Author's Note: Here it is! The FINAL Red String chapter! WOW! It has been such a long ride with this official reboot, and I never thought I'd finish it this soon to be honest. It's thanks to this fanfic, and all your support my youtube channel has become as active as it is, and earned me well over 2000 subscribers! I want to give a HUGE thank you for all your reviews/comments and support! This will be a longer chapter than normal since it is the final one. Look forward to a new Eremika fanfic coming soon!

The gunshot echoed throughout the forest, being heard for miles. Mikasa starred wide eyed, her heart felt like it stopped for a moment, as she saw who the bullet hit. Who shielded her...who's always been shielding her...since the beginning.

Eren's body hit the floor in front of his wife and daughter, a gunshot wound through his back, as blood spilled out under him.

Akane had screamed, while Mikasa froze...she had gone paralyzed. Her heart sunk down, and she started to tremble...she didn't even feel her migraine...all she saw was Eren's motionless form laying on the floor.

She didn't even see him breathing, as a pool of blood formed under his body. Just then, Levi and Rubi hurried in.

"MIKI!", Rubi was nearly blocked by Bertolt, but she glared. "Get the FUCK out of my way!", she slammed him to the ground. "BERTOLT!", Reiner went to attack Rubi, but his arm was sliced clean off by Levi.

Mikasa didn't even see or hear them, as Rubi and Levi struggled to restrain Annie. She only saw Eren. "E-Eren...", her voice was cracked, as she slowly approached his body.

"D-Daddy...", whimpered Akane shakily, as Mikasa lifted his limp body up slowly. She held him close, her body shaking, as tears suddenly flooded her eyes.

She shut them tightly, gripping onto him, as blood stained her front.

"Please...no...don't leave me...EREN!", she released a cry of anguish, as it echoed. She hugged his body tightly, sobbing heavily.

In Eren's mind, he couldn't see or hear anything. He felt like...he was possibly dead. But...that couldn't be right. He didn't see anything...no light.

He knew there was an afterlife...because Mikasa had experienced it briefly before. So why did he only seen blackness?

When suddenly...it felt like his body was thrown down several feet...or rather his soul. He began to see a light...but...something was telling him it wasn't the same light Mikasa saw.

And then...in a sudden jumble, he saw memories. The very first thing he saw was Mikasa's face watching him as he killed her kidnappers...and then wrapping that red scarf around her neck...and then they were surrounded by a bed of bellflowers...and they were 9 years old again.

He saw them going home to Carla and Grisha...he saw them with Armin, and then...a large red hand gripped a large 50 feet high wall.

The sound of lightening striking from the sky, as a colossal titan kicked through into the city. People running for their lives...his mother dying...being eaten by one of those things...

Joining the Survey Corps, becoming a titan himself, saving Mikasa, reuniting with her and Armin, battling the Female Titan, discovering Ymir, seeing Mikasa be injured, her ribs getting crushed, remembering her thanking him, as he discovered his new power, and carried her on his back to safety.

The rest was a bigger jumble of titan fights, the ocean, and eventually...dying in Mikasa's arms.

Of something called...Ymir's curse. He remembered everything...his thirst for revenge, his blood lust to destroy every last titan...and his love for Mikasa, and need to protect her.

So then...if all of this happened in another life...how...was he back here? And everyone else? In a modern world? With no titans?

As Eren remained unconscious, Mikasa continued holding him. As she did, she felt something within her. Her eyes opened, as she saw Rubi and Levi continuing to restrain Annie, who still had the gun.

Her heart missed a beat, and she felt strange vibrations through her body...her soul. An electric spark seemed to go off in her brain, as she suddenly stopped shaking.

"M-Mommy?", Akane noticed, watching as Mikasa gently lay Eren's body back down. She reached for the knife on the floor she had dropped earlier, and stood up.

She gripped the knife tightly in her hand, her heart pounding nonstop...as a voice kept repeating in her head.

