I don't own Hetalia okay? I don't have much to say, so enough of this A/N, on with the fic!

Lovina sighed as she lay on the bed Alfred, and she shared. Felicia had given a bridal magazine to her and she looked at it, knowing that in a month she would be Mrs. Jones and they would be able to say that she is pregnant in a month. It would be nice to be able to just say I am pregnant. It's hard to hide this…. She thought as she grabbed a nearby bucket that she had with her. I thought morning sickness was morning only She thought as she wiped her mouth. Thank God there's a water closet nearby. She said as she snuck in, rinsed the bucket and came back into the bedroom and sighed. I miss him…. She thought. Knowing what was going on with her grandfather's business, she knew that Alfred was not going to be very safe.

"So, have you picked a dress?" Felicia said coming into the room.

"No." She scowled as she laid the magazine on her head. "I'm going to talk to Helena about it she had a few ideas." Lovina said. In actuality Helena was the one who had been guiding her through everything and doing everything she could to keep Julius from putting Alfred in too much danger. Helena had agreed with some of Lovina's concerns that Julius may have had some suspicions of what really happened rather than just took the story like most of the family did. And since Julius would not disturb the family on something like that, he was taking it out on Alfred via the jobs he had him doing.

"Well, she seems to be very smart." Felicia said.

"Yes." Lovina got up. "In fact I will go see her now."

"Can I come with?" Felicia asked.

"No." Lovina scowled. Felicia pouted and caused Lovina to think She is my sister and we pretty much agreed she would be the maid of honor and Lovino said he was going to be Alfred's best man, although that will be quite the wedding speech... She thought as she recalled what Lovino had said at the banquet where Alfred had "proposed." Julius looked proud that Lovino was being so welcome to Alfred. However as time went on, Lovina's worry only increased. She wasn't clueless like Felicia was. "Look I was discussing your dress with Helena too, and when we decide what to do, I'll bring you to her."

"That sounds wonderful! And I will do the same for you if I ever find anyone who can fill the void left in my heart after losing dear Luddy." Felicia said as she hugged Lovina tight, much to her disgust. She's going to squeeze this thing out of me...she thought.

"Let go!" Lovina said. "I'm going to see Helena.

"Okay." Felicia waved as Lovina shuddered.

Arthur sighed as he headed into the clerk's office to work his daily front job. He had to keep this up so people would not suspect things. While he and his brothers could take less shifts in other jobs, that time was being spent on organizing the speakeasy, getting supplies and running the whole business. I swear this is more hectic than when we had the pub... However he had agreed to meet with Leon and his grandfather to start a front in the north side, so he walked over to the apartment they had. When Leon had told Arthur that they were the only tenants in the building, and the owner had a storefront under them ideas were turning in his mind. The idea was to have a laundry, and one of the roles that they would expect from them. Leon had said the owner had wanted to sell the building and this would be Arthur's chance to do so. If they were needing fronts, this would be the place to start.

As Arthur headed to the building, he saw another man nearby. "Just who the bloody hell are you?" He asked as he looked at a tall blonde man with wavy locks who was looking at the building as well.

"Oh, forgive me. I am Francis Bonnefoy and I am looking for something to purchase to help start a new life in this country, even if I have to go to the local synagogue for wine..."

"Excuse me, what is the name of that rabbi?" Arthur asked.

"I think it was Rabbi Feliks...he's quite liberal with keeping kosher..." Francis said.

"I see..." Arthur scowled. At least I already have a line on this Frog's money...

"But I came to this country after the war ruined my beloved home back in the French countryside. I am looking to spread out my investments." Francis replied.

"Is that so?" Arthur said. "I heard you would find more pleasant company in Canada..."

"Oh, I wanted a change of scenery." Francis smiled.

"Why not Louisiana? New Orleans?" Arthur scowled. This is mine to snatch up.

"Mon dieu..." Francis sighed. "I thought about it, but I had come over in the middle of summer and it was just unbearable."

"So why not out west, far far away from here..." Arthur said.

"Oh phoo." Francis said. "And why do you want me gone so much? I find you quite charming."

"I'm seeing a friend." Arthur said. "Not like it matters."

"Oh well, I need to find the owner, I heard this building is for sale, storefront and rental rooms with tenants already. A great way to start a business in this land of opportunity, no?" Francis smiled.

"I heard the man is hard to find and good luck at the clerk's office." Arthur said as he made a note to make sure that no one tells Francis anything in his mind.

"Well, I am sure I can handle it. Au revoir." Francis smiled.

"Frog..." Arthur scowled. He walked up the side stairs to Leon's apartment and knocked on the door.

"Oh, Arthur. Hello." Leon said.

"That's not how you speak to your elders." An older Chinese man said from the corner of the room.

"Ah, you must be Leon's grandfather." Arthur said as he held out his hand. "I have heard much about you."

"Nothing good." The man said as he took Arthur's outstretched hand. "I am Yao Wang, Li's grandfather."

"Li?" Arthur asked.

"His proper name is Li Xiao Chun, and we came to this hell hole in 1911." Yao explained. "I worked on the railroads to help support Li since his parents were killed in the 1911 revolution." He explained. "I guess that is why he has become a pickpocket delinquent running with bootleggers." Yao said narrowing his eyes at Arthur. "I know these things. People talk when they think an old man who can't do anything is nearby."

"Well, ummm….." Arthur began knowing this would be hard to convince Yao to join his gang with a front. "You see,"

"What do you want with me? I don't have much time for foolishness anymore." Yao sighed as he lit a pipe.

