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The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the warm notes of cinnamon wafting from a nearby bakery. Twinkling lights adorned every corner of the bustling mall, transforming the space into a winter wonderland. Shoppers, wrapped in scarves and coats, darted in and out of stores, their arms weighed down with bags of gifts.
Eren adjusted the strap of the diaper bag slung across his shoulder—his old, well-worn military-style bag that Mikasa had insisted he retire but had somehow become his go-to for dad duty. He glanced at Rin, their calm and curious seven-year-old, who stood a few paces ahead, wide-eyed as he admired a massive Christmas tree in the center of the atrium. Sae and Shidou, their four-year-old fraternal twins, flanked Mikasa. Sae clung to her hand, his big, green eyes taking in the scene with a quiet intensity, while Shidou also held her hand but wiggled around like a caffeinated squirrel, pointing at every display and shrieking with delight.
“Daddy! Look at the reindeer!” Shidou exclaimed as he ran to him and tugged on Eren’s jacket as he pointed at a towering animatronic Rudolph. The creature’s nose glowed in sync with a Christmas carol blaring from a nearby speaker.
Eren chuckled, crouching down to Shidou’s level. “Pretty cool, huh? You think Santa’s reindeer are that big?”
“They’re bigger!” Shidou declared with absolute conviction, flapping his arms as if he might take off like Rudolph himself.
“Give Daddy your hand, Shidou,” Mikasa warned, her tone firm but gentle. She adjusted Sae’s scarf and smoothed back his messy bangs.
“Shidou gonna get lost and then the mall cops will have to catch him,” Rin teased, earning a giggle from Sae.
“I won’t get lost!” Shidou protested. “I’m fast like Daddy!”
“Fast doesn’t help if you don’t know where you’re going, kiddo,” Eren said, ruffling Shidou’s wild hair.
Mikasa smirked and leaned closer to Eren. “Your mother was right. Shidou is exactly like you were as a kid.”
Eren groaned playfully. “Don’t remind me. She already calls him my ‘karma incarnate .’”
The family stopped outside a department store and Mikasa glanced at her notes app on her phone, turned to Eren while the boys were next to them watching passersby. She whispers to him. “Okay, we need gifts for your parents, a couple of toys to sneak into Santa’s stash, and—”
“A coffee break,” Eren interrupted, his eyes zeroing in on a café across the hall. “For survival purposes.”
“We’ll get coffee after,” Mikasa said, rolling her eyes but smiling.
The parents made a deal, Eren will take Shidou, while Mikasa would take Sae and Rin. And as they entered the store, Eren immediately noticed Shidou veering toward a rack of glittering Christmas ornaments. He darted after him, narrowly catching the boy before he could start a chain reaction of smashed glass.
“Whoa there, buddy. Let’s not give the employees a heart attack—and Daddy especially.”
Meanwhile, Sae wandered quietly to a display of books, his little fingers tracing the spines. Mikasa followed him, picking up a brightly colored picture book he seemed interested in. “Do you like this one?” she asked softly.
Sae nodded, his gaze fixed on the cover.
“Maybe Santa can bring it for you,” Mikasa said with a small smile, adding it discreetly to their basket.
Across the store, Rin now walked with his father and wild brother, and he was already deep in a discussion with Eren about what kind of gift his Grandma Carla might like.
“I think Grandma would like baking stuff,” Rin said thoughtfully.
“Huh, that’s a good idea,” Eren replied with a smirk.
Shidou suddenly was holding up a plush reindeer nearly as big as himself. Probably he snatched it from a shelf while they walked by. “Can we get this? It’s Rudolph!”
“Santa’s already working on your list, remember?” Eren said, taking the plush from him to set in somewhere.
“But he might forget Rudolph!”
“Santa’s got a good memory, Shidou,” Eren assured him.
The rest of the shopping trip was a mix of chaos and charm, with Shidou climbing on every surface he could find, Sae quietly observing and occasionally pointing at something he liked, and Rin taking his duties very seriously as to provide his opinion.
When standing in the long line, Eren had to take Shidou out of the store because he just couldn’t stay still , he was wiggling around in Eren's hand to go wherever he wanted. Mikasa chuckled when a frustrated Eren scooped his son up and told Mikasa he would wait outside.
By the time they reached the café for Eren’s much-anticipated coffee break, the boys were munching on sugar cookies and sipping on their juice boxes that Mikasa had bought to keep them occupied.
As they sat at a table, Shidou leaned his head on Eren’s shoulder, the sugar rush already fading. “Daddy?”
“Yeah, bud?”
“Do you think Santa likes cookies or cupcakes more?”
Eren exchanged a smile with Mikasa. “I think Santa likes whatever kids leave for him because it shows they care.”
Shidou nodded, satisfied, while Rin pondered the logistics of Santa’s snack preferences aloud. Sae remained quiet, his thoughtful eyes fixed on the twinkling lights of the mall.
Mikasa reached across the table to squeeze Eren’s hand. Despite the chaos, the exhaustion, and the constant energy of their three boys, moments like this made it all worthwhile. The Yeager family was messy, loud, and unpredictable—but they were together, and that was what mattered most.
