Life is Beautiful

The day had come for Akeno to give birth to little Shuri. Issei had woken up to feel a sudden shift of weight to his left. When he looked in the direction of the shift, he found Akeno sitting up holding her stomach. His instant thought was that Shuri was just kicking again. But after this lasted for more than a minute, he understood. The day had come.

Issei was quick to get himself up and moving Akeno into a more comfortable position. All the other girls were quick to get up and start getting ready. Rias and Kuroka were over and taking care of Ewan and Ellie. Asia was taking time to pack a bag for Akeno's day ahead. Everyone was moving fast. Bags packed, car started, everyone was getting prepared for Akeno's trip.

"Where is it?!" Koneko voiced in a panic.

"What Shirone?" Her sister asked as she carried Ewan down the steps with a black diaper bag over her shoulder.

"My jacket!" The white cat girl ran back to her room to look for her white and blue cat jacket.

"We don't have time for that Shirone." Kuroka called back.

Koneko ran through her door and dove to the drawer under her bed. All the clothes were soon in the floor in a mess. Skirts, shirts, underwear, socks, jumpers, bras, everything was scattered. It was impossible to see the floor.

"Ahem."

She turned around to find Kuroka holding Ewan in one arm, and her jacket in the other.

"Where was it?"

"Ewan had it. You let him borrow it for a blanket, remember?" Kuroka giggled at her sister quickly throwing the hoodie on.

"Oh yea." She took a quick sniff of the sleeve and recoiled a bit. "Ewww. It smells like baby."

"I thought you liked the smell of baby?"

"Its not good baby smell." At that moment, Ewan started to giggle at his aunt's misfortune. "Of course, you think it's funny." The two Nekomata sisters and baby half Neko were soon downstairs heading to the car.

Rias and Issei were working Akeno down the stairs as a contraction hit her. "Ohhh." Akeno wailed as she pulled Issei's sleeve.

"Are you alright?" He was quick to keep her standing.

"She's not happy I'm moving so much." Akeno giggled through the pain.

"Just hang in there darling, we've got you." Issei smiled as he used his strength to pick her up bridal style and carry her to the car. After sitting her in the back seat of the BMW with Asia, he joined Rias up front.

"How come you never call me 'darling'?" Rias crossed her arms and pouted at her husband.

"I'm sure I have at some time or another." He chuckled as the bright blue sedan sped through the streets to the hospital.

The rest of the girls were in the car behind them. Kuroka was driving with Xenovia riding shotgun. Koneko was in he back seat watching over Ellie and Ewan. Irina and Ravel were still at home and looking after Ophis. The mighty Dragon God may seem all powerful, but she'd proven to be a child as far as knowledge went.

Both cars soon came to a stop outside the hospital. Rias ran quickly inside to retrieve a nurse and a wheelchair for her friend. Meanwhile, Issei and Xenovia were helping Akeno get out the car. Asia stayed close to relieve some pain as she stood. Eventually Rias came back, wheelchair in tow.

"Akeno, you ready?" Issei asked as he held her hand.

"Oh my, I don't seem to have a choice now, do I?" She giggled and eased into the chair.

"Not really." He held her hand and walked beside her inside. He didn't notice that Kuroka, Rias, and Koneko were watching.

Rias had a look of jealousy on her face, Kuroka too. "How come he didn't do that for us when we came here?" Rias complained.

"No idea." Kuroka added.

Koneko sighed. How could they forget? "Do you two not remember?"

"Remember what?"

"Wow. Rias, when Ellie was born, Issei was in a coma right up until the hour of birth. Big sis, Issei was fighting that monster Kurata on to protect me and Ravel when they brought you here." Koneko deadpanned. How could those two forget?

Both mothers seemed to then remember the events surrounding the birth of the children that they were holding. Rias looked down and saw Ellie's face looking after Akeno

"Mama." Ellie started. "Ako." The almost 2 year old was still not good a forming sentences, or names for that matter. So, she called Akeno, Ako. She called Koneko, Koko. She called Irina, Ina. (Eena) Xenovia was Nova, Asia was Asi, Kuroka was Koka, Le Fay was just Fay. Strangely enough, she got Ravel's name right.

