I do not own Hetalia okay? I want to thank all of you who have faved, reviewed, or just read this story so far. It does me wonders. Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
"I am so glad you are offering to help Natalya." Miss Michelle said as she held the step stool that Natalya was standing on to help hang up some of the background the children had painted for the pageant. "I don't mind this myself but it makes it so much easier if some of the parents, or aunts," She added smiling "Come to help this out."
"It's the least I could do. Nikita and Dimitri loved that I could help them a little." Natalya smiled. "My fiancee is busy with his school work."
"He's going to med school if I remember correctly?" Miss Michelle asked.
"Correct." Natalya nodded.
"I hope he does well, especially with end of semester coming up." Miss Michelle sighed. "Oh and your friend Feliks is coming too?"
"He's coming to visit for the holiday yes," Natalya said. "He seems quite...interesting..." Natalya added. "Never met him but Toris grew up with him."
"I am certain that his friend would be a good person." Miss Michelle said.
"I should hope so." Natalya said. "Sadly I won't be meeting him when he comes in, as that is the same time as the pageant."
"Oh." Miss Michelle sighed. "I do appreciate all your help."
"It's the least I could do." Natalya smiled. "I do have to get back. The final show is the 13th at 6?" She confirmed.
"Yes." Miss Michelle smiled. "I know that Nikita and Dimitri will be wanting to see you so much." She then looked around "You don't know if that Allen guy would be coming?"
"Why?" Natalya said, concern rising.
"Nothing really." Miss Michelle sighed. "He's wonderful to Nikita. He doesn't harm her at all and is a great coach from what I had seen and Alfred agrees but he keeps trying to make a pass at me, and while if it was in public and not around Nikita, I would beat him with a fish," She sighed looking down.
"It's nothing inappropriate?" Natayla asked as she instinctively grabbed a knife she had nearby.
"Of course not!" Miss Michelle said. "But it does get annoying how he asks."
"Well Alfred told me that he went back to school to get a degree in something, so who knows, he might be too busy." Natalya said.
"Hopefully." Miss Michelle said. "He would be having finals this week and he usually has class at night. Trust me, he's told me a lot about himself. I don't doubt that while he can be a complete and utter jerk sometimes, he's a decent person, but god, I do not want to go out with him."
"Well," Natalya began. She had gotten to know Miss Michelle well through both the twins' stories of her and just the time they spent together decorating and working on the Christmas pageant. "If he does go beyond being annoying, let me know. I'll deal with him."
"That is very kind of you to offer..." Miss Michelle smiled. "But I can handle myself." She pointed to a large fish on the back of the wall. "It may be plastic but it is heavy."
"Nice." Natalya said.
"I was also hoping, you could teach more more about Ded Moroz. Nikita and Dimitri told me a good bit themselves, but I was wondering if you could tell me more. I would like to teach the children about my Christmas and winter holidays around the world lessons." Miss Michelle asked.
I am sure Ms. Bonnefoy would see this as a perfect company sponsored goodwill venture...or just like that I am helping with the twin's class... Natalya thought as she looked over at the teacher. "Sure, I would be happy to."
"Thank you so much!" Miss Michelle smiled.
"It's nothing." Natalya assured her. "I think it is good the children learn about other cultures from a young age."
"I agree." Miss Michelle said.
"I'll call you when I have it done. Shouldn't be too long when making something for young children." Natalya said. "
"Thank you again." Miss Michelle smiled as Natalya headed back to her and Toris's apartment.
"Honey, I'm home." Matthew said with a slight laugh at the corniness of coming home like that. Katyusha got up from the couch and put a finger on Matthew's lips. "What's up?" He asked much quieter than when he had come in.
"I had just gotten Charlotte to sleep." Katyusha sighed kissing Matthew on the cheek. "She has been really fussy lately."
"She's teething." Matthew said.
"Well she calmed down for a little bit when you were on. Stared intently at you." Katyusha said. "And no, did not look like she was asking who you are." She smiled.
"Oh I had to ask you something as I know both Al and Ivan talk to you about the twins. What's their shoe size?" Matthew asked.
"Why?" Katyusha asked with an eyebrow raised. "Surely you are not going to try and push your brother's children into hockey? I mean that's a little foreboding for me when it comes to your own daughter if you would try that with your niece and nephew."