The sun had already set by the time the Yeager family pulled into their driveway, the headlights casting a soft glow over the snow-dusted yard. Their home, adorned with twinkling lights and a wreath Mikasa had made with the boys last weekend, exuded warmth and holiday cheer. As Eren unlocked the front door, Shidou bounced excitedly on his toes, clutching the big Rudolph plush he had managed to convince his dad to get for him.
(Eren was a sucker whenever his boys did puppy eyes on him.)
Inside, the boys scrambled to unload their bags of treasures. Rin carefully pulled out each item, inspecting them like a seasoned inventory manager. Sae worked alongside him, quietly helping organize the gifts by recipient, while Shidou zipped from the living room to the kitchen, announcing his every move.
“Mommy! Mommy, look! I put Rudolph on the couch!” Shidou shouted as he propped the giant plush reindeer on the loveseat.
“Great job, sweetheart,” Mikasa called back from the kitchen, tying an apron around her waist, preparing to cook dinner. Shidou ran back to the living room to unpack what his parents bought him.
“Alright, guys, let’s get the rest of the stuff out of the car,” Eren said, herding the boys back toward the door.
Rin dutifully grabbed a lighter bag, while Sae held onto a smaller one filled with stocking stuffers. Shidou attempted to drag a box almost as big as himself, grunting with the effort until Eren swooped in to help.
(Eren told them to drop the stuff off to his room and to not peek inside. To which the boys replied with a ‘Yes, Sir!’ .)
Once everything was inside and stashed in their designated hiding spots—Eren sneaking the bags that contained ‘Santa’s presents’ in his and Mikasa’s closet—the boys settled in the living room, their focus shifting to the TV as they played with the toys their parents bought them. A festive cartoon blared from the screen, the laughter of the animated characters blending with the occasional giggles from Shidou.
Eren stepped into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as he watched Mikasa expertly dice vegetables. “Need a hand?” he asked.
She glanced up, a strand of hair escaping her bun. “Sure. You can finish chopping these carrots.”
He stepped in beside her, taking the knife she handed him and getting to work. They moved in sync, a quiet rhythm of years spent working together in their own small ways.
“So,” Mikasa said softly, glancing at Eren with a knowing smile, “Are you ready for your annual role as Santa Claus?”
Eren chuckled, lowering his voice to match hers. “Always. I’ve been training all year for it.”
“Oh? By eating cookies at every opportunity?” she teased.
“Hey, someone’s got to keep the tradition alive,” he replied, grinning. “Besides, what if one of the boys wakes up while we’re setting out presents? Gotta maintain the illusion.”
“Sae might start asking logistical questions about Santa's global operations,” Mikasa said, laughing quietly.
“Yeah, and Shidou will just want to know if Rudolph can come live with us,” Eren added, shaking his head fondly.
By the time dinner was ready, the boys were called to the table, their cartoon temporarily paused. They chatted animatedly about Christmas as they ate, Shidou's face lighting up every time someone mentioned Santa. Afterward, Mikasa pulled out the cookies she had baked earlier, and the boys eagerly decorated them with frosting and sprinkles.
As bedtime neared, the boys carefully carried their plate of cookies and a glass of milk to the dining table. Rin placed them precisely in the center.
“There! Now Santa won’t miss them,” Rin said with satisfaction.
“Do you think he’ll like them?” Shidou asked, his eyes wide.
“Of course he will,” Sae said quietly, standing beside Rin.
Mikasa crouched down to their level, adjusting Shidou’s pajama collar. “I think Santa will be very happy to see how thoughtful you three are.”
Eren grinned from the doorway, watching the moment. “Alright, time to brush teeth and head to bed. Santa can’t come until you’re asleep, remember?”
The boys groaned in unison but complied, trudging up the stairs while Mikasa and Eren exchanged a look—one filled with shared amusement and warmth.
After dinner and the cookies were safely in place for Santa, the boys bounded upstairs to prepare for bed. The nighttime routine, as always, was a carefully orchestrated dance—one that Mikasa and Eren had perfected through years of trial and error.
Rin’s room was neatly organized, just like his personality, with shelves lined with books and his desk meticulously arranged. Rin was already brushing his teeth in the adjoining bathroom when Eren walked in, grabbing the boy’s favorite dinosaur pajamas from the dresser.
“How’s my little scientist doing tonight?” Eren asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Good,” Rin said between brushes, spitting into the sink. “Do you think Santa has to make a new sleigh every year, or does he just upgrade the old one?” his green eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Eren laughed, leaning against the doorway. “Probably upgrades it. You know, adding jet boosters and stuff. Gotta keep up with technology.”
Rin nodded thoughtfully, pulling on his pajamas and climbing into bed with his usual calm demeanor. “I’ll ask Santa when I see him.”
“Good luck staying awake long enough for that,” Eren teased, tucking the blanket snugly around his son. He smoothed Rin’s dark hair back and smiled. “Goodnight, buddy. Sweet dreams.”
Meanwhile, Mikasa had her hands full with the twins. Sae was already in his pajamas, sitting quietly on his bed and flipping through a picture book, looking like his Uncle Levi right now. He was as easy going as ever, a sharp contrast to his twin.
Shidou, however, was another story. The little whirlwind was bouncing on his bed, holding one sock in his hand while the other was nowhere in sight.
“Shidou,” Mikasa said in a tone that was calm but firm, the same tone that always managed to cut through the chaos. “If you don’t sit down and finish putting on your socks, you’re not going to get a bedtime story.”
