Partners in Crime Fighting

19. The Family

LEVI: It was about four months later when Sayaka Ackerman was released from her therapy center and was allowed to live a normal life with her daughter. By that time, the kids had already gone back to school for their sophomore year in high school and weren't always around to help Hanji and me solve cases. And Hanji and I had gone on several more dates since the kids started school.

The day Sayaka Ackerman was coming to take Mikasa home, I was terrified. It wasn't because I didn't want to miss having Mikasa around (which I did), but because I had something important to do that day.

The day Sayaka Ackerman came to take her daughter to live with her was Christmas Eve. The snow was blanketing the city in sparkling white. I loved the way clean snow looked when it fell.

Before Mikasa left she said, "Eren, I want you to come with me. You let me live with you those years ago, so I want to return the favor."

Eren had glanced at Hanji and me. "What about Armin?"

"Armin can live with us." I offered, my body trembling at the anticipation. "Helping us solve cases."

"Yahoo!" Hanji embraced Armin tightly. "I've always wanted a son."

"Ehh?" Armin shrieked. "Are you serious?" His eyes had been wide and filled with excitement.

"Sure, but you will still call us Levi and Hanji. 'Dad' isn't a title I deserve." I admitted.

Hanji kissed Armin's cheek. "But you have to change your last name to Zoë like mine!"

"Hanji that's ridiculous, he's changing his name to Ackerman." I said. It was my chance; a cheesy one, but if it worked then it worked. "And...I'd like it if you changed your name to Ackerman, too."

Legs shaking, I got down on one knee in front of Hanji. Hanji let out a small gasp.

I reached in my back pocket and fumbled around to retrieve the box. I dropped it and it tumbled onto the floor. Redness spread across my face. Dammit Levi, get your act together and propose already!

I grabbed the box and opened it up. "Hanji Zoë, will you marry me?"

Hanji's hands flew to a flustered face. "Levi...yes, I'll marry you."

I stood up to wrap my arms around Hanji. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Hey kids, you're invited to the wedding so wear something nice!" Hanji laughed.

"Get a haircut, Eren," I teased.

"If I get a haircut, then Armin needs to get one!" Eren insisted.

"Yeah, no son of mine will have hippie hair!" Hanji laughed.

"Aww, but Hanji..." Armin pretended to whine.

"When should the wedding be? Next summer, maybe?" Mikasa asked.

"Slow down," I chuckled, "I'm not exactly made of money. And if anything, it's going to be a small wedding with just the six of us and maybe the police force."

"And Historia and Ymir," Armin added.

"Them too, but are you paying for food, young man?" I asked.

Armin blushed. "Hey Levi, what did Hanji get you for Christmas?"

I glanced at my new fiancée. I hadn't expected anyone to get me anything.

Hanji handed me a thin present. I tore away the paper and found a picture frame.

"I was thinking we could take a family photo." Hanji said. "I didn't suspect us to officially become a family today. Merry Christmas and happy birthday, Corporal Clean Freak."

"Thank you," I mumbled.

Mikasa pulled out the red iPhone she had gotten for Christmas. "Let's take a picture to put in the frame."

Mrs. Ackerman took the phone and Hanji and the kids gathered around me.

"Say 'Titan'," Mrs. Ackerman teased.

"WHAT?!" Eren scowled, and the shutter clicked.

I looked at the picture. "Nice job Eren, you ruined the family photo." I didn't really mean it, of course.

"Keep it!" Hanji insisted. "It brings out the true nature of our family."

"Yes," I agreed, "our crazy, dysfunctional family."