A/N: Finished!

Chapter Twenty-three

It took every ounce of strength in Sesshoumaru's body not to make love to her right there. Etiquette, however, suggested that he wait until they reached his apartment, and so they simply cuddled together, curled up in each other's warmth and enjoying the last few minutes before they braved the cold and let Sango have the apartment to herself.

As he stroked her skin, he knew he'd never be happier than when he was with Kagome. She made him feel whole. As if he'd been looking for the other half of himself and had finally found it in her.

With a little sigh, she shifted off his lap, nestling against him on the couch as he tightened his arms around her. After a few minutes, she looked up, her eyes wide and questioning.

"Why?"

"Because I want to be near you. I don't want to lose you, Kagome. Not ever. Not if I can help it." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the long, velvet box. "Merry Christmas."

Her eyes lit up. "But I haven't gotten you anything."

"You've still got time. According to my dad, there are plenty of shopping days left." He nodded to the box. "Open it."

She did, revealing the delicate chain and the silver heart pendant. "Sesshoumaru, it's beautiful. Thank you."

"You'll always be in my heart." He grinned, lazily stroking her thigh. "And I hope you'll be in my bed, too."

She laughed. "You won't get any argument from me." She paused then, licking her lips.

His heart tightened. Surely she wasn't having doubts. He'd bet his soul that she felt as he did, but what if he'd been wrong? "But?" he urged, taking the plunge.

"But New York." She sat up, pulling away, but not letting go of his hands as she faced him. "How can you just pack up and leave?"

"Do you want me there?" He had to hear her say it.

"Of course. But you've got your job here. The family business. Everything."

"You mean more." He sighed, then kissed her palm. "I never wanted to work at Taisho's. But Dad pushed, and I gave in, and I ended up with an M.B.A. I didn't want and didn't need. I had a long talk with him this afternoon. He doesn't completely agree, but he's supporting my decision."

"What did you want?"

"Law school. I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I recently applied to four schools. I got into all of them. I'm planning on going to Columbia starting next semester."

"Columbia's in New York."

He pulled a face of mock surprise. "You don't say?"

She laughed, then turned serious. "Is that the school you want to go to?"

He saw the insecurity on her face. "It's exactly where I want to be." Brushing away a loose strand of hair, he met her eyes. "I don't want to rush you. If you're not ready, or if you don't want…"

"No!" Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. "I mean, of course I want you, too. Can't you tell?"

"I'd hoped." Oh, how he'd hoped.

She nibbled at her lower lip. "What about your dad? I'm not exactly from the same breeding stock as a Taisho."

He laughed, knowing that despite the sarcastic tone she was truly concerned about his relationship with his dad. "Don't worry. We had a long talk. He knows how I feel, and he understands. And he's pretty impressed with you, what with all your academic achievements and now this new job." He shrugged. "My dad's a tough nut, but eventually he cracks."

She snuggled against him. "Good."

He stroked her hair. "I love you, Kagome. It hit me fast and hard, but I can't deny the truth. And the truth is, I love you."

"I love you, too," she said, as the weight of the world lifted from her heart. "I think I always have, and I know I always will."

Snuggling back into his embrace, she let out a contented sigh. "Who would've believed it?" she asked.

"What's that?"

"That all my Christmas wishes would come true. And it's not even Christmas yet."

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru hugged her tighter, this woman who, for the first time he could remember, had brought pure joy to him for the holidays...and beyond.

The End

A/N: And this is the end. I will not write any sequel, but I may write an epilogue where there might be a lot of hot and steamy sex if and that is a big if I have lot and lot of reviews. Yeah, that’s really mean of me. I know I’m cruel, but my last chapter didn’t get me a lot of reviews and I’m just a little bit disappointed.

I hope that all those who had followed this story have enjoyed it very much. My next story? Maybe I should finish the one I put a bit on hold. Don’t worry, I did not give up. However, the ideas don’t come when we snap our fingers. If anyone have ideas, I’m very open to take them in.

School? Well, as you know, I took my midterm exam Wednesday and it went ok. I don’t know, there was a lot that was kind of weird, you know what I mean? Some things that we didn’t really see and some tricky stuff. I think I did ok, but hey, who knows?

That’s about my life, hope to have lots and lots of reviews. Thank you and I give my love to everyone out there!