That got his attention. Shidou paused mid-jump, his green eyes wide. “But Mommy, I—”
“No excuses,” Mikasa said, crossing her arms. “Socks. Now.”
Four years of parenting their little ball of energy had taught Mikasa exactly how to steer him back on track. She didn’t yell, didn’t chase—just issued her warnings with unwavering authority.
Grumbling, Shidou plopped down on the bed and started pulling on his sock, which had somehow ended up under his pillow.
“That’s better,” Mikasa said, hiding a small smile. “Now brush your teeth and into bed.”
As Shidou darted into the bathroom, Mikasa turned to Sae, who was already lying down, his book closed on his lap. She kissed his forehead and tucked him in. “Goodnight, my sweet boy,” she whispered.
“Goodnight, Mommy,” Sae said softly, his eyes already drifting shut.
Shidou came barreling back into the room moments later, his energy slightly tempered by the routine. He hopped into bed, fidgeting as Mikasa pulled the blanket up to his chin.
“Stay still, Shidou,” she said with a sigh, brushing his wild hair out of his face. “Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight, Mommy!” he said cheerfully, then added with a mischievous grin, “I’ll try not to wake up to see Santa!”
Mikasa smirked, shaking her head as she turned off the light. “You’d better not, or he might not leave you anything.”
By the time Mikasa joined Eren in the hallway, both parents shared a knowing look. They were spoiled by Rin’s curiosity and Sae’s quiet sharpness, but Shidou—their little devil—made their lives a whirlwind of chaos and joy.
“I swear he has an infinite energy source,” Eren whispered as they walked to their room.
“Definitely,” Mikasa replied, stifling a laugh. “But life would be boring without him.”
“True,” Eren said, grinning. “Even if he makes me want to pull my hair out half the time.”
With the boys finally settled into their beds and the house falling quiet, Eren and Mikasa retreated to their room. Mikasa grabbed her flannel pajamas—soft and decorated with tiny snowflakes—while Eren reached for his trusty, slightly faded plaid set. The room was cozy, the gentle glow of a bedside lamp casting warm shadows on the walls.
Mikasa tied her hair into a loose braid after washing her face and brushing her teeth, while Eren had finished brushing his.
“You know, you could’ve let Shidou stay awake just to burn off a little more energy,” Eren joked as he rubbed moisturizer into his face.
“Mm-hmm,” Mikasa said, smirking as she leaned against the doorway, toothbrush in hand. “And who would’ve stayed up to handle that? You?”
Eren grinned sheepishly. “Fair point.”
Once their routine was done, they climbed into bed, Mikasa tucking herself under the blankets while Eren pulled out the remote. He scrolled through the options, stopping on a Hallmark movie that promised a heartwarming Christmas romance.
“This one?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mikasa nodded, settling against his shoulder. “It’ll be good for laughs.”
The movie started with predictably cheesy dialogue, the protagonist—a big-city girl with a fast-paced career—returning to her small hometown just in time for Christmas. Within minutes, Eren was snickering.
“Let me guess,” he said, grinning, “she’s going to fall in love with the guy who owns the Christmas tree farm.”
“Or the struggling toy store owner,” Mikasa countered, her voice laced with amusement.
They snuggled closer under the blankets, their laughter occasionally punctuating the film’s overly dramatic moments. As the movie unfolded, they chatted softly about holiday memories and the boys’ antics earlier that day.
“Shidou nearly put Rudolph in his bed,” Mikasa said with a quiet laugh.
Eren chuckled. “Sounds about right. I swear he’d sleep with a herd of reindeer if he could.”
As the movie’s happy ending approached—complete with a dramatic kiss in the snow and an inexplicably perfect rendition of “Silent Night”—Eren glanced at the clock. “Think they’re asleep?”
“Should be,” Mikasa said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Time to get to work.”
Eren groaned theatrically but got out of bed with a grin, heading to the closet. He pulled out the infamous Santa costume, the red suit and white beard looking slightly worn but still festive.
“Every year, huh?” he teased as he slipped the coat on.
Mikasa was already opening the other side of the closet, pulling out bags of hidden presents. “Every year,” she replied, smirking. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”
As Eren wrestled with the belt and adjusted the hat, Mikasa arranged the gifts under the tree with practiced efficiency. She made sure each boy’s pile was balanced—Rin’s books and science kits, Sae’s puzzles and art supplies, and Shidou’s assortment of action figures and noisy toys.
“How do I look?” Eren asked, striking a pose in his full Santa regalia.
Mikasa looked up from the presents, biting back a laugh. “Like you’re about to raid the cookie plate downstairs.”
Eren gave her a mock serious look. “It’s a very important mission.”
With everything in place, Mikasa stepped back to admire their work. The tree sparkled, the presents were perfectly arranged, and the plate of cookies and glass of milk on the dining table completed the scene.
“Think they’ll like it?” Eren asked, still in his Santa costume as he stood beside her.
Mikasa slipped her arm around his waist, leaning into him. “They’ll love it. And they’ll believe in Santa for at least one more year.”
Eren smiled, pulling her closer. “Here’s to another magical Christmas.”
