I do not own Hetalia, okay? I don't have much else to say here so enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
"It's getting late, are you sure you will be able to get to the speakeasy on time?" Alfred asked as he and Julius headed out of Enzo's shop, satisfied the tuxedo was pretty much ready to be picked up once he had finished some of the fine touches. "I mean I wanted to spend some time with Lovina today. I feel like I have hardly seen her in days."
"Nonsense, you'll have the rest of your life to spend with her." Julius said as Feliciano had pulled the car up. "Enjoy your bachelorhood while you can. And get us some great information while we do it. Remember it is so a rival gang doesn't do anything to hurt Lovina." Alfred sighed. "You know as well as I do that, they would stop at nothing, and I mean nothing to get at me and would use any of my family to do so. I tell my men, no women no children but other gangs may not have that kind of code."
"I know I know…." Alfred said as they pulled up to the manor and Feliciano turned off the car, letting both Julius and Alfred out. He quickly headed out of the garage and up to the bedroom, running past Lovina who looked up and sighed.
"Feli, he's working again tonight, isn't he?" Lovina asked looking down at her feet from her project. Helena had been helping her to learn to knit better so that she could make clothes and blankets for the baby, and she had suggested it would be something that would help her calm her nerves. Helena had become he confidant in this whole situation, and had kept her silence, something she was very grateful for. Lovina knew that Alfred wanted to be far away from this all, but he cared too much for her and their unborn child to leave. It was not in his character to leave someone in need, and as much as she thought he was too much of a goody two shoes sometimes, it was a trait she secretly loved, and the reason she wasn't worried about him leaving her, at least by his own choice. Now her grandfather putting him in a situation where he would be killed, that was a worry she could not shake.
"Yup. He's just changing his clothes, so he looks more like a warehouse worker like he told the people last time." Feliciano explained. "And then I am to drive him to Lincoln Park and then he will head over to that one ice cream shop. There's a speakeasy there today."
"I see why Nonno does not have you doing anything other than driving…." Lovina sighed. She placed her knitting needles to stand up. "Let me at least see my soon to be husband." She said as she headed up to the bedroom, to find Alfred, throwing the tailored suits that Julius suggested he wear when out in public with him, for a more casual outfit that would be befitting a former farmer turned warehouse worker in the city. Lovina came in and found Alfred with a button up white cotton shirt while he pulled up a pair of dark brown paints. Lovina ran over and helped him put the suspenders on. She turned around, grabbed the matching vest and a grey newsboy cap. "Hmmmm...something doesn't seem right..." She sighed. Alfred looked at her confused as she took off the hat. "That hat doesn't suit you."
"Yeah, but I need something." Alfred smiled as he gave her a quick kiss. Lovina looked up at him. He gulped as he looked into her emerald green eyes. "You're so beautiful babe..." He pulled her close and kissed her. "Thanks, I'll have you on my mind and in my heart all night."
"You know," Lovina said. "In two weeks, no one will care if we have...you know..." She giggled as Alfred's eyebrows raised. "I say you liked it. And according to Helena, there's no risk to the child."
"Well according to your grandpa, he's shipping us off to Miami for the honeymoon until he builds us our own house. It's in town, unfortunately near him, but it would be ours." Alfred said as Lovina sighed. "I know, I would rather take you home to the farm, no matter how many bad memories are attached, the good one of me and you at the pond, fishing, which is the best memory I have of it. Because of you."
"Alfred..." Lovina whispered as she stared into his blue eyes.
"Oh Alfredo! We need to get going!" Julius said as Lovina rolled her eyes in disappointment.
"I'll try to be back as fast as I can. Hopefully no one calls the cops tonight, so I don't have to keep doing things." Alfred said as he gave Lovina a quick kiss. "I'm coming!" Alfred said. "Don't call the cops this time! I can get some intel for you, and they won't suspect me of anything!"
"Of course not." Julius said as he opened the door. "Now let's go."
"I'll see you later tonight babe." Alfred said as he followed Julius out to the garage and got in the car where Feliciano drove him over to Lincoln Park, where from there he was going to walk to the ice cream shop and try and get the intel hoping that this would be good enough for Julius and that he could just worry about the wedding coming up . He knew he was going to have time off while a house by the lake was going to be built for them, but he did not like that one bit. He was too close to Julius's reach, and he was the one who had to take care of Lovina and their child. It was his responsibility. However, Alfred could not shake the impending doom he felt as he went to the speakeasy.
