The waiting room in the Emergency room was fairly crowded. The front doors opened, as Mikasa hurried in, Eren, Armin and Rubi not far behind her.

"Mikasa, slow down!", Eren said worriedly, as they hurried inside. Mikasa was ahead of them, not answering Eren, her heart pounding, as she already felt a severe stress migraine coming on.

It was a different hospital, not Grisha's, since the college was several towns away.

Mikasa stormed up to the front desk. "We're here to see Petra Ackerman", she said urgently.

"Petra Ackerman...", the receptionist looked on her computer.

"Are you family...?", she asked after a few seconds. "I'm her Step Niece", Mikasa replied, she was tapping her foot anxiously.

Her head felt like it may split open. "Okay sweetie...I'll send Petra's doctor right out to speak with you", the receptionist told her.

Eren walked up, gently taking Mikasa's hand, giving it an assuring squeeze.

Rubi bit her lip, swallowing hard. "If they're sending the doctor out right away...it's serious", she said worriedly.

Armin rubbed her arm softly, a worried look in his eyes too.

The ER doors opened, as a doctor came out. He looked exhausted, like he had been up all night.

"Mikasa?", he asked kindly. "How's Petra? And the baby?", Mikasa demanded, fearfully.

The doctor hesitated, he seemed like he could barely look them in the face.

Eren's heart sunk..he recognized that expression. It reminded him so much of one Grisha held, back when Mikasa's ribs were fractured. Only this time...the expression was even more grim.

"Please, come over here and sit down", the doctor offered, he placed a kind hand on Mikasa's arm, he could see how scared she was.

The kind gesture, while should of comforted Mikasa, only made her hold her breath...as she got as sinking feeling.

The doctor led them to a quiet room, as they sat down.

Eren sat next to Mikasa, while Rubi sat on the other side of her, Armin by Rubi. The doctor sighed softly, sitting down across from them.

"The baby is just fine...it's a boy, he's perfectly healthy. 8 lbs...", he started slowly. Mikasa tensed, listening, while Rubi looked anxious.

Her eyes even darkened, fearfully. She knew from her own mother being an experienced midwife, that any time something was very wrong, the doctor always gave the news of the baby first. And always took the family and friends to a private room.

"However the mother...Petra...I'm afraid, there isn't much more we can do", the doctor said then. Rubi's heart sunk.

But Mikasa glared. "What the hell does that mean!?", Mikasa demanded. "Mika...", Eren gently held her hand.

"It means we're barely able to keep her alive, now as we speak...", the doctor replied sadly.

Mikasa's glare only darkened, as she suddenly stood up.

"You're going to tell me in EVERY detail what the hell happened to my Aunt!", she snarled, almost dangerously.

"Miki, calm down! He's doing all he can!", Rubi cried softly.

"It's all right...Mikasa has every right to be angry", the doctor held an assuring hand up to Rubi.

Mikasa was shaking, but she sat back down, her glare leaving a bit.

"And she's right, you all deserve to know what happened last night...do you all mind?", the doctor had pulled a cigarette from his pocket.

"It's been a long night, and I promised my wife I'd quit but...", he looked shaken actually.

"No, go ahead sir", Eren assured him, not really minding. And even understood.

The doctor lit it, as he took a puff and sighed.

"Last night, Petra suddenly got contractions, and her water broke almost instantly. But they weren't normal contractions. They were abnormally painful ones. And before anyone even knew it, she was in advanced labor...", he began.

Mikasa swallowed hard, her hands trembling.

"I think...she was having contractions earlier that day. When we talked at the diner", she admitted, shakily.

"Really Miki?", asked Rubi softly. "If she did they were very mild, but...I could see it on her face. She looked uncomfortable, and she was out of breath", Mikasa nodded.

"That makes sense..it was your Aunt's first pregnancy, and since they were mild she most likely didn't realize it was actual labor", the doctor nodded softly.

"So...what happened..after her water broke?", asked Mikasa.

"Levi and her got in the car, to drive to the hospital. It's only a 15 minute drive...but they didn't even make it to the hospital", the doctor said.

Eren's eyes widened, so did Armin's, while Mikasa's heart sunk.

"The baby came in the car?", asked Rubi, fearfully.

"Afraid so...Levi told me everything that happened. They had only been driving for 8 minutes, and the baby's head started crowning. Levi had to pull over, and assist her...", the doctor explained.

Mikasa looked down, just thinking about it made her sick...sick with worry, and fear.

"So then...what caused the hemorrhage?", asked Armin after a few seconds of silence. Mikasa looked up.

"The complication was...things moved way too fast...", the doctor started. Rubi's eyes widened then.

