This is the end of the book! We've come so far, from October 20th to now, January 8th. The epilogue is going up on Sunday! So you'll get one last glimpse at our awesome couple. As for the options for "next story to read" once I finish the sequel (which will be short, most likely), option d is becoming popular (Fem!Prussia x 2p!Canada).

Okay so two songs are mentioned and I want you to play them as you read that part! The first is "A Thousand Years" cover by ThePianoGuys (YouTube) and the second is "Wedding Dance" by Tchaikovsky. (Go to Google, type "wedding dance Tchaikovsky", and go to grooveshark. com link (first page of Google, 4th link down)). Have those tabs open at the ready!

Btw lots of OCs.

~Awesome Maple

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 26

Two Years Later…

"Hey Mattie," Gilbert called his now two-year boyfriend on his mobile phone, "can you come over to the station? In like, thirty to forty five minutes?"

"How come, Gil?" Matt inquired, and Gilbert swallowed nervously, "It's a surprise."

"Sure," Gilbert could imagine Matt nodding on the other side. They bid goodbye.

"I'm so nervous," Gilbert confessed, for the fiftieth time that day as he fiddled with his purple tie. Romano, Mathias, Lukas, and basically the whole the station were down in the main entrance. That is, everybody except the people working with 911 calls. It was amazing he had this much support.

"You'll be fine," Romano slapped Gilbert's hands away from his tie friend's half-heartedly. Lars was standing by with Sakura and a now three-year old Kaatje.

"Trust me," Lars patted Gilbert's shoulder, "Matt will like it."

"You sure?" Gilbert asked, his hands going back to his tie, and Mathias shoved flowers into Gilbert's hand to stop his nervous fiddling.

"I'm his best friend, of course I'm sure!" Lars grinned. He was about to say something else, but suddenly, Lukas, who was 'on guard' at the door said loudly the words Gilbert did not want to hear.

"He's here!"

Everybody immediately scrambled out of sight. Matt was early! It was expected though. Matt was always early. Gilbert stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, sweating, and hoped his sweat marks wouldn't be visible through his suit. A white handkerchief was thrown from behind him, and he mopped the sweat off his brow before chucking it back to the source with a muttered thank you. An Australian "you're welcome, mate!" replied. The lights went out as Matt approached the building. A Thousand Years cover by ThePianoGuys began to play softly in the background, setting the mood.

Gilbert knew there was a sign outside that said, 'Matt' and pointed to the door. There were fairy lights that suddenly light the doorframe (thanks to Feliciana—it was her idea. I mean, she is an art teacher) and although Matt couldn't see Gilbert, Gilbert could see Matt in the dim light. It was dark outside.

Matt stepped into the pitch black entrance and again, fairy lights suddenly lit up, making the entrance glow. Matt looked around himself in awe before he saw his boyfriend in a suit and tie, one that he had ironed just the night before. Matt walked forward, ready to drill Gilbert with questions, before Gilbert put a finger to his boyfriend's soft lips, which he had gotten to know so well over the years, and cleared his throat.

"Matt," his voice wavered, and he cleared his voice again, "exactly four years ago, I met you here, in this front entrance." He checked Matt's reaction. His eyes were wide and showed a hint of confusion.

"I still remember the sour look you gave me," Gilbert continued with a grin, now confident, "and I spent an amazing year with you, learning how to be a paramedic and then teaching you to become a great cop.

I hit a dark patch in my life when I drifted away from you for nearly an entire year. But then, in my lowest moment, you found me again, and I finally realized how much I really loved you all along. You never left my heart, Matt, even though I had denied it for a long time. I finally came to my senses and realized, after these two years, that you were the one."

Now, the big moment finally arrived.

Matt watched incredulously as Gilbert dropped to one knee. His eyes started to water. He blinked rapidly and stifled a nervous giggle as Gilbert fiddled and nearly dropped the box. Matt could see Gilbert shaking. His boyfriend tried to speak, and swallowed nervously.

"Matt," Gilbert finally spat out, opening the box, "will you marry me?"

Matt looked in Gilbert's eyes and watched as Gilbert tried to control his breathing and saw Gilbert probably think that this was a bad choice and that he would be rejected. Did he want to spend the rest of his life with this goof, this amazing man? Moments passed and Matt could see an inner battle in Gilbert's wide eyes, as he was trying to refrain from talking, or maybe take it back. Did he want to spend the rest of his life… Happy?

"Yes," Matt nodded. Gilbert let out a huge sigh of relief and with dexterity put the ring on Matt's finger and let Matt put the matching silver ring onto his finger.

There were three small blue, white and red gems in the middle and around it were the heart rate line thingies—it suddenly dawned on Matt that the red, white and blue represented the police and the heart beat lines represented paramedics. These were the symbols that marked how they met.

