"Errands?", asked Mikasa softly, pausing to take a bite out of her fruit loops, sitting at the kitchen table.
"That's right princess, I just have to quick run down to the post office to pay bills, and pick up some groceries. I need you to be a really big girl and take care of mommy while I'm gone", Herrick told his daughter.
Mikasa was eating her breakfast while Herrick was preparing to head out. It was around 8 in the morning, and a Saturday, Akane was still asleep in her and Herrick's bedroom.
"I will! I'll take good care of mommy!", Mikasa insisted, looking determined. Herrick smiled, patting his daughter on the head.
"I know sweetie, I'll be back no later than 11 AM", he said gesturing to the wall clock. Mikasa nodded, understanding.
"Remember our rules?", he asked his daughter, getting on eye level with her. "Don't turn on the stove or oven, stay inside, don't answer the door without asking Mommy", Mikasa nodded, remembering.
"And you remember emergency numbers?", asked Herrick. "911, and your phone's number is on the fridge", Mikasa replied.
Herrick was old fashioned but he had to buy his own cell phone considering his wife's pregnancy, for situations like this.
"That's my girl", Herrick smiled, he stood up and got ready to leave. He felt nervous about leaving, Akane's pregnancy hadn't gone very smooth, despite the beginning of it being well.
She had gone through some complications, such as low blood pressure, bladder infections, and worst of all she currently had preeclampsia, a complication which involved high blood pressure.
She also had a nonstop headache from it, and abdominal pain as well. So she was on strict bed rest by Dr. Jaeger, much to Herrick and Mikasa's worry.
Herrick was about to exit the house, but Mikasa blinked, hurrying over. "Dad!", she said, holding out a piece of paper.
Herrick blinked. "Oh! The electric bill! Thank you princess", he smiled in relief, taking it and stroking her hair.
Mikasa smiled softly, worried. She knew her dad was stressed with her mom's pregnancy, so he had grown more forgetful than normal.
After her dad left and his car was out of sight, Mikasa didn't want to wake her mom too early or disturb her rest, so she decided to watch some TV in the living room.
She turned some cartoons on, flicking through shows like My Little Pony, Adventure Time, Pokemon, before stopping at one of her favorite films, Watership Down.
Her parents originally didn't want Mikasa watching it since it was rather violent for an animated film, but after she read the book from the library, it became one of her favorite classics.
Mikasa was mature for her age, so the violence in the film didn't phase her too much. She did have nightmares the first time she watched it when she was 7, but since turning 9 she's grown less afraid of it.
She appreciated its realistic animation and soft voice acting. As she curled up on the couch, keeping the TV volume on low, after a while she noticed it was 9:30.
Growing worried her mom was sleeping in, she decided to go check on her. Mikasa turned the TV off, and went down the hall.
She gently pushed her parents' bedroom door open, peering in. Akane was fast asleep in bed, on her side. Her blanket was only halfway on, and the curtains were shut to keep the bright sunlight out.
The room was fairly dark, and Akane was paler than usual, dark circles under her eyes.
Mikasa bit her lip worried as she walked up to her mother's bedside. She looked at Akane's big swollen belly, anxiously.
'Mommy's tummy has gotten so big...Dad said the baby could arrive any day...', she thought worriedly, looking down.
As she did, Akane stirred softly, opening her eyes. "Mikasa? Well good morning, baby", she smiled weakly. Mikasa blinked.
"Oh, I didn't wake you, did I mommy?", she asked worriedly. "No sweetheart, not at all", Akane assured her daughter, as she sat up.
Mikasa fussed a little placing a hand to her mom's back, helping her. Akane smiled warmly, stroking her daughter's hair.
"How are you feeling, mommy?", asked Mikasa softly. "Just tired is all baby...though I think your little brother wants cuddles", Akane replied.
Mikasa cuddled her mother's tummy, gently caressing it with her small hand as Akane stroked her daughter's hair.
"My little lovebug..", she said softly. Her expression changed a little, in truth she was feeling a bit off. She had a restless sleep, and she was having small pains in her abdomen.
But she didn't want to worry or panic the household for nothing. She blinked then. "Sweetie, where's your dad?", she asked.
"Dad had to run some errands, he said he'd be back by 11", replied Mikasa, looking up at her mother.
"Alright...", Akane went to move out of bed. Mikasa instantly fussed, a worried look in her eyes. "Oh, no mommy! Don't get up! What do you need? I can get it for you!", she insisted anxiously.
