I'm sorry...~America

Ex's and O's

~Alfred's POV~
I made it home just in time, Matthew and Ailbe we're completely flustered trying to keep the twins calm; Matthew was sitting on the floor of the living room holding Jessie- whom was throwing an absolute fit- and Ailbe was leaning against the wall holding Joaquin who had gotten a hold of his hair.
I entered the living room and Matthew looked up at me worriedly, "Al!...is is Christina okay?" He slowly stood up and made his way towards me.
"Yeah she's fine...the doc says it was just a really nasty fall...just a crazy accident" Matthew sighed with relief and carefully gave me Jessie, "I'm sorry I can't get her to calm down" He frowned and looked at Ailbe who was practically half asleep, the only thing keeping him awake was Joaquin.
"Ailbe I'll take him now, you two can go to bed" Ailbe nodded and handed me Joaquin before taking Matt's hand like a toddler begging to be tucked in. Matt looked back at me and gave me a small wave, "night Al..." I smiled at him and sat on the couch with the twins as the other two went upstairs.
It's a wonder how different the twins look...Jessie looks exactly like me...and Joaquin looks almost identical to his mother...though the one thing they do have in common is a tiny black birthmark below their left eye, like a beauty mark. I kissed each of their heads and leaned back as they both slowly fell back asleep; I looked up at a portrait on the wall of Arthur and frowned. Is Christina really okay?...Of course she is...of course...who am I to doubt that she is?

~Arthur's POV~
I'm running out of time, I've searched my entire library...I've even checked to see if there's some sort of black magic that could save her but- but there's no possible way to do it. I grit my teeth and slammed my fists against my bookshelf in rage, "Damn it!" I pressed my forehead against a book and slid down to my knees. As I felt my eyes beginning to tear up I felt something light land on my head, I reached up and took the object off my head and looked at it. It was an old folded sheet of paper...no not just old, it's absolutely ancient. I wiped my eyes and unfolded the paper, I was so shocked by the contents I nearly had a heart attack. This is it! What I've been looking for! A spell that stops aging, sure it doesn't make her completely immortal but she'll be like us, ageless. I grinned and stood up to celebrate but a wave of realization sent chills down my spine. Age isn't the problem...it's the illness...this isn't caused by interbreeding with a human and a country...this is completely natural...if she had children with a normal human the outcome would still be the same- she would die- she...will die. I dropped the spell and ran my fingers through my hair, I'm not doctor...and I don't have some sort of healing spell...the only bloody thing that can save her is the damn holy grail.
What do I do now? What do I tell Alfred?
"Sorry I can't save Christina but hey here's an aging spell for your brothers boyfriend! At least we can save him right!" Damn it! I gripped my hair tightly in my hands and took a deep breath, I can't fall apart now...I can't give up...magic has been around for millions of years there has to be ONE spell I can use to cure her...just one...that's all I need.
I need to call Scotland. He's older than me- he worked with fae and unicorns once- if anyone can help he can. But will he?

