Several days after Ivan left, Alfred began to feel ill and would often find himself waking up and grabbing for his chamber pot. Madeline began to worry about him and was often asking the President if everything with the reconstruction was going well. Learning that it was, she couldn't help but wonder what was happening to her brother. As her worry over him grew he convinced her to take him out to the country. Alfred had made arrangements for them to own and run a cattle ranch. It took them a couple of weeks to get to the ranch that they would be living at. It was also around this time that Alfred noticed he seemed to be gaining weight.
"Maddie, something really isn't right."
"Alfred?"
"My pants don't fit."
"I suppose I can take them out for you, but you haven't been eating that much more than normal."
Madeline looked at her brother worriedly.
"Maddie, I'm getting fat!"
This line of conversation continued until Madeline became fed up and forced Alfred to his room. Once she had him there she grabbed a pad of paper and a pencil.
"Alright, we will figure out what is wrong with you and then you will stop complaining. Am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, so then, let us see. This all started about a week after Ivan left. You woke up feeling nauseous, bloated and you seemed to tire easily."
Alfred nodded with his sister as she listed his symptoms.
"Then you started getting sick and vomiting along with headaches."
"I also started having to pee a lot more often though it was never very much. Oh and I noticed my chest became really sore, still is actually."
Madeline makes note of that before continuing. "Then you started eating strange things and, might I add, began to cause the cooks some problems. You were still getting sick but now it just seems as though it is because you were eating such odd foods."
"But I was hungry and pickles rolled in cocoa were just what I needed."
"You began to get moody at the time also."
Alfred nods, but is beginning to look upset.
"And now we can add gaining weight to the equation."
Madeline looked over her notes and scrunched up her nose at them. "Alfred stay here, in bed. I'm going into town to ask the doctor if he can make heads or tails of this."
Alfred began to protest, saying she shouldn't go alone but she shushes him up and heads out to get her horse ready. Fortunately one of the ranch hands is able to help her saddle the tall animal and gives her a boost onto its back. She asks him to watch after Alfred for her while she goes into town. It takes her a little under an hour to get to town and she goes straight for the doctor's home and office. When she arrives she knocks on his door and he lets her in.
"Ah, Madeline. Are you back to read more of my medical texts." He chuckles at his comment as Madeline had mostly visited him to learn more about medicine or borrow his books. The two had formed a slight friendship over the weeks that Madeline and Alfred had been living on the ranch and it was now paying off.
"Actually I'm here to see if you can tell me what might be wrong with a patient with these symptoms." She holds out the notepad and allows the doctor to look over the list before he smiles at her warmly.
"It seems your patient is pregnant, and still in the early stages if she is still suffering from the morning sickness."
He hands back the notepad to Madeline.
"Um, yes, that would make sense. So all of these are signs of pregnancy? There isn't any other explanation?"
"Not that I know of. She isn't coughing or running a fever so I can rule out most diseases and with only these symptoms, the weight gain and tenderness to the breasts especially, I would say she is most definitely expecting."
"Oh, well thank you then Doctor. I should get home then."
"Of course. And Madeline, if you don't mind my asking, who is the lucky girl? Did Alfred find someone?"
Madeline gulps but realizes she will need his help as this progresses. "Um, no actually, it is Alfred."
The doctor looks confused and is about to say something else when Madeline interjects.
"I know he is a man and that under normal circumstances this shouldn't be possible. But we are different from other people. We're more than we seem and I suppose it is possible for someone like us to get pregnant even if they are male."
"Honestly? My dear, you astound me regularly if this might explain some of that then I would have to ask for more of an explanation."
"Come with me out to the ranch to look over Alfred yourself and I promise to explain on the way."
The doctor nods and packs up his medical bag before getting his horse saddled and riding out with Madeline. She tells him along the way about herself and Alfred being nations and how they come to be, or as best as she can. She tells him about the recent acquisition of the Alaska territory and how Alfred and Ivan had gotten very close over the last few years. She eventually explained how she was rather certain the two men had had more physical relations during Ivan's last visit which must have led to the current situation.
When they arrive at the ranch Madeline leads the doctor to Alfred's room, only to find that Alfred wasn't there. After a quick search they find him in the root cellar dipping carrots in raspberry preserves.
"Oh, hey Maddie." He continues to munch as Madeline sighs before dragging him up and into the house.
"So, did you figure out what's wrong with me?"
"Uh, well."
Alfred began to look a bit worried at his sister's hesitancy in telling him what was wrong.
"No, no Alfred, it's not really bad. It's just, you're pregnant." Madeline kept her eyes trained on Alfred as she told him and stayed there as it dawned on him what she was saying.
