I disclaim everything that needs to be. Your reviews are so sweet; it honestly makes it more fun to write knowing y'all actually wanna read it. (which is hard to know in my career as a poet/writer)… Please know I appreciate them SO much.
Bold means a change in location and/ or time or time period. Italics are thoughts, typically. Rin means "dignified", Kama means "love", Haru means "Eternal Treasure", Lev means "love", Kei means "blessings", Caia means "rejoice"
Love Letters- Chapter 21, Letter 22
Kagome melted into the relaxing feeling of her manicure and pedicure. Sesshomaru had brought the women attending to her in that morning, to keep her occupied as he had a meeting with Ken in his office. The conference call was with a new artist they were planning on signing. The extremely lucrative deal was in its most sensitive stage, meaning Ken and Sesshomaru had to be present at every turn.
In the weeks since the Gallery opening, Sesshomaru exclusively worked from home. She was reaching her 38th week, and was wholly tired of being pregnant. When she bothered to look at the camera, Kagome saw that she'd passed her due date, it was the 10th. She was anxious to meet her babies, and she was doing all she could to try and induce labor when she wasn't being "babysat".
Sesshomaru enlisted Inuyasha and Souta to stay close, and to entertain her if he needed to do work elsewhere. She found they were actually charged with keeping her still, effectively stopping a lot of her plans to induce labor by walking or dancing. The two could be convinced, though, to eat. And the spicy foods Kagome ordered were moving something around in her belly.
She turned her attention back to the video game Souta was playing. He'd created it himself, and was testing the play through before submitting it to a major game maker. The detail was gorgeous; Kagome was enthralled with the surrealist world the character was moving through. The art style looked similar to their father's, the colors blinking in chaos. The storyline was quite detailed, creating an RPG game that was sure to be the next big thing.
Kagome hissed as a contraction broke through her body. The woman working on her fingernails, Kurai, jumped in surprise, stopping her work and searching Kagome's face for any indication of childbirth. The woman working on her toes, Hime, held tightly to her foot to make sure she neither kicked nor knocked over anything. Souta paused his game, whipping his head toward her.
She nodded, "I'm fine. It's just one," she looked at her fingers, "oh Kurai, those little silver moons are so cute!"
Kurai blushed, her only instructions from Kagome were to make it "cool looking". She basically had free reign. So, she decided to get creative. The coffin shaped nails were a medium length, painted a deep blue color with chrome detailing. On each ring finger, she'd drawn tiny silver crescent moons, at least three to represent Sesshomaru, Haru and Rin.
Photos from the gallery opening were plastered all over the media. Raving over their outfits, their affection, and Kagome's art had effectively kept any news of Hiro and Shynah's happenings out of the spotlight. Calls had been coming in from all sides, Eri effectively booking her commission calendar for the next year. Aia stopped by a lot over the last few weeks, too, gushing over their new house and the way Kagome decorated it. Mostly, she kept Kagome busy with creative things, showing her the line she was designing based on 'Nature's Best Parts'.
"Kagome, there's a text from Papa Ken…" Souta looked at his sister's buzzing phone.
She sighed, "Well, read it and see what he wants. Then you can go up there and tell him if he wants to talk to me he can come downstairs."
Souta laughed, his sister was very irritable. He was sure she was going to go into labor soon, based on her mood alone. He scanned the text and headed for the stairs to give Papa Ken the message.
"What did he want?" Kagome called after him.
"Food orders!" Souta replied, skipping two stairs at a time as he walked up to Sesshomaru's office.
*Upstairs*
Sesshomaru sighed, this call seemed to go on forever. The speakerphone droned on about the minute details of the record deal as he scribbled notes in his journal. Some were about the meeting he was half listening to, but most of what he wrote was a packing list. It had occurred to him earlier that morning that Kagome was fully packed and ready to go to the hospital as soon as it was time. He, on the other hand, had not packed a single thing. If he was planning on staying with her, and he was, he had to be ready at the drop of a hat. There was no way he was leaving her side once labor started. Once this call ended he was going straight to his room to pack a bag for the hospital.
The door slipped open quietly, Souta peeking his head into the room. Seeing Sesshomaru, he gestured for him to come into the hallway to talk. Sesshomaru stood, leaving the room before his father could stop him.
