Title: Love's Aftermath
Pairings: Italy/Germany, Spain/Romano, Spain/Italy, France/Canada, England/America, Japan/Greece, Prussia/Hungary, Austria/Switzerland
Italy's pregnant, Germany's gone missing and Romano just won't quit, have these kids STILL not got their act together?
Chapter 15 - An Unexpected Delivery
"Hang on Italy; I'm sure the hospital is around here somewhere..."
"G-Germany...it hurts..."
"I know Italy, just hang on."
"...are we nearly there?"
"I don't know, I'm not exactly sure where the hospital is."
Italy groaned in despair, "Germany..."
"I'm sorry I've never been to Toronto before!" Germany bit his lip, looking around desperately for another sign; he'd past the one pointing him in the direction of the hospital almost ten minutes ago.
Italy winced as his stomach gave another painful throb, curling up in the car seat, "Oww...Germany please hurry."
"I'm trying Italy; I promise I'll get you there soon." Germany said, reaching over to grip Italy's knee, rubbing it reassuringly as he drove down the unfamiliar icy streets of Toronto, just hoping that the hospital would be around the corner but now convinced he must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.
"G-Germany isn't that it?" Italy moaned weakly, nodding out of the window to the large building in the distance.
"Ja, ja I think it must be..." Germany took the next left, speeding into the hospital car park, pulling up as close to the tall building as he could, "Alright, I'll go inside und find a doctor okay?"
Italy moaned weakly, nodding, "O-Okay...please be quick."
"I will Italy."
~0~
Within minutes the Italian was lying down in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown and surgical stockings, waiting to be wheeled into the operating room. Germany had changed into appropriate operating room clothes as he'd requested to be with Italy at all times during the surgery, however at that moment he was struggling to calm the Italian even before they'd even met the doctor.
"Germany...Germany what's going to happen to me?" Italy asked, gripping tightly to Germany's arm, looking at him with panic stricken eyes.
Germany carefully leant over him, gently petting his hair, "Italy you're having a caesarean remember?"
"Y-Yeah...what's that?"
"It's where they cut you open to-"
"WHAT!" Italy shrieked in terror, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Italy...how else did you think they were going to get the baby out?"
"I...I don't know, but I don't want to be cut open Germany!" Italy cried, shaking his head from side to side.
"Mr Germany?" the German looked up as the nurse who had taken them to their room had reappeared, "The doctor is ready for you both now, we're going to wheel Mr Italy into the operating room."
"No, no Germany no! I don't want to go!" Italy buried his head in Germany's chest, tears starting to pool in his eyes.
"Italy come on, we need to get the baby out." Germany said calmly, gently prizing the Italian off himself so the nurse could come in and wheel the bed. Italy whimpered softly as he got taken down the long, bleak corridor, heart hammering nervously as he clung to the metal bars around his bed. "It'll be okay Italy; I'll be in there with you the whole time."
Italy nodded, swallowing heavily as his bed was pushed into the operating room, where a team of surgeons were waiting for him. Germany went to greet them whilst they helped carefully heave the Italian off his bed and onto the operating table, gently placing a pillow under his head. Italy's eyes flickered around the bright, white, terrifying operating room, his hand reaching blindly for Germany's, "G-Germany...I don't want to do this..."
Germany went to his side, gently brushing back his fringe from his face, "Italy calm down, it'll be fine you won't feel a thing ja? The doctor is going to give you some anaesthesia so you go numb and can't feel any pain okay?" he pressed a soft kiss to Italy's forehead, trying to soothe the hysterical Italian.
It seemed to work for a moment, Italy managed to take a few calming breathes and his nerves seemed to cease...that was until he saw the doctor coming towards him with a rather large needle, "G-Germany...what's that for?" he whispered, edging away slightly as the doctor reached for Italy's hand.
"Mr Italy if you'll just lay your arm down here..." he gently tugged on the Italian's hand and got it to lie flat on the operating table, palm down.
