Thank you for all the support while we wrote Bloody Frog! :D The sequel is now up, and the name won't be this simple much longer. This story is a bit more mature, but will have many surprises!
"Next week is Winter break. Are you coming over?"
"I'm sure I will, Maki. The only thing would be, the baby is due somewhere between December 31st and January 6th." Aidan answered back, holding the phone next to his ear. He usually got to talk to him about once a week, sometimes more then 5 times, but they hadn't talked in 4 weeks because of Aidan's studying.
"Oh... you probably don't wanna miss that. My mom says that this time you can stay for the entire week." Maki told him happily.
"I'm looking forward to it. Hey, mum's calling. I'll have to call you tomorrow when I get home." Aidan told him.
"Kay. Tell Altheia I said happy birthday."
"Will do."
"Bye, Aidan."
"Bye, Maki." Aidan hung up the phone, running downstairs. Arthur had decided it was easier to call Aidan's phone to get his attention since he spent most of his time downstairs.
Aidan peered around the corner, Arthur sitting on the couch and staring at the television. He had a very slight baby bump, one that was barely even noticeable. It was a surprise he was even pregnant... okay that seems weird, but Aidan had gotten used to it. He still remembered when he was told the news.
"Aidan, can I talk to you?" Arthur asked, a clear blush on his face.
"Sure, mum. What's up?"
"I need to tell you and the others something." Altheia, Clark, and Collete entered, just as confused as Aidan. Francis stood in the corner, smirking.
"Well... I-I'm... kind of... pregnant..."
Aidan's mouth fell open, Collete and Altheia gasping, and Clark started to stutter.
"Y-y-you're kid-kidding, right?" Clark asked. Arthur shook his head, blushing harder.
"This was unexpected." Aidan muttered.
"When did you find out?" Altheia asked.
"About 1 week ago." Arthur whispered. The others shut up, knowing that Arthur was clearly embarrassed about the matter.
"Shall we go tell Amerique?" Francis teased.
"Oh bloody hell, no! He'll never let me live it down! We'll tell them at the next world meeting."
"January 1st in America? Won't the baby be due sometime by then?" Francis smirked.
Arthur nodded, before realizing what he had truly said. He turned to the others, dead serious.
"You will tell none of the countries. Aidan, you'll tell him anyways, so you can let Maki know. He can't tell Tino or Berwald. I don't want that blasted America idiot knowing before I am in front of witnesses." The kids nodded, somewhat laughing at how self-conscious Arthur was acting.
"You, shut it!" Arthur scolded the teens, causing them to laugh harder.
"Why is this family so dysfunctional?"
Arthur looked up, smiling. The baby was supposed to be due in 2 weeks, and baby things were everywhere. Since Aidan planned to move out in 1-2 years and go to Sweden, they were going to give Aidan's room to the baby, and for a while she was going to stay in Arthur's and Francis' room. Yep, it was a she.
"Did you need something, mum?" Aidan asked.
"I just wanted to ask if your going to Maki's."
"Yeah. I'll use the card to buy my ticket and ride from his house."
"Are you flying there, or driving and boating?"
"Flying." Arthur nodded.
"Did you get Altheia's present?" Arthur asked, slightly hushed.
"It's upstairs."
"You should bring it down. I'll call her." Arthur grabbed his cell phone, dialing in the number as Aidan snuck upstairs. He reached under his bed, pulling out a wrapped green and pink box. Checking for imperfections, he went back downstairs.
Altheia was in the bathroom, so Francis brought out her cake while the others arranged the gifts on the coffee table.
"Mum, we're almost out of soa-" Altheia stopped, her face lighting up.
"Happy birthday!" They all cheered, singing the song to her. After she blew out her candles, she opened her presents to reveal a phone from Aidan, gift cards from Clark and Collete, and then the biggest present of all, a ticket for a cruise.
"Are you serious?" Altheia gasped. "It's only my 15th birthday. It's not important, really."
"We figured you were old enough. It makes a stop near a port in England. There, we got a car rented for you so you could drive your district." Altheia's face seemed to be glowing in glee.
"I haven't gotten my driver's license fully. I'm close but I don't think I'll get it in time." Francis handed Altheia and envelope, and her eyes widened.
"But... but how-"
"When your a country, you can pull some strings." Arthur laughed. Altheia giggled, embracing the two, then bringing her siblings into a hug.
"Thank you, so much!" She cheered, opening her phone up.
"Is it too late to reserve a flight ticket to Sweden for Saturday?" Aidan asked. Arthur sighed.
"I already did. You have to do it 1 month in advance. I reserved it until the meeting. Then I booked you another one to Washington Dc, in America. I sent the address of our hotel to your email too." Aidan grinned, glad Arthur was so on top of things.
"Aidan, can you go check the mail?" Arthur asked. Aidan went to the door, slipping his shoes on so his heels rested on the back, and walked into the dark evening. It was cool out, the result of rain. Aidan grabbed the edge of the mail slot, opening it up and peering in. After grabbing the few envelopes, he stretched his arms, yawning. There was a click. At first Aidan thought nothing of it, then he stopped when he heard it again.
It was unmistakably a camera, but why would someone be here? Aidan glanced around, not seeing anything. He hurried inside, shutting the door behind him.
"Are you okay?" Collete asked, waving her hands in front of his face.
"Y...yeah." He whimpered, glancing outside.
"There was just... a dog. It was huge."
"Chihuahua's aren't big!" Collete teased. Aidan rolled his eyes, setting the mail on the counter.
Someone had to be taking pictures of him, and Aidan was damn determined to find out who.
X X X X X X X X
Aidan stretched out his arms, yawning. He panicked when he saw it was 9:50, since school started at 8:45. Aidan grabbed his pants, putting them on and grabbing a shirt. He ran to the kitchen, throwing toast in and lastly, going to the bathroom to put on deodorant and brush his hair.