"How is she?" Sesshomaru asked
"Grumpy. She might be hungry, she didn't say. Papa Ken texted about food orders and it pissed her off because he's in the house and he didn't come ask her himself. So she sent me up to tell him cause," Souta chuckled, "she can't move because of Kurai and Hime."
Sesshomaru nodded, he knew she was waiting for her water to break. It was like waiting for a pot of water to boil, it wasn't going to happen when she willed it. "I'll go down and see if she's hungry. First, though, I'm going to pack my hospital bag."
Souta nodded back, heading back to the stairs, "I'll tell her."
Sesshomaru moved into his bedroom, quickly pulling a Birkin duffle bag from the depths and shoving comfortable clothes into it. He didn't need much, just the essentials and the cameras. He made sure to pack all of the extra batteries, plus chargers for his DSLR, and rolls of film for his 35mm. Tossing the bag onto the velvet bench where Kagome's hospital bag was sitting patiently at the bottom of the stairs, Sesshomaru headed into the living room to tend to his very pregnant wife.
She grinned up at him when she saw him, showing off her free hand.
"Baby, look! The little moons! Kurai did such a good job."
Sesshomaru took her hand gently, looking at her nails closely, "very nice, my love. They suit you. How are you feeling? Hungry?" He kissed the top of her head.
"I'm okay," Kagome shrugged, "My hips finally stopped hurting so bad. I've been counting between the contractions because there's been a bunch today…. what'd we decide, Kurai? About 20-25 minutes apart now?"
An eyebrow raised on Sesshomaru's forehead, "that's rather…close…is it not?"
Kagome shrugged, "Mama Aia and Mama Izayoi said don't call Kikyo or Dr. Kaede till my water breaks…or they're 10 minutes apart."
Sesshomaru pulled out his phone, texting both of his mothers about Kagome's current contraction time. Izayoi texted back first, a smirk coming to Sesshomaru's face as he read her reply.
"You didn't tell them 20 minutes, did you?" He asked.
Kagome's second shrug as she turned her attention back Souta's playing told Sesshomaru all he needed to know. He didn't bother waiting for a reply, "Izayoi is on her way." Watching the quick glare, she sent his way, Sesshomaru quickly jumped up the stairs to the nursery to grab the bag full of baby clothes and necessities. He then turned his attention to the office, hearing the meeting end just as he pulled open the door.
Ken stepped out of the room quickly, looking at a text Izayoi sent him.
"She's at twenty minutes?! Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"She doesn't want to go," Sesshomaru explained, "she said she's not in any pain and the contractions are manageable. I would feel better if we called Kikyo though, at least."
Ken nodded, "I'll call her. See if Kagome and Souta want something to eat."
Sesshomaru made his way back downstairs, hearing Kagome groan in pain. He sprinted to the living room, seeing Souta looking at his sister with concern. Hime and Kurai paused their checks to see if her fingers and toes were dry to look up at her in worry.
Breathing heavy, Kagome waved away the pain, "just a contraction. I'm good."
Sesshomaru knelt next to the lounge chair she was cozied in, "Kagome…Father and Inuyasha will bring us whatever we want to eat. But…I want to go in. At least let Kikyo set us up in our wing." His voice was soft; he was trying to convince her without upsetting her.
Kagome sighed, her annoyance clear, "you can't bribe me with food if I'm not even hungry, but if it will ease everyone's anxieties…" She grumbled as she held her hand out so Sesshomaru could help her stand, "my stupid water hasn't even broken yet."
Sesshomaru lifted her up and examined her. She was in a t-shirt of his, a long-sleeved grey Nirvana one that flipped over her bump and ended at her knees, legs bare. Her new nails, silver and blue, were dry enough for her to move around, even put on shoes. He took her hand and led her a few steps before she stopped, a wet sound hitting the floor.
"um...shit…" Kagome's voice was worried as Sesshomaru turned his eyes back to her. She was standing with her legs apart, looking down at the floor. A puddle had appeared between her bare feet, splashing onto the marble floors. He was silent, panic washing over him as he watched Kagome grin, "I stand corrected."
"Papa!" Souta yelled, running for the stairs, "Her water broke! We gotta go NOW!" He screamed up them, his game abandoned, waiting to see Ken's head pop over the railing, phone to his ear.
