Chapter 12: Define FUTURE

"This is taking forever …"

"I'm booooored!"

Austria tried not to face-palm at the constant whining of the two French regions. Why was he stuck baby-sitting Prussia's daughters when said Prussia was on a date with Liechtenstein?! And France just had to go to the hospital right now! Of all times!

The aristocratic nation thought back with nostalgia at the times when he too was deeply in love with the French nation. He was always fascinated by France but never sure why … Shaking his head, the Austrian looked up as he was joined by Hungary and Belgium, followed closely by Netherlands. The Italies were also on their way driving Spain and England along with them … hopefully they won't cause an accident on the road. Belgium nearly jumped of excitement as she literally pounced on Roderich.

"Well? Well? What's the news?"

"I don't know! Please refrain from assaulting me!" Roderich breathed out with difficulty from being suffocated by Belgium's large cleavage.

Alsace and Lorraine looked up dully and then turned back to chatting to each other in fast French. Belgium joined the girls and they started giggling excitedly. Netherlands took out his pipe and paused, remembering that you cannot smoke in hospitals. Reluctantly he put it away and listened to the girl's conversation to distract himself. Hungary joined her ex-husband and now current boyfriend, soft smile on her lips as she patted his shoulder.

"Sorry, we're late."

Austria shrugged.

"I don't mind. Is Prussia coming?"

"He's on his way. I think Switzerland volunteered to go fetch him personally."

"I can imagine …" Roderich smirked knowingly. He didn't want to imagine how Prussia will look once he turns up. Hopefully he won't have too many holes in him.

"Is Germany inside?"

"Yes. They've been in there for hours …"

"Well, it's not a surprise. A nation having a child is a slow and painful process. Much more so than humans." Hungary's voice saddened slightly. Austria knew she was feeling jealous of France. For nations, gender did not prevent child bearing. But the probability for a nation to hold a child is rare and uncommon. France was lucky. Hungary was envious.

And Austria was getting irritated and tired of worrying and waiting!


*Later*

"Ve! Where's the baby?" Italy yelled as he walked in followed by his cursing brother and a pale England being guided by a chuckling Spain.

"Quit yelling Stupido! We're in a hospital!"

"But I want to see the baby!"

"Caro, let's get you a seat!" Spain brought the unsettled blonde to sit next to Netherlands and immediately regretted his decision as he ended up glaring at the tall Hollander.

"Never again … Never getting … in a car … with Italy …" England kept muttering in his breath.

"What did you do to him? He's traumatized." Netherlands asked, checking up on his English friend, under the jealous hisses on the Spaniard.

"He's fine! He just … Veneziano drove a little too fast …"

"A LITTLE?!" England yelled suddenly at his lover, making everyone jump and Spain smile nervously. "YOU CALL THAT A LITTLE? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!"

"Well … we didn't die, amor! Look on the bright side!"

Before England could start arguing with Spain, the door opened revealing a panicked Prussia followed by Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

"Where's Francis?" the albino yelled while grabbing and shaking Austria by his shoulders.

"Inside." Austria answered dully as he was shaken manically by the Prussian who soon found himself meeting with Hungary's frying pan. And apparently, that was the signal for all nations to break loose.

"Ve! I want to see the baby!"

"It's not there yet, fratello!"

"Inglaterra, please don't be mad! I promise I'll drive on the way back but we were in a hurry and Romano drives worse than Veneziano so we definitely avoided the cops at least …"

"Who the hell drives worse than this Stupido?!"

"I am never getting in a car with you wankers ever again! I'm calling Portugal to take me back!"

"Hell no!" Spain roared. "I am not letting my brother near you!"

"You don't get to say who I befriend or not!"

"I'll drive you, England."

"Thanks Netherands, that'd be grea …"

"Stay out of this! Mi amor is driving with me!"

"Ve! Ve! Miss Belgium, does it hurt having a baby?"

"Usually it does Feli! A lot!"

"Veeee! Poor Francia!"