He peered into Altheia's room, confused when he noticed she was still asleep.
"Altheia!" Aidan hissed. She sat up, looking around and yawning.
"Yeah?"
"We slept in!" Aidan shouted, checking Collete and Clark's room. They were both fast asleep.
"Guys! It's 10 o'clock!" Clark groggily sat up, rubbing his head.
"Did you say 10?" Collete asked, wide-eyed.
"Yeah! My alarm clock didn't go off."
"Neither did mine." The three replied... eye-brows instantly furrowing. Wow, their entire family was alike.
"Where's Mum, then?" Aidan asked. He ventured downstairs, the others checking their rooms. A not was on the table.
Your Mum is with me. All is fine. Stay home from school if you wish. We will be home tonight.
-Dad.
Aidan scanned through it, handing it to Altheia.
"You don't think..." She gasped. Her mouth turned up into a wide smile, but after a moment she frowned.
"How... are babies born from countries?" Altheia asked. Aidan winced. True, he had thought of that before, but never asked.
"I don't want to think about it." Collete shuddered. Clark laughed, nodding in agreement.
Aidan ran up the stairs, grabbing his laptop. Setting it on his bed, he typed in "How to catch a peeping-tom." It may not be the same thing, but it was the only way he could find out.
X X X X X X X X
The door opened downstairs sometime in the afternoon while Aidan was dialing Maki's number.
"Frog!... be careful..." Arthur said calmly, the door closing.
"Just relax, Mon Cher." Francis cooed.
Aidan clicked the off button, curious. He started creeping downstairs, Altheia in tow. The two gasped together when they saw what had happened, both charging downstairs.
"Aidan? Altheia? That was fast..." Arthur trailed off, his voice still soft and gentle- which was a first since he had changed back to Arthur- seeming to make all the words float in the air.
A babies wails suddenly met their ears, and Arthur's eyes widened in alarm.
"Give her to me!" Arthur demanded, reaching out his hands.
"That's not a good idea. Your still obviously weak and sick."
"Shut up! I'm not..." Arthur yawned, his arms dropping. Francis whispered in french, rocking the child back and forth. She quieted down, looking up at his face.
"We heard a baby!" Collete and Clark said excitedly. Francis slightly extended his arms, a bundle of blankets laying in them. They started chattering excitedly, in the most hushed tone they could muster, and soon got the other two teens to join in.
Arthur awoke, no one had noticed he had fallen asleep, yawning.
"Why the hell are you all so loud?" Arthur muttered. '
"Alaina was born?" Aidan laughed. Arthur's face showed recognition, his eyes closing.
"Can I just bloody hold her before I fall asleep again?" Francis placed her in his arms, And Arthur smiled down at her.
"She's... so small. She's smaller then Altheia was." Arthur giggled. Francis smirked, sitting next to Arthur.
"It's just kind of sad I'm 17 years older then her." Aidan murmured.
"She's going to grow up without her brothers and sisters." Altheia sighed. Arthur's face slightly fell.
"That's true... no more children!" Arthur shouted at Francis, not being to loud or losing his gentle tone. Francis smiled, tracing his hand up Arthur's thigh.
"Are you sure you don't wanna have another baby? You look so sexy when you wear those girl clothes."
"Are you going to wear those again, mum?" Aidan asked. The other three were just as curious, turning to face him. Arthur thought about it, taking all things into consideration.
"I guess, I should. I'll make sure to tell Alaina at a young age and let her decide for herself." Arthur sighed.
"Umm... Mum?" Altheia asked, looking down. If she could blush, she would be beet red.
"Yeah?"
"How are... country... babies..." She trailed off, closing her eyes.
Francis started laughing, causing Arthur to scowl and slap him.
"Don't be mean!"
"I'm sorry, Altheia. It's just a funny question to ask." Francis chuckled.
"Well... uh..." Then it was Arthur's turn to blush.
"Your Mothers are taken to a special doctor who knows about it. They still have pain but then you kind of... appear."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we hear a crying, Arthur's pains are gone, and your lying on the bed. It's hard to tell where you'll be, so they created a really big room with mattresses everywhere. They way you appear is based on your mother's interests and your futures. Alaina appeared out of a black magic circle, and that means that she will have a run in with black magic in her future." Altheia nodded, it all being so confusing but also being so clear.
"I... I guess, I understand." She whispered. Arthur was much more relaxed now that he didn't have to explain it himself, and he kissed the babies forehead.
"I think I'm going to pass out. Take her, somebody." Arthur muttered, holding her out. Francis motioned towards Aidan, who took her into his arms. He was amazed at how light she was. She glanced up at his face, her blue eyes shining brightly. A small smile spread on her lips, and she made a small cooing sound.
"She... she smiled!" Aidan gasped, causing the half-asleep Arthur to crack a smile of his own.
"Country children also develop a lot faster, but I don't think any of you were this quick to show happiness." Francis beamed.
"Me next!" Collete called, Clark glaring.
"Guys first!"
"Don'tcha mean, ladies first?"
"Not in this house. Aren't there more guys then girls?"
"Not when Mum dresses up!"
"He's still a guy!"
"Well... not really! Don't we still call him, mum?"
"Yeah... well... your face is stupid!"
"Clark, don't be mean to your sister..." Arthur yawned, and in a second he was lightly snoring. Aidan rolled his eyes, handing Alaina over to Altheia.
"Want me to help you finish setting up her crib?" Aidan asked Francis, who nodded, the two of them taking off to go upstairs. Altheia followed them, wanting to let Alaina sleep.
Downstairs, Collete and Clark bickered about random things, not even noticing that the four had left, and Arthur snored away on the couch, oblivious to the rest of the world.