Sorry for the late update guys! Thanks for the continuous support 3

...

"Here. This is perfect." Lilly said to the Banker as she stood beside Levi.

The plot was beautiful. There weren't any other houses close by, and there was plenty of room for a small home and a garden. There were a few trees surrounding the area, giving it some shade, but not completely blocking out the sunshine. She could actually picture a house there, and a small child running around through the grass.

Levi looked around the area one last time before returning his gaze back to her as he put his hands in his coat pockets.

"Are you sure? If you change your mind, we can't just pick up the house and move it somewhere else." Levi said as he glanced over at her.

"Yes. There's a perfect amount of trees around, but it's not overly crowded. It's got the perfect amount of sunlight, and I bet it'd be comfortable in the hot summer with the leaves on the trees giving some shade. It's perfect. The road is right there too." Lilly smiled.

"I agree." Levi said as he looked around. "Well, you heard her." He said to the contractor who he had asked to come just incase she had decided right there and then.

Levi was wasting no time making sure things were ready before the baby got there. She could tell he was going to make a good father.

"Alright. I'll have my men start on it first thing tomorrow morning. Give us seven weeks with the potential snowfall. I'll have my team working on it as often as possible to ensure it's done by then." He said.

"Good. Thanks." Levi said as he took the pen from the banker to sign the sales paperwork.

"Seven weeks? That's quick..." Lilly said.

"I'm paying them to be quick." He said as the banker nodded his head respectfully and backed away with the clipboard. "Not to mention the layout that he drew out wasn't all that complicated." Levi said as he joined his arm with hers as they began to walk back to the horse. "I took a bit of inspiration from your parents' layout, but just changed a few things to make it a bit more open, as far as the living space goes anyways. I decided that we could hold off and build an addition for the shop later on. Right now, I rather just stick to the basic necessities, and get us in this house as soon as possible." He said.

"That's a really good idea.. thank you." She said.

"You don't mind? I just want you to be happy. That's all." He said simply as he helped her up onto his horse.

"No, I think holding off on the shop for now is a good idea." She said.

Things were coming together quickly for them, and the stress was starting to fall right off Lilly's shoulders. The house was going to be done in just seven week's time. In just three weeks, she'd be getting married.

It was strange how things all turned out.

She never intended to fall in love, get married or even have a child. At least not now. She had joined the Survey Corps to develop herself, make a difference in their world, and to see the world that existed outside of the ever so suffocating walls.

But here she was, doing all of those things at the same time.

Things may have not turned out the way she had initially planned. Maybe that was one the beautiful things about life.

It was full of surprises.

Some good, some painful.

But regardless of which, they shaped her into who she was.

Now, she had a lot of things to be thankful for, and a lot of things to hold onto tightly.

And after experiencing so much loss, it made all her blessings so much more sweeter.

Everything in front of her was beautiful.

And she'd never it let go.

...

Three weeks later...

It was the day before the wedding. Three weeks had flown by quickly, and with each day that passed, Lilly's nerves were kicking in. This was the last day she'd live as Lilly Holmes.

Tomorrow she'd take on a new name, and a new life.

It was exciting and nerve wracking all at once.

Lilly was sitting in the bed, trying to decide if she had liked the wedding vows that she had jotted down. She'd never spoken in front of a group of people. So that was a concern. But she also wanted her words to be meaningful to her future husband.

Would they be good enough?

Would he think that they are stupid?

"What are you up to?" Levi asked suddenly as he entered the room.

Lilly quickly flipped the notebook over and glanced at him.

"Just writing." She said.

He looked at her suspiciously as he removed his jacket and hung it on the door.

"How was training today?" She asked to change the subject.

She really didn't want to have to tell him she was scribbling down her vows for the next day.

Levi walked over and sat on the edge of the bed where he began to remove his ODM harness.

"Fine, I guess. A lot of the Military Police transfers aren't half bad at ODM maneuvering as I expected. Mostly have to keep my eyes on the new recruits from Training Corps. We've got quite a few smart asses on our hands." He answered in a bored tone. "As if I didn't have to deal with enough of them." Levi ruffled Lilly's hair with a small smirk.

