BlueMoon Goddess: Alright guys, this is the last chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed this story, and thank you so much for the reviews and sticking through to the end of this fic. Also, since this story is finished, I plan to upload another fic sometime this summer, so be on the lookout for it. Now, enjoy the last chapter and happy reading and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, its characters, or the story 'Tempt me at Midnight' by Maureen Smith, which this fic is based on.

Summary: They were best friends since high school. But after the kiss they shared on New Year's Eve, feelings and desires he's never felt before come rushing in. Can he convince her that what they're feeling is real, that their meant to be more than just friends?

Paris.

The city of lovers.

Probably not the best place to take refuge if one was nursing a broken heart. But Kagome was, at the moment, a glutton for punishment. It had been four months since she had been here, and during the time she immersed herself in the hustle and bustle of Paris, hoping the City of Lights would help chase away the darkness ravaging her soul.

As she'd hoped, she'd been offered a position at a bistro in Canal St. Martin. Plus, she was able to transfer her current credits from her previous school and was able to enroll in the Le Cordon Bleu School, and moved into a studio apartment in the trendy, historic district of Le Marais. Many nights she sat on her balcony with a glass of champagne and quietly toasted the stars. She went for long strolls, meandering down streets lined with outdoor markets, boutiques, cafes, and elegant restaurants. She went to the theater and the opera, and spent entire afternoons wandering around museums and art galleries.

But nothing was the same without Inuyasha.

Every time she saw a French or tourist couple companionably walking arm-in-arm, she wanted to weep. She missed him so much she ached. She would've given anything to hear his laughter, or to hear the excitement and passion in his voice as he told her about a new case. She missed his lazy smile, missed the way his eyes glinted wickedly when he looked at her. Every night she lay awake in bed for hours, craving the heat and strength of his body wrapped around her, buried deep inside her. And she couldn't help wondering, over and over again, whether she'd made the biggest mistake of her life by leaving him.

When she first arrived in Paris, Kagome had tried to contact him, sending text messages and emails, playing their favorite songs on his voice mail. However, he never responded. After a while she'd given up, dismally realizing that she'd not only lost the perfect lover and companion, but she'd lost her best friend.

One day she ventured into Cajsa's boutique on the Champs-Elysees. It was a line of maternity and infant wear that had become very popular with many celebrity moms as well as working class moms alike. Kagome wanted to buy some outfits for her goddaughter's. Every time Sango emailed new photos of Anika and Pia, Kagome was shocked to see how fast they were growing…and she felt guilty for missing out on so much.

She was standing in the boutique, fighting back tears as she gazed upon a beautiful maternity blouse, when an amused voice drawled. "Don't get tears on my merchandise, or I'll have to charge you for it."

Startled, Kagome glanced around and was surprised to discover Cajsa standing there. "Cajsa! I didn't know you were in Paris."

Cajsa chuckled. "Kagome." She said, greeting Kagome with a double-cheek kiss. "When am I not in Paris?"

"Right, of course." Cajsa's international haute couture house was stationed in different places from California, Italy, and Paris.

Cajsa arched a fine brow at the blouse Kagome was holding. "Is there a reason you're browsing through the maternity racks?"

Kagome blushed deeply. "I—I was just, um, looking around." She stammered, clumsily hanging up the blouse. "Everything you design is absolutely gorgeous."

Cajsa gave her a knowing smile, then took her hand and led her through the busy boutique to a private, luxurious reception area in the back. With barely a snap of her fingers, an assistant materialized out of thin air bearing two glasses of champagne on a silver tray.

"So, Kagome, are you enjoying your stay in Paris?" Cajsa asked, gesturing her to join her on an elegant silk sofa.

"Very much." Kagome smiled, as she sat down. "It is Paris, the city of lights"

"Mmm-hmm. The last time I saw you, you were moping over Inuyasha because he'd called to say he couldn't make it for New Year's." Cajsa smiled faintly. "And here you are again, moping over him."

Kagome flushed, averting her gaze to take a gulp of wine.

"He's not fairing much better." Cajsa told her. "Miroku says Inuyasha has become such a workaholic that even his business partner is worried. He says Inuyasha is often the first one at the office, and sometimes he's still there the next morning." She heaved a dramatic sigh. "Looks like the hard-partying, skirt-chasing hanyou we once knew and loved is no more."

Kagome said nothing.

