Sooooo...this is the end. I hope it's satisfactory and that all my readers enjoyed it. To all you reviewers, you are simple the best! Totally awesome!^^ Thank you and until next time...*bows humbly*

"Tell me what's going on, Akihito. I need to know," Asami said in the most non-threatening way he could, fearing what he suspected was more than likely the situation.

Akihito was depressed. His mate's downtrodden look and despondent behavior made it seem likely. But he didn't want to guess, he wanted to make sure. Pulling a chair up he sat down and tried to make eye contact, which Akihito refused to allow him. "You said everything was wrong, what do you mean, Akihito?"

Akihito sighed, pushed the bed sheet down his body before quickly changing his mind and pulling it back up. Anything to not feel naked and exposed. He gave Asami a fleeting glance, afraid of what he feared would be reflected in Asami's eyes for spoiling his happy moment now that his daughter was here. He was afraid of being judged and criticised for not wanting to throw a party like he knew everybody else, including Asami, expected. Trying to come across as brave, he took a shaky breath and answered, "I told you, everything is fine."

Asami laid his hand on top of Akihito's in his lap, rubbing slow circles over the soft skin, wanting to ease the tension any way he could. He needed to know Akihito would be safe and well. It was as important to him as if it was his daughter. Nobody came before these two.

"Restless, agitated, easily distracted, lack of appetite. Why didn't I see it sooner?" Asami asked, blaming himself for what he realized now that he was paying more attention. "You are depressed."

Akihito drew his hand back quickly, looking at Asami with startled eyes, wanting to deny that statement. "No, I'm not depressed! How could I be? The baby's here and I'm happy. So damn happy I want to go home!"

The last part was said with a slight note of hysteric and Asami knew he had to nip this particular problem in the bud before it festered into something uncontrollable. Ignoring what Akihito last said, he asked, "Do you have a problem being here with us right now?"

It was a hard question to ask, so painful it almost never left Asami's throat, but he needed to know. He spent time on the computer reading up on what was expected of Akihito throughout pregnancy and the topic of post-natal depression and anxiety came up. It was actually common, most reports stated and if recognized early, could be diffused with as little as support and love. If not, then medication and therapy once it developed into the more severe postpartum depression. The key was recognizing the symptoms as early as possible and dealing with it.

Tears welled in Akihito's eyes, his heart constricting painfully. It was true, wasn't it? He had thought of leaving for a bit, just to clear his head, not permanently, but he didn't think he could. He wasn't sure what to think. He shifted away from Asami, despite how painful the small move was with the cut in his abdomen, voice tight and accusing. "Is that what you think of me? That after having my baby I would just pack and leave for good? That I'd haul ass and never return, that...?"

"I didn't say anything about you not returning, Akihito." Asami cut in. "I know having your first child can be a life changing experience, especially with the wrong I'd done to get you here and all the doubts you've had throughout, and I'd take it back if I could, but I understand if you're overwhelmed and freaked and just need a breather, there's nothing wrong with that."

Akihito was nodding through his silent tears, agreeing with Asami on that point, but still circumspect about how much of his feelings he should divulge. What if he said the wrong thing despite Asami's attitude? What if he made a huge mistake? All Asami would need was his daughter, he was sure of that.

What if Asami was saying that so he could agree to leave them on his own without it looking bad on Asami? "Y-yeah, ok. Um, I can pack my bags and leave as soon as possible..."

Asami could read Akihito like an open book with font in Arial, size 96. He had to breath deep to hold back the urge to shake some sense into him; Akihito was taking his words out of context. Again. He needed to know exactly what his Akihito was thinking. He rested a hand lightly on Akihito's hip, anchoring him, trying to dispel the haunted look in those hazel eyes with his own softened gaze.

"You. Are. Not. Going anywhere. Do you understand me? I'll never want you anywhere but by my side, nor will I ever turn you away, Akihito. I need you to understand that, to know I'm serious and there's nothing more important to me right now than you and her, my family," Asami finished, eyes alight with conviction, voice hardened with the truth.

Akihito knew Asami didn't say anything he didn't mean. He believed him, but... "But all you care about is the baby, and I know I deserve it after that first feeding but..."

Asami felt like there was an anvil on his head with the amount of miscommunication his actions had caused. He cut in before Akihito could go any further. "No, no, no, Akihito. Just no. I've never thought you would willingly hurt our daughter, nor did I blame you for the first feeding. I just figure with the surgery and all the pain you were feeling I could spare you whatever task I could until you felt better; was up to it. I wanted you to take care of yourself too; eat and sleep and get healthy. Nothing else."

