Levi's POV

I pulled Hanji close into my arms, kissing her soft cheek. After we dropped by her apartment to get her clothes, Eren passed out and hasn't woken up. He's a deep sleeper, alright. I tucked him to bed and I was giving the bed to Hanji while I slept on the couch. I rather sleep on the couch than her on it because... well, I don't really need the bed. And besides, I wouldn't feel good if she had to sleep on the rough couch instead of the soft, comfy bed.

But we sat together on the bed, cradling each other as the TV went off. Hanji chose the TV show she wanted: a crime show. Pointing out those investigative errors and how some things that were claiming to be scientific wasn't really scientific and Hanji had to explain to me what she meant. A complete nerd... but, I'm falling for her.

She gazes up towards me with those hazel-like eyes and she smiled softly. Oh, I would want to keep that smile near me more... "Since he's asleep... want to tell me more about his mother?"

I sighed, nuzzling her and gripping tightly onto her hand. "Lemme go and check on him first before I tell. I'll be right back." I kissed her on the cheek and made my way towards his bedroom. In a way, I told a white lie to her. I didn't want to only check on him to make sure he was safe... but I also didn't want him to listen in. As I feared, I wanted him to not know the true reason about me...

I opened the door, and saw the sleeping boy in his bed, scuffling a bit. I chuckled softly, seeing the window completely shut and locked. His nightlight was on near him, chasing the darkness away. He was just as I left him: slumbering peacefully. With that in mind, I closed the door and sighing softly. Eren...

Making my way back, I turned to Hanji who was taking off her thin jacket. I blushed, shaking my head out of it and turning the lights off. I curled up next to her and pulled her close. Eren wasn't gonna listen in... which is now a good thing. So now, I needed to tell the truth I hid for so long. Deep within my heart, I needed to confess what terrible deed I've done... I couldn't hold it anymore.

"So... you want to know more about... Eren's mother?"

"Yes... what happened? If you don't mind me prying. He just seems... so desperate for a mother now... and siblings. Wonder what gave him that idea for a mom."

I nodded my head, thinking back to what happened. "Well... it started when we were both working and Eren was at Petra's friend's house...

*   *   *

I was busy working, working on my reports and trying to sort out these managements. That's when I got a phone call from the friend. When I answered it, she was upset and raging about how much trouble Eren was becoming as a year old. She complained about how he kept grabbing things and tossing them- messing with her own child. She needed one of us to pick him up. With that, I couldn't leave, so I told her I'll call Petra and ask her.

"Petra, your friend... Eren's causing some trouble there. Can you please pick him up?"

Behind the phone, Petra scowled a bit. "I can't! I still have a list of things to do and-"

"You're too far ahead in your job and I'm falling apart! Go do it! Please!" My voice was raising and many of my employees were staring at me with fear. "Petra, please... go get Eren."

After a couple minutes, she started to shout about how it was pointless for her to get into the car. What's stupid was that she was arguing I was closer- but none of us was closer. We worked about 20 minutes out from the house, and the distance was close. She kept shouting at me how I was wrong and... the pile just piling on.

"Petra! Just stop!" I yelled, growing angry. "You're already there- just... come by the office and we'll settle it from there." I growled, hanging up immediately. What I didn't know was that some car ran a red light and hit Petra... 

People said I was spared from the pain of hearing the crash with my own ears... but I wasn't spared the pain that Petra's spine was broken and fell into a coma within an hour. When I was notified, I ran down to Eren, picking him up and making my way towards the hospital. And... I caused it. If Petra wasn't that angry and if I picked him up... she wouldn't have gotten into that accident. I was the cause of it... because I never wanted to blame Eren. Eren was a child, and I was the adult. I pressured her into doing it... and I was the cause. I caused the accident.

*   *   *

"I couldn't tell Eren about his mother like that... how we both watched her die slowly in that coma. I couldn't tell him the bad parts and tell him why she was in that accident. He would either blame me for pressuring her or himself for being such a troublemaker." I say, looking away with shame. It was all true... I was the cause of it all.

Suddenly, Hanji's hand gripped tightly on me. When I turned to her, she seemed to smile softly. "Now that's how I can tell you're a good father. But... you're not to blame. You can blame that driver who ran that light. Not yourself. It was a hit-and-run, wasn't it? No other witnesses, so no one could've found that driver."

"I know... and I wished that I was in that accident."

Hanji sighed heavily, rubbing my hand with care. "So... from that, you told all the good things about Petra to Eren... something to hold onto, right?" I nodded in response. Remember the good things, forget the bad things... that's the way to fully recover. Ironically, I couldn't do it. I tried doing it, but I get nightmare of Petra's dying face. "Once more, a good father."

"That's why... he wants more. He wants to know how Petra was... or even better, a mother. He wants to know to know... and after Petra's accident... I... I vowed that I wouldn't love. I wouldn't love anyone else because... I don't deserve love."

A slight nudge hit me, shaking me awake more. "Just because you think you don't deserve love, doesn't mean that Eren gets to suffer. Do you want me to become that sort of mother for Eren? I'll do it..."

"Even if it means taking care of a troublemaker like him?"

"Levi, look at me." When I did, she spreads her arms out and smirks. "I'm the embodiment of trouble. We're a perfect match. Besides, I can handle a little troublemaker like him. And it's no trouble. I love kids... always fun and energetic."

I chuckled softly, feeling she was chasing all that terrible guilt away. In a way, I saw Petra in her... happy and always trying to make me feel... not guilty of anything. That's why I feel in love with Petra... and that's why she was able to handle Eren so well. Petra always brought me to reason, and Hanji was being reasonable to me as well. 

"You said... you wouldn't mind being some sort of mother? Hanji, this was our first date... and like Eren, you're thinking of something like this? Jeez... have I been holding back or what?"

Hanji chuckles, pecking me on the cheek. "Yes, you were. Now... I'm ready to be a mother for Eren. But, if you want, we can slowly take our time. Imagine Eren's reaction when he finds out we're gonna be seeing each other more. Hah, maybe he can have that family- where did that come from?"

"Erm..." I looked back, feeling embarrassed. "He... he reached that stage of asking how babies are made and stuff like that. I... I told him the simple thing: a mom and a dad loving each other very much and they have a baby after the mom's stomach grows very big. When he asked how babies were made, he asked for a sibling. I guess that's why he wants a mom so badly." 

"Awe, how cute..." She chuckles softly, leaning against me with a yawn. "I hope... he gets that wish soon." Slowly, she drifted off to sleep and snored softly.

With that, I carefully picked her up and took her to the bed. With that, I tucked her in, just like I tucked Eren in. I was overwhelmed with so much care and love, I kissed her forehead and crawled into bed next to her. I took her glasses off and put them gently on the side. Small strands of hair was in her face, so I pushed them to the side. I then kissed her cheek, dozing off on her shoulder. 

"Petra... do you hate me?"

"No... I don't..." Her voice began to echo in my head. "Love her as you loved me. Love her for Eren... Eren's our child, so make him happy. You're not replacing me by loving her."

I nodded my head, seeing her image fade and being replaced with Hanji's image. I see... I didn't vow to not love just because of the accident... I vowed not to love because I never wanted Petra to be replaced by anyone else...