Tiny-Human-Bean

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!" Hange gave a loud scream, holding her belly and squirming forward.

Leaning on his crutch, Levi stared at his wife in agony, his mouth wide open and whiter than paper. Lara turned to Armin, who was also pale.

"Quick!" she exclaimed, holding Hange's belly, who gave another contraction scream, "Go to Onyankopon's house and call his mother! She needs to come immediately to deliver the baby!"

Armin was still standing there, eyes wide.

"ARMIN!" exclaimed Lara and he blinked several times, coming out of his trance, "Quick! Onyankopon's mother! NOW!"

"R-Right! Yes, ma'am!" he replied, practically saluting and dashing out of the bedroom.

Lara held Hange's face, gazing deeply at her.

"Mom, hold on tight!" she smiled, "Your baby's coming!" Lara kissed Hange's forehead, "Wait a minute!" she dashed out of the bedroom as well.

"Where are you going?!" exclaimed Hange in desperation, "Don't leave me her--AHHHHHHHHH!!!" she squirmed forward one more time.

Levi looked like a statue. His body was shaking from head to toe, eyes staring at his wife.

"I'm washing my hands!" Lara shouted from the bathroom and two seconds later, she was back, getting on the bed and taking off her mother's pants. She turned to Levi, "DAD!"

He did not answer.

"God!" Lara looked up at the ceiling, "Men... Come on! DAD!!!"

Levi jumped in fright and stared at his daughter.

"Quick!" exclaimed Lara, arranging the bed sheets under Hange, "I need clean towels and warm water. NOW!"

"D-Do you know how to deliver a baby?!" asked Levi, perplexed.

"Course not! When did you see me practicing?!" replied Lara with indignancy. "But I've read in some books some descriptions of how it's done, so I have a little idea of what I need. Come on! Do as I asked, please!"

Completely ignoring the sharp pains in his right leg, Levi went to the wardrobe, dodging the crib they had bought a few days ago, and tossed several clean towels to Lara, who caught them in the air and placed them under Hange, which was giving another contraction scream. As fast as he could, Levi headed for the kitchen. He filled the biggest pot they had in the cupboard with water and put it on the stove to heat.

"What now?!" he exclaimed from the kitchen.

"Now we need to wait for Imani!" replied Lara, who was wiping her mother's sweaty face.

As the water heated up, Levi returned to the bedroom, heading to the side he slept on the bed and sat down, holding Hange's hand. She squeezed it so hard that he gasped in pain.

"Ouch, Hange! This way you'll rip out the only good hand I have!"

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, LEVI ACKERMAN! WHY DID I LET YOU IMPREGNATE ME?! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Levi was completely stunned by Hange's words and stared at Lara, quite confused. She was analyzing her mother's private part as if she was looking for something inside.

"Just let it go, Dad…" said Lara, concentrated, "Women in labor tend to say some nonsense." She leaned in to see better, "I still can't see the baby's head."

Hange gave another scream of pain, squeezing her husband's hand, who was pressing his lips together. Levi's heart was racing in his chest and he felt his entire body trembling in a mixture of fear, anxiety, and joy. Without even realizing it, Levi gave a silly little smile. While still studying Hange's private part, Lara glanced at her father.

"Are you happy?" asked Lara, smiling at him, now wiping her mother's forehead again.

Levi couldn't speak and blinked several times. He began to stutter.

"I-I-I... I-I-I..."

"I'M THE ONE WHO'S GONNA BE HAPPY BY THE TIME I SLAP YOU IN THE FACE, LEVI!" exclaimed Hange, screaming once more in pain.

Even knowing that Hange didn't mean to say those words, Levi couldn't help but fear his wife. He had never seen her in such a chaotic state. A few minutes passed and Hange's contractions began to increase. Lara left to get the warm water and came back to continue helping her mother. Then, after a while, they heard Armin shout from the front door:

"We're here!"

Imani rushed to the bedroom, ready to bring another baby into the world. She started waving her hands, shooing Levi out of the bedroom like he was a dog.

"Out, out, out!" she said, already positioning herself between Hange's open legs, who gave another scream.

Feeling slightly offended, Levi got up from the bed.

"B-But, I'm the father!" he retorted, "I can't stay?!"

"No men in the delivery room," replied Imani, massaging Hange's belly, who was gritting her teeth. "Believe me, you can't take it."

Levi was about to reply that he had already seen much worse in his life. But he barely had time to open his mouth when his daughter interrupted him.

"Dad, you better obey," said Lara, helping him to go to the hallway. "Stay with Armin in the living room, okay?"

Levi barely had time to turn around to protest, and Lara closed the door on his face. Only Hange's muffled screams could be heard now. Armin quickly went to meet him, helping him into the living room and they sat on the couch.

Levi was opening and closing his mouth in indignation.

"That's absurd!" he exclaimed, turning red. "I should be there, beside my wife!"

Armin squeezed his father-in-law's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

"Imani is an experienced midwife. I'm sure she knows what's best for Hange at this moment."

Levi then got an expression of great concern.