Lilly grinned as she brought his rough hand down to cup her cheek.

He gazed at her quietly before looking down at the blanket that she had pulled over her lap.

"Are you nervous?" He asked in a low tone.

Lilly looked up at him and smiled softly as she played with her hair.

"A little." She answered as she met his hooded gaze. "Are you?" She asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a low sigh.

"No. Not really. I did ask you to marry me after all." He answered. "Have you packed to go to April's?" He asked.

Lilly was leaving soon to spend the night at April's so she wouldn't see Levi again until she was walking down the isle. That actually was part of why she was so nervous.

It just made it feel even more real to her.

"I have. I just wanted to spend some time with you before I left." She said softly as she reached for his arm and tugged lightly to get him to come closer.

It didn't take much effort to get him to crawl over the bed and to slip into the covers with her. He rested his head on her chest as she wrapped her arm around his upper back to run her fingers through his silky raven hair.

It was always so soft.

He had just shaved his undercut again that morning, probably getting it out of the way for their wedding the next day. They laid there quietly for a few moments, the only sounds that could be heard in the room were the gentle puffs of air leaving their lungs.

Just then she felt the baby give a good kick. She instantly went to grab Levi's hand and put it over the spot, hoping he'd get to feel it. He paused, waiting patiently for any movement. A few more minutes passed by, but there wasn't anything else. He had grown so impatient the past few weeks, obviously jealous that she could feel the movements while he could not.

"Hey. You in there." Levi poked at her belly. "Stop messing around. Give your mother one more good kick. I have yet to feel how strong you are." Levi said as he lowered his head over her belly, pressing his ear flat against her skin.

They waited in silence for a few moments, but the baby didn't move again.

"I'm sorry Levi, you'll feel it soon." Lilly said as she ran her thumb over the tip of his ear.

Levi didn't answer, he continued to wait another minute. Lilly stared up at the ceiling as Levi poked at her belly, determined to get their child to move again.

"Seems they are as stubborn as their father." Lilly chuckled.

"Tch." Levi scoffed under his breath. "Fine. No more pickles for you, brat." He said into her stomach.

Just then Lilly felt a strong kick through her belly, which went into Levi's jaw as it was pressed against her abdomen. He instantly raised his head to look at her, disbelief and awe written on his face.

Lilly smiled at him.

"They didn't like that. Me neither." She said.

"I-I just... felt it.." He said quietly, digesting the fact.

"Isn't it amazing?" She asked.

Levi raised his head up to kiss her on the lips and then lowered his face back over her stomach, his hand gently caressing her skin there. The baby continued squirming under Levi's hand and face as he continued to speak, probably responding to the low vibration of their father's voice.

He was completely smitten.

"I... can't believe it.." He spoke in a soft tone.

"I know. Just wait until we meet them. I can't stop wondering what they will look like." Lilly sighed as she rubbed at the side of her stomach.

"Have you thought of any names?" He asked as he lifted his head to look at her.

"Here and there." She answered.

"Like what?" Asked.

"Well... for a girl, I was thinking maybe after your mother. Kuchel." She said.

Levi stared at her quietly, a small smile slowly tugging on the corner of his mouth.

"Is that okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. It is." He said as he rested his head on her chest again. "That's... thoughtful of you. Thank you." He said quietly.

Lilly kissed his forehead softly, then rested her mouth against his hair.

"And a boy?" He asked.

"Nile." She said.

"Not funny." He said in a dry tone.

Lilly giggled and rubbed his shoulder.

"I like the name Seth." She said quietly.

Levi was quiet for a moment. She wondered if he liked that one. It hadn't been a name that she was using to name after anyone in particular. She had just heard it in the streets of Karanes one time, and thought it had sounded nice. It was a short sounding name, yet strong and handsome.

Much like Levi's name.

"That's a good name." He finally said.

"You like it?" She asked.

"I mean it's different. I haven't heard it before. But if you like it, then that's what's important. You are doing all the work here after all." He said.

