"I'm home!" Alfred announced from the doorway, dropping his bag and kicking his shoes off, loosening his tie as he did so. He crouched down next to his daughter, his slacks crinkling, smiling brightly. "Why don't you go say 'hi' to Mommy?"

Amelia grinned brightly, already beginning to trot to the kitchen. "Mummy! Hi Mummy, I'm home!" The six year old barreled into the tiled kitchen, slamming into Alice and grabbing her legs, who squealed in response. Alfred laughed as he made his way to the room, wrapping his arms around his wife's thin waist when he reached her.

"Sorry I'm so late, babe~" He purred, reaching around to peck her on the lips, laying his chin on her shoulder afterwards. Alice smiled, turning back to the heated stew as Alfred walked to the fridge for a beer, flopping down in one of the kitchen chairs once he got it.

She rolled her eyes. "You're so lazy." Alfred only cackled in response, lifting the beer as if he were making a toast.

Alice scowled down at the offending meal.

"Dammit! Cook, damn you, cook! Fuck!" She howled, slamming the pale wooden spoon down on the table next to her. She slid slowly onto the white tiled floor, curling into a tight ball, sobs wracking her body. Tears spilled messily and noisily, and Alice brought her hands up in a useless attempt to stop them.

"A-Alice!" Alfred practically dove to the floor to get next to his wife. "What's wrong?!"

"I'm so bloody exhausted." She sobbed, laying her body against her husband's, tightly fisting her hands into his jacket. "Alfred, I haven't slept in three days! Three. Fucking. Days." She swiped at her eyes, but the tears still came. "Nothing is cooking right, Avery is miserable, Tobias hurt himself - because of me, no less! -and Matthew and Marianne are going to be here with the kids in five minutes!" She wailed. "I'm so fucking tired! Alfred, I just want to go to sleep!"

Alfred's arms tightened around her, holding her sobbing frame close to his own, rocking them both back and forth slowly. He stroked her hair lightly, letting his wife cry for a bit. He felt terrible, knowing that this was partly his fault. He should've been able to help out with Avery, but one of them had to go to the conference, and they couldn't take the kids if Avery was sick as a dog. As Avery had wanted his mother, she had chosen to stay.

"Why don't we help you out? I'll go set the table and stuff, maybe have Tobi help me out, and you finish with the stew, 'cuz I don't know how to make it. Does that sound good? I'm sure Rosie wants to help too, don't you sugar?" He peeked at his curly headed daughter, said head popping up from where it was staring at the floor in wonder. Poor child's ADHD was worse than her father's. She nodded vigorously, excited that she could help.

Alice sniffled, smiling down at her daughter despite the tears. She wiped her eyes once more, no longer leaking any tears. She found herself giggling at her daughter's hopeful expression.

"Alright. Thank you." She smiled at Alfred, moving to get up. "You want to help Mummy, yes?" Amelia nodded excitedly, her blue eyes shining. "Well then, why don't you... Hmm... The only thing Mummy needs help with is setting the dining room table. Would you like to help Daddy and your little brother with that, my darling?" Rosie grinned, her face lighting up like the sun as she ran over to her father, pulling on him to get to the dining room.

"Hold on, baby!" He laughed, beginning to stand as well, his knees popping loudly as he stretched. "Daddy has to get the plates and silverware and stuff!" Alice watched as Alfred gathered what he needed, scurrying out to the den to get Tobias, taking Amelia with him.

Alice smiled, sighing softly. Alfred was so good to her. She didn't deserve him at all. He always helped with things around the house, as well as the children, which was quite a bit more than most men did.

Turning back to the stew once again, she turned the heat down, knowing that the meal would, finally, be ready soon. She was honestly surprised France and Canada weren't there yet. Normally they were so punctual.

DING DONG

Ah. There they were.

Alice moved to get the door, but was interrupted by her husband's obnoxiously loud shouting.

"I got it!" She heard him laugh, along with childish squeals, and her long time acquaintance's French laugh. She sighed, shaking her head, a small smile on her face as she rolled her gorgeous, shining green eyes.

"Angleterre~!" The French woman sashayed into to room, her long, indigo skirts fluttering behind her as she passed through the swinging door. "I haven't seen you in ages!" She wrapped her arms around the Brit tightly, squeezing and letting go only seconds later. She then spun the girl to face her, hugging her yet again. "I have missed you so!" Alice hesitantly hugged her friend back, a little confused by the sudden friendliness.

