Time had seemed to stand still. The battlefronts went quiet after three days. The group itself had seemed to disappear, but they were still on edge. Wondering what next was coming from the group. For the last month, the Axis and Allies waited for any movement from them, just a sign to say that the war was still going on.

"It's been too quiet on the lines." Yao stated to them.

"Hai, I agree." Kiku nodded, "Something is going on and we cannot see it."

Ivan nodded along with the others, knowing that it was true. "I think they are assessing what power we have. Weighing pros and cons for their next attack."

"I think so to Ivan." Ludwig said, glancing over the last movements, "Might be gathering more people and followers as well. Any words from the Middle East nations?"

"As of now it's quiet on their end as well." Francis said.

"Sadik and Hercules have said there's very little movement from anyone." Feli added.

"Well if it stays like this, I'm not fully complaining." Arthur explained.

"That's for all of us." Francis said.

"Yes. However, it would be wise to keep our troops ready for anything at all cost." Ludwig stated.

The men all nodded. Ivan watched as they moved on from subject to subject, wanting the meeting to end. He wanted to go home, to see his wife and son. That, and the melancholy feeling within the room didn't help the mood either.

"What about the thought of having a counselor and a nurse within the building for the nations?" Feli brought up.

"Why do we need them?" Arthur asked.

"Why not? A pretty nurse to treat our wounds and a counselor to make us feel better, I don't see anything wrong with it."

"We will think about it." Ludwig said, "Although I don't think it'd be a horrible idea, now that there are little ones running around. That and, well."

The silence was suffocating at that moment, they all knew it was bad. It was something that Ivan dreaded deeply, he couldn't even imagine the pain.

"How is Alfred?" Kiku finally asked.

With a heavy sigh, Arthur stood up, "He's still rough. He's doing his best but it's still hard on him. Matthew and I have been helping as much as possible. Even Carlos and Juan have come up and helped."

"Lien said she was there the other week." Yao added, "Said he was practically hollow."

"Not to be an ass, but wouldn't you be? That being said," Arthur stated, looking at Ivan and Francis, "It would be best if you both avoided him. It's nothing against you or the girls, but the very thought at times..."

Arthur didn't have to finish, Ivan knew. He could practically feel Alfred's despair, Francis probably did too.

"We understand." Francis said.

"Alright, everything has been said. Dismissed." Ludwig said, shuffling his papers together.

Ivan didn't wait for the others. Gathering himself, he went out to the hall, attempting to hurry out as fast as possible. The cheery giggles of women caught his attention. Looking in the small parlor room he watched as the female nations swooned over Brie and Jeanne. Donning little bows within the tot's hair and playing with her, as they awed over Brie's now visible bump. She practically glowed as they all talked with her. He, himself, was smiling widely at the sight. Slightly missing Lily's round belly with Alexei, he always enjoyed feeling him move around and reading to him within.

"So, when are you both having your second?" Francis asked him, watching as he did.

"We just had Alexei. Unlike you I treasure my jewels." Ivan joked.

"True, however I feel there will be another one day."

"One day. I want to enjoy my son as he is now. Not rush it away."

Francis nodded, "They age faster than normal children Ivan, remember that. Before you know it, he'll be talking."

Ivan nodded, it was hard to believe that Jeanne was a little over a year old and not three like she looked. The tot looked over their way, her bright shining blues lit up like a star, her wide grin enough to silence all the world away.

"Papa!" she squealed, running towards them.

"Ma petit papillon." Francis called as he swooped her in his arms.

He smiled as Jeanne wrapped her little arms around Francis's neck, "You were right Francis."

"About?"

"Being a father and husband." Ivan sighed, "It really is a magical thing. Still hard to believe it's happened to me."

Francis chuckled, "I told you."

The blonde bounced into the room, having his little girl fly in the air as he made his way to his wife. Ivan stood there, letting the gentle moment give him the final push to see his own.

The deep slumber that Lily awoke from was just enough to gain what she lost in the last nights with Alexei. She stretched cozily against the large bed, feeling the soft sheets against her skin. The peaceful summer night sang its gentle song, as she saw the luminous moon edge into the bedroom. No stirring was to be heard, Alexei was still asleep and a relaxed sigh escaped her. Only thing missing from her bed was her furnace of a husband.

"Spi, mladymenets moi prekransy, bayushki bayu." Lily heard the little melody being sung.

Turning to face Alexei's crib, she found her husband gently rocking their sleeping boy as he sang him the Cossack Lullaby. She listened and laid there as Ivan continued, she enjoyed these moments. Watching Ivan break out of his shell and be the nurturer she knew he was, was delightful for her. She could see his old war scars silhouetting in the moonlight, his past as the powerful nation she knew too well made him think negative and cruelly of others and himself, just brushing one of them sometimes set him off in an internal debate of right and wrong. As the song drew near its end, Lily couldn't resist to have both her boys with her.

"Ivan." she quietly called out.

He quickly turned around, his amethyst eyes wide in shock, "Oh Izvinite Lily, I did not mean to wake you."

Placing the bottle down and small blanket, Ivan attempted to place Alexei back in his crib, "Net Ivan."

"Net?"

"Bring him to bed."

"But they say-"

"To hell with what they say, I know you. You won't sleep at all until you know that we have gotten a full night's rest." She said patting the mattress again.

He didn't argue with her, making his way over, he laid their boy upon the soft bedding, next to her as he crawled in next to her.

"I love these moments." Lily said.

"How so?"

"I get to see him, so peaceful and calm. He's so handsome. We're doomed when he gets older and he wants a girlfriend."

"He will be smart kid, no early children."

"We can hope. If he takes after who I think he will, we are doomed." she stated.

Ivan chuckled, "Oh really, then who is he?"

A smile formed on Lily, "Well, his hair is both of ours, a brilliant golden beige, and I have a sinking feeling that his eyes will be just like yours."

She placed her finger gently on his pouting lips, "This pout is mine, as are his ears. He has your body build and will be quite tall. You can tell since he can wrap his fingers almost fully around yours."

She saw Ivan look down at the grip Alexei had on his index finger and laughed, "And this sweet little nose," she said touching Ivan's, "is yours."

"I have a big nose."

"To you."

Ivan sighed at her comparisons as she watched him sleep. Her own sleepiness taking over.

"Francis and Brie are having another." Ivan broke the silence, " He asked me when we were having another."

"You treasure your balls?" she warned.

"I told him that too."

"Brie is nuts to jump into the next but I don't blame her though. Maybe one day, when he's walking and potty trained." she said.

"One day," Ivan echoed, "Now get some sleep."

"What about you?"

"Like you said, I won't sleep until you both are fully rested." he said pulling her closer to him, feeling Alexei nuzzle into her chest, his gentle snores their proof of his sleeping.

Lily looked into those dazzling eyes once more, how was she ever so lucky to get him? Giving him a tender subtle kiss, she nuzzled herself into the crook of Ivan's neck, letting sleep take her. Yes, for Lily, life was completely perfect.

Fin

Epilogue

The soothing Indian summer breeze caressed the grassy knolls of the plains. She smiled as the eagles flew over, the prairie dogs played and the old Native American chants echoed the land.

She knew she had to wait for him. It was agonizing really. Those beautiful months he had shown her was it was like to be loved by a real man, one that didn't pay to see her like so many of the past had done. She hoped that he would hurry but also knew the war was holding him up too.

Playing with the feather in her hair, she waited in bated breath for her hero to come and rescue her.

"Come on Alfie," she whispered into the wind, "I'm waiting for you."