Author's Note: Sorry if this is late guys. My senior cat died on May 24th so I've been grieving and not able to work much. But don't worry, I'll be okay, and writing actually helps me not think about it. She had a lot of health problems, including paralysis, and she had stopped walking, eating and drinking, even unable to stand. So it was time, we took her to the vet to be put down humanely. Thank you all for your patience
The train traveled passed some beautiful countryside, there were large grassy fields with goats, sheep and sheepdogs. The train ride was a few hours long, returning to their hometown, where the Jaeger's lived.
Eren, Mikasa, Armin and Rubi were sitting on the train, Armin and Rubi sat across from Eren and Mikasa. Mikasa gazed out the window, leaning into Eren a bit, wearing her red scarf.
"You two nervous...?", asked Rubi softly. Mikasa blinked calmly, while Eren gave a terrified laugh. "Are you kidding? I'm fucking terrified!", he admitted.
"You don't have to be, Eren. We graduated college, and I'm sure Mom will be really happy", Mikasa assured him, squeezing his hand.
"Yeah, I know but...that's just it. This is a gray area. On one hand, if we were still in high school, she'd freak out. But since we haven't started our careers yet...so..I don't know how she'll feel about that", Eren admitted.
"I agree it does sound slightly touchy, but it could have been a lot worse. I think she'll be happy", Armin said.
"Plus there's dad's reaction too", Eren said.
"Mom doesn't even know we're coming over. We've decided to surprise her", Mikasa added softly.
It was only a day after graduation ceremony, and the four were returning home. Mikasa looked at Rubi then.
"Rubi...you should start applying for medical schools", she said. Rubi gave a sweet smile. "I've decided to wait, Miki", she confessed.
"What?!", Armin gawked at his girlfriend. "Why?", asked Eren, also concerned.
"Calm down guys", Rubi smiled, she looked at her best friend then. Mikasa blinked.
"Miki...this is one of the biggest times in your life. You're about to become a mother, this is your first pregnancy. I'd be a horrible friend if I just left, especially for so long. You need me, Miki", Rubi replied softly.
Mikasa's eyes softened. "Rubi...thank you", she cried, looking quite relieved about this. Eren noticed, this a worried look in his eyes, as he stroked her shoulder.
Rubi smiled softly. Since graduating college, she already easily qualified as a midwife. Not only from how well she did in college, but it was in her blood. Since her mom was one, and so was her grandmother.
She reached over, taking Mikasa's hand, squeezing it softly. "You got this, Miki. You're going to do wonderful", Rubi assured her.
"Rubi's right, Mika. You're going to do amazing...", Eren added. Mikasa blushed softly, looking down. "Thanks you guys...", she said.
Eren stroked her shoulder softly, a worried look in his eyes. He still wasn't over the shock yet...his Mikasa was pregnant.
They were going to be parents...in just 8 months. Of course a thousand things went through his head. Both hopes and worries.
He thought about what gender their baby would be, how the nursery would look, and so much more. How it would be when their child started walking, talking...and his or her first birthday.
But at the same time Eren thought of many worries. The first, biggest worry was Mikasa's ribs. He remembered what his dad said...something like childbirth would put great strain on them.
It could cause the delivery to be more painful than a normal one...and even just the idea of her body having to go through labor...it scared Eren to death.
While Eren didn't know every last detail to childbirth, he wasn't ignorant either.
Mikasa was thinking all the same things. She kept wondering...what their child would look like. Would he or she look more like herself, or Eren? Or maybe a perfect mix of them both?
Would their baby have Eren's careless and reckless behavior, or Mikasa's more calm and mature behavior?
Mikasa smiled softly...she could only imagine how it would be when their child reached the teen years. But naturally, since it was Mikasa's first pregnancy, she was a bit nervous...downright scared even. She'd never admit it to Eren, since she could tell he was scared to death too.
But...at the same time Mikasa knew as long as she had Eren, Rubi and Carla...she would be fine. So that made her less nervous.
