Sleepwalking

Nights were a lot less quiet now. Ewan and Ellie were very good at keep their parents up for extended amounts of time. Asia always tried to help when she could. Akeno had entered her third month of pregnancy without any troubles. The only thing that had changed was a certain sleep habit of Akeno's.

Issei woke up in the middle of the night, once again, covered by all of his girls. Recently, Irina had started sleeping in there too. She claimed her position symmetrical to Asia on his right side. He glanced around until he noticed a certain pressure that held down the left side of his pillow was gone.

The door to the room was opened showing a dark hallway. Issei carefully set Koneko to his side. Kuroka awoke to him moving and helped get him out. She understood the situation since Akeno was missing. He quietly made his way into the hall and found the Fallen Angel wobbly walking down the hallway towards the elevator.

"Akeno?" He followed her until she reached the lift's door. The black-haired girl seemed to be unaware of his presence. This had happened before, so Issei knew what to do. Just follow her and lull her back to sleep somehow.

The door opened and Akeno stepped in. 'Some of her senses must still be active.' Issei thought as he followed her in. The door shut and both devils went down. Sometimes, Akeno would bump something and wake herself up if Issei didn't get to her first, but this time was different. She had some awareness.

He waited for her to exit the lift and followed. She started her way down the stairs and Issei was quickly by her side incase she fell. The plan now was to get her to the couch and back to sleep. Since Issei usually was able to get Akeno back to bed, she had no idea that she was a sleepwalker.

Issei carefully turned her and directed her to the couch. He stopped her and helped her lay down as he let her use his lap as a pillow. Soon enough, she was back to sleep, and the night went on as normal.

The sun's light woke up the pregnant Fallen Angel. Her eyes opened to the ceiling of a room that was not Issei's bedroom. Her ears picked up a light snoring from behind her. Turning slightly, Issei's face came into view.

"Oh my, how did I end up here?" She went to sit up and inadvertently woke up Issei.

"Morning Akeno."

"Issei? How did I get down here?"

"Well... you… You were sleepwalking… again."

It took a moment for her to prosses that. "Wait, sleepwalking?"

"Uh huh."

"So, you followed me down here?"

"I was trying to keep you from doing something that could hurt the baby or yourself." He rubbed her stomach as she relaxed on his shoulder.

"Thank you. I didn't think that I did that."

"You've been doing it for a while now. I tend to stop you before you get too far, but I didn't feel you get up this time. I'm sorry."

Akeno's lips were on his in a second. "It's alright. You tried and that's what matters." She smiled. "Come on, lets go wake the others."

"Alright."

After all the other girls were up, the morning feast began. Akeno seated herself next to Issei and Rias was on his other side. Soon enough, Ravel, Asia, and Irina, came in with a large feast for the family.

"Alright everyone. We made eggs, pancakes, biscuits, and some other little goodies. A nice English breakfast." Irina cheered. She was so happy with her attempts at cooking, she couldn't hold it in.

As the plates were being set, a certain smell was enough to drive the fallen angel from the room. Everyone's eyes followed as she ran to the bathroom down the hall.

"What happened to Akeno?" Xenovia asked as she sipped her tea.

"I think I know." Issei stood and followed his fiancé. He opened the door to the sight of Akeno over the toilet and crying. Slowly, he knelt down beside her and held her hair back. The morning sickness, as well as certain smells, could make any pregnant woman have these issues. Luckily, neither Rias nor Kuroka had this problem. "You okay?"

"I feel awful." Akeno leaned back into his chest and he held her as she cried. "Issei, I hate this. I hate being pregnant."

"No, you don't. You just hate the side effects. I can tell when you're lying Akeno. I've gotten good at it over the years."

"I hate all of this." She turned and buried her face in his shoulder. "I wish… I wish that I never asked you to get me pregnant."

This hurt him more than any wound or injury. She was hurting. Seeing her miserable was one of the worst feelings ever. So, he held her close and let her cry. For ten minutes, she sobbed on his chest.

"You're lying again."

"Huh?"

"When you said you wish you never asked me. You were lying." He rocked her slowly and stroked her hair. "You're happy about having a baby. You just don't like the side effects."

"I hate all of this. I'm gonna get fat and ugly and you're gonna leave me alone again." She sniffed as her emotions reigned over her.

Thinking quick, Issei pulled up and kissed her with fire. "Silly girl. I've managed to love both Rias and Kuroka throughout their pregnancies. What makes you think that you'll be different?"

"Because…"

"And don't say its because you're a Fallen Angel. I don't care what you are; I will always love you." A knock came from behind them at the door.

"Akeno? Issei? Can we come in?"

"Sure." Issei answered.

The door opened to reveal Rias and Kuroka. Rias had the now 1 year old Ellie in her arms and Kuroka had little Ewan in hers. Rias laid herself up against the wall and let Ellie crawl around. Kuroka followed suit, but since Ewan was still too young to crawl or sit up, she just held him.

"Akeno, are you okay?" Rias held her friend's hand and looked into her teary eyes.

"You might as well her the truth." Issei took a cool washcloth and put it to her head.

"N..No. I'm miserable." Akeno choked out. Her eyes began to tear up again.

"I know your pain." Kuroka spoke up as she looked at her son. "He was an absolute pain in my ass for the longest time. Always making me sick, keeping me up at night. There were times where I wasn't sure I wanted to continue the pregnancy. But, looking at him now. That makes it all worth it."

"Really?"

"Look at them." Rias pointed out as her daughter worked her way over to where Akeno was. Ellie then put her hand on Akeno's as it lay in the floor.

"Hey Ellie." Akeno smiled at the baby, causing her to smile back.

Issei picked up his daughter and kissed her head. "There's daddy's baby girl. See Akeno. It may be miserable now, but in the end, it's all worth it."

Akeno's tears flowed again as she leaned into her fiancé's chest. "As long as you're with me. I think I can do it."

"We'll all be with you Akeno."