Alfred hated being an only child now. He still got plenty of attention, but he hated the kind of attention he got.

The funeral for Matthew was held a week later. He was surprised how many people showed up. Alfred didn't speak much while the thing started. In a way, he wanted to just move on and forget. He didn't want to hurt like this. That was his plan anyways when Matthew was still alive. Make it seem like he was already gone so he wouldn't have to go through this pain now. But it didn't seem to be working.

The first night after Matthew died was filled with angry words and sorrowful tears. He snuck into Matthews room that night and slept in his bed. He promised he wouldn't do it often, just enough to remind Alfred what his brother once smelled of.

At the funeral, half way through, Al was asked to come up to the podium to speak. Reluctantly, he pulled himself out of his seat and made his way up there. His father, who was walking down from the podium, gave him a light pat on the shoulder as they passed. Alfred pulled out a piece of paper that he wrote on and began to speak once at the podium.

"Mattie... Was a little brother. Well, not really. I hate to admit it now that he's gone, but he was my big brother. He was born first... I've lived my whole life with him by my side. Granted, he was sick for a lot of it, but he was always there..." He looked over his shoulder to the coffin his brother was lying in. A soft smile on his face like he always had when sleeping. The sight made him choke up. "We were like Fred and George... Kaoru and Hikaru... But now... We're not." He cleared his throat. "I knew he was going to die... The doctors told me he was going to... I should have told him.. I should have spent every moment I had left with him! But, I pushed him away..." He turned to his brother, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mattie!" He was talking to what was left of his brother, now. "I'm so sorry! I love you, Mattie!" He was going into hysterics now. He had imagined living the rest of his life without his brother. He couldn't do it! He couldn't stand the thought, but it was actually happening. He wanted to have his kids feel their uncles warm hugs. Taste his delicious pancakes, hear him rant about moving to Canada. But they'll never get to. That's what was freaking him out. He'd never get to live a full life with his brother like he was promised.

He was pulled off of the podium by both of his parents, and someone else was asked to come up and speak. Alfred walked outside for a breath of air as he finished his sobs, not realizing he was being followed.

He took in a deep breath and leaned against the building, collecting his thoughts. He was quietly talking to himself, imagining that Matthew was there, when he was interrupted by a woman's voice.

"Alfred?"

He turned and saw a woman standing there. Dressed in the appropriate black dress. She was almost as old as his father, by the looks of it.

"Who are you?" He asked, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes. She readjusted her bag before speaking.

"It's been so long... I didn't think you'd recognize me if I showed up sooner..."

Al was lost.

"Listen, lady," he said, "you didn't answer my question. Who are you?"

Arthur came out of the funeral home.

"Alfred?" He saw his son and sighed. "Alfred, where have you-" he stopped mid sentence when he saw the woman.

"Hello, Arthur.." She said shyly to the Englishman.

"Hello, Elizabeta," Arthur said, pulling his son behind him. Sure, Arthur remembered the woman, but she wasn't the same. Her once ponytailed hair had been let loose an pulled back with a headband. Her brown hair, which Arthur had once fallen in love with, had been sun bleached to the point of almost being blonde.

Alfred sighed, annoyed.

"Somebody please answer my question! Who is she and why the hell is she at my brothers funeral?!"

Elizabeta gave Alfred a gentle look.

"I'm your mother," she admitted. "I left when you and your brother were young. A few days old. You see, I wasn't ready to be in a relationship or be a mother..."

Alfred had to think this over. His mother couldn't have just LEFT like that! She would have come around to say hi at least once… No. He realized it now. She was a coward. That's what it was. All people who left like this were cowards. He glared at his mother.

Francis walked out then, tears in his eyes from the funeral.

"Arthur?" He looked up and saw his love defending his son. "Arthur," he looked to Elizabeta, "Who is she?"

Eliza looked to Francis.

"You turned gay after I left?" She asked. "Can't say I'd complain, you got yourself a looker."

Alfred pushed Arthur's arm away and stepped up to the woman.

"Listen lady, I don't care if you think you're being funny right now cause you're not," he decided to test her. "What's my middle name?" He had a smug smirk as he crossed his arms.

Without missing a beat, she answered. "Fredrick."

That threw him off. He never told anyone his middle name. Maybe... Just maybe she was telling the truth.

"Okay..." He admitted slowly. "Maybe you are who you say you are..."

Elizabeta smiled. "I wouldn't lie to you about that. I'm just sorry I waited till it was too late to meet you..."

And with that she motioned them to follow her inside as she walked to the door.

"I have a lot to explain," she said. "And I'll tell you everything. But right now, we say goodbye to your brother."

She walked inside and Alfred stood out there for a moment longer. Shocked.

"Wow, Mattie," he whispered. "I can't believe you have to miss out on this."

And for some strange reason, he heard his brothers laugh. Like he had never left his side.

And here it is! The end of the story! Thank you everyone so much for reading! :) Thank you to my best friend for story ideas when I had writers block, thank you to my girlfriend who was my supporter with this story and kind of my editor. And most importantly thank you to everyone who has read or will read this story. And thanks to all the lovely people who reviewed. I have two more stories in progress, so I should be posting another one soon! :) Thank you!