I am so sorry for the delay in updating, it's been a month, but I had a serious lack of motivation and then I got really sick, but I have been working on these chapters as much as I can and I hope you won't be disappointed.
In the last AN I meant to say that, the French 'R' is pronounced rather nasally, and I don't think Romano would like to hear his name said that way. That's why he told Matthew to call him Lovino, which is more of a middle name/nickname. Also, the poll result asked for the chapter of Matthew meeting Gilbert first, but I realized that if I put that chapter first and the other two following it, it would screw up my timeline. So I'm doing it the way I had originally planned.
Also, this chapter and the next are actually part of the same chapter, but the later part wasn't working out right and I wanted to put up something. And it should give you an idea of where the story's going next. Again, sorry it took so long!
"Alfred!" Alfred jumped and looked away from the TV screen. "I have already told you five times this morning not to sit so close to the television!" Arthur stood there with his hands on his hips, looking at his son disapprovingly.
"But Daddy, if I sit far away I can't see it," Alfred whined. Arthur's expression cleared and he glanced into the kitchen at Francis.
"Oui cher, I heard him." The two stared at each other for a moment, communicating in that silent way that couples do, then Francis nodded. "Alfred, cher, can you come in here please?" Alfred stood up and walked past Arthur into the kitchen. Arthur glanced at Matthew, who was reading a children's book on the couch.
"Matthew, will you come too?" Matthew looked up as his name was said and nodded, closing his book and setting it on the couch beside him before sliding down and going with Arthur into the kitchen. Once the boys were both seated at the kitchen table, Francis held up an apple he had pulled out of the fridge.
"Boys, what is this?" he asked. The boys looked at the item in his hand for a moment before Alfred spoke.
"A red thing?" he guessed. Arthur frowned and Francis looked at Matthew.
"What about you, Mathieu, can you tell what it is?" Matthew opened his mouth to speak but then shook his head instead. Francis moved closer. "What about now?"
"A…closer red thing?"
"A clearer red thing," Matthew offered. Francis moved closer.
"And now?" Alfred shook his head.
"A…ball?" Matthew said. Francis moved closer still.
"Now?" Alfred shrugged and Matthew squinted. Francis moved the apple within reach of Matthew's hands and the boy's face lit up in a smile.
"Oui, une pomme!"
"A what?" Alfred asked. Francis handed the fruit to him. "Oh, it's an apple, right?" He held it firmly in his hands. Arthur and Francis shared another look.
"I'll make an appointment," Arthur said, walking from the room.