North American Mother

Chapter 7

The Great War ended shortly after Madeline and Gilbert met. In the end it was not a decisive victory for any side, civil unrest within Germany and Russia ended the war in favor of the Allies. Alfred's boss, Woodrow Wilson, was one of the key supporters for the formation of a league of nations that would help to peacefully resolve future conflicts. At the Paris Peace Conference, where treaties were signed to end the war, the League of Nations became a reality, though America declined participation in it.

The following decade was one of prosperity and drunken rabble rousing and despite the reparations Germany was forced to pay to France, Gilbert took some time during this era to visit with his friends, Francis and Antonio, in Paris. It was during the first of these visits after the war ended that Gilbert put forth a question for Francis.

"Why didn't you ever tell me how cute Alfred's little sister was Frenchy? You had to have known her, I remember Alfred telling me she lived with you when you had that Canada colony."

"Little sister? Alfred doesn't have a little sister Gilbert."

"Course he does. Madeline! Sweet, little blonde with beautiful eyes. How could you not know who she is?"

Francis arches an eyebrow at his friend before turning back to his drink. "D'accord, I understand now. Gilbert, mon ami, Madeline is Alfred's older sister." He let's out a sigh, not noticing Gilbert's jaw hitting the ground. "I suppose even Arthur was unable to help her grow."

"Der fuck, verruckte bastard. Older sister! His older sister!"

"Hmm, oh do calm down. Yes, his older sister. She still looks like a child, oui. About twelve I think."

"Ja."

Francis pats Gilbert's back. "Do not worry, she may one day develop as a woman."

"Fuck."

After that GIlbert simply drank himself into a stupor before being helped back to Francis' home. Francis and Antonio were both concerned for the friend, when Francis explained to Antonio why Gilbert was like this.

"So you think he is in amor, with this Madeline girl."

"Oui, he seemed very upset to learn she hasn't been growing since she was first found."

"Hmm, that is rather unusual. I wonder why she isn't growing?"

Francis shrugs and the two head off to bed.

Back over in the states, Madeline has been living with Alfred in New York. They had moved there after the war ended when they learned that Matthew would be more independent, having control of his own foreign policy. Madeline had asked if they could live closer to Canada so the siblings could more easily visit with one another. Of course, this wasn't the cause of Madeline's perpetual good mood. It was something Alfred noticed very quickly. He would often catch Madeline humming and dancing around the house. One day it was getting to him while Matthew was visiting and Madeline was out so Matthew suggested looking in her room for some evidence of her good mood. At first Alfred had protested saying they shouldn't invade her personal space like that, but Matthew managed to convince him by saying she wouldn't mind if it was something that made her happy. So they snuck into her room and looked around, they didn't look far before finding a stack of unmailed letters written to Gilbert on her desk. Matthew was confused wondering who Gilbert was, while Alfred just had a sinking feeling in his gut. Matthew noticed Alfred's attitude towards the letters and led him from the room, leaving the letters as they were found.

"So, who's Gilbert?"

Alfred sat heavily on the sofa in the living room before answering. "Prussia. She met him while working in that hospital in France during the war."