"FIGHT!"

It was Eren's voice...but...it wasn't from this world. It was from a much darker place. A much more cruel world.

In that moment, it all came back to Mikasa. Her eyes widened...the jumble of memories flooding her mind.

She saw her parents death...only in these memories, it was a knife, not a gun. She saw Eren wrapping that scarf around her, she saw escaping the titans with Eren, she saw joining the survey corps, she saw Eren's titan form, the battle with Annie.

She saw herself thanking Eren after her ribs were broken...and Eren carrying her to safety. She remembered Ymir's curse...Eren's death...and finally...her own death...giving birth to their first child...in that world.

It all came back to her in that moment...and suddenly...her original persona returned. She was no longer just Eren's wife, or just a mother. She was a solider...a warrior. In that moment she could do anything...as it reawakened within her. The Ackerman Power...reawakened.

She glared dangerously, gripping the knife tightly. Her very soul pulsed, as she made eye contact with Annie.

"Annie...", she growled. Rubi and Levi froze, and looked to see Mikasa. "Miki...?", Rubi started, nervously.

With a loud yell, Mikasa suddenly charged at Annie with the knife, she easily shoved Levi and Rubi out of the way, as she slammed Annie against the wall.

"Give him back...DO YOU HEAR ME?! GIVE EREN BACK!", she slashed Annie's throat, and as Annie's body hit the floor, she began violently stabbing her.

"GIVE EREN BACK!", Mikasa yelled dangerously, as she continued to stab Annie. "MIKASA!", Rubi cried, attempting to pull her off.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!", Levi helped, as they managed to pull Mikasa off of Annie's dead body.

Mikasa fell back, panting for air, shaking badly. "It's over Miki...you got her...", Rubi assured her friend, while Levi let her go.

"Daddy!", Akane cried then, snapping Mikasa out of it. "Eren!", she hurried over to his limp form. Rubi felt Eren's wrist, as Mikasa held him in her arms.

"He has a pulse, Miki...but its really weak", Rubi confirmed...as the sound of sirens were heard approaching the cabin.

After being escorted to the hospital, the police took Bertolt and Reiner away. Eren was taken into the ER, while Mikasa was forced to wait out.

Akane was with Mikasa, while Rubi had Eren in surgery. Levi was talking with Arashi's father over it all.

"Any idea yet why they even did this?", asked Levi.

"Aside from Annie's jealous rage, we were able to uncover why Bertolt and Reiner went along with it. Apparently Bertolt was in love with Annie, and would do anything to make her happy...and Reiner was loyal to Bertolt. We also found out Reiner suffers from multiple personality disorder...", Satoshi explained.

"So basically a fucked up trio...", Levi glared. "Yes...Annie's been confirmed dead. Reiner and Bertolt will be sent to prison for life...", Satoshi nodded.

Mikasa was silent in the waiting room, as she held her daughter in her lap. Akane was clinging tightly to her mother, as Mikasa remained quiet.

She was softly stroking Akane's hair, holding her tight. Her eyes felt heavy with tears...still waiting for any word on Eren.

"Mom!", Carly's voice came. She, Makoto, Kayo, and Armin hurried in. Along with Grisha and Carla. Mikasa looked up, trembling.

Akane got up, hugging each of her siblings. "Sissy!", Akane cried, hugging Carly. "Oh Akane! I'm so sorry...I'm NEVER letting you out of my sights again!", sobbed Carly, holding her close.

"We're here little sis, you're safe now", Makoto soothed, hugging her next, as Kayo also hugged Akane.

"Mikasa...oh angel..", Carla hugged Mikasa close, after Grisha had pushed her wheelchair close enough.

"Any information on our son?", Grisha asked anxiously. Mikasa shook her head shakily. "None...Rubi...Rubi has him in surgery...", she answered.

"I...I'm so sorry...mom...dad...this is all my fault. If I hadn't gone alone...Eren wouldn't be...", Mikasa began, tears filling her eyes.