"A+ in symbolism Gilbert," Matt chuckled, and Gilbert laughed along.

Suddenly, almost every person working in the station rushed out from hidden places, taking Matt by surprise: behind waiting benches, from behind the walls, to behind plants—they swarmed them and mini fireworks went off and they were thrown into the air, drowning out the song. Matt saw Lars in the background and the two exchanged a grin.

That night, Matt got the guts to call his parents.

Three rings, and then, "Hello?" Matt set it to speaker phone.

"Hey papa, it's Matt," Matt greeted his father over the phone.

"Matthieu? Is that really you? How are you?"

"I'm... I'm great. I have some big news."

"Big news? Do tell me,"

"I'm getting married."

"What?" Francis asked in disbelief, "Alice, chérie, Mathieu is getting married! Who is the lucky Mademoiselle?"

"Actually," Matt held Gilbert's hand, "I'm marrying Gilbert."

"Quoi? Gilbert? Alice he's marrying a man!"

"Yeah," Matt prepared to defend Gilbert, "he's great, wonderful, he's the love of my life—"

"No that is wonderful! I don't mind—just as long as you marry the love of your life. Are you sure though?" Francis drilled him with questions, "Are you sure he's the right one? I mean, he did leave you..." Gilbert grimaced but Matt smiled reassuringly, telling his father that yes, Gilbert was the right one and they'd been together now for two years, which shocked Francis. He hadn't known. Once Francis and Alice finally came to terms with the fact that Gilbert was going to be their son-in-law, Francis finally asked;

"When is the wedding?"

"Um…" Matt looked at Gilbert, and they looked at their calendar, "We're getting married the 1st of October."

"Where?" Francis demanded, clearly excited for his son at this point.

"Actually this was why I was calling," Gilbert crossed his fingers as Matt asked the important question, "is it okay if we get married at your house?"

"Of course!" Matt breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks papa," he thanked his father and they heard Alice scream a "Congratulations!" in the background.

"Can we come over in September to start planning?" Matt asked, and Francis agreed and they hung up.

Matt and Gilbert breathed a huge sigh of relief, again, and looked at each other and burst out laughing. They had been a bundle of nerves the whole time and laughing seemed the best way to let it out at the moment. Now they had to call everybody they knew to invite them and give them the date and location, with a formal invitation later.

The two lovers told their bosses of their situation and were granted the month of September off, as well as the first week of October so they could go for their honeymoon.

The month of August flew by and in that time, Gilbert was able to go to Germany and back in the time of a week to visit his old grandfather and bring him back for the wedding—and surprisingly, despite being of the older generation, he was very proud of Gilbert and generally accepting.

In the beginning of September, Gilbert and Matt went to his parent's house and Francis and Alice had a lengthy discussion with Gilbert about Matt and how they were proud of the two—they also complimented his choice in engagement ring.

Speaking about rings, Matt and Francis spent an entire day buying wedding suits and wedding bands, and discussed if Alfred should be invited. Matt and Francis had a heart-to-heart discussion about Matt's horrible experience and helped him overcome his anger over Alfred and over a phone call, Matt forgave him. They also spoke to Gilbert about bringing Anya along and he agreed.

It took a long time, but Gilbert eventually convinced the family that they should play Wedding Dance by Tchaikovsky when Matt walked down the aisle. Hey, it was better than the Gonna Fly Now from the movie Rocky Balboa, which has been the original suggestion. Gilbert won a game of rock paper scissors, which they thought was the best way to determine who would do the walking, much to Matt's distaste.

A month seemed like a long amount of time at first, but when they were a week away, Francis and Alice forced Matt and Gilbert to not be able to see each other, not even when they ate or anything.

But soon enough, the big day finally came.

Gilbert waited nervously as he heard guests arriving into the garden. The property was huge, so they decided it would be an outdoor wedding, with Lars as their 'priest'. He was, in fact, the first one who really met them and was a true mutual friend. It was a beautiful October day, with bright red, orange and yellow leaves covering the trees like natural fire works. He was still inside the house locked up in a room and wasn't allowed to help with the final details of setting up.

"You'll be fine," Lars rubbed Gilbert's shoulder as they waited in the room together. Customarily, the groom and officiant would walk in through a side door but there wasn't really a door… So they waited inside and would walk in by passing along Matt's side of the guests awkwardly.

The setup was basically the gazebo was where the 'altar' was, and there was a mini fence set up for the occasion decorated with flowers that contained the guests.

Once all the guests were settled, Francis unlocked the door and Gilbert muttered, "I guess it's too late to the bathroom now, isn't it?"

Lars rolled his eyes and wordlessly led the way out and they walked out to the garden and made their way around the guests to their altar. Gilbert tried not to look at the people's faces and succeeded. When he got up there, it was a totally different story.

