madeline=fem canada, arthur=england, gilbert=prussia, alfred=america, ivan=russia, francis=france, gabrielle=monaco

everybody else is a random name chosen for a random oc


more notes at the end


"Arthur, if you're not done getting dressed in five minutes, we're leaving without you." Madeline warned as she came downstairs after helping him pick clothes for the day.

"You can't leave me!" the four year old protested, "You need me!"

"Then be ready," She straightened her husband's tie, "You look good."

"Thanks," he kissed her, "How can I help you?"

"You can't." she shut herself in the bathroom before calling "I'll be ready in a minute."

Gilbert poured some coffee into a travel thermos for her, adding cream and maple syrup to it.

Arthur came thumping down the stairs, "Dad?"

"Yeah, kiddo?"

He held up his shoes, "Can you help me?"

"Yup," Gilbert scoped him onto the kitchen counter.

"I'm hungry." Arthur announced.

"Have a poptart," Gilbert handed him a half empty silver package from the table before sliding his shoes on and tying them for him.

Madeline emerged from the bathroom, "I was going to make breakfast!" she gasped.

"That's okay, Arthur and I have had poptarts and you have coffee," Gilbert picked up Arthur in one arm and used his free hand to hand his wife her coffee, "We'll stop somewhere for brunch on the way home."

"It'll have to do, let's go."


"Your tie is crooked," Alfred fussed.

"Maybe it's just your glasses," Ivan frowned as he undid his tie for the fourth time.

"Here," Alfred reached for him, "Let me."

"You won't try to choke me?" Ivan joked.

"Not today."

Ivan leaned forward to kiss his boyfriend's forehead while Alfred was distracted by his tie. "Are you nervous?"

Alfred nodded, "But we've never made it this far before. They can't back out now, right?"

"There's nobody to 'back out'." Ivan reminded him.

Alfred was silent, frozen in the final step of the tie, "He could." he finally whispered.

Ivan kissed him again, "Do you really believe that would happen?"

"It could." he finally finished with Ivan's tie and stepped away, avoiding his boyfriend's gaze. "Do we have everything we need?"

"Alfred."

"I'm scared." Alfred confessed, "What if something goes wrong?"

"Then we'll deal with it. You can't be afraid of something that might happen."

"I can." Alfred protested, "Watch me."

Ivan laughed and wrapped his arms around Alfred, "It's our turn not to back out. Let's go."


"Are you sure you're not hungry?" Madeline continued to fuss over Arthur as Gilbert drove.

"Yes."

"Did you brush your teeth?"

"Yes."

"Did I brush mine?" she wondered.

Arthur shrugged.

"Did anybody feed Kuma?"

"Yes," Gilbert answered, "You did. Right before you went to help Arthur get dressed."

"Did you feed your bird?"

"Yes. I even answered a call from Patricia."

"Oh," Madeline finally settled into her seat, "What did she need?"

"The sign up list for next month's potluck. I told her Andrew had it, so she should call the office."

"Who's Patricia?" Arthur piped up.

"Mrs Ebans," Madeline told him, "She's Ms Linda's mother."

"Ohhh," Arthur sighed. "I have to go potty."

"Didn't I tell you to go before we left?"

"You were in there."


"Do you see them?" Alfred fidgeted with his tie for the hundredth time.

"They're probably inside already."

Alfred smiled when he saw the three figures standing on the steps, "Wrong again, commie. Gabrielle!" he waved.

She waved back as her smaller companion detached himself from her and ran to throw his arms around Alfred's waist, "You came!" he gasped.

Alfred returned the hug, "Of course we did, Baby."

"Are you ready to go home?" Ivan asked as he scooped the child into his arms.

He wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck, "Yes."

"Francis," Gabrielle chided, even as she smiled at the three of them, "We can't be late."

"We have time," Alfred insisted.

"It's better to be early."

Ivan set Francis down and he took Gabrielle's hand again, "This is Michael Thomas, he's the lawyer from the agency." Gabrielle introduced the other member of their party as the five walked into the building together, "Francis' things are in my car, you can collect them when we're done here."

Alfred and Ivan both nodded. Francis looked over his shoulder to make sure they were still following. He smiled at them.


"Could you introduce everyone here with you today?" Judge Conner asked.

