Time passes and things happen. People come into this world just as much as they leave it.

Levi sat in his office quietly, shortly after he sent Jenna to retrieve his lunch. After a few minutes of silence there was a knock on his door. It was Mike.

"Hey, man," he said as he pulled up a chair at Levi's desk.

Levi greeted him with a nod as he continued writing something on a small notepad in front of him.

"What'cha writing?"

"A list."

Mike leaned across the desk to read Levi's writing upside down. He read the list aloud. "Wipes, diapers, onsies, socks, mittens, receiving blankets, formula-Why are you writing all this down?"

Levi glanced up from his list as he spoke. "Because I was dumb enough to believe that Hanji would have everything packed by now. She told me a week ago that she was completely ready, that once the moment came, all we'd need to do was grab the bag, our coats, and leave to the hospital. But I checked the bag this morning before I left and it's completely fucking empty."

"And you're writing this all down because…"

"Because once I have everything I'm going to call her and read off the entire list to her to make sure she knows exactly what to put in the damned bag. She's two days past due so it could happen any time now.

As if on cue, Levi's phone rang.

"Hanji, I told you I would call you as soon as I was done writing everything down."

"Oh, I know. Well I just want to know if you're almost done. I want to start filling this bag quite soon."

"So you do see my point. Good."

Hanji chuckled. "How's your day so far by the way?"

"Fine. Slow. Your's?"

"Good. I got the house cleaned up, my water broke, and I showered."

Suddenly Levi was having a coughing fit and Hanji could hear Mike's loud laughter in the background, along with the muffled sounds of him patting Levi's back.

"Get the fuck off me," he said away from the phone. "You're fucking joking right now."

"Going by the fluids I just got through mopping up a few minutes ago, no, I'm afraid not. Anyways Levi, please get here soon."

"I-I'm about to leave. Just… I don't know. Just be patient. I'll be there as soon as possible."

"I don't know if the baby has any knowledge of patience, Levi," she mumbled into the phone and promptly hung up.

Levi looked up at Mike who had a large grin on his face.

"I have to go," said Levi as he stood from his chair.

"Go and have a baby, man!" laughed Mike as he patted Levi on the shoulder.

"Uh… I'll call you when I can."

As Levi entered his home to retrieve Hanji, the car still running, he found her sitting on the floor in the center of the living room, surrounded by baby supplies. Her expression was frantic and scared.

"Levi, I don't know what to pack!" she cried.

"Don't worry about it. I'm going to call Mike and he and Nanaba will be here in a while and they'll pack-well Nanaba will do it, Mike's a dumb ass. She'll pack everything for you, and then they'll bring it to the hospital for us." He helped her up slowly and guided her to the door, stopping to help her with her coat.

Once Levi was driving, he fished for his phone and handed it off to Hanji and said, "Get Nanaba on Facetime and let her know that you're in labor and that you need her to do that favor for you. And don't forget to let her know where we left the spare key."

Time certainly seemed to fly by. In no time, Hanji was admitted to a delivery room. Levi was in the hallway just outside her room, checking his phone.

One missed call from Nanaba, One new voice mail.

"Levi, it's me. Mike and I packed everything into the diaper bag, including a couple things for Hanji-her toothbrush, hairbrush, contact solution and case, and even her glasses. Oh and a couple changes of clothes for her. We're on our way there now. And if you're not already in there with her, get-Hey! Give the phone back! Mike!"

"You can do it, Levi! It's just a little blood and guts." The rest of the phone call was the sound of Mike's obnoxious laughter, and Nanaba calling him an idiot.

When Levi went back to the room, he was greeted by an overly excited nurse.

"Welcome back, Dad!" she called out. "Remember, if you're gonna help out Mom, you've gotta wear the paper suit!" She reminded him of theme park cast member who took her job much too seriously.

"Uh, right," he mumbled.

"Oh, Levi, you don't have to be here," said Hanji as she lifted her head wearily from the large pillow.

"What?!" shrieked the nurse. "He's the Daddy, of course he's got to be here for you. He's got to be your moral support and hold your hand!"

"Really Hanji, I don't mind," he said quietly.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be grossed out."

"Four Eyes, half the things you do gross me out. How bad can this be?"

Levi had definitely underestimated the thrills, wonders, horrors, and sounds of childbirth. Not only were his ears still ringing from Hanji's shrill cries every time she pushed, but his mind was now filled with many images he'd never wanted to see. He could say he was traumatized, but then again he didn't actually have to pass a tiny human through his genitalia. He was just glad it was all over now.

After four and a half hours, Hanji was now peacefully asleep in her bed. Their newborn baby lay asleep on the cart next to her. Levi sat in his chair quietly, admiring his sweaty, exhausted wife, every now and then stealing a glance at their new baby.

"You know you can hold her if you'd like," said the nurse as she handed Levi a pacifier.

The nurse handed him the bundle of blankets and rosy cheeks, careful not to jostle it around. She stood back and watched as his mask slipped. His usual stoic demeanor changed from lightly irritated to slightly panicked, to hesitantly calm, to completely content all in a matter of seconds.

While Levi was distracted by the bundle in his arms, Hanji woke from her long nap. She lifted her head and was pleasantly surprised by what she saw. Without being noticed, she managed to take her her phone from the side table by the bed and she snapped a picture of her husband and their baby.

A few minutes later, when Levi was holding his own phone above the baby, trying to find the right angle for a quick picture, it suddenly vibrated. Soon his inbox was flooding with text messages and Facebook notifications congratulating him and Hanji on their new arrival. When he tapped on one of the notifications, he recognized himself in a picture capturing his expression just moments before.

"You little shit," he muttered as he looked up at her.

The morning that Hanji was allowed to go home, a nurse entered her room with a couple of papers.

"How are Mommy and Daddy?" she asked as she set the papers on the small table.

Both parents had dark circles under their eyes, but shared an equally pleasant smile.

"Today's the big day. I come bearing birth certificates. Has baby got a name for me to write down?"

Hanji looked to Levi and nodded slightly. "Petra Amélie," said Levi.

"A strong name for a strong girl," said the nurse as she wrote the name. "I'll be back in a bit with more things for her. Diapers and formula and such."

Once they were alone, Hanji scooted to the side on her bed and patted the empty space next to her. Since Petra was fast asleep at the moment, they decided to take advantage of the silence. Levi climbed onto the bed and curled himself around her.

He knew this moment wouldn't last forever, but it was definitely at the top of his list of best moments. They were perfectly content and not a thing could change that.

Except maybe a crying baby.