He first looked at his side. He could see his grandfather, Ludwig, Feli and their two-year-old daughter Bianca in the first row on the wooden benches, along with Romano and Isabella in the second. Romano and Isabella had met up only a month ago and barely remembered each other until they were talking on a blind date and realized whom they were. Gilbert loved to rub in Romano's face that they were now related as brothers-in-law.

Also in the second row was his Hungarian ex—Roderich had helped with the planning of the music and organized it to be live music. Gilbert had quickly gotten over Elizabeta and forgiven her, so he didn't mind her being there. In the third sat Mathias and Lukas—they were still boyfriends, although Mathias told him he was planning a proposal soon enough.

On Matt's side, in the first row was his mother, Alfred, and he dared look, Anya. They had a child named Anastasiya, who was born out of wedlock and was a month old. In the second row was Sakura and Kaatje, along with a fourth family member, their three-week child Kaida. Lars' sister sat beside Sakura. So many babies, Gilbert thought briefly.

Lucille, Matt's cousin, sat in the third row beside Yao but looked very happy and was chatting up a conversation. Yao had switched over to the hospital as he didn't enjoy working as a cop, and Matt and Yao were eventually placed together. They became good friends. Somehow, Tino and Berwald caught wind of the wedding and were invited by Matt, and brought along Peter, and they were currently shuffling over to Gilbert's side of the family. Matt's entire hockey team was invited and occupied the entire last fourth and fifth row.

Suddenly, everybody quieted, and the 2 minutes, 15 seconds lively song made everybody jump at first as Matt walked proudly down the aisle, Francis at his side, leading him up to the makeshift altar. They didn't end up having any bridesmaids or groomsmen mainly because… They didn't really feel like it.

Gilbert watched eagerly as Matt walked up to him and Gilbert's pale face broke into a gigantic smile. By the time the music ended, Matt was standing in front of Gilbert and Lars began the ceremony.

"We are here togay to celebrate the matrimony of Matt Williams and Gilbert Beildschmidt," Lars started, and Gilbert refrained a laugh at 'togay' instead of 'today'. Hey, it was an LGBTQ wedding, so he convinced Lars to take the opportunity. Matt rolled his eyes as the guests all tried not to laugh. Lars then turned to Gilbert.

"Gilbert Beildschmidt, is it your intention to take Matt Williams as your husband?"

"Yes," Gilbert said in outmost seriousness. Lars turned to Matt.

"Matt Williams, is it your intention to take Gilbert Beildschmidt as your husband?"

"Yes," Matt confirmed, also serious.

"As customary," Lars turned to the guests, "it must be clear that this is not a barbecue, or picnic, or engagement, but a formal wedding." The guests nodded, and Lars added, "Are there any objections?" Everybody shook his or her heads.

"I now call forth the witnesses to sign the official marriage certificate," Lars made a small gesture, and Ludwig walked up. Matt and Gilbert signed first, and then Lars and Ludwig. They had decided Lars because he was Matt's best friend and the officiant, and Ludwig because he was Gilbert's best friend and brother. Old Fritz also hobbled up and he signed as well because the grooms agreed that Gilbert's grandfather should also act as a witness and be granted that honour. It was more witnesses than necessary… But it seemed appropriate.

Once they finished, Ludwig and Old Fritz sat back down, and Lars took over once again, and said something along the lines of "exchange your vows" but Gilbert was too nervous to hear the entire sentence. He felt faint, but held his ground. He looked at Matt in the eyes and said with outmost seriousness,

"I, Gilbert Beildschmidt, take you Matt Williams, to be my husband," he sucked in a breath, "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part." Thank god he remembered the whole thing.

Matt gave the smallest of smiles, and returned the words Gilbert had been dying to hear, "I, Matt Williams, take you Gilbert Beildschmidt, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

Romano walked up with the rings, and presented them to Gilbert and Matt.

Gilbert was shaking so hard that he dropped his gold ring, and cracked a nervous grin as Matt whispered a small "relax." The audience smiled sympathetically and this gave Gilbert the courage to continue.

Determined, Gilbert slipped the gold band over his a moment away to-be husband's finger, and Matt did the same. Matt was also shaking, but he managed to do it without a slip-up.

"In front of us all this couple have pledged their vows," Lars smiled, "and it is with the authority vested in me, that I declare they are man and man. You may kiss."

Lars stepped out of the way as Matt and Gilbert kissed and a few pictures were taken.

He stepped back in and gave the last few necessary words, "I present to you Matt Williams-Beildschmidt and Gilbert Beildschmidt-Williams!"

The garden erupted into shouts of joy and clapping and whistling, and Matt's hockey team took their sticks from under their benches and banged them against the edges of the bench as if they were boards, whooping. Matt and Gilbert walked confidently down the aisle and out of their little 'church' and back inside the house.

