Soooo, I'm planning on finishing the rest of the book tonight. So be prepared for updates~
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Alfred was in bed, rolling over to his side and trying to get comfortable. The babies were due yesterday, but Alfred showed no signs of going into labor. It worried the other nations immensely that Alfred was late, but that only made our little freedom bean feel worse. Ivan had been called to a meeting, a simple follow up from one of his meetings a few days prior. So, as Alfred continued to toss and turn in the bed, he could only feel emptiness.
Until he turned to his side and came face to face with Britain.
"Iggy!" Alfred yelped, startled.
"Good morning little man, how are you feeling?" Alfred shrugged at the question, "well, I think I have an idea that will make you feel better," Arthur moved to the side and showed Alfred a wheelchair.
"What are we going to do with a wheelchair?" Arthur helped Alfred sit up, rubbing his belly.
"You've been cramped in this room for nearly a few months. You deserve a peaceful day of fresh air, so I decided we could hit up the shopping center. Maybe even urge those little urchins out of you," Arthur winked. Alfred gave him a watery smile and nodded, and with some help, stood up straight and got into the wheelchair. Alfred had been wearing one of Ivan's sweaters and leggings, so he was already in comfortable clothes for going out.
His pregnant belly was adorable as he sat down in the wheelchair, getting cozy with the pillow Arthur had placed on the seat. He wheeled Alfred out and towards the stairs, where Germany and Sweden lifted the locked wheels and carried the chair down the stairs. China gave Arthur a basket and Finland kissed Alfred's temple.
Meanwhile, Canada, Belarus, Romano, and Japan felt their hearts pace. Something didn't sit right with them. Prussia, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland also felt queasy. Nobody seemed to voice these feelings, knowing that Arthur would sooner die than let anything happen to Alfred. Even Finland grew to trust the Brit, which is why he even agreed to allow Arthur to take Alfred from the sanctuary of his room.
Arthur loaded the wheelchair in the back of the car, helping Alfred into the passenger seat. Alfred took notice of the red handicap placard on the rearview mirror, making him smile. Arthur had gotten a temporary handicap from him. Arthur took notice in the smile and noticed Alfred looking at the placard. He gently rubbed Alfred's face and his eyes seemed to shine with unshed tears.
The drive was pretty silent, aside from Alfred humming a few tunes that played on the radio. As they pulled into a shopping center, they noticed how only one handicap spot was left. Arthur pulled into it and parked, shutting the car off and unlocking the doors.
"Iggy, those old people need it more," Alfred noticed as a pickup truck pulled near them. The handicap placard was blue and there was an elderly man driving. A young woman was in the passenger seat, she quickly unbuckled and got out. Her face was contorted with a sense of rage and entitlement as she knocked on Arthur's window. Arthur huffed and rolled down the window since it was still operational despite the car being off.
"Excuse me, but you can't take this spot," her voice was snooty and brash.
"We most certainly can, my child is pregnant and can't walk long distances. We even have a wheelchair, so my poor angel doesn't stress out," Arthur gently grazed Alfred's belly. Alfred looked at her and waved shyly.
"Well, my father needs this spot more. He can barely walk a few yards before needing to catch his breath,"
"Iggy, just give them the spot. I can wheel myself a little further," Alfred pleaded with Arthur. Arthur could feel Alfred getting stressed and clenched his hand. He was about to answer when he noticed the handicap spot in front of them had become available.
"Why not take that spot, I'll even go stand in it so it doesn't get taken," Arthur suggested. The lady looked and grumbled, nodding and crossing her arms, "jolly good, then," Arthur got out and stood in the spot. The elderly man parked his truck in the spot and Arthur went back to the car, rolling up his window and helping Alfred into the wheelchair. The older man made eye contact with Alfred, looking at his daughter.
"Jean, did you try to steal that spot from a pregnant woman?" the woman looked over and her draw nearly dropped.
"I didn't realize she was that pregnant," she defended as she walked away, clearly feeling like shit. The elder man walked beside them with his cane, smiling.
"How far along are you?"
"I was actually due yesterday, we're hoping a little air will prompt the babies to leave," Alfred smiled sweetly.
"Babies, how many you got?"
"Twins,"
"Well, my congratulations," he tipped his hat as he finally met up with his daughter on the sidewalk. Arthur smiled down and gently pet Alfred's head.
