Epilogue
"Last one." You wiped the perspiration from your brow. Carefully, you had just finished packing the dishwasher with all of the breakfast dishes, and now… You pressed the start button and phewed loudly.
"I think coffee sounds great right now…" you smiled and turned the coffee maker on. Wiping your hands on your jeans, you hummed to yourself as you walked to the living room, grinning widely as you reached down petting Aster.
"Hallo Aster….ja, you're a good dog." Berlitz and the others were playing outside, which was a relief to you.
Slowly, you reclined on the couch, eyes closing. Your fingers rubbed over your knuckles, pausing at
the band of gold metal and a diamond on it. Smiling, you went back to that special day, the day…when your German had proposed.
~~~/\~~~
"Oh the flowers along this walk are so pretty! Look at the lilies!" You had smiled, pulling one to you so you could smell it.
Germany had shaken his head smirking, "It's a flower, _. Not something to get excited about." Surprisingly, Ludwig had suggested a small field trip for the two of you. You both had immediately agreed on a time, and here you were, walking among flowers.
You had mocked pouted. "What? You don't like my flower? It's beautiful! Smell it Ludwig!"
"Nein, nein, I'm fein."
"Oh allright Mr. I'm-Not-Smelling-The-Flower-Because-I'll-Look-Stupid." You had thrown back the flower and had rolled your eyes.
"Hey! I never said that!" He had gently pushed into you.
"Well I did." You had pushed back, smirking. "This is very nice…I like this."
"You do? Good. Hey…look, there's a gazebo…" He had slyly pointed to an old white gazebo that sat beside the lake. "Want to go explore?"
"YEAH!" You had smiled, tugging him with so much energy towards it. "Look how old it is! It's so cute!"
"Ja it is." He walked out to the part that faced the water and sighed, gathering up courage to ask the question that would change his life forever. "_?" He had asked, not looking over at you.
"Yes?" You sidled up next to him, smiling. "What is it?"
"How long…have we been together?"
"Four years, five months, two weeks, and three days."
The corners of his mouth tugged up slightly. "Ah….Could I ask you something?"
"Sure." You smiled, looking over at him.
Germany swallowed, and grabbed your hand. "_." His calloused hands enveloped yours, and he knelt down
on one knee. "_, I want you to marry me. You….you're the most beautiful girl, inside and out, that I've ever known." He looked down, gathered courage, and continued. "Before I met you, I was unhappy, angry, just miserable… and you turned my life upside-down." His blue eyes met yours, and he said softly, "I need you beside me…for as long as I live. If you say no to my proposal, I want you to be by me forever and always, and never leave. I need you like we need air to breathe….I need you even more than my beer or my wurst. I need you like….like summer needs rain. I need you. I love you. I love you….like I have never loved before. Please…be my wife, _. Marry me."
You squealed and tackled him, passionately kissing his lips. "YEEEES! JA JA JA!"
And for that one special occasion, Ludwig, your German fiancée, had just smiled.
~~~/\~~~
Grinning, you sighed, as you could almost feel the day from the past. The warm afternoon sun, the smell of the lake, the smell of the flowers… abruptly the dryer beeped, signaling you that your short break was over. "Back to work." You chuckled, standing up slowly.
Humming, you gathered up the laundry, and laid it out on the couch, beginning to fold, as you remembered back to the past….
~~~/\~~~
"Why do I, the awesome one, have to wear this unawesome itchy tie?" Prussia had grumbled, fussing with the tie on his tuxedo.
"Would you like some help?" His brother had hissed back, unable to help because he was in the middle of a tailoring.
"Nein," Gilbirt whined. "Your help is unawesome. I'm going to ask _ for her help!"
"Fein." Ludwig sighed, as he had held out his arm for the tailor.
"SCHWESTER!" The albino had sung loudly, dancing in a circle.
"Hallo, good to see you too. Oh, you look so handsome!" You smiled. He did indeed, when
he wore his absolute best. "Very handsome, you just might win over Elizaveta with that!" You had giggled.
"Ja, in his desperate dreams…" Hungary had snorted, rolling her eyes.
"How is this?" Spain danced out as well, looking very attractive in his tuxedo.
"Guapo Espana. Muy guapo.." You had smiled and hugged him. "You'll win the heart of every lady in the room!"
Antonio had giggled, "How silly, _."
Ludwig had coughed, clearing his throat. "_?"
You had turned, and had been captivated. "Oh Ludwig…" He looked so handsome. Slicked back blonde hair as usual, his pert blue eyes flashing, his strong form not concealed in the fabric of the tuxedo, and spit-polished shoes. "You're so handsome, love."
He blushed and looked away, not used to it. "Danke. Does it work?"
"I think so." You had smiled and had kissed his cheek. "You look too handsome to not marry."
~~~/\~~~
Your face was plastered with a dreamy grin. "Oh and the wedding!"
~~~/\~~~
"It's time, _!"