Mikasa's hand had barely left her still flat stomach this whole time. She already felt so attached to her unborn baby.
Eren held her close, as the train got closer and closer to their hometown.
When they arrived in their neighborhood, they parted ways with Armin and Rubi. Armin wanted to go see his grandfather, while Rubi knew her parents and family had a big party planned for her achievements.
Eren and Mikasa walked passed the playground where they had first met, holding hands, heading toward the Jaeger house.
They walked up to the front door. Mikasa held Eren's hand a bit tightly, as Eren turned the doorknob, it opened and they stepped inside.
"Mom!", Eren called. Carla, who was upstairs, jumped, and her heart skipped a beat. "Eren?!", she cried, as she hurried downstairs.
"We're home, mom", Mikasa smiled softly. Carla's eyes lit up. "Oh my god! I didn't even know you were coming home!", Carla cried, pulling them both in for a tight hug.
"Oh, I missed you both so much!", Carla cried, tearfully, beaming. "We missed you too mom", Mikasa said smiling softly.
"Mom, seriously! You saw us yesterday at our graduation ceremony!", Eren said, suffocated by his mother's grip.
"But...I didn't know you were coming home so soon! I thought you were getting a place over there?", Carla explained, as she finally let go of the two.
"That was the original plan, yes...but..", Mikasa began, as Eren looked nervous then. "But...?", Carla raised her eyebrows, studying Eren and Mikasa's expressions.
Eren and Mikasa exchanged looks, as Eren took a deep breath.
"Mom...we need you to sit down", Eren started. Mikasa was quiet. Carla blinked, looking at them. She especially had her eyes on Mikasa.
But she sat down on the living room chair, as Eren and Mikasa sat on the couch across from her. Carla's eyes narrowed.
"What's going on?", she asked. Mikasa bit her lip. "Mom...I'm pregnant", Mikasa said then. Carla starred at Mikasa.
Then, to both their shock and relief, Carla beamed, and suddenly hugged Mikasa.
"I KNEW IT! I could tell just by the look on your face, sweetie!", she cried.
Mikasa exhaled in relief, smiling, as she hugged Carla back. "Was it that obvious...?", she asked.
"Of course honey, you're glowing, and you have that same look in your eyes I had when I was pregnant with Eren", Carla smiled, her eyes softened as the girls broke apart gently.
Carla gently stroked Mikasa's hair, as Mikasa smiled, and gently took Carla's hand, placing it on her stomach.
"So...how do you feel about becoming a grandmother?", Mikasa asked. Carla chuckled. "Okay now that's the part where I need to sit down", she admitted, sitting back down.
Carla blinked then, just noticing the glimmer from Mikasa's finger, seeing the ring. "Mikasa...is that...", she started to ask.
Mikasa smiled, showing her ring. "Eren proposed, mom...so we're also getting married", she replied. Carla's eyes widened, as she even placed a hand over her heart.
"Oh my god...! This is wonderful!", she cried, hugging them both again. "So...you're not mad?", Eren asked, relieved.
"Don't get me wrong, I would have liked it if you waited until after your careers started, and when I was a bit older...", Carla admitted, still feeling weird being a grandmother at only 41.
"But I was only 22 when I had you Eren, so I'm in no position to talk", she said.
"Besides, I'm proud of you both. You went through high school and college first", she smiled.
"So...when's the wedding? What's the plan?", she asked. "Well, we decided to stay here for a month until Eren earns enough money for us to get our own place", Mikasa replied.
Carla blinked. "But don't you both have plenty of money saved up from college and your part time jobs there?", she asked.
"We do...but...well, we want to have the wedding by my third month, and a honeymoon. So...we need some extra", Mikasa replied.
"I want our wedding day to be special...and plus Mika's always wanted to revisit her home country, so we're going to Japan for our honeymoon", Eren added.
"I see...that does sound responsible, but since you all had to quit your part time jobs from college, where will you work here Eren?", asked Carla.
"Levi's Tea Shop, he decided to hire me already. He knows about Mikasa, and the wedding. I start the day after tomorrow", Eren said.