Kagome laughed as the men around her sprang into action, panic clear on their faces. Stasi, Hime, and Kurai smiled gently, all having been through this before. Sesshomaru scooped Kagome up into his arms, noting the damp edges of his shirt and dashed for the door. Souta trailed behind, picking up Kagome's purse, shoes, and the three hospital bags waiting near the front door. Ken was frantically calling Inuyasha and Kikyo, scowling at Kikyo's laugh at their panic. Shin and Hakkaku quickly assembled, getting in the car to meet them at the hospital with their security detail.
"Kikyo said to come in!" Ken sprinted past the open passenger door of Sesshomaru's G-Wagon, where he was fussing with Kagome's seatbelt. He nodded furiously as she giggled, trying to wave him away.
"The car seats are in the back, right?" Kagome asked, sending a text to Eri and Sango about her labor before clicking in her own seatbelt.
Sesshomaru flew to his side of the car, frantically checking the backseat. He sighed when he saw one pair of car seats securely in the backseat, Souta sitting between them, "yes, we have the car seats." He slipped into the front seat, smiling at her, "let's go have some babies."
Ken's car left first, going to intercept Izayoi at their house before heading to the hospital. Sesshomaru drove 40 miles over the speed limit, making it to the hospital in nearly 15 minutes. Kagome laughed the entire way, his frantic driving effectively distracting her from her contractions. Kikyo was waiting for them, settling Kagome into a wheelchair and whisking the three of them into their private wing. Shin took over Sesshomaru's keys and disappeared, probably to park the car before seeing to their protection. No one in the media knew they were there yet, but once they did it would be chaos.
Soon Kagome was dressed in a hospital gown, Souta bouncing on her birthing ball and Sesshomaru was anxiously rubbing her back while she breathed through more contractions and flipped through the channels on the TV. Kikyo came in and out with damp washcloths and ice for Sesshomaru to gently soothe Kagome through the worst of it. Ken and Izayoi knocked on the door nearly 45 minutes later, Inuyasha in tow and samosas in their arms. They each took turns cooing their hellos at her, telling her how well she was doing. Inuyasha managed to make her laugh.
"damn, Kags, the last time I saw you all curled up like this it was my 21st birthday."
Kagome giggled into Sesshomaru's arms, remembering the chaotic events that led to Kagome's monstrous hangover the morning after his birthday.
Her contractions were still roughly 15 minutes apart, and the waiting game began anew.
Five Hours Later- Contractions 8 minutes apart
Kagome was curled up in Sesshomaru's arms on the hospital bed. He was rubbing soothing circles on her lower back as the contractions crashed over her. She didn't want to walk, she didn't want to move, she didn't want to do anything except be held and listen to Sesshomaru's sweet words in her ear. He was whispering to her as softly and sweetly as possible, reminding her how dilated she was and how strong she was being. He told her how proud he was of her, how much he loved her, how excited he was to start this chapter of their lives. Kikyo and Dr. Kaede set up the pool of warm water, in case Kagome wanted to soak before she was sat in bed to push.
Ken, Inuyasha, and Souta were milling around the room, sometimes taking photos of the two curled up on the bed with Sesshomaru's cameras, but mostly talking amongst themselves. Ken quietly told them stories of watching the labors of Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and even Kagome.
Two Hours Later- Contractions 4 minutes apart
"Kagome, you want to try walking? Dr. Kaede said Haru was facing the right way and Rin was turning." Sesshomaru asked quietly as she breathed away the worst of a contraction. She nodded, slowly picking her body up off the bed. He was faster, helping her stand, and moving to help her around the room.
They walked around the shallow pool, over to where their family sat. Inuyasha was filming on Sesshomaru's camera. Sesshomaru controlled the clicker of Haru Sr.'s camera, set up on a tripod facing Kagome's hospital bed.
Inuyasha smiled, "How's it going, mamas? Still don't want that needle up your butt?"
Kagome scowled, "it's the worst. I want no more children," she giggled, "no epidural."
Ken laughed watching the pained look cross Sesshomaru's face, "think about it like this, Kagome, you're getting two babies in one labor. Maybe you'll have multiples next time you get pregnant."
She laughed, leaning into Sesshomaru's embrace as he walked her in circles, "we could only hope. Plus, I'm not getting pregnant after this!"