"Okay!" You had swallowed nervously. Now was the moment…the moment you had been waiting all your life for. The moment you were joined together with the man you loved, Ludwig. Quickly, you had shoved on your white heels, and had gripped your bouquet with sweaty hands. "How do I look?"
"Gorgeous, _. Here, let me put on the veil…." Hungary hurriedly put the veil in place without damaging your hair or makeup.
"Look at me, I'm crying and it's my wedding!" You had sighed, wiping your eyes.
"Why there's nothing to cry about! Nothing at all! Hurry, there's the music!" She had waved and had run off to go change to get into her position. Swiftly, you had clicked on your heels all the way to where Italy had been waiting to escort you down the aisle.
"Ready, _?"
"Oh I hope I don't trip!"
"You wont! Just keept walking." He had whispered in your ear, and then you had started to walk. Slowly, your eyes had taken in everything: the lights, the instruments, the parson, the decorations that everyone had slaved over, all the countries sitting in the pews grinning from ear to ear at the happy thing that was about to take place, Japan, Prussia, and Spain lined up on the left, and Liechtenstein, Hungary, and Belgium on the right. But most important, there had been Ludwig. Ludwig was the handsomest groom that you had ever seen.
His blue eyes lit up, and an exceedingly rare smile crept on his face. "You're beautiful, liebe."
You blushed and smiled, taking your place beside him. His strong calloused hands covered yours and he waited,
his talented fingers gently massaging your hands. He cleared his throat, and did as the parson instructed.
"I, Ludwig, take you, _, to be my wife. To have and to hold, to cherish, provide, and protect, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."
"I…_ _ take you Ludwig, to be my husband…to have and to hold, to cherish and submit, serve, and support,
in sickness and health, till death do us part."
~~~/\~~~
"The best part…." You smiled heaving the heavy laundry basket away from the washer. "…I need to do the whites…" You slowly walked into your bedroom, and with some effort, heaved the whites into your laundry basket. Suddenly a cry from the backyard made you drop the basket.
All of the dogs were barking hysterically, scaring you and apparently the boy who came up and hugged your pant leg. "Mutti!" He wailed.
"What is it baby?" You scooped up the frightened two year old, and cuddled him close, as you sat on your bed. He hiccupped, and wiped his tears on your shoulder, clutching you tightly. "Did you get hurt sweetheart? Let Mutti see it, Otto Vilhem."
He sniffled again, and pulled up his shorts, displaying a skinned knee. "Mutti! It hurts!" Your son sobbed, wiping his eyes. Gently, you shushed him, quickly leaving and returning with a Band-Aid and some peroxide to clean it.
You dabbed some on a cottonball, and softly dabbed it. His blue eyes watered, and he howled in pain. "I know sweetheart." You blew on it to help ease the pain, then placed the band-aid on, kissing his knee. "All better?"
"Ja." He grinned, relieved the torture was over. "Can I play now, Mutti? You play too!"
You chuckled, and ruffled his blonde hair. "What are you playing?" Your eyes fondly gazed at your little man. He was an identical replica of his father: the blonde hair, blue eyes, same nose, same face, same build, but Otto had your smile and your vivacious look on life.
"Blackie und me playin' soldier! Und Berlitz got capshured!" He demonstrated with hand motions. "And we beat 'em at the bridge! Und Vatti said when he come home, he'll play with me!"
"I'm sure he will, Vatti always keeps his promises." You kissed his head. "Go play for a little while, and when I call for supper, you come in, ja?"
"Ja! I will!" He jumped off the bed and ran outside, not caring that he nearly bumped into the dining room table.
Sighing, you stood slowly and grabbed the basket that fell on the floor. "I'll wash them later….I'm too tired…
Oh, supper. Let's see…." You strolled into the kitchen, debating what supper was going to be. "Ludwig said he was going to bring home the lettuce…"
Subsequently, almost as if on cue, the door opened, to reveal your husband carrying a grocery bag. "Vatti's home!"
"VATTI!" Otto tore into the room, jumping his daddy. "Vatti you're home! Gut! You come und play with me und Blackie and Berlitz?" The little man tugged on Germany's jacket. You smiled, leaning against the doorframe, watching your men together.
Ludwig scooped up his son and nodded. "Ja Ja, I will! Let me go help Mutti first, then I'll come and play with you, okay?"
"Ja!" Otto squirmed down and giddily scurried off to the garden, dogs barking and chasing him.
"He was so excited to have you play with him. You're a hit with your son." You smiled, walking over to him.
"He's a gut little boy…the real question is, am I a hit with his mother?" Lud walked over, hugging you.
"I'd say so." You pulled him down by his tie and kissed him. "Welcome home."
He gladly kissed back, and parted. "Danke, liebe." He kissed your head sweetly and pulled out the lettuce. "I brought it home. How are you feeling?"
"Thank you Ludwig." You retrieved it and walked to the kitchen. "I'm feeling fine, perfectly fine."
