Author's Note: So sorry for late updates guys! Warning to my male readers, about to get personal...so...I've always had an abnormal period since I was 9. And its come back with a vengeance this week. I've been dead tired from it, and even slept for 15 hours yesterday straight. But I'm finally feeling well enough to continue!
"Mom...you really don't have to do this. I already know about all of it", Carly lightly complained in the car. She was in the passenger seat.
Mikasa was driving. "I know sweetie, but your Auntie Rubi insisted..she's been worried since I told her about Nathan..", she said softly.
Carly groaned. "Do you have to tell Auntie everything about my life?", she asked. Mikasa smiled. "Can't help it, she's like my sister. We don't really keep anything from each other", she explained.
"Mom...I already know about teen pregnancy...I haven't spoken to Nathan in 2 weeks", Carly pointed out.
"Yes but your Auntie thinks this is needed...just...rumor your mom and Aunt, please angel?", Mikasa pleaded. Carly sighed. "Okay, okay mom", she gave in, putting her earbuds in, listening to "Firework" by Katy Perry.
Even though Carly didn't talk to or see Nathan for two weeks, he's been blowing up her phone with texts. And despite how much it annoyed her, Carly hadn't blocked his number.
A small part of her still hoped Nathan was a good guy. And Mikasa knew Carly had to see some tough reality first hand to truly convince her.
As Rubi suggested, Mikasa decided to bring Carly to the hospital, to see teenage pregnancy first hand. Eren was currently at work, while Makoto and Akane were in school.
Mikasa let the teacher know Carly would miss a day.
When they arrived at the hospital, Mikasa and Carly walked in. "Miki, Carly!", Rubi waved. She came over. "Hey sis", Mikasa beamed as they hugged.
"You haven't been answering Nathan's texts right?", Rubi asked Carly then. Carly sighed. "No, I haven't", she replied.
"That's a good girl, you're an independent young woman Carly. If he really cares about you, he'll respect your space", Rubi stated.
"You sound like mom", Carly groaned. "And for good bloody reason", Rubi had led them down a hall. "You'll have to wait out here so she isn't overcrowded but you can watch from the doorway", Rubi said then.
"We understand", Mikasa nodded softly, while Carly blinked, confused. Rubi entered the room, while Mikasa and Carly glanced in.
Carly's eyes widened then, as her heart sunk. A girl..visibly younger than Carly, was in the hospital bed. She had long black hair, and was hooked to a bunch of machines and an IV.
She also, was visibly 8 months pregnant. Rubi gently adjusted the IV, and took the girl's hand. "You ready to meet your baby today sweetheart?", she asked in a soft voice.
"Yeah...I really am Dr. Arlet. I want him out..I'm so tired", admitted the girl, and yet she had a loving look in her eyes as she rubbed her swollen belly.
"We'll be getting you prepped for your C-section in one hour, love", Rubi assured her kindly.
Carly bit her lip, looking away. "How...old is she mom?", she asked, in shock. Mikasa's eyes softened.
"She's only 12...", she replied grimly. Carly looked at her mother, horrified. "Rubi sees this...often. Girls from 12 to 17 years old come in. This specific girl, she was raped by her father", Mikasa explained.
"She's obviously too young to handle a natural birth, so your Aunt is giving her a C-section. And she's much too traumatized and young to be a mother, so the baby will be going up for adoption", she added.
"That's...horrible", Carly was speechless for the most part. "There's more honey", Mikasa said softly. Rubi took them to another room...this time it had a girl who looked about Carly's age.
She had red hair, and was holding a newborn baby girl in a pink bundle. She looked exhausted, indicating she gave birth either earlier today or last night.
"Hey Rachel, how's our new mommy feeling?", Rubi asked kindly, entering. "Just tired Dr. Arlet...I didn't think she'd come so fast!", admitted Rachel, smiling weakly. Rubi laughed softly.
"Unfortunately, no one can predict how a birth will go", she pointed out. Rachel's eyes softened, as she cradled her baby close.
"Has...he called?", she asked then, in a doubtful tone. Rubi looked down. "No honey, he hasn't...but don't worry. Your sister will be here soon", she replied, the girl's parents were in the cafeteria, it had been a long morning.
"Is she my age?", asked Carly worriedly. "Just about, her 15th birthday is next week. She wasn't raped..she and her boyfriend, who's 17 according to Rubi, had sex. He basically seduced her, took advantage of her hormones...and when she told him she was pregnant, he left her", Mikasa explained.
