Alfred sat at Ivan's kitchen table and happily munched on whatever Russian dish the older man had prepared. He had told Alfred the name of the yummy meal, but it hadn't been as important and was quickly forgotten.

"Do not eat so fast, Fredka. Do you even taste the food?" Ivan asked with a small smile and a raised brow.

Alfred nodded vigorously and continued to shovel the food into his mouth. Ivan couldn't help but feel a strange sense of flattery as Alfred devoured enough food to feed two men twice Alfred's size. As Ivan watched Alfred's uncivilized eating habits, he heard a knock at the door. He pushed his chair out and quickly went to answer the knocking. Upon opening the door, he was immediately greeted by two familiar faces. Arthur and Francis stood on Ivan's door step; Francis looking jaded and Arthur looking furious and panic-stricken.

"Where is he?!" Arthur asked immediately.

Ivan stepped politely moved out of the way so Arthur and Francis could enter his home and responded politely, "he is in the kitchen. Follow me," then he quickly led the men to the kitchen.

Arthur bolted across the room and latched onto the boy, clinging to him for dear life and immediately began bombarding him with concerned questions.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt? Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Arthur demanded, his eyes had gotten red around the rims with the tears he was holding back.

Francis had accompanied the good-will interrogation and was also holding onto his nephew, only Ivan wasn't sure what he was saying because he, too, was on the verge of tears (he wasn't as good at hiding it as Arthur was) and he was speaking in French.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I promise." Alfred assured and wrapped his arms around the two in a warm embrace.

The three of them sat there for a while like that. They simply held onto each other and absorbed another's warmth. Ivan couldn't help but feel awkward, as if he didn't belong in his own home. However, he suppressed the feeling for their sake. He knew how important family was…

He allowed his thoughts to drift to his sisters. He had felt like a weight had lifted off of his burdened shoulders when he had sent the letters to his sisters; he only hoped they received them in a timely manner and responded. He hadn't even realized that Francis had broken away from his husband and nephew to hug Ivan. Ivan tensed when he felt the embrace.

"You have done a wonderful thing for us, Ivan… You have no idea" He squeezed Ivan warmly (or tried to as Ivan was much bigger than Francis.) and he stepped back.

Ivan's muscles tensed, still very unaccustomed to physical contact, but he took deep breaths and allowed the French man to back away with Ivan's fist forcing him back. Francis was looking up at him with tearful eyes and he took Ivan's hands in his and looked at him with an intent stare. Ivan wanted to pull away but couldn't. Within those blue eyes was a mixture of gratitude and agony in the Frenchman's blue, red-rimmed eyes, but amongst all the pain his eyes were still warm; just like Alfred.

Ivan instantly knew that he had done what he needed to. He had made a difference. He had stopped a cycle that could have potentially destroyed Alfred and his family.

Francis gently tightened his grip on Ivan's fingers and delivered a warm smile. Ivan felt his chest tighten ever so slightly. Francis released the Russian's hands and returned to Alfred and wrapped his arms around the smiling teen. Arthur looked up and forced a smile onto his face and nodded curtly towards Ivan; no words were needed to convey his appreciation and Ivan respected that (and in all honesty preferred it over Francis' approach).

The three of them sat like that for a while longer before they all gathered themselves enough to collect Alfred's books. Francis and Alfred both hugged and thanked Ivan again then went out to the car. Arthur however, lingered in the door way. His emerald eyes were dark and his brow was creased in thought.

"Tell me everything." Arthur said, turning to face Ivan.

"I'm afraid I don't unders-"Ivan began, but Arthur cut him off.

"I need you to tell me exactly what happened. Why did Alfred finally came clean? I have to know, and not just for the custody situation, but for Francis and I. I have to know what happened." Arthur said, a dark glint was in his eyes that Ivan was sure was the Brit's court face; the expression he wore during business hours.

The Briton reached into his pocket and pulled out a card and handed it to Ivan. As Ivan took the business Arthur held onto his hand with a firm grip.

"This is my business number. Call me as soon as you can during the week days during work hours. We can either talk over the phone or set up and appointment." Arthur said, his voice was detached and all business.

Ivan nodded, trying his best to match Arthur's businesslike manner.

"I will be sure to call you." Ivan confirmed.

Arthur's features softened and he stepped away from Ivan. His eyes were no longer darkened.

"I knew I could count on you. Thank you…. For everything." Arthur said, and then left without another word.

Ivan didn't move. He stood in the middle of his living room in a trance-like state trying to decided if everything that had just happened was a dream or not. He wasn't sure how long he had stood there until he heard his phone buzz from the kitchen. He shook his head and looked at the buzzing piece of metal and plastic. On the screen there was a number flashing that he didn't recognize. Ivan opted to ignore the call. However, just as soon as the buzzing ended, it began again. Annoyed, Ivan picked up the phone only to see the same number flashing across the old, foggy screen. Frustrated, he finally answered the phone.

"Hello. This Ivan Braginski, who is this?" Ivan said, trying to keep the agitation out of his voice.

"Hello…? Brother?"

Hello my lovely readers and reviewers! Have you missed me?

Thanks to all of you who sent me reviews and concerns about the craziness of my life over the past few weeks. Things are going a bit smother now and I'll have time to update on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Speaking of updating, this story only has a few more left. Over the weeks I think I figured out how I'm going to end this sucker! I'm so excited that I followed this through to the end and I would have never have been able to do it if it wasn't for all of you.

I can't thank you enough.

~Germerica