"Just take deep breaths, Elizabeta." Gilbert sat holding the woman's hand in his own. They had found her on her the floor and carried her to her bed.
"We have to go get Roderick," Arthur said. "I'll go, I brought a horse." Vash said. "I'll go too," Germany said. "Me too, you will need help carrying all the stuff he brought along," Arthur said. The three saddled up and left quickly to look for him.
The rest looked into the room. Elizabeta was breathing heavily and seemed to be in so much pain. "What are we going to do?" Alfred asked.
"Obviously we wait. One of us has to get the doctor, it could be the baby," Antonio said. "I will go, and I'll take Feliciano with me," Francis said picking up his coat. "Why him?" Lovino asked not sure. "Because he knows where the doctor is, we don't," he replied as he quickly pulled Feliciano away.
Francis quickly helped Feliciano onto the horse's back before hoping on. The younger held onto him as they began to ride. It was beginning to grow cold. The horse began to run and Feliciano pointed in the direction to go.
Inside Elizabeta held tightly onto Gilbert's hand. The pain was excruciating and she could feel the baby coming. "Gilbert the baby," she choked out in pain. "Elizabeta can't you wait for the doctor?" Gilbert panicked. "Fucking hell Gilbert if I could I would!" She snapped.
Gilbert felt himself panic more. "Shieße. Antonio!" Antonio ran inside with Lovino and Alfred following. "Help. I don't know what to do!" Gilbert yelled before Elizabeta let out a pained groan. "You're going have to let me see." Antonio said as he stood at the end of the bed. Elizabeta nodded and allowed Antonio to look. They all watched as Antonio inspected and turned pale. "She's crowning," he said and Lovino took a peak. He indeed could see that the doctor wasn't going to make it. "We have to deliver the baby," he said and the rest felt their stomachs turn.
"I have never delivered a baby before," Antonio said. "Yeah dude, I don't think I can stomach that," Alfred also said. Elizabeta groaned again and Gilbert held her hand tighter. He hated to see her this way. "We have to try," Lovino said and pulled his sleeves up. "Is that okay with you Elizabeta?" He asked her. "Let's just hurry this up!" She said before her face contorted into pain again.
"Okay Alfred go stay with Lily and ask Matthieu to heat up some water," Lovino said and Alfred ran out the room. "Antonio bring in more sheets and a blanket to wrap the baby." Antonio ran to get the blankets. Lovino looked up at Gilbert who sat beside Elizabeta. He looked as if he was the expecting father. He shook his head and Matthieu came in with a small bucket and cloth. "I'm heating up more, but I thought this would help you relax," he said wringing out the cloth and placing it over her head.
Lovino checked her again and felt his stomach turn. It was disturbing to see but they didn't have a choice. He paled slightly and could feel vomit coming up. Antonio ran in with blankets and gloves. "Here, good luck," he said giving the gloves to his henchman. Lovino swallowed and took them. "Okay Antonio you're going to hold onto Elizabeta just in case she tries to hit me, Matthieu you're going to clean the baby," he said and they got into position.
"It's okay, just take deep breaths it'll be over soon," Gilbert said as he held tightly onto her hand. He placed gentle kisses on it as she groaned in pain.
"Okay I can see it, push when I tell you too," Lovino said as he got prepared. Matthieu came back with the tub of warm water and stood by Lovino with towels in hand. "Okay push."
"It's just down that road!" Feliciano said and they headed towards the small home. They quickly got off and ran to the door. They knocked loudly and the door was pulled open. "Yes?" A blonde woman stood there. "Where's the doctor?" Francis asked. "Oh. Ned!" She yelled into the house and a young man came to the door. "You need to come right away. There's a young woman who is about to give birth," Feliciano said and the doctor nodded. He went into the house and got a bag and a coat. "Are you coming Bella?" He asked and the woman nodded. She grabbed a coat and they rushed out the house. They got onto their horses and rushed back.
Elizabeta's screams could be heard throughout the house. Alfred laughed nervously in a separate room. "Are you nervous Mr. Alfred?" Lily asked. The young 12 year old sat calmly as she weaved the flowers together into a crown. "Yeah, it just sounds so painful." "Well, she is having a baby." Alfred sighed. It had been 20 minutes and he could still hear screaming.
Gilbert was now paler than ever and he could swear all blood circulation in his hand stopped. He looked nervously over at Antonio who held onto one of her legs not daring to look. Matthieu stood silently beside Lovino, who looked so concentrated and calm. Who knew the two kids in the room would be the ones calm during this. When had they become so mature? Matthieu had been helping Elizabeta with her breathing and Lovino told her to push. Gilbert had his hand nearly torn off and Antonio was there to hold onto Elizabeta.
"Just one more," Lovino said making everyone anxious. Matthieu was now ready and Lovino looked ready to pass out. Gilbert pulled Elizabeta closer and he now held onto her torso tightly. He watched her in pain before she began to slowly relax. He looked at Lovino who picked something up and smiled softly as a cry came out. Matthieu took it from his arms. "It's a girl."