Carly didn't say anything, as she listened. "Rachel was madly in love with that boy, despite everyone warning her he was trouble. She had a really fast labor this morning, your Auntie ended up having to assist her in the car in the parking lot", Mikasa revealed.
Carly looked down. "And her boyfriend..never came back? Or called?", she asked. Mikasa shook her head.
"There's no more romance there. Now its a legal battle in court, since Rachel's decided to keep the baby. Her older sister is going to help her raise it, so his parents are being forced to pay child support. It's no fairy tale ending", Mikasa replied.
Carly leaned against the wall, not replying, her thoughts racing. "Carly...I'm not saying you're irresponsible. Or stupid. But any teenage girl can end up in this situation...and I never want to see you go through such pain and heartache, sweetie", Mikasa said softly.
"It's not just the pain of childbirth, and the heartache of having to give up everything to be a mother, or give up the baby...but many parents and family members, even friends, completely disown a teenage mother. They want nothing more to do with her. Rubi sees so many teens going through this alone, or with foster families, or even just one relative or friend...many of these girls were so severely bullied on social media, they've attempted suicide", Mikasa added.
Carly looked up then. "Mom...if I...and I'm not saying it will..but..for argument sake...if I got pregnant too young...would you and dad...do that?", she asked, worriedly.
Mikasa's eyes softened. "No sweetheart, your father and I would never disown you. We'd be worried to death, not just about what all you'd go through with the pregnancy and birth, but you'd lose your chance at any career you may want", she replied.
Carly looked relieved to hear this, but she also looked down. "Mom...what about you? You have such a gorgeous voice...and you gave up a singing career...to have me. I know you were older but...", she said.
Mikasa's eyes softened. "Sweetie...it wasn't just because of you that I didn't try for a singing career. I...never wanted a career. My dream...was to marry your father, and have a family. And nothing could have made me happier", she replied.
"But I made that choice during college, not high school", she added. Carly looked at her mother.
"Mom...what...happened when your parents died? I mean...you were always so right and sure about dad, even back when you were kids...what happened...to make you both have such an instant connection so easy?", she asked then.
Mikasa froze a bit then, she looked away. "What happened was...", she paused then, as her eyes widened, getting a flashback.
The night...her parents were shot and killed in front of her. The sound of gunshots the made her ears ring, the smell of blood, her parents' bodies hitting the floor...her mother's pleas for Mikasa to run...
"Mom?!", Carly cried fearfully then. Mikasa opened her eyes, realizing she had sunk down on her knees on the floor, covering her ears, shaking badly.
Carly knelt down at her side, taking her eyes. Mikasa blinked shakily, looking at her daughter. "S-Sorry sweetie...I didn't mean to scare you...", she said, as she got up.
She held a hand to her forehead, getting a stress migraine. "Mom...it's okay. You don't have to talk about it", Carly assured her, worriedly.
"I'm sorry angel...I'll tell you one day...I guess the memory of it still sends me into a panic attack...", Mikasa realized, shakily.
She hadn't thought about their deaths in so long, being so busy as a mother and wife...thinking about it after all these years...made it seem fresh.
Carly decided not to press the matter...she didn't know exactly what happened, but knew it had to be tragic. For her mother to still be traumatized about it after all these years...
In that moment of her panic attack, Carly saw a reflection of a scared 9 year old girl in her mother, and realized just how horrible it had to have been.
Carly looked down softly. "Mom...you're right", she stated then. Mikasa blinked, looking at her. "About...everything. About Nathan...seeing what these girls have to go through...I don't want that. I...want to sing. I want to have a singing career of some sort...and when I do have kids...I want it to be when I feel ready...", Carly confessed.
Mikasa smiled in great relief. "Oh honey...thank you. So much...", she said. Carly smiled softly. She blinked then, her phone vibrating.
It was yet another text from Nathan, asking where she was. Carly frowned. "I'll deal with Nathan", she decided.
"Sweetie...", Mikasa started worriedly. "Don't worry mom", Carly showed her pepper spray. "I'll meet him tonight...and tell him off. I need to do this", Carly decided.
Mikasa's eyes softened, worried. She was glad Carly was finally going to cut ties with him, but worried at her approach, not trusting Nathan.
"Where will you meet him?", she asked then. "The park", replied Carly, she went to get a drink of water from the fountain.
Rubi overheard, and came over. "Glad it worked sis...you and Eren should follow her, in case Nathan tries something dangerous", Rubi advised her.
"We're going too. I'll call Eren and let him know...also Rubi, were you able to find any records of Nathan being here?", Mikasa asked then.