After another moment, Cajsa said gently. "You don't belong in Paris, Kagome. You belong in New York with Inuyasha. Or have you already forgotten my New Year's toast?"

That startled a laugh out of Kagome. "I haven't forgotten it." She said dryly. "I doubt that any of your guests have."

"Well, I hope they're doing a better job of fulfilling it than you are."

Kagome's smile faded, and she let out a shaky breath. "It's complicated."

"Love always is." Cajsa took a languid sip of wine. "But you have to be willing to fight for that love, no matter how complicated."

Inuyasha was the first face Kagome searched for when she arrived at Sango and Miroku's house that evening. When she found him, her heart skidded to a complete stop. He was playing with Pia, gently hefting her into the air and making goofy faces at her. The baby's delighted gurgles and squeals blended with his rumbling laughter, a sound that was pure music to Kagome's starved ears.

Drawing a deep breath to shore up her courage, she started across the crowded room, which was filled with friends and family members who had gathered for a small party in celebration of the twin girls. Even as Kagome exchanged smiles and greetings, she kept her gaze trained on Inuyasha. As she neared him, he turned and gently handed Pia off to Sango, who'd been standing beside him.

From across the room, someone called out a boisterous greeting to Kagome causing Inuyasha to glance up sharply, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. When he saw her, those golden eyes widened in surprise. They stared at each other for the space of three breathless heartbeats before his expression grew shuttered and he glanced away.

As Kagome approached on rubbery legs, Izayoi beamed a smile at her. "Kagome! Welcome home!"

Kagome smiled warmly. "Hello, Mrs. Takahashi. It's good to see you." She hugged her, before meeting Inuyasha's remote gaze.

"Hey." She said softly.

"Hey." He murmured.

No smile, no hug for her. She might as well have been a stranger.

Seeking to cover the awkward moment, Izayoi grinned at Kagome. "Darling, how was Paris? I haven't been there since Inutaisho took me there for our anniversary one year. The art galleries were simply wonderful and the food there was exquisite. Oh it certainly was a wonderful trip." Izayoi sighed, dreamily. "Anyway, Kagome have you had the chance to see Anika and Pia. They are simply adorable those two."

Kagome laughed. "Actually I have." She said, affectionately. "I spent the day with Sango and Miroku yesterday, so me and the twins already had our bonding time."

A flicker of surprise crossed Inuyasha's face. Kagome had asked their friends not to tell him that she was back in town, because she was afraid that he'd skip the party just to avoid seeing her.

"Anyway, you did not get around to my question, dear. How was Paris?" Izayoi asked her.

"Good. But I—"

"Excuse me." Inuyasha abruptly departed.

Kagome watched him go, her heart constricting painfully. Her gaze returned to Izayoi, who was regarding her with gentle maternal compassion. "I am glad you are back, Kagome." She said, quietly.

"Me too." Kagome whispered.

Izayoi searched her face. "Are you staying?"

Kagome nodded. "Yes."

"Good." Izayoi smiled at her. "I am ready to be a grandmother, if you catch my meaning?"

Kagome swallowed. "Yes, ma'am." And with that, she went in search of Inuyasha, hoping and praying that he hadn't given up on her.

She found him outside in the gazebo that overlooked the huge, beautifully landscaped backyard. He stood at the balustrade staring out at the light drizzle that had kept the party indoors. He looked incredible, Kagome thought with an ache of deep longing. Breathtakingly virile in a black T-shirt and dark jeans that rode low on his hips, he was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Pausing in the entrance to the gazebo, she shoved her moist palms into the back pockets of her jeans. "Mind if I come in?"

"Free country." He murmured without turning his head.

She stepped forward, shaking with nerves. She could feel the tension radiating from his body, warning her to keep her distance. Leaning against one of the support columns, she gazed at him.

"I missed you." She said, husky with emotion.

He didn't respond.

"Not a day went by that I didn't think about you, wondering what you were doing, wondering what kind of cases you were working on, wondering what you ate for dinner. I missed cooking for you…I missed talking and laughing with you. I missed you."

He remained silent and impenetrable.

She forged ahead. "I had to leave, Inuyasha. I know it was hard for you—"

His head whipped around. "Hard?" He growled, his voice vibrating with suppressed fury. "You ripped my fucking heart out of my damn chest and dangled it in front of my face. Hard." He said mockingly, all but spitting the word at her feet before he turned away again.