"No, shhhhhhh", Carla shushed her then, stroking her hair as she held her close. "It's not your fault Mikasa...", Grisha added softly.

"Mom...will dad be okay?", asked Makoto fearfully.

Mikasa froze...unable to answer him. She felt a lump forming in her throat, as more tears filled her eyes.

"Kids, hey listen...why don't we get something to eat, yea?", Armin came over then...he could see his best friend was about to break down.

And he knew she didn't want to do it in front of her children. Carly understood too. "Yeah come on guys, we'll go somewhere we like, instead of the cafeteria food", she added, taking Akane's and Kayo's hands. Armin took Makoto's hand.

Mikasa gave them a grateful look, as she looked down. After Armin left with the kids to get dinner, Mikasa leaned into Carla's arms, fully breaking down.

Hours went by...Armin returned with the kids, and it was a matter of playing the waiting game. Mikasa hadn't moved from her seat, as Carla remained at her side.

Armin paced, while Carly sat by her mom. Makoto sat on the other side, Kayo leaning against him while Akane had fallen asleep in Carly's lap, completely exhausted.

Levi and Hanji were there too. "Mikasa...its passed 10...the kids are exhausted. You want me to take them home?", offered Armin then.

Mikasa blinked, just realizing how late it was getting. "Yes...please...I'm sorry Armin...I can't leave. Not until I know he's okay...", she replied, her tone a bit numb.

Armin nodded understanding. Makoto and Kayo got up, and hugged Mikasa. "He'll be okay mom, dad's a fighter", Makoto assured her.

"Just like you mommy", Kayo added. Mikasa hugged them both, tearfully. "Mom...I'll stay if you want me too", Carly began, as she lifted Akane up, who remained asleep.

"No, you go home and rest angel...I'll be okay", Mikasa assured her oldest. Carly hesitated, worried but she gave a small nod. She kissed her mother's cheek. "He'll be okay mom...I know it", she assured her.

Mikasa gave a shaky nod. After Armin and the kids left, Mikasa remained where she was, not moving. Grisha and Carla hadn't left her side either.

A while passed...and as she waited for any news on her husband...her mind also wandered. All those memories that returned...of their previous life.

Why was she only remembering them now? It did explain those dreams she's had in the past...but why...why were they back? In a new world? A world...without titans.

"Mom...back at...the cabin. Something...happened", Mikasa spoke then, for the first time in several hours.

"What, sweetie?", asked Carla, listening. Grisha had went to the cafeteria to get them coffee. It was close to 2 in the morning now.

"I...remembered something. I can't explain it...but...it was...another life...we were in. A very...different life...", Mikasa began, biting her lip.

Carla's eyes softened. "Something similar happened to me...during the fire. I...saw something very strange. I think...its obvious we all lived a different life before...", she said.

Mikasa looked at her. "Maybe...this is our second chance", Carla added gently. Mikasa looked down, clenching her fists then.

"If this is our second chance...if this truly is...then why is Eren...", she began, shakily.

Suddenly, the ER doors finally opened. Mikasa looked up, and she got up hurrying over urgently. "Rubi!", she ran over to her sister...but stopped dead in her tracks.

Rubi looked exhausted, but she didn't wear an expression of relief. She actually struggled to look at Mikasa directly in the eye.

"S-Sis...", Mikasa started, shaking. "Miki...I need you to sit down", said Rubi, biting her lip. Mikasa froze, her heart sunk at those words.

But she slowly sat down next to Carla. Grisha had returned, and he sat down too, all three of them holding their breath.

Rubi sat across from them, taking a deep breath. "I...was able to remove the bullet, and bring him back...but...", she started.

"But...?", Carla pressed, fearfully, as Mikasa remained silent. "But I'm afraid...Eren's in a coma. I don't know when...or even if he'll ever wake up. He nearly died...and was technically dead for several seconds...", Rubi explained.