"Wha what? I can't, I'm a guy!"
"You are also a nation, who just purchased a large territory from someone who he is in a budding relationship with."
Alfred fidgets under his sisters intense gaze. "So I'm really... Pregnant?"
"Yes, and you should be happy about it. It's wonderful, you get to be a father and I'm sure Ivan will be as excited as I am."
"Ivan?" Alfred's eyes widen at the mention of his lover. "But, we can't tell him!"
"Why not, don't you want him to be a part of his child's life?"
"I well... I do but... Maddie this child is going to be Alaska, isn't it? Ivan told me his theory, he thinks you're Alaska. Do you want everyone asking who you are? I know you've fought for people to not know, you haven't even told me or Mattie."
"So you want to keep this to ourselves and keep Ivan out of it? Alfred, that's not very fair to Ivan is it?"
"No, but Maddie I know you and I know you don't like talking about where you are from. For whatever reasons you have for it, I won't force you into a position where you have to give people answers. This will be an easy out for you in the future. Please let me do this as I want to do it, this is my child Maddie."
Madeline looks into Alfred's eyes and sees his fear and worry in them. "Oh, Alfred." She pulls him into her arms and holds him like a mother would her child. "We won't tell anyone that you don't want to, not even Ivan."
After the decision was made to not tell Ivan the doctor from town came into the room and gave Alfred a check up, confirming the pregnancy and telling both what they needed to know in order to make sure the baby was healthy. Over the next 6 months he came by regularly to check up on Alfred, explaining to Madeline what he was doing and taking her on as a sort of apprentice. When it came time for the baby to be born a question was brought up of how Alfred would give birth. It was decided that the doctor would perform a surgery to cut into the 'womb' and birth the baby through that. When the time came to perform Madeline acted as the nurse as the doctor cut into her brother's swollen belly. Alfred bit down on the leather belt he had been given but bore the pain without thrashing as his child was brought into the world. Once out the doctor handed it over to Madeline and she cleaned it while the doctor stitched up the cut after removing the placenta. When everything was closed up Madeline had cleaned the child and handed it to Alfred telling him he had a healthy baby girl. He named her Anya, a name he had heard Ivan say was somewhat popular back in his home, because even though he had decided against telling Ivan about their daughter he wanted her to have some part of her father with her.
While this was all going on Alfred and Madeline took up writing to Matthew and learned about his imminent independence. When he invited them to the signing of the paperwork and the party to follow in honor of his independence they were forced to decline as Alfred was beginning to show. Matthew had been upset by their decline of his invitation but Madeline had given another reason, they hadn't told him about Alaska yet. She told him that they both felt it would be crass for them to both be there when Matthew got his independence knowing how Arthur felt about them. Even if he wasn't happy to hear it he understood. However shortly after he gained his independence he began planning a trip down to visit his siblings. He was able to arrange for the trip to take place in the spring of 1868 and he was in for a bit of a surprise when he got there.
Matthew had let his brother and sister know he was coming, and the two had been happy to have him come down. They had discussed it and decided to tell Matthew about Anya. When Matthew arrived at the ranch he hitched his horse and went up to the house only to be greeted by the sounds of a baby crying. Just as he was gearing up to see what was going on the door opened and he was greeted by Madeline, smiling tiredly.
"Matthew. Thank the heavens. Come in here and give me some help. She won't stop crying and I don't know what to do."
"Wha, Madeline why is there a baby?"
Madeline nearly rolls her eyes as she drags Matthew into the house and back into a room set up like a nursery. He sees Alfred sitting in a rocking chair with a wailing baby in his arms he was holding a glass bottle with a rubber nipple and trying to get the baby to take it onto its mouth. Madeline hurried over and caused Alfred to look up with another tired smile.
"Hey Mattie." He looks down at the baby in his arms and makes shushing noises. "Look Anya, Uncle Mattie came to visit. Don't you want to be a good girl and give him a smile?"
Matthew freezes at hearing himself referred to has an uncle. "Alright... Madeline, Alfred, what is going on?"
"Uh, well Mattie..."
"Matthew, Alfred just bought the Alaska Territory from Russia." And when Matthew looked over at his sister he saw her grinning like the cat that just caught the canary.
"Please tell me you're joking."
"Sorry Mattie, you're an uncle and Anya is the newest member of the family.
"Have you told Russia about this? How is this even possible?"
The next hour was spent explaining things to Matthew and letting him get to know Anya. They explained to him how the three of them were the only ones they were telling about her and the reasons why. Matthew almost asked for an explanation as to where Madeline represented but was stopped by Alfred.
