The Secret

Chapter 21

America wanted to be home. He wanted to be far away from this place with his family, but here he was. New Hampshire and New York in another room with Alaska. They're safe there for now while he faces the many personifications staring at him and Russia standing right beside him. His fingers were curled into fists, keeping his pulse under control.
Was there really anything he could do? Perhaps not. Oh, what had he done?

"Did you ever plan on telling anyone?"

America glanced to China when he spoke. He kept his mouth shut until he was certain he could control myself. Russia answered for him as he did.

"Нет. What would you have done if we did?"

"The same we are now, I presume," Japan answered.

Children born of personifications were never a simple situation. Too many times in the past had they been used as bargaining chips, hostages. It was taboo, but on occasion it did happen.

America finally spoke, his voice low. "You can't take her from me. She's my state."

England started to speak, his voice slow as if mournful, "You know what dangers she propos-"

"Then you all better not go blabbering your mouths off!"

There was silence after his outbreak for only a few seconds before Germany interrupted the silence.

"I do have a question. How long have you two been seeing each other?" Every pair of eyes turned to the two nations, awaiting a response.

America simply shrugged while Russia spoke. "Years?" he guessed. "Decades?"

"Why don't you two take a seat," England suggested. "Then we'll start discussing your daughter's future."

The two did as instructed. It failed to help calm either of their worries.

-

"They've been in there for a long time," Alaska said for the fourth time.

"Yes, Rose," New Hampshire said. She ran her hand through her little sister's hair. She wasn't certain who she was trying to comfort more, Alaska or herself.

"Do they love each other? Dad and Papa?"

She looked down to the girl sitting beside her. "Of course they do. You wouldn't be here if they didn't." She wrapped her arm around her, giving her quick hug. "And they'll do anything to protect you."

"Do you love anyone?"

She stopped for a moment and stared at Alaska for a moment. She hadn't exactly been expecting it to say the least.
She glanced at New York. He stood over the hearth, readjusting the embers in the fire with a stoker that reflected the flames.

"I don't know." Her voice was quiet.

Alaska's next questions rang around the hall. "Do you love anyone, Jackson?"

She heard New York scoff. "As if anyone would love me." He turned to look at them for a moment with a sly smirk before going back to the flames.

Alaska jumped up from her seat and ran over to New York. Her turned towards her just in time as she gave him a big hug. "I think someone would love you. You're nice, you care a lot."

New York simply stood there for a moment, his eyes wide and eyebrows raised before he put his free hand around her in an attempt at a hug. "Um, yeah. Thanks, Rose." He looked up to New Hampshire, seemingly calling for help.

She just smiled for calling out to Alaska. "Come on, Rose. Jackson's not ready for show direct emotion to others."

"That's not what I meant!"

She laughed as Alaska ran back over with a wide smile.

"I can express my feelings just fine, thank you very much."

"Since when?" America walked in to the room, Russia followed close behind.

"Dad! Papa!" Alaska made a bee-line for the two countries as soon as she heard America's voice. They both met her with a tight embrace.

New Hampshire stood, waiting for her brother to tell them what had happened. However, New York had significantly less patience than her. "So, what happened?"

The nations looked up. "Rose," America said softly. "Why don't you and Papa go wait outside?" She nodded quickly with a smile on her face. She held Russia's hand as they walked out the door. America didn't speak until the door swung close again.

"The good news is that she's staying with us."

"And the bad news?" New Hampshire asked.

"Rose won't be seeing her father for some time."

She wasn't quite sure what to say. "Sorry" didn't seem to cut it. She could only look at what was ahead, the better side of things. They could only hope that things got better, but with the world's track record, she highly doubted it.

Yes, yes. I know I could have down a lot better on this chapter with the ending and all. Y'all probably hate me for how this last chapter is written. I don't have an excuse. It's finally done! Thanks for reading!

-Ivvy