Akane smiled softly, as she gently cupped her daughter's cheek. Mikasa nuzzled her cheek into the palm of her mom's hand.
"Angel, don't worry so much, you're just a little girl, leave the worrying to your father, alright honey?", Akane assured her.
"But Dad isn't home right now, I promised him I'd be a big girl! So what can I get for you, mommy?", Mikasa asked, again determined.
Akane chuckled softly. "Just help me up is all, angel?", she asked, giving in. Mikasa nodded cutely, as she helped her mother to her feet.
Akane groaned a little bit breathlessly, placing a hand to her belly. She really felt heavy...she didn't think she would have another pregnancy similar to the one with Mikasa.
After making her way into the kitchen, Akane couldn't shake her restlessness so she decided to wash the dishes. She convinced her worried daughter to not fret.
Though Mikasa still felt worried, she sat at the kitchen table drawing on a piece of paper. Akane rinsed one of the plates, but as she watched the sink water run, she felt a sudden dizziness, some waves in her vision.
She closed her eyes, placing a hand to her forehead. 'Not this again...', she thought anxiously, before reaching and opening the window that was by the sink.
Mikasa noticed, looking up. "Mommy? Are you okay?", she asked, it was a colder month after all.
"Just needed some fresh air, don't worry sweetie", Akane assured her, though she still felt very faint, leaning quite a bit on the kitchen counter.
Mikasa frowned, concerned but she went back to drawing. As Akane finished the dishes, her dizziness somewhat fading, she suddenly winced.
Her hand went to her swollen belly as the pain persisted. She gritted her teeth, grimacing as her free hand clutched the edge of the counter tightly.
She had been having mild pains all morning, but this was the worst one yet. They had also gradually been becoming more frequent.
She glanced up at the clock, noticing the pains were now coming every 9 minutes, and it was only almost 10 now. Herrick wouldn't be home for another hour.
'Okay, okay...relax Akane...you're okay...you've done this before...', she thought, trying to assure herself.
Realizing she was going into labor, she knew she had to stay calm not just for the baby's sake, but for Mikasa's.
She knew that she had a long way to go, the contractions very far apart still, so she didn't feel the need to call an ambulance.
Akane released a shaky exhale as the contraction eased up. Mikasa heard, looking up. "Mommy? Are you all right?", she asked, getting worried again.
"Y-Yeah, Mikasa, baby can you help me to the couch?", asked Akane, trying to not sound shaky. Mikasa quickly got up, and hurried over, gently helping her mother into the living room.
"Thank you angel...", Akane winced a little as she sat down, both hands on her belly. Mikasa noticed her mother's anxious yet focused expression.
"Mommy, what's wrong? Are you feeling tired?", asked Mikasa, growing more and more concerned at this point.
"Actually sweetie, could you bring me the phone..?", asked Akane, a little breathless. Mikasa tilted her head. "Why?", she asked curiously.
"I need to call-Ohhh!", Akane winced then, groaning in pain as she doubled over a bit, having an even stronger contraction.
"Mommy!", Mikasa cried fearfully, gently taking her mother's hand. Akane did her best not to squeeze her daughter's hand too hard, as she took some heavy, labored breaths.
"Is..is the baby coming?", asked Mikasa, anxiously. Akane took a few breaths before being able to answer.
"Yes sweetie, its time, I need to call your dad so he can hurry home", she finally replied, breathlessly. "I'll call him Mommy, just hang in there!", Mikasa hurried to get the phone.
Her heart was pounding hard in her chest...she was about to become a big sister, her mom was finally having the baby, after nine long months of waiting.
She was a mix of excited and worried, as she grabbed the phone.
She ran over to the fridge, and dialed her dad's phone number. After three rings, he answered. "Hello?", he asked.
"Dad, you need to hurry home! Mommy's having the baby now!", Mikasa cried quickly and urgently.
"Oh! Right now? Sweetie, bring the phone to mommy", Herrick told his daughter urgently. Mikasa hurried back into the living room.
Akane gently took the phone. "Herrick?", she asked weakly. "Akane? Sweetheart, what's going on? Is it labor?", Herrick asked his wife, anxiously.
"Y-Yeah, I'm having contractions...its the real thing...", Akane replied, as she bit her lip, taking more deep breaths.
"Okay, okay honey, keep breathing, I'll be home in about 15 minutes..will the baby wait that long or should we call an ambulance?", Herrick asked worriedly.