"Germany's with him, so it will be fine!" Hungary reassured the Italian.

"Why was I the last one informed of this?!"

"Because you were out and we couldn't get in touch with you, Prussia!"

"I was on a date! Do you know how hard it is to get Swissy to approve on a date?"

"Be glad that I authorised you even a minute with Lili!"

"Brother! Stop pointing your gun at my boyfriend!"

"It's alright, Liebe! See what I mean, prissy Aristocrat?"

"Well don't blame me for not telling you sooner! I was stuck baby-sitting your daughters!"

"WE DON'T NEED BABY-SITTING!"

"Will you all be … QUIET?!"


Every nation froze speechless. Germany was not the one to have yelled but instead, they were faced with a glaring France lying in a hospital bed as he was being pushed into the room. They were assigned a private individual room in which the nations had all been eagerly waiting. Germany followed closely after France, tired bangs under his eyes but a pleased smile lighting up his face. Following after came Corsica, looking amused at the situation and Monaco rolling her eyes and helping take care of her father. Cradled in Francis' arms was a small bundle of cloth wrapped around a tiny being.

"This is a hospital! Be quiet or I'm kicking you all out!" France growled.

He saw a few nervous nods and a lot of curious awaiting gazes just begging to see the child. Francis waited until Monaco pushed his bed inside and plugged him in too many tubes and needles for him to feel comfortable. He groaned as he let his daughter and Corsica play doctors on him. Well, he had to admit, they were both competent and it saves having them than bringing over human nurses or doctors. The humans would definitely be asking too many questions about this odd situation. Luckily, Corsica is an expert at silencing unwanted questions.

"Alright. You're all set." The Corsican man smirked as he walked away to go and "silence" the doctors involved in the birth-giving. Francis warned him with a glare not to kill anyone. Corsica only smiled maliciously, shrugging his shoulders and walked out of the room muttering a few words to Germany.

"He's all yours. Better not exhaust him or I'm going to have to silence you too."

Germany nodded with a sigh, used to the constant threats of Andria. Nothing new. The only person who did not show hostility or disgust towards him was Monaco. She was just indifferent. Well, at least now, Ludwig understands better the French regions. Bavaria would never be so protective of him or Prussia. Hell, Austria wants nothing to do with them, while Belgium was all over France and cuddling the baby. It's strange … France is often criticised but he's always surrounded by people.

Always.

"Aren't you going to save him?"

Ludwig jumped as he turned to the Englishman addressing him. Arthur smirked maliciously while keeping an eye on his lover who was currently getting on France's nerves along with the Italies. Monaco was openly arguing with Spain, clear hate in her anger. Latins can be so loud sometimes … England chuckled as he often forgets that he is always being called a Latin by his own siblings. Not in an upsetting way but more of a tease. Scotland would be having a laugh right now … where is he anyway …?

"Talk of the devil …" England smiled as he picked up his ringing phone and walked out into the corridor, motioning a wave at Ludwig.

"Try keeping your husband alive until family comes." England whispered before he shut the door.

Ludwig blinked and looked back towards Francis … and paled.

The girls were cooing at the baby along with Veneziano, Spain and Netherlands were arguing over something or another, Romano was rolling his eyes at his brother's antics, Monaco was shooing people away and trying to act professional … and failing as she drew out a gun and Liechtenstein tried to hold her back but thus left her brother free to shoot in Monaco's place at all the chaos that disturbed the hospital. Prussia and Austria were arguing with Alsace and Lorraine about some baby-sitting issues and France had just given up, keeping his eyes shut and groaning at the noise, his hands massaging his temples while his baby is being shoved into every nation's arms before circling back to him. At which point, France made sure not to let go of his child anymore no matter how much Feliciano pleaded with puppy eyes.


"See? Told you, you were late!"

Ludwig turned around and was befuddled as he was pushed past by England accompanied by a red haired. Both were followed by two ginger twins and a copper-brown haired looking sleepy and yawning like he had just woken up.

