Author's Note: Sorry for the late chapter, my friend is going through HELL right now. Its personal but lets just say her family is both emotionally and physically abusive towards her recently, so I've been spending lots of my time with her to help. Also, the next two chapters will be full of Eremika fluff and cuteness, just warning you.
It was March, the Sakura petals drifted with the wind as the clouds cleared, the sun out. But despite spring almost here, it was a chilly morning.
Eren and Mikasa walked to school, holding hands. Mikasa wore her red scarf and she wore her white casual dress and soft warm pink jacket.
Since she was starting to show, the school bent a rule of her not having to wear her uniform
She was 4 months pregnant now, and her belly was already swollen a bit. She had her hand on her stomach, gently rubbing it.
"Were you able to find a job yet?", she asked Eren softly. "None yet...but don't worry, I'll find one", Eren assured.
"But more importantly, how are you feeling?", asked Eren worriedly.
"I'm all right, morning sickness stopped, I've read the third, fourth and fifth months are the easiest", replied Mikasa.
She studied a lot already, having several books with her all the time. She was handling her pregnancy amazingly well.
She never complained or anything. She studied all the time about it. And most noticing, either one or both of her hands were always on her stomach.
She grew extremely attached to her baby already.
They soon arrived at the school, seeing Rubi and Armin.
"Hey guys", Armin waved smiling. "Hey", Mikasa smiled.
"How's our mommy feeling?", Rubi asked sweetly. "I'm fine", Mikasa smiled back.
"We got a huge test today", alerted Armin. "Yeah, we're aware. We were able to get some studying in last night", assured Eren.
The group walked inside, as they did Eren watched Mikasa worriedly. He never took his eyes off of her
One could even say he watched her like a hawk. He was certainly the paranoid daddy. He watched every move she made.
Eren heard a saying where a father doesn't become a father until he sees his baby. What bullshit that was, he thought.
Seeing how fragile and tired Mikasa was, it had sunk in fully for him they were going to be parents.
Eren knew he had to get a job, and fast. Mikasa opened her locker, getting more books out. She went to put them in her bag.
"Give me", Eren said then. Mikasa blinked. "Eren, it's not that heavy, really", she assured.
"Hand it over", Eren said firmly, but he was smiling.
Mikasa blushed, but she gave in and handed him her heavy bag. Under normal circumstances, she would be a lot more stubborn.
But since becoming pregnant, Mikasa changed a bit. She was no longer reckless or stubborn. At least, for now.
She only thought of keeping her baby healthy and safe, which was natural. She was much more careful with her movements. Eren liked the way she was now.
It was like he could finally see a glimpse of the happy 9 year old girl he knew all those years ago. She was back.
His happy, sweet Mikasa was back.
When they entered the classroom, they sat down at their desks, the teacher still not in.
"I cannot believe she's making us do a test this hard!", complained Ymir. "Mikasa, how are you feeling?", Krista asked kindly.
"I'm all right Krista, thanks for asking", Mikasa assured.
"Whoa, you're getting a bit big already..and you're only 4 months..?", Sasha asked, eating three rice balls.
Mikasa nodded. "We noticed it too, Rubi thinks I should get an ultrasound tomorrow", she said.
"It's very possible it could be twins...", said Rubi.
"Twins..?", Eren paled at the thought. One baby was enough...but two?
"It could be Eren...", said Mikasa softly.
"I know that...I just. It's going to be tough on you as it is with just one baby...", said Eren worriedly.
"No matter if its one or two, we'll get through it together Eren", Mikasa assured softly, taking his hand.
"How can you be so calm and relaxed?", asked Eren worriedly, looking at her.
"Because being stressed can cause problems for the baby...", Rubi said.
"And also because I have you by my side Eren, and our friends", Mikasa added softly, her hand on her stomach.
Eren looked at her worried, but nodded. She was right...and so was Rubi. It was best Mikasa was calm and relaxed, for her health and the baby's.
But at the same time Eren couldn't calm down...he was always tense lately worried about her.
Sasha finished eating two of her rice balls. She then looked over at Mikasa. She hesitated, seeming to struggle with something.
"Mikasa...here", she offered then, holding it out to her. Mikasa blinked, surprised.
"Really?", she asked, she knew Sasha was never the type to share food, at least not without serious struggling.