"But still..." he turned to his son-in-law in affliction, "I wanted to be there!"

"Dad, stay calm," said Armin, squeezing his shoulder affectionately once more, "I'm sure everything will be fine!"

Armin realized what he had said and his eyes widened. He and Levi looked at each other. Armin ran a hand behind his neck, feeling embarrassed.

He had already called Hange "Mom" several other times over the past few months. She was very receptive and even pretty happy and touched that Armin called her like that. So now he felt a little freer to call her "Mom". However, it was the first time he called Levi "Dad".

To his utter surprise, Levi started to chuckle, smiling at Armin, also squeezing his shoulder affectionately.

Ever since Levi talked to Armin when Lara was in the infirmary, they had developed an excellent relationship. Even more so because Levi already sympathized with him, even if in the beginning, at the time of the Battle of Shiganshina, he felt a little jealous. Armin was the one who helped him the most because of his injured leg and always did his best to make his father-in-law feel as comfortable as possible. Levi was extremely grateful for all the affection and care that his son-in-law had for him. So, with each passing day, their bonds grew closer.

"Son," said Levi, shaking his head, "I don't know what we would do without you. Thank you very much."

Then, to increase Armin's surprise, Levi pulled him into a hug, which initially startled him, but when he felt the affection of that embrace, he returned it with the same intensity, thanking him and feeling his heart swell.

When they drew apart, they heard Hange give another scream that was very loud and seemed quite painful. A few minutes passed, with the boys getting more and more anxious, and Hange's screams getting louder and louder.

At one point, Lara rushed to the kitchen. Armin got up from the couch and walked over to her, but Lara also started shooing him away, asking for space.

"Not now, babe!" she said, taking another pot and filling it with water.

"H-How's your mother?!" asked Levi from the couch, anguished.

"Imani managed to turn Tiny-Human-Bean, 'cause it was in the wrong position, but now it's well positioned and ready to be born," panting, Lara gave a little smile to Levi, "Rejoice, Daddy! Soon you'll have your baby!"

She rushed back into the bedroom, leaving Armin standing by the dining table, gaping. He looked at Levi and they could do nothing but laugh nervously. Minutes later, Lara returned to get the warm water.

"We can already see its head!!!" she exclaimed with a smile, holding the pot handles with a dish towel and heading back to the bedroom, "It has black hair just like yours, Dad!!!"

Levi and Armin gazed at each other, much delighted, clapping and hugging.

"W-Will my son take after me?!" Levi turned to Armin, anxious.

"But what if it's a girl?" asked Armin.

"It won't be. I'm absolutely sure. The baby itself told me when I asked it!"

Armin thought it was best not to disagree.

Hange was still screaming from the bedroom and they could hear Lara and Imani saying things like, "Come on!", "Push harder!", and "Just one more time!"

Levi and Armin then heard what so far was the loudest and worst scream Hange had given.

Suddenly, complete silence.

The boys stared at each other, completely pale, and held one another's arms.

A few seconds passed, in that anxious silence.

Then, they heard a very loud and high-pitched cry.

A newborn cry.

Levi stared at Armin wide-eyed, his chest rising and falling. Then, he felt his limbs go numb, and if his son-in-law hadn't caught him, Levi would have fallen off the couch. Armin gave him a few light shakes, calling his name.

"M-My son…" said Levi, a little groggy, leaning on Armin, "My son… Is born?!"

Armin could only smile, nodding. For a brief moment, he wondered if when it was his turn to become a father, he would also be in that state, and felt happiness at the thought of it.

Patting Levi on the back, he said:

"Congratulations! May Tiny-Human-Bean be very, very happy!"

Slowly, Levi pulled him into a hug, and to Armin's complete surprise, he heard his father-in-law cry softly with emotion and joy. Just like Hange, Levi had also dreamed a lot about having a baby and recalled the sad time when they were already starting to lose hope. Armin returned the hug, now himself letting a few tears fall from his eyes.

Then, Armin got startled at seeing his fiancée standing in the hallway, completely disheveled and sweaty, but with a big smile on her face. Armin poked Levi, who turned to his daughter and gave a little jump on the couch, widening his eyes.

"Congratulations, Daddy..." said Lara, panting, leaning on the wall and still smiling, "It's a girl!"

Levi's jaw dropped open, his mouth forming a full letter "O" and covered it with his good hand. Armin also gazed at his fiancée, smiling.

"A-A... Girl?" Levi finally managed to speak.

"Yes..." nodded Lara, approaching, "She's so beautiful, she took after her older sister!" Lara then made a pout of indignation, remembering that this was impossible to happen, "I'm just kidding, she took after you, Dad. But still, she's the cutest baby I've ever seen!"

Levi had a look of pure astonishment.

"S-So, it means that..." he said, gazing at his daughter, "I was tricked by a fetus?!"

"Successfully!" replied Lara, now laughing.

"At least," said Armin, with a playful smile and turning to his fiancée, "she took after your sense of humor!"

Lara stuck her tongue out at him, but she couldn't help but laugh, winking at Armin.