Germany gently took hold of Italy's other hand, "That's for injecting the anaesthesia Italy."
Italy's arm shot out of the doctors grasp as he went to inject him, "NO! No no no no! Germany no!" he squealed, gripping the front of Germany's scrubs, burying himself in the German's chest, "I don't like needles! No needles Germany! Keep it away from me!"
Germany gently grabbed hold of him, trying to get him to lie back down, "Italy, Italy stop struggling..." he said, the Italian squirming in his arms as the needle was still looming over him.
"No needles, I don't like them! Germany no!" Italy cried, his body starting to shake in the German's arms.
The doctor sighed as there didn't look like there was any way to contain the Italian, he looked to Germany, "Mr Germany if you can not calm your partner we'll have to sedate him and this could be very harmful to him during the operation." he warned in his thick Canadian accent.
Germany bit his lip, gently rubbing Italy's back, "Italy please, you need to calm down."
Italy shook his head, hands still fisted into the front of Germany's scrubs, "No, no-no...Germany I can't, I can't do this!"
"Italy you can!" Germany persisted, forcing the Italian back onto his back on the table, holding him in place with his weight, giving the doctor a slight shake of the head when he attempted to go near him with the needle again.
Italy continued to shake his head, tears starting to roll down his cheeks as he struggled under the German's grip, "I can't...I'm not, not strong enough to handle this Germany!"
Germany leant down and kissed his forehead, "Italy you're stronger than this, I promise you."
"I-I can't! I can't!" Italy chocked out, sobbing slightly, hiding his face behind his hands.
Germany gently took hold of Italy's hand, pulling them away from his face, "Italy look at me..." Italy bit his lip, still squirming under the German's grasp, "Look at me und stop moving!" he slipped an arm underneath the Italian's back, scooping him up slightly so he could face him properly, "Italy..." he said softly, gently trailing a hand down Italy's damp cheeks, "I love those cute little snuffly sounds you make while you're asleep..."
Italy stopped moving, staring up at the German in confusion, "...what?"
Germany smirked slightly, gently kissing the tip of his nose, "…und I love how you don't even know how absolutely adorable you are."
Italy blinked slowly, taking a moment to process what was being said, "I...I love how you put on the big tough guy act for everyone around you, and-and that only I know how sweet and sensitive you really are..." Italy whispered softly, gently taking hold of Germany's face in his hands, trailing his fingers across his soft skin.
Germany smiled, lightly kissing his lips, "...und do you know what else I love?"
"...what?"
"I love how you trust me...how you know that everything I do, I do for you...und that you trust that I'll know what's best for you..." Germany said softly, gazing into the Italian's eyes, gently lowering him back onto the table, "...right?"
Italy nodded slowly, his eyes welling up again, "Sì..."
"So you're going to hold out your arm and let the doctor inject you...then you're going to lie perfectly still while you have your operation, und I'll be right here with you...always."
Italy nodded again, with his hand shaking slightly he let go of the German and lay his arm flat against his body, his other hand going to take Germany's, squeezing it tightly as the doctor took Italy's hand and injected the anaesthesia into the vein. Italy winced slightly as it stung, biting his lip, eyes squeezed shut, Germany leant down to kiss his forehead, soothing him with sweet words whispered into his ear.
"Are you okay?" Germany asked softly after the needle had been removed, gently petting his hair.
Italy nodded, blinking slowly as he could slowly feel the lower half of his body going numb, "Sì...it feels weird."
"Mr Italy, if you're ready we'll start the operation." the doctor said, placing up a sheet above Italy's large stomach so he couldn't see anything, he nodded weakly, gripping Germany's hand again, "Okay...we'll start by cleaning the area then we'll make the incision..."
Italy managed to drone out the doctor's voice as he gazed up at his beloved, smiling certainly, giving his hand a weak squeeze. Germany smiled warmly, leaning down to press gentle butterfly kisses against his cheek, lacing his fingers with the Italian's, "I love you Italy..."
