Chapter 81

"Are you ready?"

"Yeeeees…?" Cort exhaled quickly, pushing his hair back, looking into the mirror.

"You'll be fine," Germany tried to sound reassuring, putting his hand on Cort's shoulder.

"How would you know?"

Germany shrugged.

"Very comforting…" Cort turned to the mirror again, "Do I look ok?"

"Ja, you look fine."

"Good…" Cort gave a quick exhale, trying to mentally prepare himself. "This… this is fine. Everything will be fine. Everything will be absolutely fine."

"What has you so nervous?" Germany picked up the giant pin and flowers for the lapel of Cort's jacket.

"Well… I guess…" he sighed, "I know it's only the civil wedding today, but… well, she has her witness and her parents…"

"Ah," Germany replied simply. He wasn't sure what to say. Emotions weren't his strong suit, he was better with paperwork and cleaning.

"Are you nervous?" Cort asked, trying to think about something other than the knot in his stomach.

"A little?" Germany smiled, "All I have to do is sign papers here. Ask again at the church wedding, and…" he laughed a little, "How many people will there be again?"

"Over a hundred," Cort winced.

"Great," Germany said sarcastically, finishing stabbing the pin through the wrapped ends of the flowers, "There, now you look ready."

Cort turned to the mirror again, "Yeah…" he sighed, smiling a little suddenly, "I… I'm getting married…"

…

"Liz? How are you holding up?" Gil whispered, brushing her sweat-soaked hair back from her face. He glanced up at Estonia, setting his jaw, trying to resist the voice in the back of his mind telling him to run to Russia and make him pay for this. He looked back at Hungary, keeping his right hand firmly clasped around hers.

"Is there anything more I can do?" he asked Estonia, not looking up at him.

"No," Estonia sighed, reaching back to the nightstand to grab more supplies.

Hungary winced hard as Estonia dabbed a cotton ball soaked in cold liquid on the wounds on her back. It stung. She gripped Gil's hand tighter, looking up at him, "I'm… I'm ok…"

"This is my fault…" Gil shook his head, "I'm so sorry, Liz-"

"Stop it. This isn't your fault, I was the one who let your people go through my border. This has nothing to do with… you…" She buried her face in the pillow as Estonia dug into one of the deeper marks. She grit her teeth, refusing to make any sound. She knew Gil could tell she was in pain anyway, she didn't have to rub it in.

"Liz…"

"I'm fine," she mumbled through the pillow, not wanting to look up again. She didn't want anyone to see her face and the pain she knew would be visible on it.

"Sorry," Estonia sighed again, "I have to do this… I can try and give you something-?"

Hungary shook her head, "No, I'm fine."

"Liz, stop being stubborn…" Gil almost snapped.

"When you stop blaming yourself for this, I'll stop being stubborn."

"That's not fair…"

"Yes it is…" she tried to hide the pain in her voice, failing miserably.

Gil winced as Estonia pulled out a needle and thread, "Liz, you're going to take something, got it?"

She moved her head from the pillow, glaring up at him, "Oh am I, Gilbert?"

"Ja. Because he has to stitch that one, and I'm not letting you just take it."

"Scared I'll be tougher than you about it?"

"Oh, please," Gil rolled his eyes.

"Well? Say it's not your fault."

Gil looked up at Estonia, hoping he would protest her ultimatum.

Estonia just shrugged, internally siding with Hungary.

Gil growled, rolling his eyes again, "Fine. Fine, it's not my fault."

"Good!" Hungary smirked, turning to look at Estonia, "I would really like some of those painkillers now…"

Estonia nodded, reaching for them.

…

CRASH

Cort winced as another plate shattered on the ground. He looked over at Eva, whose eyes sparkled as she laughed. He couldn't look away. She was perfect, completely perfect. He smiled as her eyes met his. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he let his cheek rest against her hair. He kissed the top of her head, bringing his arm around her shoulders.

"Hi," he whispered, the sound of another smashing plate almost hiding the sound.

She looked up at him, keeping her head on his shoulder, "Hi."

He kept his eyes on hers, smiling softly.

"What?" She asked, laughing.

"What, what?" Cort smirked.

"You're looking at me funny…" she giggled, looking up into his eyes.

"I think I like you," he smiled.

"Really?" she brought her hand to her mouth in pretended shock, her eyes sparkling, "We should get married then!"

"That's a fantastic idea!" Cort grinned, barely noticing another plate smashing, "When?"

"Tomorrow?" she laughed.

"That sounds like a fantastic idea!" Cort smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He bit his lip, excited. The church wedding was the next day, and he was more than a little nervous. He sighed, his eyes filling with tears.

"What's wrong, love?" Eva reached up to touch his face gently.

