Chapter 3: Married Couple Has Doubts… Should They Get Married?

Disclaimer: Wow, no one really does read these huh? I had a contest with a secret word and prizes in a disclaimer for one of my other stories, and no one noticed? You know what? I'm going to keep doing this until somebody notices! Today's word: Easter Eggs, hint hint. I don't own Hetalia or their characters. All mentions of real people and newspaper are used without malicious intent and I don't own them either.

A/N: Rejoice for this has come out a lot sooner than my last update! To PirateQueen the anon reviewer- glad you liked the update and really glad that you thought it was epic. Hope this new update doesn't disappoint either. To Coffee-Flavored Fate- Hope that you are still not regretting letting me borrow this and write my story from your first chapter. You are incredible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ON~WITH~THE~CHAPTER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"…Should Great Britain really be able to dictate OUR national interests?"

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"This is an outrage! For our beloved America to be forced into marriage against her will—"

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"Well as an Italian American I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm getting to see a union between both my home countries! It's like I'm a kid from the Parent Trap or something."

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"…the Congressman has been one of many to call for immediate diplomatic cuts from England, France and Italy—"

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"We are still waiting on word from the President on what this might mean for an Independent Amer—"

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"Where is the America from MY childhood? This Presidency—"

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America let her head hit her desk with a dull thud and a deep, painful sigh. Canada winced and looked at his twin sister with pity. Her normally organized office (organized because of White House staff, not because America herself really cared about order) was in complete disarray from all the newspapers, petitions, proposed bills, and enraged or congratulatory letters from her citizens that clamored for her attention and space. Canada got up from the couch in her office and carefully navigated his way to his sister's side. Once there (and only managing to knock over one pile of papers), he rubbed his sister's back trying to get out all the knots he felt. She gave a small moan and looked up at him with tired thanks before her eyes returned to roam over the multitudes of papers.

"It seems like half of my people want to declare war or cut all ties to Europe and the other half want me to have another wedding so they can watch me be a beautiful bride!" America said while rubbing her hands across her face. America's eyes began to fill with tears that she blinked back and she hissed, "My head is killing me! I haven't been this out of sorts since the elections in 2016 three years ago. My boss doesn't know what to do, the media won't stop howling one way or the other, and I'm just so confused! I HATE THIS!"

"Now calm down mon chaton; throwing a fit will not make you feel better," came a voice from the window.

Both twins turned in unison to see France climbing in through a window. America's mumbled, "How does he always get through my security," was barely audible over Canada's loud cry of, "You bastard! How dare you show your face right now when this is your fault?!"

France seemed completely unruffled by Canada's outburst; he had taken care of the Canadian since he was a child and knew that the usually polite Canadian could be quite loud over certain subjects like hockey, pancakes, and his twin. France gave Canada a brief scolding glance before turning his attention back towards the only female in the room.

"Alfreda, I know this is a difficult time for you, but yelling and making a scene will not help," with a gentle touch, France picked up America's hand and led her over to the couch. He continued to speak in a calm, soft manner, "Now mon chaton, the best way to feel better is to figure out what YOU want. So do you want to marry little Romano?"

America just looked confused while Canada seemed even more mutinous. However, France didn't want to say nor do anything that would make America think something was being decided for her. Most nations didn't understand Alfreda behind America. They didn't understand how she could be both so rebellious and so loyal. A perfect case in point for her (what some had called at the time) blind obedience was the Trail of Tears.

When America was forced to "relocate" her native population, Alfreda was horrified. He remembered her writing him bitter letters with tear stains on them about her long and heated debates with President Jackson about the immoral actions of imposing the Indian Removal Act. However, when the president put his foot down and told her the law was going to be enforced, America bitterly bowed her head and participated in the removal. France knew that parts of Alfreda died for every innocent life loss on that hellish trail, but America carried through.

But then there was rebellious America. The best case for this would be her feelings and relationship with Lithuania after the First World War. It was clear right from the start that the two had a special spark, and America's bosses tried to capitalize on that spark. They pushed her to enter into a real relationship with Lithuania for strategic purposes (what with Lithuania being so close to a communist Russia) and for other classified reasons that America never shared with him. Alfreda was horrified. She knew that Lithuania wanted to go home eventually and didn't like how her bosses were trying to meddle in her love life.