The small family spent the next several years at the ranch with Matthew visiting whenever he could get away from his work. Eventually Alfred was called back to Washington. He debated with Madeline whether to tell his boss about Anya and it was decided he would, though they made up a story about how she had come from the Alaska Territory rather than be born as she was.
It was the late 1880's when Alfred was asked by his boss to go to Hawaii and act as a diplomate in regards to the recent political jumble they were going through. Madeline steadfastly refused to go, claiming it would be too hot for her and that the same went for Anya. Leaving Anya in his sister's care Alfred made the journey to the islands in the Pacific and found himself being greeted by the representative of the kingdom, Ailana.
Ailana was a boy in appearance of about 13 or 14, he had darkly tanned skin like his people and black hair with eyes as blue as the surrounding ocean. Alfred though was able to take note of his exhaustion under his strong exterior and felt sympathy for the boy. The reason for this exhaustion was the quick changing of bosses caused by death and the influence Europeans were having over his governing which was leading to the majority of his people being unhappy. It reminded Alfred of his own recent struggles with the Civil War. Setting that aside he enjoyed his visit and was surprised by how many American's had come to make the islands their home. They seemed to have taken over the islands, making the natives work their plantations and lands which led them to doing something Alfred frowned at.
"Ailana, I'm sorry about the constitution your king has been forced to sign. It wasn't the right way to go about something like that."
Ailana studied Alfred for a long moment and nodded. "I understand, you do not have control of your people and can not force them to behave themselves. As much as they are your children they will not obey you."
Alfred stayed on the island for several months before duty called him back to his home in Washington. He promised to keep in touch with letters and Ailana did the same. Over the next several years Alfred was kept informed of Hawaii's goings on. But when he learned what was being proposed, the annexation of Hawaii, he asked Ailana how he felt about it. He wasn't shocked that this was a decision being represented by the minority white population and that Ailana wished to maintain his independence. Which made him all the more infuriated and frustrated when he learned that, despite his own protests, Hawaii was annexed as a territory of the United States. For the signing of the annexation into law Ailana was brought to Washington. At first he was angry with Alfred for allowing this and going against his wishes but when he saw how Alfred was acting he realized that his friend was not responsible for the decision. Still he was upset at losing his independence and Alfred managed to convince his government to allow Ailana to remain in Hawaii to council his new government seat. It was agreed to and Ailana went home with a promise that he would continue to write.
In the years following the annexation of Hawaii, Madeline found herself watching Alfred more and more and was surprised to see how much he was growing up. It wasn't just his physical appearance that was changing either but that he was becoming more responsible and mature. Despite being busy with his nation duties he always found time for her and Anya, who by now looked about five. He also went out of his way to tell Anya stories about her father, Ivan, and showed her pictures of him so she would know him if they ever met. Alfred also went to great lengths during Ivan's many visits to make sure he didn't learn about Anya, keeping his promise to his sister to protect her from Ivan's inquiring mind. And despite the secret keeping on Alfred's side of the relationship the two remained a together, even if it made Alfred's bosses a bit squeamish knowing their nation was with a man.
Then disaster struck in the early part of the 20th century, the Russian Revolution. Upon hearing about what was happening Alfred tried to make plans to go and be with Ivan as he had been with him during the Civil War. His boss however felt the climate in Russia was too violent to allow his nation to travel there and prevented him from leaving. Alfred was very upset to learn he couldn't be at Ivan's side and sent telegram after telegram to Ivan telling him how much he wished he could be there and the reasons he wasn't. Ivan never responded to any of the telegrams.
As time continued to pass tensions grew in Europe between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. It eventually came to a boiling point when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Serb while visiting Bosnia. This led to Austria wanting to avenge the Archduke and calling to invade Serbia in retaliation for the assassination. Russia, who was allied with Serbia joined in to defend them causing Germany to lend aid to Austria. And so as to not leave their flank exposed to France while attention was focused on Russia, Germany declared war on France which lead to England joining as well since the fighting between France and Germany left Belgium threatened.
Madeline was nearly outraged when she learned of all of this from Matthew who was informing them that he was being drafted by England to join the war in Europe. Because despite gaining his nationhood and his own internal government, he was still expected to be loyal to the crown of England. Madeline then braced herself and went to Europe to serve in the hospitals so she could help as much as she was able.
