Chapter 17; Can Do (part 3, I have to wait.)
Feli was feeding Austin while Ludwig cooked "I'm so excited~ Fratello finally gets a baby shower~" he giggled as his laugh evoked gurgles from the baby. Ludwig nodded actually kind of nervous about going. Something was up with Antonio, he knew ever since that day in the hospital. But they had to go.
Ludwig nodded and smiled. "Do you want syrup?" "Yes please~" Feli burped Austin and put him in his seat, receiving a plate and staring to immediately down it like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Ludwig watched him and observed his every move. Feli looked up and blushed "It's really really good Luddy~' he flashed a smile and Ludwig chuckled, getting a napkin and taking some syrup off his lovers cheek.
Feli started rambling on about Austin and how cute it was when he slept which was really all he did and on and on about everything. Ludwig happily listened, remembering how much he missed this when they were apart. He made sure they were ready "Okay. We will be there until 4, and then we must leave. Your brother needs his rest. There will be the G8 minus Yao and Ivan, who could not make it. You are to stay with me and Austin. Do not bother your brother. Am I Clear Feliciano Vargas?"
He always recited the rules for trips and meetings right before they left out in the car. Feli nodded "…but hey Luddy..? Why can't I just be with Fratello..?" he looked at his twiddling thumbs. "…I mean…what's changed..?" Ludwig was driving. He glanced at his lover from the corner of his eye.
"Well…your brother is very far in his pregnancy, but he needs to take it easy. You two together don't exactly make a relaxing environment, he's very angry and….you're… you…we wouldn't want to make him angry is all..."
Feli giggled "Is this about two Christmases ago when fratello got really mad and threatened you with his AK because that's just him be-""Why do you remember that? You were drunk! "I know when fratello pulls out heavy artillery, that's when I passed out, remember?" "End of subject."
Feli sighed and looked out the window.
Meanwhile, Antonio was nursing a black eye and Lovino was lying back on the couch, wiping away tears. "..I don't want them here…" he said softly when Toni passed by the couch "…I know mi Querido…but…just try and smile…don't answer many questions and if it gets to be too much, just excuse yourself to the bedroom and I'll speed things up…okay?" he smiled down at Lovino who met his gaze with big eyes
"….sorry about your eye…" he said softly, reaching up slowly. Antonio got the gist and leaned down into his touch. "It's fine~ you know how clumsy I can be~" Toni chuckled and Lovino sniffled. He had a nightmare the night before and when Toni tried to wake him, he socked him so hard the Spaniard blacked out.
"…still….ju-"he was cut off by the rapid knocking at the door. Lovinos eyes couldn't have gotten wider. "…I…I look awful and so do you and can't we just do this if we have another baby and to- Toni no, no no TONI DON'T-"Antonio had already opened the door.
Before Lovino knew it, there was a large blonde hurrying towards him "ROMAAATOOO! IT'S BEEN SOOOO LONG!" Alfred bounded to the couch and slid on his knees to face Lovino "….lei come stai? (how are you: Italian)" The American asked softly. Lovino smirked "Alfredo, don't act so damn small, don't bi polar me you dick. Help me up"
Alfred smiled and gently hoisted Lovino to his feet "Geez dude, you look like you're gonna pop…" The American smiled as Lovino lightly batted at the sleeve of his jacket in mock frustration. "Don't remind me, it's been a long time since I've felt this venerable."
"Probs since we were little~" Alfred chuckled and hugged him "I've missed my Armani buddy, missed having lunch and gossiping with Poland." Lovino laughed and nodded "I will figure out something when the twins are old enough for small travel. Most likely you'd have to come stay in Naples for the weekend and we can get smashed."
Alfred laughed "Hell yea, but for nooow…hmm... Kiks should be here soon…Francis and Iggy…My bro, your bro…and Mr. Potato head." He smiled "I think we got this~" He could sense Lovino was nervous, they had been friends for a long time, grown from mutual distaste for England and then became just both being there for one another.
Lovino looked up at Alfred, who had led him to the patio and sat him down carefully. The American was quiet and in thought. "….sorry I didn't tell you…I meant to but…you know me, I didn't really want to be seen." He flashed a weak smile and Alfred just smiled back "S'okay dude, I know how that can be"
"Well, I hope that this isn't too much of a disaster." Alfred laughed "I'll protect you~ me and Toni, who would bother" Lovino nodded "….can I give you your present now…?" Lovi looked up and nodded. Alfred smiled and pulled a nice box out of his jacket pocket.
