54I always liked Grandpa Rome. I thought it was funny the way he visited Germany in the middle of the night, and told him how to take care of Feliciano. So, this time, he's telling Germany...how to take care of herself.
Month 8
Germany was at the point of her pregnancy where she just wanted the baby to come out. The intense agony of childbirth didn't matter anymore. All she wanted was to hold her child in her arms, go back to work, train even. God, she was so delirious, she wanted to train!
She also wished to be able to sleep again. The baby seemed determined to keep her away every night by kicking her viciously and repeatedly until the wee hours of the morning. This did nothing to improve her mood, and she was beginning to reach breaking point. If she didn't sleep soon...
Thankfully tonight however, the baby was in a cooperative mood and decided to let her mother get some well-deserved sleep. Germany's bright-blue eyes slowly drifted shut, her breathing became steadier, and as she snuggled closer to Italy and farther under the covers, she could already feel the Sand Man starting to work his magic.
"Psst! Hey! Hey, blondie!" her eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a jolt, reaching for her handgun, only to find it wasn't there. The intruder grabbed her shoulders and shook her. Germany's heart stopped. "Whoa there, easy kid! I'm not gonna hurt you!" wait a moment...she recognized that voice!
"...Rome?" she muttered, squinting in the darkness. Her heart was pounding so fast it almost hurt. Her chest would surely be bruised.
"Sí! How did you know it was me?" with a loud groan, she flopped back against her pillows and covered her face.
"Jesus Christ...don't do that, you scared me to death!" she cried, taking slow, deep breaths. "It's not gentlemanly to scare pregnant women and give them heart attacks!"
"Pregnant women? Well, I'll be damned! Feliciano is finally listening to his Grandpa's advice! A great-grandchild!" Germany's eyes had adjusted to the dark by now, and she could see now that Rome was sitting on the edge of the bed by her feet. His smile was wider than any she had ever seen, and his eyes twinkled in delight. "So what do you plan to name my great-grandchild?"
"I-I don't know! Can you please let me sleep, I'm exhausted!"
"You don't have a name picked out yet? Well, I guess it's understandable if you don't know the gender yet. Do you know, by any chance?"
"It's a girl. Now go away and let me sleep, please!"
"A great-granddaughter! Mio Dio, I never thought I'd see the day!" his smile brightened, and Germany thought that if his smile got any brighter it would light up the whole bedroom. "When should I expect to meet my great-granddaughter, exactly?"
"Um...December 11? I think that's what the doctor said..."
"Beh, you aren't very maternal are you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Usually when women are pregnant, they do silly, frivolous things like paint the nursery five times, keep journals, or even do special exercises. You, on the other hand...you don't seem that excited about becoming a mama." Germany bit her lip; he wasn't the first person to say that about her. When she had been grocery shopping with Prussia a few months back, another expecting couple had stopped to talk to them. Germany had felt quite under-qualified next to this woman (who's name had been Kristen), especially when she had asked her due date and Germany had had to confess she didn't know exactly when she was due. Kristen had looked at her like she was crazy.
"I am excited...scared, really. I just...I'm not really mother material. I never got along very well with the other children, and I still do horrible keeping track of them."
"Heh, well you seem to keep my grandson in order." Rome chuckled and ruffled his grandson's hair fondly. "And if you can do that, then being a parent will be a piece of cake." a small smile tugged at Germany's lips.
"Thank you, sir." he winked at her and patted her hand gently.
"Don't worry. I do hope my little Feli is planning on making an honest woman out of you, though." he said, raising an eyebrow. "I don't like the thought of an unmarried pregnant woman, especially the one carrying my great-granddaughter!"
"A-an honest woman? You mean like...marry me?"
"Well, isn't that what a mother and father usually do? Marry each other?"
"I-I-I don't think that will be necessary. After all, Italy and I are b-both mature adults. We can raise this child without being married to each other."
"...if that's how you feel." again, he patted her hand gently, almost reassuringly.
"Rome, sir? If I can ask a question of you?"
"Of course! And no need to be so formal! Grandpa Rome is just fine!"
"Right...Grandpa Rome, then." she cleared her throat and looked directly into his eyes, something she had never done before. "Can I ask you...to watch over this child?" she placed a hand gingerly on her bump, almost protectively. Rome smiled softly and nodded once.
"I'll do everything in my power to make sure she's healthy and happy."
"Danke—I mean, thank you."
"...nnhg...Germany, who are you talking to?" Italy mumbled sleepily, rolling over on his side and staring up at her. With a start, she glanced back up at where Grandpa Rome had been seated just moments before, only to find it completely and utterly empty. With a small smile and even smaller shake of the head, she snuggled back unde the covers.
"No one Italy. Goodnight."
"Good night, Germany." he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. "You feel cold, lay with me! I'll keep you warm."
"Okay." she settled against his chest, her smile never fading. Before she let herself officially fall asleep, she thanked Grandpa Rome one last time...
She hoped he would keep his promise.
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Hasta la Pasta!
SausageMahoney98