"No, it feels like it's going to be a while, we have time...my water hasn't broke yet, and the contractions are 9 minutes...apart", Akane winced mid sentence, taking deep breaths.
"Breathe honey, I'm on my way", Herrick assured his wife. Akane nodded, hanging up as she took some deep breaths.
"Mommy, what now?", asked Mikasa worriedly, feeling so useless and hating to see her mother in such pain.
"We wait for your dad to get home sweetie...hey...", Akane gently cupped Mikasa's face. Mikasa looked at her mom, with worried eyes.
"I'll be alright, angel. This is normal, and you'll get to meet your little brother soon", Akane assured her with a weak smile.
Mikasa gently took her mother's hand. "Mommy, there has to be something I can do to help..", she insisted, feeling so useless.
Akane's eyes softened. "Until your dad gets home, you can rub Mommy's belly, and stay close by, how about that my little butterfly?", she suggested.
Mikasa nodded, and gently cuddled her mom, rubbing her swollen belly. Akane softly stroked her daughter's hair.
It was a very tense 15 minutes, when Akane had a contraction, Mikasa could feel her stomach tighten and tense up. Mikasa also felt a twisted knot of worry in her own stomach when her mother whimpered or groaned.
'Please...hurry home, dad...', Mikasa thought, being so little she didn't understand everything about childbirth, so she had no way of knowing it would be several hours until the baby arrived.
Finally, they heard Herrick's car pull in as he hurried inside. "Akane!", he rushed over to his wife's side worriedly.
"You installed the carseat, right?", asked Akane as he helped her up and on her feet. Akane groaned weakly, keeping a hand to her belly as Mikasa also helped.
"Yes, don't worry sweetie, let's get to the hospital", Herrick assured her.
Once they started driving, Mikasa kept an eye on her mom, worry all over her features. Akane was in the passenger seat, while Herrick drove and Mikasa was in the back. Akane was gripping her husband's free hand, as she began breathing pretty hard, getting another contraction.
"That's it honey, that's it, keep breathing", Herrick encouraged his wife, as Akane tightened her grip on her husband's hand.
"T-This one isn't..easing up..!", Akane cried, grimacing as she arched her back in severe pain. "It will, sweetie, it will, hang in there", Herrick assured her. Though he felt worried, Akane had been through labor before but...she was really not enduring the pain well.
He wasn't surprised, considering how fragile she was, and how hard this pregnancy has been.
Mikasa swallowed hard, on the verge of tears, she had never seen her mother in such pain before. "It's okay Mikasa, mommy will be okay, princess", Herrick assured his daughter, noticing her silence.
Akane exhaled shakily, sweat already forming on her brow, as she swallowed hard, looking back at her worried daughter.
"It's going to be okay angel, alright? Mommy doesn't want you to worry", she assured her, forcing a weak smile.
Mikasa bit her lip, even in dire pain her mom always put her daughter first, wanting to assure her, and not wanting her to feel scared.
Mikasa gently leaned forward, taking her mother's hand. Akane blinked softly. "I'm okay mommy, I should be the strong one for you", she assured her mother.
Akane's eyes softened, stroking Mikasa's hair. "You're such a good girl, Mikasa...listen sweetheart, we're going to drop you off at Eren's house", she said softly.
"What?", Mikasa blinked. "While Mommy's at the hospital having the baby, you can visit Eren and his mom, doesn't that sound good honey?", asked Herrick, keeping his eyes on the road, as Akane closed her eyes, releasing some soft breaths, leaning against her seat.
"But...why? I want to stay at mommy's side! I want to be there for my little brother!", Mikasa cried, horrified at this...of course she wanted to see Eren, but she didn't want to leave her parents, not now.
"Because baby, you're still too young to see this, and the hospital only allows your Dad to come in with me, you'd be in a boring waiting room if you came", Akane explained gently, still breathing a bit heavy, preparing herself for the next contraction.
Mikasa bit her lip, going quiet. Herrick pulled his car in front of the Jaeger house, he had phoned Carla ahead of time.
Carla was standing outside with Eren, as Herrick got out, getting a small bag of Mikasa's things out of the trunk, in case she had to stay overnight.
As he did, Carla came over to Akane's side, the car window opened. The two women had grown to be close friends thanks to Eren and Mikasa's friendship.
"Hey sweetie, how you holding up?", Carla asked gently, taking Akane's hand. Akane gave a weak smile. "As well as I can...you know about Mikasa's migraines, right?", she asked worriedly.
