in front of an ornate black gate. Shin and their head of house security, Tetsko, were at the front gatehouse.
"Just one more" Sesshomaru replied, holding her hand as Shin opened the gate.
Sesshomaru drove up the long driveway to the house. Kagome gasped when they made it through the trees to the top of the hill. Miroku, Inuyasha, Jakotsu, and Ken's cars were all in the driveway. Shin's G Wagon, and the Phantom were parked in the carport as well.
"What's everyone….?"
"Welcome Home, Kagome." Sesshomaru said quietly as they pulled into a parking spot, "this is our new house."
"Our new…house?" She asked as he hurried to help her out of the car, carved box in hand.
"You asked me this morning if I was leaving you, I'm not. We're moving, Kaggie. That's why the house is packed. We're having the baby shower here, and this is our new home." He explained.
A tear dripped from her eye as she held her husband's hand. He'd gotten them a new house, and she was afraid he was going to leave her. How differently did their minds work? How could she have doubted him?
"It was the hormones, love." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "I love you, I understand."
She nodded, "can we go in?"
He smiled, "Dad's gonna want to film your surprise face. So act surprised, I told him I wouldn't tell you beforehand. You were so upset, though, I knew I had to tell you before we got in,"
Wiping the tears from her face softly, Sesshomaru kissed Kagome's cheek and led her to the front door. They pushed it open together, Kagome moving in front of Sesshomaru to step into the foyer.
Her gasp was genuine, because of the gorgeous decorations made by Jakotsu and the stunning view of their new home. A banner reading 'Welcome Baby Tashios' in calligraphy hung above a lush flower arch. Her close friends and family were waiting, clapping and cheering as they walked in. Eri and Jaken had their phones out, documenting the moment, no doubt at Ken's request.
Sesshomaru held the carved box out for her, "Now will you open it?"
She lifted the lid of the box. Inside, a dark wood-carved sign was laying on the green velvet lining. Kagome carefully lifted it, and read,
The Tashio Family
Sesshomaru, Kagome, Haru, and Rin
"oh Sessh, it's beautiful…but what if we have more kids?"
They all laughed as Sesshomaru replied, "then we'll make a bigger sign."
Jakotsu jumped in front of Kagome, "Now! It's time to get ready for the shower! It certainly took you two long enough to get here! The guests will be here any minute!" Taking the sign in one hand and Kagome's in the other, he led her to the garden, where the nature themed baby shower cascaded in flowers and foliage. Everything was lush and beautiful. She wandered to the favors, an entire greenhouse filled with essential oils, herbs, spices, plants, hoodies, art supplies, and reusable canvas bags. It was earthy, and exactly what Kagome wanted at the moment.
Sesshomaru kept a close eye on Kagome as he welcomed guests. Sango was sat with her at the table, in huge cushy chairs. Dr. Kaede's warning about rest led Sesshomaru to quarantine his love in one spot for most of the shower, sending the excitement to her. Some of his clients were attending, at the request of Ken, and Kagome invited many of her friends from the art world. He was mostly in charge of accepting gifts, Eri taking on the role of taking each guest to see Kagome. She beamed at them, accepting their affection and well wishes.
Sango was released from her post by Inuyasha. With a plate full of food, he plopped next to Kagome, laughing.
"You're on lockdown because of what the doctor said?"
She nodded, "Dr. Kaede and Sesshomaru are determined to keep me bedridden. I swear they want my muscles to atrophy."
Inuyasha laughed again, handing her a cupcake, "they just don't want you to dance yourself into an early labor."
"I might just sleep through it, if they have any say." She bit her cupcake, licking the excess frosting off her nose.
Inuyasha laughed and caught Sesshomaru watching them, only causing him to laugh harder, "our babysitter is watching."
Kagome giggled, "I have a thing for the babysitter, I think."
"I remember the first time you told me that," Inuyasha smoothed his napkin onto the table, "I totally called it. Even when we were kids you had a huge crush on him. You'd come over and squeal when you let me pick you up but he was the only one who could really get you to blush."
She took one of his ears, and rubbed it softly. Inuyasha leaned into it, she'd been doing this as long as he'd known her. And she was one of the few people he trusted to touch his ears.
