Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia by the awesome Hidekaz Himaruya. All I own is my imagination, several OCs for this story: Alice, Eloise, Janet, Daniel and Harry as well as the overall plot to this USUK wedding fic :)

Story notes: Established USUK relationship, romance, some OOC (up to personal interpretation), fluff...and is a sequel to follow up my story The Prince of the Roses and linked to my Valentine's story Love Among the Moon and the Stars. In this story, I did some research on the Royal Houseguards hotel, which is where the joyous event is to take place and it sounded perfect :) Most of what I've written is based on the website and image research so don't take all I've written about it in face value.

A Warning: There is a reference to the US Government Shutdown in early October 2013 in this chapter. That bit of news caught me off guard when I was reading my newspaper back in my TAFE classes and I imagined the hordes of government workers being told to go home and waiting on pins and needles without pay while the parties are undecided on how to handle the debt crisis. This segment is by no means or intention to offend anyone who experienced the terrible worry and stress throughout this crisis.

Author's notes: I finally did it! My wish has come true: I created my very own USUK wedding fic. I hope that you guys will like this little starter and there are more chapters to follow! Sorry it took me so long to get it written, I've been so busy at my end to finish off my promised Dynasty Warrior stories first before tackling back to Hetalia and Harry Potter. Not to mention I just landed in a new job. Please read on and enjoy USUK loving and fluffiness :)

A Union Among The Roses

Chapter 1: The Night Apart

"I think it's all done, Arthur dear. The roses for the wedding bouquet, ceremony and reception are all good to go tomorrow. Daniel and Janet will be present as agreed to make sure the floral arrangements will reach the Royal Horseguards hotel two hours before the ceremony and the reception later in the day. They'll ensure that they'll be prepared accordingly as we discussed."

"Thank you, Alice. You and your family been such a wonderful help with the flower arrangements for the wedding," Arthur sincerely praised as he gently ran his fingers over the lovely red and white roses in the baskets, "I couldn't ask for more lovely roses for our special day."

Arthur warmly smiled at the elderly woman as she performed a final inspection on the floral arrangements kept in the greenhouse they were currently sheltered in. Arthur had befriended a few mortals outside his duties but he always seemed to be most comfortable around her. He had watched and known Alice since she was a little girl who loved to make daisy chains and crowns but only met her acquaintance in person when she opened the plant nursery near where he lived in her adulthood. He had been buying rose seeds from her ever since and had watched her grow into her golden years as a grandmother.

"I give only the best to my most regular customer," Alice beamed as she took her spray bottle to give one final sprinkle of spring water on the roses, "I should be the one thanking you for inviting us all to witness your special day. Little Eloise is so excited to be the flower girl at the ceremony."

"It's the very least I can do for a fine woman such as yourself and to thank you and your family all for your help. I'm sure your granddaughter will be wonderful as our flower girl," Arthur explained as he opened the glass door of the greenhouse as they were about to leave, "After you, my Lady."

"You really are a gentleman, Arthur dear," Alice commented brightly before her eyes flashed with concern, "By the way, how is Alfred? Is the dear alright? I heard it was particularly bad for him in last October..."

Arthur shivered at the unpleasant memory, recalling what happened in that terrible month...

Alfred's body had shut down due to the political parties unable to come to a compromise on how to handle his country's debt crisis. The older nation was in the middle of an important meeting with his own boss when he received a frantic call from Matthew when Alfred wouldn't wake for their usual get together. He stubbornly ignored his boss's enraged commands to get back into office and took the next available flight to America. Upon arrival, he found a distressed Matthew, trying in vain to wake up his brother.

Alfred looked like he was sleeping just as always...except he looked paler...his brow was creased...but what scared him the most was his almost non-existent heartbeat when he pressed his hand on that strong chest. Nations couldn't die just from a mere shutdown unless it was that prolonged and terrible. The intense slow heartbeat was a necessary defense mechanism to keep his beloved's body functioning in his comatose state but it didn't mean that it didn't scare him to anxious tears...

Arthur had felt helpless as he stayed by his beloved's side. Nothing would stir him. After eventually discovering the cause of the Alfred's ailment, he was most displeased as an understatement. All he could do was to watch the news over the happenings and development of the crisis. He felt sympathetic for the hundreds of thousands of government workers who had been furloughed and other large numbers having to work without pay. Like the people of America, Arthur had to wait in anxious pins and needles. All the while, he continually prayed for the younger nation to open his beautiful sky blue eyes and cursed the Democrats and the Republicans for acting like children and their ineptness in leading the people. It was their disagreements and bickering that placed his fiancé in this debilitating condition. During his vigil, he had considered postponing the wedding if the crisis were to keep up...if America were to default, then...no...no...Alfred was strong...he would pull through. He was a superpower, for God's sake!

