Title: Russia's wife
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Knavish Kitsune Kasami: Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad you like it. I'm not sure if they are in character to be honest. I worry that the characters tend to be OOC but sometimes I really believe that in times of hardships, a person matures faster and he tends to sacrifice a bit of himself in times of crisis.
LittleMonsterStick: Thank you for the review. Please don't put me in that pedestal. It worries me that I could not deliver your high expectations of me. I am like canon Japan in that respect. I promise to write longer chapters but I really want to finish this story as soon as I can. My muse tends to leave me as soon as it arrives.
Author's note: Please take note that even if I discuss serious matters, it is not my intention to try to solve the world's problems, although some of the solutions are based from economists' standpoints which actually makes sense, I only placed it there because it is pivotal as to how America and Russia get together. My objective has always been to delve deeper into Russia and America's domestic life. I actually want to see what it would be like for them being married to each other so I'll lighten the mood after this chapter.
Chapter 3: The proposition.
Being the First Lady takes a lot of work. Not only are you the wife of the most powerful man in the free world but you are a public figure to the whole nation. The First Lady would often be seen as an icon in terms of fashion and style. A wife who is also a celebrity, a political activist and a role model. In the olden days, she was the hostess of the White House but today, she is more than that.
Amelia, despite a government secret, is considered a member of the first family. As such she has her own responsibilities. She often travels all over the country; state after state as the president's official delegate. She would look over the people's needs like building new schools and hospitals for better healthcare. Like the First Lady, she was now a public figure and considered as a second lady of the country.
Amelia laughed when she heard about it, technically the second lady was not even hers by right because, it was rightly given to the wife of the vice-president but looking at how they treat her, she felt happy. At night, she still feels the cry of the poor and how hard it still was for the hard-working American but hope lingers. If there is still that tiny bit of hope left, she would hold it as best as she can.
It was why she was in California looking for ways to solve the drought. Several non-government organizations were trying their best to stop the drought. The state looked like a desert. Thus, all ways to conserve water were made. The government even used actors and tv personalities to remind the people of how important water conservation was.
Aside from the water problem, she had a bigger plate in front of her. Ever since the president's speech of severe economic reforms, she was held with a restraining hand. No longer can she do as she pleased like before. For she needed to give her boss 110% of her support to the cause.
Three years is a long time specially to the people in agony. She felt the pain and sufferings of her people and she knew it was time to change. Due to the harsh economic crises, she grew thin, frail and weak. She lost weight without ever intending to. Even now, she could see the changes in her body, she weighs 110 pounds of skin and bones. A far cry from her 140 pounds for her 5'5" frame three years ago. The good news is Russia, China and Belarus can no longer criticize her over her weight. The bad news is she lost all other interest aside from trying to find ways to help her people survive.
There were times that in her weakness, she would faint out of fatigue. No longer could she bear the cries of the people clamoring for reforms.
Damn it!
Her founders did not fight for her independence just to die an economic death! No, America will survive. It may take decades but the American Dream will remain. For her people were survivors. They have survived the Great Depression long ago, they will survive again.
The problem was that her people grew soft, lazy and decadent. They became too reliant with technology that they forgot their beginnings. It was up to the government and the new head of state to teach her people to return to their previous ways.
Like the olden times when the land was new and foreign, the people had to work hard to rise from this economic catastrophe. Amelia prays for the day when she is restored to greatness and once again the inspiration to the world's downtrodden.
According to financial analysts, the solution is simple you have to break this vicious circle. You have to break the money drug flowing through the corrupt government's hands. The founders were correct when they said that good government is small government.
Thus, there was the advent of the controversial reforms that brought the nation to its knees. Many ridiculed and criticized the news reforms but sacrifices were made in order to alleviate the economic crisis. The people knew that, so with a heavy heart, they gave up some of their indulgences to survive.
In the wake of the new administration, the government cut taxes across the board. Setting a straight 18% for all income tax for everyone who earns money: people and companies. All the taxes were now uniform all over the country. The new head of state also enacted harsher laws on tax evaders and gave more power to the IRS. The people needed to understand the fact that lowering taxes removed the breaks on private-sector productivity, and thus increased both income and taxes.
