Chapter 15:

Isabel warmed up to the cadets quickly. It must have been because of the lack of children her own age. After all, there were fraternization laws in the Scouts, not to mention that it isn't the best place to raise children. Since the adults did all the boring paperwork, the cadets seemed to be more entertaining in the eyes of the three-year-old. She giggled whenever Eren and Jean got in a fistfight (which was rather concerning for Levi). She liked to talk with Krista, who was always so kind and gentle to her. It seemed that even Mikasa had taken a liking to the girl. She cleaned her up after meals and played with her while Levi was working, assuming the big sister role.

The only time Isabel didn't have fun was when they were doing combat training. Levi had refused her request to train alongside the squad, so she sat by her lonesome as she watched each of the teens get clobbered by her Papa.

She soon found a way around this, however, practicing her punches against a large oak tree near the training grounds. Although her hands got sore and dirty, which Levi never liked, she persisted, determined to be as strong as her Papa. Maybe if he saw how big she was, he would let her go on a mission. She wouldn't ever have to be alone.

"Isabel, sweetie, we talked about this. I don't like it when you punch this tree. You're starting to get scratches all over your knuckles." Levi groaned, snatching the girl's hands and examining them.

"But I wanna be strong like you!" Isabel pouted, pulling her hands away and holding them close to her chest. "I'm big now! I can fight!"

Levi smiled softly, ruffling her hair. "I'm happy that you want to be strong, but you're still a little girl. Enjoy it while you can." His smile faltered. "Some people don't have that luxury."

Isabel cocked her head. "You okay, Papa?" She asked.

Levi put up his smile again, giving her an affectionate head pat. "Of course! Just please listen to me, Isabel. I don't want your hands getting messed up like mine." He displayed his own hands, which were starkly different than hers. Calluses created rough bumps. Pale scars were highlighted against his skin. They had been hurt, just like Isabel was at one point.

She grabbed his hands, cradling them in her own. "You got hurt?"

Levi nodded. "Yes."

"Were you scared?"

"Yep."

"You all better?"

Levi paused. He didn't know if she meant his wounds or his mind. He went with the easier response and replied, "Yes. Wounds heal, but these scars show you the evidence that you got hurt. Just like those." He pointed to Isabel's own scars on her arms. The evidence that she was a Trost survivor would continue to haunt her as long as she lived.

"They got better," Isabel concluded.

"Yes. But I don't want you getting even more injured just because you want to be strong. That's not good for you." Levi lectured.

"Okay, Papa," Isabel said.

"Good girl." Levi smiled, ruffling her auburn locks. Isabel let out a giggle. As much as she hated it, she would do her best to listen to her Papa. She would no longer hit the tree. However, she did wonder what would come of punching her pillow...

…

"Isabel, you need to eat." Mikasa scolded. She had made Isabel dinner that night (since both Levi and Hange were hard at work), but Isabel refused to eat.

"Not hungry." She said, turning away from the grey-eyed girl.

"I don't care if you're hungry or not. It's good for you. It'll make you grow strong."

"But Papa doesn't get any!" Isabel whined. "He probably hungry."

"Krista took him something to eat. Now you need to be a good girl and eat your dinner...please." Mikasa said.

Isabel crossed her arms. "Eat with Papa. I show how strong I getting."

Mikasa sighed. "Levi is busy right now. But you know what?" She knelt down beside Isabel. "I think you're already getting really strong. I was never this strong at your age, and I don't think Levi was either. You're going to be so strong when you grow up. Maybe even stronger." She smiled sweetly.

This seemed to be enough to make Isabel start to eat (reluctantly, of course). To make up for the loss of Levi, Eren sat down and ate dinner with her. Isabel felt comfortable when he was around. After all, he was the only one left from the original Levi squad, besides Papa at least. He also seemed to know how scary the monsters could be, and he helped keep them away. She liked Eren. He was nice.

"Hey, Isabel! I found some books while I was cleaning and thought you might like to read a few! Would you like that?" Armin called as he entered the kitchen. He held a couple of children's books in his hands.

Isabel shoveled in the last bit of her mashed potatoes before nodding, slipping off of the chair, and walking with Armin to her room. Armin settled down a chair while Isabel sat on the ground, taking out some of her stuffed animals so they could hear the stories too.