However after over two excruciating weeks, hope shone through: the House of Representatives had voted to pass the Senate's bill to raise country's debt ceiling. The moment it was signed by the President...Alfred slowly but surely woke up. His heartbeat had picked up more speed and rhythm, the worried creases disappeared from his forehead and finally, the beautiful blue eyes Arthur missed so much finally opened, filling the older nation with relief and tackle his slightly drowsy fiancé into the bed.

It took a couple of days for Alfred to get back to his feet and to update him on the situation. Arthur eventually had to return to his country to face the harsh tirade from his boss for running out on him. But at least now, the wedding would still proceed after Alfred assured him he was fine by returning his worried kisses and his usual declarations that mere setbacks couldn't stop a hero.

Alfred personally saw Arthur off at the airport and gave him a small bouquet of pink and yellow roses for his rose garden back at home, promising his next visit would be near the end of April when he would finally reunite with his Prince of the Roses for their scheduled union...

Arthur shook out of his unpleasant reverie after a while, "Alfred is fine now, Alice. But I've been keeping an eye on him since then...especially with all the wedding business going on."

"I heard that he's been very busy at his end to organize the vacation's plans after the wedding. Did he give any indication where you two will be going to?"

Arthur shook his head, "No...he's been pretty vague about it. He was very adamant for our wedding to happen in March. Not that I'm complaining. Although...I have a feeling that it might take place in Disney World. What with him bragging with all the latest worlds, attractions and additions to that blasted place..."

Arthur and Alice stood still for a moment. The elder nation chuckled wryly as he looked to the sky.

"But I trust him in what he has in store back in America...wherever it may be, it'll be lovely with just the two of us..."

"I'm glad to hear that. You love and care for him that deeply, don't you, dear?"

"He's very precious to me, Alice...I hadn't imagined that we would end up this way..."

Arthur gazed fondly at the rose gold engagement ring adorning his left ring finger, the perfect diamond sparkling in the late evening sunshine. He knew that come tomorrow, a second band would take its place next to it, marking him as Alfred's for eternity...

Despite the stress and the ruckus going on in their respective countries, the couple somehow managed to spend quality time together in between, especially to organize their wedding which was to take place in early March. They mutually agreed to have the ceremony and reception in England while they would spend their well deserved time alone back in America before resuming their duties after the festivities.

While the couple worked together on the invitations, chased after the other nations for their RSVPs the world over and shopped for their wedding bands, Arthur did the majority of managing and organizing the wedding plans at his end. There was hiring the suites within the Royal Horseguards hotel where the joyous event was to occur, booking suitable accommodation in and near the hotel for the attending nations, arranging the schedules for the ceremony and reception, catering the menu and wedding cake for the dinner banquet and the hiring of the grand piano and electronic equipment setup for the event. Roderich had readily agreed in lending his musical talent to play the march during the ceremony and some light tunes during the reception after Arthur showed him the beautiful grand piano he was going to play on. The other details within the preparations included requesting a priest who would be willing to oversee the ceremony and the floral arrangements, courtesy of Alice's resourcefulness and well-established connections. The only impromptu errand he did for the day was to book the best room for Alfred to stay in the Royal Horseguards hotel where he himself would join his beloved tomorrow to be well-rested for their flight to America in the following day.

The whole affair was exhausting but it would be worth it for their special day and the many weeks ahead in having Alfred all to himself during their time alone would be his just reward for his hard work. Their bosses had been rather generous in giving them time off so the couple wanted to take much advantage of this rare offer...

"Grandma! Mr. Arthur!" a little voice that could belong to a dove came from within the shop before the owner of the voice appeared: a little girl with bright red hair in plaits matched with hazel eyes and a sunny smile. She ran up to Alice and pointed behind her, "Mr. Alfred is here and is asking for Mr. Arthur, Grandma."

Alice watched in wonder as she noticed Arthur perk his head up, his green eyes brighten and his lips upturning ever so slightly at the mention of his fiancé. She smiled at her granddaughter as she relayed her reply.

"Tell Alfred that Arthur will be out in a few minutes, Eloise dear. Why don't you show him around the shop until then?"

"Okay, Grandma!" the little girl chirped as she ran back into the shop.

"Eloise really takes after you, Alice."

"Thank you, dear. Janet has done wonders to introduce Eloise the joy in my roses and has been a wonderful help around the shop."

"I have to get going, Alice. We're having dinner out together before Alfred goes back to the hotel."