Akihito wiped at his eyes and bit his bottom lip. He wanted so badly to just believe. Why couldn't he hold on to the confidence and strength he had before Asami? When had it slipped away? He didn't want to feel like this, so insecure and helpless but for some reason he couldn't help it. Despite anything else he might have told himself at any other time, he needed for Asami to just be there and support him. Support them.

"You were never a means to an end," Asami amended. Throwing caution to the wind he added, "I love you too much for that."

Akihito's head snapped up to Asami's face, his beating heart a staccato in his chest. Why was that sentence like a sledgehammer taken to his insecurities? Slowly grinding them into mercurial dust. It was enough to have him doubting his doubts while he held on to Asami's hand tightly. "Ok, ok."

Asami smiled. "I know things won't be instantly better, but we'll work on it together. Are you with me?"

Akihito nodded.

"You want this to work as much as I do, don't you?"

Akihito nodded again.

"Then promise me that the next time you feel this way you'll let me know. If anything overwhelms you, even if it is myself or our daughter, you'll tell me."

Akihito took a deep breath. "I promise."

With that Asami kissed Akihito softly on the lips, sort of like a 'sealing the deal with tenderness' moment. His hands were gentle as they touched his mate before he pulled back and sat upright in the chair.

"Now, how about we do something about your appetite and get you some food?" Asami asked, deciding to tackle the second bullet-point on his mental list regarding his mate.

Akihito didn't really feel too up to eating, but he was sure he wouldn't be alone in feeding himself this time. Deciding on something light, he answered, "Yakisoba."

Asami nodded. "Yakisoba it is."

The third bullet point had to do with feeding the baby. It's been a whole day since their talk and while Akihito was more open, he'd shied away from the prospect every chance he got. The baby had to be fed at regular intervals and each time Asami was there he had to do it because Akihito refused for one reason or another. Akihito would spend time with their daughter, lots of time actually, but once she was already fed. He needed to do something about it.

Waiting until the on-duty nurse did her rounds, Asami collected the baby, her bottle and made his way to Akihito's room, making up his mind about what he was about to do.

"Hey, she's awake," Akihito pointed out when Asami entered the room, baby bundle in one arm.

"Yes she is. And guess what? You're going to feed her," Asami said as he walked closer.

"No, Asami, I..." Akihito started to object, fidgeting in the bed because he knew Asami would make him do it. He would work up the courage eventually. He will. Just not at this very moment.

"Look, just try it this once, for us. I'll coach you through it, be there with you every step of the way. As a matter of fact, I asked the nurse for a brochure on the proper way to feed so you won't go into this so nervous. Here."

Akihito eyed the brochure Asami produced from his back pocket with his free hand warily, taking it against his better judgement. What could it hurt? He took a few minutes to read through it, all while Asami was pacing across the room with their daughter in his hands, trying to comfort her. It made a smile rise on his lips and his heart warm to see such a strong, proud man reduced to all the warmth and care such a frail and fragile baby would need.

She is in fact a miracle.

Akihito's eyes went back to the brochure and he read on the right angle to hold the bottle while feeding.

That's where he went wrong the first time.

Like so much with babies, you'll need to listen and observe. If you hear a lot of noisy sucking sounds while she drinks, she may be taking in too much air. To help your baby swallow less air, hold her at a 45-degree angle. Also take care to tilt the bottle so that the nipple and neck are always filled with breastmilk or formula.

Never prop a bottle - it can cause your baby to choke. Besides, bottle-feeding, like breastfeeding, can be a wonderful time for nurturing your baby by holding his/her close. So take feeding time as an opportunity to snuggle and bond.

Asami couldn't hide his hopeful sigh when Akihito said magnanimously, arms stretched out and reaching for the baby. "Ok, I think I know what to do now, give her to me."

A week later Akihito was home, finally free from the confining hospital and able to walk around, albeit gingerly, on his own. Their home had become a bustling of activity centred around their daughter, and even Kirishima and Suoh got in on the action.

Babies internal clocks rarely ever worked on any type of schedule and it was four am in the morning and when little Kiyome was hungry, the entire house knew.

"I'll make the bottle, you go and get her," Asami yawned from the bed, tightening his robe around his body while he made his way down to the kitchen. He had to help Akihito with his responsibilities, after all. Balance things out. Last thing he wanted was an overworked, stress mate who would fall into depression again. He wanted to share a part of the burden.

"Fine, I'll go get her," Akihito groaned. She wasn't in the baby room, there was an extra crib in their bedroom just because they liked to have her close sometimes. It's the third time since night and he felt a pounding behind his eyes and in his head. When he scooped her out of her crib, he cooed at her and rocked her, trying to calm her some until her father came with the formula.