"I got them that inflatable yard hockey set for their birthday." Matthew shrugged.
"That is more of a game." Katyusha sighed. "But I also was wary you would go down this route."
"Well, how about this," Matthew began. "We take the twins to the skating rink, see if they like it first. Ice skating I mean. If they do, or even just one of them does, I will get them skates for Christmas and then see how they like things from there."
"Better." Katyusha said.
"Good." Matthew said as he looked at his phone and started to press Alfred's contact but then saw the time and saw Katyusha's face. "I'll call before work." He smiled.
"Good." Katyusha said. "I am sure that Vanya and Fredka would like some time to themselves. It's not like with Charlotte where she is so little, she won't remember a thing we get her or wrap in front of her. No, Nikita and Dimitri can be so excitable and curious. And frankly, if I am to be honest, I think they spend too much time with Toris and Natalya."
"Don't tell me you're getting jealous are you?" Matthew said with a note of surprise.
"Maybe a little." She admit.
Matthew pulled her close and kissed her. He had to admit, that he was a little jealous himself. But he would have to make a move and do things with the twins. Besides, it would be good practice for him for when Charlotte got older. "Between you and me, yeah I am a little jealous too." He reassured her. "They're great kids and they just want to spend time with Natalya and Toris. Feel kind of left out."
The next morning, before he had to leave for the station, Matthew called up Alfred. "Hey bro." He smiled.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Alfred asked.
"Bad day already?" Matthew said.
"Got to unfuck something fast." Alfred sighed. "Something that if I had done it, it wouldn't be fucked in the first place."
"Oooooooh not cool." Matthew said. "And from that unbridled profanity, I take it the twins are at school?"
"Yeah." Alfred sighed. "I really want to home school them, but Miss Michelle is a good teacher and Ivan thinks they would make friends better in public school."
"You can't keep them around forever like that." Matthew said. "Never pictured you as a clingy dad type." He teased.
"Shove it. I am sure you'll feel much the same when Charlotte gets to be the same age as the twins." Alfred said defensively.
"Speaking of those two, you guys got anything planned with them this weekend?" Matthew asked.
"No." Alfred said.
"Oh Fredka, who are you talking to?" Ivan asked.
"Matt." Alfred said. "Asking if we had weekend plans."
"Not that I am aware of." Ivan said as he looked to Alfred who seemed to say the same by the look on his face. "Maybe some Christmas shopping..."
"Want it to be easier on you guys?" Matthew asked.
"What do you mean?" Alfred asked.
"Well, Katy and I were wanting to spend some time with the twins. You know they spend most of their time with family with Natalya and Toris. I'll be honest, we're getting kind of jealous. Like they don't know we exist."
"Oooof..." Alfred blushed. He did have to admit to himself that he and Ivan weren't doing as much as they should to make sure that the twins spent time with all their family. Part of them knew that they were busy with a baby of their own, but they could do better to show the twins weren't picking too many favorites. "Sorry bro. Hope Katy isn't taking it too hard."
"Not really, she is a little jealous of Natalya but still," Matthew began. "We had an idea of taking them to the ice skating rink this Saturday and thought it would be good to give you and Ivan a break, some time to yourselves to do whatever you want."
"Whatever..." Ivan sniggered. "I have been wanting some time with you my darling sunflower, alone."
"Gross you guys." Matthew said.
"Look, all you need to know is we'll be wrapping gifts." Alfred said.
"Why does that sound like something you'd tell the twins?" Matthew asked.
"Dude, stop that bro!" Alfred blushed. "But yeah, we can let the twins spend Saturday with you."
"Great." Matthew said. "Katy will be so happy." He said as he hung up.
Ivan looked over at Alfred as he could tell the conversation had ended. Ivan looked over at him with a an amours desire. "What's on your mind?" Alfred asked.
"Hmmmmmm..." Ivan smiled as he headed over and stood behind Alfred. "I seem to notice you are stressed."
"You don't know." Alfred sighed. "I have to get this done. I apparently am the only one who can fix whatever this asshole fucked up." Alfred yelled.
"When is the due date?" Ivan said as he walked behind, rubbing Alfred's shoulders and nibbling on his ear.
"End of this week." Alfred sighed.