"Yeah, well, we made it! We didn't have Italy to drive us around!" Scotland teased his younger brother and walked up to congratulate his best friend. France's eyes lightened at the sight of the two brothers but then he groaned tiredly as he noticed the group following through. Apparently the Britons had also brought over the Nordics. This room is getting too small for the large appearance of nations and Ludwig felt that his French lover would soon snap. France can be patient but even he has limits … and frankly, if he didn't snap soon, Ludwig would in his place.

"YO FRANCE! CANADIA SAID YOU WERE HAVING A BABY!" America roared with a grin as he joined in the crowd followed by Canada who had tried and failed at keeping him in their own continent.

"Oh please god … just get out …" France muttered in his breath, unheard by all his guests and family.

"Comrade! Poland informed us of the good news!"

"Like I totally want to see the baby but like Liet had to totally go tell creepy Russia too!"

"I didn't want to but … I'm so sorry mister France!"

"Oi! Commie bastard! Who invited you?"

"I happen to actually be a part of Europe so I believe this concerns me more than you America!"

Seriously … this is getting louder by the second.


"See! We're the last ones here because of you!" Turkey called behind his shoulder as he dragged in a sleepy Greece who looked far from enchanted at being here. Japan followed suite quietly with an uncomfortable expression as if he knew that he was imposing (but since everyone is imposing and being oblivious about it, it didn't change much). China on the other hand was not as considerate and rushed in, getting in a fight with the girls and Italy on how to care for the baby.

France was slightly inclined at telling them all to get the hell out and that he was not at his first child and knew what to do. Right now, all he wants is peace and quiet. He expected the European Union to show up but not half of the damn world too! Seriously … why do people always show up when he least wants them? Most touristic country in the world not for nothing …

A loud car alarm resonated from out the window. No, wait. Not one car. If it were only one car then the nations would not have paid attention. About twenty cars started roaring their sirens like mad and silenced everyone in the room as the attention drifted from France to the window. Japan finished typing a few codes on his tablet and nodded to Germany.

"Danke Japan."

"My pleasure, Germany-san."

Eyes trailed over to Germany who clicked his gun and pointed at the door with it, his icy eyes looking unforgiving. France stared, amazed. Well, he did expect Germany to snap at some point after spending an entire night by his side and helping with the birth giving. The poor German must be exhausted (not as much as France who was the one giving birth but still). And seeing him ask Japan to create a distraction was not unlikely. But France had not often seen the strong cold look in Ludwig's eyes. Not recently anyway. Not since a long time ago …

He's hot when he gets like that.

"Everyone. Out. Or I am doing a lot worse to your cars." Ludwig seethed between his teeth.

A few seconds past before diligently, all nations obeyed (sometimes needing to be dragged by other nations, as Veneziano wanted to cuddle the baby one last time for example). Japan was last to walk out, smiling to his German friend as he left the couple alone to their privacy.


Ludwig sighed heavily and walked up to drop himself in the chair near Francis, taking the Frenchman's hand in his and smiling tenderly. Francis laughed, glancing down at his sleeping child. How the baby had not woken up in all that mayhem was beyond him! His sapphire eyes glanced back at the German who was also staring down fondly at their child. Germany looked both amazed and frightened by the tiny being. It's understandable since Ludwig never had kids before now. Francis lifted the bundle of cloth and handed the small being gently to his partner.

"Here! Take her! Careful! Hold her head up!"

Germany tried to argue but was soon holding awkwardly and clumsily his own daughter. She was sleeping peacefully like an angel. Her mop of blonde hair barely visible under the mountains of cloth. Stirring in her sleep, the small girl blinked her big innocent eyes awake, as if feeling that she was no longer in her mother's arms. Annoyed slightly, her green and blue gaze narrowed on her father as if she were assessing whether she felt comfortable or not in his arms.

Conclusion: She was not.

Ludwig panicked as the baby started crying and he looked up at the chuckling France for guidance. Francis opened his arms and took back his daughter. Immediately she stopped crying and snuggled into her mother's embrace. Ludwig stared in amazement.