"Shh, shh, your dad will be here soon with food, don't cry, sweetheart," Akihito murmured softly over the wailing.

Asami smiled when he entered the kitchen to see both Kirishima and Suoh in PJs, standing around the kitchen counter and trying to figure how to make the bottle. Kirishima stood with a book in his hand, instructing Suoh who was covering the practical aspect of their task.

"Ok, the book says four ounces at one feeding should be enough," Kirishima directed at his partner.

Suoh took up the baby bottle and the bottle of spring water, looking at the measuring side and pouring three and a half ounces of water. The formula will make up the rest.

"Is it the formula with iron or the one without...or soy?" Suoh asked when he opened the kitchen cabinet to see at least three different type of formula tins.

"Too much iron causes constipation, give her the regular milk based one. I haven't seen Asami-sama or Takaba-san using the soy tin yet," Kirishima offered. All his reading up on taking care of a baby was paying off, he just wanted to help in any way he could. They'd both heard the baby crying and since they were sleeping in guest bedrooms downstairs, had decided to take up the task of making the bottle.

"Ok." Suoh read the instructions on the tin before using the scoop only once to put formula into the bottle with water. He screwed on the nipple before putting a cloth over it and shaking it hard enough to ensure it was mixed properly.

"Alright, now just rest it in the pot of hot water on the stove for a minute and then we're good. We can bring it upstairs," Kirishima sighed, closing the book.

"No need," Asami said after walking fully into the kitchen, bowing slightly to his subordinates after they bowed in greeting first.

"Asami-sama, we were hoping to get the bottle to you sooner," Kirishima said.

Asami smiled, walked over to the stove and took the bottle from the pot. He wanted the formula just this side of warm. "Thanks, I appreciate the effort."

Both Kirishima and Suoh answered with a heartfelt 'you're welcome, Asami-sama'.

"She'll be eight weeks old tomorrow," Asami commented offhandedly from his recline on the bed, reading a business magazine with reading glasses on his face. It was night, the baby was asleep in her own room and they were getting ready for bed.

Akihito had slipped out of the bathroom after a shower in robes and bunny slippers, and was pulling the sheet back on his side of the bed when he spoke. "Yeah, every day's a milestone, isn't it?"

"Mmhm," Asami agreed while turning the page he was reading.

"Just today she gave me a smile every time I walked into her room. Makes me so proud," Akihito finished with a smile, snuggling comfortably under the sheets with his face to Asami.

"Yeah, she's too cute. Anyway, how does your stomach feel?" By this time Asami was on his side, his head cradled on his bent arm and his face to Akihito's, eyes drinking in the soft texture of his skin and his pixel like features.

"It feels fine."

"Any phantom aches or pain? Any special movement that hurts?"

Akihito opened his eyes and looked at Asami, internally assessing his line of questioning. "No, I'm fine, just tired."

"Good."

"Why?" Akihito asked suspiciously. Asami never did anything without reason, so his tired brain was wondering what the jig was.

Asami didn't answer directly, just adjusted himself until he was able to kiss those soft lips and run his fingers under Akihito's shirt over his supple skin.

Akihito was initially surprised, but he moaned, it's been so long. He wasn't on suppressants anymore, but the ups and down of taking care of a newborn baby and home everyday left him too tired most nights to think of sex. He just wanted to get as much rest until the hecticness of the day repeated itself and he maxed out his energy reserves again. But he was on a variation of birth control made specially for omegas who wanted to take a knot without the fear of getting pregnant. Especially after just giving birth.

But this? This he had some reserve for. Now he saw why Asami wanted to know how he was feeling, if he was up to this. The heat of their mating pact tore through him at a frenzy, alighting every nerve ending. He was already self lubricating.

Nibbling on Akihito's bottom lip, Asami pulled back, their heated gazes locked. "If you're not up to it..."

"...I'll say so." This time Akihito was the one to pull Asami into a kiss, all wet tongue and hot breath. Their hands held each other close, communicating as effectively as if words were spoken. Their need for each other increased exponentially and they were sinking fast into the abyss of their ecstasy.

As much as Asami wanted to storm Akihito's ass like a tornado, he resorted to gentle caresses and soft touches. This wasn't about him, yet. Not yet.

"Sit up," Asami instructed after pulling back. Akihito obeyed and he pulled the cotton of his shirt over his head, tossing it to the side before he divested Akihito of his pants and underwear in one pull. Within the moment he could feast his eyes on a toned body worth every saliva formed in his mouth.

Akihito helped Asami out of his own clothing, taking the lengthy erection before him in both hands, feeling the weight and girth and rubbing the precome over the head. The pulsing veins stood stark against the heated skin and he pumped it a few times, loving the way it blossomed harder under his ministrations.

