Vegas 25

Matthew reached for the knob to change the station when the news update came on the radio. He stopped, however, when he caught the tail end of what the announcer was saying.

"...that less Americans are in favor of the dual democracy than initially were. Approval was down to 58%. Of those polled who originally approved but changed their minds, 75% stated it was because they were afraid America was giving up its sovereignty. As the official documents are reaching the final stages of their drafting, officials in the White House and Congress have begun a campaign to educate citizens about the program, including assurances that they will not lose any sovereignty..."

Matthew frowned and turned off the radio. Was Alfred not as happy about this marriage than he seemed to be? He had seemed happy about everything they had been doing to plan it. He was involved in every decision. He had even reluctantly admitted that the bridal shower had been a lot of fun. If Alfred wasn't happy, he would be loud and obnoxious about it like he always was, wouldn't he? He sighed as he pulled into the driveway and headed inside. He was just going to make himself paranoid thinking about it like that.

He walked inside, closing the door beside him quietly before heading to the kitchen. He stopped outside the kitchen as he heard Alfred's voice. Was he on the phone with someone?

"...can't, I'm sorry, Ivan. It's not that easy. I can't just do that whenever I feel like it anymore. I'm marrying Mattie...You know it's different from a regular alliance...I know we're not married yet." Matthew frowned as he listened. What were they talking about? He shook his head and called out.

"Hey Al! I'm home! Did you eat dinner yet?" He walked out into the kitchen. Alfred looked over and smiled, and Matthew wondered if it was a practiced comfort, or if he really had nothing to be guilty about.

"Hey Mattie! No, I was about to make something though. Just give me a sec, okay?" He motioned to the phone he was holding. "It's Ivan. Want say anything?" Matthew scowled and shook his head.

"No. Instead of making something, let's go out for dinner tonight. I'm starving. We can even go to McDonald's, if you want." Matthew smiled a bit as Alfred's smile brightened more than it already was.

"Sounds great!" He turned his attention back to the phone. "Sorry, Mattie came home. Hey look, I have to get going. The game is tomorrow, so I'll come get Alaska Friday. I'll come early and we can get lunch, okay? No, don't wake him up from his nap. Just tell him that Daddy misses him. Thanks. See you on Friday!"

Alfred hung up the phone and walked over to Matthew, scooping him up in a bear hug. Matthew just smiled, despite feeling his bones cracking.

"What were you talking to Ivan about?" Alfred kissed him lightly before setting him down again.

"Oh, I called him to tell him I wanted Alaska back." Matthew frowned. Was he hiding what they were talking about? Just what was going to happen on Friday, then?

"It has been quiet here without the kids around, eh. Nunavut said she was getting lonely, so British Columbia took her to visit Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for a few days."

Alfred nodded as he walked out to the living room, sitting on the sofa while he pulled on his sneakers.

"Hey, why don't you come to Russia with me on Friday?" Matthew followed him out and smiled.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to interrupt family time." Alfred looked over at him with a raised brow for a moment. He tugged on his other shoe and walked over, moving his arms around Matthew again.

"How could you be interrupting it? You are my family, Mattie." Matthew felt his cheeks warm as Alfred kissed his forehead lightly. "It wouldn't be family time without you there. Now, let's go. You're buying me hamburgers."

As they walked out to the car, Matthew shook his head. This was exactly what he meant by getting paranoid.