"And Mikasa...? Your songs?", asked Carla curiously. "My visits to the orphanage will become less frequent during this time, but actually...", Mikasa reached in her bag.
She showed Carla a soundtrack, a CD in a very beautiful case that had a photo of Mikasa under a Sakura tree, wearing her scarf.
Carla gasped. "Your first CD?!", she cried, taking it. Mikasa blushed. "Yep! It's already sold over a thousand copies!", Eren grinned, very proud of his fiancee.
"It just released a few days ago, but the children at the orphanage and hospitals got free copies, so that way they can listen to my songs any time", Mikasa explained.
On the back of the CD cover, it listed Mikasa's two songs "No Matter Where you Are" and "Flowery"
"Naturally Mika got a lot of calls from big companies, and even agents, but she declined them all", Eren added.
"I already made it clear to them, I don't want to be some famous singer. I only sing for those who need it", Mikasa said, quite firmly.
Carla smiled softly. "But you're so talented, Mika", Eren sighed softly. Mikasa leaned into him then.
"We talked about this, Eren. The only thing I want for my future is a life with you...I want a peaceful life, a marriage life, with kids...", Mikasa mused softly.
Eren smiled, stroking her hair. "I know baby", he said. Sure he knew how talented she was, and while sometimes it did bother him, he knew Mikasa had been through so much in her life, that the life of a celebrity wasn't for her.
She already had PTSD from her past, not to mention her migraines. A peaceful married life is what was really perfect for Mikasa.
"So, you'll both be staying here for Mikasa's second month?", asked Carla.
"Yes, by her third month we'll have the wedding, and be on a honeymoon for 2 weeks, and then return and get our own home. We're going to buy one in this neighborhood", Eren replied.
"Sounds really good, I still have your room Eren, so we'll fix it up better for you two", Carla smiled.
"Oh, when is dad coming home?", asked Mikasa. "Tonight, I can't wait for us to tell him!", Carla beamed.
Naturally...one would think perhaps the house Eren and Mikasa would buy, would be the Ackerman house, but putting aside the obvious that it had been torn down after all these years...
Mikasa had told Eren she didn't want to move into that house. It was too hard on her, because her parents were both murdered in that living room.
They hadn't even lived in that home long enough either. So...that house was nothing but a painful reminder of what happened.
Mikasa was actually glad it was torn down...all it was to her was the place her parents were killed brutally.
Eren and Mikasa slept well that night, it felt like forever since they were back in their own room, in their childhood home.
They had unpacked their belongings, Oscar was shoved back in the closet, and all of Eren's video games were put on the desk.
Mikasa was cuddled next to Eren, while Eren held her close, his hand on her stomach. Mikasa's hand was on her stomach as well, as the two slept peacefully that night.
When Mikasa woke the next morning, it was from a strong wave of nausea. Mikasa groaned, turning onto her side, cupping her belly.
She expected this of course, but it didn't make her feel any better physically. Before she could barely open her eyes, her stomach heaved. Mikasa bolted to the bathroom throwing up violently.
She coughed, panting for breath, turning white almost instantly. She groaned weakly, as she heard Eren hurrying in.
Not saying anything, Eren very sweetly held her hair out of the way, rubbing her back. "E-Eren...my scarf...", Mikasa whimpered then, worriedly.
"I got it baby, don't worry", Eren assured her, holding it out of the way. He had to smile at her worry for it.
After throwing up for a few more seconds, Mikasa coughed, her legs shaky. "You know...this is gonna be a daily occurrence, right?", she asked him, weakly, as Eren carefully helped her to her feet.
"I know, sweetheart. And it's okay...I love taking care of my beautiful girl", Eren said sweetly. Mikasa felt some color reach her pale cheeks, as she rinsed out her mouth.
Eren held onto her, since she was still quite shaky. They were about to exit the bathroom, when Mikasa suddenly stopped.