"How do you do that …? She instantly stopped!" Ludwig breathed out quietly.

Francis smiled as he cradled his daughter, letting her play with his fingers. Her blue left eye was clear and icy like the North Wind, similar to Ludwig's. Her right emerald green eye looked like the typically Celtic emeralds of rich forests that reminded Francis of his own mother Gaul. He was often sad not to have inherited her emerald eyes like his British cousins had from their own mother. But seeing his perfect daughter, France could honestly say that she was a perfect mix of all European cultures. Her facial features showed a lot of Roman traits, taking a lot after France, and her skin was neither too pale nor tanned, but of a healthy peach colour. She was truly beautiful.

"She just needs to get used to you. It's normal. You should have seen how Alsace and Lorraine freaked out each time Prussia tried holding them when they were young. He was hopeless too! You and your brother make the perfect pair when it comes to battles but anything involving less weapons and more human touch, you are both clueless!" Francis chuckled.

Ludwig felt a rush of red dust his cheeks but he didn't mind France's teasing. It slightly annoyed him that France kept comparing him to his brother but it was always in a joking manner. Besides, the comparison often was: "you both are as useless one as the other". Nothing much to compare!

"She looks like you …" Ludwig whispered, admiring the jewel in his partner's arms.

"… She looks like both of us." Francis answered back, smiling softly and taking Ludwig's hand, guiding it to their daughter's face so that Ludwig's large hand cupped the child's small cheek.

Ludwig held his breath, scared and fascinated at the same time. He didn't want to make her cry and was glad Francis was here to help him. The small girl blinked her mismatching eyes towards the two blondes and smiled broadly, a childish giggle escaping her lips as she leaned in Ludwig's hand. Her own tiny hands kept a firm grip wrapped around Francis' fingers as if she were afraid to let go.

"See … there's still hope for you!" Francis joked and let his lover caress their daughter's cheeks.

Ludwig nodded, turning back towards the small child. She was staring back, her big ignorant eyes clueless of everything going on around her as she sucked on Ludwig's thumb, having dragged his hand to her mouth.

"She's so tiny … and so fragile … I'm scared I'll break her if I touch her."

Francis looked back at his partner softly.

"She's touching you fine and she's still not breaking. You'd be amazed at how resilient human beings can be, even from birth. Nations even more so and trust me … she is probably stronger than all of Europe together … … Actually, she is all of Europe together." Francis smiled proudly at his daughter.

"I never thought … I never would have imagined that our partnership would go this far …" Ludwig sighed happily. He was more than satisfied by this and grateful for the beautiful gift life had offered him as he looked down at both his beautiful wife and daughter. He never deserved this. He never thought there would be a day when France would give him something so precious. Francis glanced up, crossing eyes with the German and smiled.

"Me neither. But I'm glad it did." Francis spoke warmly.

"Me too." Ludwig leaned over and softly pressed his lips against Francis'.

The Child started stirring and making annoyed noises at being ignored by her parents. Her green and blue eyes seemed to scold them for ignoring her. Francis and Ludwig laughed at the small pout of the baby.

"Sorry, Europa! Your Vater was being distracting, so blame him!" Francis chuckled and saw how the girl immediately narrowed her eyes on her father, as if responding to Francis' tease. Ludwig blinked as his own newly born child was scolding him for kissing his partner.

"Can she actually understand us?"

"Well, it's possible. Nations are sometimes fully conscious and aware by birth while others only acquire this after many centuries. In little Europa's case, she seems to grasp things quickly! My daughter is the cutest and the smartest!" France complimented his daughter and started off enumerating her infinite qualities, most of which he was inventing on the spot.

Ludwig frowned for a moment before a smile stretched on his lips. To think it all began with a simple peace treaty … peace treaty … uh. That could … work.

"Elyse."

Francis looked up as he thought he heard his partner mumble but didn't catch his word.

"Did you say something?"