She trembled at his harsh outburst, but she didn't back down. Too much was at stake. "Do you remember when we were offered that internship in Phoenix during our junior year of college? I was so excited because we would get the chance to work with one of the top law firms in the country, but then you got offered by another law firm in Atlanta because you thought it would be a better opportunity for you. I was so disappointed, but I supported your decision."

A muscle clenched in his jaw. "It's not the same thing and you know it."

"That's not the point I was trying to make." She took a tentative step toward him. "When I left for Paris, I told myself that we could make it work. I kept reminding myself that our friendship hadn't suffered while I was in Arizona and you were in Atlanta. We were apart for a whole year, but we spoke on the phone every day. Whenever you'd gripe about some case that was kicking your butt, I'd make you laugh with a story about an embarrassing story I made and seen at the office I was in. And later on when I wanted to become a chef and I had doubts about whether I had the chops to become a chef, if I was crazy to throw my career away in law and start over, you'd encourage me and remind me what a great cook I was." She smiled poignantly. "We were always there for each other, so I knew we'd be okay."

Inuyasha fell silent again.

"That's what I counted on when I made the heart-wrenching decision to leave you and go to Paris. And make no mistake about it, Inuyasha. It was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life. If you don't believe that, then maybe you don't know me as well as I thought you did."

He shot her a dark glance that warned her not to pursue that line of thinking.

Her heart thumped into her throat. She swallowed tightly before continuing. "While I was in Paris, I did a lot of praying and soul searching. And one day I realized something. After my divorce with Koga, I had thought many and many times of packing up everything and leaving New York. Leave all the bad memories and start over somewhere new. But I kept telling myself that my mom needed me and I couldn't just leave her here." She shook her head slowly. "But I was wrong. She wasn't the reason why I decided to stay here…it was you, Inuyasha. You were the reason I decided not to leave years ago, and you're the reason why I've stayed."

She watched, breathless, as he bowed his head and gripped the balustrade with trembling hands.

"I looked in the mirror," She continued softly, tears misting her eyes. "And I asked myself what I was doing in Paris when my heart was here with you. I love you. And it scares me to realize that maybe, just maybe, some of Koga's fears were founded. I'm not excusing his deplorable behavior, but the truth is that I've always loved you, Inuyasha. I don't know if I've been in denial all these years, or genuinely clueless. But my eyes are open now, and the greatest gift you could've ever given me was that kiss on the bal—"

Inuyasha whirled suddenly, reaching her in two powerful strides and hauling her roughly into his arms. Her heart soared to the sky and she clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as tears of joy and relief streamed down her face.

"I love you. Love you." He whispered hoarsely. "Don't you ever leave me again!"

"I won't!" She promised.

He hugged her tightly, then cradled her tear-streaked face between his hands and gazed fervently into her eyes. "I've always loved you, Kagome. I wish I'd figured it out before you married another man. That was one of the worst days of my life!"

Her heart swelled with raw emotion. "I should've known that day how I truly felt about you." She confessed. "The moment I stepped through the church doors and started searching for you, I should've known I shouldn't be marrying Koga."

Inuyasha groaned, his mouth covering hers with fierce, tender urgency. They kissed as though their very lives depended on it, pouring years of secret longing and passion into the kiss.

Drawing back slightly, Inuyasha rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes, into her soul. "Help me make this right, Kag." He said in an achingly voice. "Say you'll marry me."

Smiling through her tears, Kagome reached up and cupped his warm cheek in her palm. "I thought you'd never ask."

Whooping with triumphant elation, he lifted her into his arms and spun her around before capturing her lips in another deep, searing kiss that was eventually interrupted by the sound of applause. Mouths parting reluctantly, they glanced toward the house. A crowd of their friends, Izayoi and several other guests had gathered in the veranda, their faces wreathed in wide, delighted grins as they watched the emotional reunion.

"I told you Inuyasha would be next." A friend crowed to another friend of theirs. "Now pay up."

Laughter swept over the veranda.

"So are we having another church wedding?" Cajsa called out merrily. "Or do you lovebirds have somewhere else in mind?"

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other and smiled. "Napa valley."

Three months later…..

Everything was perfect.

The weather was glorious, the hills surrounding the chateau were covered with fields of lavender that perfumed the air, mingled with the scent of ripe grapes wafting from the lush vineyards. Flowers bloomed in the beautifully manicured garden, where a small crowd of a hundred guests were gathered.