Asami groaned.

Akihito laid back on the bed and drew his legs up to his chest, exposing himself fully for his mate's view, licking his lips. "I want it in me."

Asami grinned, feral and predatory. "Of course, my cute Akihito."

Akihito took the baby on evening walks to the park whenever Asami was working. He needed the fresh air and the change of scenery as much as the baby did. Kirishima, Suoh or both always accompanied him. In times past he would have had a problem with their presence, but after what happened with the Detective more than six months ago he wasn't willing to put himself or their daughter at risk. If somebody wasn't with him, he stayed put.

It was a perfect fall day when Akihito visited the park with Kiyome in a stroller, Kirishima and Suoh not too far behind keeping an eye on them. The sun was warm but the air was crisp and he was enjoying the scenery and the other children and parents all over the place, when his stomach started rolling and he beckoned the two over hurriedly.

"Takaba-san, what is it?" Suoh asked, his frown evident even though he was wearing sunglasses. Along with Kirishima.

"I really need to use the bathroom, watch her for a minute, I'll be right back."

Takaba took off without a second glance and both Kirishima and Suoh shared a look with each other.

"All we have to do is stand by the stroller, right?" Suoh asked hesitantly, praying that nothing else would happen.

"Yes," Kirishima answered looking just as uncomfortable.

Out of the blue the baby started wailing and the two burly men kept looking between each other and the stroller expectantly.

"Asami-chan is crying, shouldn't you try to hold her?" Suoh asked his partner, looking around nervously at the few mothers and fathers close enough to notice them. Most parents moved away with their kids, wary of two overgrown, suit clad men fishing around a baby stroller.

Kirishima sighed. As much as he would have preferred not to, he knew he had more finesse than his partner to pull it off. Grabbing the baby blanket Takaba left hanging from the back of the stroller, he threw it over his shoulder before carefully picking the baby up and resting her over said shoulder.

"Shhh," Suoh murmured softly. Their boss and Akihito made it look so easy. The baby kept on crying.

"Hey, people are starting to stare, what do we do?" Suoh asked.

Kirishima looked around and sure enough, people, including children, were openly staring.

"A bottle, she must be hungry," Kirishima told Suoh.

Suoh looked in the stroller, it was empty. "Where is it?"

"In the pocket under the seat."

"Haha," Suoh muttered triumphantly when he found the mixed formula.

"Ok, we need to sit."

Both men looked around until they saw an empty bench a few feet away. Kirishima went to sit while Suoh pushed the stroller behind him, following close behind.

"Ok, I need you to find an umbrella," Kirishima instructed after sitting down.

"Why?" Suoh asked skeptically. He imagined they already looked like the weirdest couple with a baby around. Everyone else gave them a wide berth.

"Can't let the sun burn her face while we feed her, can we?" Kirishima said after setting little Asami-chan into the proper feeding hold. She was still crying, little hands and feet kicking up a fuss.

"Oh, but Takaba-san never needed an umbrella before..." Suoh murmured while he drew the umbrella from the side bag.

"Takaba-san knows what he's doing, we don't."

Suoh sighed. But he took the umbrella and opened it, blocking Kirishima and the baby from the warm evening sun while she was fed. She sucked from the bottle greedily and Suoh had to admit, Kirishima knew his stuff. Little Asami-chan was content in his arms and his partner didn't seem the least bit perturbed like he knew he would have been. He realized some people were pointing and laughing at them. He conceded he would have done the same thing if he was on the other side of the fence.

What must they look like to everybody else right now? One man in black feeding a newborn with another holding an umbrella over their heads.

At least nobody called the park security.

At the end of the feeding she was halfway to dream land and Suoh watched as Kirishima threw her over his shoulder again and burped her. He snickered when he realized the burp produced enough spit up for it flow off the blanket and on to his partner's jacket.

"That's not funny," Kirishima frowned. "Next time you do it."

"Are you crazy?!" Suoh asked softly, not wanting to wake the baby.

"Yes, I am," Kirishima answered before gently lying the little girl on her back. He drew the blanket over her and lowered the stroller shading.

Suoh returned the umbrella to its original place.

They both straightened and then Takaba jogged over. "Hey, I'm back. Sorry for taking so long, I had left over spicy chicken for lunch, you know how that goes."

Takaba was zipping up his jacket and the two men chuckled.

"She wasn't a problem, was she?" Akihito asked, looking over into the stroller curiously at his daughter's sleeping face.

"No, no, she wasn't," both men answered in variable tones.

Akihito just looked at them and smiled. "Good. I'm ready to go home, I need a shower."