The Warmth of Russia

~11~

War was hell, it didn't matter what side you were on, because it all equaled the same damn thing. Lily listened in as the men discussed the ongoing assault on other nations, doing their best to protect their own as well. She could see Ivan was worried, he had more now to worry about; over the last couple of months he had kept her tucked away from the world as her belly grew each day.

Brie's giggle caught Lily's attention. "He worries as much as Francis."

Lily smiled, she wasn't wrong. Ivan's eyes were constantly on her, watching her every move.

"I know. It's starting to drive me nuts." she confessed, her Russian accent now thicker than before.

"Oui, I know what you mean." Brie said, shifting Jeanne to her other shoulder. "Not much longer huh?"

Lily looked down at her large belly, feeling the baby move around within. "No, not much longer. I can barely wait but he's absolutely nervous."

"It will be fine. Francis was a wreck the day she was born. I was waiting to see an indent in the floor along with the classic cartoon of non-stop cigarette buds everywhere." Brie joked. "Once he saw her, he was fine. That's what I wanted to ask, do you know what you're having?"

"Net." Lily replied, "We wanted to wait till the baby's born."

She wanted to find out but Ivan asked to wait. Wanted to keep to the traditions as much as possible, as much as it drove her insane. Don't cross your legs, don't lay on your back, don't lift your arms above your head, no early gifts. There was always something she wasn't allowed to do, 'It could hurt the baby.'

"That's total bullshit!" Alfred shouted as the last plan was said.

Ivan cleared his throat, glaring at the man. Ah yes, that one as well, no swearing in front of a pregnant woman. The dark aura slowly emitting out of him, a warning to all the nations.

"Alright Brie, I think we are a distraction to the men. Best we go." Lily said.

"D'accord." Brie said, holding her hand out to her, "Need a hand?"

Lily laughed as she took Brie's hand, the woman pulled Lily to her aching feet as a twinge of discomfort hit her lower back.

"You alright?" Brie asked, "You're almost full."

"Da, just fine. I have a month left Brie, nothing to worry over. Just a small Braxton." Lily reassured her, rubbing the small of her back.

Looking back at the men, she sighed and hoped that the situation wouldn't turn violent between them all.

Ivan looked over the map, seeing how the developing terrorist group was advancing across the world. It had grown much faster than any of them had planned over the last seven months, and the latest attack on Ukraine was enough for Ivan to call for war.

"How is Iryna, Ivan?" someone asked.

"Chto?"

"How's your sister?" Arthur asked.

"Better than before. Still has to use the crutch to walk but much better." he replied, thinking back on the phone call he got about the attack and how bad Iryna was when they found her. "Both her and Natalya are keeping an eye on the front with the Baltics, along with watching Lily."

"Dude, don't you think you're smothering the woman?" Alfred said.

"Would you like to keep your teeth?" He gritted out.

"Ivan. Alfred." Ludwig warned. "Set past issues with past. We need to worry about now."

Looking back down at the battle plans, Ivan tried to focus on the situation on hand. He had set the Baltics to the front lines of Ukraine and Russia, where the threat advanced up towards his capital. There were members found in Kursk, attempting to board trains to Moscow. It bothered him deeply, how determined they were to get in.