The days spent on Historia's Farm were exactly what I needed to get my head together. Not only was I able to bring myself to confess my pregnancy to Levi, but I was able to rest more than I normally would have, had I been in the barracks. Once we had bid Historia farewell and thanked her for her hospitality and immense generosity, Levi and I returned to Trost on horseback. Again, Levi held me close as we rode, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist, palm pressed firmly against my abdomen. This time, however, he knew what wonder thrived beneath where his hand lay. Finally, he was fully aware of his offspring growing slowly within my womb.

Although Levi and I understood the rules regarding pregnancy within the military, we had not come to an agreement yet over when I was to take leave. Even though we bickered with the best of intentions, Levi knew all too well that I could never be swayed.

"Tch...Fine. When we get back to Trost, we're meeting with Commander Erwin. Whatever he says, goes. Fair?"

"Uh, no... Not fair. You'll just give him that fucking death stare of yours and make him side with you. I still say we keep it a secret from everyone until I start to show. Obviously, I'm not going to be flying around in 3D Maneuvering Gear with a giant belly. Besides, being pregnant doesn't make me useless, it just makes some shit harder than usual. It's nothing I can't handle, and you know that. Please, Levi, at least let me help our Squad train. This mission is far too important for me to back out now."

Since we were so close, I could feel Levi's grumble vibrate from deep within his throat. A tiny smile pulled at the edge of my mouth. I knew what his little growl meant: he wasn't ready to fully give in, but he wasn't going to argue with me anymore either. He knew damn well that I was more than capable of keeping up with my duties as a soldier but also didn't want me to push myself.

"Shit... alright, listen (Y/N). If I see you so much as wobble one fucking time on the field, I'm pulling you off the squad."

"Oh what the hell, Levi, a wobble!?"

"Yea, you heard me. A wobble. If you fucking faint on me during training, you're really out."

"Goddammit, you're ruthless. Can't even give the woman carrying your child a break?"

"That's exactly why, brat. I shouldn't even be that lenient."

I scoffed playfully and shook my head. "Honestly, Levi, what are you gonna do when this kid says 'no' to you for the first time?"

"Ground it for a year and make it clean the stables."

After such a quick, deadpan answer left Levi's mouth, I busted out in uncontrollable laughter as tears streamed down my face. Once I was able to catch my breath again, I teased Levi with a playful squeeze to his thigh and glanced back to make eye contact.

"You're an awful liar, Levi. I saw how you acted around those kids. You were a goddamn puddle."

Shifting his gaze to avoid eye contact, Levi responded with his typical "tch," slightly embarrassed by how right I was. However, he was quick to pinch my side and mutter,

"I fuckin' blame you if this kid turns out half as stubborn as you are."

I smirked, knowing I had the perfect comeback to his snide remark.

"Well, I sure as hell hope they don't turn out half your height."

Needless to say, my smart-ass comment wasn't going to be so easily forgiven. With a sudden yank to the reins, Levi ordered his horse to a full halt, then quickly captured me within his grasp with no way to break free. I gasped when he brought his teeth to my neck and bit down harder than usual. Before I could protest, he pressed his mouth to my ear, sending shivers down my spine, as his deep, breathy voice growled out a warning.

"You better hope that tongue of yours isn't a dominant gene..."

Knowing exactly how to reply to his dangerously-toned flirt, I tilted my head back and smirked, "Mmm, you mean this tongue?"

Not a split-second passed before Levi grabbed my jaw and slammed his lips against mine, driving his tongue down my throat. I let him win as I melted into his taste. I knew he had the power and rank to force me on Leave the moment he learned I was with-child, but he was also an incredibly fair and respectful man who knew that forcing someone into a decision rarely resulted in a positive outcome. So, I wished more than anything that our child would inherit every ounce of Levi's undying demand for moral justice and human equality.

Once Levi released me from our kiss, his lips hovered over mine as we stared deep into each other's eyes, slowly trying to catch our breath. Eventually resting my head on his shoulder, leaning back against his chest, I exhaled in submission as I watched one of his hands leave my waist to retake the reins, the other still holding me tightly. Just like in life, Levi continued to show me how he would never let me go; He would always be there, no matter what. Even when charging forward as the Captain of the Survey Corps, determined to complete his mission, he kept me close to his heart.

The remainder of our trek was void of banter or argument, filled instead with talk of necessary training and military terms. It was as if we had silently and mutually agreed to temporarily set aside our parental anxiety and focus instead on our mission as soldiers of the Survey Corps. We only had a month of training left before we would attempt to retake Wall Maria, returning to where it all began: Shiganshina.

I had one month left. One month to keep my pregnancy hidden from everyone around me before my body would speak for itself. One month to sway Levi into allowing me to fight alongside him with our squad, or at least to ride out with them. One month to prove that I was essential in the Survey Corps achieving victory for all of humanity.

...and then maybe, in one month, I would be able to quietly appreciate feeling the first little flutters of our child, who would learn that stretching their tiny limbs was the first step in learning how to spread their wings.