Due to Canada's involvement, even though he refused to participate in the fighting and claimed neutrality in the conflict, Alfred sent supplies to Europe for the Allies. Which led to the Germans attacking American ships suspected of carrying cargo and supplies to their enemies. When the Lusitania was sunk, ending the lives of 128 American citizens Alfred himself began to ask for more involvement in the war, calling on his president to join the Allies. Eventually public opinion was in favor of the war, enough so that the government acted on the will of its people and joined in favor of the Allies. It was about this time that Russia began pulling out of the war. At first Alfred thought it was because of him that Ivan was pulling back and his lack of being at his side in 1905 but it was soon learned that Russia's internal struggles with its people was what lead to its retraction from the war. Alfred wanted to be there for Ivan but again was unable to due to needing to be with his troops in the trenches of the war. He still sent regular telegrams to Ivan, but heard no responses, just like last time.
Meanwhile Madeline was serving in the hospitals of France as soldiers were brought in. So many were being brought in that space for prisoners of war was being delegated as hospital space. When a Prussian officer was captured it was decided that he would be kept alive for interrogation. He was given a private bed and Madeline wa assigned to his care after it was learned she knew German, it had been one of the things she learned while held by Arthur (she also had learned Russian, Italian and Latin). Despite all her experiences Madeline was not prepared for all that would happen after her first meeting with the Prussian officer.
"And so you will remain here as our prisoner until such time that the war is ended and you are returned to your people."
Madeline stood beside the British commander that would be in charge of interrogating the prisoner as he introduced himself and Madeline to him. Madeline could not stop herself from staring at the white hair and red eyes of the prisoner. She could also see that his leg was wounded and so he had not been secured as they figured he would not be able to run with his leg as it was. Glancing back up from the injury she found the man staring at her with a smirk and gleam in his eyes, she scoffed that he seemed amused that the seemingly youngest nurse had been assigned to tend to him.
After they were introduce the British officer left with Madeline leaving the Prussian in his room with two guards stationed outside the door. Alone with his thoughts now, Gilbert, as that was the prisoner's name, began to think on his situation.
'This is not good. At least they don't know just who I am, yet. Only a matter of time though with that nurse checking up on me. Though she is young, I might be able to fool her for awhile, at least until Ludwig manages to get here. She is cute though, maybe in a few years, when she's older, I can try to court her.'
Grinning at his plan Gilbert relaxes back onto the bed he had been given and made himself comfortable. Later that day Madeline returned with a meal for Gilbert and to change his bandages. He decided to take the opportunity to learn more about the girl tending to him.
"Hey, there Miss. What's a young little thing like you doing working in a hospital like this?"
He was surprised when she answered back in German, he had half expected her to not know a word of it.
"I am helping with the war in the only way I can."
"Hmm, I see. Is your father serving somewhere then? He must be very proud of his little girl to be doing what she can."
Madeline stills at his question before continuing in her task and answering. "I don't have a father serving, but I do have two brothers fighting in the trenches."
Gilbert looks at the girl sadly learning she had no father, "Well your mother is surely proud that you are wanting to help."
Madeline doesn't say anything more after that and is soon finishing with wrapping his bandages. She sees he hasn't eaten yet and settles into the chair next to his bed.
"I can't leave until you eat. They don't want you to steal the silverware to make a weapon or hurt yourself with it."
"Oh. Right." Gilbert begins to eat, watching Madeline as she sits beside his bed, seemingly in thought.
"So, what's your name?"
"It's Madeline."
"There a last name to go with that?"
"Not one I care to share with a stranger."
Gilbert smirks as he notes the girl's challenge and winks to accept it. He almost misses the light blush dusting her cheeks at his attitude. When Gilbert finishes his meal Madeline gathers his plate and utensils before leaving.
Over the next several days Gilbert finds himself enjoying his time spent with the young nurse and catches himself flirting with her despite her age and position in an enemy hospital. He also found himself worrying over how observant she was. He had noticed her frowning when she had come to change his bandages one day only to find them not as she had left them since Gilbert had unwrapped them in order to dig at his wound to make it appear to be healing at a normal human rate. She didn't know that was why though, but she had still been puzzled by the situation. It was the day following this that Gilbert heard trouble down the hall while Madeline was serving him lunch.
At first it was just a raised voice and he couldn't make out what was being said, then he caught a few words and the accent clicked just as the stomping feet of whoever it was, came down his hall to his room. Acting quickly he whispered a small apology to Madeline, who had turned to the door also having heard the commotion, and grabbed her and the fork brought with his meal. He held Madeline to himself with the fork at her throat causing her to cry out at the rough treatment. The people in the hall must have heard the new commotion in the room because soon the door was thrown open and Both Gilbert and Madeline met eyes with the tall blonde that came storming in.
