Chapter Text
A door clicked softly shut, the young woman sighing deeply as she took off her coat and kicked off her shoes.
She hated feeling so out of breath for just a quick trip to the doctors.
Then again, being seven months pregnant with twins would tire anybody.
Her hand ran over her swelling stomach, eyes softening at the feeling of movement against her palm.
The pregnancy was not an easy one. Her morning sickness was rough, and when she finally saw it come to an end, she was bombarded with swelling and soreness and stiffness and exhaustion. The discovery of her twins was one that answered many of her questions, but it also added to her stress and possible complications. Rin admitted there were pangs of jealousy when she saw her friends practically glow with pregnancy and she felt disheveled and unkempt. Her doctors assured her everything was normal, and that she was healthy, and her husband was ever the supportive one when it came to her pregnancy.
But it still didn’t help.
“Sesshomaru?”
The house was quiet, and a little dark. Granted, she was out later than she expected to be, but where was he? He wasn’t the kind of man who would just leave without telling her. Where could he have gone?
She stepped through the house, moving slowly and using walls to support her when needed.
“Sesshomaru?”
“I’m outside, Rin.”
Grateful for his keen hearing, Rin moved towards the backyard, finding the double doors wide open. Stepping out into the beautiful evening air, she came upon a sight that made her gasp.
The table was set with beautiful china; empty plates surrounded the circular table, each adorned with shiny silverware. Roses in the center of the table were surrounded by candles that were being lit by her husband.
“Oh…”
Lifting his head at her quiet gasp, her husband’s expression softened.
“Everything went well, I assume?” Sesshomaru asked, extinguishing the match with a flick of his wrist.
“I… yes… doctor said everything’s fine. What’s all this?” Rin asked, taking his hand and stepping towards the table, “what are we celebrating?”
Had she forgotten their anniversary? No, that was three months away. Her birthday? No, she still had a month to go. His birthday?
“Nothing,” Sesshomaru said, “I just haven’t courted you in some time. We were overdue for a dinner together.”
“Courting?”
Sesshomaru was rather old-fashioned in some ways, including the way he held himself and the way he spoke. Even now, after being married to him for two years and dating for another two, she still found it odd, but endearing.
“We have dinner together every night,” Rin’s nose wrinkled.
“Not like this.”
The chair was pulled out and the demon encouraged her to sit down, pushing it in for her.
“We don’t have a date every night.”
Rin watched him walk around the table, taking his own seat across from her.
“You’ve been busy,” Sesshomaru said, pouring her a glass of water, “you are owed a date night, at the very least.”
“I’m just pregnant—”
“You’re carrying our daughters,” the demon placed the glass in front of her, “you’ve been busy.”
She didn’t argue with him. Smiling, she decided to take a drink, feeling the cool liquid on her throat rather soothing.
He kissed her on the top of her head, excusing himself for a moment before he slipped back into the house to grab two plates. When he set them down, Rin felt her mouth water at the sight of the salmon with cream sauce, leafy greens, and wild rice.
“This looks lovely,” she said, her husband sitting opposite of her.
“I hope it tastes as good,” Sesshomaru said, “my cooking skill is not what it should be.”
“It will be,” Rin said, picking up a fork.
Sesshomaru was a man of many skills, and whatever he didn’t know he learned fast and seemingly without effort.
Just like this meal.
Everything was tempered and cooked to perfection. It was moist and succulent, perfect temperature, and seasoned well.
“It’s perfect.”
The demon gave her a knowing smile, one only she was privileged enough to receive.
“So… what did bring this on?”
“I told you—”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She wasn’t accusing him, but was gently reminding him.
Sesshomaru was many things, but rarely was he spontaneous. He was meticulous and planned, from their first date to the daughters they were going to welcome to the world. At night she’d catch him reading pregnancy and baby books, making sure that the baby’s rooms were filled with whatever they might need. Occasionally impulsive yes, but this didn’t seem like that to her.
“We haven’t had something like a date for what’s felt like years,” Sesshomaru said, leaning towards her.
“No, we haven’t,” Rin said, “because we got married.”
“Who says I can’t date my wife?”
“I’m not saying you can’t,” Rin said, “I’m just—”
“I thought you needed a break.”
Rin stilled a little.
“A… break?”
Sesshomaru licked his lips.
“When we last went to InuYasha’s, you seemed… envious, of Kagome,” Sesshomaru was careful with his words, “I suppose I didn’t realize how hard the pregnancy was on you until then.”
Rin kept quiet, torn between not wanting to ruin a beautiful dinner and wanting to know more.
“I know you’ve been putting on a brave face,” Sesshomaru finally admitted, “you have your pride, just as I do, and I knew you’d come to me if you ever needed anything,” his hand covered hers, “but when I saw how sad you looked at dinner… I guess I became aware of how hard it’s truly been for you.”
Her fingers fiddled with the silver fork, a lump stuck in her throat.