"Eh? Um, no! I just … Well, I just thought … We still haven't chosen a name so …?"

"Ludwig …" Francis sighed in exasperation before he narrowed a stern look on his lover. "We already talked this through, whatever ideas you have, you need to speak them up! Stop thinking you don't have a right in all this! Besides, I am not letting you out of your parental duties so that's that!" Francis smirked and waited for his laughing friend to finally tell him his idea for a name.

"Sorry … It's just so new to me and … I'm still feeling a bit undeserving of this …"

"Yeah, well get over your confidence issues because, believe it: you're a dad! So act like one!" Francis scolded the taller male while their daughter seemed to adopt the same scolding glare as the French. Both mother and child were now expectantly looking at the German who only found the scene adorable.

"Alright … I just thought we could call her … Elyse?"

France blinked, considering the name. He opened his mouth then closed it again. Then opened it again with a frown, maybe about to argue, but closed it once more. Finally he nodded with a soft expression on his face that completely melted Germany's heart.

"I like it."

Ludwig smiled happily but soon felt his smile wash up at France's next words.

"But now, we need middle names! Two of them at least!"

"Really? Do we need them?" The German ran a tired hand through his blonde mess of hair, feeling knots and grease from not having washed them in nearly three days and nights.

France shot him an outraged glare as if his words were not even conceivable.

"Of course! Everyone in France has middle names!"

"Yeah … I keep wondering why you'd need so many names …"

"It's a way to add another name maybe for a certain significance that you hope to give your child or in memory of your parents or grandparents! It's a thoughtful gesture that also gives you a history as a human being and hopes for a future! It's important!"

Ludwig stared surprised at his lover. He hadn't thought of it like that. In Germany, middle names are usually only one and given so that you do not confuse the child's gender if the first name is applicable for both males and females. It's only a practical use. He never thought that he could pass on his parent's names nor assign a meaning or hope to his child's future. That was … well, it definitely sounds like France to pick up traditions like that! And to stick to them!

"Then … what do you suggest?"

France thought for a minute before answering.

"Since Elyse can be used in both French and German, it's perfect as a first name. So, as second and third names, I suggest we each pick one. Agreed?"

Ludwig nodded before he began scrolling through his mental name list. He had spent the last 6 months learning by heart all the baby names of the books France continually leafed through. He had ended up learning them by heart as a mean to constantly think of a name for his future child. But until now, he and Francis had never agreed on a name. Elyse was indeed perfect. But as middle names … Ludwig didn't think his History was worth passing on. In fact, he wanted to erase it from his memory if he could but that would never happen. Instead, Ludwig wanted to give his child a bright new future for her to bloom and prosper, with a world of opportunities! He wanted her to become a light guiding Europe out of madness and out of hate. A guide to peace.

Ludwig tilted his head as he mentally froze on a particular name. It wasn't a very common name but it does exist in German. Though the origins of the name are not well known, they are definitely European. But, aside from that, this name reflected his hopes and prayers for his child's future.

"Guida." Ludwig opened his eyes, not remembering when he had closed them to think. He looked surprised as he saw Francis smiling at him, watching him with teasing sapphires.

"Guida? That sounds like guide." France enquired.

"Ja. I thought … As a future, I hope for Elyse to become a Guide towards peace and understanding for Europe. I hope …"

France's expression turned both serious and emotional as he nodded with an ever so fond and soft smile, looking down at little Elyse who was busy chewing on Francis' shirt.

"A guide for Europe … Elyse Guida … Alright. Then, that leaves the past for me." Francis looked up to see Ludwig nod. He expected the German not to give their daughter anything related to his own past. And France understood that Ludwig felt guilty and shameful of his past but … he didn't want Ludwig to be so negative over this. Sighing, France thought carefully of what name he was going to bless his child with. A child of hope, a guide to peace, a star among the obscure darkness of distrust, what name could possibly match such a future in a past so bloody, violent and dark?

France paused suddenly.

