But Are You Sure?

chapter four

"Pass me my conditioner. Please." Eren said, hunching over underneath the shower head. His dark brown locks turned almost black while being soaked with water. I reached up for the bottle and passed it to his outstretched hand. I grabbed my conditioner with my other hand and squeezed some out. I started running it through my hair when I heard a yelp.

"What what what?"

"I got conditioner in my eye!" Eren squealed, furiously scrubbing at his eye. I shook my head and frowned.

"You're making it worse, dumbass. Run it under the water." I commanded, resuming my own shampooing. While Eren tried to get the soap out of his eye, my thoughts started to wander. It had been three days since Sasha invited me to the mom group, and today was the day. I really wasn't used to that much social interaction, and I was a little nervous. What if they judged me? I think fighting a group of pregnant women is probably not a good idea. 

"Mika, why do you have your fighty face on?" Eren asked, the shampoo finally gone. I rolled my eyes at him and started rinsing my hair out.

"This is just my face, Eren. And stop calling me Mika!" 

"Whatever. I know you. You're scared!" He said, smiling. I'm sure he couldn't be happier to see me crack under pressure.

"I am not! You're being dumb. I just- I don't know what to expect. That's all!" I snapped, whipping my head around and slapping Eren with my hair. He yelped in response.

"Mikasa, that hurts! Don't be mean." He whined. I huffed and opened the shower curtain, stepping out onto the mat and wrapping a towel around myself. The shower turned off moments later and Eren stepped out of the tub. I handed him a towel and headed for the bathroom door.

"Okay fine. You're not scared. It's no big deal." Eren mumbled, wrapping the towel around his waist. I scowled, pushing the bathroom door open to our bedroom. I took my towel and wringed out my hair, studying myself in the full length mirror.

"I'm gonna have a baby belly soon." I said plainly, examining my stomach closely. It was weird to think about; that there was a tiny child inside me. A whole new person that was a mix of me and Eren.

"It'll be cute. And awesome. And perfect." Eren said softly, kissing the top of my head. 

"What are you going to wear? I'd recommend nothing too Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way." He said, shaking the water out of his hair. 

"I'm not even going to pretend to know what that means, but for your information, I was going to wear my white sweater and that stupid skirt you bought for me." I explained, making my way to the closet and pulling out the clothes.

"Mikasa Ackerman? In a skirt? Are the pregnancy hormones already kicking in?" He asked, his eyes wide. I grit my teeth as I dressed myself. I pushed past Eren in a huff and left our room, slamming the door behind me. I love Eren more than anything in the entire world, but sometimes he just says things I can't deal with. He doesn't understand anything sometimes! I stomped down the stairs and saw Armin setting three places at the kitchen table.

"Oh hey Mikasa! I made soup. You look pretty." He said, giving me a smile. I felt myself relax, and I sat down at the table. 

"I am surprised you're wearing a skirt, it's pretty unlike you..." Armin said, placing a glass of water next to me. I grunted, picking up the cup and gulping it down.

"What's wrong? I didn't mean it in a bad way!" He said quickly, sitting in the chair next to me. I rolled my eyes, knowing I couldn't (and shouldn't) lie to Armin. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.

"I just don't want the other moms to judge me."

"Why would they judge you?"

"Oh, I don't know Armin. For starters, I'm a 24-year-old unmarried pregnant girl. I don't have a "real" job by many people's standards. My only friends are two idiot boys that are good at cooking and give good hugs. My face always looks like I have murder on the brain, even when I literally have no thoughts in my head. Should I continue?" I said loudly, burying my face in my hands. I felt Armin rubbing my back, sighing sadly.

"Mika, you're an amazing woman. You've gone through more at 24 than those other moms will go through in their whole lives. Your job is so cool and it's your dream job! Your face is a little scary, sure, but the second they get to know you they'll see how awesome you are. And who cares if you're not married, it's not the 1950s anymore!" He said, brushing my hair out of my face. I gave him a tiny smile.

"I just don't like being nervous."

"Believe me, I know. How about we eat lunch and I'll drive you to Sasha's. Okay?" Armin offered. I nodded. I heard Eren bouncing down the stairs as Armin got up to serve the soup.

"Soup time!" Armin shouted, doing a strange little dance. Eren giggled and sat down next to me.

"Mikasa, I'm sorry for earlier. You look stunning in whatever you wear. And I think this will complete the look." He said opening his hand and picking something out of his palm. I studied the item; a smallish sparkly diamond on a thin silver chain. It was stunning. I felt myself blushing.

"You got this for me?" I asked softly as Eren clasped the necklace around my neck. He smiled and kissed my cheek.

"I wanted to get you a new necklace. I thought the old one, although an impeccable purchase if I do say so myself, was a little outdated. I thought you'd like this one, being simple and all." Eren said, a light blush dusting his cheeks. I ran my fingertips across the diamond and smiled.

"I love it. It's perfect. You're perfect." I replied as Armin emerged with three bowls of soup. Eren's eyes grew wide as the smell wafted through the room. We all ate quickly, the warm soup making me feel fuzzy inside.

"So Armin, what are we doing while Mikasa has Mommy Time?" Eren asked, taking a sip of water.

"Really? Mommy time?" I deadpanned, frowning. He laughed.

"That's what it is, is it not?" He replied, sticking out his tongue. 

"Anyways. Wanna go to the bookstore in town? They have these new records that look awesome."

"Sorry man. Job interview! So I can start paying some bills around here." Armin said, laughing nervously. Eren slapped him on the back.

"Come on man, you're family. But now I'm gonna be aloneee..." He whined.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. But Armin, I've gotta go. And isn't your interview at 1.45?" I asked, glancing at the clock.

"Shoot! Yeah, let's go. Don't wanna be late!" Armin said quickly, racing to the doorway to grab his shoes. I stood up too, heading for the front door. Not before giving Eren a quick kiss.

"Mikasa, they'll love you. Just have fun!" He said. I sighed.

"I will I will. And I love you too." I replied, heading for the door. Armin opened it for me, and we stepped outside.

"Eren!" I yelled inside the house.

"Yeah?"

"Do the dishes while we're gone!"