"I love you too Germany." Italy whispered softly, nuzzling into the German's neck, feeling slightly drowsy from the meds. Germany continued to hold the Italian gently as the operation continued, it didn't take too long until the loud cry of a newborn baby could be heard from behind the sheet as it was carefully removed from the Italian. Germany felt Italy's hand go stiff under his own, he looked up at the German with wide eyes but there was a big grin on his face, he tried to sit up to see the baby but Germany held him down.
"Congratulations, it's a boy." the doctor said, carefully handing the baby to a nurse who went to wash and wrap him up. Italy bit his lip, gently tugging on Germany's hand in excitement, the doctor was about to go back to operating on Italy when another doctor burst into the room.
"Help we are losing this guy out here! He's flat lining we need help!"
"I'm terribly sorry Mr Italy, we'll be back as soon as possible." the doctor said hurriedly, him and several of the nurses rushed out of the operating room to deal with the emergency.
The nurse still holding onto the baby gently wrapped him up in a blue blanket, "Mr Italy, would you like to hold your baby?"
"Sì!" Italy held out his arms to the nurse, clapping his hands excitedly.
Germany bit his lip, holding out his hand to stop her, "Hang on a minute...Italy, are you sure? If you see the child it'll be harder to let it go..."
"But we might be keeping it Germany, and even if we're not I still want to see him..." Italy said pleadingly, still straining to see the child.
Germany sighed softly, "Alright."
The nurse carefully handed the tiny baby over to Italy, resting it on his chest. Italy sat up slightly to get a better look, cradling him gently; the baby had a tiny delicate rounded face, the lightest of blond, fluffy hair on his head and bright amber eyes that mirrored Italy's own. The Italian smiled in awe, gently stroking the baby's soft face with his finger, tears pooling in his eyes again, "Germany...he's so beautiful."
Germany smiled; gently petting Italy's hair, letting his eyes wander over to their child in Italy's arms...he really was beautiful.
"Mr Germany?" the German looked up as a nurse poked her head into the operating room, "Your child's adoptive parents are here to see the baby..."
Italy looked up at the German in panic, holding the baby protectively against his chest, "Germany...you said, you said you'd tell them we changed our minds..."
Germany bit his lip, sighing softly, "Ja..." he looked to the nurse, "You can let them in."
Italy sat up slightly to get a look at these people who wanted to take his beautiful child from him, he'd felt an instant dislike to these strangers ever since deciding that this baby was his and no one else's.
...never in his life would he have guessed that he actually knew the couple.
Germany and Italy stared with wide eyes and gaping mouths...and an equally shocked pair of faces stared back at them, "Oh mein gott...it's you two?"
"Dude...you two are the ones we're getting the baby from?" America asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Oh my...maybe I should have asked the agency for the names of the couple after all..." England said, looking just stunned as the rest of them.
"Is...is that the kid?" America whispered softly, gazing over at Italy's arms where the little bundle was cradled against his chest.
Germany gently patted Italy's hand before getting up and going to the American and the Brit, "Listen you two...I'm afraid I have some bad news."
America furrowed his brows in confusion, "What is it?"
Germany sighed, running a hand through his hair, he hated that he had to do this to them, "Well...I'm afraid urm...well I mean this is your choice but...Italy has decided that he'd like to keep the child..."
America blinked slowly, having trouble processing the information, "...what?"
England gently slipped his hand into America's, squeezing it reassuringly, "He's changed his mind?"
Germany nodded, "Ja, und I understand if you still want to go through with the arrangement...I'm just letting you know that Italy really wants to keep this baby, but it's your choice whether you let him or not."
"Well we kinda you know...got our hearts set on having this kid..." America said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, looking to England for back up.
But England was shaking his head, sighing deeply, "America..."
"Oh no...oh God no you're doing that thing you do when you're about to tell me bad news." America shook his head, "England come on..."