Mikasa's eyes expressed complete horror and shock, while Carla clasped a hand over her mouth, and Grisha held her close. "Oh my god...", Carla cried, shakily.

"What now then? What are the chances our son will wake?", Grisha demanded, shakily. "Only about 30%...I'm so sorry...Miki, I...", Rubi started, she reached for her sister's hand, giving it an assuring squeeze.

"I don't know...if Eren will ever wake up...but no matter what happens, Armin and I will be here, to support you and the kids...I promise you that sis", Rubi assured her, she then pulled Mikasa into a gentle hug.

Mikasa hugged her back...but she was in a state of shock. This...this couldn't be real. It had to be a horrible nightmare. It...it had to be.

This wasn't right, they were given a second chance...

"S-Sis...I...I need to see him...please", Mikasa pleaded then, shakily. Rubi nodded, understanding. She took Mikasa's hand, leading her in. Carla broke down in Grisha's arms, sobbing heavily.

Rubi led Mikasa to room #19. Mikasa entered slowly, Rubi giving them time alone. It actually felt weird...for the roles to be switched.

Every time before, it was Mikasa who was on that hospital bed. For injury, or for childbirth...she was always the one resting on the bed...and Eren was always the one at her bedside.

Eren was hooked up to several machines, an IV and oxygen. He looked deathly pale, and remained unconscious.

Mikasa's heart dropped as she realized...Eren had to see her like this before. When her ribs were broken...he had to see her in this state.

It was too painful to bear...Mikasa approached his bedside, gripping a piece of her red scarf. She gently took his limp, cold hand in her own.

"Eren...", she started, her voice cracked and small. "E-Eren...please...open your eyes...I can't lose you again...I've lost you...I've seen you die...so many times...", she choked back a sob, as she kissed his hand.

"Our kids need you Eren...Carly needs you...Makoto needs you, Akane and Kayo need you...I need you...", she continued, tears filling her eyes.

"You wrapped this scarf around me Eren...in this world, and the old one...and promised me...you'd always be here...you'd be here to protect me, and keep wrapping this scarf around me...always and forever...that's a promise you made to me...", she went on.

Eren remained motionless, still, his eyes not fluttering at all. Mikasa choked back a sob, she gripped his hand tightly, and kissed his forehead.

When Mikasa returned home to her children the next morning, she was numb. She didn't even know how she'd begin to explain it to them. Especially Akane.

She was always a daddy's girl after all. Mikasa entered the home, seeing Carly, Makoto, Kayo and Akane in the living room. Makoto and Kayo were petting Titan, while Mittens was making biscuits, kneading her paws on Carly's lap.

Akane was hugging Gizmo close, as the little ferret nuzzled her. Armin was with them...he already knew from Rubi calling him.

Levi and Hanji were watching Alex for them at the moment. "Mikasa...", Armin saw her grim look. "Mom! How's dad?", cried Carly, as Makoto and Kayo looked up anxiously.

"Daddy's okay, right?", asked Akane. "When is he coming home?", added Makoto. But Kayo remained quiet...she could see it in her mother's eyes.

Mikasa's voice choked up a bit, unable to answer at first. She gripped the armchair, as she sat down, her breathing labored.

Her head was killing her...it felt like it may split open. Carly's heart sunk at her mother's state, and she turned white.

"Oh my god...mom...is...is dad...", she started to ask, while Makoto's eyes widened. "N-No...he can't be!", he started.

Mikasa shook her head tearfully. "Your dad...is in a coma...your Aunt tried her hardest but...", she began to answer.

She couldn't look her children in the eye, just gazing down at her lap, holding her scarf close as she trembled. Armin gently sat by her, rubbing her back softly.

"What...does that mean, mommy?", asked Akane, not understanding. "It means...dad's asleep...but it could be a very long sleep", Carly explained softly.

"He'll wake up though, right?", asked Akane fearfully. Mikasa bit her lip, still not looking up.