Souta giggled, taking a picture of the two, "How are you still so cheery, 'Gome? You keep talking about the pain but you're fine when you aren't going through a contraction."
She shrugged, "Probably because I'm only 7 cm dilated, last time we checked. Nothing exciting happens until you hit 10. I'm just so nauseous. Plus, without the contractions, it doesn't hurt too bad. Maybe I just have a super high pain tolerance."
"I'm sure we'll find out," Kikyo mused as she walked in the room, "up on the bed, Kaggie. Time to see where you're at."
Kagome sighed and climbed back onto the bed, letting Kikyo examine her.
"9 ½ centimeters, Kags. You're almost ready to push. You're still having contractions; I think the bad ones should be around 3 minutes apart."
Kagome sucked in a breath as a contraction hit, "that sounds right."
Kikyo nodded, "you want to get in the water? Or sit on the ball until you're at 10?"
"Water…" Kagome hissed, "let's try the water."
Sesshomaru quickly helped Kagome out of her hospital gown, leaving her cotton nursing bra behind. He and Kikyo helped her into the pool, letting the warm water soothe her muscles. Sesshomaru, having long changed into shorts, got in the pool behind her, rubbing her aches.
Kikyo kissed Inuyasha's cheek and moved to the door, "I'll be back with Kaede in 20 minutes. It's almost time. I know you wanted a water birth, Kags but…."
Kagome's eyes were squeezed shut in pain, "I know. Multiples. On the bed."
The minutes passed excruciatingly slow. After 10 minutes, Kikyo returned to help Kagome out of the birthing pool and into some dry clothes before Sesshomaru lifted her onto the bed. He slid in behind her, handing off the camera clicker to Ken and bringing her back to rest against his chest.
"Sessh…it hurts." Kagome whispered, feeling his head rest on her shoulder.
He kissed it gently, rubbing her sore hips, "I know, love. You're doing so well. We're almost ready to push."
He felt her body constrict with another contraction. The pain warmed her skin, radiating hot pain wherever the contraction touched. She groaned at the feeling, "this is never ending."
"You are almost done, child." Dr. Kaede had finally arrived, "it's time to push."
Kagome nodded, Sesshomaru taking a deep breath as he watched Dr. Kaede put Kagome's legs up in stirrups, putting her in birthing position in front of him, his legs hanging off the bed on either side of her spread hips. She gripped his hands as hard as she could, steeling herself against the pain. Izayoi and Kikyo held her feet, Ken and Inuyasha stood close by, capturing what they could on the cameras. Each push she was commanded, she squeezed harder and braced herself against her husband's chest.
"Holy shit…" Inuyasha voice was an awed whisper.
"One more big push, Kagome!" Kikyo called over Kagome's scream. Sesshomaru looked down his wife's body, a wet smush of black curls was barely visible between her legs. In the last push, with one grunt of exertion and pain, Haru Kei Tashio entered the world with a scream. A full head of black curls, tipped in Tashio silver were immediately noticeable as he opened his mouth, coughed, and cried.
"A boy!" Dr. Kaede cried over the screams, handing the bloody child to Kagome to settle him onto her chest. Once done, she massaged Kagome's abdomen to deliver the after birth.
Tears rolled down Kagome's face as she looked at her son for the first time, "oh my god, Sesshomaru. Just look at him. Oh my god."
Sesshomaru was stunned, his eyes blurred; it was all he could do to kiss Kagome's head over and over. He almost didn't notice when Dr. Kaede guided his hands to cut his son's umbilical cord.
"He's so…his eyes! They're…." Sesshomaru whispered.
"A Haru with the Tashio eyes!" Ken cheered tearily, peeking at the infant, "Kagome, he's perfect."
Kagome and Sesshomaru looked at their son, taking in his every feature through the glossiness of their tears. Dr. Kaede came around to their side of the bed, gently taking the baby to be cleaned, weighed and measured by Kikyo in the adjoining room.
"Now," Dr. Kaede looked at Ken, Souta, and Inuyasha, "one of you will need to hold her leg. Since Kikyo has the baby."
Kagome laughed, seeing Souta and Inuyasha's faces pale, "Papa, you don't have to! Scar Inuyasha for life. Or Souta."