"Yes. I'm Gilbert Beilschmidt, this is my wife, Madeline. Arthur, and Arthur's caseworker, Charlotte Miller." Madeline squeezed Gilbert's hand as he spoke.

"I'll be asking the adults here some questions, so I'd like to swear you all in at once. If you could all raise your right hands? Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

There was a small chorus of affirmative answers.

"All right." Judge Conner nodded, "Mr and Mrs Beilschmidt, I'll start with you. Did the department of child and families place Arthur in your home?"

"Yes." Gilbert and Madeline answered together.

"Is it correct that his date of birth is April 23, 2000?"

"Yes."

"When was Arthur placed in your home?"

"It was...January?" Gilbert looked at Madeline.

"It was January 27, 2003, your honor." she supplied.

"Has he consistently been residing there since then?"

"Yes."

"At some point did you file a petition of adoption asking the court to allow you to adopt him, making him a permanent part of your family?"

"Yes."

"Is all the information in that petition still accurate as of today?"

"Yes."

"In the time that he has been in your home, do you feel you have become sufficiently aware of all of Arthur's needs? His emotional needs, psychological needs, medical needs, and physical needs?"

Gilbert shifted Arthur in his arms, "Yes."

"Is it your testimony before the court today that you are willing to provide those needs until he reaches the age of eighteen?"

"Yes."

"Do you understand that in the unlikely event of the dissolution of your marriage that each of you will be financially responsible for Arthur until he reaches the age of eighteen?"

"Yes."

"And do you also understand that upon your demise, he will inherit from your estate just as a biological child would, or another adopted child would?"

"Yes."

"If you could please tell the court why you want to adopt the child, making them a permanent part of your family, and making them legally your child?"

"We've always planned on adopting." Gilbert stated, "We want to be able to provide a stable, loving home to a child that wouldn't have it otherwise."

"We love Arthur," Madeline added, brushing his hair away from his eyes, "He's already a part of our family: he has been since the day we met him. We just want it to be legal."

The Judge nodded, "Ms Miller, I would like to call upon you and ask your position with regard to this adoption."

She nodded, "I would highly recommend it. Gilbert and Madeline have provided Arthur with a loving home and everything he needs for over a year now. I feel that they are the best possible family for him."

Judge Conner nodded again, "In the matter of the petition for the final order of adoption, that is being granted. The petition to terminate jurisdiction of state will also be granted. Arthur Oliver Kirkland will be renamed as Arthur Oliver Beilschmidt and made the legal child of Gilbert and Madeline Beilschmidt. If you would like some pictures, now is the perfect time to take them."


"This is an informal hearing, feel free to sit the whole time. If you'd like to record the hearing or take pictures, please do."

Alfred smiled down at Francis, who was sitting between him and Ivan as Michael introduced the case to the judge.

"Mr Jones," Judge Conner started, "We'll start with you, raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"Yes."

"Could you state your name for the record, and spell your last name."

"Alfred Jones. J-o-n-e-s."

"And Mr Braginsky. Raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do." Alfred gave him a smile.

"Could you state your name for the record, and spell your last name."

"Ivan Braginsky. B-r-a-g-i-n-s-k-y."

Judge Conner nodded to Michael, "You may proceed."

Michael turned to Alfred, "Mr Jones, I'm going to ask you a few questions for your petition for adoption, please answer so the judge can hear your answers. Were the facts in this petition true when you signed it?"

"Yes."

"Is the child you're here to adopt currently named Francis Jean Bonnefoy?"

"Yes."

"Were you born on July forth, 1976?"

"Yes."

"Are you a United States citizen?"

"Yes."

"Are you employed and able to financially provide for this child?"

"Yes."

"And are you related to this child?"

"No."

"Do you have any other biological or adopted children?"

"No."

"Besides toys and clothing, do you know of any properties such as bank accounts belonging to this child?"

"No."

"Would you like to change his name?"

"Yeah," Alfred squeezed Francis' hand.

"What would you like his name to be?"

"Francis Jean Braginsky-Jones."

"I just want to show you the showing of the new name, please look carefully, make sure it's exactly the way you want it." Michael showed him the petition, using a pen to point to where Alfred and Ivan had already filled out Francis' name.