"He was here about two years ago for his mental issues, I can't say what due to patient privacy, the girls I showed you and Carly were okay with it. But let's just say...he's bloody unstable", Rubi admitted worriedly.
"Why did you let him out, sis?", asked Mikasa. "I didn't. I specialize in the Maternity ward, surgeries and major injuries and illness. Another doctor handles our Psych ward", Rubi explained.
Mikasa nodded softly, a worried look in her eyes.
That night, Carly left home after dinner. She had texted Nathan, asking him to meet her in the park. She was about 10 minutes late. The street wasn't dark luckily, due to the streetlights.
Plus the houses were quite close to each other, and the park was only about 5 blocks from the Jaeger house.
Carly walked slowly, hands in her jacket pockets. She had her pepper spray with her just in case. She took a deep breath, as she turned the slight corner.
As she did, she froze hearing what sounded like Emily's voice.
"N-Nathan, stop it! I said NO!", she yelled, but her tone was shaky and fearfuly. Emily's heart sunk, she peeked around the corner, and her eyes widened.
Nathan had Emily pressed against the tree in the park, his hand over her breast. Their clothes were still on.
"Quit struggling, babe!", Nathan sneered, biting her neck. Emily continued to struggle, whimpering but Nathan had his grip tight on her.
All color drained from Carly's face...as it really sunk in. The boy she thought she loved, she thought she could trust...was literally forcing himself on her friend. In that moment, Carly glared dangerously...her mother's glare.
She instantly forgot and let go of all her feelings for Nathan...only looking at him with pure hate and rage now.
Carly suddenly sprinted towards him. "GET OFF HER!", she yelled. Right when Nathan looked, Carly shot the pepper spray right in his eyes.
Nathan screamed in pain, letting go of Emily, staggering back, clutching his eyes. "Son of a...WHAT DID YOU DO, YOU BITCH!?", Nathan yelled, his eyes bright red from the spray.
"Emily!", Carly ignored him, hurrying to her friend. Emily's eyes were wide at what just happened, her heart racing.
"C-Carly...thank you...", she whimpered shakily. Carly's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry Emily! I should have realized it sooner...", Carly cried, hugging her friend.
Nathan glared dangerously. Only a few feet away, a car was parked. Eren and Mikasa were watching from inside it.
"Now just walk away punk...", Eren growled, watching intently, although knowing Nathan couldn't hear or see them.
Mikasa also watched intently, gripping the car door handle.
Nathan didn't move from where he was standing, he then suddenly reached in his pocket, and pulled a pistol from it.
Eren's heart dropped, and he glared dangerously, getting out of the car, but noticed Mikasa was way ahead of him, already out.
Her heart pounded, her migraine setting in as she sprinted over. Carly froze, seeing Nathan point it at her and Emily. She held Emily close, glaring fearfully.
"I'll kill you both...", Nathan started, his finger on the trigger. When suddenly, Mikasa's hand grabbed his arm so tightly, it bruised.
Nathan froze, seeing Mikasa's deadly glare. "Drop it", Mikasa growled, in a dangerously low voice. Nathan hesitated, shaking in fear at her dark eyes.
He then glared, and went to try and fight her off. Mikasa suddenly twisted his arm, and slammed him against the tree, the gun going off.
"MIKASA! CARLY!", Eren made it over, glaring dangerously at Nathan.
The sound made both Carly and Emily jump and even scream slightly, but luckily the bullet hit no one.
"I SAID DROP IT!", Mikasa snarled dangerously, keeping him firmly pressed against the tree. Nathan shook badly now.
"Y-Yes ma'am...", he finally let the gun fall out of his hand, as it hit the ground. Mikasa glared still. She then let him go, and lifted the gun up.
"M-Mom...what are you doing?", Carly asked nervously then...would her mother actually point it at Nathan?
Mikasa's hand trembled, glaring at Nathan, who looked terrified at this point. He felt like her was looking at the Grim Reaper.
"Mika...angel...", Eren started, also nervous now. He knew seeing this pistol...seeing it aimed at her own daughter, it had to have triggered something within Mikasa.
The last time Mikasa saw a gun...it killed her parents. Mikasa's hand shook furiously, still holding the pistol, while Nathan lost his balance, sinking down against the tree, almost as if he accepted his fate.
Mikasa exhaled then, closing her eyes. She then slammed the pistol against the bars that held the swing set up, breaking the weapon.
The tension was gone, as everyone took a breath of relief. Eren then glared dangerously at Nathan, who froze.
"You little bastard...", Eren then gripped Nathan by the front of his shirt, and punched him hard in the face.