Shidou lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with wide, excited eyes. He had tried—really tried—to fall asleep like his parents told him. He even squeezed his eyes shut and counted to one hundred, just like Mommy had suggested. But the thought of Santa downstairs, in his house, was just too much to handle. His little legs kicked restlessly under the blanket, and he let out a soft groan.
“I can do this,” he whispered to himself, determination flaring. “I gotta sleep, or Santa won’t leave the presents.”
He closed his eyes tightly again, fists gripping the edge of the blanket. For a moment, the world was quiet, and he felt himself start to relax.
Then— step, step, step .
Shidou’s eyes snapped open.
He froze, holding his breath. The steps were faint but unmistakable, coming from somewhere downstairs. He ignored it at first, thinking it was just Mommy or Daddy. But the steps didn’t stop.
And then it hit him.
Santa!
Shidou gasped audibly, a grin spreading across his face. He nearly jumped out of bed but stopped himself at the last second. No! Santa can’t know I’m awake! He flopped back down, pulling the blanket over his head as if that would help. He squeezed his eyes shut again, but his heart raced with excitement.
The steps came again, a little louder this time. His mind raced. What was Santa doing? Was he setting up the presents right now? Maybe munching on the cookies and drinking the milk? What if Santa had already left him the bug collector kit he’d asked for?
Shidou couldn’t stand it anymore. He sat up, his brown messy hair sticking out in all directions, and stared at the door with a frown. His curiosity burned hotter with every second.
He turned to Sae, his brother’s peaceful face illuminated by the soft glow of their nightlight. Shidou leaned over and whispered urgently, “Sae! Sae, wake up!”
Sae didn’t stir, his breathing slow and even.
“Saaaee,” Shidou tried again, stretching out the name in a soft hiss.
Still nothing.
Shidou sighed, flopping back dramatically before sitting up again with a look of determination.
Fine. I’ll go alone. I’ll just take a quick peek and be back before anyone notices.
Sliding out of bed, Shidou tiptoed to the door, careful not to make a sound. He paused, listening to the faint noise of movement downstairs. His heart thudded in his chest, but he was confident in his plan. If Daddy couldn’t catch him when he ran through the yard, there was no way Santa would catch him either.
Shidou cracked the door open, peering down the dark hallway. It was quiet up here, but the soft sound of something rustling reached his ears from downstairs. He grinned, the excitement bubbling over.
It’s Santa! It has to be!
He slipped out of the room, moving as quietly as his little feet could manage. He crept down the hallway, one hand on the banister as he descended the stairs. The Christmas tree’s twinkling lights came into view, and his breath caught in his throat.
Shidou nestled behind the balusters on the staircase, his tiny hands gripping the wooden slats as he peeked through. His eyes were glued to the magical scene unfolding below. The Christmas tree twinkled brightly, the glow casting a golden hue over the living room.
There he was—Santa Claus! The figure in red busied himself near the tree, arranging presents and then he drank the milk and munched on the cookie. Shidou’s heart raced with excitement and awe.
But then something strange happened.
Mommy walked into the room.
Shidou tilted his head in confusion.
Why is Mommy awake? She’ll scare Santa away!
Instead, Mommy walked up to Santa and... smiled ? She said something, her voice soft and low, and Santa chuckled— Santa laughed ?!—but it wasn’t the deep, booming “ Ho, ho, ho !” Shidou expected.
It sounded... familiar .
He squinted, frowning as Mommy stepped closer to Santa. And then—his jaw dropped.
Mommy kissed Santa.
On.
The.
Mouth.
Shidou’s smile faded, his tiny face twisting into a scowl. His little heart sank into his stomach, replaced with a bubbling storm of anger and confusion.
‘What is Mommy doing?’ he thought, his brows knitting together. ‘ Mommy is only supposed to kiss Daddy like that! Only Daddy!’
He wanted to shout, to stomp downstairs and tell Santa to keep his hands off his Mommy. But something held him back—something about the way Mommy was smiling, and the way Santa’s shoulders shook with laughter.
Shidou’s mind raced. How could Mommy do this?
And then his scowl deepened, and a new thought emerged. It’s Daddy’s fault!
Of course, it made perfect sense to his four-year-old mind. Daddy must not have been taking good care of Mommy. Shidou thought about how Daddy hadn’t brought Mommy flowers in a while, or how he sometimes forgot to clean up his coffee mug in the morning.
Daddy should have told Mommy she’s pretty! Daddy should have hugged her more! Now Santa thinks he can just come in and take Mommy away!
Shidou felt his cheeks flush with anger. He clenched his little fists, huffing quietly. He wanted to march upstairs and wake Daddy up right now to tell him how badly he’d messed up. But he didn’t. Not yet.
Instead, he stayed frozen behind the balusters, his little heart pounding as he watched the scene unfold. Mommy laughed at something Santa said, and then—Shidou couldn’t believe it—they kissed again !
That was the last straw.
Shidou backed away from the balusters, his feet padding softly on the wooden stairs as he retreated to his room. He climbed into bed, pulling the blanket up to his chin and glaring at the ceiling.
‘I’ll deal with this tomorrow,’ he thought, his tiny chest rising and falling with frustration. ‘Daddy’s in big trouble. He needs to fix this before Santa thinks he can stay forever.’
With that, Shidou closed his eyes tightly, still fuming but determined to confront the injustice in the morning. Santa might be magical, but no one messed with his Mommy—not even the big man in red.