"I...I don't know...", she answered grimly.

The children fell silent...a grim silence. Mikasa felt tears fall from her eyes. "M-Mom...", Carly started, worriedly.

"I...I need to be alone...I'm so sorry...Armin, can you...", Mikasa asked then, shaking bad now. "Yes, of course, you go", Armin assured her, planning to watch the kids for the day.

Giving Mikasa time to mourn. Mikasa nodded, thankful, as she disappeared upstairs. She shut herself in her and Eren's bedroom.

"Uncle Armin...is daddy...is daddy going to die?", cried Akane, tearfully. "Oh sweetie...we...we don't know yet...", Armin couldn't lie to her, as she scooped her up in his arms.

"Dad could wake up though right? I mean, there's a chance", Makoto pointed out, hopefully. "But it's a very small chance...", Kayo said then, grimly.

"We can only...pray and hope dad will wake up...that's all we can do", Carly admitted, looking down.

Upstairs, in the bedroom, Mikasa was laying on Eren's side of the bed, as she held her red scarf close. Tears streamed down her face, as she clutched his pillow tightly.

One Week Later

"Where the bloody hell is she?", Rubi demanded then. Armin led Rubi upstairs in the Jaeger house, to Eren and Mikasa's bedroom.

"She's shut herself in, Rubi...she hasn't come out for a week. I mean, there's a bathroom connected to it, but she hasn't eaten...", Armin answered.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Armin?!", Rubi asked, fearfully. "She needed time to grieve! I didn't want to...", Armin started.

"Miki! Mikasa! Open up!", Rubi yelled then, as she pounded on the bedroom door. They got no response.

"Jesus christ, MIKASA!", Rubi pounded harder, her heart sinking...was she even alive? Finally, a faint, weak voice came from the room.

"Please...just...leave me alone", Mikasa said, shakily. She was laying in bed, she had lost a dangerous amount of weight.

She was anorexic in fact...and deathly pale. Her hair had grown out a bit long. Her nightgown appeared so big on her small body now.

"Well at least we know she didn't bloody starve to death yet...Mikasa! You need to come out of there!", Rubi yelled, she went to turn the knob, but it was locked.

"Mikasa, what's your fucking plan?! To just starve yourself?! And leave your children without a mother too?!", Rubi yelled then, angrily.

"I'm useless as a mother to them right now Rubi...its better they don't see me like this...", Mikasa answered, numbly.

"You're bloody killing yourself, Mikasa! You need to eat!", Rubi pleaded. They got no answer. "Rubi...we need to get her out of there", Armin said, worriedly.

"I know...all right, if she doesn't come out by morning, we're busting this bloody door down...you hear that Miki?! You got until morning or I'm shoving a bloody feeding tube down your throat if that's what it takes!", Rubi yelled at the door...behind her anger, she was scared to death.

Terrified she was going to lose her best friend, her sister. Mikasa remained silent.

After Armin and Rubi went downstairs, to make dinner for the kids, Mikasa slowly got out of bed. But not to exit the room.

Her mind had gone blank at this point...she always had Eren by her side. Ever since she was 9 years old...he's been here.

He's been her magnet...the one person keeping her sane after seeing her parents murdered...in both lives.

Now that he was...gone, most likely never waking up...all of Mikasa's sanity was being drained out of her. She entered the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom...and started running the bath water.

She removed two razor blades from the razors, and glanced down at her wrists. The pain...the heartache...it was far too much.

All light and hope had left her eyes...it was like she was experiencing temporary amnesia...like she forgot there were still people her needed and loved her...her children, Rubi, Armin, Carla, Grisha...

She figured...in her darkest, lowest point...they'd be better off without her. She would just be a burden to them like this.

She removed her clothes, and lowered herself into the bath. She gripped the razor blades in her hand, as she let the water continue to run.

She began to press the blade to her wrist, her hand shaking. Just when she was about to slice, she heard a voice from outside.