"...Yes."

"Do you understand that if this adoption is granted you'll then have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations to this child that he will inherit from you as if he had been born to you?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." Michael turned to Ivan, "Mr Braginsky, were you born on December 30, 1973?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear the questions I just asked Mr Jones?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear his answers?"

"Yes."

"Besides your date of birth, if I asked you the same questions I just asked Mr Jones, would your answers have been the same?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Now, Francis, is it okay if I ask you some questions?"

Francis nodded.

"Could you answer so the judge can hear you?" He prompted.

Francis nodded again, "Yes."

"How old age you?"

"Four."

"Do you know why you're here today?"

"Yes."

"And why are you here?"

"To be adopted."

"And what does it mean to you to be adopted?"

"It means I get new parents, and I can stay with them forever."

"And do you want to be adopted by them today?"

"Yes."

"Do you want your name to be changed?"

"Yes."

"And what do you want your name to be?"

"Francis Braginsky-Jones."

"Do you have any questions for me or Judge Conner?"

Francis shyly shook his head, "No."

"Okay, I have no further questions."

"I have here a properly filed petition for adoption of the child, also based on the testimony and the report that I received from the division of youth and family services which recommends the finalization of the adoption, I want to issue a judgement of adoption today, that will establish the same relationship between the child and the adopting parents as if the children had been born to the adopting patents. Congratulations." Judge Conner smiled, "Would you like to take a picture?"


Gilbert swung Arthur up on his shoulders when they exited the courthouse, "That wasn't so bad, now then was it, Arthur Beilschmidt?"

Arthur giggled.

"I don't know about you two, but I'm starving," Madeline sighed, her nerves having finally given way to relief. And hunger.

"It's your day, Arthur," Gilbert set him down next to their car, "Where to?"

"Ummmm," Arthur climbed into the car while he thought, "Home! And Mummy can make pancakes!"

"There you have," Gilbert kissed Madeline as he opened her door, "Home for pancakes."

"Sounds perfect."


"Here are Francis' things," Gabrielle handed Alfred a faded blue backpack.

Alfred swung it over his shoulder, "And the rest of it?"

"His birth certificate will be mailed to you when it's completed. You have all his medical records, but feel free to find a pediatrician or you take him to your family doctor if you have one. You also have his therapy schedule and his therapist's contact information. Once you and Ivan and she all agree that Francis is ready, she'll help you find a therapist closer to home."

Alfred nodded, "I know, but the rest of his stuff?"

She shook her head, "That's it. Wait, no…" she ducked into the backseat of her car and reemerged with a whiteish toy that she handed to Alfred. "He'll want that."

"Thanks," he looked down at it, "What is it?"

"A bird, I think. If you have everything you need, I should go."

"Yeah, thanks Gabrielle. Oh! We were going to get some lunch to celebrate. You're welcome to join us."

"Thanks, Alfred, but like I said: I should go. I'm glad I could help you and Ivan."

Alfred nodded, "We'll send you a Christmas card." He waved before returning to his car, where Ivan and Francis were waiting. He put Francis' backpack in the trunk before climbing in the passenger seat and handing Francis the plush, "Gabrielle wanted to make sure you got that back."

Francis immediately hugged it, "Thank you!"

"Everybody buckle up," Ivan said, "We're on our way."

"Alright Fran-man," Alfred turned to make sure he didn't need help with his seat belt, "You're in change, home first and go out for dinner, or dinner while we're already in the city, and then go home?"

Francis smiled, "Can we go home?"

"Absolutely," Alfred nudged Ivan, "Driver, take us home."


Notes: Part One

So...I've never been part of an adoption. I hope this is at least a little accurate. I watched some youtube videos to get an idea of what adoption court looks like, and pretty much transcripted the videos and changed names and pronouns.


Notes: Part Two

All right. Technically, technically, according to the research I have done, Alfred and Ivan can not legally adopt Francis together in the time period I have set this in (early 2000s). I am choosing to ignore this fact, because I don't want to work it into the plot. We are going to suspend reality just a bit and allow Alfred and Ivan to adopt Francis together.

However, I am going to acknowledge that Alfred and Ivan are not married because it may or may not yet be legal where they live and I want to work it into the plot when I continue this fic.