Shidou woke up with the first rays of dawn creeping through the curtains, his heart pounding with the memory of the previous night. As his mind replayed the scene, anger bubbled up inside him again. Mommy kissed Santa! It wasn’t just some dream—it was real, and he wasn’t going to let it slide.
With a determined huff, he threw off his blanket, slid out of bed, and marched to Sae’s bed. His twin brother was snuggled under the covers, his soft breathing slow and steady. Shidou didn’t care about waking him gently. He grabbed Sae’s shoulder and gave it a hard shake.
“Sae!” he hissed. “Wake up!”
Sae groaned, rolling over and blinking bleary-eyed at his little brother. “Shidou?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Shidou crossed his arms, scowling down at him. “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus!” he declared, his voice hushed but firm.
Sae blinked again, his face scrunching up in confusion. “What?”
“Last night! Mommy kissed Santa! I saw it with my own eyes!” Shidou’s little fists clenched at his sides.
Sae sat up slowly, his brain still foggy from sleep. “Shidou... what are you talking about? Mommy doesn’t kiss Santa. She kisses Daddy.”
“No!” Shidou stomped his foot. “I saw it! She kissed Santa right on the mouth!”
Sae frowned, trying to process the claim. His twin had a reputation for being mischievous, but Shidou didn’t lie—not about something like this. Still, it sounded so ridiculous.
“Maybe you were dreaming,” Sae suggested, though his tone was uncertain.
“I wasn’t dreaming!” Shidou snapped. “You don’t believe me? Fine!”
Without waiting for a response, Shidou stomped out of the room, determined to rally more support for his cause. He marched down the hall to Rin’s room, his little feet slapping against the hardwood floor.
Rin was still fast asleep, his face peaceful and relaxed. Shidou didn’t hesitate. He climbed onto the bed and shook his older brother’s shoulder.
“Rin! Wake up! This is important!”
Rin groaned, rolling over and peering at Shidou with half-lidded eyes. “Shidou... what are you doing?”
Shidou planted his hands on his hips, his scowl deepening. “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus!”
Rin blinked, his mind still foggy. “What?”
“I said,” Shidou repeated, louder this time, “Mommy kissed Santa Claus! Last night, when I was supposed to be asleep, I saw her kissing him downstairs by the tree!”
Rin sat up fully now, his brow furrowed. “You’re not making any sense, Shidou. She only kisses Daddy.”
“That’s what I thought too!” Shidou exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “But I saw it with my own eyes! She kissed Santa right on the mouth!”
Rin frowned, clearly unconvinced. “Shidou, are you sure you weren’t dreaming? It sounds like a dream.”
Shidou’s jaw tightened. “I wasn’t dreaming! I know what I saw! Mommy was smiling and laughing, and then she kissed him!”
Rin studied his younger brother’s face, his frown deepening. Shidou’s eyes were wide and earnest, his cheeks flushed with frustration. If there was one thing Rin knew about Shidou, it was that he never lied—not about something this serious.
“You’re really sure?” Rin asked slowly.
“I’m sure,” Shidou said, his voice unwavering.
Rin sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “Okay. If you’re telling the truth, then we need to figure this out. Let’s go talk to Mommy and Daddy.”
Shidou nodded, satisfied that Rin was finally taking him seriously. Sae, who had followed Shidou into the room, looked between his brothers uncertainly. “What if Shidou’s right?”
Rin swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, a serious expression on his face. “Then we’ll get to the bottom of it. But first, let’s wake up Daddy.”
Shidou clenched his fists, his determination renewed. Together, the three brothers made their way down the hall, ready to confront the situation head-on. Mommy and Daddy had some serious explaining to do.
The morning sun streamed into Rin’s room, casting a warm glow on the boys as they huddled together, their faces marked by anger and confusion. Shidou paced back and forth, his tiny fists clenched, while Rin sat cross-legged on the bed, looking deep in thought. Sae, ever the quiet one, sat next to Rin, his eyes wide with worry.
“It’s Daddy’s fault,” Shidou muttered, breaking the silence.
Rin looked up at him sharply. “What?”
“It’s Daddy’s fault that Mommy kissed Santa!” Shidou said louder, crossing his arms. “He’s supposed to make her happy! He didn’t bring her flowers, and now Santa thinks he can just come in and kiss her!”
Rin’s frown deepened. “You don’t know that for sure, Shidou. Maybe it’s not Daddy’s fault... but—”
“It is!” Shidou interrupted, stomping his foot. “Mommy wouldn’t kiss anyone else if Daddy was doing his job!”
Sae sniffled, his lower lip trembling. “Does this mean... they’re gonna get a divorce?”
Shidou froze, his defiance faltering for a moment. “No! I don’t wanna live in the North Pole! I don’t like the cold that much!”
Rin sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, stop freaking out. We don’t even know what’s really going on. But we’re gonna find out. Come on.”
The boys nodded in agreement, their resolve strengthening. Together, they marched out of the room, their footsteps heavy and determined as they made their way to their parents’ bedroom.
Normally, Christmas morning would be filled with excited shouts and squeals as they ran to wake up their parents, eager to dive into the festivities. But this morning was different. The boys entered the room in grim silence, their usual exuberance replaced by glares directed at their unsuspecting father.