"It's just… tomorrow… I'm sorry I won't be able to really dance with you…" he swallowed back the choke in his voice, a single tear slipping down his cheek.

"Shh…" she shook her head, leaning up to kiss the tear off his cheek, "I already told you, I don't need a dance. Just you…" she looked into his eyes with a tender smile.

He reached up to touch her cheek, trying to hold the tears back. He leaned in closer, bringing his lips towards hers.

"Hey lovebirds!"

Cort turned to look at Eva's brother, slightly annoyed at the interruption, "Ja?" he tried to sound lighthearted.

"I think you two have a mess to clean up now?" the young man laughed, raising his glass of beer.

Cort rolled his eyes, standing and reaching for Eva's hand. He helped her to her feet and laughed as brooms were shoved in both of their hands.

…

Gil looked up at the ceiling of his room, trying to sleep. He couldn't sleep. His room was almost completely dark, lit only by a faint stream of moonlight peeking out from behind the curtains. He looked towards it, throwing the covers off his legs. He sighed, sitting up and letting his boot-clad feet hit the floor. He didn't move for a moment, leaning his elbows on his knees with his head in his hands for a moment. The cold night air hit his back sending a shiver down his spine. He looked back over his shoulder towards the full-length mirror standing near his dresser. Even in the faint moonlight, he could see every one of his ribs through his skin. His eyes rested on the reflection of the scar on his right shoulder blade. One of the first marks left on him in hell. Slowly, he brought his left hand to it, tracing it gently. He'd grown so used to it, it barely felt wrong anymore.

He sighed, turning away from the mirror and standing slowly. He looked at the windows again, walking to them and throwing open the heavy navy curtains. He shivered, the cold air forcing its way through the glass into his chest. He reached up, laying his hand on the glass. It was freezing, condensing around his hand in a translucent outline. He pulled his hand away, looking out his window to the giant blanket of snow covering everything in sight. Tiny puffs of clumped-together snowflakes drifted to the ground, the wind blowing them just barely off a straight course.

Gil leaned against the windowsill, watching the snow fall to the ground. It was strangely beautiful, but he just wanted spring. He wanted it to be warm again, to watch white flowers spring up from the ground, to hear the sound of horses hoofs in the mud, to feel the crisp spring air biting through his uniform. Spring meant hope, and he was desperately trying to hold onto it. He closed his eyes with a deep sigh, looking back towards his bed, then turning to the window again.

"Is something bothering you, Gil?"

Prussia jumped, his thoughts interrupted suddenly. He turned around, shaking his head, "No, I'm fine. Just thinking."

Frederich shrugged, turning back to his books.

"How's it going?" Prussia stepped away from the window, walking towards the young teen, leaning against the desk, peeking over his shoulder.

"It's all starting to look the same. My mind quits."

"Oh, come on, it's not that bad!" Prussia laughed, looking down at the book more closely, "It's just a cavalry strategy. It's not that complicated!"

"Says the 500-year-old. I'm 15, you're supposed to tell me 'it's ok, I know it's difficult, but you'll get it'!"

Prussia laughed again, "Ok…" he cleared his throat, changing his voice to his best Austria impression, hoping to sound fake and stuck-up, "'It's ok, I know it's difficult, but you'll get it!'"

Frederich made a gagging noise, "Never do that again. You sound like… like…"

"Like Roderich?" Prussia smirked.

Frederich laughed a little, nodding, "Yeah."

"Ok, so no more games, seriously, it's not difficult. What's confusing?"

"This," Frederich pointed, "This makes NO sense…" he leaned his arm on the desk, burring his face in it.

Prussia looked down at the book, reaching for it and pulling it out from under Frederich's head. He frowned, confused, trying to understand what the author intended to convey.

"Well," he said finally, "I figured out why it doesn't make sense…"

"You did?" Frederich looked up at Prussia, his expression somewhere between excitement and dread.

"Yup. The book is wrong," Prussia shook his head, "They've got this all wrong…" he clicked his tongue, setting the book back down on the desk and picking up a quill, "Here, I'll show you…" he reached for a piece of paper and started to sketch out the details, making sure Frederich was paying attention.

Gil sighed deeply with a very faint smile, turning away from the window and going back to his bed. He climbed back in, still not bothering to take off his boots, and pulled the covers up to his chin, over his shoulder, rolling to his side. He just wanted to sleep.

…

Cort grinned, wrapping his arms around Eva's waist, pulling her into a kiss. Cheers erupted from the crowd. He kissed her again, taking her hand. He took a deep breath as the music started to play. He looked at her as she stood by his side. She was glowing, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and tears of joy. He offered her his arm, smiling as he felt her hands close around it. He turned to look at Germany.

Germany smiled, placing the cane in Cort's outstretched hand. He nodded to him encouragingly.

