Forever and Always

Chapter 33 - Crocodile Tears

Morning came too soon, bearing the cross of the final goodbye that would tear me apart. Levi was already out of bed, packing his suitcase and shoving all of my clothing back into my backpack. When he saw I was awake, he smiled, saddened to admit that the morning had come.

"Good morning, Love. I was gonna give you another minute to sleep, if you wanted it," he murmured, careful not to wake the sleeping baby in my arms. I wasn't sure when she had migrated over to me, but I felt warm inside at the sight of my daughter.

"I'm okay," I whispered, gently removing the softly snoring little girl from my arms, kissing the side of her head and standing up carefully, as not to jostle her. "Thanks, Levi."

"Yeah, of course," he mumbled, pulling a hoodie out of his suitcase, staring at the neatly folded piece of clothing. "Eren."

"Yeah?" I asked, switching my sweats for some jeans and looking over at my fiancee.

Levi sniffed, looking up at me with pain in his eyes. "It would mean a lot if you were to take this with you when we part ways," he said, draining his voice of all emotion. "Knowing a part of me was with you," he added, faltering in his facade.

"Of course," I answered softly, slipping the sweatshirt over my head. I looked down and saw the familiar bleach patterns on the black hoodie, the light rust color painted into the shape of a perfect pentagram.

"I know it's not really your scene, but I've had this since forever. I think I stole it from Frankie when I was thirteen. You take care of it for me, okay? And if you spill something on it or get it all nasty, I swear to fucking God."

"No, Levi, it's perfect. It smells like you," I mumbled, a soft, sad smile on my lips. I was overjoyed to have his favorite sweater. I smelled the worn fabric, smelling Levi on it. It almost brought me to tears. I knew it would when he was gone.

"And when I get it back, it'll smell like you," Levi said with a wink and a nod. "You all packed? Isabel and Farlan are waiting in the car."

I nodded, yawning sleepily. "Do we bring her? Is she okay just sleeping here? Isn't that dangerous?"

"I'll ask Isabel what she wants. Can I get your bag?" Levi asked, motioning for my backpack.

"I got it," I muttered, a deep sadness beginning to take root in me. We made our way out the front door and to the running car, the cool air of the dark morning instantly chilling me. We loaded our bags into the back of the running car and Levi opened the door.

"We takin' Poppy? Or we gonna let her sleep?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Isabel.

"We'll head right back. Door's locked?" Isabel responded, her hand on the wheel.

"Yeah," I confirmed, having locked it on my way out.

"Then she'll be okay for forty five minutes," Isabel replied. "It's a safe neighborhood. Plus her carseat's in Farlan's car."

"Whatever you say," Levi snapped, climbing into the back seat of the car, and opening his arms, facing me and propping his legs up on the back seat. I gratefully crawled into them, closing the door behind me, nestling my face into Levi's neck, relaxing my muscles and settling into the feeling of laying on Levi.

"Well, we're gonna miss you guys," Isabel smiled, trying to stay positive. "It was wonderful meeting you, Eren."

"Yeah, you too. You're a good mother to Poppy, and a good friend to Levi, so I loved you before I even met you," I giggled awkwardly, not knowing how to carry on a conversation at three in the morning.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Farlan snickered from shotgun.

"Yeah," I giggled sleepily in response. "Nah, you're really important to Levi, too, so yeah, same for you. Even though you kissed him," I teased.