"Wait Eren...", she said, shakily. Eren paused, looking worried. "Oh god..not again!", Mikasa suddenly felt her stomach heave again, as she had to re enter the bathroom, throwing up more.
Eren was right at her side, rubbing her back, as Mikasa continued to be sick.
To everyone's worry, Mikasa spent the next two days very sick. Her morning sickness had become morning, afternoon and evening sickness.
She struggled to keep any food down, and the constant vomiting left a bad strain on her ribs. Grisha was unable to do anything, since it was simply part of pregnancy.
But Eren hated seeing Mikasa suffer like this. And it was only the beginning of the pregnancy.
By the second evening, Mikasa was extremely exhausted. She hadn't slept in two days, and her ribs were on fire at this point.
She was throwing up into a bed pan, since she was too weak to keep rushing to the bathroom. Her belly was completely empty, so nothing really came up.
She was in bed, wearing her pink pajama top, the bottom slightly unbuttoned, her belly exposed a little, as she coughed weakly, groaning.
Eren was right at her side, he was hugging her from behind, rubbing her belly gently, trying anything to soothe her.
When Mikasa finished, she groaned, and even sobbed.
"I know baby, I know...I'm right here", Eren soothed her worriedly, kissing her hair. Mikasa choked back a sob then, groaning painfully, clutching her chest with one hand, and her belly with the other.
"Eren...make it stop...please", she begged, tearfully and weakly. Eren's heart sunk...he never heard Mikasa this desperate for relief before...she was in agony.
She was normally so strong too, so it was mind numbing for Eren to hear and see her like this.
"I'm going to call Rubi, sweetie. Maybe she'll know something dad doesn't", Eren decided. He grabbed his phone, dialing Rubi's number.
"Eren?", Rubi answered. The passed two days she and Armin were busy naturally, reuniting with their families, and getting jobs in the area.
"Rubi, hey...Mika's really sick...", Eren started. "Eren, morning sickness is part of pregnancy, it'll stop at 10 weeks...", Rubi began.
"No, you don't get it Rubi! This isn't morning sickness, its morning, afternoon and evening sickness! She hasn't slept for two days, she's exhausted!", Eren yelled, frustrated.
Rubi paused, her heart sinking. "Miki hasn't slept in two days...?!", she cried, her tone turning urgent.
"No, and her ribs are in agony from this...Rubi, is there anything we can do to stop this?", Eren asked, urgently.
Rubi bit her lip. "I have one thing we can try, give me 20 minutes, I'll be right over", Rubi replied. "Okay...", Eren hung up, and turned his attention back to Mikasa.
"Oh god...not again, please..! No more...!", Mikasa cried, as she threw up again, only some water coming out. Despite barely anything coming out, the nausea was killing her.
"Hang on baby, hang on, Rubi's on her way over...", Eren soothed her worriedly, rubbing her back, kissing her cheek. Mikasa groaned weakly, gripping his hand.
The door opened softly then. "Mika? Still throwing up, honey?", Carla asked, worriedly. She had come in off and on to check on them.
Mikasa could only groan, nodding miserably.
"Rubi's gonna come over, she comes from a family of midwives, maybe they know some tricks dad doesn't", Eren explained.
"That's a good idea...", Carla sat at the bedside. Mikasa then reached for Carla's hand, gripping it. "You poor thing...", Carla cried worriedly, as she gently took a cloth, wiping Mikasa's forehead.
"Mom...was it this bad for you? When you were pregnant with...Eren?", asked Mikasa weakly.
"I didn't get it this bad, no sweetie. But every pregnancy is different, don't worry angel. It'll stop soon, I promise", Carla assured her, stroking her hair, and gently rubbing her belly.
Mikasa nodded, groaning weakly again, getting another wave of nausea.
Within minutes, Rubi hurried over. "Miki! I'm here!", Rubi cried, worriedly, as she hurried into the bedroom.
She paused for a second, a worried look on her face seeing how sick Mikasa appeared. She was white as a ghost, shaky, and even sweating.