"No America...it's not right." England looked at him sadly, gently squeezing his hand, "We can't take a child from someone who isn't willing to give it up."
"But...but..." America bit his lip, starting to get upset, "That's not fair..."
"I really am sorry about this..." Germany muttered softly, even though he didn't think much of the American he couldn't help feeling guilty about it.
"It's okay, I understand." England tried to smile but there was sadness in his own eyes too.
"But England...we, we've got everything ready! The-The nursery, everything! We've even got the name picked out! This isn't fair!" America stamped his foot, fists balled together as he tried not to cry, his bottom lip trembling.
"America please try and be mature about this...we can always adopt somebody else's child." the Brit said soothingly, gently rubbing his back.
"But...but how long will that take? When the agency called and said that he'd gone into labour you promised we'd get the kid today! England you promised..." America sniffed slightly, scrubbing a hand down his face as tears started to roll from down his cheeks. England hugged him gently, trying to be the stronger of the pair but even he couldn't hide his own disappointment.
Germany muttered another apology before going back to Italy's side, gently brushing his fringe out of his eyes, looking slightly befuddled at the way the Italian seemed suddenly down heartened, "...are you okay Italy?"
"They...they really want the baby Germany..."
"Ja I know...but like you said, it's our child Italy, und I can't make you give it up." Germany smiled reassuringly, gently kissing the top of his head. Italy bit his lip, glancing down at the tiny baby in his arms, curled up fast asleep against his chest.
England gently tugged on America's hand, "Come on, we better leave these two alone...we'll sort something out when we get home." America nodded, still wiping away his tears on the back of his sleeve as England opened the door, holding it open for him.
"England, America wait!" Italy called from the hospital bed, stopping them in their tracks.
"Yeah?" America muttered softly, not looking back at him.
Italy looked down at the baby, then to Germany's questioning eyes before finally looking to America, "...you can have him."
All three of them stared at him, Germany gently took his hand, "Italy...what are you saying?"
Italy bit his lip, sighing softly, "...America's right, it's not fair...and you were right as well." Germany looked at him questioningly, "...it's theirs, not ours."
America turned back around, "Dude...you mean that?"
"Sì...you wanted this child from the start, I can't take him from you." Italy said softly, gazing down at the boy in his arms, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead, tears building up in his eyes.
"Italy are you sure about this? Once you give him to them you can't ever get him back." Germany warned, stroking a hand through Italy's hair.
Italy nodded, tears pouring down his cheeks, "...sì...I know they'll take good c-care of him..." he whispered, voice cracking slightly.
"We will, I promise we will." America said determinedly, stepping closer to his bed.
Italy sniffled slightly before carefully handing the child to Germany, "Give him to them..."
Germany nodded, carefully taking the child from Italy, handing it over to America, not allowing himself to look into his son's sweet face for fear he wouldn't be able to let him go. America took the baby, cradling his close to his chest, gazing down at the sweet little boy, "England...come see."
England slowly approached his boyfriend, biting his lip slightly, "Oh wow, he's beautiful."
"He is...dude..." America blinked, a grin slowly fixing itself to his face as he gently rocked the baby boy, "This is so surreal..."
England smiled warmly, gently stroking his soft little face, "...our baby...you still want to name him what we decided earlier?"
America shook his head, "No, if it's okay with you...I think we should give him a different kind of name." he leant over and whispered in England's ear.
England looked at him in surprise, "Are you sure about that?"
America nodded, "Yeah...lets call him...Milan."
Italy looked up, "You're naming him after an Italian city?"
America nodded, "Yeah dude, you let us have him...it's the least we can do."
Italy smiled warmly, "Grazie...promise you'll be good to him."
England smiled, gently taking Milan from America, "We promise."
"I'm so sorry about that..." the doctor finally re-entered the operating room after dealing with the emergency, going back behind the sheet, pulling on some fresh medical gloves to continue with the operation, "Right, now lets deliver the second baby..."
