𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑳 𝑩𝑬 𝑰𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑰𝑪 - Levi Ackerman [1]

forty one

41|FAMILY MINUS ONE

Lillian sat happily on the balcony of her room, her son in her arms sleeping peacefully while she sipped on her tea.

"Lilly?" Historia stepped out into the cool air, spotting the silent woman. "Are you okay?"

"I am a terrible mother." She chuckled, stroking the chubby pale cheek. "I refuse to give him a name until Levi returns."

"May I hold him?" The Queen asked, wanting to change the doctor's mind from thinking about her husband.

"Of course." Historia sat down opposite the mother and held the baby close, cooing as his chubby little hand reached up to grab her blonde hair. "He is adorable."

"He has Levi's hair and my eyes." Lilly smiled, leaning back in her chair to drink the rest of her tea. "And he will most likely grow up to have Levi's rebellious behaviour."

"He will have so many uncles and aunties who will spoil him and love him dearly." The younger woman laughed, stroking his long jet black hair.

"I wonder when they will all be back." She hummed, eyes watching the sun beginning to set beyond the wall.

"They'll be home soon." Historia said hopefully. "And I'm trying to get all my baby cuddles in now before Hanje gets back and steals him."

"She would steal him and run." Lilly laughed while watching her son wake up, most likely hungry after his nap. "Feeding time."

"I can leave you alone if you would like?" She asked, passing the baby back to the mother and preparing to leave.

"No, it's fine. I enjoy the company." The doctor waved the notion off as she placed a small blanket over her shoulder to cover her son feeding for some privacy. "I love him to bits but he really likes to bite down with his gums."

~•~

"You Majesty, Doctor Ackermann." A maid ran into the room frantically, startling the two as they enjoyed their afternoon tea. "The Scouts have returned and it's not good."

"I have to go!" Lillian quickly jumped to her feet, grabbing her sleeping son from his cot. "I need a horse."

"Are you sure you're ready to travel by horse? I can get you a carriage." Historia followed her out the door and down the halls, helping her secure the baby to her chest for travel.

"A horse is faster." She stated before stopping to face the Queen. "Thank you so much for everything you have done for me and my son." Lilly wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, careful not to crush the baby. "I promise I'll visit whenever I'm free."

"Be safe." The Queen let her go, watching as she ran through the large halls and out to the courtyard.

Lillian quickly mounted the horse and rode straight to the Scout Base, knowing that is where they would be. She tied the horse up in the stable and ran to the dinner hall, finding them all standing around the tables.

"Levi!" She cried loudly, tears falling down her face as she ran to him, falling into his open arms. He kissed her passionately, not noticing the small bundle tied to her chest or the missing baby bump. Both hidden by her long cape. "I want you to meet someone." Lilly stepped back and opened up her cape, revealing the cooing baby to the small number of scouts. "I'd like you to meet your son."

"I have a son." A tear rolled down his cheek as he accepted the baby off her, cradling it carefully in his arms.

"Hanje. I would like you to meet your God Son." Lillian smiled through the tears, embracing the injured woman.

"He looks so much like Levi." Hanje laughed, letting go of the doctor to stroke her God Sons cheeks.

"Where is Erwin?" She finally asked. The hall went still as everyone avoided her eyes. "Please tell me he is still alive?"

"I'm so sorry Lils." Levi quickly passed his son to Hanje to catch his wife as she fell to her knees, cries of agony echoing around the hall as her heart broke.

"He promised he would stay alive." Lillian sobbed, her words barely audible through her emotional turmoil. "He promised he would live to see his nephew, to hold him."

"His sacrifice saved us all." He told her quietly, rubbing her back as she broke down in his arms. Her screams if pain brought tears to his eyes as he knew he had failed his wife. "I'm sorry Lilly, I failed you."

"You can never fail me." She lifted his head to face her, wiping away his tears. "I know you better than anyone else and I know that you will always make the right decision. That's why I fell in love with you."

"I'm sorry." He pulled her close, helping her breathe through the panic attack. Hanje watched the parents with sad eyes, holding their little creation close as she wished Erwin was here. He was her close friend and deserved to meet his nephew.