"It's fine..you're eating for two", replied Sasha, she seemed to be struggling to do this, her arm shaking.
Mikasa gently took it. "That's really sweet of you Sasha...thank you", Mikasa said softly.
"It's..no problem", said Sasha, her eyes not leaving the riceball Mikasa held.
"Oh, that's right...", Mikasa then pulled coupons out of her pocket. Sasha blinked.
"I couldn't think of anyone else to give these too", Mikasa handed them to Sasha.
Sasha blinked, and read them. She suddenly teared up comically.
"NO WAY! All you can eat FREE cake buffet!", she squealed.
"Mikasa! Thank you! You're a life saver!", Sasha suddenly hugged Mikasa, carefully.
"Its no problem Sasha, really", Mikasa assured.
Eren and Armin both smiled at the girls, while Rubi got her books out.
While waiting for the teacher, Sasha was hugging the coupons to her chest, while Mikasa ate the riceball, reading one of her pregnancy books.
"So it's true...", Jean was sitting in the back, looking extremely depressed.
"Damn you Eren...", he said shakily. "Get over yourself Romeo, it was always Eren", Connie said.
Finally the teacher came in. "Okay class, get out your math books, the big test starts right now", she said.
Eren groaned, as did some other students. Mikasa put her book away and got out her math book, opening it.
As the test started, Mikasa glanced over at Rubi, then at Armin.
She knew the two had feelings for each other, but the two were more shy than preschool kids.
She sighed, and pulled out her cell phone. She texted Rubi.
"You two still haven't gone out?"
She waited, and got a text back.
"MIKASA! Not now! We're in a test, and besides you need to focus more on the baby"
Mikasa sighed, she texted back.
"Fine, we'll talk about it at lunch"
The fact Armin and Rubi had such strong feelings for each other, but were too shy to say anything drove Eren and Mikasa crazy.
Especially Eren. "Those two are pathetic...why won't they just kiss and start dating?", Eren whispered.
"They're shy, it can't be helped. I'll talk to Rubi at lunch", Mikasa said softly, she went back to focusing on the test.
It was a 2 hour test, and finally it was lunch time. "Finally!", Eren stretched. "How'd you guys do?", asked Armin.
"I did okay, Eren?", Mikasa asked. "Meh, good as it will get", replied Eren.
The group went outside, near the Sakura trees to have lunch.
Armin and Rubi had to pick up their grades first, so Eren and Mikasa went ahead.
They held hands as they walked.
"I've applied for about 15 jobs...so far none of them called back", Eren said then. Mikasa looked at him softly.
"What kinds of jobs?", she asked curiously.
"I can hardly remember, I know one was a cleaning job. Basically to clean this Tea shop in town...that had the best hours and pay", replied Eren.
Mikasa looked at Eren worriedly. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out Eren...worst case I can always go to work-"
"OVER MY DEAD BODY!", Eren yelled then. Mikasa blinked, a little surprised.
"No way! You're way too fragile! Besides, Rubi would murder me if she found out you were working", Eren said anxiously.
Mikasa smiled then.
"Eren, you act like I'm dying or something, you realize how many women get pregnant and give birth? It's natural", she said.
"Come on Mikasa, I'm serious. Yeah I know its natural and its done every day but that doesn't mean it won't be easy either", Eren said seriously.
Mikasa looked at him, her expression turning serious now.
"I know..trust me. I'm not naïve, I know it will be a bit tough, mainly because of my ribs...", she placed her hand over her chest.
Eren watched her worriedly.
"The truth is Eren...I'm scared. But not for me...", Mikasa started. Her hand went back to her swollen belly.
Eren looked at her anxiously then. "I'm scared for the baby. I know I'll be fine..I'm strong. I can handle the delivery...", she said.
"Mika...you don't know that yet...", Eren pointed out, worriedly. "It can't be much worse than when my ribs got fractured. My point is...", she continued.
"I'm so young..what if because of that something will be wrong with the baby? Or..I do something wrong and lose her?", Mikasa said worriedly, guessing the baby was a girl.
"Mikasa...", Eren stopped walking, and took both her hands.
"I should have known you were scared...you're strong, but you're still human. Listen to me, I promise I'll protect both of you. I'll make sure the both of you are safe", he assured.
