Guys, I really hate to do this. My uncle is at my place and Covid positive. It's tuff to take care of him, work, school, and this. I'm gonna take another week after today to try and get things under control again. I will be back Next Wednesday. I sorry :(

Scars That I'm Hiding

Everyone was overjoyed at baby Shuri. She had jet black hair just like her mother and purple eyes like her too. If you didn't know any better, you would say that Shuri was a clone. The baby girl indeed looked just like her mother in almost every way.

The only person in the house that wasn't overflowing with joy was Akeno. Of course, she loved her baby and would never say she didn't, but she was worried. In the process of giving birth, her body began to retract before Shuri could come out. So, she needed and immediate C-section. (For those who don't know what a C-section is. The doctors will cut a hole open in your stomach and retrieve the baby from the womb before the body shuts back down.) Once again, this wasn't a big issue. However, this left Akeno with a permanent scar on her belly from where Shuri was cut out.

Issei had told her that she was still beautiful and precious to him, but her anxieties overran her judgement. She was worried that Issei would love her less since her beauty is one reason he fell for her.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Shuri began to cry. The infant proved to have a very strong cry, much like her brother and sister had.

Akeno made her way to the crib and picked up the baby Fallen Angel. She then began to sing a song that Issei had sang to her as a lullaby. "Fallen Angel, in the dark. Never thought you'd fall so far. Fallen Angel, close your eyes. I won't let you fall tonight. Fallen Angel." Shuri was soon back sleeping in her mother's arms.

"I knew teaching you that would come in handy one day." Issei wrapped an arm around her shoulder and stared at his wife and child. "She's absolutely gorgeous." Akeno frowned as her insecurities took over. "Just like her mother." He quickly kissed her cheek. She placed Shuri back in her bed.

He started to walk away when Akeno's timid voice stopped him. "Issei?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you love me?"

Issei instantly turned around and held her close to him. "I will always love you Akeno."

"Do you think I'm pretty?"

"Of course, I do."

She then lifted the hem of her shirt up to the bottom of her breasts. "Even with this?" A long scar ran along the left side of her abdomen where the doctors cut her open.

Issei then understood her concerns. "You think that scar makes you ugly. Akeno. That scar is a reminder that not only are you my wife, but the mother of our beautiful baby girl." He slowly swayed side to side with her in his arms.

"But… but."

"No buts. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. One scar isn't gonna change that." He knelt down and lifted her shirt and kissed along the scar.

Akeno shuddered as his lips traced her skin. She then let out and involuntary moan. "Ohhhhhh."

"Does the inner masochist like this?" He teased.

"Mmhmmm." She nodded slowly.

"Come on." He led her over to the bed and they laid down. Her head rested on his upper chest.

Rias and Kuroka were out shopping with their little ones, so it was just Issei, Akeno, and little Shuri. As they laid down, Akeno was till in turmoil with her thoughts. Afterall, there was no way that Issei could truly love her with that hideous scar on her belly.

"You're still not convinced, are you?" His voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"I-I…" She couldn't bring herself to tell him that she thought he was faking his love for her.

Issei's hand gently moved up and down her back. His fingers bringing a soothing touch to her skin. Her mind began to quiet, and her heart began to slow. "Akeno, I will always love you. One single scar on your body will not make me think of you as ugly or repulsive. You're not the only one with scars either." Issei pulled up his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor.

Akeno gasped. The scar was nothing new, but she had never thought anything of it before. It was from the day the Issei went to Heaven and saved Xenovia two years ago. The place where a sword ran him through and left him in a coma. She had seen the scar, but that was during the times when she was trying to get pregnant.

"This is something that I don't care if people see. This scar reminds me every day that I saved the life of someone that I love." Her hand moved to another of the many scars on his torso.

"This one?"

"That was when Fenrir bit me when we face Loki. I have two other identical ones on my leg and waist."

Her hand moved again. "Here?"

"That was from the car crash that me and Asia got into."

She moved her hand to a little one in the middle. It looked like a scratch from an animal. "And this one?"

"Although she doesn't have claws, Koneko's fingernails tend to leave a mark." He chuckled which got her laughing as well.

Akeno felt a bit better knowing that she wasn't the only one with a scar that could be seen easily. She would still protest to wearing a swimsuit. The two continued to enjoy their afternoon off from everything well into the evening.

After a few hours, Issei decided to get up and find something to drink. He groaned as he realized he had nothing close. "Note to self. Put mini fridge in bedroom." He made his way downstairs meeting Asia along the way.

"Hey Issei." She latched to his arm and smiled.

"Evening Asia. Where are you off to?"

"I was going to get started on laundry with Ravel."

"I'm amazed that girl is willing to do that. She may come from a royal family, but she works hard to earn her place. Not that she needs to."

They continued to walk together down the stairs and to the kitchen which was one room over from the laundry room. After a quick kiss, they parted ways. Issei grabbed a cup of water and sat on the counter a minute. He stood once he heard the door open.

Rias and Kuroka came in with both the toddler and baby in hand. They set both on the floor and went to get stuff from the car. Ellie was almost two so she could walk decently, but she was still learning. Ewan was almost one and was getting better a crawling around.

Issei came around the corner and picked up Ellie as she hobbled along. "There's daddy's baby girl." He kissed her nose and tickled her belly.

Ellie squealed and giggled at her father's antics. "'top it daddy. 'top is!" She continued to giggle.

"Okay." He set her down and then picked up his son. "My little Nekomata baby man." Ewan reached up and took his hand and bopped Issei's head. "For Kuroka's son, you sure take after Koneko. I wonder if her child will do the same?"

Ewan just laughed at him. "Mama." He waved his little fist to the door as Kuroka came in.

"Yup, that's Mama." Kuroka stood shocked for a moment. Ewan had never really spoken before. He would say 'Ma' but that could mean anything. If he wanted a food, 'Ma'. If he wanted milk, 'Ma'. A toy, 'Ma'. It's all he would say.

"Issei, did he just…?" Kuroka stared at her baby.

"Yea, he said Mama."

She rushed forward and took her son from her husband. "Oh, my little kitten said Mama." She twirled around like a schoolgirl.

"Lucky." Rias giggled as she picked up Ellie. "She said Dada first."

Issei wrapped and arm around both of his loving wives that held his beautiful children. No matter what would come his way, he would protect this family until his last breath.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Issei walked over and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Issei. It's Azazel. We have an issue."

I'm trying to get back on track with chapters. I need to fill my reserves and get stuff going again. You'd think since Ive done 2 fifty chapter stories that I wouldn't have an issue with this. :P