No Way Out

One week remained. One week until July 21st. One week until the HDAA launched a full-scale attack on the Hyoudou residence. The only one's who knew it was coming were Issei, Rias, and Le Fay. The young witch had come to live with Issei about two months ago. Kuroka was happy to see an old friend as well. Everyone was blissfully oblivious to what the following week had in store.

To try and take her husband's mind off of the impending doom, Rias enlisted the help of the church trio to help celebrate Akeno's birthday. Together, the three girls went all out on a surprise birthday party and baby shower. The only issue was that they had a limited amount of time. Everything had to be ready by the 21st or there was gonna be a problem. Another problem was how to keep Akeno from finding out.

Asia had the idea of making everything like the shrine that Akeno's mother lived at when she was still alive.

Irina wanted to work on the baby shower and get all the cute little baby things together.

Xenovia didn't really have a suggestion.

Rias liked both girls' ideas but had one of her own in mind.

She walked into the church trio's room holding little Elizabeth. The little girl's hair had grown much like her mothers and flowed down to the top of her back. Her face was still pudgy thanks to baby fat but was adorable to look at. The best part, in all the girls' opinions, was that Elizabeth had Issei's smile.

Rias set Ellie to the floor and let her wobble walk her way around. First, she went to Xenovia.

"Hey Ellie. Did Mama bring you just to see us?" She tickled the 18 month old and got her giggling.

"Mama." Ellie waved her balled hand at her mother and laughed.

"Yep, that's Mama." Xenovia hugged the small girl and set her down.

Next, Ellie found Irina who was seated on the bed. She braced herself on the bed frame and reached up.

"Upsy daisy little baby." Irina smiled at her. "One day, you're gonna be able to get up here all by yourself." She gave the toddler an eskimo kiss. (she rubbed noses with the baby).

Ellie continued her journey and made her way carefully over to Asia. On her way, she tripped over a wadded-up sweater and fell down. She hit the floor with a thud. Asia was quick to pick her up as she started to cry.

"I got you Ellie. No need to cry." Asia held her hand over her bumped knee and used her twilight healing. "Let's make the boo boo go away." A green light covered Ellie's leg and healed it right up.

After a minute, she was fine. The toddler made her way back to her mother. Rias picked her up and smiled. "Quite the adventure you had." She placed Ellie on the bed with Irina and sat in a chair. "So, do we have any other ideas for Akeno's birthday?"

"I got one." A voice purred from the door.

"Oh? What did you have in mind Kuroka?" Rias asked.

"She's about in her sixth month, right?" She received a nod from all the girls. "Then let's have Issei take her to see the baby, and we'll get everything set up here."

"Not a bad idea. However, I don't wanna leave you guys here alone." Issei spoke as he kissed Kuroka's cheek. Afterwards, he took Ewan for a second and kissed his forehead. He then made his rounds and kissed all his fiancés and his wife. Finally, he found Ellie and held her up. "What do you think Ellie? Should Dadda take Aunt Akeno to see her baby?"

"Dadda." The toddler giggled as Issei tossed her up and caught her.

"Ellie votes with me." Kuroka chuckled as she took Ewan away.

Rias stood and took Ellie from her husband. "You can never vote against a baby. If you're up for it…"

"I'm okay with it." Issei smiled and kissed Rias. He then left to inform Akeno of the doctor's visit.

The Fallen Angel was reading her book on baby's when Issei came in. "Good afternoon Issei."

"Hey Akeno." He laid down next to her and kissed her. "How's baby Akeno doing?"

Giggling, Akeno took his hand. "See for yourself." Her stomach bounced as the baby kicked.

Just like Ellie and Ewan. Very responsive to his touch. "How about we go get her checked out next week, say the 21st?"

"Issei, that's my birthday." Her smile said she didn't care whether they did or not.

"I know. I figured it would be a nice way to start the day."

"Okay."

Finally, the day came, and Le Fay was speaking to Issei before he took Akeno to the doctor's office. He was making sure that she was able to contact him if something went wrong.

"You've got my number?" Issei asked.

"Yep."

"Are you sure that you can protect them?" He had recently seen a version of the vision where Le Fay was also lying at his feet beside Ravel and Asia.

"I will try my very bestest." She saluted and giggled. "Don't worry Issei. They'll all be fine."

"Thank you, Le Fay." He kissed her cheek and her cheeks flushed.

"W…Why did you…?"

"Because, you've been such a big help to me for the past few months. I figured that you deserve a reward. Who knows? Maybe if we see tomorrow, I can make it better." He patted her head and grabbed his keys.

"Ready Issei?" Akeno asked as she latched onto his arm.

"Of course, dear." This got Akeno and the little witch to blush. "Let's get going."

The two devils made their way to the doctor to check on the status of their unborn child. The doctor had gotten used to seeing Issei with different girls.

"Ah, Issei. Who might this young lady be?" He asked as Akeno took a seat in the chair.

"Akeno Himejima. My 1…2…3…4…5th fiancé. Well, she's my 3rd fiancé, but I'm up to 5 now." Issei smiled as he held her hand.