"Sir...by any chance, was she not fully dilated?", she asked then. "You're correct...", the doctor said grimly.

Mikasa's heart sunk, she even gasped. Eren and Armin both looked horrified.

"Petra was having extremely strong contractions, they were only seconds apart, and the baby was coming faster than her body could dilate. Levi thinks the baby's head began crowning from just the contractions alone, she didn't even have to push...from what we could tell she was only 5 cementers dilated out of 10...", the doctor revealed.

"Only five...?!", Rubi cried, horrified. Mikasa had froze, her eyes expressed shock...disbelief.

"So of course...she tore. Bad. But the tear was so severe, she began to bleed out nonstop. Combined this with her health problems, she was hemorrhaging before the ambulance arrived", the doctor said.

Mikasa looked down, her arms shaking. Her head was pounding badly, as she closed her eyes for a moment.

"So...now what? How is she now?", she asked, shakily. Eren rubbed his girlfriend's back softly.

"When she arrived at the hospital, we confirmed she may have suffered some heart trauma. Such a scary and stressful thing happening to someone with a very weak heart...it was expected. We've been caring for her all night but...", the doctor took a deep breath.

"Listen...I won't sugar coat any of this. Petra...isn't going to pull through. She's hanging on by a thread. We currently have her on oxygen, a heart monitor..and about a dozen other machines but...last night, her heart stopped beating twice...we were amazed we got it beating again but...", the doctor looked down.

"How do you even know that for sure? Maybe she'll pull through!", Eren said, as Mikasa starred, a lump in her throat.

"I know this because right now the only thing keeping her alive...is life support", the doctor replied. Eren froze, his heart sinking.

"So then...its just a matter of...when to pull the plug...", Armin realized, grimly.

"I told Levi...its cruel to prolong Petra's suffering. I doubt she'll regain consciousness. I'm...so sorry. Truly...I am", the doctor said.

Mikasa swallowed hard, tears sparkling in her eyes.

"Did...did Petra ever get to...even see her baby? To even hold him?", she asked then, her voice cracked. "I'm afraid...no..", the doctor admitted.

Mikasa clenched her fists, shaking furiously, gritting her teeth. "Where's Levi?", asked Eren.

"In the waiting room...", replied the doctor.

Before returning to the waiting room, Mikasa, Eren, Armin and Rubi looked through the glass window, in the nursery.

They saw the black haired baby boy in the middle of the room, sleeping peacefully. Mikasa choked back a sob, as Rubi gently hugged her then.

Eren rubbed Mikasa's back, kissing her hair.

They were taken to the Critical Care unit, where Petra was. "I'm sorry, but only one of you can go in, and just for a few seconds", a nurse said.

Mikasa walked in, while the rest waited out.

Mikasa walked up to Petra's beside, as her heart sunk. All color drained from Mikasa's face. Petra was unconscious, laying on the bed. Her face was very white, and she was hooked up to several machines.

She had an oxygen mask on, her chest wasn't even rising up and down hardly.

Mikasa gently took Petra's limp, cold hand, tears in her eyes. She even sobbed softly, shaking.

She finally..got to meet someone who knew her mother. It even felt like a part of her mother was back.

But now...she was losing that small part.

She remembered what Petra requested of her...to make amends with Levi.

It was the one and only thing Petra asked of her. Mikasa gently stroked Petra's hair. "I'm going to keep my promise to you, Auntie..", she said softly, her voice cracked.

Mikasa gently kissed Petra's forehead, before exiting the room.

"Mikasa...", Eren looked at her worried. Mikasa shook, tears streaming down her face. Eren then pulled her close, hugging her tightly, as Mikasa broke down, sobbing in Eren's arms.

"Why...Eren...why?! Why does everyone I care about...die?!", Mikasa sobbed, frustrated, clinging tightly to Eren.

"Oh baby...", Eren gently pulled her closer, as they sat down. "Miki...", Rubi's own eyes filled with tears, as Armin held her close.

"Who's next?! Eren...who!? Mom? Armin? Rubi? You?! I can't...I can't lose anyone else...I just...CAN'T!", Mikasa yelled, tearfully.

Eren gently rocked her back and fourth, soothing her. He knew she needed to let it all out. Rubi and Armin decided to give the two some privacy, and also get them something to drink.

"Listen to me sweetheart...nobody is next. I promise you that...you aren't going to lose anyone else", Eren assured her. Mikasa sobbed softly, clinging to him tightly still.

"You don't know that Eren...no one does. Wasn't it enough...that I lost my parents...?! Wasn't it enough I had to see it...happen?!", Mikasa sobbed.