"I just...don't want anything to happen to her. I'm constantly worried...if I'm not eating enough, or if I move my body too fast or hard...", she said.
"Mikasa, trust me. You're so young, but you're being so responsible and amazing at it already. I'm really impressed", Eren assured her.
Mikasa looked at him, she nodded. His words did comfort her a lot, but she was naturally going to still worry.
They continued walking, and when they were near a bench under the shade of a Sakura tree, Mikasa suddenly stopped, feeling something strange from her abdomen. Like a nudge.
"Mikasa?", asked Eren, noticing her stop.
Mikasa felt it again, this time it was like...a tiny kick. She suddenly gasped, stopping, both hands going to her belly.
"What? What's wrong?!", Eren asked, his eyes wide in panic. He instantly wore the Paranoid Daddy eyes, as Mikasa called them.
"I think...the baby just moved..", replied Mikasa, her eyes and hands not leaving her belly. She had a tender and surprised look in her eyes.
"Really?!", asked Eren anxiously, he helped her sit down.
"Yeah...", replied Mikasa a bit breathlessly, both hands still on her belly. She took Eren's hand then, and gently guided it to where the baby was kicking
"Right...here. Feel?", Mikasa asked softly, her voice sounded so motherly, it made Eren's heart skip a beat.
Eren felt the baby kick then against his hand. "Whoa...I do feel it...", he mused gently. It was without a doubt a kick.
Mikasa then winced a little bit. "Whoa..", she cried, the baby kicking strong. Eren was surprised, feeling how hard the baby kicked against the palm of his hand.
"She's so strong..just like her mother", Eren said gently, he carefully rubbed Mikasa's tummy, to settle the baby.
"Eren..this is amazing", Mikasa said. "It really is...", Eren mused.
"No, I mean...this is..", Mikasa then pulled one of her pregnancy books out of her bag.
She opened it, and turned to a certain page.
"Eren...it says here normally the baby doesn't begin moving until the fifth month, maybe a little sooner. I'm only 4 months...", Mikasa explained anxiously.
"Are you serious?", asked Eren, as he sat beside her.
"Yeah, our baby is...really healthy", Mikasa said this with heavy relief in her tone.
"See? Just like I thought. This proves you've been doing everything right Mikasa. You're already a great mommy", Eren smiled then.
Mikasa blushed at his words, and she smiled. She gazed down at her belly, so relieved gently rubbing it.
She then gently rested her head on Eren's shoulder. Eren smiled, and he placed his own hand back on her tummy, right over her hand.
They both felt another kick. Mikasa's eyes softened. "I thought of a name...", she said. Eren looked at her.
"Carla...Carla Akane Jaeger", she decided. Eren's eyes grew wide, touched. "Mikasa...", he said. "Eren, your mother took me in like I was her own child", Mikasa explained.
Eren smiled, he then did something unexpected.
He gently stroked her hair, and then kissed her belly. Mikasa blushed, she couldn't believe how sweet he was.
"Eren...", she smiled, blushing. Eren smiled, and then kissed her cheek, where her scar was. "Our little Carla..", he mused.
"Hey guys, sorry, the teacher kept us forever", said Armin coming over with Rubi then.
"Mikasa, are you all right?", Rubi asked worriedly. "Yes, the baby was just kicking", replied Mikasa.
"What, already?!", Rubi looked surprised, as she hurried over.
"Yeah...just now. Really strongly too", replied Mikasa.
"No way, that's a good sign, right?", asked Armin. "A really good sign", replied Eren.
"Is..is it okay if I feel?", Rubi asked. "Of course Rubi", Mikasa assured, she was best friends with her after all.
Rubi gently placed her hand on Mikasa's belly, and felt a strong kick. "Bloody hell! She's a tough little bugger..you're only 4 months right?", asked Rubi surprised.
Mikasa nodded. "From how it feels...not only is the baby healthy, but she might be a bit oversized", Rubi said, focusing.
She was 18 now, so she was a qualified midwife, although took no patients yet due to school.
"You think...?", Eren asked worriedly. "Yeah..for only 4 months she does look a bit big, and..", Rubi focused.
"I don't think it's twins. I'm only feel two feet kicking", she confirmed.
