The States

A Brief History of Christmases, According to the United States

1701, or the first family Christmas

There are sixteen children who are now dependent on Alfred.

And now it's Christmas, and sure Arthur left money, but he'd used up a good portion on supplies like blankets and clothes and food for them.

He's expecting disappointment at the lack of presents.

There isn't any.

(He'd forgotten that the states had come from nothing, so they didn't expect anything.)

1702, the second family Christmas

Alfred is more prepared the next year.

It isn't much, but it's something- necessary clothes for all of them, some hair ribbons for the girls, a few books.

1776, or the year the tide of the revolution turned

They spend Christmas shivering.

Shivering as they march barefoot through the snow, leaving behind bloody footprints.

Shivering as they cross the frozen Delaware, launching a surprise attack on the Hessians.

The bitter cold is worth victory, they all agree.

1783, or the year the Treaty of Paris was signed

They have celebrated Christmas before, of course, but it has never been like this.

They won their freedom two years earlier, but now it is official.

When Del had hesitantly asked if they could invite Prussia, Alfred had agreed nearly immediately.

1787, or Cordelia's first Christmas

Cordelia is something of a novelty.

After all, she's an infant.

The only infant of their kind the states have ever met.

Alfred humors the states, letting them pass the baby around like a hot potato, baby-talking her and trying to make her laugh.

After all, who's he to deny them a chance to hold their baby sister?

1790, or Timothy's first Christmas

Timothy joins the family, and suddenly Cordelia isn't the only novelty.

Cordelia is old enough to open her own presents, and delights in ripping and tearing the paper and packaging.

Timothy, however, sits in Alfred's lap, babbling and cooing and giggling.

Eventually, Timothy falls asleep in his lap, nestled within the blue knit blanket Ginny made him, and Cordelia crawls into his lap and does the same, wrapped in her green one.

1792, or Abby and Kendall's first Christmas

Ginny and Scott have stolen away Abigail and Kendall over to the rest of the Originals so that they could swoon over them.

Alfred narrows his eyes at the pile of gifts for the two new babies.

The Originals were always so eager to spoil the newer members.

Alfred is startled out of his thought process as Timothy begins to cry after getting stuck in a box.

A box he had climbed in all by himself, despite Alfred telling him not to.