"Oh? I thought that he's been staying with you since he arrived a week ago."

"He has but we agreed to spend this night apart for the occasion. He's settled into the hotel this morning and has already got my luggage transferred there so that I can spend the night with him after the wedding and make it to Heathrow airport on time tomorrow afternoon. It'll be good for us to be apart for tonight and besides..." Arthur's face turned gentle, "It'll boost our excitement for the day and at least he won't have to worry about the morning traffic tomorrow unlike me. I have to be up early so that I won't be late."

"Well as they say 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. And I'm sure everything will go well for you and Alfred tomorrow."

"So I'll see you all at the hotel in the following morning?"

"Eloise and I will be there to deliver the wedding bouquet and Alfred's boutonnière personally," Alice smiled before pushing him through the door, "Now go on, you don't want to waste this lovely evening by making your fiancé wait, do you?"

Arthur smiled and kissed Alice's hand once again before approaching Alfred who was busy entertaining Eloise with some stories as they watered the roses decorating the windows. The old woman watched on as the two nations exchanged quick kisses and talked to her granddaughter for a while. She chuckled upon detecting the obvious excitement in the child's voice when she said how happy she was to be their flower girl. Just as Arthur did to her, the island nation kissed the back of little girl's hand before departing with Alfred, their hands intertwined together and being caught up in their light banter.

"Mr. Alfred and Mr. Arthur look really happy together, Grandma," Eloise said as she gave her grandmother a hug, "Is it the same happiness that Mummy and Daddy have? Like what happened with you and Grandpa before he went to Heaven?"

"Yes, dear, indeed it is. This is what love is...it knows no boundaries...and not even death could stop it from growing...oh, Harry..." the old woman nodded before fondly looking into her locket around her neck, showing a wedding picture of her and her husband back in their youth. Then she happened to glance at the clock, "Oh my, how time passes by! Your parents will be returning from the markets to pick us up for dinner. Shall we check to make sure your new dress fits you perfectly before they come home?"

"Yes, please! The flowers are so pretty on it."

"Well now, let's close up the shop. Help me with outside signs while I lock up the greenhouses. The sooner we are done, the more adjustments I can make for your lovely dress."

"Okay, Grandma!" Eloise nodded enthusiastically and did as she was told.

Alfred sighed in relaxation as he exited the ensuite bathroom and sat down at the foot of the king sized bed. He had spent a wonderful time having dinner with Arthur followed by a long leisurely stroll along the Thames River before the older nation had to return home to await an important call from his boss. Arthur had promised him that he would get everything sorted out by 9 o'clock so that they could talk all they liked later in the night. To occupy himself when he returned to the hotel, Alfred met up with Toris and Matthew who were staying with him in different rooms and discussed the preparations before retiring for the night. All in all, he was satisfied on how the morning before the ceremony would pan out with the two nations' help.

Dressed in his cotton sweatpants, the superpower rubbed his still damp sandy blonde hair with the soft towel wrapped across his neck and placed the glasses back onto his nose. Feeling slightly peckish even after the hearty dinner they had at one of the local pubs with his fiancé earlier, he decided to order room service for a light meal. He skimmed through the menu before picking up the phone to make the call. Then he checked the time to find that he had at least an hour to kill before he could call Arthur so he decided to occupy his time by admiring the scenery offered through the window while occasionally playing some random game app on his IPhone.

Just then, the doorbell rang and Alfred went to answer the call to receive his room service order. After thanking the blushing young woman with a million-watt smile that could belong to a celebrity, the American nation took the chance to survey his hotel room as he ate by the window. He shook his head with incredulity with a small smile on his youthful face as he disposed the damp towel onto the carpeted floor. Arthur really thought of the best to celebrate their upcoming union...

Alfred had stayed in various hotels whenever he came over to England when it was Arthur's turn to host the world meeting. But that was before he had the privilege to stay with Arthur after they confessed their feelings to each other in the older nation's rose garden back in the 80s. This was the first time he stayed in the Royal Horseguards hotel and he had heard many glowing reviews about the place as one of England's most luxurious hotels. Now that they were going to be here for their wedding tomorrow, Arthur made the room reservation for him to stay in. The older nation would join him to spend the night tomorrow so that they would get to the airport on time to head back to America for their well deserved holiday together.