"Daddy and Papa Ken always said you were my brother. But only you. They said you'd both take care of me, but you were my brother…I think they knew too."
"Dad knew Sessh had fallen for you the second we were all officially introduced." Inuyasha smiled, he'd met Kagome first. They were in the same grade, and started school at the same time.
Ken just moved his family from San Francisco to Beverly Hills to begin a new chapter of his life in the business world, with Aia starting to spend most of her time in Europe. Haru and Ken had been friends for almost 20 years at that point, and Haru was delighted that his friend was joining his community. Kagome and Inuyasha met on their first day of kindergarten, Inuyasha sitting directly behind her in class. By the end of the day they were attached at the hip, and Inuyasha had a deep desire to protect her. He invited her to play at his house that afternoon, asking Haru directly for permission when the school day was over. Haru, recognizing Izayoi, was more than delighted that their children had found each other, agreed. Sesshomaru saw the connection between them that day when his stepmother picked them up. He didn't even think she noticed him, and was surprised when she smiled and waved at him before getting into her father's car to go to his house.
When they saw each other again, Ken was introducing them to Haru and Shynah. Souta was almost a year old, squealing in his mother's arms. He looked into her eyes this time, deep sparkling blue, and she beamed at him. His father saw his son tense up, the rush of emotions he'd never felt before surprising him.
"Inu, you truly are my big brother. You're always watching over me. Are you excited to be an uncle?" Kagome's voice brought him out of his memory.
"I'm really excited for you, Kags. It's gonna be fun as hell to be an uncle but I'm more excited that you're their mom. I wouldn't want Sesshomaru to have kids with anyone else. If he didn't have you, I don't think there's anyone else he would've wanted."
"you're gonna make me CRY" she wailed, laughing and tearing up.
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, "everything makes you cry. You're like, hugely pregnant."
"Don't call her huge." Sango chirped, approaching the table, "it's time for presents!"
Sesshomaru took Inuyasha's place next to Kagome as they gathered the presents around them. Sango and Izayoi facilitated, leaving Souta, Miroku, and Inuyasha to cart the gifts back and forth.
Kagome opened the scores of clothes, toys and books for the twins. Jakotsu and Bankotsu created an entire furniture line for the nursery, custom cribs that would grow with the twins until they graduated to big beds. Miroku and Sango gifted a library amount of children's books. From 3 months to 4 years old. Aia sent clothes, custom made basics in sizes up to 5 years old. Her art friends gave art supplies, from markers that only work on a specific paper to entire water color sets. Each presented to her made her squeal with delight. She felt so loved, and knew that her children were coming into a very safe place, regardless of Shynah and Hiro.
Ken and Izayoi's gift was a custom Balenciaga stroller, that modified as the twins grew. Inuyasha designed Gucci convertible car seats, making sure to get a set for every car he knew the twins would be in as they grew up. Souta designed custom baby monitors in his mentor's lab at Stanford, with completely original technology that would accommodate Sesshomaru and Kagome's schedule.
The party continued, with friends, family, and celebrities coming in and out. Each with a gift for Kagome, Sesshomaru, or the twins. Souta found himself spending most of his time with Kohaku, who was once again visiting with his girlfriend. Maia brought her friend, Hitomi, with her this time and Souta was trying to impress her at every turn. Being the little brother of one of her favorite celebrities didn't hurt.
Kagome convinced Sesshomaru to let her get up and dance. He danced with her, holding her body close as they swayed to the beat, he could hear the twins' heartbeat. One was kicking softly to the music. More than anything, he took in her scent. She smelled delicious, and he felt himself harden at the thought of having her. It would definitely induce labor, he decided, willing the urge to take her back down. It was almost her birthday and he wondered if she would be having the twins before or after. Or what he'd even do for her, if the babies were here. She was due near her birthday, too, in early August.
The significance the next months held for him. Her August 8th due date was close to her August 15th birthday, and his September 2nd birthday. But pregnancy was not a sure thing, and she could really go into labor at anytime. The last trimester was a waiting game, and Sesshomaru hoped he'd be nearby when the time came.
Sesshomaru focused on holding Kagome close, feeling her smile against him as they danced song after song. They felt the change in their lives coming. Soon, it wouldn't be just the two of them dancing. They were dancing the lives of just the two of them away.