She then suddenly cried out in pain, clutching her head. "Mika..", Eren kept his voice low, but his eyes expressed worry, knowing she had to be having a huge stress migraine at this point.

Her head felt like it may split open, and she actually felt dizzy, her breathing growing heavy.

"Mikasa, easy...easy, deep breaths...", Eren soothed her, rubbing her back, as Mikasa sniffed, her breathing remaining uneven.

Armin and Rubi hurried over. "Miki!", seeing Mikasa's pained expression, Rubi hurried over. "Armin, get a nurse!", she ordered, urgently, taking Mikasa's hand.

"Right..!", Armin hurried to get one, as Mikasa continued clutching her head, gritting her teeth painfully, her eyes shut tightly.

Everything was going black for her, as her migraine actually started to blind her. Within seconds, she passed out in Eren's arms from the pain.

When Mikasa woke, she groaned weakly. She saw she was in a hospital bed, as she glanced around the room weakly.

"Hey...", Eren was at her beside, holding her hand, a worried look in his eyes.

"Eren...", Mikasa sat up, reaching for her red scarf, which was on the nightstand.

"Easy...don't try to move yet. You got a really bad migraine. The doctors gave you medicine", Eren told her, softly.

"I'm fine...how long was I out..? How's Petra?", asked Mikasa, worriedly.

"Her condition hasn't changed...", Eren answered, grimly.

"Mikasa...listen to me. You are NOT going to lose anyone else...", he assured her then, looking at her dead in the eye.

Mikasa looked at him, she exhaled shakily. She then took both his hands. "Eren...promise me. Promise me...you won't ever die. I can't...lose you...or Rubi...or mom...or Armin...or anyone else. I...can't go through this ever again", Mikasa pleaded.

Eren very gently cupped her face then, pressing his forehead to hers, gazing in her eyes.

"I promise, Mikasa. I'll always be here at your side. And so will everyone else", he soothed her. Mikasa released a shaky breath, nodding, as Eren kissed her forehead, and then her scar.

"I need to talk to Levi...", Mikasa said then. Eren blinked, as he carefully helped her out of bed.

"Are you okay to walk?", he fretted. "Yes. It was Petra's one and only request...I need to talk to him", Mikasa replied.

As they exited the room, Rubi and Armin looked over. "Miki! You shouldn't be out of bed yet!", cried Rubi, hurrying over, worried.

"The doctor wants to keep you overnight", Armin added, worriedly.

"I'm fine guys...is my uncle still here?", asked Mikasa, she gave Rubi's hand an assuring squeeze.

"He's still in the waiting room...he hasn't left", Armin replied. Mikasa nodded.

She walked into the waiting room, and saw Levi sitting by himself, over by the window. He looked...numb. Like he wasn't even living anymore.

Mikasa walked over, while Eren, Armin and Rubi stayed behind, giving the two time alone.

Levi didn't hear her at first, seeming in shock...disbelief.

"Levi", Mikasa said then, standing over him. Levi glanced at her, as he blinked.

"Mikasa...", he started, numbly. Mikasa sat next to him.

"I know everything...and not just about today. Petra told me...all about your past. And your relationship with my parents", Mikasa stated.

Levi looked away, silent.

"Why didn't you just tell me...", Mikasa asked, a hint of anger in her tone. "Because it wouldn't have mattered...it was a chapter of my life I made many mistakes in", Levi replied.

"It DOES matter! To ME at the very least!", Mikasa snapped then, glaring. Levi blinked, looking at her.

"Because you were too fucking stubborn to say anything...for so long...I only got to spend time with my only Aunt for a day! And now...now...", Mikasa trembled, tearfully.

Levi's eyes widened a bit, as he looked at Mikasa. "But...I can't...stay angry at you. I won't...because it was Petra's last wish. She wanted us to get along, be a family again...", Mikasa said then.

Levi listened, his heart sinking.

"I...no..WE owe that much to her!", Mikasa cried. There was a moment of silence. Levi then looked down.

There was a look of deep guilt and regret in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry...", he said, softly. Mikasa looked at him.

"I...damn it...nothing I can say is good enough...I really was an asshole all those years ago. I fought with my one and only brother...and completely ignored the girl I truly loved...without realizing it. By the time I accepted Petra's feelings...she was so sick, and we missed so many years together...", Levi shook, tears appeared in his eyes.

"The night you were born...I tried so fucking hard to get there. When my brother called...I could hear Akane's screams in the background. It tore me up inside...but...", Levi swallowed hard.

"When I found out how they died...in such a cruel...horrible way, I...couldn't face reality. Or you. I knew you were okay, with the Jaeger family..but...I couldn't bring myself to see you. Because I knew that meant...accepting the fact my brother and Akane...were killed. Before...I could even...apologize...", Levi was shaking badly now.