Eren was sprawled on his side of the bed, fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Mikasa stirred slightly but remained in her slumber. The boys gathered at Eren’s side, their tiny faces set with determination.
Rin, as the oldest, decided to break the silence. “Daddy,” he said firmly, shaking Eren’s shoulder.
Eren groaned, his eyes fluttering open. “Huh? What’s going on?”
“Wake up!” Shidou demanded, his voice sharp.
Eren blinked groggily, sitting up slightly. “What’s wrong? Is it Christmas already?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know!” Shidou shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “We know what you did!”
Eren frowned, still trying to shake off the haze of sleep. “What are you talking about?”
“You let Mommy kiss another man!” Rin accused, his voice filled with anger.
Eren’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What?”
Sae’s eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling as he added, “Mommy kissed Santa. Shidou saw it. Why didn’t you stop her?”
Eren sat up fully now, utterly bewildered. “Wait—what? Mommy kissed who ?”
“Santa!” Shidou shouted. “And it’s your fault! If you took better care of Mommy, this wouldn’t have happened!”
Mikasa, stirred by the commotion, sat up, her dark eyes scanning the room. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice still laced with sleep.
“We’re mad at Daddy!” Rin exclaimed.
Mikasa blinked, her mind quickly catching up. “What? Why ?”
The boys began speaking all at once, their voices a chaotic blend of accusations and cries. Shidou was yelling about how he didn’t want to move to the North Pole, Sae was sniffling, and Rin was glaring daggers at Eren, blaming him for making his little brother cry.
“Enough!” Mikasa’s voice cut through the chaos, firm but gentle. The boys froze, their wide eyes turning to their mother.
“Let’s all calm down,” she said, her tone soothing. “Now, one at a time. Shidou, what happened?”
Shidou huffed, crossing his arms. “I saw you last night. You kissed Santa Claus by the tree!”
Eren’s eyes widened as realization began to dawn. He glanced at Mikasa, who looked equally caught off guard.
Mikasa took a deep breath, exchanging a quick look with Eren before turning back to the boys. “Shidou, are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”
“I wasn’t dreaming!” Shidou insisted. “I saw it!”
Eren scratched the back of his head, trying to think of an explanation. “Well, uh...”
Mikasa stepped in, her voice calm and measured. “You boys know how Santa works really hard to deliver presents to all the children, right?”
The boys nodded, their expressions still skeptical.
“Well,” Mikasa continued, “Sometimes Santa gets very tired, and he needs a little extra Christmas magic to keep going. So, Mommy gave him a little kiss on the cheek—just to help him out.”
“It wasn’t his cheek!” Shidou snapped.
Eren, finally catching on, jumped in. “Ah, well, maybe it was a little closer than his cheek,” he said, chuckling nervously. “But don’t worry, Mommy only loves Daddy, okay? Santa was just really grateful.”
Rin frowned, studying their faces intently. “So... it wasn’t because you and Mommy don’t love each other anymore?”
“Of course not,” Mikasa said firmly, extending her arms so the boys could hug her, to which they hesitated for a second but as momma’s boys, they couldn’t resist and launched into her arms. “Daddy and I love each other very much. And we love you boys too. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Sae wiped his eyes, his tears finally slowing. “Okay...”
Shidou still looked skeptical but decided to let it go—for now. “Fine. But next time, I’ll tell Santa to stay away from my Mommy!”
Eren laughed, ruffling Shidou’s hair. “Yeah, you make sure to tell him.”
With the crisis averted, the boys slowly began to relax, their usual Christmas excitement starting to bubble back up. Rin grinned. “Oh! It’s Christmas! Can we open presents now?”
Mikasa smiled. “Yes, let’s go open presents.”
As the boys bolted out of the room, their earlier anger forgotten, Eren leaned over to Mikasa with a sheepish grin. “Well, that was close.”
Mikasa smirked, shaking her head. “Next year, you’re wearing the beard.”
“Oh, and one thing. How come they were mad at me when you were the one cheating on me!?”
Eren was offended and Mikasa laughed as they got out of bed.
The living room was a delightful mess. The boys, thrilled with their presents, were scattered across the floor, laughing and shouting with joy. Toys of all shapes and sizes were strewn across the carpet, and wrapping paper and boxes lay abandoned in a chaotic heap. Shidou was already deep into his new action figure set, staging a battle with Sae’s robot toy, while Rin carefully built a tower with his new building blocks. The sounds of their excitement filled the room like a symphony, each boy absorbed in their own world of holiday magic.
Eren sat back in his armchair, watching with a proud smile as his sons played, the gifts his beautiful glowy wife gave him were on the side table next to his seat. He couldn't help but feel the warmth of contentment spread through him. This was the kind of Christmas he had always dreamed of—his boys, healthy and happy, surrounded by love and laughter. He glanced over at Mikasa, who was sitting nearby, watching their children with the same tender smile, her gifts from him on her side.
Sae, his face lighting up with excitement, ran over to Eren holding his robot toy. “Daddy, look! I can make him walk!”
Eren laughed, taking the toy in his hands. “Let’s see it then,” he said, pushing the button to turn the robot on. Sae’s eyes went wide as the robot started walking, its small mechanical legs moving in jerky steps.
“Whoa! He’s walking!” Sae shouted, running over to his brothers, eager to show off his new toy.