Cort looked back at Eva immediately, taking the first step with her as the soft piano celebrated with the cheering crowd. They made it down the aisle and to the back of the church. The turned, standing to greet the guests as they walked out on their way to the reception dinner. He touched her face, smiling and kissing her again, deeper this time with no one watching.

She giggled, pulling away, "Hey…" she laughed, her cheeks bright red, "You can't do that yet…" she smiled.

"Oh?" he kissed her cheeks.

She laughed again, nodding, trying to regain composure as the doors opened again as the guests were dismissed.

Cort jumped as Eva's father wrapped him into a firm embrace. He hugged back with one hand, steadying himself on his cane with the other. He smiled, relieved.

"You take good care of my baby girl, ok?" the man smiled, his eyes filling up with tears and he put both of his hands on Cort's shoulders, looking down at Eva, who was struggling not to cry on her mother's shoulder as the two hugged.

Cort nodded, "With my life."

"Good, good," the man pat his shoulders, smiling and turning to his daughter.

Cort met all of Eva's friends and family politely smiling and thanking them for their congratulations. Person after person hugged them both, shaking their hands, telling them in every way possible how happy they were to see them married, giving them little pieces of advice, wishing them well… He glanced back at Eva between people. She rested her hand on his over the cane, squeezing his hand gently, looking up at him. He smiled at her, turning back to the line of people, grinning suddenly as he saw a familiar face.

"Francis!" Cort threw his arms around his friend's shoulders, receiving an equally strong hug in return. He pulled away, looking into France's face, "Are you crying?"

"I always cry at weddings, you should have expected that!" France laughed, brushing the tears away, "Look at you! All grown up, married now… and to such a beautiful girl!" He reached for her hand, kissing it.

Eva blushed, looking up at Cort.

Cort laughed a little, shaking his head, smiling France.

"I wish you two all the happiness in the world," France smiled at them both, brushing more tears away. He looked into Cort's face, "Oh, and I brought a surprise for you."

"Oh?" Cort asked with a raised eyebrow, looking next to France suddenly, "Gisela!" he grabbed her, holding her tightly, "I didn't think you were coming!"

Gisela laughed, wrapping her arms around Cort's shoulders, "And miss my baby brother's wedding? Never," she kissed his cheek, "Now, introduce me to my sister?" She pulled away from the hug.

"Of course!" Cort grinned turning to Eva, "Eva, this is my sister, Gisela. Gisela, this is Eva… my wife," he smiled. He didn't care if he was pointing out the obvious. He liked saying it. It felt strange on his tongue. He didn't want to get used to it. He wanted it to always be just as exciting to say as it was right at that moment.

Gisela hugged Eva, smiling, "Take good care of my brother, hmm?" she smiled.

"Absolutely. He's the sweetest, how could I not?"

Gisela smiled up at Cort, "Yeah, he is."

Cort shook his head, laughing, "Oh stop it you two, you're going to embarrass me!"

Gisela laughed, "Oh, you haven't seen embarrassing yet! I can't wait to tell her all the stories of when you were little…"

"Oh no…" Cort brought his hand to his face, "Oh no, oh no…" he laughed.

"I can't wait to hear them!" Eva elbowed Cort's arm with a laugh.

"Oh!" Gisela shook her head, "How could I forget! Cort, this is Jean," she motioned towards a tall dark-haired man standing near France, "My…fiancé…"

"What?" Cort's face lit up, "You're what?"

Gisela grinned, taking Jean's arm, "Yup. You're not the only one getting married.

"Gisela that's wonderful! Very nice to meet you, Jean!" Cort smiled at him.

Jean nodded with a smile, "Thank you. And you. I'm sorry, my German is not very good yet."

"Oh, don't worry, that's just fine," Cort smiled. He looked back at Gisela, "I'm so glad you're happy."

"I've never been happier, truly."

Cort smiled.

"Now, I'm holding up the line enough, we'll see you at the reception!"

Cort nodded, continuing to shake hands with the next twenty-some people before finally seeing Germany standing with Italy in the very back of the line. When they finally got to him, he didn't even have time to say hello before Italy attacked him with a hug. He laughed, hugging back and smiling at Germany.

"You're married! You're married and it's wonderful!" Italy grinned, almost jumping up and down with excitement. He threw his arms around Eva too, starting to chat up a storm with her.

Cort turned to Germany, smiling as the country put a hand on his shoulder firmly. Germany wasn't going to hug him, he hadn't expected him to. "Well?"

"I'm so proud of you…" Germany smiled, "So proud."

Cort smiled, "Danke."

"And you're happy?"

Cort looked back at Eva as she laughed while talking to Italy. She was so beautiful, "So happy…"

"Good. You deserve it," Germany nodded.

Cort only smiled.

