The Small Things
England x Reader
Art Trade


There was a loud banging noise that you presumed was the front door; boisterous stomping down the hallway and incoherent words were thrown around as your husband dropped his suitcase on the kitchen table.  There were dark circles forming under his eyes and stress lines were more apparent on his pale face.  

He slumped into his armchair in the living room and began unraveling the newspaper that he picked up from the driveway, you on the other hand, were standing in the kitchen as all of the commotion happened, worried for your husband as his mood grew more sour each day.  

You wanted to help, but you hadn't the slightest clue as to why he was so upset.  He never complains about work, his brother Alfred hasn't bothered you two in a while, hell, he just got a raise!  

"So, what's the big deal grumpy-butt?" you asked as you leaned on the back of his armchair.  Arthur sighed distastefully and flipped the page of his newspaper saying, "Oh nothing."

You raised an eyebrow in suspicion as you shifted your weight to the other arm and continued, "You've been acting like this for a while Arthur.  Not to be rude, but it's getting old.  You know, I am your wife, you can tell me—"

Arthur threw the newspaper on the coffee table and shot up from his chair as he hollered, "Then why don't you act like one!"  His face was red and was that smell…alcohol that lingered on his clothing?

"Oh God, Arthur!  Have you been drinking again?" you asked, a little frustrated yourself.  Arthur's face turned red in anger as he marched away grumbling, "I'm not going to deal with this right now."

Arthur slammed his office door shut, successfully breaking a picture of the two of you that hung neatly on the wall in the process.  Tears slowly started spilling from your eyes as you walked over and knelt down to pick up the broken shards.  You didn't know why he was acting in such an ill manner, granted he was always a little grumpy, but he used to be so kind too.  He was always gentile with his words and would treat you like a queen in his presence.  It was like his mood had taken a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn and it pained you to watch such a sight.  

Once the mess was cleaned you dried your tears and continued on with making dinner; you ate alone in silence, hearing nothing from Arthur's office but you didn't want to disturb him, so you left a plate out for him anyways.  He always had a fancy to Italian and you had made fettuccini alfredo, but after that hissy fit, you didn't expect much from him.  

After dinner, you washed the dishes as usual only to leave you in your thoughts.  Maybe there was more than just being grumpy that was behind your husband's strange behavior?  Granted, you couldn't quite put your finger on it, you decided to give up on trying to figure it out and get ready for bed.  Maybe then, he'd come stumbling in after a few drinks by himself and apologize in a drunken manner.  

Instead, you felt a palm on your shoulder and heard a small, strangled sob from behind you.  You turned around quickly and gasped, "Arthur!  Oh honey, what's wrong?" you asked as you pulled him into a tight hug.  Arthur stood and cried on your shoulder for a while as you cooed and shushed him, rubbing his back comfortingly.

"Arthur, sweetie, you need to tell me what's wrong…otherwise if this continues any longer, our marriage could b-be…ruined." You whispered as he was calming down.  You pulled away to look at his reddened face from crying and you wiped away a few of his tears saying, "Now this won't do.  No husband of mine should be crying unless I give him a reason."

Arthur chuckled a little and mumbled, "Oh hush…"

"Now Arthur, what's the problem?" you asked yet again.  Arthur looked away, blushing a little as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded paper that was torn out of a magazine.

He handed the paper to you and you unfolded it carefully, as you started to unravel the mystery, your eyes began to widen in shock.  On the paper were tips on how to deal with your pregnant wife when her hormones go out of balance.  You looked up at him; a red tint was spread across your cheeks.  

Arthur looked at you again, in the most sincere way possible as he said, "I really want a child."  You looked at the paper and back up at him again, trying to take in as much as possible before you asked, "Is this why you've been so…reluctant?"

Arthur sighed and pulled you into his arms, "I'm so sorry darling…I've been trying to be a better husband but as I was trying, I didn't realize how much I was hurting you by not telling you what I want.  Please forgive me…"

You sighed and wrapped your arms around him as well, kissing his neck gently in the process as you answered, "Of course Arthur."

~~

There was a loud banging noise that you presumed was the front door; boisterous stomping down the hallway and incoherent words were thrown around as your husband dropped his suitcase on the kitchen table.  

You smiled as your gaze met his exuberant, emerald orbs.  

"I got your message today…" he said breathlessly, dashing towards you and enveloping you in a tight embrace as he twirled you through the air.  

You giggled like a little girl as he set you down and placed a fervent kiss upon your rosy lips.  Once the two of you parted you pulled him into a tight hug and asked, "So how's it feel to know that you're a father?"

Once again, Arthur placed another chaste kiss on your lips and answered in a hushed whisper, "Absolutely wonderful."