If you don't know I don't own Hetalia from the past 13 chapters' worth of disclaimers, I don't know what to tell you. I want to thank all who fave, follow and read this story. It really means a lot to me. Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
"I didn't think that would happen..." Matthew said as Katyusha drove them home from the pancake house he had chosen to eat at as a celebration of the new job.
"I did. I had complete faith in you. Just how to tell Vanya and Matvey." Katyusha pondered.
"We don't." Matthew said.
"Well they need to know and I think they would get suspicious after a while." Katyusha said in her stern, scary way.
"Honestly I would love for Al to turn on the news and see my face, but he said himself he hardly watches it. Does Ivan watch it much?" Matthew said, knowing that if Ivan saw Matthew, he'd bring Al over.
"No. Much for the same reason Fredka does not. He will every now and again but he doesn't make it his priority to do so." Katyusha said. "What about your parents?"
"Dad does, Papa says it is too depressing." Matthew mused.
"Well it is rather depressing but with you on the screen, I can overlook that." Katyusha said. "And later this week, we will know if this little dytyna is a boy or a girl. That will be something to tell everyone over Christmas, will it not."
"That's it!" Matthew said sitting up. "Christmas!"
"What are you meaning my love?" She asked.
"We tell them all at once, at Christmas! I know Dad and Papa would love getting that as a gift and I mean everyone would be in the same place at once."
"Except for Natalya." Katyusha said.
"Natalya..." Matthew said. "Can she be trusted to keep a secret?"
"Sure." Katyusha shrugged. "I mean she knew we were dating before Vanya and Fredka and she never told them."
"You said she's spending Christmas in Lithuania with her boyfriend right?" Katyusha nodded. "Well, we tell her before she leaves. I know Ivan mentioned wanting to see her off, and he'd take Al with him. He's got a surprise trip to a ski resort planned for him over last week of the month and into the New Year in time for Epiphany, when they'll have Natalya over for that." Katyusha looked at Matthew curiously. "He told me while shopping for Al the other day." With this she nodded in understanding.
Matthew went through the week with an excited feeling, knowing that come the start of the new year he wasn't going to be in the funk he was due to unemployment and the excitement that came from knowing what his unborn child was going to be. And he wouldn't tell anyone this, but he was secretly proud of this job as he was going to be more well-known than Alfred was. Nobody talked about seeing the overly energetic engineer at the store. They did get really excited when the guy they saw on the news, even if it was just the local area. It was the breakthrough he had fought for all his life, to be seen on his own and not mistaken for his brother. Now they will all think you are me Al instead of the other way around. Matthew thought as he lay back on the chair.
"So bro?" Alfred said looking over the chair into his brother's face. "How'd it go?"
"Oh I have to go back in a few days. Some HR procedures for the job or something..." Matthew said. Not telling him what is really going on... He smirked internally
"Sucks they're jerking you around like that. Maybe you should try applying at the middle school or something. Looking for a few English teachers there." Alfred suggested, taking what Matthew said as he didn't get the job just yet.
"Maybe." Matthew said as he closed his eyes. "But I'll let you guys know what is going on on Christmas, you're going to the one Papa and Dad are having?"
"Of course. With Natalya going to Lithuania, I was able to talk Ivan into doing that. Thank god." Alfred shuddered. "I hope whatever you tell us is good news. I don't want a scene like on Thanksgiving."
"Don't worry, I'll see to it it isn't" Matthew said as he grabbed a pillow, shoved Alfred away with it and then placed it on his face. "Now let me nap. Hopefully you can work pantless in your own living room soon."
"How did you know that?" Alfred asked as he paused in shock.
"You're my brother. I know you." Matthew said as he threw another pillow at Alfred. "Now let me get a nap!"
"Fine!" Alfred said walking away.
A few days later, Matthew was sitting beside Katyusha in the doctor's office as she held a tissue in her hands nervously. He placed his hand on her knee to show that he was there for her. He felt like there was nothing to worry about, but she was a bit of a crybaby and was nervous on many things when it came to this pregnancy. He was feeling more confident himself, knowing that he could provide the support that he, his wife and his child would need. As he smiled at Katyusha, a nurse came out and called, "Williams, Kat-eee-shoe-yeah?"
"Kat-too-sha" Matthew corrected. He was proud of her and his forming family and didn't like when people mispronounced the name. Katyusha blushed as the nurse blinked
"Yes, Mrs. Williams I can see this is your husband, we'll get started here shortly." She said leading the pair back to the ultrasound room after checking Katyusha's vitals and her blood pressure. This was the appointment where they were going to tell them what they were going to have. Katyusha just wanted the baby to be healthy and didn't mind if it was a boy or a girl, but having had a brother, an obnoxious brother on top of that, he wanted a change of pace and a little girl. The doctor came in and looked at them.
"Okay, so your vitals are all looking good and where they should be for this point in the pregnancy Mrs. Williams." Katyusha smiled at that, she did love being addressed in a formal manner. "So we will start the ultrasound and we'll see if you are having a boy or a girl. As the doctor performed the scan, they stared on with anticipation. He smiled and turned to the two. "And congrats, you're going to have a baby girl in the spring." He then printed out the copies of the ultrasound and handed it to them. After all was finished with the appointment and the only change that Katyusha could report was her morning sickness lessoning, which was to be expected.