Armin cleared his throat and started the first book. This book was about a princess who was trapped in a tower. An evil sorcerer had trapped her there with no way out. However, the princess was smart and found a way to get her message out. She would ask her bird friends to take messages all around the kingdom, hoping that someone would answer her cry for help. Finally, a knight showed up. His enchanted armor and sword were helpful, the strength of his heart made him the winner in the end. He cut down the sorcerer, thus ending the princess' confinement. Together, they traveled the magical realm and lived happily ever after.

Isabel had always liked that story. The princess was not only pretty, but she was smart too. She liked to play princess whenever she could, using her dolls and stuffed animals to create the most intricate storylines she could think of.

Just before Armin started a new book, a knock sounded on the door. In walked Mikasa, Eren, and Krista, who all sat around Isabel. She graciously shared her toys, giving them something to entertain themselves with as well. However, she refused to give up her favorite stuffed animal: a simple horse. When she and Levi had gone shopping for the first time, she was immediately drawn to it. It was the first toy that Levi had allowed her to choose.

"Would you like me to braid your hair?" Krista asked.

Isabel nodded eagerly, and Krista got to work, twisting her auburn hair into an intricate pattern.

"Continue the story, Armin. We would like to hear it." Mikasa said softly.

"Oh, right," Armin said and started off the next book.

Krista had continued to braid Isabel's hair as the story progressed. Isabel got lost in her happiness. The stories, the hair braiding, the friends who were so intent on playing with her. It almost felt like…

She froze, her blue eyes going blank. Mikasa was the first to notice, silencing Armin and reaching out for her. "Isabel? What's wrong?"

"Miss them," Isabel said, a tear falling down her cheek.

"Who?" Krista asked.

Eren sighed. "The squad."

Isabel's lip quivered. "Petra read with voices. Oluo made my hair pretty. Eld and Gunther would sit. Now...they don't. They gone now. I miss them." Another tear slid down her cheek.

Krista immediately slid her arms around the girl. "Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to make you sad!"

"Papa and Auntie Hange say it's okay to be sad," Isabel whispered, and the other kids sat, completely puzzled.

Mikasa took Isabel in her arms and held her close. "I think that's enough book reading for tonight. After all, you must be getting sleepy. Krista, can you get the Captain? Tell him Isabel is going to bed." She carried the three-year-old to her bed and plopped her down.

"Of course. Sweet dreams Isabel!" Krista said. She and the rest of the kids left the room, leaving Mikasa to help Isabel get ready for bed.

…

Levi was exhausted from paperwork. Erwin never failed to send mounds and mounds of documents his way, and he had no choice but to fill them out. Thankfully, an interruption came.

"Captain?" A knock resounded on the door.

"Come in," Levi replied.

In came Krista, her blonde hair blowing past her as she rushed inside. "Isabel is getting ready for bed. I thought you might want to say goodnight."

"Oh, right," Levi said, rising to his feet. "You are dismissed."

Krista saluted and skittered out his office, and Levi made his way to Isabel's room. When he got there, Mikasa was sitting at her bedside, humming a soft melody. Upon seeing his entry, she stood and walked towards him.

"Her teeth are brushed and she is in her pajamas," Mikasa whispered.

"Great. I'll take it from here."

Mikasa nodded and left the room. Levi quickly sat down next to Isabel's bedside.

"Hi, Papa." Isabel beamed, her blinks getting slower and slower with every passing second.

"Hi, sweetie. Did you have a good day?" He brushed her bangs out of her face.

"Missed you," Isabel said.

"I missed you too. It's not as fun when you don't help me with work. Maybe you should talk to Uncle Erwin about lightening the amount of work he sends me." Levi chuckled.

Isabel smiled. "Okay."

"Did you play?"

"Yeah. They nice." Isabel said, referring to the new cadets.

"I'm glad. Did someone read you a story?"

Isabel nodded.

"They're you're all ready for bed." He leaned over and gave her a peck on the forehead. "I love you, Isabel."

"Love you, Papa," Isabel said, returning the favor with a kiss on his own forehead.

"Goodnight." He said, making sure the covers were secure around her. Then, he left her room, shutting the door behind him.