She told her bosses no.

This made them confused and upset and they began to push and push her to enter a relationship with Lithuania. They would set up dates for the two nations; mention how great a guy Lithuania was… they tried everything. And all their meddling did was make America angrier and angrier until finally one of her bosses decided to order her into a relationship with Lithuania. This order made America insane with rage. She began doing very risky practices, making risky investments, and doing everything she could to avoid Lithuania up to abandoning her duties to help her bosses. Was it any real surprise that the Great Depression hit? America basically forced herself and everyone around her into a huge economic decline all so that she could avoid being forced into a relationship with a person that she liked because she had felt pressured into the relationship.

So…

France had to be careful to avoid making America feel as though Alfreda was being pushed into something or his whole marriage plan would end worse than the Hindenburg. Thus he would need to use all his cunning to gently lead America to the opinion that she wanted to be with Romano and no one was forcing her into the relationship.

(It helped that America had matured since the Great Depression and was less prone to such self- and world-destructive behavior.)

While France silently thanked all the gods and stars he knew for a more mature America, the nation had come to a conclusion about her "marriage."

She cleared her throat slightly and said, "I-I admire Lovino. I think he is not given enough credit usually. He works really hard for the people he cares about, even if he tries not to show it. And I could never get over how he was willing to sacrifice himself for his little brother. Twice!"

France agreed with her on that last account. Lovino Vargas, for all the screaming obscenities and rude behavior to anyone possessing a Y-chromosome and appearances to being a coward, could be remarkable noble and brave at times for those he loved. The first time he showed such nobility was his willingness to die so that Feliciano could live as the one Italy. During the Risorgimento, there was the question of what to do about the two Italian personifications. When they had been many tiny states, the North and the South personifications could both survive; however, all the nations theorized that if they were to ever unify into one nation, one of the two would have to die.

(In fact, France knew that Austria would use such a threat of death often to keep Feliciano from trying to rebel and rejoin his brother in the South.)

When the Risorgimento happened, it looked like it would be the elder brother who would survive. Feliciano had gotten a terrible wound during the fighting for the Papal States and Garibaldi, the great Italian General, was known to prefer Romano over his brother, saying that since Romano came from humbler background he would be a better personification for Italy. But when it came time for Romano to take his place as the one Italy, he refused. He stated that he would rather his little brother live. This selfless act sent shock waves through the community of personifications. France remembers telling America about it while she was recovering from her Civil War; the look on her face was one of respect and pleasure. She told France that she liked the idea that such noble men remained in this world.

(Of course, Romano did not die. Cavour managed to do some political footwork to keep the Southern personification alive and France would be forever grateful for that more than anything else, even Nice.)

The second great act of sacrifice was when the Allies had occupied Italy. They were all tired and angry at fighting this war and getting angrier at the long time it was taking to invade "soft underbelly of the axis." When they finally managed to take all of Italy, the Allies had been fighting long, grueling battles for five months to get what had been considered an easy target… it was no surprise that a few members of the Allies were ready to take their frustrations out on the Italian twins, specifically North Italy who had given them the most trouble.

Romano got in their way. Bravely he stepped up and said that they could do anything they wanted to him as long as they left his little brother alone. France wished he could say that because of his bravery, Romano wasn't harmed. That would be a lie though. Two of the Allies in particular were feeling especially brutalized and ill-tempered due to heavy civilian and military causalities from the Axis. They decided that since Romano offered and had agreed to anything… it was open season on the little Italian.

Again America had been impressed by the Southern Italian's bravery and inner strength.

This made France's job so much easier. America loved a self-sacrificing hero and Romano had proven to be such a hero twice. However he wasn't quite done gently nudging her.

France prompted, "He is also quite handsome, non?"

America's blush was all the "yes" France needed.