"You sure..?", Eren asked worriedly. Rubi nodded. "You should still get an ultrasound though", she said.
"We will, but I trust your word Rubi", Mikasa said.
"Anyway, let's eat. You must be starving mommy", Rubi said sweetly, the group got their lunch out, Mikasa having extra.
Eren's phone vibrated then. He saw it was the number to one of the jobs he called, the cleaning one.
"Oh shit...let me take this", he said urgently. "Is it one of the jobs?", Mikasa asked anxiously. Eren nodded, and picked it up.
"Hello?", he asked.
Mikasa listened, as she ate with Rubi and Armin. "A cleaning job?", asked Armin.
"Eren said it was the one with the best hours and pay", replied Mikasa.
"Any idea who's offering it?", asked Rubi. "No, I just hope he gets it", replied Mikasa.
She ate some rice, when Eren came back over, looking excited.
"I got it!", he said. "Really baby?", Mikasa asked, smiling.
"Yeah, he wants to meet up today after school", replied Eren.
"He's willing to work with your school hours?", asked Armin surprised.
"Well he's actually a college student", explained Eren. "A college student who offers cleaning jobs? That sounds a bit strange...", Rubi admitted.
"Who cares! This is great!", grinned Eren.
By late afternoon, Eren and Mikasa went downtown to meet the guy. "He said to meet him in front of his coffee shop", Eren looked around.
Mikasa looked, the Tea shop was quint. It had a white door with a bell on it, and a large wide front window.
The door opened then, and a college guy stepped out, a bit older than them.
Mikasa suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, and had the most bitter look on her face. She knew who this guy was.
"Mikasa..?", Eren asked.
He followed her gaze, and saw the man standing there. He wasn't much taller than them. He had black hair, and eerily similar eyes to Mikasa's.
"You Eren?", the guy asked, at first not seeing Mikasa as she was more behind Eren.
"Uh...yeah. Are you the guy with the cleaning job...?", Eren asked. "I'm Levi...", he then blinked, seeing Mikasa.
The guy's cool and calm expression changed to nervousness and even panic.
"Holy shit...!", he said then. Eren blinked, completely confused. Mikasa shoved passed Eren, and glared at Levi.
"Mikasa, how do you know him...?", Eren asked. "Well...this is awkward...", Levi started.
Mikasa suddenly threw him a death glare, and without warning her fist slammed into his face.
"MIKASA!", Eren yelled panicked, not wanting to lose the job.
Levi hit the ground hard, he rubbed his cheek, and looked back up at her.
"Still as feisty as ever..cousin", he said then.
Eren's jaw dropped, and he looked at both of them. "C-Cousins...?! Mikasa, I thought you said you had no famil-"
"He is NOT family", Mikasa cut Eren off, still glaring, clenching her fists.
Eren panicked, he really needed this job, for Mikasa's sake. "L-Look...whatever happened between you two...I really, really need this job, so...", Eren started.
"You can find a new one!", Mikasa snapped then, her emotions high.
"A new one? Nonsense. You think anyone else will hire your boyfriend? A high school kid who got his girlfriend knocked up?", Levi asked then, a bit coldly standing up.
Mikasa glared at Levi again. "Wait...I still have the job?", Eren asked.
"Pretty much...", Levi sighed then. "Come inside and let me explain everything", he said.
The three sat in the quiet Tea shop, at the table by the front window. Inside were several tables with real oak wood and booths or chairs to sit at.
The counter looked more like a bar but instead had a menu of many different kinds of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, cake, pie, muffins, donuts and brownies. It wasn't a very bright shop, it had a cozy lighting to it.
Mikasa sat by the window, not looking at Levi, her arms crossed.
Eren looked at her. What on earth was going on? What happened between these two that made her so angry?
Just then waitress with short light red hair came over.
"The job interview Levi?", she asked.
"Yes Petra. Could you bring Eren and I some tea?", asked Levi. "All right, and you dear?", Petra asked Mikasa.
"Just an iced tea", replied Mikasa, still looking out the window.
Petra nodded, and went to get the drinks.
"So, you own this coffee shop?", asked Eren.
"Me and my friends. You see, we need some extra people to come and help clean the place", Levi said.