Ken laughed, "I am watching my grandchildren be born. That is gift enough. Same with the boys and their new kin. Aia is in the waiting room, I'll send for her."
Dr. Kaede nodded, turning back to Kagome, "let me know if you feel baby girl get ready to push." She left to meet Aia with the promise that the next child would be delivered in the next few minutes.
The group used the time to catch their breath after the adrenaline rush of first birth. Kagome's breathing was slowly steadying, but the pain was picking up. As if right on cue, Dr. Kaede and Aia came into the room when a huge contraction hit. Aia immediately took her place holding up Kagome's legs and the pushing started again.
The room was filled with more excitement as the labor for the next twin began. One push. Two pushes. Three pushes.
"Look Kagome! Her head!" Aia's gasp was first.
"One more Kagome! One more push!" Kaede coached.
Kagome's yell at the last push was overpowered by her daughter's first scream. Something wet hit her shoulder, tears. Sesshomaru was crying. She brought her head up to look at Rin, noticing first the bright blue eyes…looking just like hers. She, too, had a full head of black hair. Her mouth was a wide open scream, until she settled onto her mother's chest. Her eyes locked with Sesshomaru's and his breath caught in his throat.
"She looks like you a little, Kaggie." Sesshomaru whispered, tears silently dripping from his face to her collarbone.
"Just a little," Kagome smiled as she watched him cut their daughter's umbilical cord before passing her to Kikyo to be cleaned.
The room settled into tears and joyous cries as the new babies were cooed about. Sesshomaru was pulled from the bed to be hugged by Aia and Izayoi, while Ken knelt at Kagome's bedside, leaning his head on her shoulder.
"My strong, incredible daughter. You did so well, Kagome. We're so proud of you. Me, all the Mamas, your dad. Your brothers, all of us. We're so so proud of you." His voice was soft, Kagome nodding as tears streamed down her face.
Finally, the chaos settled. Kagome was stitched and cleaned up, delivering all of her afterbirth and changing into her comfortable clothes. She sat, cross-legged on the new hospital sheets, in a pair of loose velvet joggers and one of Sesshomaru's flannels buttoned halfway up. Sesshomaru changed too, putting on a clean t-shirt over his joggers.
Dr. Kaede and Kikyo walked in with the twins, immediately silencing any chatter in the room as they all turned their attention to the babies.
Handing Haru to Sesshomaru, Dr. Kaede spoke, "Haru Kei Tashio. Born August 10th, 10:45 PM. 6 lbs, 9 oz. 20 inches long."
Sesshomaru shook as he held his son for the first time as Kagome blinked the tears away. Inuyasha and Kagome were quick to take pictures on their phones, and Sesshomaru's cameras.
"Rin Caia Tashio. Born August 10th, 10:56 PM. 5 lbs, 12 oz. 20 inches long." Dr. Kaede announced as Kikyo passed the baby to Kagome. She took a deep breath, looking at her daughter.
"They're perfect, you two," Ken said quietly, "congratulations. I am so proud of you both."
Kagome smiled, "Papa, Mama…come meet your grandbabies."
Aia, Izayoi, and Ken slowly moved, gathering around Kagome and Sesshomaru to look at the sleeping babies. Rin was the first to wake, a small cry coming from her yawing mouth.
"Try to nurse, Kagome" Kikyo directed softly, watching Kagome slowly move Rin to latch at her nipple. It took a moment to realize, and for Rin to start suckling, that both Kagome and Sesshomaru were holding their breath. It was like they didn't know where to look, wanting both babies in their sights at all times. When Haru opened his eyes, Sesshomaru leaned down, watching Kagome shift Rin into one arm to nurse in order to nurse Haru with the other.
"A natural," Aia cooed, watching the twins nurse. Sesshomaru dropped to his knees, pulling his phone out of his pocket to take picture after picture, more in love than he'd ever been.
The cribs were wheeled in next to Kagome's bed, for when they stopped nursing and left the safety of their parents', or any other family member's arms. Kikyo and Dr. Kaede went with Ken to finalize the birth certificates and Izayoi left to call Sango. Aia, overjoyed, went off to design something for her "two new muses". Soon, it was just Souta, Inuyasha left in the room, looking at the new additions to their family.