"…Allright…I'm going to go play with Otto…"
"Don't forget, Japan and Italy are coming over for supper." You reminded, washing the lettuce.
He nodded. "Ja, I remember." Slowly, Germany walked toward the back door, but he turned around at the last moment. "I'll be outside…if you know..if it happens.."
You laughed. "If anything changes I'll come and get you. Though I doubt anything going's happen. The baby's only three months old, liebe."
"…..Gut." He nodded and stepped out to go play army with his boy.
~~~/\~~~
"Ve~ Ciao, _! How are you feeling?" Italy sat down beside Japan and Otto.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking. Would you like some more potatoes?"
"No, I'm good!" He smiled and started to eat.
Germany was talking to Japan about various training ideas while Otto poked your elbow. "Mutti?"
"Hmm baby?"
He pushed the plate towards you, in hopes that you'd help him cut up his sausage. "Bitte?"
You smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"So, _, have you decided a name?"
"A name?" You looked over at Italy, puzzled.
"Si! A name for your new baby!"
"Oh! Well, no not yet, we're still getting over the shock." Laughing, you slid the meat back over to Otto, who was
under the table, peering at the dogs.
Germany shook his head. "We don't know if it's a boy or girl, dummkoph." You elbowed him roughly, shooting him a look. "But, we'll let you know what it is as soon as we know, allright?"
"Ve~ Allright! That means I get to be the godfather again?"
"You and Japan get to be the godfathers."
Ludwig sighed and finished his plate. There's no way I'm letting him near my family…. "_, I'll get the dessert, you rest."
"All right." You smiled.
"Mutti, I'm done!" Otto announced, throwing up his hands.
"Let me see your plate…Nein, Otto. Sweetheart, you need to finish your potatoes."
"I don't like them!" He protested. "I want the cake!"
"Ve~ It's not that hard! I eat Germany's potato every day! They're not that bad, si?"
"Nein! I don't like them!" He crossed his arms.
"Mutti said eat them, so you eat them." Ludwig's stern voice rebuked. Otto sighed, and nodded. "Ja sir…" he pouted and finished his food.
"This cake is very good, _." Kiku commented quietly, chewing on a small bite.
"Si, it's good! I love it! Can I live here too?!"
"Nein!" That earned him a look and a firm elbow to the stomach. "Nein….umm..we have no extra room, Italy. I'm sorry."
"Perhaps later, when H.R.E. can come too? How is she by the way?"
"Oh, she's fine! She's going to come and visit, and bring the baby too! I miss her…" His amber eyes faded in vitality.
"I'm sorry." You said, reaching across the table to pat his arm. "Don't worry though, you'll get to see your baby girl soon, and Stefanya will jump into her daddy's arms and hug him until doom comes."
"Si, she will!"
Japan stretched. "I believe it is time for us to go. Thank you for the meal, Germany and _. Goodbye." Although it took some effort, Kiku managed to drag Italy out of your house.
~~~/\~~~
Sighing, the three of you retired to the living room: Otto playing with the dogs and Germany holding you closely,
keeping a close eye on you, Otto, and the baby yet to come. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine! I wish you'd stop worrying." Softly, you curled into him, loving the feel of his warmth and protection. "Though it makes me feel special."
"You are special, liebe." Germany leaned over, and kissed your head. "And I want you to tell me everything
and anything." He held up the ringed hand which signaled that you were taken. "You're mein sweetheart. Ich liebe dich." Sweetly, he kissed the knuckles, squeezing your hand gently.
"I love you too, Ludwig." Smiling, you kissed his cheek. The grandfather clock interrupted your husband/wife bonding time, so reluctantly, you stood. "Otto, time for bed."
While your son protested, your handsome husband stood and shook his head. "Nein, I'll do it. Wait for me? And don't fall asleep."
"Yes sir." You saluted, smiling as you watched the two men you loved most go off into Otto's bedroom.
Occasionally laughter and giggles peeped out, but for the most part it was quiet. Ludwig came back, smirking. "Ready?" he whispered.
"Ready? For what?" you whispered back.
"For our dance." He gently pulled you up, cupped your waist with one big hand, and held your hand with the other. You grinned as you remembered your very first dance a long time ago...where he had gotten angry... your mind traveled back as you remembered your first kiss...when he had told you he loved you...and now, here you were in your lover's arms. Slowly, you swayed back and forth, occasionally twirling, but for the most part swaying like in a ballroom. You placed your head on his chest, feeling secured and warm. "Ludwig…..will it always be like this?"
"As long as I live, I vow it will always be like this." He tilted up your chin, and laid his mouth on yours in a
sweet fiery passion that warmed your soul. "It will always be like this, liebe."
"Good." You kissed him back lovingly, and laid your head against his chest. Man, how you loved your life...it was...perfect.
LA FLUFF IS DONE :D Let me know what you thought of the whole series, ja? Sorry for crappiness/OOCness DX