Chapter 16

Birthday Surprises

It was almost close to two years since Evelyn was in Liberio. Things had seemed to calm down with attacks. Reiner would leave at times for conflicts. Luckily it might be for a week or two, but they were getting worse and there were talks it might be longer next one. Before long, Evelyn realized her and her brothers birthday was almost on her. She still hasn't told her friends when her birthday is. It had been hard since her parents death and her being seperated from her twin.

Evelyn looked at the calender that hung on the wall. March 29th. Tomorrow was another birthday. Her and her brother would both be 18.

'Just another day. Never really celebrated after the Fall of Maria and the loss of their parents. Evelyn sighed.

"What's got you distracted?" Anita asked, noticing her good friend staring off.

"Its nothing." Evelyn said.

"Your staring off." Anita said. Evelyn sighed.

"Tomorrow is me and my brothers birthday." Evelyn said. Anita gasped as she sat down in a chair across from her.

"Why didn't you say anything? Does Reiner know?" Anita asked. Evelyn shook her head.

"No. I haven't celebrated mine since I lost my mother to a Titan and being seperated from my twin. I didn't see it worth celebrating." Evelyn said. Anita gave her a sad look. Anita finally heard everything Evelyn went through on the Island and was considering the girl like a sister now that they known each other. She felt bad for Evelyn. The girl has been through hell and back and seemed happier here and with Reiner. Anita and her talked and Evelyn went to help one of the nurses with a patient before she left for the day. Anita looked out the window to see Reiner waiting for Evelyn. Anita told one of her colegues that she'll be back and headed outside.

"Reiner." Anita said. Reiner looked at Anita.

"Evelyn busy?" Reiner asked.

"She'll be out shortly. I wanted to talk to you. Evelyn just told me her birthday is tomorrow." Anita said. Reiner's eyes widen at her words.

"She never told me when her birthday was." Reiner said.

"Her and her brother didn't much celebrate it after their mom died. She just told me now." Anita said.

"Thank you for telling me." Reiner said. Anita headed in. Reiner watched her leave. He was gonna bring it up to the others and maybe do a friend get together at their house.

"Reiner." Evelyn's voice called him out of his thoughts. He smiled when he saw her coming towards him.

"Hello, beautiful." Reiner said as she stopped in front of him. She smiled at him and they start heading for home.

"How's things at Headquarters?" Evelyn asked as she wrapped her arms around his arm and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Same as usual, but Gabi is exceeding her classes. She really wants to inherit the Armored Titan." Reiner said. Evelyn didn't want to think of the time when she would loose him forever. Reiner pressed a kiss to her forehead. He saw the sad look on her face. "I have to leave early tomorrow for a meeting." Evelyn looked at him.

"Ok." Evelyn said. Reiner wondered if he could pull off the plan he had as they headed home.

The next morning at Headquarters. Pieck and Galliard stood in Reiner's office.

"Wait. So today is her birthday?" Galliard asked. Reiner nodded. "Wonder why she didn't tell anyone."

"Probably because she suffered enough after loosing her parents and being taken from her home that she didn't want us to know." Reiner said. Galliard frown deepened. "I think we should do something. Like a dinner just of friends and family."

"I can take her out shopping to get her out of the house." Pieck said. They made plans to have it a small get together to celebrate. Magath even let them leave early to start getting stuff ready. The kids were invited along with Karina who helped make food.

Pieck had picked Evelyn up early after talking to Anita who agreed to come to the party. They went shopping, but Evelyn was wondering why she was pulled out of work early. Pieck was keeping it quiet of why she got Evelyn out. It was not a good day with it being her birthday and another year without her parents and now brother. She just wanted to go home or work all day.

"Why did we shopping?" Evelyn asked.

"Just getting you out for awhile." Pieck said with a small smile as they walk back to the house. Evelyn had a feeling her friend was hiding something from her, but she didn't question it any further as they head back towards sundown.

The house was dark as they got closer. Evelyn raised an eyebrow. Evelyn opened the door.

"Happy Birthday!" People shout as she entered the house and lights were turned on. Evelyn's eyes widen to see the kids, Reiner, Karina, Anitta, and Galliard in the house with food on the table. Reiner had a smirk on his face from the look of shock on his girlfriend face as he walked up to her.

"How did you guys find out?" Evelyn said, looking at Reiner.

"I told them. I thought you deserved a birthday with friends." Anita said. Evelyn gave her a weak smile as Reiner pulled her into a hug. Gabi soon joined the hug. The two have gotten close after Evelyn had saved her.

"You shouldn't have kept it. You got good friends here, but I understand why you did." Reiner said. Evelyn smiled at him.

"Thank you, Reiner." Evelyn said. Zofia, Falco, and Udo came over and hugged her as well after Reiner let her go. Karina gave her a hug. Everyone sat down to eat. The kids talked like crazy about their training. Reiner kept a straight face, but Evelyn smiled. Gabi was ver talkative about it.

"Let's talk about something else." Evelyn said seeing Reiner didn't want to hear about it. Reiner gave her a grateful smile and toook her hand under the table.

"So when you two getting married?" Galliard asked as Evelyn went to drink her wine. She spit out the wine and Reiner nearly choked on his beer.

"What?" Reiner and Evelyn asked.

"You two act like a married couple already. So why not make it official?" Galliard asked.

"We really haven't talked and we still got time before I have to transfer my Titan." Reiner said, glaring at Galliard.

"Leave them be. They are still young and Reiner still has time." Karina said. Evelyn pushed hair out of her face. She felt her checks warming up a bit. Reienr squeezed her hand. "Though would love a grandchild before your time is up." Reiner nearly facepalmed.

"Mother." Reiner said, giving his mom a firm glare. Evelyn and Pieck giggled.

"What?" Karina said.

"We got plenty of time to worry about that." Evelyn said. Karina rolled her eyes. The dinner was finished and Karina and Pieck washed the dishes. Reiner and Evelyn sat on the couch as everyone gathered in the living room.

"Reiner." Evelyn said as the kids played a game. He looked at her and saw a huge smile on her face. "Thank you for doing this." Reiner pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her against him.

"Your welcome." Reiner said as she wrapped her arms around him. This was the first birthday in a long time that Evelyn had.

AN: Yay an update. Been working on this for awhile. Till next time.