The Touch of Germany

*10*

Things had slowly come together within the Beilschmidt home. The boys did business along with Eliza as she stayed around a little more than before, and Marie was busy with counseling and understanding more of the countries and their needs. It was quite easy getting into the rhythm of things as a small burp caught her attention.

"Finally got it out of him Marissa?" she asked.

Marissa smiled, "Finally. Took a bit didn't we Alec?"

The little boy just sighed in content as Marissa wiped his chin, "Seems like your boy is in a milk coma."

Marissa laughed at her, "Miss these days?"

Marie felt her heart clamp up yet she smiled, "All the time."

"Would you like to hold him?" the Canadian asked.

She looked at the woman then to the baby then back to Marissa. She could feel Adrian still within her own arms, yet the knowledge sat at the back of her head of the truth.

"It's ok if you say no, I'll give him to Mattie really quick while-"

"No." Marie cut her off, "No, it's fine. I'll take him."

"Are you sure?" Marissa asked.

"Yes. Now come on, hand him here." Marie held out her hands.

With a curt smile, Marissa placed Alec in Marie's arms, laying the small blanket across her shoulder, "I believe I got all of it out of him but he's quite famous for hiding one or two from Mattie and I."

"Don't worry, I'll get it out." she said, laying him against her shoulder as she rubbed his back.

"Ok, any issues, Mattie should be in the other room. I'll be right back." Marissa said, leaving the two of them be.

Marie felt Alec's little fingers curl into her shirt, a sigh leaving him as he snuggled into Marie's shoulder. She gently rubbed his little back as her memories of Adrian came up. She hummed a gentle lullaby that she sang to him each night, resting her head against him as silent snores escaped him. It was these days she missed the most, those innocent times where she would lay with him and just have an afternoon with each other.

Maybe one day, one day for another baby. One with blonde locks and icy blue eyes like Ludwig. A little Beilschmidt running around the home; yes, one day.

"One day Alec, one day." She whispered to him.

He started squirming in her arms as he whimpered against her shoulder, "What's the matter buddy? Want a paci?"

She tried to place the pacifier in his mouth as she moved to cradle him only to have his mouth root around her breast, "Oh no sweetie, those are out of commission. You just ate anyway, but if you're determined let's see if we can find mommy or daddy, ok?"

Marie walked out of the room to see if she could locate either Canadian, yet there was no one around the space. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen only to pause by the dining area. There laid a box and upon it was a full syringe as a lighter stood beside it, she knew that look of the content. It called to her faintly, telling her to take and be numb from the pain she felt. Her gazed moved from Alec to the needle, her mind scrabbling as she went closer to the box. It just sat there, beckoning to be touched and that she did. She lifted the syringe with her free hand as she just stared at it. She swore she could hear Ludwig in the back of her mind, begging her not to touch it, to not take the hit, to think of him and Adrian. Her gaze went back to Alec, who's head nudged her chest more prominently. She looked at the needle once more as it shook within her hand, just to set it back on the box and slowly back away as her own shivers ran through her body. A gentle hand came to her arm, a gesture of reassurance as Marissa came to view along with Juliet. Both ready, just like her, for the evening dinner with the nations and capitals.