The small room exuded a balanced combination of cosiness and luxury, highlighted by the cream, beige and maroon colour scheme decorating the premises. The view from the window he was sitting at was breathtaking. Now bathed in the lights from the city, the Thames river was practically sparkling like diamonds and fireflies combined, briefly reminding him of the simple but beautiful rose gold engagement ring Arthur constantly wore on his left ring finger since his proposal. The space was filled with various pieces of modern-designed wooden furniture and a large screen TV was secured on the wall before the king-sized bed, guaranteed for top class entertainment. The king sized bed was fitted with the softest ivory white cotton linen Alfred had ever felt, covered with pillows and cushions decorated with modern floral motifs and lined with a woven decorative rug which added a lovely rustic charm to the ensemble.

Alfred finally finished his light meal and collapsed onto the plush bed, chuckling slightly at how the sheets and comforter cushioned his fall. But the smile and sparkle in his eyes dimmed slightly as he laid spreadeagled on the bed. Somehow, the bed now felt too large and he missed the warm weight that was usually pressed on his shoulder and chest...and it didn't help to ease his loneliness when he could still see Arthur's luggage sitting right next to his...

"Oh Artie...why did I even agree to spend the night apart?"

It seemed like a good idea back then when he and Arthur were discussing about it: to heighten the excitement and romance for the big day and all that. But to actually go through a night alone when you had been so used to your beloved's mere presence, it was excruciating for the young nation. They had regularly rotated in staying at each other's homes, meaning he and Arthur had been sleeping on the same bed for many years as lovers especially with all the activities they had done in between the sheets...the thoughts of their nights together caused Alfred's body to slightly stir in heat, making him recall of their time-alone plans after the wedding and the things he had planned to do with him...other than making him scream his name in the throes of passion every night in bed of course...

Arthur had already done so much to plan the wedding...coming to America, it would be his turn to pamper the golden blonde nation as he rightfully deserved...and he did have another reason to surprise him on their wedding day. Both he and Arthur agreed to wear individual suits to the wedding instead of matching ones to express their individuality so he really really hoped that his Prince of the Roses would love what he was going to wear. Toris had been a great help to tailor the design he specifically wanted to wear for the ceremony. It made him smile of the old days when the hardworking Lithuanian nation stayed with him as his housekeeper.

"I really hope Artie likes what I have in store for him..."

The superpower decided to check the time again and to his delight, he found that it was nearly time to call his fiancé. Making himself comfortable on the bed, he reached for the phone again and dialed the reception desk to request an outside call. Then he punched in the number to Arthur's home phone and waited for his fiancé to pick up...

Arthur sipped the last of his Earl Grey tea in his teacup as he settled against the billowing pillows and nestled among the sheets of his four poster bed. Placing the teacup away at a safe distance, he crossed his arms behind his pillowed head and gazed out of the window; it was a beautiful starry night. He hadn't felt this liberated...ever. Everything was pretty much settled with his boss and the Queen and the rest of the royal family gave him their best wishes for tomorrow. He smiled wryly to himself. A pleasant ache was radiating in his chest and his stomach had little butterflies inside...was this how Prince William felt when he was about to marry Kate, the love of his life?

Before he had made his tea as part of his nightly ritual, Arthur had a lengthy conversation with Francis and Kiku over the phone regarding the morning before the ceremony. He had reluctantly allowed Francis to tailor his suit for the wedding since Matthew, his sweet and shy Canadian nation was going to be there as Alfred's best man. He prayed that the amorous French nation would at least respect his decision to make the suit's design discreetly presentable at least. He reckoned that he would've reached his limit with the elder blonde nation's flamboyant dramatics for romance if it weren't for Kiku's serene presence and placating reassurance that he would always be there to help. Kiku was one of their few good friends to bridge between him and Alfred together. Since Matthew and Toris were already with Alfred, it seemed logical for Kiku to be on Arthur's side on the day. He felt thankful for the Japanese nation being there for him and sincerely hoped that his blossoming relationship with Heracles would be as blessed as his was with Alfred. The two suited each other perfectly due to their amiable attitudes and their love for ancient history...and speaking of Alfred...

Arthur's reminiscing was interrupted when the telephone by his bedside rung. Ah right, that would be Alfred calling. Smiling, he nestled further in his sheets before he reached for the sleek cordless phone and switched it on while he placed it against his ear.

"Hello, Love. Right on time...for once."

"Hey! A hero always remembers his promise to his beloved! Have more faith in me, Artie!"

Arthur rolled his eyes at the remark and allowed the stupid nickname to slide. He lied back on his bed as he listened to Alfred talk about his night with Toris and Matthew.

Their conversation varied from light banter to exchanging news and jokes as well as their anticipation about their big day tomorrow. Slowly but surely as minutes passed by, the topic of their conversation progressed to Alfred's holiday plans back in America and it piqued Arthur's interested curiosity.