"Rubi...", Mikasa weakly took her best friend's hand. "Hey sweetie...Eren, when was the last time she ate, drank or slept?", Rubi asked, anxiously, getting very professional.
Eren actually had to think for a few seconds. "She hasn't ate anything for two days, and she tried drinking earlier but it just made her nauseous...and any time she drifts to sleep, she's awake only 5 minutes later to throw up", he explained, worriedly.
"Okay...Carla, I need you to go downstairs and make Miki a cup of ice chips. Those won't make her nauseous, but they'll keep her hydrated", Rubi instructed.
"Okay, good idea sweetie", Carla hadn't thought of that since she didn't get this sick when she was pregnant with Eren.
She hurried downstairs. "Eren, I need you to do whatever you can to soothe her. I need to make something in the kitchen that should make it stop", Rubi told him.
"Okay...", Eren nodded, anxiously. Rubi hurried downstairs. Mikasa whimpered, as Eren very gently cuddled her, holding her belly, rubbing it soothingly.
After a few minutes, Carla and Rubi returned upstairs. First Rubi brought over a mug of special herbal tea. "What's that?", asked Eren curiously, as Rubi very gently helped Mikasa sit up.
Mikasa groaned weakly, her washcloth falling off her forehead. "It's a special brew of herbal healing tea from my country. Only the most experienced midwives know about it...it's able to reduce morning sickness and even nausea. It's only used for cases like this one", Rubi explained, rubbing Mikasa's back.
"How long..until it works?", asked Mikasa, sounding completely exhausted.
"Almost instantly honey", Rubi assured her, as Mikasa began drinking it, desperate for relief.
Later that evening, Eren and Carla made Mikasa some warm oatmeal with saltine crackers, and hot tea to bring up.
Eren carried the tray upstairs, as he slowly opened the bedroom door.
Mikasa was resting in bed, the fan blowing on her since she felt overheated. She was laying on her side, fast asleep, the cup of ice chips right by her. She looked shattered, as she slept soundly, breathing softly.
Eren smiled, relieved. She was finally able to rest. She hadn't felt sick again for about 4 hours. It killed Eren to have to wake her, she looked so peaceful.
But he knew the baby needed food. And really so did Mikasa. He gently sat at her bedside, and softly shook her shoulder.
"Mikasa...baby...", he said softly, caressing the scar on her cheek. Mikasa stirred weakly, her eyelids felt heavy as led, as she struggled to look at him.
"Eren...?", she asked sleepily.
"Hey...sorry to wake you, Mika, but you and the baby need food, bad", Eren said worriedly and softly. Mikasa gave a weak nod.
Eren helped her sit up, propping her back on the pillows. Mikasa blinked, in her half asleep state. "Eren, you made this...?", she asked.
Eren blushed. "Mom helped", he shrugged. Mikasa smiled softly, as she began eating. She felt starving, and she ate all of it, and even drank all the tea.
After finishing, she chewed on a few ice chips. "I'm so thirsty still...", she admitted, breathlessly. "Of course you are, you were throwing up for two days baby", Eren said softly.
"You want me to get you some cold water?", he offered.
Mikasa shook her head tiredly. "I'm still too on edge to drink any...the ice chips are fine, thank you Eren", she replied, sleepily, as she lay back down on her side, exhausted.
Eren smiled, he stroked her hair softly. He set the bowl and mug on the tray, about to take it down, when he felt Mikasa grab his shirt.
Eren blinked, to see a pleading look in her dark eyes. "Eren...don't leave me..", Mikasa pleaded weakly then.
Eren's eyes softened. He set the tray down, and gently cuddled into bed with her, Mikasa snuggled against him, exhaling softly in relief.
Despite all these years passing, Mikasa's PTSD and separation anxiety to Eren remained. And was most obvious when she felt ill, or had nightmares.
"I'm right here, sweetie, I'm not leaving", Eren assured her lovingly, as he caressed her cheek, and then her belly.
Mikasa nodded, as she cuddled more against him, her hand over his on her belly, as she drifted to a sound sleep.