France decided to push a little more, "So if you think he is so handsome, and wonderful, and heroic, why do you seem so dissatisfied? I know you don't like being pushed into things like that minor deal with Lithuania…"

America interrupted him, "No Francis! It's not that! I've matured since then and I wouldn't totally hate being married and Romano's a great guy and a wonderful chef—OMG his cooking is beyond incredible!—but I just… why would he be interested in me?"

This last statement caused both France and Canada to look at America as if she'd stated that she could see and talk to England's "special" friends. Canada, after a moment, snorted, "Oh c'mon Al. Now is not the time to be fishing for compliments about what a great catch you are and how any man would be lucky to have you and blah blah blah."

America shook her head forcibly, "No! That's not what I meant. I can understand why Italy would want to marry America; what I meant was… would Lovino want to marry Alfreda."

She shifted uncomfortably in the silence that followed her question. "I don't want to marry him because he wants to be married to mighty, powerful, wealthy America," she blurted out, "I want him to marry me because he thinks Alfreda is kind of a cool girl, but let's be serious. Lovino is a sophisticated, opera-loving, art-producing, great cooking, smooth 'in heaven your lover is Italian' guy. I am loud, blunt, always having a yo-yoing waist line, don't really get operas, not as bad a cook as England—but is that saying much?—girl who has managed to mangle every relationship she has ever been in. Why would a guy who could sweet-talk anyone want me?"

France looked with deep concern at America. He knew that one of the reasons she tended to be so loud and in-your-face was to hide a lot of insecurities, but he hadn't realized how deep they were. He lifted a hand to try and comfort her, but she flinched away.

"Look, I got to go. My boss wants another meeting with me before we get ready to head over to Italy to talk to Romano, Feliciano, and their boss about this mess. Can you guys just… show yourself out or something?" And with that dismissal, America left.

France gave a small sigh and stood up. He looked at Canada and said, "Well I guess I shall be off then." He left a space hanging between them. Raising Canada had given him a sort of sixth sense when Canada had something to say. France waited.

Canada looked square at France with probing eyes. His entire stance was stiff and his face had tightened. Light shined off his glasses, temporarily hiding his eyes from France. The situation was tense and France did his best to breathe and pretend he was unbothered by the heavy, dark atmosphere. Finally Canada came to a decision and spoke, "She's my sister Francis."

France tried not to wince; it was never a good thing when his little Mathieu used his human name instead of Papa or his country name. Never good.

"She likes Romano, and unlike other members of our family, I'm willing to give her relationship with that Italian a shot. She hasn't been with anyone other than the occasional one-night stand in a long time and I think she'd be happier in a long-term relationship with someone who really cares about her." Canada's stance seemed to soften as his voice grew a little more distant and contemplative. "You know as much as she tries to be pragmatic or 'I'm Miss Independent and I Don't Need Someone in My Life,' Al believes in love conquering all and soul mates and true happy endings. It's the Disney inside her. So," Canada came back down to earth now, "yeah, I'm willing to let Romano have his shot at making my sister happy."

Now the temperature dropped as Canada's quiet voice began to grow, "But. If that Italian son-of-a-bitch, thinks for even a millisecond that he can just 'hit it and quit it' and leave my sister like she's some two-dollar whore? Or if he thinks he's gonna lock her up and run her country for her because he's the husband and she's his wife? Then! That son-of-a-bitch and I are gonna have some problems. And if he thinks that just because I like to be polite, he's gonna get away with any of that bullshit? Well! He can just fucking see WHY motherfucking RUSSIA IS FUCKING SCARED OF ME IN HOCKEY SEASON WHEN I BREAK HIS NECK OPEN, PULL OUT HIS SPINAL CORD AND THEN SHOVE IT THROUGH HIS ASS!"

With that Canada seemed to calm down and stroll to the door leaving a slightly shell-shocked France in his wake. However, just as the Canadian reached the door he stopped, and with his back towards France, said in a low voice, "And don't think I'll forget who set up this little marriage if it goes south Francis. Don't think I'll forget you. I won't tell you what will happen to you then… I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks… but just know, that whatever you imagine? It'll be ten times worse in reality."