"I've missed you too, Marianne. What's with the sudden show of affection?" She chuckled, patting her friend's back, her eyebrow quirked in question.

"I don't know, Alice. You just... You just seemed like you needed a hug, I suppose." She smiled warmly at her, her cheeks flushed from her excitement. Alice smiled warmly, tears beading in her eyes, removing her friend's arms.

"Thank you, Marianne. That's very kind of you. I needed that more than I thought." She turned back to the meal. "The food is done. But, I'm still waiting on my lugs of brothers to show up, as well as Oz, Cody, Wy and Hutt. Peter should be over shortly as well... Would you help me get it on the table?" She questioned lightly, craning her neck to Marianne, who nodded, glad that she could help in some way.

"I'll get right to work~" She grinned, flouncing to the bread basket. She practically floated into the dining room and back, taking the mashed potatoes full of sausage links with her.

For dinner, it was a traditional English-Irish feast of sorts with Shepherd's Pie, a bread basket, green beans, corn, carrots, baked beans, roasted potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding, as well as Bangers and Mash. Alice had worked all day to make this meal work, to make it good, and nothing was going to ruin it.

Nothing.

The doorbell rung loudly, vibrating through the house.

"I got it!"

"Oi! Open the bloody door, ya idgits! It's hot as hell out here! We're dyin'!" The vicious banging continued, agitating Alice's headache further. She sighed in relief when it finally stopped, bringing the beans to the table.

"You lot are ridiculously bloody obnoxious!" She yelled, beginning to take in some vegetables.

The Scot cackled, he and his brothers stomping into the kitchen for a drink.

"Where's the whisky, luv?"

She rolled her eyes, pointing to the cabinet above the sink as she and Marianne carried more food into the kitchen.

"Take it all. I don't need it anymore."

The boys gave her a strange look before exiting, going to pester her husband, choosing to ignore her words.

"Hey, Alice! How've you been, lass?" Logan grinned brightly, grabbing himself a beer and ruffling her hair. Cody kissed her cheek, giving her a side-hug, acting much more civil than his lover.

"Quite well, other than the fact that I'm ridiculously exhausted." She chuckled, fixing her hair and grabbing the bowl of carrots. She kissed the curly-headed man on his chin, smiling softly. "Did you bring Wy and Hutt?" Logan grinned, nodding at her.

"Vicki's talkin' with Matt 'bout borin' stuff. Art 'er some shit like that. I dunno what Hutt's doin' though. Probably annoyin' your brothers. He's kind of a spazz." She nodded, rolling her eyes at Logan's assumption of Hutt.

"Don't use that word." He whined.

"But-"

"Let me help, Mum." Cody smiled, grabbing the potatoes to avoid an argument."You've done enough." Alice giggled.

"Thank you, luv. You're very sweet~" She patted his cheek as she made her way into the dining room, a slight waddle to her step.

Cody cocked his head, eyeing the Australian next to him. Their eyes met, but they shrugged it off, going back to their business.

Peter bounced into the room, slamming his body into the short British woman. She squealed, grabbing the counter to keep herself from hitting the corner of it.

"Peter! How many times have I told you not to run in the house?!" She barked, glaring at the blond child.

"But I haven't seen you in forever!" He whined, snuggling his head into her back roughly.

"Ow! Stop that! Love shouldn't hurt, Peter! Be gentle!" She scowled. He grunted, releasing her with a pout. She rolled her eyes, turning around and pulling him into a hug. "There. Better now, isn't it?" He huffed in response, squeezing her tightly, though far less than before, nuzzling into her neck.

"Missed ya…" She smiled again, kissing his head gently.

"I've missed you as well. Now go wash up for dinner." She shooed him out, rolling her eyes.

He hopped back out of the room, grinning brightly.

"Dinner!"

The was the sound of screeching and thumping as the family flew into the dining room, Alice pushing the door open with her hip, the large pot of stew in her arms. The children- and adults- cheered as she brought the food to the mahogany table and sat it down.

Alfred practically dove for the food, Alice instinctively diving across the bowl of mashed potatoes and grabbing his wrist in a vice grip.