Alba smiled as he helped set up the equipment for the jazz band to their specifications and just how Amelia had liked having the stage. She wanted a big area to move around as she sung, and while this could be tricky to set up to make sure the band got the viewing they deserved too. However, Amelia was boisterous, and she did have a good voice and Arthur was insistent she get her fair shake. On one of his more ambitious goals when he had gotten Julius's levels of influence was that he would get Amelia and her band a record deal and have them perform all over the radio and on stage. If he had Julius's money and influence, he could certainly get her into bigger venues than speakeasies. He had gotten the bed to himself at their small apartment finally. Dylan had still taken to sleeping on the couch and due to changes in shift and duties to keep the gang going, Patrick and Seamus often came home at different times of the day so they didn't have to necessarily share a bed but it was understood that if Alba was in the bed, then they were to leave him alone. Looking up, he saw Toris and Feliks come in.
"Alba, my bubie, how are you this fine evening?" Feliks said.
"Lay off the act." Alba said. "We know you're not really a rabbi. You just knew enough people in Poland who would lie to you and enough to seem like one. Deep down you're still as Catholic as can be." He paused and looked up. "How would you confess that one at Confessional? That has to be a major sin."
"Since when did you care about sin? What you being The Wulver's puppet master." Feliks replied. "We wouldn't be here if you didn't prod that brother of yours into being less of a good boy and the colonizer that he is in his blood." Alba looked over annoyed.
"Did someone do something to you?" Alba asked.
"He's tired is all." Toris said. "Had a few long days fishing on the lake and a hell of a time at the cannery getting paid and because he is dressed like a rabbi anywhere, he goes he can't eat his favorite foods in public. Plus, he's getting over a cold."
"Oh." Alba said as he nodded at Toris, hoping not to offend them. As annoying as "rabbi Feliks" could be, he was important to help obtaining some of their supply. As the night wore on, Gilbert had closed up the register in the ice cream parlor and headed to the backroom where he took over duties as the bartender at the speakeasy. Ivan then took control of the back door once Gilbert locked the front. Arthur and Amelia had come in with the band. He smiled as Amelia looked over at him. "I have to go warm up with the guys. I am so glad you are here watching me."
"It is no problem love. You are my darling and I love seeing you sing. You have such an angelic voice." Arthur said. He felt the gun in his pocket and looked over at Amelia. "You do have your pistol, in case things get too hectic and I cannot get to you."
"Artie…." She whispered pulling him close. She stood over him slightly in the heels she wore with her singer dress. "I'll be fine." She kissed him. "I taught you how to use some of these things better after all."
"Indeed." Arthur said as he sat back with Gilbert and looked at the stage. He had sworn once the Great War was over, and he had made it to the shores of America that he would never use a gun again. He wanted to leave the violence of the war behind and the type of life he had that had earned him that Wulver nickname from his brother. He did have to admit that there were a few points to be made on the fact he did not look the part of some gang leader unlike Julius. Looking at his pocket watch, an heirloom from the Kirkland family that had survived the war and trip to America. If I do ever have a son, this will become his. He mused as he smiled at Amelia. He knew she would be a good mother who would fiercely make sure their children were raised well and healthy, but just what kind of life would they be living in? Arthur was the head of a smuggling ring for his main income while his façade job was just a city clerk. It took all his time, and he did not want a child to not have a life with their father.
Meanwhile, Alfred had stood in line behind a longhaired man and what seemed to be his grandson who could hardly be any older than 16. What is a kid like that doing in a place like this? He should be in school. Who am I kidding? I fought with kids around his age in the war. That was rough. They barely had a chance to make a life of their own and they get mowed down in what turned to be a pointless war. He thought as he turned his thoughts back to Lovina. Doing it for her… doing it for her…. doing it for her…. He thought as he looked up at the Russian who had looked down on him with a scowl. For some reason he could tell that this guy did not like him.
"So, you're back again?" Ivan asked.
"Yes. I was invited." Alfred said.
"I would not have done so myself." Ivan said. "You were one of the few new people that night the cops were called. It is not often we hear complaints from neighbors." Ivan looked at Alfred as if he could read his mind, as if he knew that he was not a warehouse worker who got too friendly with the boss's daughter, that he was one of Julius's henchmen, even if Alfred did not like the idea of that being the case.
"Can I just get in?" Alfred sighed. "I have tonight's password."
"What is it?" Ivan rolled his eyes, knowing that this was his job and that if the password was correct, he was supposed to let the person in.
"Chu chulainn" Alfred said as Ivan began to open the door when he felt a knife to his neck.