Later during the first year of the administration, it cut all the bloated government agency spending across the board by 18%. It also removed all unnecessary duplicated agencies such as EPA, Energy, HHS, and cancelled all previously-authorized pork spending and "stimulus" bills.
The government also brought back the manufacturing and heavy industry to the United States by eliminating laws, regulations and policies that discriminate against American companies. It encouraged factories and infrastructures to be made within the country. Thus, it tried to promote more job opportunities by granting the American companies more benefits.
The president also vowed to make America energy independent. It was the dream of the new president to build 100 new high-efficiency 4th-generation nuclear power plants throughout the country to replace the 50-year-old plants now in existence.
There was already a rumor in Congress to remove the restrictions from the energy companies to allow them to tap into our own abundant natural resources. The building of the new nuclear power plants would result in new found employment. Despite the opposition of the environment groups within the area. Still, the lack of food and lack of employment persuaded the environmental groups to give way. The government, on the other hand, imposed stricter implementation of safety procedures and protection of the environment.
The government also sold the TVA, USPS, and some of the corporations to private enterprises, including US massive ownership in land, buildings and other holdings. The new administration also refrained from borrowing money to pay its bills. In fact it encouraged investors from foreign states into the economy.
If all goes according to plan, the stock market will soar as entrepreneurs would come and create new jobs and new wealth.
The last part of the economic reforms was the tricky part. The country needed new foreign investments. Foreign investment is any money coming from international countries into the United States. America knew that it could help the economy but it could also hurt it.
With a stricter policies, the president was optimistic that it would improve the economy. In general, the president hoped that the foreign investments would have a positive outcome for it would allow infrastructure to be built such as homes, highways, defense projects and others. As long as these projects give value to America it was a good investment.
Like China which now held a tremendous number of US bonds. It provided great support to the currency while creating interest-earning opportunities for the other. This sort of exchange amounted to opening far larger opportunities by the swapping services and products.
Thus, foreign investment made an integral part of solving the economic crises that the government made it one of its priorities.
There were also several restrictions imposed by the President on her. No longer can America meddle in the affairs of other states. The new president warned that in no way shall she interfere with other states' affairs.
You cannot help others if you cannot help yourself, America, the president wisely said. In the eyes of the world, America will now be just a silent spectator of the world.
Thus, as the world turns to Russia or even China, America watches over her people as she rightfully should. Although the budget for the military was still there. America now focuses on its own affairs and interests. All war games and exercises were made in US soil and half of the budget were focused on trying to improve the economy.
Amelia was in one of the laboratories in a state university when the president called her to come to the White House. Packing her light traveling bag, she boarded a plane immediately to Washington, D.C.
It was there that she was escorted from the airport to the China Room, one of the rooms on the ground floor of the White House. Usually, when she visits, they escort her directly to the Oval Office. She was about to ask one of the security team when lo and behold, she found Russia right in front of her.
She tried to hide her surprise when she saw him but with her million dollar smile, she greeted him, "Hello, Russia."
"Privyet, Amerika." He gave her a smile.
The smile still creeped her out. She could never tell what was on his mind so she has always been wary.
Amelia tried to listen to him but it made all the panic signs in her head blare even more. She had to get out of there at once. Her mind screamed at her but she maneuvered her body to stay. America was not a coward, not then and not now. Plus, to leave him would mean defeat. So she stayed.
"How are you?" asked Russia.
"Fine, just fine."
"We haven't seen you at Hong Kong's party so we got worried."
"So I've heard. Japan called me about it but I had prior engagements. Thankfully, she was there to make my excuses."
"Are you alright, Amerika?"
"Never better, dude" she gave her cheery smile. "Why do you ask?"
"You seem preoccupied."
"It's probably jet lag. Don't worry. I'll be fine in a couple of hours."
"Maybe you should rest. You look likely to fall pretty soon."
Amelia gave a laugh. "Don't worry, big guy. I'm the heroine. I'm stronger than you think." She sassily winked at him.
"If you say so, Amerika."
"So… what brings you to the White House."
"Business. I came to discuss trade relations with your President. My president intends to invest into some of your corporations."
"That's great dude!" America was glad that would mean that corporation would have more money to expand, pay its employees better and discover new efficient ways to produce and provide services to its clients.