"Your people are always so friendly, it's so strange," Arthur teased as he rolled Alfred into the mall. The two spent a good hour shopping, looking for last minutes gifts for the babies. They even went into a baby boutique and were swarmed by many people about how big he was. It made Alfred happy, despite his shy self not initially liking the attention.
Arthur took Alfred anywhere he wanted to go, starting at Build-A-Bear. It was a 'Buy 2 get 1 50% off' sale and Alfred wanted to get his new twins each a teddy. The spare one could be for him to cuddle with, a bonus. So, he made two brown bears and one polar bear. He made one of the brown bears a girl, that would be his. After making the bears, they went to the garden. Alfred sniffed the flowers and played with the butterflies. Three even landed on his stomach, which made him laugh since they tickled.
The next stop would be a little tea place, where Arthur and Alfred decided to eat. Alfred ate a nice and warm chocolate chip muffin with some hot honey tea while Arthur ate some scones smothered in jam with chamomile tea. After a nice, relaxing rest, the two decided to go into some high-end antique store.
It would be here, that Alfred began to feel queasy.
Alfred took notice of a zhostovo tray, a traditional metal tray from Russia. It had sunflowers, roses, apples, and pears painted on it. Alfred smiled widely as he tugged Arthur's shirt.
"Iggy, Ivan would adore that tray. Can you get it down for me, please?" Arthur looked and nodded. As Arthur reached up the high shelf, the tray he was trying to get was snatched by an employee. They watched as the employee handed the tray to a well-dressed couple.
"As you can see, this tray is the real deal. Zhostovo trays are native to Ukraine and often depict bountiful harvests," Alfred wheeled himself over.
"Uh, I don't mean to offend, but my brother was trying to get that tray," he spoke softly, "also, Zhostovo trays aren't native to Ukraine, they are native to Russia. They were created in the 18th century in a small Russian village named Zhostovo, hence its name," the well-dressed couple looked at the employee, who sneered at Alfred.
"How would some fat cow know about antiques?" Arthur growled.
"I beg your pardon, but that 'fat cow' is pregnant. Also, this little angel is married to a Russian immigrant, their home is filled with things from his homeland," Alfred took notice of the young couples basket, which seemed to have a Soviet theme going on. Alfred gently picked up one of the medals the couple had, examining it.
"Also, this medal isn't authentic. It's the Order of Victory, and it's one of the rarest medals in the world. The only reason my husband had one is because his grandfather served in the Red Army and was a hero at Stalingrad. The normal worth is over ten million dollars and is encrusted with rubies and diamonds," Alfred smiled at the couple.
The couple looked to the employee with an unimpressed look, which made the man upset.
"Are you choosing to believe this street urchin over a certified businessman?"
"Surely, if these are truly authentic, then you have the certificates," Alfred spoke coldly. The couple handed Alfred the tray with a smile, as Alfred looked it over, "this is authentic, so this is probably a good thing to buy," Alfred went to hand back the tray.
"Keep it, your husband will adore it more. Thank you for saving us from this conman," the man smiled and put down his basket.
The employee was seething in rage, but Alfred's smile seemed to cool him down. It was magical how Alfred's innocence was so contagious. Alfred went to the register and got out his wallet. After paying for it, he gave the man a card.
"In case you ever want to get real memorabilia, contact him," Alfred and Arthur left the store with smiles on their faces.
On the drive home, Alfred couldn't help but wonder when the babies would come. He rubbed his belly, taking a deep breath.
"You're worried," Arthur voiced, making Alfred sort of jump. He nodded, confirming what Arthur had said, "well, now you have all of us here. We won't ever let you fall again, I promise," Arthur kissed Alfred's hand as they got home. Germany and Sweden once again helped with all the bags as Alfred was set up on the couch.
"How was the trip, sunflower?" Ivan asked as he gently sat beside him. Alfred chuckled and pulled out the tray, smiling brightly.
"Successful!" Ivan's eyes glittered as he admired the present, "you've been such a good hubby that I decided to reward you," Ivan chuckled and kissed Alfred's lips.
"You are the best partner anybody could ever ask for,"
The group of nations was all toasty, relaxed by the fireplace.
There was peace for only a few minutes before Alfred's water broke.