Sesshomaru always put on airs of aloofness. He was a prideful man, and had been that was since they’d met at InuYasha’s party all those years ago. It surprised her, then, when she started receiving her favorite flowers after only mentioning them once to him. He’d remember her favorite colours and jewelry and find ways to silently encourage her hobbies.
Of course he caught on.
“What’s on your mind?”
Rin swallowed thickly, hoping her hormones were under control enough to keep her from crying.
“I’m tired.”
Apparently not.
She sniffed, wiping the blooming tears with the back of her hand. Sesshomaru kept quiet, his eyes holding no judgement.
“I’m tired of being pregnant,” Rin hiccoughed, “I just want these babies out of me!” she sniffed, “I thought… I’m supposed to like it, aren’t I?”
“Hush.”
Sesshomaru stood, his lips coming to the top of her head, his arms wrapping around her.
“Everyone else is happy,” Rin said, “everyone else is doing fine, so why—”
“You’re not alone, Rin.”
He held her tight, her hands coming to his wrist, thumb rubbing against the skin as she cried. For the first time in forever, Rin openly cried in her husband’s arms. She’d tired so hard to keep it in for her babies. Just nine months, she’d told herself, just nine. And then eight, and seven.
And now she was down to two, and she wondered if she could make it.
“I’m swollen and sore and tired ,” Rin sniffed, “and I might be losing my hair too…”
Sesshomaru said nothing. He let her cry for the first time since she discovered she was pregnant.
In truth, he knew how much she was hurting. He hear her moan and whimper at night, see her do her best to put on a brave face to meet friends and family, watch her try to muster up the energy to go to work and come home and make dinner.
All she wanted to be was a mother to her children.
To feel like she was failing was almost too much for her.
“I’m supposed to like this… right?”
“You’re supposed to feel whatever you’re feeling,” Sesshomaru said, “good and bad.”
She hiccoughed a little, taking in a deep breath and trying to calm herself.
“You are not wrong for feeling all this,” his hand on her arm was comforting, “and you’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“I feel ugly…”
It was barely above a whisper. Sesshomaru was somewhat grateful for his hearing, but almost wished he didn’t hear it.
“I’m carrying our daughters… and I feel ugly,” Rin sniffed, “how… how can I be a good mother, if I feel ugly carrying them?”
“Because you will be a wonderful mother.”
Sesshomaru encouraged her to stand, letting him press her close to his chest.
“I wish you could see yourself as I do…” Sesshomaru said, lips to her hair, “you’re as beautiful as the day I met you.”
She laughed a little in spite of herself.
“You’d still want to take me out? Even if I needed a dress that is five times bigger than I usually am?”
“I’d go right now if you wanted too.”
He pulled back to meet her eyes, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“I don’t care for your dress size,” Sesshomaru said, “I care about you. I care that you are hale and healthy and happy.”
Rin laughed a little despite her sniffling.
“I’d like for you to enjoy tonight,” Sesshomaru said, “you can just be Rin tonight.”
“Don’t know if I know how to be her right now,” Rin admitted weakly.
“Then let’s rediscover her together.”
Sesshomaru’s hand slid down between them, his fingers cupping underneath and lifting her belly, making her gasp a little.
“Oh…” she leaned into him, “that feels good…”
“Better?”
“Yeah,” she nodded against him, “thank you…”
“You’ll have them soon,” Sesshomaru whispered, “and then I can help.”
She hummed, enjoying the break. For the first time she could stand without the weight on her back, and it felt wonderful. Rin swayed slightly with him, feeling the lips on her hair.
It felt like they were dancing.
“This was wonderful,” Rin said, “feels like when we first started dating.”
“I suppose that means more of this?”
She smiled in spite of herself.
“I wouldn’t say no,” she finally admitted, “but… maybe when I can have a glass of wine again.”
“Fair enough.”
“And when I can fit back into my dresses again…”
“Until then,” Sesshomaru leaned back to look at her, “I’ll court you here.”
Rin lifted her eyes to meet his, feeling her heart flutter at the sight of the demon’s amber watching her.
“And until you see yourself for the beautiful woman you are… I’ll remind you.”
“What if I don’t…?”
His forehead touched hers, noses brushing against each other.
“I love you,” Sesshomaru whispered, “you are beautiful, but in pain,” his lips kissed her forehead, "I wish I could take it away.”
Rin smiled a little, leaning into him.
“You’re helping more than you know.”
Sesshomaru stepped back, adoration in his eyes.
“I… think It’s gotten cold,” Rin whispered, glancing to the food, “sorry—”
“It’s alright.”
Tentatively, he let her go. Groaning a little, Rin’s hands went around her daughters, her thumb rubbing the stretching skin.
“They can be warmed up,” he said, “the night is growing colder; let’s finish these inside.”
Nodding, Rin blew out the candles, taking his offered arm and leaning on him to help her through the house. She was through the double doors when her hand slipped from his, pausing and touching her stomach.
“Rin?”
Sesshomaru turned to face her, Rin’s expression unreadable as she took in deep breaths.
“Um… you might want to wrap that up,” she whispered after a moment, “I think… I think my water just broke.”