"Oh." Ivan smirked. "Well, it seems like you can take a break for a few minutes..." He whispered in a seductive tone. "You certainly stressed out, and I know you Fredka."
"Yeah?" Alfred asked, his stressed out tone cracking for a lovelorn one.
"Yes." Ivan teased. "Now let me clear your mind so you can work better." He said as he turned Alfred to face him and kissed Alfred deeply, who wrapped his arms around him.
"Well then..." Alfred began, "How about you help me get some relief."
"If you ask my love." Ivan smiled.
That weekend, Matthew and Katyusha came over and picked the twins up so they could take them ice skating. He didn't know if either of them would like it, but Katyusha had a point, best to take them on a little outing and see if they did indeed even like the sport before he got them a pair of skates. Matthew hoped they would both like it and they would want him to teach them to skate better and even play hockey. It was his favorite and he wanted to pass it on to his kids. And he hoped Charlotte would be the same. But it took all he had to remember Katyusha's words and let the children have fun and do what they want. If they liked skating, they would. If not, it would do them no good to force them into it. As much as he liked the idea of the twins playing hockey with him teaching them, he had to admit, it was not good to force them to do so. He smiled as he saw Charlotte in her car seat in between Nikita and Dimitri. "So, how do you kiddos want to ice skate?" He asked nervously. God that came out so lame! Matthew thought. How does Natalya and Toris do it?
"I have never skated before." Dimitri said.
"When did you learn to skate?" Nikita asked.
"Yes, I have been wondering this too Matvey." Katyusha said.
"Well, as far back as I can remember. Your grand pear had a certain affinity for figure skating so he took your dad and I skating when we were a little older than you. I didn't like that too much but then we found hockey. Your dad was okay at it, but he liked baseball more, so it ate up too much time so he liked baseball better." Matthew explained. He had taken to calling Francis 'grandpear' around the twins, despite being fluent in French himself and knowing full well Francis's thoughts on the name. He found it cute and funny, and seeing Francis's reaction made it all the more better for him. "Now I will let you know, so that your Papa and Dad do not get mad at me we will have helmets and pads and a little stand to help you guys get the hang of it. Don't expect to be as good as I am. Heck, I think I am a little rusty myself..." Matthew mused as they turned into the ice rink.
"That reminds me Matvey, when was the last time you went skating?" Katyusha asked.
"Last summer." Matthew said as Katyusha looked at him skeptically. "Before I lost my old job." She looked at them and back to Matthew concerned. "It's like riding a bike, you never forget."
"I will trust your word on it, but if the twins get seriously injured, you will have to deal with their Papa and Dad on your own. I will be tending to Charlotte." Katyusha said. "Last time I had been ice skating was one of our dates before we were married. And I kept falling over."
"See, you have nothing to worry about kids." Matthew smiled looking at the twins who looked worried. "I made sure your Aunt Katy was okay. I'll do the same to you."
"Okay..." the twins said, still with some slight apprehension. They had never done anything like this and while Ivan had made it sound okay, and Alfred had agreed and said they should go as they had spent more time with Natalya and Toris than Katyusha and also needed them away as he and Alfred had planned some shopping and wrapping for the twins. Matthew pulled into the ice rink and turned off the car.
"We're here." Matthew smiled as he and Katyusha got out of the car. Katyusha helped out Dimitri and then unbuckled Charlotte from her car seat as Matthew helped Nikita out and they walked to the rink. Heading to the skate rental, Matthew smiled, "One adult, two toddlers learning." He said as he gave the shoe sizes. "Your website said you had the training walkers too?"
"Yes sir Mr. Williams." The clerk smiled as Katyusha paid attention to Charlotte. She did not want to cause a commotion but even nearly a year into the job, she still was not used to women finding Matthew attractive and her feelings about it. This is for the twins. You know Matvey loves you dearly and would never stray. Even if he did, you have your brother, your sister and HIS brother who would stand up for you. She reminded herself as Matthew talked to the clerk as he gave the rental money and she handed him the equipment. At this, the clerk looked over to Katyusha. "Will your wife be joining you?"
"Thank you for thinking of me, but I must keep an eye on nasha malenʹka dochka" Katyusha cooed at Charlotte who laughed. She had begun to notice that Charlotte had liked when she spoke in Ukrainian. Alfred had told her that Ivan was working on Russian with the twins, so this gave her the idea to try and teach Charlotte Ukrainian herself, as it was good for a child to learn another language young. The clerk looked at Katyusha uncertain of what she said. "Oh that means, 'our little baby daughter' in Ukrainian."