With that Canada left the room.

~~~~~~A~~~~~DAY~~~~LATER~~~~~~IN~~~~~~ITALY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

France silently slid into the room as Romano threw one hell of a tantrum. France eyed Spain and Feliciano as they both tried to calm Romano unsuccessfully. Luckily for them France was here to save the day (after a grueling fast-paced plane flight) and get the little bridegroom on track to being a romantic husband for his little girl (both so that Alfreda will be happy, and Mathieu won't kill his beloved Papa).

He cleared his throat and started in his normal, subdued way, "AH~ the beauty of the Italian landscape! I see that you are filled with vim and vigor mon tomate! Ah love is in the air and you look so cute like GACK!" France's face had a certain unexpected meeting with a heavy clay pot. It was not the best of first impressions, but France took some relief in that the aim had been a little high and Romano had missed breaking his nose. Again. For the—ah what would it have been now?—thirty-second time?

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD! IT IS YOUR FAULT THAT I'M IN THIS FUCKING MESS! GO SHIT YOURSELF AND DIE IN IT YOU MOTHERFUCKING COCKSUCKER!" Romano panted a little bit from the high-pitched scream which surely sent a few dogs deaf.

(Spain and Feliciano were a little confused. How could France like to make love to his mother AND suck on a man's penis at the same time? They would later try to figure out the contradiction while making tomato sauce from Spain's prized tomatoes. Their conclusion? France's mother was either a hermaphrodite, or was a transsexual. Either way, it explained a lot of what made France… well, France.)

France managed to stagger back to standing with a groan causing Romano to begin to look for another thing to throw at him. Seeing the immediate danger one of his best friends, Spain quickly tried to intervene. "Romano, don't be like this!" Spain softly cooed to the irate Italian man, "Why are you so angry? Tu eres no muy lindo! America is a sweet and beautiful young lady, what's got you so mad?"

Romano took a deep breath. He had to remember he was dealing with idiots here. Slowly he tried to explain, "It's because she is fucking America. If she was Belgium or even Hungary this wouldn't be a problem, assholes!"

His audience of dumbfucks still looked confused; Romano prayed for patience and tried again.

"She is America. That means she is one of, if not The, most powerful, wealthy nations around. Do you know how my fratello's and mine parliament has been reacting? Once they got over the fear that we would be attacked by her enemies, all the idiots could think about is what we're going to do with her money and military! They think that somehow, just because I'M the husband, America is going to become an obedient, submissive wife and somehow Italy will become a fucking empire!"

The two most frightening things about Romano's speech were the limited cursing and the way he hissed each word. Romano yelling was common and barely something to be noticed. Romano's cursing? Same thing, not important.

Romano NOT raising his voice and NOT cursing? That was bad.

Spain pushed valiantly forward, "So? You know she's not going to be like that. I know you and your brother don't want to become an empire like your grandfather, or me, or Austria… that's fine! I doubt America really wants to become one either." Spain stoically ignored France's comment of "You mean become an empire again, she already was one." The tan, green-eyed man soldiered on, "I think you two will be very happy together! Not to mention how cute you both are! OH SO CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE—"

The other three sighed as Spain got stuck in his loops of "CUTE!" again. This time Feliciano tried to calm his brother down. He went over and softly said, "Ve, Romano we can just tell them no. It'll be alright. I'm sure you and America will be very happy together."

Romano gave a snort before mumbling, "There have been mentions of America marrying you… not me, to make it easier on the Americans because they are making such a fuss over her marrying me. They think if it's changed to you they'll be happier."

"Oh fratello," Feliciano face and voice were filled with sadness for his brother.

Romano just brushed him off and snapped, "Don't act so surprised fratello, Northern Italy has always been the better catch. And you know America! She always wants the best damn thing. Of course you would be better for her than me."

France brought his hand sharply against the wall with a loud "CRACK!" He gave a glare at Romano, "First off Lovino, I will not allow you to be so hard on yourself. You're a great catch and have many wonderful qualities about you! You mustn't be so horrible about yourself. And secondly," here France drew himself up and stomped over to Romano, "I will NOT let you slander Alfreda. Do not go throwing around suggestions that she is so cruel as to pick one brother over the other. She is a good-hearted person and will be a wonderful, caring wife if you let her in." The last part held a beseeching tone. France really did hate to see the self-hatred in Romano's eyes and the cruel words he spoke about America.