The boys gathered around, admiring the robot with wide eyes. “That’s so cool!” Rin said, while Shidou jumped up and down with excitement.
The room was alive with their chatter as they played together. Mikasa and Eren sat back, exchanging a look of quiet contentment. They didn’t need anything more than this—watching their children enjoy themselves was the greatest gift they could ever ask for.
Mikasa’s gaze softened as she watched Eren’s joyful expression. Her heart swelled with love, and she bit her lip, a little nervous but incredibly excited.
It was time.
For the past four months , she had been planning this moment, waiting for the perfect time to give him the one gift that she knew would mean everything to him.
She took a deep breath, then quietly stood up and walked over to where Eren sat. His eyes followed her, his face lighting up with that familiar warmth as she approached. Without a word, Mikasa sat down gently on his lap, a playful smile on her face. Eren chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
“Love you, baby,” Eren whispered, resting his chin on her shoulder. “And Merry Christmas.”
She kissed him softly on the lips, her heart fluttering. “Merry Christmas, baby. Love you too.” she whispered back, her voice barely above a breath.
Eren’s smile was dreamy, and he kissed her again, his hand gently cupping her cheek.
Mikasa broke the kiss much to Eren’s discontentment, she pecked his lips once more and hesitated for a moment, her heart racing in anticipation. “I... I forgot to give you something,” she said, her voice a little shaky.
Eren furrowed his brow, a playful frown tugging at his lips. “You did? You’ve already given me my gifts and everything I could ever want.”
She smiled at him, but her eyes twinkled with excitement. “You are so sweet—but there is one more,” she said, standing up briefly to get the small box hidden behind a pillow on the seat she was sitting before.
Eren looked at her curiously as she pulled out a small box wrapped in festive paper. His eyebrows knitted together in confusion as she handed it to him. “What’s this?” he asked while pulling her back to his lap.
Mikasa watched him intently, her chest tightening with nerves. She could feel the weight of the moment as Eren slowly peeled off the wrapping paper, his movements unhurried as he revealed a small, delicate white cardboard box.
Eren blinked, his curiosity growing as he opened it.
Inside, nestled in soft tissue paper, were a pair of tiny pink baby shoes. His breath caught in his throat, and his stomach dropped.
He froze, staring at the shoes for a long moment, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“ Mikasa… ” Eren whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
Mikasa’s heart raced as she watched him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached for his hand, holding it tightly. “I’m pregnant,” she said softly, her voice barely audible. “But this time... it’s a girl .”
Eren’s eyes filled with tears, and his hand shook as he touched the shoes, his fingers gently tracing the soft pink fabric. His breath hitched in his chest as a wave of emotion crashed over him. He had wanted this—for so long.
A baby girl .
After three boys, he had often joked, half-seriously, that he wanted a little princess to spoil. Most of the time his boys would side with their mother, so he often would pout and wish for a Daddy’s girl.
But now, the reality of it was sinking in, and he couldn’t contain the tears that began to fall.
“Mikasa, I... I can’t believe it,” Eren whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “A girl... You’re giving me a daughter.”
Mikasa nodded, her own tears slipping down her cheeks. She cupped his face in her hands, her fingers trembling as she wiped away his tears. “I’ve been waiting to tell you that I was pregnant, but I wanted to wait until I knew the gender to surprise you. And now, I’m so happy I can finally give you your baby girl.”
Eren pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms around her as if he never wanted to let go. “Thank you, Mikasa. Thank you so much. I... I don’t know how to explain how happy this makes me.”
They held each other for a long moment, both of them crying silently, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Mikasa had always known how much Eren had wanted a daughter, and now their dream was coming true.
As they pulled away, Eren kissed her softly, his hands cupping her face. “I love you so much—I can’t believe we’re going to have a little girl.”
Mikasa smiled through her tears, nodding. “I love you too, Eren. This is just the beginning of our family’s next adventure.”
They sat there, holding each other in the quiet of the living room, the sound of their children’s laughter echoing in the background. The Christmas tree glowed softly in the corner, the soft twinkling lights a perfect backdrop to the moment that would forever change their lives.
As Eren and Mikasa looked at each other, their hearts full, they both knew that no gift could ever be more perfect than this—another child, another chapter in their beautiful, growing family.
The kitchen was warm and bustling with the sounds of breakfast. The boys were sitting around the table, already digging into their pancakes and bacon with enthusiasm, the holiday spirit still lingering in the air. The soft sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow on the scene. Mikasa and Eren exchanged a quiet smile as they moved around the kitchen, preparing the finishing touches on the meal.
Eren looked down at his phone, where a recent photo of their family hung on the screen—Rin, Sae, Shidou kissing Mikasa’s cheek as she smiled so big. His heart swelled with gratitude. His family was so beautiful. And now, in a few months, it will be even more beautiful with his little girl.
“Alright, boys,” Mikasa said, her voice filled with warmth, as she placed a plate of scrambled eggs in front of Shidou. “Your Daddy and I have something important to tell you.”
The boys all paused in their eating, looking up at Mikasa with curious eyes.
“What is it, Mommy?” Rin asked, his usual excited energy bubbling through.
Eren took a deep breath, sitting down at the table with a proud smile. “Well, you see, Mommy and I have some exciting news,” he began, his voice carrying the weight of the moment. “In a couple of months, we’re going to have another baby. And it’s going to be a baby sister!”