"Oh." The clerk smiled. "Well she looks cute. Has a good mix of the both of you. And who may be the two older kids with you?" She asked as Nikita and Dimitri looked proud at the 'older' remark.
"We're 4 years old." Nikita smiled.
"Oh so big!" The clerk smiled.
"Oh, they are our niece and nephew. Giving their dads a day off." Matthew smiled. "And I figured I would see if they liked to skate like I do."
"Well, that's something I never knew about you Mr. Williams." The clerk said. "Then again I just know you from the news." She laughed as Katyusha rolled her eyes. I will never get used to the flirting... She thought as she followed them to the rink where Matthew helped tie the skates for the twins. He gave them each the skating training walker and glided onto the ice, staying near the twins. Sitting on the bench, she saw that Matthew was a natural on the ice and kept a good eye on the twins. Nikita was more athletic and sporty than Dimitri was, but it seemed she was better wearing tee ball cleats than ice skates. If not for the training device, she would have fallen over as her legs kept wobbling trying to stay balanced. However, Dimitri seemed to take to the stance he needed to have to effectively skate well. He kept trying to outpace Matthew, who was making sure that both Nikita and Dimitri were safe and getting to enjoy the time they had. Nikita did not look too happy, but Dimitri seemed to love it. Getting aggravated at her brother's seemingly natural talent, she pushed away the training stand and tried to skate to Matthew, but lost her balance and fell on her face.
"UNKIE MATT!" She cried as she tried to stand back up.
"Oh calm down Niki..." Matthew said as he motioned for Dimitri to stay where he was. He helped Nikita up and looked at her. "Nothing hurt too bad." He smiled. "Which is good, your papa and daddy would never forgive me otherwise."
"I don't like ice skating." Nikita pout.
"I do." Dimitri smiled. "It's more fun that baseball."
"HEY!" Nikita scowled.
"Calm down," Matthew sighed with a smile. God, did the caseworker know how Al and Ivan were before they got together? Or how Al and I were as kids? Because I can see a bit of both in the twins right now. He thought with some slight exasperation. "It's fine if you think skating is no fun and it's fine if Dimitri doesn't like baseball. It doesn't mean that one is better than the other and I am sure he cheers you on, doesn't he?" Matthew asked.
"Yeah..." Nikita said as they headed back to the bleachers and Katyusha handed Matthew Nikita's sneakers to help her change into them.
"And if say when he gets better and older, Dimitri likes to play hockey like I do, you'd cheer him on?" Matthew asked as she nodded. "Good." Noticing the hour was nearly up, he smiled at both Dimitri and NIkita. "How about some ice cream after this? Maybe with gummi bears?" He added remembering what Alfred said on their birthday on what they had picked for the mix ins. Gummy bears was the one candy they both liked that they could both eat, keeping in mind Dimitri's peanut allergy.
"Okay." Nikita said, tears starting to subside.
"Can I do this again with you Uncle Mattie?" Dimitri asked.
"I'll talk to your dad and papa but I don't see anything wrong with it." Matthew smiled.
"And your Uncle Matvey would be delighted to do so for both of you, if you were ever to want to try again Nikita."
"Unh uh..." Nikita said shaking her head to say no. "I did not like that one bit."
"At least you gave it a try." Katyusha assured her. "Now let's get some ice cream." She smiled as Matthew returned the rental equipment and joined them. "See?" She asked with a smirk.
"You're right, shouldn't have gotten them both skates. I will find something different for Nikita." He sighed.
"Of course." Katyusha smiled.
"You won't tell your dads you got hurt, did you?" Matthew asked looking at Nikita.
"Nope." Nikita said. "For a price..."
"What?" Matthew asked.
"DOUBLE SCOOPS AND EXTRA GUMMY BEARS!" Dimitri and Nikita said at the same time.
"Sure..." Matthew said. You really are Al's kids, even if you are just adopted... he thought.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I honestly don't have much to say with this chapter, other than the usual, remember to read, well you just did, and to review. Ciao for now,
otherrealmwriter
aka
Realm.