Lovino continued to work while Matthieu moved the baby towards the tub of now warm water. Gilbert relaxed and placed a soft kiss onto her head as she smiled and relaxed into Gilbert's embrace. "Congratulations," Antonio said smiling at the two before taking all the bloodied sheets away. Lovino fell back onto a chair as Matthieu quickly cleaned the blood off the baby.
He wrapped her into a blanket and passed her to Elizabeta. "Congratulations on your daughter he said before joining Lovino. The two smiled at each other before a group burst in through the door.
Two blondes rushed in with Feliciano following after. The man looked over in shock at the two on the bed with the baby before looking at the two boys. "Oh my," the woman said walking over to Elizabeta. The doctor began a check up of Elizabeta while Bella took the baby and examined her.
"Did you boys deliver the baby?" He asked the two who stood awkwardly in the corner. "Yes, Lovino did," Matthieu replied quietly. "Well looks like you two did a good job. She could have lost the baby without a proper help," he said before turning back. "Are you the father?" He asked Gilbert who sat beside Elizabeta. "No, I'm her cousin-in-law. The father went to the next town earlier, he should be back soon," Gilbert replied and the doctor nodded.
Bella held the baby close and rocked her gently as Elizabeta was inspected. Antonio could see her from behind the door and watched her with interest. Ned took the boys outside and Bella followed giving the baby to the two. Ned asked them questions and wrote out a birth certificate.
"Hola, are you a nurse?" Antonio asked the blonde. She looked at him surprised before smiling. "No, I'm just his sister," she replied and he nodded. "Hey are you seeing anyone?" Antonio asked. "Why do you ask?" "I just wanted to know, maybe we could get together sometime and get some coffee. I'm here for two weeks and I think you're beautiful," Antonio said. Bella smiled. "Okay, how about Thursday?" Antonio nodded and looked over at his henchman in victory. Ned was glaring at him harshly and Lovino was scowling. He laughed nervously and Ned handed the certificate to Lovino before leaving with his sister.
Lovino moved to take the paper to Elizabeta but stopped. Through the crack in the door he could see Gilbert embracing her lovingly as she held her daughter tightly. He was... smiling as if it was their child. He sighed. He was hopeless and he felt pity over him. He turned back to join the group.
"Fratello you delivered the baby?" Feliciano asked excitedly. "Si, it was all Lovi," Antonio said proudly. "Wow fratello you are so cool!" Feliciano said hugging his brother. Lovino smiled softly before pushing his brother away. "No bastard I'm still mad at you," he said. "And I feel gross so I'm going to shower. Hopefully I can wash the trauma away," he said walking away.
Alfred sat with the rest still shaky from only hearing. "You didn't see it and you're traumatized? How do you think I feel eh?" Matthieu said watching his brother fidget as Lily served them tea. "What did Mrs. Elizabeta have?" She asked. "A girl," Matthieu replied. "We should take the baby and let her rest," Francis suggested. "I think we should let Gil and Elizabeta have a bit longer first," Antonio said with a wink. The rest nodded.
The other three were now searching frantically in the next town. It was getting late and they couldn't find the man anywhere. "Bloody hell where is he?" Arthur said irritated. The other two German cousins searched through the crowds. "There," Vash said before running off. The other two followed before spotting the man in a restaurant. They ran inside and Roderick's eyes widened when seeing them. "You need to go home now," Ludwig said pulling him up.
"What is the meaning of this?" Roderick asked. "Your wife collapsed today and may give birth soon," Arthur said as Roderick left money on the table and followed them out. They went to Roderick's hotel room and began to pack all his things. "What is all this?" Ludwig asked as they tied everything to the horses. "Obviously stuff for the baby," Roderick said jumping onto his own horse. They began to head back quickly.
Gilbert lightly stroked Elizabeta's hair and looked at his niece. She was so tiny and beautiful, just like her mother. He looked at Elizabeta who looked tired and happy. "Here, get some rest. I'll watch her," Gilbert said picking her up gently. She nodded and gave her to Gilbert. "Oh, what's her name?" Gilbert asked from the doorway. Elizabeta thought for a second. "Rosaline."
Gilbert nodded and left with the baby in hand. He closed the door and went to sit with the group. Everyone quickly surrounded him and looked at the baby. The baby stirred and opened her eyes. "Hey little one, it's me. It's uncle Gilbert!" He said as the baby stared at him. She began to smile at him and he let out a soft laugh. "Gilbert I want to hold my niece!" Feliciano whined. "I do too! And Lovi will too when he comes out the shower," Antonio said. Gilbert looked at Lily who sat and watched them. "How about you Lily?" Lily smiled and nodded. She sat beside Gilbert and he gently placed the baby in her arms.