"Yes, it is. However there were conditions, I needed to discuss with your President."
"Conditions? What kind of conditions, are we talking about?"
"Just mutual benefits for both of us like lower tariffs, reasonable tax packages and you, Amerika."
"Me? What does this have to do with me?"
Russia gave him a smile. "It has everything to do with you. I asked my president to invest into your corporations in the hope that this would invite greater industrialization for both our benefits. But on the condition that you would enter an alliance with me?"
America crazed her brows, "Huh? An alliance? I don't get it."
"I think you do. This alliance will enable closer cooperation from a political standpoint and serve to lessen tensions between us. This may even be an avenue to prevent war." Russia patiently explained.
"Yes, I get that but what are saying?"
"I'm saying that I want to marry you, Amerika?"
She shot him a searching glance. "What? Why?"
"Why not?" Russia countered.
"I don't understand."
"What is there to understand, Amerika? I am attracted to you."
"But we rarely agree on anything?"
"Perhaps I see you as a refreshing change to my boring life. I like a woman who challenges me."
"And you think I'm the best candidate? Russia we hardly stand one another, much less like each other. In a few years from now, I hardly think you'd want to stay married to a girl who keeps on provoking you?"
"Silly little Amerika, I think you are overanalyzing things."
"And I think, you didn't think this through. I need to think about this." With that she laid down on a nearby chair.
Russia frowned but he sat across her. "There is nothing to think about Amerika. It is a good arrangement between your people and mine."
America could only stare at him as he was talking about their union merely like an ordinary contract. Is this guy crazy, they are talking about their lives? Carefully, America tried to talk some sense into him. "Russia… Ivan, you need to understand, we are talking about marriage here. You do know that marriage is not a trivial matter especially to our situation."
"I know what is at stake, Amelia and with your economic crisis, I hardly think, you have any choice. I am giving you a chance to help improve your economy and you are refusing my hand."
"Russia, I… I'm flattered but I really need to think about this. It might affect not only us but our people. What will the President think?"
"I've already spoken with your President, Amerika?"
"And?"
"He agrees but he said that the decision is entirely up to you."
America was flabbergasted. "Russia, I really don't know what to say."
Russia came to her side and tip her head with his finger. "Say yes, Amerika. You know it is for the best."
"But we hate each other. We often fight because of conflicting opinions."
Russia chuckled. "I never hated you, Amelia." With that he lowered his head and touched his lips briefly against hers.
At first America was stunned but she later returned his kiss. America later ended it. "That did not mean anything!"
Amelia denied but he merely chuckled.
"I left a copy with your president but I knew you'd like to read about the conditions of the alliance for yourself so I made one for you." He handed her a thick document from his suitcase before taking his leave. "If you need me, I will be in the Russian embassy for a week in Wisconsin Avenue."
After he left, she sat down to one of the chairs and read through the document. Half of the documents was composed of trade agreements, tariffs, tax exemptions and mutual benefits while the other was composed of treaty stipulations. It was nothing short of a war alliance. In case of an unlawful aggression on one spouse country, the other must come to its aid and attack its aggressors.
She was so engrossed at the treaty stipulations that she did not notice that one of the security personnel informed her that the President would like to speak to her at the Oval Office.
America could see it now. It would be a long week. She, together with the President, would need to talk to the cabinet and other financial analysts to look into the matter. It would become a long arduous debate of the pros and cons in allying with their previous enemy but in the end, the result would be the same.
She could see that the pros would outweigh the cons and she would have to take one for the crown. A sacrifice she had to do for the nation. Like the olden days of alliances forged through marriages of the sovereign's children. She would be the sacrificial lamb to ensure the two countries continued harmonious relationship.
Amelia wondered if Ivan thought this through. This poorly disguised union would ultimately result in an uproar among the nations. She could already see England and Finland fighting against Russia, saying she was coerced into agreeing to this marriage. It would also pose as a potential threat to the Islamic states. The others would probably be indifferent but she would hardly doubt that they would be happy of the news of her marriage. In the end, it would become a media frenzy, clothed with further speculations and conspiracy theories.
America sighed.
Russia what have you done?
Imagining his happy smile, she sighed again before standing up to talk to her president and answer the question he would likely ask of her.