They had a brief second alone, and Gilbert hugged Matt tightly, tears sparkling in the corners of his eyes, "I love you Matt," he said, "I love you so, so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Me too, Gil," Matt smiled as well, squeezing him and placing a kiss on his cheek, "me too."

Matt and Gilbert had the best night of their life, full of hilarious speeches for them, and a total of three gifts. Matt got a brand new hockey stick from his team; Gilbert got the keys to his dream car—courtesy of his brother, Feliciana and Romano—and all the guests contributed a small amount of money to paying for their new, four-bedroom house.

They had a decently-sized cake that was three layers tall, and had an interesting twist to it—the outside had maple leaf designs all over it with all the NHL teams logos on them, but when they cut the cake, the top inside layer was black, the second was red and the bottom was yellow; it was the German flag. A few older guests snickered at the subtle innuendo.

The dining hall was huge and thanks to Francis, Alice and Gilbert, they had decorated it wonderfully with rainbow streamers and balloons. They had hired a Greek woman, and a Polish man to act as photographers for the wedding, and Gilbert and Matt spent at least two hours taking pictures with just Matt or just Gilbert or both at their photo booth.

They had a wonderful dinner served by Francis and spent the night dancing away and chitchatting and congratulating the married men.

But the wedding came to an end and once every guest had left—which didn't include Alfred and Anya and Anastasyia, they stayed there—Gilbert and Matt let Alfred, Francis and Alice clean up everything while they headed downstairs to consummate their marriage.

Despite the fact that they had been sleeping in the same bed for two years, the two never actually went the whole way—they only fooled around. Well, tonight would be different. This time Matt took the lead, and he told Gilbert to wait outside their door, which he did patiently.

Matt lit all thirty candles in the room that he and Francis had placed strategically so nothing caught fire. He put the flower petals on the bed gently and breathed in and out to calm his mind. He opened the door and pulled Gilbert inside.

Matt watched anxiously as Gilbert took in the romantic setting in awe.

"I love it," Gilbert breathed, and then he went ahead and kissed Matt, battling for dominance with his tongue. Through the intense and passionate kisses, they managed to kick off their shoes and wiggle out of their suit jackets, and Gilbert put Matt onto the bed gently and climbed on top of him.

Matt tried to undo Gilbert's pants, and this time, Gilbert let Matt do it, telling him to relax. Taking a deep breath, Matt managed to undress Gilbert, and then it was Gilbert's turn.

Interesting, Matt thought as he watched Gilbert undo Matt's shirt buttons, he drops the ring yet is a pro at undressing me.

Gilbert smirked as he looked down to see Matt getting hard, when suddenly he was faced with something he hadn't thought through. Matt, worried, noticed Gilbert's pause and asked him what was wrong.

"Um…" the albino scratched his head, "Do you want me to go in or do you want to go in me?" Matt was confused for a second before he realized was Gilbert was asking. His face flamed bright red in the orange glow of the candles.

"Uh…" Matt looked into Gilbert's eyes and thought about it for a while, before making his decision, "You can take the lead tonight."

"Okay," Gilbert nodded, and finished the deed of undressing.

From there, the two shared a night so passionate that Francis and Alice could hear them going at it from the third floor, hearing a mix of German, English and French through the ventilation system, complete with the occasional giggle fit. Thankfully it only lasted for four or so minutes—this was normal—and Francis and Alice were able to go to sleep.

Back in the basement, the candles dimmed and the newly weds fell asleep soundly in each other's arms, physically the closest they ever were together.

Gilbert rubbed Matt's ring finger, admiring the gold as his eyes closed.

"I love you," Gilbert whispered, as the last candle went out and he was engulfed in darkness, lying beside his lover.

"I love you too."

THE END.

It's finally over.

I did my research on the wedding processes! There are groomsmen and bridesmaids during a traditional ceremony, but I was like "f*ck it i don't have enough relevant characters". (Books, movies and media are over exaggerating, by the way, sex only lasts between 2-10 minutes, not 20 as it is depicted in the media. Just thought I'd put that little tidbit in! I tried to make this fic as realistic as possible).

Also, every single main character from the show has been mentioned, whether they play a very small part (Nyo!Greece being a photographer, or Turkey being a taxi driver) or a big part (Axis and Allies + Netherlands). I hope you guys can appreciate that bit, I tried my best to include everybody. Sorry for the OCs, even if they're all just kids/babies. I don't like them, but hey, I'm a hypocrite and I wanted them in there.

Thanks for being here and commenting on the chapters (your comments are the best) as we went through this epic journey together. Though it has to end, as everything does eventually. It was really fun to write, and it wouldn't have been possible without your encouragement.

As always,

~Awesome Maple