Lovino tilted his head but took it regardless. "Openitopenitopenit" Alfred practically vibrated with excitement, making Lovino laugh "Alfie, hold onnnnn" He giggled and unwrapped the neatly wrapped paper and opened the box to find a watch. It was black and analog, he loved it instantly. He then saw the brand. Gucci, he drooled even. "…Alfred…you didn't hav-""Yes I did~ I know you love these things and it'll be a minute before you'll think of yourself."
Lovino smiled and carefully took it out and slipped it on his small wrist. In hung but one would call the sling stylish. He smiled and felt hands on his shoulders "Es muy fabuloso mi amor~ it fits you perfectly~ gracias Alfred" Antonio beamed and sat a tray of snacks on the table in front of them.
"Takis, sweet!" Alfred grabbed a bag of the assorted chips and started munching. Lovino showed off the watch to Toni who matched his excitement when he felt something prod his chest. "Don't think I forgot my left hand man Tonster, here's your gift"
Toni looked at it before taking it "…muchos gracias Alfred…" Alfred smiled and nodded. Antonio opened it to find a #1 padre pin and a silver laced book, a journal. Toni tilted his head "That's kinda like a scrap book for pictures of first steps and things. Since you're always sentimental I figured I'd help ya out bro"
Toni beamed "Gracias again, wow, this is neat~ Lovi, look~" Lovino smiled and nodded, munching on chips when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it" Toni bolted up and ran for the door. "Get the bloody hell away from me you half-wit twit, I told you to bug off!" Arthur shook of Francis and Kiku hid behind his Toyota hybrid. Matthew sighed and was about to lean against it when the door flew open. He fell right into Antonio.
Toni swiftly caught him, laughing. "Well Hola Mijo*" Antonio smiled and Matthew died of embarrassment silently. Francis whisked past Antonio and swished his hair "Mon Cheri~ where is our little Lovino~" He smiled and looked around. Arthur muttered to himself and shoved his present into Toni's chest. "Spaniard." Antonio smirked "Not had your tea today?" Arthur just kept walking, having promised himself he wouldn't fight with Spain this time around.
He was a gentleman after all. He saw Lovino and Alfred and immediately his eyes widened. Lovino was huge. He had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. Francis soon followed him and had another reaction. "Cuuuuuuuteee~" he said, practically floating out of the sliding glass door and to Lovino. "…ciao, uh...Big brother…" he raised an eyebrow at France who had just come up, kissed his cheeks and began rubbing his tummy, cooing in sweet French.
"Francis Wanker Bonnefoy? What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing? I do apologize Lad, he means well." Arthur smiled apologetically and Lovi just kind of looked like a deer in the headlights. Normally in this situation he could run, climb a tree and stay there, or yell and cuss, going in with fists blazing. Now he couldn't walk that much by himself and his babies where loving the attention and sweet tones, answering with small kicks to Francis's hands.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. Had he already said something wrong? He crossed his arms. Lovino giggled, and that made the three blonds pause before smiling and chuckling too. They'd never really heard him giggle, excluding Alfred of course.
"I-it tickles~" he said cutely. Toni had served Kiku and Matthew tea and came back, almost nose bleeding at how cute his lover was being. A blue blur seemed to fly past him and suddenly both italies were initiated in a hug. Ludwig followed carefully with a sleeping Austin, grumbling about Feli not listening worth a verdamn. "Fratello~ I missed you~" he said, 'veing' and rubbing his cheek against his brothers.
Lovino sighed and hugged back, the babies still making him hiccup. "Hallo Lovino." "Ciao Ludwig." They exchanged quickly, Lovino prying off his brother and Ludwig taking his hand with the arm that didn't cradle Austin against him.
"I got really happy Luddy~ that's all~" Ludwig sighed and nodded, too tired really to argue. "Lovi, you okay?" Alfred noted the pale complexion on the Italian and tilted his head. Lovino didn't hear him fully, his head swimming almost suddenly. "…Toni. Let's get him inside…" Antonio looked away from France to Alfred then Lovino. He nodded and went over, gently taking Lovinos hand.
