Arrested in Love: UsUk Prisoner AU

21: Disinfectant and Sobs

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Arthur endured thirty hours of Alfred's intense surgery while he hung around the waiting room. He had done his fair share of panicking, crying, some eating, then vomiting it up in the bathrooms, and more fun stuff.

Michelle had brought herself and their daughters, since Francis had disappeared since that morning. And she wanted to make sure Arthur could keep a stable mind. Besides, news media came by every once in a while to ask how Alfred was doing. Arthur couldn't even answer. Because truthfully he had no bloody idea.

Arthur opposed having Michelle with him while Alfred was operated on, however it was nice seeing his daughters. He had kind of locked himself away when he and Alfred separated. So he hadn't seen them in a while.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Ellie asked, hopping into his lap. She slowly started to bounce as Arthur's leg was tapping.
"I'll be okay, princess." He managed weakly. "Right now though? No, I'm really not. But don't you worry my fair maiden, when Alfred comes out of surgery okay, I'll be perfectly fine."

"You really like him, don't you?" London asked, looking over from her mother's lap, wiping her eyes tiredly. It was late. And they were all beyond tired. They didn't stay all thirty hours like Arthur had, but they had been there enough.

"Oh, goodness yes. I love him with all of my heart. Alfred means the world to me. And he's really hurt, he could die. I don't want to lose him, especially before he'd ever get to meet you two. He's just going to absolutely adore you. And you'll like him." Arthur beamed, smiling a little. Weakly, but it was something. An improvement.

Michelle had come to realize Arthur was homosexual. She didn't care. Even if they weren't the perfect match they thought when they were younger, they had children together. So regardless of whether he was with a man, Arthur gave her the biggest gift. And that was their babies.

"Oh, Arthur. It's getting rather late. The girls have school tomorrow." Michelle whispered, looking down at the dim light that was her phone screen. Arthur slowly nodded, understanding what she was saying.

"Right, these girls need showers. And to brush their teeth. And to get to bed at a reasonable time." He coughed, looking at his daughters, softly glaring. Only a tease.

"Right, aye aye Cap'n!" Ellie beamed, saluting the larger male. "I'll remind London if she forgets." The small girl giggled, shielding her face a bit as a rosy pink speckled her freckled cheeks.

"Hey! I'm not the one that forgets!" London huffed, collecting her things and her coat, slipping it on as it'd begun to precipitate.

"Tell me if anything changes with Alfred's condition or if he comes out of surgery okay." Michelle whispered as she went to hug her ex-husband. She noticed a small shine on her former lover's left hand, raising an eyebrow as she pulled away.

"He put a ring on it?" She asked, brushing some hair from her eyes, the girls hanging behind her, practically hugging her legs and waist.

"Ah- not officially." Arthur replied, scratching the back on his hand nervously. "We're working on it," he added in a soft whisper, knowing Alfred may not be able to if he didn't come out of surgery.

"Hey, Arthur. He'll be okay." The young woman mumbled, kissing his cheek before leaving the waiting room with a slight wave, London and Ellie following adjacent to her.

Arthur sighed as the trio fell out of his view, slowly sitting back in one of the chairs of the room, looking down at the ground. He yawned, not realizing how tired he was. He was goddamn exhausted.