They headed home, knowing that tomorrow, they were going to see Natalya and Toris off at the airport. Matthew drove while Katyusha looked at the picture with a smile. This was her little girl growing inside of her. This was what everyone had wanted to know since they were told about the baby. "So I had an idea of how to tell this to everyone…." Matthew began as they sat a red light, waiting for it to change.
"You did?" She asked.
"We make a few copies of this, frame it up cute and give one set to Dad and Papa and one to Al and Ivan. Want to surprise them all with this stuff." Matthew said as the light changed.
"I like that." Katyusha said. "Save it for last, after the gift exchange. Total surprise."
"And we'll tell Natalya at the airport." Matthew said. "Not like she is going to tell Alfred anything, I doubt she'd tell Ivan if asked not to. I mean she didn't when we were going out." Katyusha nodded as they headed back to the house to find Ivan in the living room, watching the local news.
"Oh, Matvey, Big sister! How was the appointment?" He asked.
"Went well." Katyusha said simply. She smiled knowing how excited everyone was going to be when they finally learned what they knew. "We are seeing Natalya off tomorrow?"
"Da" Ivan nodded. "I'm watching for the weather report to make sure there will be no delays. It is certain to be a long and tiresome flight. I do think she told me it was estimated at 18 hours." Katyusha nodded. "She claims it will be no issue, but I do worry about her. She is our baby sister after all."
The next morning, Ivan drove to pick up Natalya and Toris from the college and then take them to the airport. On the way Alfred was ranting about having to do so, but Ivan just let him so it would get out of his system before they picked her up and a fight broke out. If there was one thing, he had learned was that there were times where Alfred was just a teapot and it is better to listen to his ranting and raving than let it fester too much and become a real issue. Alfred was friendly with Toris, but Natalya, sensing that her brother was not in a mood to deal with a fight just kept conversation mainly on her schooling, how finals went and the weather. "So, your parents bought the tickets for you and Nattie there huh?" Alfred asked as Natalya gave a huff. She did not like Alfred calling her 'Nattie'
"Yes Mr.- "Toris began before Alfred cut him off.
"You can just call me Alfred, no need to be so formal dude." Alfred laughed.
"Yes Mr. Alfred sir." Toris nodded. "My parents did indeed buy me the tickets for the both of us. I had told them so much about Natalya and they seemed excited to meet her."
"Awwwwww isn't that precious Natalya?" Katyusha said hugging her baby sister while Toris and Alfred carried their bags into the airport once they had parked.
"They charge a lot to just use the parking garage for a few hours don't they?" Alfred sighed as he carried Toris's bag for him. Toris had taken Natalya's to show gentleman curtesy.
"Seems to be so Mr. Alfred sir." Toris said as they entered the baggage check area.
"So where do you go?" Ivan asked.
"There seems to be our airline." Toris pointed as the rest followed. "I will take yours for you if you don't mind mielasis" He said as he kissed Natalya on the cheek.
"What did he just call you?" Ivan asked sternly. He could tell Toris was more comfortable around Alfred than him and was rather intimidated by him the most.
Natalya blushed, "'Sweetheart' in Lithuanian…."
"Awwww isn't that darling?" Katyusha said as she pulled in her sister and hugged her, causing her to grow redder.
"You had something you wanted to tell me?" Natalya said as she whispered into her older sister's ear. "You said it was something you did not want Big Brother or Alfred to hear."
"Oh." Katyusha motioned Matthew over as Alfred placed Toris's bag down, wiping his brow and tripping over the suitcase. "We have some news we planned to tell Vanya and Fredka and Matvey's parents at Christmas, but since you will be on the other side of the Atlantic, we'll tell you now."
"Which is?" Natalya said as she looked over at Toris who was handing the bags to the clerk at the check stand.
"Well, I got a job finally." Matthew said.
"What at?" Natalya said looking at her brother in law critically. "It had better be one that can support a wife and child."
Knowing that he shouldn't rise to her comment, he swallowed and said "I am a new anchor for the local news station." Matthew added with a strained smile.
"Well. Alfred will seem to be envious of you when he finds out. That man has always seemed to be an attention whore." Natalya said.
"Now now sister, I wouldn't say it that coldly. I mean yes, Fredka does desire to be the center of attention many times but I wouldn't say that." Katyusha said, wanting to keep the family drama down. She wasn't going to be seeing her little sister till the new year and to have Alfred hear what Natalya said was sure to get him mad, despite the effort he was putting in for Ivan's sake.
"Well to each their own." Natalya said. "What is the other news?"
"We're expecting a girl." Katyusha smiled and squealed loudly, causing Ivan to look back, but he assumed it was another passenger's shoes or bags on the linoleum floor.
"Well I think you will be a good mother." Natalya said as she motioned to Matthew as to ask what she thought of Matthew's potential fatherhood skills. "I guess Matthew would be an acceptable father." He looked dejected at this.