"…come mi amor…lets go inside, si?" he said as careful as his touch. Lovino nodded absentmindedly and offered his other hand. Antonio helped him up and into the house. There was a moment of concern before the attention was turned to Ludwig and Austin. Austin was still sound asleep in his mother's arms but he was the first infant nation they had seen in a long time.
Ludwig cleared his throat. "…He's no nation…just a region…" As Alfred slipped away to see Lovino, Arthur spoke up "What Region you two?" Feli beamed "San Marino~" he smiled and softly caressed his sons face. Francis cooed "Oooh Ludwig, may I hold him, merci?"
Ludwig was rigid but nodded. He allowed Francis to scoop up his son and the French man cradled him close. It was a nostalgic feeling really. He looked over to Canada, who was watching with a soft gaze. "…I used to have to rock you to sleep many nights Mon petite Mathieu~ …..I miss those days."
He smiled and nodded. Arthur nodded. "Same with you Alf-…..Alfred..?" he looked around and sighed "Nice of him to skip out on something important." He huffed. Francis gently offered Arthur a glimpse "I want one Mon amour~ you should let me-""Oh shut it. "
Feli giggled and leaned on Ludwig, who wrapped his arms around his lover's waist. "….Ich liebe dich Feli…""Ti amo troppo Luddy~" he purred. They both deep down trusted France and England, so they allowed themselves a moment.
Alfred snuck up the stairs "Lovi? Bro?" he knocked lightly at the couple's bedroom door to see Lovino in tears and Antonio holding him best he could, sideways in his lap on the bed. Alfred came forward "Awe Lovi, don't cry…" Antonio looked up "H-he said his back…is killing him but…his water hasn't broken…" Alfred shivered. "….Lovino…how bad is it…?" he asked softly, leaning down to the Italians level.
Lovino hiccupped through sobs "A-A lot A-Alfr-red" Alfred nodded "...Let's get him to my car. It's roomy and you'll be able to hold him in the back. We'll go to the hospital just in case and leave the others to themselves…they didn't even care…" he growled, partly to himself.
Antonio nodded and they both were able to get Lovino down the stairs carefully and into the car without anyone noticing. Except for Kiku, who asked Alfred very shyly where they were going with Lovino-chan.
Alfred partially explained "Well if that's the case…may I come as well…?" Alfred sighed and nodded "Just come on, before they see us."
All the way to the ER Lovino cried into Antonio, making various attempts of last wishes to the Spaniard who would hear none of it "You're not going to die amor. I won't let you...you're going to be with me through all of time, and be a great mama at that. Don't you want to see our babies? You surely can't miss out on that~" he cooed to Lovino softly until they saw the doctor.
Dr. Rodriguez came as soon as they got there and had the others wait outside while she checked Lovino. An hour felt like a life time to the Spaniard who paced a hole into the waiting room floor as the Japanese and American nations also waited, just less on edge. Antonio was tired of the way Lovino was snubbed by others in favor of his brother.
He looked at Alfred and Kiku, noting they were the only ones he still liked. He would keep Lovino and their children away from all the others. He swore.
Finally Lovino waddled out, absolutely fine and still carrying the babies. Antonio went over to him quickly, hugging him close. Lovino hugged back "…can we go get lunch? I'm starving…" he smiled playfully and Antonio nodded. Alfred and Kiku stood, ready to eat themselves. Lovino had them seated at an Italian restaurant downtown in no time and was attacking a bread stick before saying anything about what happened.
"Braxton Hicks. False labor…means my body's getting ready for the babies…" Antonio nodded but stopped "….Wait…but, you have to have a C-section or…" Lovino nodded "….seems they'll be here sooner…okay…if today is January the 7th….they'll be here February the 14th is what she said. "
He sipped his drink trying to hide his smile. Antonio took a minute to catch on "Near my birthday?" Lovino giggled and nodded, noting the huge smile on Antonio and the rhythmic fluttering it caused in his heart. He would never forget that face. Antonio laughed and Alfred high fived him. Kiku sat quietly and smiling, shaking his head slightly at them.
Lovino sighed "That just means we need to finish the nursery ASAP…looks like my brother is much to bus-""Oh my god dude no, I'll work for pizza and a smile. I can paint, build a new room whatever you two need" Alfred laughed "I can't believe Lil Lovino is having twins~" he chuckled "I need to help you guys~"
Antonio looked at Lovino and Lovi just smiled warmly at Alfred, giving off a glow. "…Alfred…you're my hero"