Eren blinked, the place looked beyond clean. The wooden floor pretty much sparkled and the table they were sitting at shined from the sunlight out the window.
"Um...", Eren started.
"He has OCD to cleaning", Mikasa spoke up then, shortly.
"I see...so..what happened between you two?", asked Eren. Levi sat back. "I think its best I let my cousin explain", he said as Petra returned with the drinks.
Mikasa glared at her cousin, and sat up a bit more. She took her time, drinking some iced tea first.
"So you've been here this whole time?", she asked coldly. Levi didn't say anything.
"Mikasa, baby tell me, what happened?", Eren asked.
"When we were little, only about 4 years old, we were close. Then when we were 8, he ran away from home...", Mikasa started.
"At only 8?", asked Eren shocked.
"He was mature for his age...he ran away, since he and his parents didn't get along. I followed him, I pleaded him to stay since we were close...he was my best friend at the time. But he...", Mikasa glared.
"I was going through a lot of problems at home and had a temper, I got angry and pushed her and told her we weren't family", Levi said then.
"I tried contacting him off and on throughout years. The last time I tried was when we were 12. I never got an answer..", Mikasa clenched her fists.
"It...it wouldn't seem like a big deal. We were just kids. But...the fact he never tried to contact me all these years later...", she explained.
"So..we are NOT family", she growled.
"Mikasa...that was a long time ago. I was a brat. And I'm sorry. I didn't contact you because I felt bad", Levi said.
Mikasa continued to glare. "I'm more angry over the fact that you never contacted me. What happened between us...we were kids. I can look passed that. But...I could have been dead for all you knew", Mikasa growled.
Levi looked down. "I saw it on the news, about you getting hit by that lunatic", he said then.
Now Eren glared a bit. "If you knew, why didn't you come to the hospital? Her ribs are ruined for life because of it..", he growled.
"I was going too. I was outside the hospital...but something came up", Levi replied.
Mikasa glared.
"What? Did a table have a thin tiny piece of dust on it?", she snapped. Suddenly, a woman behind the counter was laughing her ass off.
She had red hair up in a ponytail and glasses.
"Hanji...", Levi glared. "Sorry...but she's right! Who knew your cousin was so hilarious?! Why didn't you bring her in sooner?", Hanji chuckled.
Levi rolled his eyes. "Get back to washing dishes, will you, four eyes?", he snapped. "You're no fun", Hanji sulked, returning to the kitchen.
"No, it had nothing to do with cleaning, or even work", replied Levi.
"Then what?", Mikasa snapped.
Just then, they saw Petra come back out, holding a baby, who looked around 6 or 7 months old.
Mikasa blinked, her expression softened a bit.
"Is...is he your son?", Eren asked then.
"I got an urgent call, right when I was going to visit you Mikasa. Petra's health has always been poor, and she went into labor early, at different hospital", Levi explained.
"After the fact, I just...didn't have the guts to come see you", he said.
Mikasa stopped glaring, although she still felt slightly bitter.
"I understand that...I do..", Mikasa said shakily.
"Eren", Levi said then. "Yes sir?", asked Eren. "I'll hire you. On one condition", said Levi. "Anything", Eren said anxiously.
"You take good care of my cousin", Levi growled then. When they were kids, Levi was very protective of Mikasa.
"I promise...Levi, I love Mikasa. She's everything to me. She isn't just my girlfriend, she's my soul mate", Eren assured.
Levi glanced softly at Mikasa then. "You cut your hair", he pointed out. Mikasa didn't say anything.
"Levi spoke a lot about you Mikasa, a lot of good things", Petra assured, coming over. Mikasa blinked softly.
"When are you due?", asked Petra. She had a very kind smile.
"August...what's your son's name?", Mikasa asked softly. "Mamoru", replied Petra, sweetly.
Mikasa glanced over at the baby again, he had Levi and Mikasa's black hair, but had Petra's eyes.
"He's really cute...", Mikasa said.
"Thank you. Mikasa...I know you're still angry with me, but we are family...I'd like to start over", Levi offered.
Mikasa looked away. "I need time Levi...", she said. "I understand...Eren. You start tomorrow at 5 PM sharp", Levi said.
"Yes sir, I'll be there", Eren said.
Author's Note: Finally found a spot for Levi and his gang in my fic! Yay!