Romano just gave an annoyed sound before sighing in defeat. "Look," he said with a tired air, "I need to get ready to meet America in a couple of days. I'm heading to Rome to start the preparations with Prime Minister Pantalone. That Venetian may be a mix of Berlusconi and the world's worst miser, but at least he's willing to listen when I make suggestions."

With that Romano stomped out, only briefly stopping to grab Spain (still chanting "cute, cute, cute") before leaving. France gave a small sigh. "Ah, I wish your brother could be as confident as he acts. What do… you… think… Feliciano?" France turned around to see no little Feliciano. He scratched his head and was about to leave before spotting the wayward ditz studying a map of the world.

Feliciano cocked his head and studied the map with open, serious eyes. He purred, "Ve… you know Big Brother France… I think you are trying to be helpful now. I know in the past your goal was to unite a world with love, and that's good ve! But now, now you are trying to do good for my fratello, si?"

Feliciano—no—Northern Italy looked at France from the corner of his eye. The look chilled France and he felt himself nodding his head so vigorously that he felt it may come off.

Northern Italy's eyes returned to the map and he brought a finger up and began to gently trace the curves of America's lands. Normally the gesture would have been sensual, but somehow the light touch seemed like a threatening brand designed to burn America.

"Lovino has done much for me over our lives. He has protected me, taught me lessons, fed me; cared for me… he is a good brother. And I'm sure America is a good girl, but I worry France. I worry that America can be so careless sometimes with her actions and words. I know my fratello, and I will let you in on a little secret. Lovino loves blondes. He has always held a fascination for them, and I think it was because part of him remembers marrying America and falling for her. So if she accidentally I'm sure she would never do so on purpose, but if she accidentally hurts my fratello… that would make me very sad. And when I get sad, sometimes, accidents occur."

Northern Italy paused, and managed to pull a stiletto knife from somewhere on his person. He started using the knife to trace America.

"Did you know," Northern Italy continued in a conversational purr, "how easy it is to accidentally make something poisonous? Oh I know America is a strong country and has an even stronger stomach—England raised her after all!—but there are always little soft parts on even the most mighty of dragons. And there are ways for little mice to creep in, and gnaw on those soft parts. Poison was always one of my fratello's and mine greatest talents, I'm sure if I wasn't careful… well, a little slip and who knows how sick America might find herself afterwards if she accidentally breaks my brother's heart."

And with that, the stiletto knife was plunged deep into the heartlands of America. France gulped and wondered if he should call America to find out if she was okay.

Northern Italy blinked in surprise and gave a little laugh, "OOPS! Clumsy me! Well, I should go Big Brother France. I need to help Lovino prepare for Ms. America's arrival." With that he skipped over to France and gave the tense, frightened man a hug. Before pulling away Northern Italy whispered, "Oh and France? I think for your sake as well, you should hope America doesn't do anything stupid. After all, she's a pretty girl—and you know I'm more lenient on women—and has England's training to protect her stomach… you don't."

And then Italy skipped away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCARY~ITALY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

France let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Two brothers, both threatening bodily harm to France and his precious little lovebirds if the slightest thing went wrong in their sibling's courtship…

It was okay; after all France just had to make sure that Romano and America fell in love and didn't do anything stupid, like Romano becoming embarrassed and cursing out America, hurting her feelings. Or America in a moment of "not reading the atmosphere" saying something hurtful and tactless and hurting Romano's feelings. Both of those events were unlikely, right?

"Oh god," France thought, "I'm doomed!"

~~~~~~~~~~~THE~END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading and please review. And if anyone can guess what the allusion I'm making with the Italian Prime Minister is, they will get a valuable prize. Please let me know in your reviews what you think the correct answer is and we shall see if there are any Italian majors out there who are reading my story. Probably not… but…

ANYWAY!

Much Love,

91REDROSES