When Eren awoke next, he was in a hospital bed as various machines beeped around him. Sitting up, he winced as pain shot through his side. What happened? He looked at the clock hanging on the wall next to him, it was 8 AM? PM? He wasn't sure, but he assumed night considering the building was quiet and he was alone. Trying to collect himself, his eyes went wide as he remembered the event previous. Becoming frantic at the state Mikasa was in, and what had happened, he immediately looked around for how to call for help. The nearest thing was across the room. Figures...He sighed as he went to the next best resort.
"NURSE! NURSE! CAN I SEE A NURSE!?" He began shouting, then wincing as lifting his hands to help amplify the sound was a bad idea.
Just then a nurse plus Armin and Sasha came running towards the room. First it was Armin and Sasha that hugged him so tight, he had to remind them he was stabbed. They apologized, of course, only relieved their friend was okay. Eren then looked to the nurse who began checking him, and asking what he needed.
"I just--What happened? Where's Mikasa, is this the same hospital my mom is in? Did someone tell my mother? What's my status, am I-"
The nurse then shushed him calmly before giving him water to drink, and speaking calmly.
"Your mother is resting here and was alerted, I will let her know you are awake," she then began a mini examination as she explained his conditioned.
"As for you, Mr. Jaeger...You are going to be okay. Your wound is going to heal just fine, and you'll be here for the next couple days as we make sure you're okay. However, the wound itself will take a couple weeks to heal. The rest, your friends will tell you, just hit this button if you need me." She said motioning towards the remote next to him and left the room.
Looking to his friends, Sasha excused herself so "go get someone," as it was just Armin and Eren left in the room. There was silence at first as both boys didn't know what to say, but it was Armin, who decided to break the silence.
"So, I'm gonna assume the talk went well," he said sitting down in the chair next to the bed.
Eren chuckled softly before turning to look at his blond friend. They were like brothers, it was time to let all the bullshit that happened go. That was the only thing stopping them from bwing them at the moment.
"I got a girlfriend out of it, so yeah. It went great."
"Eren-"
"No, Armin...I'm...I'm sorry...This whole situation was a mess. It was fucked. We're just teenagers, I shouldn't have gotten so pissed at you and Sasha and blamed you guys for what was going on...You did the right thing I think."
"I'm sorry too, but...Why do you say that?" Armin asked curiously as Eren looked down at his hands.
"Giving Mikasa time to love me and let me in, seemed like the best choice. When I had let it slip we were soulmates," he laughed bitterly, "she flipped out. I think...I think had she not had the time to fall in love with me, that she would've killed herself right then and there..."
He sighed then, "Besides I was so frantic and up in arms, I don't know if I would've handled it well. I didn't have time to love her if I was just focusing on making sure she didn't die. It probably would've come off as "we're destined, so don't die," and that does sound like a slap in the face considering there'd be no feeling behind it."
He looked up at Armin then, who just listened contently as Eren continued, "but since I had time to love her...The weight was stronger, it killed me. Broke my heart, even. When I said don't die this time as opposed to the first...Well, this time. I felt it.," he coughed then awkwardly, "So I'm sorry, can we just put it all behind us?"
Armin laughed a bit, "of course, Eren. You're my brother...You don't have to ask." He said as both boys embraced.
The moment was cut short however by a voice Eren knew all too well, fighting doctors and nurses.
"M-ma'am! You are still not ready to be moving! Please go back to your room!"
"To hell with you! That's my son! He was stabbed, do you seriously expect me to just wait around without seeing him!?" Carla Jaeger screeched angrily as she stumbled into the room a couple nurses behind.
"Mom?" Eren said, speechless as Armin left the room to go see what was taking Sasha.
"EREN! Oh my boy!" She hugged him tightly and kissed him everywhere checking if he was okay.
He flushed embarrassed, but laughed a bit nonetheless and tried to get her to calm down.
"You're not in pain are you!? Is my daughter-in-law alright? When I get my hands on that man, I swear I'll-!"
"Mom."
Carla then looked at him, and really saw the boy she raised become the man she always wanted him to be. He was different, in a good way, and she was beyond happy they were both okay. They said nothing as their stares somehow spoke louder than words. It wasn't until she ruffled his hair gently that she got to finish her sentiment.