Well, if it's a past that could match the future as a mirror, giving Elyse both a hope but also a reminder … that is cruel. But France is not one to be nice. And cruel as it may sound, Francis only thought of the best for his precious daughter. And ignoring her past … would surely fail her future. No matter how dark her history is, if she understands and acknowledges it, then surely, she will strive towards something not he or Ludwig or any other nation could ever reach: a Better Future.

No matter how dark the past …

"Marcy."

Ludwig frowned. He didn't know that name. Francis nodded to himself, as if confirming his choice before he explained to the confused German.

"Marcel or Marcella, in French, refers to the God of War Mars and so usually means Warlike. There is also Macy, which means Weapon. And to that, I added Merci or Mercy, of which you can guess the significance but here, I'm using it in a sense of Bestow Upon Me Mercy. And finally … well, there is this man that my mother often told me about. A man who was able to end wars at the snap of his fingers. Someone so incredible that he one day disappeared without a trace. His name changed and was passed down in time, getting distorted through generations. You probably heard the Legends …"

Ludwig only listened, amazed by the depth of Francis' name finding. The Frenchman sighed as he concluded.

"Marcy. For the Wars that paint our past. For the Weapons we became, us nations. For the Understanding and Forgiving we have yet to be graced with. And for the one person, I am sure, she deserves to be named after: His original name, from what my mother told me, and she only told me his name once, was Merwich. But you probably heard of him under Merlin."

"… You're naming our daughter after a mythical magician?"

France laughed softly.

"Of course not, silly! Merlin, well, Merwich, was very real! Let me be clearer … Do you know of what origins the Gauls, the Britains, the Iberians, and to an extent even some Germanians were?"

Ludwig frowned, getting lost. He didn't know much about his own past, having suffered some odd memory loss when he was young. And either way, Prussia didn't know much either. But France was older than them both so he knew names of times older than Rome. Smiling maliciously France looked back down at his daughter and her emerald green eye.

"Merwich the Celt and only nation I know that saw its culture spread East, West, North and South of Europe. Doesn't that cover our names quite well?" Francis looked back up expectantly at his lover, waiting for his answer.

Ludwig didn't know what to reply. Marcy … that name sounded unfair considering it referred to negative aspects of War, Weapons, and Mercy from a past that child has never experienced nor is responsible for. But Ludwig understands why France chose this name. It portrays the past. Their past. A past that even offers a spark of pride in a legend that only time will ever kill. If a name could live so long, this man, this ancient nation, he must have been an amazing person yet shrouded in obscurity as the truth got buried under the myths. A name of violence, hate, and darkness. Violence of Wars. Hate of Unforgiveness. Darkness of a Past Unsure. A fitted name.

"Marcy." Ludwig nodded. Francis smiled and looked down at their daughter who was now staring up at her mother in curious wonder.

"Elyse! Elyse Marcy Guida! What do you think of your names, Europe?"

The Child blinked and laughed, completely innocent and having yet to grow up and understand the heavy meanings she was given. From her Past to her Future, with the Present to Live, Europa is born to the World like a shiny star in an uncertain dark sky of fears and doubts. Little did she know yet of the trials she would face. And it's only with a vision towards a brighter sky, that the child will grow into something ... new!


… …

"But having two family names is going to make her name huge! Elyse (Europa) Marcy Guida Bonnefoy Beildschmidt. Dealing with her administration papers with a name that long is going to be fun!" Francis groaned sarcastically, already picturing in his mind the mountain of paperwork both for France and Germany.

Ludwig didn't say anything, watching with a happy lazy grin at his newly found family while Francis was snuggling their daughter and the child laughed softly, wrapping her tiny fingers around strands of Francis' golden hair.

The future looks bright indeed. Bright as a star.


AN: This is the last chapter but I might do a short Bonus chapter in a few days. Thank you for following this story and I hope the ending is good enough. I wasn't too sure about it and that's why I hesitating a long time before uploading it. (And yes, I did do a lot of Name Research for Europa's name!)