Their family now numbered five members, and though the future was uncertain, Sana could only hope to give the child a life away from the wars and hatred she had known. She gently held the baby in her arms, gazing down at her with deep affection.
"I just want to raise you the best way I can," Sana murmured to the child, her voice soft and full of emotion. "So when you grow up, you won't resent me, or this life that's been so hard on me. Just… please don't end up like me. I never knew what it felt like to be loved. I want to give you every bit of happiness that a family can offer."
Farlan, who had been quietly watching her, stepped forward and took the baby from her arms with a gentle smile. "And we all will take care of you together, as you are our little angel."
Sana hadn't even noticed when Farlan entered the room, his presence so calming that it almost made her forget the weight of everything else.
"Oye, Sana," Farlan said, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. "Tell me something. Did we fail to make you happy as a family?"
The question made Sana's heart tighten, and she quickly wiped away a stray tear. "No, Farlan. You've got it all wrong," she replied, shaking her head. "You all have loved me more than anyone ever has. I'm so thankful that I was brought into this world—and that I found all of you. I wasn't like this before. I never expressed myself. But now, I know that you're all here for me—to support, understand, and comfort me. I've never been so open in my life until now."
Her voice faltered as the tears continued to fall. She had promised herself that she would never bring negativity near the child, but this was different. These tears are proof of my happiness, she thought, feeling the warmth of her gratitude.
"Sana, please, don't cry," Farlan said, his face filled with concern. "I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I'm not crying," Sana replied, laughing through her tears, though her voice was thick with emotion. "I don't know why, but lately, I've become such a crybaby."
She quickly wiped her eyes and glanced up at Farlan. "By the way, what brings you here? Did you need help with something?"
Farlan raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. "Don't you think it's time to address your team? They've been slacking off for long enough. It's been a while since you gave them a project to work on."
Sana chuckled awkwardly, realizing that Farlan was right. "Oh, I was just about to do that after taking care of her."
Farlan's expression softened as he placed the baby back in Sana's arms. "You're sure you're not procrastinating?"
"No, no, I'll be there in a minute," Sana said, though deep down, she knew she was putting it off. She wanted just a few more moments of peace with the baby.
"It's alright," Farlan said, his voice kind and understanding. "You don't have to carry it all by yourself. Remember, we've all welcomed her as our daughter, so we share the responsibility equally. Don't worry about it. I'll get her ready and give her some milk. You focus on what you need to do."
Sana smiled softly, appreciating Farlan's help. "You're really acting like her father," she teased.
Farlan shot her a mock glare. "Stop picking on me."
Sana giggled. "Well, aren't you? She picked the name you suggested, and whenever you hold her, she's always calm."
Farlan looked away, his face softening. "But you're her mother."
Sana nodded but smiled warmly. "Yes, I am. But that doesn't mean you can't be her father. After all, we've all accepted her as our daughter."
After a few more moments of fondly watching Farlan interact with the baby, Sana finally sighed. "Now, I'm going downstairs. Please, get her ready and give her some milk. I have some important work to attend to today."
As she left, she knew the child was in good hands, surrounded by people who loved her dearly.
Downstairs
Sana arrived at the meeting space, ready to address her team. She stood at the front, looking over the members of her squad. Her gaze swept over the group before she straightened up, her voice firm.
"Good morning, everyone. We've slacked off long enough. It's time to get to work."
In truth, she had been the one procrastinating, but she wasn't about to admit it. "We're going to continue with the electricity project. But from now on, I don't want you attending classes anymore. It's a waste of time. Instead, we'll focus on developing technology, and we'll learn everything during the process. If anyone has questions, ask them now. Also, if you need to leave the barracks for any reason, you must inform me. No one from outside will be allowed to enter without my permission, except for Commander Erwin, Hange-san, Levi Heichou, Mike-san, and Moblit, who will bring information from Hange's squad."
She didn't mention Isabel in her list, not because she didn't trust her, but because it would mean allowing family and friends into the barracks, and that didn't sit right with her. Isabel, being family, could understand, and Sana knew she'd handle things professionally. But others? They weren't all trustworthy yet. Captain Flagon, for example, was still a risk in her eyes.
"Sana-san, can we work on the camera device instead?" Franz, a tall man in a scout uniform, spoke up with a spark of curiosity in his voice.
Sana smiled at him. "Sure, why not? But you two—" she motioned to both Franz and Logan, who stood beside him—"have to learn the fundamentals too. You'll be part of this project. You can still work on whatever interests you in your spare time, and I'll be here to guide you."
Franz nodded eagerly, while Logan, standing beside him, glanced at him with a mischievous grin.
"However," Alisa, one of the team members, spoke up, a tense tone in her voice, "we can't handle too many things at once. Our budget is limited, and we need to prioritize the important tasks."
Sana regarded her for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. We'll work with what we have. But I want to make sure we're using our time wisely."
Alisa, a respectful and diligent member of Sana's team, was always eager to learn more. Her long, dark brown hair was tied back, and her sharp focus made her a valuable asset.
As the group got to work, Sana felt a sense of responsibility for the path ahead. She was no longer just a scientist; she was leading a family and a team, working toward a brighter future—one where she could protect the people she loved and create a better world for them all.