"You're still my little boy, you know." She reminded as Eren shook his head chuckling.
"I know...I love you too, mom."
Smiling, Carla finally listened to the doctors as was following them out until she saw Mikasa, Levi, and Petra entering the room. Getting jovial again, Carla Jaeger quickly embraced Mikasa, squeezing her and happily exclaiming her joy at Eren's destiny with her.
"Oh you must be Mikasa! Oh you're so beautiful, I can't wait for you to marry my son, you make him so happy!"
Mikasa just hugged her back and said, "thank you, Mrs. Jaeger."
Carla snorted and pulled back, "nonsense, call me Carla," she then turned to Eren and began her vocal praise.
"She's very pretty, Eren! Don't you go forgetting how to act! Be the gentleman I raised you to be!"
Eren flushed hiding his face now, "yeah, mom, I got it!"
Petra smiled at the interaction and nudged Levi, knowing he enjoyed it too. He just rolled his eyes and gave the faintest smile before helping Mikasa get into the room.
"Eren..." She began to cry as she fell right on him being off balance.
Much to Levi's dismay as he was helping her stand, and it was Petra who noticed Eren wincing.
"Mikasa, remember Eren was stabbed."
Mikasa's eyes went wide and she apologized profusely before Eren hugged her tighter and said it was okay. It wasn't till Levi made a joke about them getting a room that they drifted apart and Mikasa sat down in the chair next to him. Both ready to hear what Levi had to say.
"I'm assuming Arlert and Braus didn't update you." Levi started.
Eren shook his head as Mikasa grasped his hand tightly looking down. Eren gulped, hoping it wasn't bad news, but listened as Petra nodded to Levi and they both got to work explaining.
"Well Jaeger, after you passed out, we rushed to the hospital. Mikasa was questioned on her way here, but it ultimately fine, as you can see. We will have to appear in court, you along with us, but good news is we don't need anymore evidence."
Eren raised his eyebrow at that in confusion, "what do you-"
"Thomas Ackerman is dead. Your girlfriend here gave him a stab wound worth remembering. To which I'm very proud," he said nodding to Mikasa who didn't really respond.
"Good news is, they can tell there were signs of a struggle, our lawyer said with the evidence provided Mikasa should get off clean for murder in self-defense, and we get full custody of her as written in her parents will."
Eren released a breath he didn't know he was holding until Mikasa gave him a look that said "don't" and Levi ignored it. Were they lying? Was there more? His questions were answered as Levi got close and left one warning.
"Now, my niece means a lot to me, Jaeger. If you hurt her or pull the shit her father did ever, I'll skin you alive."
Eren snorted, "you don't have to worry, sir...I'll take care of her till my dying breath."
Liking that answer it was then Levi who motioned Mikasa to come. She just sat unmoving as Eren grew more confused at the exchange.
"We have to meet with the attorney an-"
It was Petra who nudged him and gave him a look that only caused Levi to roll his eyes, and spoke in an exhale.
"Alright, you can stay here with him. But you better heal up, no excuses."
"We'll talk with the police for you both right now. Just get some rest." Petra said smiling as her and Levi took their leave.
When they did there was silence for a moment as Eren scooted over on the bed much to his body's dismay. Wincing Mikasa stood for a moment concerned.
"Eren what're y-"
"You heard him, you gotta rest too. C'mon." He said patting the space next to him.
Mikasa gave him the look of disapproval before he convinced her by kissing her softly and asking her to lay with him. Giving in the young girl snuggled next to her boyfriend, careful of the wound on his opposite side and rested her head on his chest as they both exhaled in relief. Enjoying the silence for a moment.
"You can sleep here, it won't bother me."
"I can take the ch-"
"If you say take the chair, I'll have to find other ways to convince you I'll be okay other than kissing." He teased as Mikasa's face flushed red.
"Eren-" she groaned hiding in him as the brunet boy released a hearty laugh.
Kissing her forehead, he finally closed his eyes ready to rest.
"I love you, don't forget it."