"Fine, I will be blunt." Arthur said. "I was informed your landlord was looking to sell this building. My brothers and I were planning on purchasing it to use for our operation and I will fund your business if you let us have occasional speakeasies in the back, and hide some of our inventory in the back."

"What else?" Yao said looking at Arthur.

"I wish I did not have to ask this, but I will also have to pay protection to help keep you safe from any possible interference from the well known Vargas gang. Sure they may have the south side to their name but who is not to say they won't expand over the whole city. We will keep you safe from them," Arthur replied.

"5 percent of profit." Yao said.

"25" Arthur countered.

"You greedy white pig!" Yao said. He looked over to Li and then back. He did want to have a business so he could pass it to him and keep him out of trouble. It felt wrong having to partner with trouble to do so, but it was important to give Li a chance to make something after leaving China with his parents killed when he was young. "8 percent."

"15." Arthur said.

"I'll do 10 make it easy on you and painful on me." Yao said.

"That can be arranged." He replied. "It is a pleasure to do business with you." Arthur said as he tipped his hat. "Now I must meet with your landlord. I could hire the Russian and his scary sister to make sure we get a good deal…."

"Good luck with that." Yao said as Arthur shut the door behind him. He headed down to the apartment where Ivan was living with his sister to make sure he could have him with him when he conducted the "negotiations". Business is war and if we are in a less than legal business, then all bets are off on what to do. Arthur thought as he knocked on the door.

"Just what do you want you Limey bastard?" Natalya said as she opened the door and held a knife to his neck."

"Now what kind of way is that to talk to your employer." Arthur said calmly. I will not let Amelia know about this, she would likely want to fight Natalya for threatening me….

"Sestra" Ivan said as he walked to the door, "Let me talk."

"Fine big brother." she said as she moved back behind him and let Arthur in. It smelled strongly of cabbage and potatoes and a whiff of vodka. Arthur had promised to keep them with a steady supply if they had helped provide security at the events, which had gone pretty well. Many people were automatically intimidated by Ivan's presence and while many had not suspected Natalya of much, she had always proved to be efficient at kicking out the overly drunk or anyone who caused a problem. She kept the inside fun but safe and quiet and Ivan prevented people who weren't allowed from coming in as long as Arthur paid them well and made sure they had vodka, then they were going to be loyal to him. "Let me bring you some tea in the meantime."

"You know some of our plans to expand our influence on the North Side. Well I have agreement from Leon's grandfather that he will run a laundry if I buy the building. However, someone else is looking to buy it. I feel if we apply a little of your special brand of persuasion, we would be able to obtain it." Arthur explained.

"I see." Ivan said as he sipped his tea and smiled at his sister, knowing just how he liked it.

"Thank you. And to you too." He said to Natalya as he took a drink of the tea and quickly shuddered.

"Is there a problem? Is there not enough jam?" Ivan asked.

"No, no, it just is not usually how I take my tea. It is quite different than what I am used to." Arthur said not wanting to upset them. This is a crime against tea. Even Amelia's tea is not this sweet. By God…. He thought.

Alfred had walked back into Gilbert's shop and sighed. He wanted to try and explain what happened, but couldn't be truthful. He sat at the bar and sighed. "One of your Egg Crèmes please."

"So, anything going better?" Gilbert asked.

"Same ol, same ol….." Alfred sighed.

"Look, that was no way to have a first time. And the boss does say that you're allowed to come back." Alfred perked up. Gilbert continued. "Do you think you caused the police t be called?" Alfred nodded. "Well I highly doubt that, the boss doubts that. It's just a risk that runs with the business. Now if you keep coming and it keeps happening…." Gilbert said with a laugh that Alfred had reciprocated nervously. "Let's just say there's probable cause to leave you out of this."

"I understand." Alfred sighed. "Where's the next one being held?"

"Back of this shop. Friday night. Shake it up a little bit." Gilbert said. "Password is chu chulainn." He said.

"Good." Alfred said as he finished the Egg Crème "Thank Feliks for me with the wine. I hope to see him again. He's a great guy."

"I'll let him know. When's the wedding?" Gilbert asked.

"Two more weeks. And her grandfather already invited everyone. I just had to suffer though a fitting with his tailor." Alfred groaned. "If she was at my farm, I'd just get one of my nicer suits or my old dress uniform from the war."

"Ah, she loves you no matter what." Gilbert said.

"Yeah, that she does, makes this situation a lot easier." Alfred sighed as he paid for the egg crème. "See you later."

"Have fun." Alfred said as he waved to Gilbert and headed back to the estate. God I miss the farm…. Alfred thought, And I never thought that thought would cross my mind. He sighed as he walked along, noticing Lovina. "Hey!" He yelled as he ran up to her.

"What?" She asked looking at him annoyed.

"Missed you." He said as he pulled her close kissing her. "What have you been doing?"

"Talking with Helena." She said simply. "She's helping me get ready for the wedding, and making my dress."

"Can you tell me what it looks like?" Alfred smiled.

"No. You'll see on the wedding day." She smiled.

"I hope to spend some time with you alone on the farm." Alfred said. "Maybe go fishing again? And when junior is old enough, then we would teach him how to fish as well."

Lovina thought about it and smiled. "That would be nice." She said.

So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I have a lot going on right now so I don't know how fast I can update but I will. Other than that, remember to read, well you just did, and review. Ciao for now,

Otherrealmwriter

Aka

Realm.