"I know you have the boss's permission to go in there, but mark my words, if we find you have any ties to anyone who may want to harm us or even worse, harm big brother, I will kill you." Natalya said.
"Sestra…." Ivan sighed. "Let him in. He's the Wulver's to deal with if he does anything he should not."
"You heard me." Natalya said as she ran the tip of the knife across her neck to show she was serious and pointed at Alfred, causing him to shudder. If Julius doesn't kill me himself, then one of these people will! Alfred thought as he headed inside.
"Aye!" Gilbert said as he noticed Alfred. "Come on over, I have this new batch we got ahold of I want you to try!"
"Me?" Alfred asked.
"Yes you." Gilbert said. "I have a buddy who works the Union Pacific and he will bring me some of what he gets from out west. And well, boss man wanted me to ask you what you thought." He slid Alfred a mason jar with a little filed at the bottom. He picked it up and sniffed it.
"Is this?" Alfred began.
"Huckleberry." Arthur smiled. "I have heard it is quite good, but I do not drink much myself. I cannot hold my liquor to save my life. But my darling says it is sweet, like her." He smiled looking over at Amelia as he blew her a kiss as she began to sing.
Alfred and Gilbert looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Not wanting to offend anyone, he sniffed the jar and took a small sip. Part of him was sure that this gang knew who he really was with, and they would be able to dispose of him easily with some bad shine and he would be written off as any other person who bought bad shine. Control yourself, don't drink too much because they may be thinking they can get something out of you or even kill you. Remember that Russian guy's sister…. He said as he sipped the drink. "Not bad."
"See," Gilbert smiled. "I'll tell the boss when I see him again that I need that buddy to get me more of this stuff. And it's from out west, might be able to jack up the price of this blend."
"Indeed. The boss would love to know that." Arthur said with a wink that Alfred did not catch. "He would love to hear when you can get more."
"Good." Gilbert said. "Have some more." He said as she poured a little more for Alfred. "Aren't you getting married soon after all? A shotgun wedding even?"
"Yeah. In two weeks. Then a honeymoon off in Miami via her grandfather. He's made it really big in the shipping industry and loves her so, so he gifted her that. Sure, the beach is nice, but I just want to fish with her in my farm's pond." Alfred sighed.
"Well enjoy yourself. You will have enough to worry about later." Arthur said. "Excuse me. I must speak with Amelia."
"Excused." Alfred said as he looked at the drink while Gilbert poured some more for other customers. That is some good advice… He thought. But don't have too much fun. You need to be there to keep Lovina and Junior safe. You know Julius wants to use you, but you have to use him. He thought as he took a deep swig of the moonshine. "Another." Alfred said as he placed some money down.
"How about this?" Gilbert said. "The Marlow. It's made with bourbon, sherry, blackberries, lemon and rosemary." He said as he slid the drink to Alfred.
"Make me one!" Amelia said, as she sat on Arthur's lap. "A nice drink during break and can spend some time with Artie here."
"Sure." Gilbert said as he rolled his eyes. Alfred sipped the drink woefully, wishing he could have that with Lovina, without any worry from what everything else. He wanted what Arthur had with Amelia and sighed as he took a deep drink and looked around. Everyone seemed to be having fun and it was him there alone, drowning his sorrow despite he should be happy. Well in two weeks you'll be away from here for a little bit and then you can come home and announce Lovina's pregnancy, so you don't have to worry about hiding that anymore. He sighed as Arthur and Amelia headed to the backroom.
"Maybe someday I won't have to deal with that all and Lovina and I can have that." He said to himself.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. The huckleberry shine from out west is a reference to the Mob Museum's Underground Speakeasy in Las Vegas' new flavor from the Prohibition history in the west. I highly recommend the Mob Museum and Speakeasy there if you are in Vegas and over 21 of course. Their menu is where I get a lot of idea for cocktails. Now if you follow me on A03 as well as FFN you will notice that you cannot view my stories without registering an account on A03. This is to limit the amount of AI training scrapers out there. I don't want my works to be used to train the AI without my permission. Also, if you want to finish a fic of mine, I have on hiatus. Ask. I won't say no as long as you do the work and just give credit to where you got the original idea. FFN you can't just copy and paste from the site directly, so I have no issue there. I just have guest reviews on moderation because trolls would abuse it via spamming, and I don't want you to have to see that. So, if you're a guest on FFN and leave a review, that's why you don't see it right away. That made this closing A/N rather long… Anyway, remember to read, well you just did and review. Ciao for now,
Otherrealmwriter
Aka
Realm.