Haru's eyes were the same shape and color as Sesshomaru's. The Tashio eyes were passed down to another generation, along with the silver tips in his hair. It was the black curls that were very much Kagome's, and Sesshomaru couldn't wait to see his son's smile. Looking at Rin, Sesshomaru knew she would exude her mother's grace.
"God, Kags, she looks just like you. Just, tiny." Souta was holding Rin now, watching the baby sleep.
Sesshomaru chuckled, "she does. I wonder who she will take after in personality."
Passing Rin to Inuyasha, Souta smiled at his sister, "I bet Haru's gonna be like Sessh."
Inuyasha took in the sight of his niece, very nearly speechless and very much smitten by the baby, "what do you think Kikyo would say if…"
"oh no no no," Kagome laughed, "don't tell her that! You just watched a birth and you want babies?!" Kagome kissed Haru's head before passing him to Sesshomaru, "maybe wait and see how we look in a week."
"Your birthday is next week! We'll be too busy getting drunk!" Inuyasha laughed back, gently placing Rin into her hospital crib. Sesshomaru dragged himself to place Haru in the crib beside hers, caressing a chubby cheek before sliding into the hospital bed with Kagome.
"You will! I'll be breast feeding, probably. Or sleeping, hopefully." Kagome yawned, leaning into Sesshomaru's chest as he cuddled her.
Souta yawned too, "Yash, let's go. It's so late, we all need to get some sleep. Sesshomaru will call Shin in the morning to update us."
Inuyasha nodded, "Mom and Dad will be back in the morning. Sango and Miroku in the afternoon. Bye guys, you did great Kagome. You two are gonna rock as parents. We'll see you when you get home."
Kagome leaned up to accept the goodbye kiss Inuyasha placed on the top of her head. She was more focused on stopping her happy tears, watching Sesshomaru stand to hug Inuyasha goodbye was a very rare occurrence. The embrace between the brothers radiated pride. Inuyasha was proud of Sesshomaru and Sesshomaru accepted that pride with his whole heart.
The silence settled over the new parents as the door slowly shut.
Sesshomaru yawned, getting back in the bed with his wife. She, like him, opted to lay on her side so she could see into the cribs. They were incredible.
"We made those, Sessh." Kagome whispered, exhaustion evident in her voice.
"Two perfect little beings." He agreed, "thank you. My gift has given me more than I could've imagined." She hummed as he kissed her shoulders over and over, until sleep entrapped them both.
Kagome was sleeping hard when Sesshomaru stirred. The sun was just beginning to rise, the morning light drifting over his newborn children. He examined their sleeping faces. Rin looked the most like Kagome, at least when she was sleeping. Her eyelashes were dark and long, like Kagome's. He found himself wondering about her laugh. In his surprise, Sesshomaru examined his son and found that Haru looked like…him. His serene face felt more serious, his dark hair and eyelashes curling over his face. Sesshomaru saw bits of himself in the silvery tips of his curls, and in the seriousness of his eyebrows, making his heart swell.
Slowly lifting himself to sit up, Kagome still tucked in next to him, Sesshomaru noticed their phones on the rolling bed-table. His journal and IPad were on it as well, Kikyo must've put them there while they slept, he decided. They were to remain in the hospital, bonding, for the next three days, at least.
Opening to a new page in his journal, marked by his gold envelope, Sesshomaru started his letter.
My gifts,
Haru and Rin, I welcome you to this world. Loves. Kama, Lev, I am filled with gratitude and devotion. The loving arms of me, your mama, your uncles…your grandparents…you will never be too far from. God, I've said this in all your letters but I have never known a love like this. A pride like this. It is your first day in this world, and you are asleep next to your mother. You three are the center of my entire universe. I've spent so much of my life working, being so serious and professional and ambitious. Obedient even. It was your mama who taught me rebellion. Who taught me a gentleness I never imagined, and a love deeper than I could've ever predicted. What's amazing is she did most of this without my knowledge. Without her knowledge, even. We are beyond lucky. I am beyond lucky. I have never felt so happy than I do right now. My children, this is our first day together. You have been on the earth side for a few hours, and the world is forever changed. It is my joy to see the change you embark on the world.
Love,
Daddy
*that's all folks! That's it for this chapter. Next up is their new lives as parents!. I really appreciate y'all taking the time to read my stories! Let me know what y'all think! –Inu'sgurl97 *