I got home at around twelve in the afternoon...Matthew and Allie were gone...and Alfred was taking care of the twins...and Francis was all alone in the kitchen...humming to himself blissfully. I walked quietly into the kitchen and wrapped my arms around him tightly causing him to jolt with shock. "A-Arthur? Merde I thought you would never come home- what's wrong mon amour?..." he turned around so my head was against his chest and he placed his large hand onto my head, running his fingers through my hair. I leaned into him and stayed quiet for a while...I'm so tired I don't want to have to explain everything...but I suppose I have to. "I was trying to get in touch with Allistor...but he won't answer my calls...I think he's still mad at me...." I gripped onto Francis shirt tightly as he continued to soothe me.
"Why on earth would you try to call him? Also I highly doubt he's still mad at you..." I looked up at him frustrated and raised my voice.
"Of course he's still mad at me, he's the king of holding grudges- erg he's such an asshole!" Francis gave me a look and cupped my face in his hands.
"Don't shout at me Arthur. And even if he does hold a grudge your his little brother he can't hate you. He just can't. Don't forget I was close with him too once." I looked away from him and frowned. He just sighed and kissed my forehead, "don't start getting jealous...my feelings for Allistor are gone okay? Now answer my first question why do you need to contact him anyway?" I pushed away my frustration and replied. "I've run out of options...I don't have any spells to save Christina...but I think Allistor might"
"Why would you think that? He was never-"
"He was. He was into magic actually he mastered it a long time ago. That's why you never noticed...because he hides it well."
"I....but he would have..." Francis took a deep breath and held me tighter, I can tell he feels a little betrayed but to be fair only the Kirkland family knows about Allistors magic.
"I can call him if you want...he might answer me"
"Why? Because he doesn't know we're back together?" I know I shouldn't be jealous at a time like this but I am. I know Allistor still likes Francis and I refuse to have him stolen from me.
"Don't be like that...we're still friends you know...we talk occasionally"
"What!? You talk occasionally!?"
"Don't be like that Arthur. We're just friends nothing more." Francis let go of me and took out his phone and handed it to me, "if your so worried check it then." I held his phone tightly for a moment glancing at the screen, to be honest I do kind of want to go through their texts but...I trust Francis...and he's not the cheating type...even if he did have feelings for Allistor he'd break up with me first instead of cheating on me. "No...I'm sorry I'm just...jealous" I turned his phone off and gave it back which seemed to satisfy him, he kissed me softly and dialed Allistors number. "I'll put him on speaker for you"
"Wait what-" I was cut off as Allistor answered the call and his deep Scottish accident echoed through the kitchen. "Franny! Where've ya been it's been so long since you've called me! How are you doing?"
"Oh I'm....both good and bad at the moment...listen I'll be honest with you I didn't call to chat I called because you aren't answering Arthur's calls."
"Arthur's calls?-" I cut him off and crossed my arms.
"Yes. My calls. I called you for hours and you never answered me."
"Artie! Is that you? It's been so long-"
"Allistor. The calls." Francis tapped his finger against the kitchen table.
"Arthur what number did you call?" We could hear rustling in the background on Allistors end.
"Um. Your number. The same number you've had since the 1980's." Francis and Allistor both cracked up. "What? What's so funny?" I asked confused.
"That's why he wasn't answering you, he doesn't use that number anymore Arthur"
"What!? No way I didn't know you could change your number!"
"Yeah...sorry Artie I changed it back then cuz I was still pissed with you...I forgot you didn't have my new number that's my bad"
"Oh but you gave it to Francis." Francis elbowed me in the arm causing me to wince and hiss at him.
"Uh yeah? We're friends Arthur. Anyway why did you need to call me so bad?"
"It would be better if I explained it in person...can you come to my home in England? As soon as possible would be preferred"
"Uh...sure?...Francis can I trust him?"
"Oui just get over here quickly it's important"
"Aye I'll be there in a little over an hour"
"Okay thank you goodbye" I hung up the phone and groaned. "Well now you know he isn't mad at you"
"Hah..." I sighed and pressed my forehead against Francis' chest again. "I'm sorry...I know I'm difficult"
Francis smiled and kissed the top of my head.
"Yes...you are...now kiss me and let me take some weight off of your shoulders" Francis lifted my head and kissed me passionately; of course I melted like butter and kissed him back.
"Hey dad I'm gonna go get Chris-" Alfred walked into the kitchen and stopped getting an embarrassed bright pink look on his face. I pulled away quickly and fixed my hair, "oh yes sorry- uh what did you need?"
"...I'm gonna go pick up Christina. Can you two watch the twins? They don't like to be left alone for too long" Francis chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, "oui of course we can, drive safely"
"Uh huh...will do" Alfred nodded and walked awkwardly out of the kitchen. I felt my face turn bright red as I tugged on Francis' tie, "new rule. No kissing unless we're in the library, the study, or the bedroom." "Oui okay...sounds fair" Francis cleared his throat before we both made our way upstairs to tend to the twins.