Lilly smiled into his hair. It was nice of him to give her the opportunity to pick what names she liked. But she supposed he probably didn't care too much about that to begin with. He seemed more focused on making sure she was comfortable and happy, and making sure the baby would have whatever they needed. Though, she was sure he would care to an extent.

"It's really happening tomorrow..." She said quietly.

Levi laid on the pillow beside her and turned his head to study her face.

"That's right. Lilly Ackerman." He said.

She stared off into space and put her hand over her forehead.

"That's so strange." She said.

"I don't think it sounds bad." He said.

"No, you're right. It doesn't. Its just the idea of getting a new last name." She said.

"I could imagine. But, you'll wear the name well." He said as he weaved his fingers into her hair, gently pulling her face closer to his.

Lilly reached up and held his face in her hands and pulled him in to kiss her.

She wish she didn't have to leave him tonight. She wished they could stay in bed like this, talking for hours in the warmth of their covers.

"We should get going, as much as I'd like to stay here and kiss you." He said, his grey eyes switching back and forth between hers as he moved her hair from her face, gently tucking it behind her ear.

"I know. I'm going to miss you, even if it's just one night." She said quietly.

"It's alright, you'll be right back here tomorrow night." Levi said.

"Right, but there will be more than just kissing." Lilly smiled devilishly as she slid out of the covers and got on her feet to walk across the room.

"And I'm the pervert." He muttered.

...

Later that night...

Lilly sat at the table with April and Ben in their home after Levi had dropped her off for the night.

Nerves were really setting in now.

She kept spacing out and staring out into space as she sat in her seat, fingers tracing nervously over the rim of her tea cup.

"I can tell you're getting nervous." April giggled. "Don't be."

Lilly looked up at her and smiled softly.

"Pre-wedding jitters, I guess. I just can't believe it. It's so surreal." Lilly said.

"Well of course it is. You've been through a lot together. Which honestly should make your marriage that much stronger." April assured her.

"April, don't act like you weren't shaking like a leaf when you walked down the isle to me." Ben laughed as he leaned back in his seat.

"It's normal! Now that I've experienced it, I feel like I can assure her that there's nothing to be nervous about." April said defensively.

"It's not just that I'm nervous. I'm actually looking forward to it." Lilly smiled. "I love him. I wouldn't want this with anyone else."

"I'm so happy for you. You deserve to be with someone who loves you as much as he does. That man will always protect you and your little one. I'm confident in that." April smiled.

"I know." Lilly said softly. "I wonder what's going on in his head this moment." Lilly pondered with a small smile.

"Probably not much different from you." April said.

...

*LEVI POV*

Levi sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through his hair quietly. The room was quiet and dark with the night. Void of Lilly's breathing or tossing and turning to get comfortable. He glanced over at her side of the bed and sighed softly to himself.

God, this was really happening.

Where had the time gone?

The weeks leading up to now had flown by so quickly. Lilly had grown slightly bigger, and she had started to get that glow that he had always heard people talking about.

As if she couldn't get anymore beautiful.

And tomorrow she'd become his wife.

The thought made his stomach do flips and flutters.

He looked over to the nightstand and saw that she had left the tincture for him there. It surprised him considering he knew she'd probably not be getting any sleep with that mind of hers always going.

Especially on a night like this.

But, she also probably knew that he'd be unable to sleep himself. That was typical anyways.

He took it in his hand and rolled it around in his palms as he leaned forward.

It felt like it had taken his entire lifetime to convince himself that he was worthy of a love like this. Of the love she gave him.

Truly, he never thought it'd come for him. So he buried the hopes of it.

He was under the impression that love and happiness was just something he lost any chance of, simply because of how his life had panned out.

And that love was just something he got to stand and watch other people around him experience for themselves. He had grown content of the thought for awhile.

But that girl with moonlight hair and ocean blue eyes came tumbling into his life like the klutz she was, leaving a trail of fucking flowers everywhere she went.

Changing everything.

Completely ensnaring him in everything that her soul was composed of.

Giving him that hope once more.

He was a goner from the start.