…

"Don't be nervous, love," Eva whispered, taking Cort's hand and leading him onto the dance floor.

Cort glanced back at his cane left leaning against the table. He could do this. He brought one hand around Eva's waist and took her right hand with the other.

"You're perfect," she smiled up at him, whispering so softly no one else could hear, "I love you."

He smiled, "Love you too." He closed his eyes for a moment as the music began. He wanted so badly to be able to waltz with her, to really dance. His steps were heavy and rough, but he tried, holding her close. He looked into her eyes and nothing else mattered. It didn't matter if he couldn't really dance. She was beautiful, and she was his. He barely heard the clapping as the music ended, leaning in for another kiss.

…

Cort half dragged her towards their room, pulling away from the kiss for a moment to open the door. He looked back at her, confused, pushing against the door, feeling some resistance. He opened the door finally, staring at the room.

Eva burst into laughter, shaking her head, "My brothers. I blame my brothers…" she tried to breathe while laughing.

The entire room was filled with balloons.

"Well?" Cort laughed too, "Do you have a pin?"

"I do actually," she giggled, reaching into her purse and pulling out two safety pins, "One of you," she handed it to him, "and one for me." She held it up like a sword, "I bet I'll pop more balloons than you!" she leaped into the room fiercely popping them.

Cort followed her in, stabbing at balloons, determined to win. Eventually, the room was littered with colorful deflated pieces of rubber.

"We can clean up this mess later…" Eva smiled, snapping her safety pin closed and dropping it into her pocket, watching Cort do the same, "By the way… I got 27, how about you?"

"I lost count," he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Does it matter?"

She pretended to be sad, "Yes it does matter… but not very much," she leaned up to kiss him again, "Now… what's my prize for winning…?"

"I don't know…" he smirked, sliding his hands up her waist.

She pulled away again running towards the bed, turning to look at him, standing in front of it, "Well?"

Cort smiled, walking up to her as quickly as he could. He grabbed her waist, pulling her onto the bed with him.

CRASH

Cort looked up suddenly as the headboard fell onto the wall and they dropped almost a food as the base fell away onto the floor.

"What… what was…?"

Eva started laughing again, "I'm going to kill my brothers…" she shook her head, pulling Cort closer for a kiss, "Later…"

Cort nodded, "Later." he looked down at the base of the bed. The mattress sat fully on the floor. He didn't care. He pushed the headboard back, making sure it was steady against the wall and wouldn't fall on top of them.

"Well?" Eva asked with a smile, "What are you going to do now?"

"Hmm…" Cort smiled back, looking away for a moment, pretending to think hard.

Eva rolled her eyes, pulling him into another kiss.

He slid his hands up her sides, leaning deeper into the kiss, "You're perfect…" he whispered, leaning down to kiss her neck.

She closed her eyes, "I love you…"

Cort smiled, letting his hand slip under her shirt.

…

"Well hello," Eva smiled sleepily, looking up at Cort, her cheek still resting on his chest, her left arm around him.

"Hi," he smiled back, looking down at her with so much love she thought her heart would burst.

"I think I like you," she whispered.

He kissed her again, "I think I like you too."

She sat up suddenly, laughing again.

"What?" He asked, reaching up to caress her back.

"We still have to clean up all the dead balloons!"

A/N: An ALMOST ENTIRELY HAPPY CHAPTER!? From me? Yes. Yes indeed. I have a heart after all... somewhere... ;) No really this was one of my favorite chapters to write. Made me remember my own wedding... *happy sigh* Cort and Eva are SO CUTE guys. SO CUTE. I hope you all enjoyed your happiness! Cort really does deserve the happiness after all he's been through... and we even get a Frederich flashback for Gil! YAY!

Thank you all so much for the reviews! And so quickly after updating! I'm trying to update every day again, as you can tell. XD (NaNoWriMo kicking me back on track. Yes, I'm using this for my NaNoWriMo novel... we're already WAAAAAY past 50,000 words... but whatever lol. I feel way lesses stressed with NaNoWriMo this year... because at this point 50,000 words sound like a piece of cake lol. Last year I actually had trouble getting there. LOL. NOT ANYMORE!) Anyway... in case you all aren't sick of mashed potatoes yet... there are MORE! So more of those, and then some wedding food! We had this INCREDIBLE chicken for mine, so some of that for all of you. I think Cort probably had some fantastic German dishes for his, and of course, Luddy made the cake. So some of that for you all too! Yay! Wedding cake! (in your favorite flavor of course... Luddy made a LOT of cake... nervous baking... whatever works right?) ;) Anyway, thank you again for the reviews! New chapter up tomorrow if all goes as planned! Maybe even 2... I need to really book it if I'm going to make my goal for chapter numbers in regards to date... ;)