"I know you said that you had plans for the both of us in America but why do have to be so secretive about it? Surely you can at least give me a clue as to where we'll be going or staying, Love?"

Arthur could practically feel the shake of Alfred's head as he replied, "No can do, Sweetheart. Otherwise it won't be a surprise."

"Of course...I couldn't defy your unshakeable sense of logic," Arthur commented dryly.

"It's extra special, Arthur. We're practically getting married in Spring, the most romantic season of all. I guarantee that you'll love the plans I have us for the entire month. All I can tell you is that we'll be having scenic road trips."

"That's...that actually sounds pleasant, Alfred..." Arthur said with surprise.

"I can't wait to ride in my new sports car Feliciano gave me for my last birthday. You're gonna love it. It's the smoothest ride ever and I can't wait to show it off to you!"

"Of course...any excuse to show off an ostentatious sports car just so you could waste fuel..."

"And there are many things we can do during the day..." Arthur found himself unconsciously gulping at the minute pause before Alfred finished the sentence, "And at night..."

The British nation shifted under the covers at the sultry undertone of his fiancé's voice. He felt the telltale tingles of heat coursing in his lower regions at what the younger nation was insinuating. But he wasn't going to let Alfred know..of course not!

"Oh? And what do these plans entail, pray tell? Especially those at night..."

"Oh you'll know when we arrive at our first destination once we touch down in America, I promise...but damn, Arthur..." Arthur detected the rustle of bedsheets and pillows being moved around at the other end, "This bed is far too cold and too big for me...why can't you be here with me now?"

Arthur chuckled at the whiny tone. Alfred could be a child at times, "Love, it's only for one night. Tomorrow I'll be in your arms in no time...as your husband..."

"My husband...oh man...sometimes I want to pinch myself to make sure it's all real..."

"Well, if it wasn't, I wouldn't be wearing the rose gold ring on my left ring finger, Alfred. After all, you did choose it for me...so thank you, Love."

Alfred let out a breathless chuckle...then his breaths that followed grew just a bit huskier...a little bit...slower.

"Alfred?" the tingling heat was beginning to get to him the moment he heard those heavy breaths.

"Fuck...I'm just thinking about the time I proposed to you in your rose garden...and what happened after that..." Arthur gulped as the flashback of the unforgettable moment flashed in his mind. Alfred's words were getting to him...that sexy bedroom tone...he sounded delectable right now, "God, it was so hot..."

"Alfred...can't you get your mind out of the gutter for once so that we can be well-rested for tomorrow?" Arthur admonished Alfred although his tone was slightly dripping with longing.

"Come on, Sweetheart...it's been forever since we played in between the sheets. What with you being so busy with the wedding and all. Indulge me for this night then we'll be well-rested. Please, Sweetheart? Please?"

Arthur loathed and loved the sweet pleading tone whenever Alfred said 'Please' and 'Sweetheart' at the same time. He loved that it made his heart warm and flutter like an excited hummingbird in a field of flowers yet he hated it that he ALWAYS succumbed to it because he could never refuse such a request...it felt like an eternity since they did anything physical intimately and romantically in bed...as he observed the empty space beside him where Alfred usually slept on, he couldn't deny what his body yearned for...

Arthur shifted part of the thick comforter and sheets aside to free his legs. Then he switched the phone onto loudspeaker mode and pillowed it close to his head as his hand twiddled with the drawstrings holding up his pajama pants. The British nation found his face warming up. A deep pink blush tinged his pale cheeks and his green eyes darkened with desire...

"Sweetheart? You there?"

"I'm here, Love. I've put you on loudspeaker..."

Alfred chuckled, "Can't get enough of my voice?"

"You'd better make it worth my while so shut it...it's your fault that I'm all restless and flustered..."

"Oh, don't you worry...I'll make it all better for you..."

"Talk more to me, Love...the day in the rose garden..." Arthur requested, arching his back against the soft sheets and stretching like a content cat.

The British nation practically heard the blinding smile behind the younger nation's voice, "Gladly, Sweetheart..."

This was going to be a long...long...night...and Arthur was looking forward to it...

To be continued... (next: the Morning Preparations)

Author's notes: Tut! Tut! I'd better leave it there before this story goes beyond its designated rating! Hmmm...I wonder if I should do more of the- stop! Focus! Ok, anyway! I hope that this chapter got you excited (or at least interested) in my USUK wedding creation. I'm going to endeavor to update weekly on this story and possibly update on Valentine's Day as well. I'm working on the next chapter now and it visualises on how their preparations on the big day are progressing :) Until the next update, reviews are the best motivation I could receive and please let me know what you think of this little starter! Kudos to you all, my dears!