"Manners, you big oaf." She glared at him, letting go. Alfred puffed his cheeks out, reluctantly flopping back down into his chair.

"But I'm hungry!" He whined.

"Well, so is everyone else. Wait until everyone is seated to start, or you'll get your food last. Don't be such a pig. Even Peter knows he has to wait." She growled, elegantly fixing herself and sliding back down into her seat. Alfred didn't have to wait long for his food, however, because everyone was seated rather quickly, ready to chow down.

"That's mean, Alice! You're such a bully." She rolled her eyes, ignoring the thirteen year old.

"Yes, well. I'm not wrong." She smirked at the child, who huffed, his cheeks red. She pinched the reddened flesh, teasing him by pushing their noses together. He whined, weakly trying to push her away, though Alice couldn't help but notice the child's smile.

"Everyone can eat now."

Alfred cheered, immediately digging into the food. He piled some of nearly everything onto his plate. She rolled her eyes, choosing her get her food in a much more mannerly way. Her brothers, surprisingly so, got their food like gentlemen, as did Cody, Hutt and Victoria. Logan and Peter, however, where a different story. They did as Alfred did, getting as much food as they possibly could.

She chuckled and turned to the children, placing her hands neatly into her lap.

"What would you two like to eat?" She spoke to her own children, Matthew already getting his pair their plates.

"Daddy's gettin' it for me, mama." Amelia grinned toothily at her. Alice smiled at her, looking at her son.

"What about you Tobias?"

"Mac n' Cheesy!" He giggled and smiled up at her brightly.

Alice paled.

She knew she'd forgotten something.

At least now she knew what it was.

She really hoped he wouldn't throw a tantrum.

"Oh luv… Mummy didn't make any macaroni and cheese… I forgot…"

He frowned, his lower lip puffed out, tears beading in his eyes. "No… Macky?"

"No macky baby…."

"But I want macky!" He squealed, shooting up to his feet.

"Tobias dear, not today. Please." He shrieked, tugging her skirt in irritation, his fat cheeks red with anger. He scowled at her, an expression very close to her own.

"I want macky!"

"Tobias, please just eat what Mummy made. I worked very hard. I'm sorry I forgot your mac n' cheese, but tomorrow I'll make you some for lunch, and I even put bacon in it and bake it over again just how you like." She smiled tiredly, trying to reason with him.

He growled and yanked her skirt more roughly than before, attempting to pull his fat little body into her lap.

"No! Mummy's food is icky!" He stuck his tongue out. "Blegh! I don' like it! I want mac n' cheesy!" Alice flushed at the comment about her food, looking nearly ready to break down.

She really should start sleeping more than an hour a night when she's sick.

"Hey! Tobias, kiddo!" Alfred stood from the seat angrily, picking up the toddler and resting him on his hip. Alfred frowned at the teary-eyed child. "You say you're sorry! That is not a nice thing to say to your mom! She worked all fuckin' day on this food, and you're bein' a little shit."

Tears made tracks down his pudgy cheeks, his lower lip sticking out in a perfect pout. Tobias looked down at his mother pitifully, guilt written across his face. He hadn't meant to upset Mummy! "I sorry Mummy… Your food not icky."

She turned on her heel, heading back to the kitchen.

"Babe?"

"I'm getting him dinner."

The door swung at her exit, a harsh silence echoing throughout the room.

Alice came back twenty minutes later, sitting Tobias's bowl of mac n' cheese in front of him. Alice then kissed his head, wordlessly saying that she forgave him. She then went back to the table and picked her own plate up and scraped her food onto her husband's plate.

"Baby? Where are you going? Hon, you need to eat." Alfred looked at her worriedly, taking her arm into his hand.

She looked at tiredly, her eyelids drooping slightly. She leaned down over his shoulder, her chin resting on it. She kissed his cheek, then moved so her lips were at his ear, feeling the heat as he flushed bright red. She smiled softly before whispering in his ear.

"I'm pregnant." She then rose up and abruptly turned on her heel and skittered from the room.

Alfred started behind her in near horror, dropping his fork.

"What?! Babe, what?! Come back!" He shot up from his chair, shooting out after her.

She laughed loudly, the entire house seeming to become lighter in her mirth as Alfred barrelled from the room to get to her.