Chapter 31

That day was hell, first Floch attacked their air ship just as it was ready, then the rumbling was nearing, that's when Hanji took off to buy them time. Levi watched, unable to do anything to stop her.

But he gave her the letter Crystal gave him, it kind of hurt him that it wasn't for him, but he knew Crystal meant it to be specifically for Hanji.

For some odd reason, Hanji ended up taking that syringe of Titan Serum with her towards the colossal titans, and yet again, they left before they could see what would become of the former scout commander.

He had hoped Crystal would pull him into a dreamscape. If she was alive, he wanted a sign. But as the fight concluded, he realized if she was still alive he would never know now. His only reason for staying alive now was for Isabel, she would need a father, even if he was now permanently handicapped.

"You know..." Mikasa says softly, "Crystal would laugh at you now..." She smiles over at Levi who looks at her, now with his bandages removed.

"Why would she laugh?" Levi huffs, kind of annoyed by the comment.

"Come on... You know Crystal better than me. She'd laugh because she'd find it funny that it took you this long to receive any kind of permanent damage. Humanity's Strongest Soldier."

Levi smiles, Mikasa was right, Crystal would laugh like crazy at him and congratulate him on finally earning some damage. His smile faded, "Do you think... She made it?"

"Did you order her to die?" Mikasa asks worriedly and Levi shakes his head, "Then I guarantee when we pull up to her cottage, she'll probably be cooking dinner for us."

As the boat arrived, they spoke with the current and leftover Jaegerists, due to Paradis being saved for a long time, were all granted permission to live.

Levi sat on the cart as Mikasa flicked the reins, as the last of them headed straight for Crystal's cottage.

"Even if she's not there... Would you still allow us to live in the extra cottage they had built?" Armin asks beside Connie, and Levi looks over at him with a small smile.

"Crystal used up the rest of her regiment funds... To build that cottage for you guys." Levi says softly, "Every bit of money she saved up from the year she worked as a scout, she spent on that cottage. It would be disrespectful to her to refuse her kind offer." Levi nods to the kids. Annie and Reiner looks at him with wide eyes, but the rest smile at them letting them know they were welcome.

Soon the cottage came into view, now surrounded by a mossy cobblestone wall, the cottages sat looking empty. Not single light on inside either one.

Mikasa pulled the cart to a stop and hopped off, "Let me go check if she's here." Mikasa walks in and Levi gets helped down into his wheelchair. He cringed as he realized Crystal would have to install a ramp on the front of the cottage.

Mikasa came out with a piece of paper in her hand and a wide smile on her face, putting the letter in front of his eye.

"Me and Isabel are more than likely down at the market. If you're reading this, Levi, please don't freit. I made it home safely after the battle at the port and just realized I needed more meat for dinner. I will be home soon. I love you." Levi read aloud, and smiles. The group goes to the porch and all sit in the new furniture placed around. Levi thought she must have been hard at work over those precious 9 months that she carried their baby.

Soon a woman was walking up with a horse following beside her, carrying a cart of crates. Her smile wide and bubbly as she played with the baby in her arm.

"Oh my gosh..." Armin breathes, catching her attention, her light blue eyes connect to Levi.

"Welcome home guys," Crystal walks up close, motioning for her horse to stop behind her, noticing the four new faces, "And Welcome to my humble cottage. You're all more than welcome to stay here, dinner is in an hour, and chores are expected to be done." She says softly and Mikasa walks up to her, her eyes sparkling at the small baby.

"Is... She yours?"

"Ah yes." Crystal smiles, that sweet motherly smile, "Her name is Isabel." Levi felt his chest tighten as Mikasa asks to hold her, and Crystal nods. As soon as Mikasa had her, Connie, Jean, and Armin all swarm her to make goo-goo eyes at her.

Crystal walks up to her husband who felt his nerves bubbling over, what would she say? What would she do? Suddenly though, she started to laugh to the point tears fell from her eyes.

"Haha! Humanity's Strongest finally came home with some injuries!" She cackles happily and looks sweetly at him, "I can't wait to take special care of my darling Husband." She touches his cheek softly and kisses him passionately before Mikasa walks over with Isabel.

"Do you think you can hold her?" Mikasa asks softly and Levi looks at his hand that was missing two fingers. Crystal smiles, gently taking Isabel from Mikasa, lifting Levi's other arm, one where he had all his fingers and cradled her into it. His eye widens and tears start to go down his face.

"She's so small." Levi mutters through cries, as he pulls her up closer to nuzzle against her face, her little hands grabbing his cheeks before giggling, he smiles widely at her.

"Gosh that's too cute." Crystal smiles sweetly, but then notices the lack of a certain crazy woman freaking out, and looks around. Scanning over every face like she might be missing hers, her heart shatters along with her expression.

"Hanji is gone." Armin says quietly and Crystal looks down, she was grateful the world didn't rob her of her Levi, but what about Hanji...? Her sister?

Crystal looks back at the scene of her husband blowing raspberries on Isabel's stomach and smiles weakly.

"Hanji... I'll make sure he's happy for the rest of his days."