"Mom? Uncle Armin's almost done making dinner...you really need to eat", Carly's voice was heard outside the bedroom.

Mikasa's heart sunk, looking up. "C'mon mom...you're gotta be starving", added Makoto. "Please mommy...", pleaded Akane, sounding tearful.

"Mommy...I know...how you feel. Before I met Makoto...and you took me in...I thought I was all alone too. I thought...I should just die...I tried it too...", Kayo spoke up then.

Mikasa's heart sunk...as some light returned to her eyes, listening to her children.

"But...things got better. I don't...really understand how or why but...before I knew it...when I was at my darkest point, Makoto saved me...and so did you...and dad", Kayo went on.

"We love you mom...even if dad doesn't wake up...if he dies...we still need you", Carly added, shakily. "You're not a burden to us if that's what you're thinking...we need you...please mom", Makoto pleaded. "Please...m-mommy...we already lost d-daddy...we don't want to lose y-you t-too...", Akane sobbed.

Mikasa's heart sunk, as she suddenly dropped the razor blade. It hit the bathroom floor. She exhaled...as it suddenly crashed down on her.

Her children...they pulled her out of the darkness. Even if Eren didn't wake up...even if he died...she was going to live on.

Eren's voice..."Fight" repeated in her mind. And she remembered...she was in this situation once before. In that other life...when she thought Eren was dead.

She wanted to die but...she kept fighting. And now that she had children...a family..friends...she would keep fighting. She would keep living.

She stood out of the bath. She threw her long nightgown back on, and wrapped her red scarf around her neck.

She hurried out of the bathroom, and opened her bedroom door. Carly, Makoto, Akane and Kayo all looked surprised, and taken aback she actually opened it, but also so relieved.

"Mom..!", cried Carly, while Makoyo's eyes widened. "Mommy...", cried Akane, tearfully.

"Carly...Makoto...Akane...Kayo...oh my babies...", Mikasa knelt down, and hugged them all tightly. "Mommy!", sobbed Kayo, as Carly broke down, crying, hugging her mother tightly.

"Mommy...you're okay!", cried Akane, as Makoto sobbed. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry kids...mommy's here...I'm never leaving you alone again...", Mikasa sobbed, holding them all close.

"We love you too mom...", sobbed Carly. "Oh angel..", Mikasa stroked her hair. "We thought...we thought...we'd never see you again", confessed Makoto.

"Oh buddy...no...I'm here", Mikasa soothed him, patting his hair. "Even if...even if daddy doesn't wake...we need you mommy", trembled Akane.

"Oh my sweet bellflower...", Mikasa hugged her close. "We're all here to mommy...if dad doesn't...", Kayo added.

"I know you are, sweet face...I love you all so much...mommy's staying right here...I promise", Mikasa hugged them all closer, tears streaming down her face.

Armin and Rubi hurried up then, hearing the commotion. "MIKI!", Rubi darted over, hugging her sister close, sobbing.

"Sis...I'm so sorry...", Mikasa cried, hugging her back. "Jesus christ...Mikasa...you need to eat, NOW!", Armin cried, hugging her next, tightly.

"If Eren wakes up and sees you like this...he'll fucking kill us both", Rubi added, wiping her eyes in a small laugh.

"I'm so sorry...I worried all of you. I...it won't be easy but...I'm going to stay strong. Because...that's what he would want. Eren would want me to fight...", Mikasa promised, holding a piece of her scarf close.

Another whole week soon went by...and Mikasa began visiting Eren in the hospital every day. She always brought fresh bellflowers with her.

The kids visited too after school. It was late morning...Mikasa approached Eren's bedside. She sat by it, setting the fresh bellflowers in the vase.

She gripped his hand tightly, her eyes softening. "Eren...you've been with me..in two whole lives. You've...saved my life more times than I could ever count...you were there for me in my darkest hours...you held my hand through every birth of our children...", her eyes sparkled with tears.