"Petra...was the one thing I did right. Things finally...started to make sense. When we got married, and when she got pregnant. We moved back here...because I actually felt ready to face you. But now...I've even failed Petra...", Levi sobbed.

Mikasa was quiet, her face tear stained.

"I need to face it...no matter where I go, I drag people down. I...how...am I supposed to move on from this? ", Levi said. Mikasa frowned then, tearfully.

"Levi..", Eren approached then. Levi and Mikasa blinked.

"Stop acting like you've lost everything. Look around. You have a niece...a beautiful niece, and a son. A healthy son. You need to live for them. Make things right for them", Eren said, firmly.

"Eren...", Mikasa mused. Levi looked down, he wiped his eyes. "You're right Eren...", he stood up.

"I'm...sorry. To all of you. Mikasa, I know I can't be forgiven overnight. But...I want to be part of your life", Levi said.

Mikasa gave a small tearful smile. "I want you part of mine...and I know that's what Petra wants...more than anything, Uncle", she nodded.

Levi and Mikasa's eyes met, they then hugged softly. Levi's breath staggered...she was so much like Akane...it was mind numbing.

Eren, Rubi and Armin watched, relieved for the two.

By the next morning, they were in Petra's room. Levi was sitting at her bedside, holding her limp hand. Mikasa sat on the other side, holding the baby, who was wrapped in a blue blanket.

Eren, Armin and Rubi waited outside.

"She won't feel anything...she'll simply slip away", the doctor told Levi, as Levi signed the paperwork to remove the plug.

Levi couldn't bear it. She was suffering, and it was just cruel to keep this up. Mikasa kept hold of Petra's hand, tears in her eyes.

As the doctor pulled the plug, to their surprise Petra's eyelids opened, weakly, barely halfway. But her breathing was extremely weak.

"Levi...", her voice was barely a whisper. "Petra!", Levi gently kissed her forehead, tears in his eyes. It was also considered a test, to see if she could survive without life support.

But the doctor already knew she couldn't.

"O-Our baby...is he all right...?", Petra asked weakly. "He's fine Auntie, he's right here", Mikasa assured her. Petra weakly looked.

"Oh..Mikasa...you're here too sweetie...?", Petra looked at her son, being cradled by Mikasa.

"Your baby is just fine, Auntie..don't worry. You did so well...Uncle Levi and I are okay now too", Mikasa assured her. Petra gave a weak, relieved smile.

"I'm so glad...Mikasa, sweetie...I want...you to be his godmother...is that...okay?", asked Petra. Her voice was getting weaker, the heart monitor was beeping slower and slower.

"Of course Auntie...I'm honored...", Mikasa cried, struggling hard not to cry. "Thank you...I love you, Mikasa...", Petra looked at Levi then.

Levi was shaking badly, tears in his eyes. "Raise our son well, Levi...please...I want him to grow strong, just like his father...", Petra said weakly.

"Petra...you'll be there with me to make sure I do...", Levi sobbed, hoping somehow she'd pull through. Petra gave a weak smile.

"I want that Levi...but...I can't. I've...I've had enough. I'm so tired...I was destined to die for a while...", Petra said weakly.

"Don't say that..!", Levi cried. "Please Levi...promise me...promise me you'll take care of our son", Petra pleaded.

Levi looked down, shaking.

"I will...I promise you that..I'll raise our little Farlen well", Levi replied, his voice cracked. Farlen was the name of Petra's grandfather.

Petra smiled weakly. "At...at least now...I can finally see Akane again...I love you, Levi...so much", Petra cried weakly.

Levi gripped her hand tightly, tears flooding down his face. Mikasa was numb, tears in her own eyes.

Petra's hand went limp then, as she closed her eyes. The beeping stopped, as Levi choked back a sob, Petra's hand slipping from his, landing on the bed, as Levi continued sobbing softly.

Mikasa blinked tears from her eyes, as she cradled Farlan close.

At first everything was black for Petra, as she starred. Her body no longer felt weak, or in pain. She then saw a bright white light up ahead.

She squinted, before seeing a figure emerge from the light. Petra's eyes widened, as she gasped, recognizing the black hair...dark eyes...kind expression.

"Akane..!", Petra cried out, as she suddenly ran towards her. Akane was bearing angel wings, as the two girls reached each other, hugging tightly, as angel wings formed on Petra's back.

Akane smiled softly, caressing her best friend's cheek, as the two took hands walking together into the heavenly light.

Author's Note: Only one more chapter left and the College arc will be complete! Then onto the Family arc, will be the longest arc. After that, then just the New Generation arc.