The lights flickered as the morning turned to afternoon and the afternoon coasted into evening. Out of the corner of his eye, Sesshomaru saw Jaken speeding past, finishing the moving as the party continued. He was trying to keep Kagome out of the house until they finished, but he knew she'd be tired soon. The song ended and he led her back to the cushy chairs, sitting down and settling her onto his lap.
She was more than happy to be draped around Sesshomaru, feeling his hands rest over her belly. Kagome watched her friends and family laugh and play games in celebration. Souta was grinning at Hitomi, and she hoped her little brother would find someone who made him happy. She was always worried for him, that he didn't have enough love, support, or role models with the absence of their parents. He, along with everyone else, was quick to remind her of Jii-chan, Ken, Aia, Izayoi, Sesshomaru and herself.
Sesshomaru watched the party wind to its end. He looked at his watch, 7:30. The evening was turning to night and most of the guests were gone. Inuyasha and Kikyo were getting settled into one of the guest suites, Souta was showing Kohaku, Maia, and Hitomi his new bedroom, and Jaken was helping Chef Tati unpack the kitchen. He knew Eri was off somewhere with Ken, Izayoi, and Kanna, having gotten her hands on Kagome's maternity photos. He felt his love yawn against him.
"Would you like to see the nursery?" His lips were close to her ear, warm.
Kagome nodded and he stood, lifting her into his arms. He moved through their new house, going up the stairs. The Master bedroom stood out at the end of the main hallway of the second floor, with two black French doors leading to it, but Sesshomaru pushed open the door in the hallway to the left of the grand staircase, displaying a room painted in a soft sky blue. The furniture from Jakotsu and Bankotsu was already set up, and the room just needed Kagome's touches to be complete.
"It's perfect. Thank you for this, Sesshomaru."
He kissed her forehead, "it's the start of our new lives, 'Gome." He carried her to their bedroom, setting her on her feet so she could change.
They dressed in their pajamas, Kagome slowly taking each piece of jewelry off before slipping out of her dress. Sesshomaru watched her carefully.
"I'm not going to ask you how you knew their names." Kagome sighed, wiping her face with a makeup remover pad.
He smirked, "why?"
She pulled one of his tshirts over her head and sat on their bed, "because you either read my journal or my mind."
Sesshomaru kneeled in front of his love, looking into her eyes, "I just knew. We have the same dreams about them."
Kagome smiled back, "What are their names then, Smarty Pants?"
Sesshomaru placed a chaste kiss on her chin before settling back onto his knees, "Our son's name is Haru Kei Tashio. Our daughter, Rin Caia Tashio. Eternal Treasure, Blessings. Dignified, Rejoice. And you call them, love. Kama and Lev, that's been in your instagram posts for months." He kissed her again and stood, "I study the things I love, Kagome. You know you are my greatest love. My most important person, being to study."
"You know," Kagome giggled as she lifted her legs into the bed, "you better save some of these sweet things for your wedding vows."
Sesshomaru chuckled, getting into bed next to his wife. He fiddled with the remote on the nightstand, turning off the main lights and automatically closing the curtains.
The lamp on his nightstand remained lit, Sesshomaru pulling his journal and an envelope from the nightstand as Kagome laid down further, snuggling against his hip.
Beloved Haru and Rin,
You are named, and will soon be settled in the house you will grow up in. I'm not surprised your Mama and I knew without even really discussing it. It's like we woke up one day knowing. Thank you for telling us, my blessings. Your Mama and I will have names for you, as well. Your mother is my Koi. Haru, you are our Lev. Rin, our Kama. Our loves. You have brought more love into my life than you will ever know. We must always remember to thank your Mama for that. As I thank the two of you for choosing me as your father. Today, we celebrated you by name. One day, soon, you will be welcomed by name. We want nothing more than to bring you into the world, this earthside, as happy and healthy as humanely possible.
My eternal love and gratitude,
Daddy
*that's it for this chapter! Next is more pregnancy things, nesting and the gallery opening. Shynah and Hiro will create some form of chaos. Then, the birth! There will be more regular time skips after the twins are born, after the initial transition into parenthood, Sesshomaru writes them letters for special moments. There's still a whole wedding to do! Let me know what y'all think! –Inu'sgurl97 *