"Nice to meet you Ms. Himejima."

"Likewise." Akeno smiled nervously. "Issei?"

"It's okay. It'll be a little cold at first but it's fine." He kissed her cheek as the doctor rubbed the gel on her stomach.

"Ok. All set." The moved the large machine over her and started the scan. After a minute the computer beeped, and the scan was done. "Looks perfectly healthy in my opinion. And I've been right so far."

"Have you been doing Asia's meal plan?" Issei asked.

"She told me that it was probably okay to eat the way I normally do." She giggled.

"You wanna see?" Akeno eagerly nodded.

"Yes, please." As the screen turned, the realization hit. She was carrying the child of Issei Hyoudou. Her life was perfect. "Is it a boy or a girl?" She asked timidly.

"Looks like a little girl. Congratulations." He stood and left the two to themselves.

"Issei. I'm so happy." Akeno's eyes began to water as she stared at the screen.

Before he answered, Issei shot a quick text to Rias. 'Girl'. "Me too Akeno." He turned her head to him for a second and captured her lips with his own. "I love you so much Akeno."

"I love you more Issei."

"So, you got a name picked out?"

Akeno thought for a moment. "I do. But I don't know if you'll like it." Her face fell into a frown of doubt.

"Akeno. I love anything you pick." His smile reassured her.

"Shuri."

"Like your mother." He thought for a moment. "I think that's perfect." After wiping the gel off of her, he helped her up and out to the car. "Ready?"

"I'm ready for anything." Her giddy face was all the confirmation he needed to drive home.

About halfway home, Issei glanced down at the clock. It read 13:27. (1:27 pm) He still wasn't sure how to tell his family about today's attack. After thinking a moment, he turned down the radio. "Akeno."

"Yes, darling"

He smiled at her nickname for him. "I want you to know that I will always love you. I love you so very much." He took his hand off the shift knob and held hers.

"Issei? Is everything okay?"

"Of course. I just want you to know that I will love you no matter what."

"Ok." She decided to ask later, once she'd had a chance to speak with Rias.

Issei pulled the car smoothly into the driveway and helped the Fallen Angel out of the car. As they opened the front door, everyone jumped out and yelled "Surprise!"

Akeno was shocked that they had gone through all of this work for her. All her friends were invited. Aside from all the other girls in the house. Kiba and Gasper had come, Sirzechs and Grayfia, Azazel, and even her father Baraqiel, had come to see her today. His face was unreadable as far as seeing her pregnant.

Everyone had a great time. Akeno got plenty of gifts and other little things for the baby. Thanks to Issei's quick text to Rias, the baby shower was set for a girl. Akeno was beyond happy with all the attention she was getting from this. She didn't notice Issei talking to Le Fay about defenses.

"Are we all set Le Fay?" Issei asked as he watched Akeno smile.

"Yep. All good to go." The young witch smiled. In turn, Issei patted her head.

"Thank you. Now, I probably need to explain this to Baraqiel before he kills me." He left her and found the large fallen angel in the corner. "I assume you would like to speak with me?"

The towering man stared down at him. "Hmmm. Yes, I would." The two walked into the kitchen since it was empty and sat down. "Should I question why my only daughter is pregnant?"

"You don't have to. If you'll allow me to explain." He waited for the older man to nod to him. "Akeno was devastated when she learned of my shortened lifespan due to the juggernaut drive. So much so that she claimed she would rather die with me then live by herself."

"I never thought she would feel that way about anyone. Not after what I've done to her." Baraqiel looked at the floor.

"She said that the only way to keep going after I'm gone was to have my child. At first I was against it, but Ddraig noticed something not long before Ewan was born."

"Indeed. It seems that Issei's lifespan extends each time he has a child." The mighty dragon spoke.

"I see." Baraqiel sat in thought for a moment. "Very well. I won't kill you. On one condition."

"Name it." Issei replied.

"You have to marry my daughter."

"I already planned on it. Although I'm not sure when it will happen."

"That's good enough for me." Baraqiel smiled and stood from his chair. "Let's go see my daughter."

After a few more hours, everyone of the guests had left. The clock now read 17:00 (5:00). Issei was getting antsy. Le Fay and Rias had gone upstairs to protect the children. Akeno had fallen asleep on the couch and Issei was sitting with her.

"I'm sorry Akeno. I love you so much." He kissed her cheek as he felt a presence behind him. "Kurata."

"Red Dragon." Syn Kurata stood behind him against the door. "I hope you know that I don't plan to leave anyone in this house alive tonight."

"I understand. However, I beg you to spare the girls and my son. Ewan and Ellie have no powers of a dragon and are not a threat to you."

"A noble gesture, but I don't think my new boss would let that slide."

"New boss? You mean the Khaos Brigade?"

"So, you heard about that." Syn moved to wear he could see Akeno. "Such a pretty young thing. It's really a shame she has to die tonight."

"Like I would let you touch her." Issei went to pull out his balance breaker, but found it wasn't working. 'Dammit! It's all coming true!'