Rin’s face lit up instantly, his eyes sparkling with joy. “A baby sister?!” he exclaimed. “That’s so awesome! I’m going to be the best big brother to my sister!”
Mikasa laughed softly, ruffling his hair. “I know you are. You’re going to help take care of her, right?”
Rin nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, I’ll protect her!”
Sae, who had been quietly observing the conversation, furrowed his brow. “Where do babies come from?” he asked innocently, his wide green eyes full of curiosity.
Both Eren and Mikasa froze, their faces turning a little red at the unexpected question. They exchanged a quick look, but neither of them knew quite how to answer in front of their little ones.
Eren cleared his throat, acting like he hadn’t heard the question. “Well,” he started awkwardly, “That’s a very good question, Sae. But, um, maybe we can talk about that when you’re a little older, okay?”
Sae nodded, still with that thoughtful expression on his face, but he didn’t push further. Meanwhile, Shidou, who had been listening intently, tilted his head in confusion. “Wait,” he said, “What’s a sister? Is it like... a toy?”
Eren’s heart nearly stopped. “No, Shidou,” he began, his face contorting in confusion. “A sister is... well... she’s like, um...” He glanced at Mikasa for help, but she was struggling not to laugh.
“She’s like Mommy is to Uncle Levi,” Mikasa finally said, giving Eren an out. “Remember how Uncle Levi is your uncle, right? Well, I’m his sister. A sister is someone who’s in your family, just like a brother. And soon, you’ll have a baby sister, too!”
Shidou thought about this for a moment before his face brightened up. “Oh! Like how I’m your boy!” he said proudly, pointing to Mikasa.
Mikasa laughed, nodding. “Exactly! You’re my boy, and soon you’ll have a baby sister.”
The room was filled with giggles and murmurs as the boys absorbed the news. Rin was already mentally planning out how he would be the best older brother, Sae seemed satisfied with the answer but was still thinking it over, and Shidou, now satisfied with the explanation, turned his attention back to his toys.
“Well,” Mikasa said with a smile, standing up, “How about we clean up the table so you can get back to your toys?”
The boys quickly finished their meals and eagerly jumped up to help. Rin, Sae, and Shidou gathered their plates, moving to the sink to rinse them off with the same enthusiasm they had used to play with their new toys. Eren and Mikasa shared a knowing glance, their hearts full. They worked together to clean up the table, the rhythm of their actions familiar and comforting.
Once the dishes were cleaned, Mikasa wiped her hands on the towel and smiled. “You guys did a great job helping,” she said, her voice filled with love as she kissed each of their heads. “Now go play!”
The boys dashed off to their toys, their laughter echoing through the house. Eren, however, stayed behind. As Mikasa turned to light up a holiday candle, he silently slipped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His hands gently caressed her barely-there baby bump, the small, soft curve barely noticeable beneath her shirt, but he could feel the life inside her, and it was already everything.
Mikasa turned her head slightly, glancing up at him. “You okay?” she asked quietly.
Eren buried his face in the crook of her neck, closing his eyes for a moment as he inhaled the scent of her hair. His arms tightened around her, and he whispered, “I love you, Mika. I love you so much. And I’m just... so grateful for you. For our boys. And for her... our little girl.”
Mikasa’s eyes filled with tears as she turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, too, Eren. I always have.”
Eren pressed his forehead against hers, his voice thick with emotion. “I never thought I could feel this happy. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
Mikasa smiled through her tears. “ We’re lucky, Eren. We have everything we need.”
They stood there for a moment, holding each other, surrounded by the sounds of their children playing in the next room.
As she was about to pull away, she felt him shift. His arm moved awkwardly upward, and she stepped back slightly, her brow furrowing in curiosity. Eren’s smug grin only widened as she tilted her head and followed his gaze.
Hovering above them was a small sprig of mistletoe , dangling from Eren’s fingers.
" Seriously ?" Mikasa asked, her tone laced with amusement as an incredulous smile crept onto her face.
"Rules are rules, Mrs. Yaeger," Eren declared with mock seriousness, his emerald eyes sparkling with delight.
Mikasa couldn’t help but laugh at his dorky enthusiasm. "You’ve been carrying that around in your pocket?"
"For emergencies," he quipped, his grin stretching impossibly wider.
"You're impossible," she said, shaking her head. But as her laughter softened, she reached up, cupping his face gently. "You’re lucky I love you," she whispered, pulling him down into another kiss.
Eren’s arm dropped as he wrapped her up again, their lips meeting in a tender embrace. The sound of their kids’ laughter spilled in from the living room, a chaotic symphony of joy that filled the home.
As they broke apart, Mikasa pressed her forehead to his, a soft smile lingering on her lips. "You’re really leaning into the holiday spirit, aren’t you?"
"I’ll show you tonight how much I can get into the spirit," Eren replied, his voice huskier, a smile on his face.
Mikasa laughed and kissed him again, Eren tossed the mistletoe on the counter and grabbed her tighter, kissing her harder.
Their family was growing, and with it, their love.
The promise of a future with a baby girl filled them with hope and joy. It wasn’t just the presents under the tree or the excitement of the day—it was the life they had built together. And that, for both Mikasa and Eren, was the greatest gift of all.
Source: Etsy