"That's about as good as you are going to get. I would hate to see her reaction if she heard that Vanya and Fredka are just talking about adopting." Katyusha said.
"Yeah. That would not be pretty." Matthew said as they headed over to where Ivan, Alfred and Toris were talking. From what they could tell, Ivan had made it perfectly clear that he expected Toris to take good care of Natalya and to not touch her or even look at her or speak to her in an unbecoming manner.
"Do not worry Mr. Braginsky-Jones," Toris whimpered, "Natalya's honor and virtue shall remain intact and I will ask nothing of her she does not ask of me."
"If she asks it of you, be a gentleman and refuse." Ivan scowled.
"Please big brother." Natalya said as she took the check bag receipt for her suitcase from Toris and put it in her pocket. "I do appreciate the concern but I am a grown woman and if I find Toris is worthy of me, he is worthy."
Alfred quickly rolled his eyes at Natalya's attitude and had a feeling that just maybe they had gone further than Ivan would have liked her to. They were going to have to say their goodbyes at the security gate. But this also told Alfred that if it ever came to it, and they did adopt, Ivan would be the most protective father figure that Alfred could ask for a child. He would remember this example when he tried the argument for adopting again. Ivan had the heart, if he could deal with his sister this way, but it was mainly fear that was holding him back. In some of his down time, Alfred had looked up adoption requirements and agencies but never really went much further on the issue. It would be a big change that would happen and it wasn't something he was going to go 'surprise' on. It would be a child that would be theirs, not some rescue dog. A "Have a safe trip baby sister" from Ivan brought Alfred back to his attention who waved at Toris and Natalya as they stood in line for security.
"You must let us know when you make it in alright! I do not care if it is at an unreasonable hour here." Katyusha said.
"Yes." Ivan said.
"You sure?" Toris asked.
"Yes." Katyusha replied as Ivan nodded.
"Even you Mr. Alfred sir?" Toris said.
"Hey, Nattie is important to Ivan, so her safety is important to me as well. So if it is like 3 in the morning here when you guys get in, feel free to send a text or even call." Alfred smiled wanting to be cordial for Ivan's sake.
"Who knows, I may catch you two in a very compromising position when I call." Natalya said. "You two fuck like rabbits."
"NATALYA!" Ivan and Alfred yelled in embarrassment. Ivan quickly recovered. "That is not quite an appropriate topic in public."
"Whatever." Natalya said. "I will stay safe."
"linksmų Kalėdų" Toris added as he took Natalya's hand and guided her through security.
"That was Merry Christmas in Lithuanian." Natalya said at the look on Alfred's face who returned it with his forced kindness.
"Merry Christmas." Alfred waved and then turned to Ivan, Katyusha and Matthew and headed back to the car. That was stressful. One relative holiday event down, another to go. Ivan and Katyusha had thought it would be a good idea to head to his and Matthew's fathers' house for Christmas, especially when Matthew said how much Francis was begging for it. Ivan had hoped that he would not be cornered about the offers he made to help try and get him to talk Gilbert into hiring Matthew, which had happened without Francis saying much of anything to his friend; Gilbert had liked Matthew all on his own. But there was always a chance that they would fight and cause chaos. Something Ivan had wanted to avoid on Christmas.
Meanwhile, Francis was hurriedly going around the house, turning Alfred and Matthew's old bedrooms, which had been made into guest bedrooms over the years from the fact that often when Arthur or Francis did not want to open the attic or put something away they thought they would need later.
"Seriously Frog, you don't need to worry so much. You know the boys won't be so judgmental." Arthur sighed.
"But their spouses might be." Francis said.
"Katyusha is so kind hearted and would put up with anything." Arthur sighed. "And Ivan married Alfred, so goodness knows how tolerant he is of things."
"Are you so lassie faire on your housekeeping with your sons you would leave their rooms a mess on day like Christmas? And Mathieu's wife in the delicate state she is in?" Francis said.
"Calm down. The house is impeccable. Spotless." Arthur said as he headed to the wine cabinet and poured a glass of wine for his husband. "Christmas is 3 days away anyway. The kids won't be showing up until Christmas Eve. This isn't Alfred planning a 'good old fashioned family Christmas' after all."
"I cannot believe you quoted Clark Griswold from that old Christmas Vacation movie." Francis sighed as he took a sip of the wine. "Sparkling and white?" He asked tapping his foot. "Just where is this from?"
"Kent…." Arthur started to reply.
"Please finish that with –ucky. Meaning it is an American wine you had grabbed from the shelf and not Kent England knowing you wish to spite me after we had been married for oh so long." Francis sighed.
"You know which one I mean." Arthur teased.
"Mon dieu…" Francis sighed. "I love you you limey bastard."
"And I love you Frog." Arthur sighed. "Why I married you, I will never know but all I do know is I can't wait to see the boys again."
"Oui." Francis said sipping the wine Arthur gave him anyway.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. And yeah I could see that if Alfred did host a Christmas, it would end up a lot like the old movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. It is hilarious and a great movie considering it is now 3 days from Christmas. I don't have much else to say honestly with this chapter. So remember to read (well you just did) and to review. Ciao for now,