Well, it's getting close. How's it feel, eh?

Disclaimer: *insert typical line of not owning Hetalia here*

Matthew recalled it happening early in the morning. Francis had to go out for a little bit, so he was alone in the house with Kumajiro.

"I didn't think he'd ever leave. He's been so worried ever since that whole thing happened with Ivan," the maple child said as the polar bear climbed onto a chair. Kumajiro seemed to be staring intently at Matthew's stomach for some reason. It was like he was trying to use mind powers to get it out of there.

The boy paid him no mind, though, and set his mind on cleaning the table, even though he likely should not have been doing so. He was near due, and he had to be careful.

He was about halfway done, when he felt pain in his lower back. He thought nothing of it, and resumed. It was when it happened again that he grew concerned. Feeling the pain extend, Matthew sat down and looked at the polar bear.

"Kumajiro, you know where my phone is, right? On my nightstand? Go get it, please." The little bear jumped off the chair and went off in search of the device. When he came back, Matthew grabbed his phone and dialed Francis.

...

Francis was in dire need of milk and maple syrup again. Exactly what compelled Matthew to mix them together and actually drink that concoction was beyond him. But he did, so it had to have some appeal to the boy.

Standing in the aisle, and lamenting how many types of milk there were, Francis was greeted with a familiar voice.

"Mister Bonnefoy? Is that you?" The Frenchman turned around to see Toris, baby bump and all.

"Ah! Bonjour! You're the one that helped Mathieu the other day?" Toris nodded, rubbing his swollen belly.

"I was able to get out of Ivan's house for a while, and I just thought I'd come here for groceries. I was surprised to see you here." The Lithuanian looked around him. "Where's Matthew?"

"Ah. He is at home," Francis said as he picked out his milk.

"Oh, that's too bad. I was hoping to get to talk to him." Toris stopped when he looked down at his stomach. Apparently, his child was kicking. "Sorry. I guess we're a little restless today."

The two exchanged in small talk for a little while, before the Frenchman's phone began ringing. He flipped it open, and saw it was from Matthew.

"Oui? Is there something you need, Mathieu?" Francis nodded, and said the occasional "Uh-huh," before Toris noticed his face go white. Whatever was going on couldn't be good.

Francis turned off the phone, then turned to him. "I have to go home, and quick! Mathieu needs me!" He dropped everything and brushed past Toris, with the other man following close behind.

...

Matthew had really no other method to calm himself down, so he had resorted to petting Kumajiro over and over. The pain wouldn't go away, rather it kept getting worse.

"Oh...I can't take this anymore, Kumachacha." Even in the throes of labor, he still forgot the damn polar bear's name. He hoped he didn't have to deal with this much longer. "I hope he gets here soon."

Indeed, as soon as he spoke those words, Francis flew through the doorway, with Toris right behind him.

"Mathieu! Mathieu, are you all right?" He was as all right as he could be, given his baby wanted to be born soon.

"P-papa...Toris...Get me to the hospital, please?" His legs wobbled as he struggled to his feet. The boy stumbled over to the Frenchman, falling into his arms.

"Toris," Francis turned to the brown-haired man, "Go wait in the car. Mathieu and I will be right out." Toris complied, going right back out.

Matthew followed Francis upstairs to get what they needed. As soon as the two were packed, Francis led his child out to the car, with Toris waiting in the back. Finally, the big day was here.

...

As soon as everyone got there, Francis made sure Matthew got a room as soon as possible. Toris waited outside, as he wasn't family. He watched as Francis came back out, decked in full medical scrubs.

"Toris, this may take a while. Do you think you can go out into the waiting room until later?" The Frenchman said as he put on his face mask. Toris nodded. Getting up with some effort, he waddled back out, with Francis watching.

"Papa!" Francis perked back up and got back by Matthew's side. The boy was already prepped for surgery. All that was left was for it all to be over and done with.

...

In the operating room, Francis watched as the doctors worked, held his child's hand. Matthew was, at this point, completely out from painkillers.

The sights and smells were becoming too much for the Frenchman. He almost couldn't handle everything at once. The whole thing intensified when he saw them reaching into Matthew.

He could see blood. His grip tightened, then loosened, with Francis finally collapsing to the floor. The very last thing he heard before blacking out was the cry of a newborn.

...

When Francis came to, he found himself laying down on a cot, in a completely different room. He looked around and saw the doctor, holding a little bundle.

"Well, little one, it seems your grandfather woke up. I think he wants to meet you." Francis watched as said little bundle was handed to him. He took a hold of his new grandchild, taking care he didn't drop his new family member.

A pink blanket. Matthew had a baby girl. Francis did always want a little girl to spoil, after Matthew grew up and moved out.

As soon as the doctor left, the Frenchman began cooing and whispering baby talk in French.

"Sacre bleu, you are simply beautiful, little one." He smiled, looking at the little wrinkled face, whose eyes had not yet opened. "I promise, I will take good care of you. You can count on that."

He was alone with his newborn granddaughter, before a knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. The doctor had returned, looking rather solemn.

"Mister Bonnefoy?" The man said in a flat, yet apologetic tone. "I'm afraid I have some bad news about your son..."

...

Matthew had never woken up. The news hit Francis like a car hitting a brick wall. This day, which was meant to be a happy one, was now tinged with a bittersweet and tragic feeling.

The new grandpa looked at the little girl in his arms. It pained him to know that she would grow up without either of her parents. She had just entered the world, and already she was effectively an orphan.

The Frenchman held her closer, tears running down his cheeks. He tried to sing to her in French, but the words came out broken and punctuated with sobs.

"Mister Bonnefoy?" Francis looked up and saw Toris. By the look on his face, he heard the news about Matthew. "I...I'm sorry to hear about what happened."

The elder man shook his head. "Non, don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault. It just...I can't believe it even happened at all." The two sat in silence, before Francis spoke up again.

"Toris. I know this will be a great risk for you, but..." The Lithuanian nodded, showing he was listening. "Do you think perhaps you can...move out of Ivan's house? There is...something I want to happen."

Toris nodded. "I'll do my best to do that, sir. Just tell me what I need to do."

Yes, everyone. You waited several months for that. I apologize greatly.

And yes, there will be an epilogue. It will be up soon.

-Emerald-Shadow-Knight