"I love you too," she said, words muffled a bit by her hiding, but Eren heard it loud and clear as they both went to sleep for the night.
10 Years Later
Mikasa was so exhausted, and could barely keep her eyes open, yet she had been waiting 9 months for this. Looking over at her husband, who held her hand tightly, he kissed her face everywhere encouraging her as she felt like she would run out of breath. Squeezing his hand, she let out another scream as she felt like her body was getting ripped apart. The feeling was dizzying in a bad way and damn did it hurt. She instantly regretted not taking the Epidural as another wave of pain ripped her open like water rushing out of a dam. As hard as she tried she couldn't contain the way she screamed bloody murder.
"Is she gonna be alright!? She's in a lot of pain!" Eren asked holding her head and hand to his chest as a way of pseudo protection.
It did make Mikasa feel better, calmer, safer. She was still in excruciating pain nonetheless though and she just wanted to hold her baby.
"Mr. Jaeger, I promise you she is okay. The Epidural doesn't prevent anything, it just distills the pain so she can guve birth easier. Not to worry, both your wife and your baby look healthy." The woman said as she demanded more materials from the nurses.
Bringing her head to him, Eren kissed her forehead, and began encouraging her again. He whispered loving affirmations as well as praise for how good she was doing. The black haired girl would be lying if she said it didn't make her fall in love with him all over again, but she also was in so much pain, she couldn't even think straight let alone know if she could.
"I can't! I can't-I--AHHHHHHHH!" She screamed as she let out another push.
"Yes, you can, Mika, you got this okay? You can do this, love! You're almost there!"
"I can't, I can't!" She said stopping as the doctor chimed in.
"He's right, honey, you're almost done. Just a couple more pushes okay?"
"I can't...I can't.." she repeated crying as Eren kissed her and whispered more affirmations.
"I love you. You're so amazing, Mikasa, you can do this. You're doing so good, c'mon, baby just a couple more pushes. You got this." He repeated many different phrases over and over until his wife let out the loudest scream he'd ever heard leave her mouth.
Finally relief, as she fell back on Eren and the pillow behind her. Eren fixed her hair, and kissed her everywhere praising her, as they saw the baby unmoving in doctor's panicked arms.
"Wha-what's going on? Why are you panicking?" Mikasa began nervous as Eren finally looked up to see various nurses trying to get a response out of the baby, but there wasn't a sound heard.
"What's the matter, is there a problem--Someone's gotta tell me what's going on!" Eren shouted a little angrily as Mikasa grew distressed at no answer from the nurses, the doctor, or the baby.
"Can someone please just tell me what the fuck is wrong with my baby!?" She cried as the doctor finally turned to her and explained.
"We don't know what happened. You dilvered her just fine, but she's not responding. She should've cried by now, we're trying to get a response." The doctor said watching as the nurses tried everything.
"And if you don't!?" Eren asked nervously.
The doctor stared at them before answering, "if we don't she may-"
"Don't you dare tell me my baby's gonna die, I did everything I was supposed to, it was heal-"
As if on queue Mikasa was cut off by applause as the baby started crying, and they cleaned it up, wrapping it in a bundle of blankets. Eren released a breath he didn't know he was holding, and Mikasa began to cry as they handed her the bundle. Before they could say anything, Eren looked to Mikasa in realization as they chose to keep the sex unknown till now.
"Wait, did you say she? Is-is it a girl? Do we have a girl!?" He said almost excited as the nurse handing the baby to Mikasa answered very happily.
"Yes! It's a girl! Congratulations!" She shouted as the doctor's began the next phase.
However, Mikasa couldn't care, shebwas holding her daughter, who looked up at her happily with her husband's eyes. The young woman felt like she was going to burst into tears, to which she did for the most part as she noticed Eren getting just as emotional beside her.
"Oh my God, Eren, she's so beautiful. She has your eyes and my hair--She's so perfect." Mikasa sobbed cradling their daugher as she relaxed in her mother's grasp.
Eren laughed, tears forming in his eyes, "I know, I--We made this, we made her. She's--Mika, I'm so proud of you."
Kissing her, he then rested his hand on his daughter head, and saw her grow content with his touch. Instantly recognizing both her parents.