Then, Imani left the bedroom with an expression of accomplishment. She went to the bathroom and washed her hands. When Imani arrived in the living room, she gazed at the three of them with a smile.

"Mommy and baby are great! The child is healthy and, in my opinion, her weight and size are excellent. She's even already sucking!" Imani turned to Levi, "Onyankopon told me how Hange's pregnancy was quite risky and, I must say, these girls are warriors! Hange bled a little during the delivery, but had no other complications. Now, she needs plenty of rest to recover as healthfully as possible, and she must not make any effort, okay?"

Lara squeezed her shoulder, with a tired smile.

"You can leave the rest to us, Imani. Thank you for everything. You were amazing!"

"Oh, don't mention it! It's a pleasure," she smiled.

Levi got up from the couch and walked over to Imani. He had even forgotten that he was annoyed at her for shooing him out of his own bedroom. Levi placed his hand on her shoulder, looking extremely relieved.

"Thank you so much for helping my wife," he gave a little smile.

"No need to thank me, darling," she replied with sympathy. "Just keep being the good father I know you already are."

Levi nodded in thanks and asked how much he owed her for her midwife services. Imani promptly refused any money, claiming that for her son's friends, she wouldn't charge anything.

"So..." said Levi, looking nervously down the hallway, "Can I see them now?"

Imani authorized him and, before Levi went to the bedroom, Armin said that he would leave to take her back home, but Imani refused, replying that they didn't need to worry and could enjoy the baby, as she would go home by walking since she lived nearby. Armin tried to insist, but Imani was obstinate. Before saying goodbye, she said she would wait for a few days to let Onyankopon visit them, this way Hange and the baby could be fully restored before having any visits. Then, she walked out the door.

Levi then nervously walked down the hallway, his heart racing. He felt butterflies in his stomach and his hands were shaking as he stopped at the door of his bedroom. When Levi witnessed the sight ahead of him, his heart seemed to melt.

Hange was under the blankets to keep her and the baby warm. She was holding a small package in her arms, which revealed a big tuft of black hair. At spotting her husband standing in the doorway, Hange gave Levi such a beautiful smile, he thought he was going to pass out right there.

Despite looking extremely exhausted and even quite disheveled, Hange was gorgeous. It was like she was glowing and her expression was one of great happiness. The baby suckled with a voracious appetite.

Lara appeared behind Levi and helped him to his side of the bed, sitting him comfortably. Armin watched them from the doorway, with a big smile on his face.

Shy, Levi peeked at the tiny person inside that little package and never thought he could ever feel something so strong in his entire life. As he gazed at his daughter snuggled against her mother's chest, Levi's heart swelled to such an extent that he thought it was going to explode.

Lara was right. The baby was an identical copy of Levi.

She had the same shape as his face, eyes, nose, and mouth. For just a brief second, the baby seemed to notice her father's presence and quickly opened her eyes, revealing them to be the same color as Levi's, which made him squeal, making everyone laugh. Hange asked Armin to come closer so he could see the baby as well. With a big smile, he contemplated his little sister-in-law, saying that she really was a very beautiful and cute baby, wishing her all the happiness in the world. Lara went to him and hugged him sideways, now the two of them contemplating the little tiny-human-bean.

"How are you feeling, my love?" asked Levi, gazing at Hange with worry.

"Oh..." she let out a big sigh, but with a smile on her face, "I'm exhausted! I've never imagined feeling so much pain in my life! But…" Hange gazed down at her baby, "I would do it all over again just to have this joy I'm feeling right now. It was worth every second."

Hange stole a peck kiss from Levi and then gazed at him, Armin, and Lara with tears in her eyes.

"I don't know how to thank you for everything you've all done for me. You're the best family anyone could have," Hange held out her hand for Lara to take it, and squeezed it, "Thank you so much for taking such good care of me. I couldn't have had a better daughter!"

Lara couldn't hold back the tears. Hange gazed up at the ceiling, closed her eyes, and sighed.

"Thank you so much..." she said softly. In their thoughts, Lara, Armin, and Levi also gave thanks from the bottom of their hearts.

"So?" asked Armin, "Have you already chosen a name?"

Hange and Levi looked at each other and shook their heads negatively. Everyone was silent for a while, watching the baby. Then, Lara spoke up.

"I have a suggestion."

"Go on, sweetheart," said Hange, curious.

Lara smiled and gazed at her parents.

"Kuchel."

At the same moment, Levi straightened his back, widening his eyes. A little open-mouthed, Hange looked at her husband. Lara gazed at her father with a sweet expression. Levi's chest trembled and he felt a big lump in his throat. His eyes watered. Armin seemed a little confused by the faces of his fiancée and in-laws, but he was smart enough to know that that name had awakened something in the three of them.

"Why are you guys like this?" he asked, looking from one to the other. "Was Kuchel someone important?"

Levi turned to him, feeling his jaw tremble. His tears were about to fall.

"Yes..." replied Levi, then he gazed at his baby, "Kuchel was my mother's name."