Though they never understood why, Mikasa suffered from chronic migraines. It started when she was only 4 years old, and continued on.
Luckily they were controlled by daily medicine.
"Yes, don't you worry honey, just focus on the baby. Mikasa's in good hands", Carla assured her friend. Akane gave a relieved nod, her hand on her belly.
"Thank you, Carla", she said. Carla smiled warmly. "No need to Akane, you just hang in there, your baby and you both will be just fine, my husband is the best doctor around", she assured.
"Thank you so much for taking her on such short notice, Carla", Herrick said, grateful. "No need to thank me Herrick", Carla assured him, taking Mikasa's bag.
Mikasa bit her lip, exiting the car. "Mikasa?", Akane said, opened her car door. Mikasa looked at her mother, worried.
"Come here", Akane opened her arms, and Mikasa instantly ran over, carefully hugging her mother, her little hands on Akane's belly.
"Shhhhh, its alright angel, its okay my little lovebug. As soon as the baby's here, Daddy will call Carla and you can come see us", Akane comforted her daughter, holding her close.
"Mmhmm...I love you mommy", Mikasa whimpered. "Mommy loves you too angel", Akane kissed her daughter's forehead, cupping her cheek before having to close the car door. Mikasa stood by Carla, as Eren glanced at her worried.
He had never seen the extent of how close Mikasa was to her mother, so he was a bit surprised. After saying goodbye to her father, Mikasa watched as her parents drove off and out of sight.
"Mikasa, would you like a snack, sweetie?", Carla asked softly, knowing she should distract the little girl. Carla learned from Akane that Mikasa tended to have separation anxiety at times, it was worse when she was in kindergarten, to the degree the Ackermans almost had to homeschool her.
Even though it was better now, given the current situation, Carla knew a fit or panic attack might happen.
Mikasa looked up at Carla, she gave a soft nod. "Come on, I think we have ice cream sandwiches", Eren gave a smile, taking her hand and leading her inside, as Carla walked with them.
As Eren and Mikasa sat at the table, Carla opened the freezer. "So, you're finally going to be a big sister", Eren commented.
"I'm really nervous..but also excited", Mikasa confessed with a small worried smile. "I bet...", Eren said.
"Okay kids, we got ice cream sandwiches, creamcicles and rainbow pops, which would you like Mikasa?", asked Carla kindly.
"Oh, an orangecicle, thank you Auntie Carla", Mikasa replied politely. She had met Carla before, and had started calling her that.
Carla smiled, unwrapped one for her, and handed it to her. "Here's a bowl in case it drips", she offered as well.
"Eren? Usual?", she asked, as Mikasa licked her ice cream. "Yep", Eren replied, as Carla got him a Spiderman themed ice pop.
"Mikasa, why do you call my mom 'Auntie'? We're not cousins", Eren pointed out, confused by it as he licked his ice pop.
Mikasa shrugged. "I'm not sure, your mom is just really sweet and she reminds me of an Aunt", she admitted, as she continued licking her own ice cream.
Carla smiled softly, listening in as she started the dishes. After the kids finished, Mikasa got up and set her bowl by the sink for Carla, which did have some orange ice cream dripped in it.
"Why, thank you dear! Oh Eren! See this? This is what I ask you to do every day of my life!", Carla said then, as she patted Mikasa's head.
Eren grumbled. "I bring my dishes...", he muttered, avoiding eye contact. "Don't lie, young man. You can learn a lot from her", Carla then smiled at Mikasa.
"You're such a good girl, Mikasa. Your parents are so lucky", she said. Mikasa turned pink, a little embarrassed.
"Thank you", she said softly, as Carla turned to wash the dishes.
As she did, Mikasa blinked, noticing what looked like a dark purple mark on Carla's arm, just hidden by her sleeve.
Was it...a bruise? It looked similar to the bruise Eren had on his arm back when they first met.
"Come on, you wanna play upstairs?", Eren said then, distracting her. Mikasa blinked, but nodded. "Sure", she said, though she gave Carla one more worried glance.
Even though she was still little, something felt off in the Jaeger house. Mikasa could feel it upon entering. Sure it was big and nice, Grisha being a doctor, but there was...a hollow feeling to it.
It didn't feel warm like her own home did, there weren't many family pictures on the walls, making the hallway very bare.
And even though Carla smiled, there was this..sad look in her eyes Mikasa noticed.