"Madeline!" He narrows his eyes and glares at Gilbert, "Gilbert! Let her go."
"Not likely, little Nursey here is going to make sure I get a free pass out of here."
"You think that threatening my sister is going to get you out of here. Maybe in a coffin. Let her go Gilbert."
When Alfred had claimed Madeline as his sister Gilbert had been shocked, enough to the point that Madeline was able to break away from him. She, however, did not go running into Alfred's arms as both men had expected. Instead she turns to Gilbert who is now starring at her in surprise. Straightening she dusts off her apron and locks eyes with him.
"You've known English this whole time!" It wasn't really a question but Gilbert could see she was upset by the idea, moreso than she had been at being held hostage. Thinking about it gilbert realized he found he liked that about the girl, that she would be more upset that he had lied about his knowledge of languages rather than be held as a hostage. As such he found himself breaking into a grin and laughing.
"Keseseses. Oh wow, Alfred you never told me your sister was such a cute little thing."
When Gilbert began to laugh Alfred relaxed slightly, only remaining slightly irritated with the albino.
"Yeah, yeah, hilarious. And Madeline why aren't you more upset about him threatening you a minute ago? He could have hurt you."
"Well he didn't did he? How do you know Gilbert anyway?"
"Uh well." He scratches the back of his head as he motions for the two soldiers guarding the room to go back into the hallway before continuing. "He's Prussia, Madeline."
"Oh." Madeline looks thoughtful at hearing that, before turning to Gilbert once more. "So that's why your bandages were different the other day. You had undone them so you wouldn't arouse suspicion."
"Ja, you catch on quick Birdie."
Madeline blushes at the nickname and Alfred looks between the two for a moment before pulling Madeline to him and glaring at Gilbert.
"Oh, no. No, no, no, no! Just no. I did not give you permission to flirt with my sister."
Madeline sighs at Alfred's behavior but notices Gilbert pouting at the other man. Eventually Alfred leaves, after cuffing Gilbert to his bed and disgruntledly agreeing to Madeline maintaining her post at his bedside, at least until he was moved to a more secure prison. Madeline stayed behind to feed Gilbert his lunch and the two talked. Gilbert told Madeline how he had trained Alfred at Valley Forge and also about his own brother. Madeline told him how she had gotten away from Arthur and told him about Matthew.
After a few more days Gilbert's leg had healed completely and he was cleared to be moved to a proper prison so he couldn't escape. It was the evening before he was being moved that another commotion broke out in the hospital. Madeline was serving Gilbert his dinner when gunshots were heard in the hallway. Gilbert looked to the door with worry, moreso for Madeline since he was bound to the bed and couldn't get up to defend her if his men were attacking.
"Madeline."
He says her name quietly causing her to turn to him just as the door is kicked open and a tall blonde German steps in, gun raised and scanning the room. His eyes fall on Madeline, half turned from the door and eyes wide. The tall man makes a move to grab the small girl, but is stopped.
"Brother!"
"Brother?"
"She's just the nurse. Just get me out of here and leave her alone."
The blonde eyes Madeline coldly. "What if she tells someone?"
"She won't."
Madeline had watched the two for a few moments before catching on that GIlbert was trying to convince his brother to leave her alone. Deciding to play along she backs into the wall.
"Please, do not hurt me I will not fight you." She spoke in french, hoping it would convince the German she didn't understand what the brothers were saying to one another in their native language.
"See she doesn't even speak German, brother."
"Yes, yes, I see that. Girl untie him and let him secure you to the bed in his place."
Madeline whimpers, so as to better play along, and does as she is told. Gilbert, once free takes one of the rings of the cuff and secures it to the bed before gently putting the other on Madeline's wrist.
"Sorry Birdie, didn't want it to come to this."
"I understand Gilbert."
Ludwig sees his brother free and steps into the hall.
"Hurry brother, we don't have much time."
"Yes, I'm coming." Gilbert calls over his shoulder before turning back to Madeline one last time. She smiles at him and kisses him chastely on the lips, catching him by surprise. After a moment to catch himself Gilbert turns to leave, a big smile on his face as he does. The whole time he is running with Ludwig to escape the hospital he is thinking to himself that once she grows up a bit he is going to make sure to court her properly.
Ah, Horrible Histories the most entertaining way to cram in all the history I need for this story... Check out the reasons for WWI, its funny. Also I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter written. Life happened and it wasn't kind to my writing time, that and all the research I needed to do, mostly for the 2P version of this. So is everyone happy with the birth of Alaska or the romance between Gilbert and Madeline? Anyway please review or Anya gets to practice with her pipe on you.
