{LeviHan} Beyond

Chapter 14: End of the Beginning

Hanji's POV

"Mommy?" Raven looked up at me with those gray eyes of her father's, seeing my face so saddened. "You didn't finish the story. Finish the story. Please? Pretty please?" Her tiny arms squeezed her little dolphin stuffed animal, trying to get more comfort.

"Eh?" I chuckled, kissing her forehead. "I thought I did. Remember, I ended the story with the young woman was left alone with her gift from the merman. The merman went off to jail for trying to do the right thing. How else did you want me to finish the story?"

A bright smile began to grow on the young child's face, giggling as if she knew the proper way to end a story. "Like... doesn't the young woman and the merman get to see what the gift was? Or... do they ever meet again? Do they live a happily ever after story? Mommy, you have to end it..."

How little she knew... this story was of her father... 

Innocence can truly hide the real world. I have to keep her safe. Farlan and Isabel has informed me that the merpeople will keep an eye out for a hybrid. A hybrid that may or may not be dangerous to both of our races. But I know my dear Raven would not be dangerous. She will embrace her powers and perhaps, reunite this world. Peace between the two realms. Nothing will be beyond her reach.

"Mommy..."

"Eh? Sorry, Mommy got lost..."

"Again?" I sighed... I've been worrying her too much. "Mommy..." She called out my name, knowing something was up. This was my daughter after all.

Once more, I kissed her sweet forehead. I tucked her back into bed. A pat on the head and another one for Kissy the Dolphin. "Raven... the story hasn't not been completed just yet. When it will finish, I do not know. But please... don't be worried..."

"But Mommy," she protests once more, "you're sad... aren't you? Why are you sad? Is it because of Mr. Smith? Or Miss Nana? What about Farlan Bro? Or Sis Isa? Mommy... is... is it because of my daddy?"

Again- her mother's daughter.

I walked back to her, holding her in my arms ever so tightly. "Ow- Mommy, you're squeezing too tightly..."

"S-Sorry, Raven." Quickly, I wiped my tears away. I do miss Levi... for all these 7 years. I don't know when he would've been released from his prison... so once the 7th year began, I came to that same spot for over 5 months. Every dusk, I brought Raven over... only so he can see his only daughter. "It's just... I love you so much, Raven..."

"Mommy, can I sleep in your bed again?"

"Of course... of course you can. Why would I ever say no?"

"Yay..."

*   *   *

Raven had curled up with me the whole night. She was a pure angel. She never asked about her father for the longest time. She always kept quiet and listened. Recently, her friends at school started to ask about her father... and she brought it to my attention.

7 year-old Raven started to question who was her father. When we were having dinner one time, she asked if Erwin was her father. But then she said she didn't have his eyes and hair color. She clearly didn't like him.

What about Moblit? No one can match her beautiful gray eyes.

Hopefully, Levi comes back and says hi to his little princess.

I couldn't sleep that night- the night I told Raven that story. I recounted those stories Isabel and Farlan had once told me about. The brave and bold Levi who went through the toughest challenges had a soft side to him. The biggest brother to them all. How lucky I was to have him. Now all that was missing was him by my side. The human side... or the side within the sea?

A knock came at the door- that should've been Nanaba. Her son, Jenson, are really good friends with Raven. I hope it'll bring her mood back up.

"R-"

"I got it, Mommy!" She giggles softly, crawling out of bed. "Maybe Nanaba can help make breakfast for all of us!"

"You go, girl." I smiled softly, chuckling a bit. 

Slowly but surely, I got myself out of bed and into a good change of clothes. For some reason, I heard no laughter and no cheerful voices from Nanaba and Jenson. Where... where are they?

"Raven?" I called out. "Raven, who was at the door?"

"M-Mommy? Who is this man?"

"Man?"

I peeked my head out the door- and I wanted to drop everything in my hands. How... how is that possible? There he was, standing at the door- the man who I loved to my heart. Beyond everything...

"Levi...?"

He smiled softly, greeting me with words I never heard for over 7 years. "Hey, Hanji... who's this little princess right here? She... she looks so similar to me... Hanji-"

"That's right..." I walked right up to Raven, holding her tightly. "Raven, remember you asking about your father? This is him... say hi to him, Raven. Don't worry- he looks scary, but he's a big teddie bear, okay?"

Levi knelt on the ground, smiling softly. "Hey there... my name's Levi... and I won't lie to you. Do you know the big sea? Do you?"

Raven smiled, nodding her head. "I do..."

"Did you know I lived there?"

"Really?!"

"I'm not joking, erm... what's your name?" Levi gave a soft chuckle, smiling brightly. "I'm not a stranger, okay? I... I just want to know you much more. Please?"

Raven had to look at me for approval. I smiled, nudging her tiny shoulders. "It's okay, Raven."

She went off, smiling brightly. "My name's Raven Isabella Zoe-Ackerman. You lived in the sea?! How is that possible, Levi? Oh... should I say... say... uh... Daddy? You're my daddy?"

"Lemme tell you a secret, Raven... but first, is Mommy okay with us going to the ocean today?"

"No... Miss Nana and my friend Jenson's gonna come by... we were gonna watch TV together... do you want to join us? We're gonna watch movies!"

Levi chuckled, nodding his head. "I'll stay here too... I won't leave you guys... not ever... never..."