Rias saw her daughter's expression. She had absolutely no clue what was happening, but she was worried for Akeno. "You're right, baby. Let's go see aunt Ako." Soon enough, they had caught up to the others. The group made their way down the hall to find the waiting room that they had been in when both Elizabeth and Ewan were born.

Issei and Akeno were both in the room across the hall from the small area. The time was almost here to have a new addition to the family. The doctors were already prepped and waiting when they arrived. "Ah, Mrs. Akeno, how are we going along?"

"She wants out." Was all Akeno could say as another contraction hit her hard. The doctors and Issei helped lay her comfortably on the bed. He then sat beside her and held her hand. This was going to be a long day.

Minutes turned to hours as the doctors waited for the birth canal to dilate to the required 10 cm to be able to give birth. After a little while, the lead doctor took a look at Akeno's *ahem* area and came up with a grim look. He instantly turned to a nurse and had her fetch some equipment. She came back with an IV piggyback and a trolley.

Issei sat up and took is eyes from Akeno for the first time since they got in the room. Since the Fallen Angel was doped up on painkillers, she was asleep. The look the doctor gave him was one of worry. "What's going on?"

"Its her body. It hasn't fully dilated and is starting to retract. She won't be able to give birth naturally. Scans also show that the baby is resting on her pelvic bones. If we don't do something, it could lead to permanent damage."

"Do we have any options?" Issei returned his gaze to Akeno, who was slowly waking up.

"What's going on?" She said sleepily.

The doctor turned away to prep the medication.

"You won't be able to have Shuri naturally." He frowned and took her hand.

"Huh? Doctor, what is he saying?" Her eyes began to tear up. She thought it was over.

"I have good news and bad news. Good news is we're going to have a baby today. Bad news is we're gonna have to go get her." He held the needle to the IV and placed it in her arm. "This will numb you from the chest down. If you feel any pain, we can up the dosage."

"Issei, I'm scared." She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"You're gonna be just fine Akeno. In a little while you're going to have a beautiful baby girl wrapped in you arms." Issei stroked her hand with his thumb and kissed her forehead. "And I'll be with you every step of the way."

The doctor returned to speak one last time. "We have two options. One, we can put you to sleep so you truly will not feel anything. Two, we can just numb you from the chest down and keep you awake."

"Put her to sleep, please." Issei answered for her.

"What?" Akeno was surprised.

"Please, if there is even a slight chance that you could get hurt, I wouldn't want you to feel it. I promise to tell you everything later if you want."

Akeno nodded slightly. "Ok."

Issei kissed her gently and before turning to face the doctor. "Alright, please put her to sleep."

"Yes sir." He flashed a smile and placed another IV line into Akeno's arm. "Now Akeno. I want you to count down with me, okay?"

"O-Okay." Her eyes were getting heavy.

"10."

"10."

"9."

"9."

"8."

Akeno took a second longer to respond. "E-Eight."

"7."

Before she knew it, the Fallen Angel was out like a light. Her eyes were shut, and her mouth wore a smile. Even in a drug induced sleep, she knew that everything would be okay. What was happening outside her mind was too distant to see, and honestly, she didn't care. Her eyes were focused on the vision in front of her. What she saw was the image of her sitting on the couch in Issei's living room surrounded by her family. Her father was even standing beside her. This life was what she wanted to have. This life was beautiful.

After about an hour and a lot of cutting, baby Shuri was finally in the world and healthy. Akeno was still asleep, so the nurse handed her to Issei. The Red Dragon took his third child in his arms and rocked her. "Wow, it must be something about her family." From what he had seen from Akeno's baby pictures, Shuri was identical. Issei had also seen a picture of her mother in her mind years ago. To know that Shuri looked just like the woman she was named after was amazing.