She smiled and cooed at the little girl. "What's her name?" She asked. "Rosaline," Gilbert replied. "She named my baby Rosaline?" They all turned to see Lovino with his pajamas and wet hair. "Your baby?" Alfred asked confused. "Yes my baby, I delivered her no? So I'm going to be her godfather." Lovino said looking at the small baby. "Lovino I don't think that's your choice, besides we don't know if their religion is the same as ours," Antonio said. "Yeah besides I want to be her godfather," Feliciano whined. "I live here anyways!"
"Yeah but you're more like her step-brother," Lovino pointed out. "But you're brothers too so wouldn't that make you her brother too?" Alfred asked. "...I called it first so whatever bastards," Lovino said crossing his arms. The baby began to cry and Lily handed her to Lovino. Lovino shifted awkwardly and with the help of Antonio held her correctly. "Have you even ever-" "No, I haven't actually." Lovino interrupted Feliciano with a scowl. He was never around babies so he had never held one before. Everything was new to him actually. The closest he had to holding a baby was holding Alfred 11 years ago and he wasn't even a baby. Lovino sighed as the baby continued to cry and let Antonio take her. "Maybe she's hungry," he said and began to walk around with her. "Elizabeta is resting though," Francis said. "Well the baby has to eat," Feliciano said. They nodded and gave the baby to Feliciano who went into the room and gave the baby to Elizabeta.
The rest waited in the living room and as the room became quiet they all drifted to sleep. The sun was rising when the next group went into the house. Everyone woke up from their uncomfortable positions and looked up. Roderick didn't stop to look at them and walked straight into the room. "What happened?" Arthur asked. "She had a girl." They all murmured before shifting back to sleep. The other three sighed and sat in exhaustion.
Roderick opened the door and found Feliciano awake holding the small baby in his arms while Elizabeta was asleep. He gently sat on the bed and woke up his wife. "Roderick, you're home." She said sleepily sitting up. "Yes, lay down it's okay. You need to rest," he said and she nodded laying back down. Feliciano handed him his daughter to see her. "Her name is Rosaline," she said and smiled at her husband. He looked in awe at his daughter. She looked just like him. "Why don't you go sleep Feliciano?" Roderick said and Feliciano nodded before leaving the new parents alone.
He sat beside Ludwig and leaned against him.
It was the afternoon when Lovino woke up. He turned and could see his brother snuggling with the sleeping German. He sighed and pulled a blanket over the two before doing the same for Antonio. He could smell coffee and he made his way into the kitchen to see Francis, the twins, and Gilbert seated awake. He sat down too with a groan and placed his head onto the table. "Gilbert," a voice made them all look up. Roderick stood awkwardly beside the table. "Can you help me set up the crib?" They all blinked as he fidgeted slightly.
"You don't know how?" Alfred asked. "No, I don't do that kind of work," Roderick replied. "I'll do it, no problem." Alfred stood and Gilbert followed. He hadn't had the chance to really talk to the teen so he figured now would be a good chance. "What about the rest of the baby room?" Francis asked. "Oh, I'm working on it," he replied and Lovino sighed. "We'll help," Matthieu said nudging Lovino. Lovino nodded and Roderick smiled. "Thank you. I still need to paint it." He said.
They walked outside and found Gilbert and Alfred already getting the pieces together. They took the bucket of paint and made their way inside lazily.
They were painting quietly when Feliciano walked in. "You're painting? Can I help?" Feliciano asked excitedly. "Sure bastard," Lovino replied not bothering to look. "Let's play some music!" Feliciano said and rushed to bring in the old record player. He turned it on and they listened to the music while painting.
Outside Ludwig had joined the other two and they were almost done. "Man if Lovino was here it would be the old group," Gilbert said. "Ja, he doesn't like me though," Ludwig said. He frowned slightly. "I'm sure it's not that dude. He's just mad about his brother giving you more attention," Alfred said putting the last piece. "There we go. Now we paint it." Alfred took the bucket of paint and gave them each a brush. "Ja. Don't worry Ludwig, Lovino just grew up differently." Gilbert said painting the crib. The crib was white and Gilbert had painted a small yellow chick onto it when they were done.
"That bird sure brings memories," Alfred said. He smiled. He missed being young and playing with all the kids. Now they hardly talked. Things had gone so different than he hoped. They made their way to the kitchen where Francis was finishing breakfast.
"Alfred can you call the boys down for breakfast?" He said and Alfred made his way upstairs. He could hear stomping and music so he rushed over. When he looked inside he could see the three of them dancing happily with the music playing. "Come dance, Al" Lovino pulled him into the dance while Feliciano swung Matthieu around. They danced happily until they could hear a shutter sound. They all turned to see Gilbert and Antonio at the door way with a camera. "Que Lindos. But I thought we were dance partners Lovi!" Antonio said with a pout. "Come on breakfast, hurry up my birdies!" Gilbert said running down the stairs. The rest ran after him making their way down the kitchen where the rest sat.