"Don't you EVER come near my daughter or her friends AGAIN! Do you understand me?!", Eren snarled dangerously, as he threw Nathan to the ground.
"Y-Yes sir...", Nathan answered.
Mikasa continued smashing the pistol against the bars, breaking several pieces off, her eyes seemed to be somewhere else.
"M-Mom...that's enough...! It's okay now!", Carly cried, worriedly. "Mikasa..", Eren hurried over to his wife.
"Mika, Mikasa! Stop! It's okay!", Eren held her back then, as Mikasa's entire body began trembling. Her body seemed to go a bit limp in Eren's arms, as she felt tears flood her eyes, her migraine at its worst.
"Easy...easy..it's okay..it's okay", Eren held her in his arms, as he sunk down against another tree, holding his wife.
Mikasa let go of the damaged pistol. "It's over angel..it's over", Eren assured his wife, stroking her hair and kissing the scar on her cheek, as Mikasa's breathing began to slow.
Emily's eyes softened. "Carly...were your grandparents..shot?", she asked, knowing Mikasa's parents had died a long time ago. At this point, Nathan had fled.
Carly looked down. "I...I don't know. Mom was never able to tell me just how they died", she admitted worriedly.
"Emily, are you okay? How far did that bastard go?", she asked then, worriedly. "I'm okay...he didn't get far at all..thanks to you", Emily gave a small smile.
"I'm so sorry Emily...I was being so stupid...", Carly looked down. "Hey...it's not your fault", Emily assured, gently taking Carly's hand.
"I'm okay because I had my best friend here to save me", she said then. Carly smiled, touched. "Carly..! Emily! Are you two okay?!", Mikasa had hurried over.
She was still shaky, Eren holding onto her. But she managed to pull it together, putting her daughter first.
She hugged them both. "We're okay mom...are you?", asked Carly worriedly. "I gotta admit, that was pretty badass, Mrs Jaeger", Emily added.
Mikasa smiled softly. "I'm okay...and thank you Emily", she gave a light chuckle.
She still had a pounding migraine, and she was still seeing flashbacks of her parents' death, but she had Eren by her side, so she was able to calm down.
After the police were called, Nathan was taken into custody. He was expelled from the school and sent to a mental asylum for teenagers who performed criminal acts.
Two weeks after this all went down, things slowly returned to normal for everyone.
It was a school morning, Mikasa was making breakfast while Eren set the table.
Carly hurried down the stairs, as Makoto and Akane ate their cereal. "Emily walking with you to school again, angel?", Mikasa smiled.
"Yeah! And we want to go to the Manga store after..Dad can I have some extra allowance?", Carly asked, giving him big eyes.
Eren sighed. "Okay, sure princess", he smiled, handing her an extra $10. "Thank you", Carly smiled. After she and Makoto left for school, Eren and Mikasa drove Akane to her school.
After she got out of the car, Eren rubbed his wife's shoulder. "Hey...you okay, beautiful?", Eren asked worriedly.
"Yeah...why, Eren?", asked Mikasa looking at him. "Mika...I heard you last night. You were having a nightmare...about...", Eren explained, worriedly.
Mikasa looked down softly, as Eren gently squeezed her hand. She gave a nod.
"I'm okay Eren, really..it's just...I haven't thought about my parents or their deaths in over six years...we've both been so busy with the kids...so...the memory's been coming back like its fresh...like it recently happened", she explained.
Eren pulled his wife close, stroking her shoulder. "Anything I can do, angel?", he asked softly. Mikasa nuzzled into him a bit.
"Just...always be by my side Eren", she replied.
"I always will sweetheart, I promise", Eren assured his wife. Mikasa sighed softly after a few minutes of peaceful silence.
"I can't believe how fast they're growing, especially Carly", she admitted. Eren gave a soft smile. "I know...it feels like yesterday when they were all first born...", he confessed.
"They were all so tiny, especially Makoto...", Eren added. Mikasa scoffed then laughing.
"Tiny?! Carly was a monster! I didn't think it was physically possible to push her out!", she pointed out, playfully hitting Eren's arm.
"But you still did it, because you've always been so strong Mikasa, my strong girl", Eren grinned.
"Only because you were there Eren, holding my hand through it all. With all three of them", Mikasa smiled softly, leaning her head to his shoulder.
Carly and Emily walked into class, taking their seats. "Really? You prefer Fruits Basket?", asked Carly. "Yes! What about you Carly?", asked Emily.
"Meh, I like Tsubasa Chronicle", admitted Carly. "Okay class...", the teacher walked in.
"We have a new transfer student joining us today", she announced.