After a week, Matthew had begun to settle into the new home. Everything felt slightly alien. The wall outlets, the refrigerator, the art. Everything was similar, there was no mistaking what it was, but it was just different enough that it was disconcerting. Matthew needed something that was truly familiar.

"Bonjour?"

"Hello, Papa."

"Matthew! You silly boy, you 'ave not called in months."

"Sorry, Papa. I've been... busy."

"'Ow much busier can you be? You've already gotten pregnant." Francis raised an eyebrow for effect, forgetting he was on the phone.

"Well... I'm living with Berwald now."

"Wait, who?"

"Berwald. Oh, I didn't tell you. Berwald is the guy who got me pregnant in the first place. I met him again, and we're kind of... In love?"

"Thank you for not telling ton papa about all this. I did try to call in March, and earlier in May, but your number did not go through. Why is that, may I ask, mon chou? Are you avoiding moi?"

"No, I just lost my phone in March. And now I've moved. I couldn't keep the same phone number over here."

"Over where?"

"Sweden."

"Pardon?"

"Sweden."

"You live in Sweden?!" Francis was outraged. Not because Matthew was in Sweden, but because he hadn't been involved in the decision making process. "You only speak French and English, 'ow can you have a job? Are you living on the streets?"

"No, Dad, I told you, I'm living with Berwald."

"You 'ardly know the man!"

"We've been dating since Valentine's day..."

"That's no time at all! Real amour grows and burns slowly, like smoldering coals!"

"Like it did for you when you met Arthur, right?" Matthew pointed out dryly.

"Leave that out of this, that's different. 'E was made to be with me."

"Maybe I'm made to be with Berwald."

"How much do you even know about him?"

"Enough," Matthew faltered, "He's gentle and he likes animals, and he has a steady job, and he wants the baby..."

"Is that all 'e wants? I don't trust this man."

"He's trustworthy, Papa," Matthew said, exhasparated.

"Even if 'e is, are you going to be 'appy with 'im? Do you 'ave anything at all in common?"

"Dad, aren't you supposed to be the one who's all for love of every type?"

"Not when my son and grandchild to be are at stake."

"It's my baby before it's your grandchild. It's my baby and I'm having it with Berwald."

"Is 'e good for you, or is 'e just good enough? When did you last do something that only you wanted to do? Do they even 'ave hockey in Sweden?"

"I.. I don't know."

"I don't think you should be 'aving a child with a man you barely know. Let alone one who doesn't even know quite who you are."

Matthew was more than a little roughed up. "I'm sorry I called! Goodbye!" He went to slam the phone down hard, but he paused, his sweet nature getting the best of him.

"I still love you, Dad... Bye." He hung up without waiting for a response.

-x-

It may continue.