"I wanted to thank you...for always being there at my side. Thank you...for showing me how to live...", she looked at him, giving a tearful smile.

"My scarf...for always wrapping it around me...thank you", she said, her voice cracked. Eren remained motionless.

Mikasa choked back a small sob, as she leaned down...kissing him on the lips softly. A single tear fell down her face, as she gently broke the kiss.

Suddenly...without warning, Eren's eyes flew opened, and he gasped for air. Mikasa's heart jumped, as her eyes widened.

"Eren...?!", she cried...at first scared she was just imagining it. "M-Mikasa...!", Eren sat up, pulling his oxygen mask off, looking around at his surroundings.

He caught his breath, getting his bearings, as he looked at her. "Mikasa...", he started. Mikasa's eyes filled with tears, in complete shock and relief.

"EREN!", she threw her arms around him, sobbing heavily. "Mikasa...I'm here...I'm here...", Eren held her close, stroking her hair, as he felt his own tears fall in heavy relief.

Mikasa kissed him deeply then, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry Eren...it was my fault...I...I love you so much", she cried.

"Shhhhhh, it was not your fault Mika...I'm here angel..shhhhh...I promised you didn't I? I'd always be here...I'd always wrap your scarf...always and forever, that's a promise", he soothed her, smiling.

Mikasa choked back a sob of relief, as they kissed once more, deeply. After calling everyone, the kids ran in.

"DAD!", cried Carly hugging him tightly. "Carly..! Have you grown?!", Eren cried in relief. "Dad, you're okay!", Makoto cried, hugging him next with Kayo.

"I'm so glad!", cried Kayo. "I'm okay kids, I'm okay", Eren assured them, holding them tightly.

"DADDY! Dad, dad, dad, daddy!", Akane cried, running over fast. "There's my princess..!", Eren hugged his youngest tightly, scooping her up as Akane broke down, crying into the crook of his neck.

"Oh Eren...", Carla and Grisha hugged him next, and so did Armin and Rubi.

It took a few weeks for Eren to heal...but eventually he was out of the hospital and back on his feet. When he was, it was Eren and Mikasa's wedding anniversary.

Armin and Rubi took the kids for the day, while Eren and Mikasa rented a beach house. It would be a peaceful anniversary.

They were walking alongside the shore at sunset, arm in arm.

"Mikasa...this is going to sound crazy but...when...back when I was shot...I...saw something", Eren spoke up then.

Mikasa listened quietly. She had let her hair grow out long again, and was back to a healthy weight. Eren actually let his hair grow out long too now, with some facial hair.

They sat on the log in front of the shore. "I...I know how this is going to sound but...I saw...memories...of another life...in a world filled with...", Eren starts. "Titans", Mikasa finished his sentence then.

Eren froze, he looked at his wife. "I remembered too...it's...it's a jumble but enough is clear...your mom..she remembers a little bit too...", Mikasa revealed.

Eren exhaled, looking out at the ocean. "If we really lived that other life...why are we here? In the future...with no titans...in a modern world?", he asked.

"I think...we've been given a second chance. A second chance to start over...live a peaceful life. I...saw you die from Ymir's curse in that other life...and not long after, I died...from childbirth...", Mikasa said softly.

"Then technically Carly's been reborn too...", Eren realized. "Do you think...the others have memories? Armin, Rubi or your uncle?", he wondered then.

"I'm sure they do...and in time they might wake up but...we shouldn't force them too. The memories from that other life...are too painful", Mikasa answered.

She leaned her head to his shoulder. "What matters now is...we're alive...and safe...and given a second chance", she mused.

Eren gave a relieved smile. "Yes...we've been given our happy ending it seems", he said. "A happy beginning more like...", Mikasa smiled.

They gazed at the ocean...as they locked eyes, and kissed softly.

