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Twenty-Six: Weddings; The aftermath

Mexico stood and stared at him for what seemed like a century and then, in sudden uproar, grabbed the ends of her dress and ran down the aisle. Guests from each side of the church stood up in amazement and started shouting and screaming.

America, dazed, took one look at her retreating figure and sprinted after her. I'm not going to let her get away that easily…what crap was she talking about? I'm in love with someone else? I've never cheated! Not once! I love her too god-damn much!

"Mexico please!" He yelled as he punched open the church doors and looked frantically around him but saw no trace of her.

He couldn't believe it. He felt numb. Fuck, this really, really hurts…

Loud footsteps behind him, slowed down as they neared him and America knew who it was already. He didn't want to see anyone at the moment.

"Tell the people to go out the back entrance and make their way to the reception. It's all laid out; they may as well enjoy it." America's voice cracked and the man behind him sighed.

"Amerique, I know that all you want to do is let the ground swallow you up right now because the pain in your heart is so strong, you feel you might actually die but you should know what Mexico said is right; you are in love with someone else. And they are right in front of you. All you need to do is open your eyes."

America frowned and turned to his replacement best man.

"I am not in love with anybody else! I love Maria! Always have!" He ground his teeth together and he felt his eyes starting to form moisture. I will not cry.

"America please, listen to me and her. She even realised before it was too late; maybe she knew she couldn't live with someone who was so desperately in love with someone else."

America shook his head back and forth.

"But who-?"

France smiled sadly.

"Go and find them."

America didn't understand and France was being so damn mysterious. He needed someone to tell him that he was going to be alright, that everything would work out for the best.

Suddenly his head snapped up.

"I need England."

France blinked at him.

"Sorry?"

America cursed under his breath. Damit to hell! He had to act strong! Like he was the hero! No matter how much he wanted his best friend's comfort, he had to show the world, show himself, show her, that he could pull through his on his own.

"Just forget it!" He cried and ran off in the direction of the town's park.

France did not follow him. He got his phone out and called his girlfriend.

"Northern Ireland, thank God you have answered!"

It was raining.

Figures.

When did it ever stop raining when something awful was happening?

England was looking all around him for some trace of a tux-clad man but to no avail. He felt cold and wet and just plain tired but knew he couldn't give up. America needed him. And when America needed him, England would walk on water to get to him.

Rushing into the town's scenic park, he finally stopped, gasping for air and putting his hands on his thighs, panting heavily.

"You ever notice how things like flowers are beautiful, even in the rain?"

England froze. His eyes widened and he ever so slowly spun on his heel to face the direction of the voice.

America was sitting on a park bench, trenched and staring fixatedly at a bush of yellow roses.

England knew not to say anything about the wedding and just let America bring him into the topic. He shrugged.

"I guess." England knew that to play this little small-talk with America was necessary; he was too fragile right now to go straight into talk about his already failed marriage.

"Maria was beautiful in the rain."

England felt like he'd been punched in the gut but was very good at concealing what he felt; he'd had plenty of practice. The Brit didn't know how to reply and so quietly asked, "Why did she run?"

England felt kinda stupid. He should have let Emily fill him in on what happened instead and running out the door like a madman.

America continued to look at the flowers.

"She said I was in love with someone else; in love with them more than I was with her."

England's breath caught in his throat and his head felt suddenly dizzy. He needed, wanted something to support him but he didn't move a muscle in case what he had just heard was some brittle illusion that would vanish from his thoughts at the slightest trace of movement.

"Who?"

"She didn't tell me. She said that whoever it was and right in front of me and all I had to do and go and get them." England saw America frown. "I don't understand! I loved her! How could she do this to me?" He wasn't asking England but really just talking to himself. England decided to answer.

"America, listen to me. If she has told you what you told me then it's pretty simple. You either find this person or you don't. Either way, it's Mexico's loss. You are brilliant and perfect in every way. She's a fool."

America's mouth opened but no sound came out. When he looked up to face England, he could see England standing there, sun silhouetting his body, grass brushing against his ankles, brown suit on, hand stretched out, smiling so tenderly down at America.

Let's go home…

How? How could I have not noticed it before? After all this time? How could I have not known what my own heart was trying to tell me?

England.

England.

I love him.

I really love him.

America, the realisation shaking him to his very core, looked again and saw England standing in the rain, a sad smile on his face, looking at America like….

Like…

Like he loved him.

"It was you."

The words are barely above a whisper but England heard them alright and his eyes widened as he looked at America.

"It was you all along. How could I have not seen it until now? How can I have been so stupid? How…how could I have not realised that I love you?"

England gasped as America stood up and grabbed him, pulling him into a kiss. It's sweet but full of unsaid words over the past few years. Pent up frustrations and new-found revelations all packed into one kiss.

America pulled back as blue eyes stared into emerald.

"Come on."

England said, taking America's hand.

"Let's go home."

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! So there you have it! Happy ending! Couldn't make it sad, just couldn't! Thanks and please review! Cheers LucyMoon1992 x