Now that Hange was fully recovered from childbirth, they saw fit to finally seek medical help for Levi's right leg problem.
After researching for a few days, they found an excellent Orthopedic Doctor who was a day's train ride away from where they lived. Lara and Armin asked Sergeant Hans for a few days off, so they could accompany their parents, explaining Levi's condition and that they didn't know if the trip would be long or not. Comprehensive, the Sergeant released them, as he knew they weren't going there to have fun. Armin left the leadership of the Sasageyo Squad in Jean's hands.
The train ride was quite pleasant and fun, because now Kuchel had learned to laugh and was able to grab some things with her hands, especially her teddy bear and the hair of whoever passed by. Kuchel was already beginning to recognize the voices of each one of them and was very smiling and playful.
Levi looked apprehensive during the trip, for he was fearing to stay in that condition forever. But, Lara, Hange, and Armin tried to say optimistic things, claiming they would be by his side for whatever he needed, even if nothing went well. Even Kuchel gave Levi some encouraging smiles that made his heart melt. He was relieved to see that his youngest daughter was not afraid of his scars, on the contrary, she seemed to like them, always running her tiny hands over her father's face with great curiosity, widening those big gray-blue eyes.
They stayed at an inn and, on the next day, they went for the medical appointment. Fortunately, the Doctor was a great professional. As soon as Levi walked into the office, leaning on his crutch, the Doctor exclaimed:
"This leg is not in the correct position, sir!"
While Armin kept holding Kuchel in a corner, trying his best not to let her mess with the Doctor's books and devices, Lara and Hange explained how Levi got into that condition. They told him about the explosion he suffered and how, under a much stressful situation, with Hange still pregnant, they had to flee by a river and tend to his injuries in the middle of a forest, in a very precarious environment and that finally, they had to put his leg back in place as best they could at the moment.
The Doctor was gaping and widening his eyes at the end of the story, pretty impressed. He then examined Levi thoroughly and it didn't take him long to come to the conclusion that, indeed, his leg was badly placed, which made Hange feel terrible for having been responsible for that (the Doctor comforted her, claiming that, under the conditions they were in, she had actually done a great job). The big problem was that Levi's leg had calcified while still in the wrong position, that's why it was hurting so much.
Unfortunately, the problem could only be solved through surgery, which made Levi quite scared, as he didn't like the idea of being dissected like a lab rat. But the Doctor assured him that he would do a good job and, if all went well and with a few months of intense physical therapy, in about a year, Levi would be able to walk normally again. It brought great hope to the family. Knowing that he could go back to a normal life really made Levi consider it, and in the end, he accepted it.
Surprising everyone, the Doctor said he could operate on him on the very next day if he wanted to. Levi sought the approving look of Hange, Lara, and Armin, who nodded. Even Kuchel squealed at one point, drawing laughter from them all.
On the same afternoon, Levi was admitted to the hospital where the doctor worked and, on the next day, he had the operation. The surgery was a success, and Levi had to stay in the hospital for just a few more days until he was fully able to return home by train (he would only need to use the wheelchair for a while). Before leaving, the Doctor left them a contact of a good Physical Therapist who worked in the refugee city region.
About two months passed and Levi was already feeling much better. He did all the physical therapy exercises very diligently, and Lara, Hange, and Armin always helped him. Kuchel also contributed to her father's recovery, making sure to shout loudly when it was time for Levi to start doing the exercises proposed by the Physical Therapist.