Several months soon passed, and it was Thanksgiving. Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Rubi, Carly, Makoto, Akane, Kayo, Alex, Arashi, Emily, Levi, Hanji, Farlen, Carla and Grisha were eating at the table. Mikasa held Eren's hand, smiling softly.

"I think...we have a lot to be thankful for...", she said softly. "We really do", Eren smiled. "Kids...", Mikasa said then.

They all joined hands, Rubi holding Armin's and Alex's. Kayo and Makoto held hands, while Carly held Arashi's and Mikasa's.

Eren held Mikasa's hand, and Akane's, while Levi held Hanji's. Carla held Grisha's.

"Despite...everything we've been through. What I've been through...Eren, has always been at my side. Ever since we were children...he wrapped that scarf around my neck...and saved me from the darkness...", Mikasa began.

"In all that time...I loved him so very much...he was there for me through everything...as I was for him. And over time...I found friends and family in all of you...and now have four beautiful children...and I imagine soon...grandchildren", Mikasa gave Arashi and Carly a smile, causing them both to blush a bit.

She even gave a wink to Kayo and Makoto, who also blushed.

"I now know...for sure...with every fiber of my being...there is a God...because if there wasn't...we wouldn't be sitting here right now as a family...Eren wouldn't be here...and...its true we lost many on the way...", Mikasa closed her eyes.

Thinking about her parents, Petra, her miscarriage...and all the soldiers lost in the other life. "But...we know they're in a better place now...", Mikasa said softly.

As the large family's prayer ended, a light of hope filled the town.

The following day, Sasha and Connie were at the park with their twins, Krista and Ymir were heading to the store together, while Jean and Marco worked at the garage.

Levi and Hanji were going over college plans with Farlen, while Carly was at school hanging out with Arashi and Emily on the roof, practicing for the next singing contest.

"I want to try and sing mom's song, "No matter Where you are", admitted Carly. "You can do it", Arashi grinned, as Emily smiled.

Makoto and Kayo were holding hands, getting ice cream outside the school with Titan and Alex, while Akane was drawing with her friends in the classroom.

"Here, strawberry, your favorite", Makoto smiled, hanging Kayo her cone. "Thanks Makoto", Kayo smiled, taking it while Titan licked Makoto's ice cream.

"What are you drawing, Akane?", the teacher asked in the classroom. "It's a red string, the red string of fate", Akane answered, smiling.

Armin and Rubi were relaxing on their windows seat at home with their pets, Hook between them, and Cheeto in Armin's lap.

"I love you Armin...", Rubi mused. Armin smiled, stroking her long red hair. "I love you more...", he whispered, kissing her softly.

Mittens and Gizmo were at home.

Carla was planting bellflower seeds in the garden with Grisha and their dog Daisy at the farm.

Eren and Mikasa were walking to the park where they first met. As they walked, Eren accidentally bumped against another man's shoulder. "Oh sorry!", he apologized. "No problem, kiddo", the man said.

Eren froze, and so did Mikasa. The blonde man with facial hair...he smiled warmly, and continued on. It was Hannes.

"Hannes was brought back...", Eren grinned. Mikasa smiled. They walked under the Sakura tree, in the park.

"There's one thing I don't understand Mikasa...if we were all given a second chance...why were your parents...still...", Eren asked then, gently squeezing her hands.

"I think...it was simply fate. As much as it hurts...", Mikasa gripped her heart locket, with her parents photos inside. "If they hadn't died...you and I...would have never had such a special connection...their sacrifice was for our love in a sense, Eren...", she realized.

"Then...let's not waste it, Mika", Eren smiled warmly. He cupped her cheek, pressing his forehead to hers. Mikasa smiled, blushing as their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss.

The wind breezes, as Sakura petals flew passed them. "I love you...", Eren whispered, gazing into Mikasa's eyes. "I love you too", Mikasa smiled.

Their happy beginning was finally realized...they were given a second chance in this new life, new world.

The Red String of Fate allowed their lives a second chance...it kept them connected, and always will. Forever and ever.

END