The flower girls sprinkled a trail of roses and anemones in honor of the bride's favorite print, a gift from the groom. Ring bearers drew adoring sighs and chuckles from the crowd as they strutted down the aisle. The gorgeous dresses worn by the bridesmaids, Sango, Rin, Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka, elicited hearty murmurs of approval.

An awed hush swept over the garden when the bride made her entrance, radiant in a strapless princess gown fashioned out of white appliqued silk. Handkerchiefs were fumbled out of purses and dabbed at watery eyes.

Everything was perfect.

But as Kagome started down the aisle, she only had eyes for Inuyasha. Not only was he devastatingly handsome in a custom-made Armani tuxedo, but the worshipful look in his eyes took her breath away. Over the years they had laughed and cried together, and fought like there was no tomorrow. But in his eyes, she saw a lifetime of tomorrows, glorious days filled with joy and fiery passion. She saw the promise of the children they would bring into the world together, and most of all, she saw love. A deep, unshakable love that would sustain them through whatever trials life brought their way.

As they exchanged their vows on that momentous day, their voices trembled with emotion. This time when Kagome spoke the words "I do," she knew down to her soul that this was forever. When Inuyasha lifted her veil and gazed down at her glowing face, tears were swimming in both their eyes. As their lips joined in a passionate kiss, their guests showered them with cheers and applause.

Later, after sneaking out early from the reception festivities, the newlyweds lay blissfully sated in each other's arms after an explosive round of lovemaking that had left them shuddering and gasping for breath.

They were spending their first night as husband and wife in a cozy cottage located on the grounds of the estate. They would relocate to the chateau tomorrow, after their friends and family members had departed for home. When some of the other couples joked about sticking around longer to enjoy the scenic Californian countryside, Inuyasha wasted no time reminding them that they'd each had their romantics honeymoons, so now it was his and Kagome's turn.

At the moment, Kagome sighed contentedly and snuggled against him. "That had to be the most beautiful wedding in the history of weddings. And I'm not just saying that because it was ours."

Inuyasha smiled into her eyes. "And you had to be the most beautiful bride in the history of brides. And I'm not just saying that because you're mine."

"Oh, Inuyasha." Even as she smiled with pleasure, he could feel her blushing against his chest.

He'd meant every word. For as long as he lived, he would never forget the vision of Kagome wafting toward him in a hypnotic swirl of ivory silk. His heart had gotten so full it damn near burst out of his chest. He'd wanted to charge down the aisle and whisk her away before the ceremony even began. It must've showed on his face because Miroku, standing beside him as best man, had murmured in a low, amused voice. "Easy, be patient."

Kagome was stroking his chest, a slow, gentle caress that sent heat curling to his groin. He'd never get enough of making love to her. Ever.

"Cajsa designed all of our gowns." Kagome murmured. "I told her I wanted to look like a princess this time, because I was marrying my Prince Charming."

Inuyasha smiled softly. "Careful, Kag." He warned. "You're gonna make me fall even harder for you."

"Good, because I'm greedy."

He kissed her, a deep possessive kiss that reminded her just how greedy he could be, too. As he drew back, she let out a soft, shaky breath and grinned.

"I'm not getting any sleep tonight, am I?"

He gave her a wolfish grin. "Or for many nights to come."

She pretended to consider this, then shrugged. "I can live with that."

They both laughed.

Cuddling her closer, Inuyasha laced his fingers through hers, and for a minute they just gazed at their joined hands with the matching gold wedding bands.

"Can you believe we did it?" She marveled, sounding as awed as he felt.

"It's pretty incredible."

Kagome. His best friend. His heart and soul. His wife. Would he ever get used to the knowledge that she was finally his? His to cherish. His to protect. His to love. His for eternity. It was enough to make a man shout to the heavens.

She released another one of those soft, dreamy sighs. "I wish we could stay here forever, Inuyasha. Not even three weeks seem long enough."

"We'll come back." He assured her.

"You promise?"

"Absolutely, after all—"

"—this is our spot." She finished tenderly.

They smiled at each other, then gazed out the open bedroom window just as fireworks erupted into the night sky, cascading over the chateau and illuminating the ballroom balcony where their journey had begun with a stolen kiss at the stroke of midnight.