"WHAT?" It was all four of them who spoke, staring at the doctor in shock, "What do you mean?" Germany asked, gaping at him.
"The second baby..." the doctor said slowly, looking slightly confused, "It's twins...did you not know?"
"Well I...I never had a scan..."
"Surely you felt that you had two babies?"
Italy looked at Germany, the German looked equally baffled, "Nein...we never realised..."
"Urm...well we didn't really plan on a second one..." England muttered, biting his lip anxiously.
"Germany!" Italy reached for the German's hand, "We can keep this one! Right?"
"A-Are you sure?" Germany stuttered slightly, "It's a big responsibility Italy; I mean there's lots of things to consider-"
Italy grabbed hold of the front of Germany's scrubs and pulled him down into a heated kiss, "I love you Germany, I know I'll be able to handle a child, because I have you beside me."
Germany smiled softly, kissing him again, "I love you so much Italy...und you're right...I know in mein heart what a great father you'll make."
"Alright here she is..." the doctor announced, carefully removing the second child, handing it to the nurse who went to clean and wrap her up, in a pink blanket this time, before carefully resting her on Italy's chest. Italy beamed, cuddling her close, gently pushing back the blanket slightly to get a look at her sweet face; she had a delicate smattering of chestnut brown hair, with one single curl that stuck out of her head, and big beautiful blue eyes that gazed up at her dad.
Italy gently took her little hand, stroking it softly, "Germany...she has your eyes."
"She does?" Germany asked softly, gently taking her from him when Italy held her out to him. Italy was right, her delicate blue orbs matched Germany's own, yet she had Italy's sweet, loving face. Germany gazed at her for a few moments before he smiled, holding her close, his chest swelling with warmth, "...she's beautiful Italy."
Italy smiled, nodding, tears pooling in his eyes again, "Our baby."
Germany gently stroked her cheek, tears starting to roll down his own, "Ja..."
"I guess this means..." America said softly after a few moments of silence, "That we'll be seeing a lot more of each other huh?"
"Well we can't very well keep these two apart." England said, stepping closer to Germany to let the twins be near each other.
"Ja that's true, birthdays, Christmas...these two should know who their family are."
Italy nodded, resting tiredly against the pillow as the doctor began stitching him up, "...when he's older we'll have to explain why he's not with his sister."
"We'll tell him it's because you did something amazing for a friend Italy." America said, smiling at the Italian, "By the way what are you calling her?"
Germany looked at Italy, carefully resting her on his chest again, "You name her."
Italy smiled slightly, gazing down at her sweet face, "How about...Dresden?"
Germany was momentarily thrown off guard before grinning slightly, "...really?"
Italy nodded; "Sì, it's a pretty name." the Italian smiled, cuddling her close, "A pretty name for our pretty little girl."
Germany smiled warmly, leaning down his kiss his forehead, "I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too." Italy mumbled tiredly, close to falling asleep.
"I love you honey bunch." America said, grinning slightly, wrapping his arms around England's waist from behind.
England smirked slightly, raising a bushy eyebrow, "I love you too...big goof."
Germany gently took Dresden from off Italy's chest once he'd finally dozed off, offering her to America so the German could hold Milan, rocking him gently, "I guess I'll be getting to know mein son- I mean...your son, as well as mein own daughter."
"Dude feel free to come over and see him whenever you want."
"Yes, he's still yours no matter who he lives me."
"Danke, I should suspect we'll all be seeing a lot of each other from now on."
"Yeah...that'll be uhh, fun." America said, laughing slightly awkwardly.
Germany rolled his eyes slightly, "You know, I still don't particularly like you, America."
America laughed again, gently rocking Dresden in his arms, "I know, but get used to it pal, I'm totally like your brother-in-law, or something."
"Oh gott."
Gahhh I couldn't be mean to either couple XD I'm such a sap hehe
Stay tuned for the epilogue :) and I swear that's the last thing I'm doing with this series XD
Reviews are love :)