"You recognize, daddy? Of course you do, you recognized mommy right away." Mikasa spoke rocking her softly as the nurses got to work on cleaning up and making sure the baby was healthy and okay.
It wasn't for a couple hours that Mikasa fell asleep, not being able to stay awake any longer that the nurse offered to take the baby to the nursery, to which Eren denied immediately and held his daughter in the seat next to his sleeping wife.
After everything he'd been through, he neved thought he would see a day like this. Holding her close to his face, he kissed her forehead and began speaking, teary eyed, and emotional.
"Hi sweatheart...It's daddy," he laughed a bit as his little girl cooed and fussed in his arms happily at the words.
"Your mommy is so strong, but she's sleeping now, so it's just us. We can have a company of our own though," the baby gurgled in response, reaching out to him.
Letting her hold his pinky finger, Eren began talking to her as if she were his most prized possession. He suddenly understood the weight of being a parent. This was everything. She was everything. She was the perfect blend of them, and perfect as she was for just being born. His mom, Levi, and Petra would be arriving tomorrow, but he didn't want to worry about that. All he wanted was to connect with and protect his little girl all night while Mikasa slept soundly. You really are amazing, Mika...he thought as he kissed his daughter once more.
He thought about Mikasa and her father then. Did he ever do this with Mikasa? He hated the man, but did he treat Mikasa the same way he's treating his daughter now? Did Akane's death really affect him that much? Or in all actuality, did he really only love Akane, and Mikasa was just a liability to him. He thought about it, as much as it scared him. If Mikasa died...What would he do? He shook his head. He'd be heartbroken for sure, but one look at his little girl's big green eyes staring back at him with his wife's smile reflecting back, and he knew his answer. He'd never. Not to her, never to her. She was gold to him. A piece of him and Mikasa, but Eren knew, she was all Mikasa. Deciding he understood the feeling now, he could confidently say her father never loved her to begin with. Because the moment Eren Jaeger laid eyes on his daughter, he knew he would die a million horrible deaths for her if he had to. He loved her just as much as he loved Mikasa.
Rocking her slowly and humming some lullabies he heard Mikasa sing while in the nursery at home, Eren decided to make a promise to her. One he'd never break, and God forbid, if he did, shoot him dead. He may have been an artist, but she was by far the most beautiful piece he laid his eyes on.
"You're the best thing daddy ever made...And I promise, I'll always be there for you. I'll always protect you, and keep you safe. The same way I did for your mommy...I love you so much, and I promise you the world." He whispered kissimg her cheek.
"That's beautiful, Eren."
Turning to the sound of his wife's voice, Eren made way to hand their daughter to her, but Mikasa waved him off.
"I got to hold her enough today, enjoy her pressence." She smiled as Eren cradled her close to his wife so they could both revel in the newest edition to the family.
"Have you thought about names?" Eren asked softly as their daughter drifted to sleep soundly.
Mikasa sighed as she squeezed the baby's tiny foot in thought.
"My mom wouldn't have wanted me to, so I'd rather choose yours."
Eren looked confused, "what do you-"
"Carla. I want her name to be Carla. What do you think?" Mikasa asked, resting her head on Eren's shoulder as they both held the baby.
Eren laughed, "I'd be happy with that, but I also think my mom will be ecstatic as hell..."
"So Carla?"
Eren looked to her then smirking, "only on one condition."
Mikasa snorted and listened to what her husband was proposing.
"She can be named Carla as long as we make her middle name Mika. Your nickname, Carla Mika Jaeger, has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?"
Mikasa laughed for a second, "that's okay, but why my name?"
"Because I never want to forget that she's an extension of you. When I hear her name I'll remember this moment, where she looked at me with her mother's smile..."
Mikasa was speechless, then began to cry a bit before kissing Eren long and hard.
"You're gonna be a great father, you know that?"
Eren snorted, "that's good to hear considering we both had bad influences."
"I mean it...I love you, Eren--And our little girl." She said, gently carressing her baby's scalp.
Resting his forehead against Mikasa's, he kissed her nose, "I love you both. Forver, and always."
THAT'S THE END!!! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED!
