Italy watched gleefully as Karin squirmed around in her crib, clawing at the air and trying to grab the star fixture turning around above her. She was always trying to grab for it, trying to poke at the stars that lit up her room at night. She was big, getting almost too big for her crib already and she could easily reach the chandelier of stars. Italy could only guess that she was just a little too lazy to sit up and grab for it. He smiled as she gave a pouty face and pushed up with her arms, sitting up enough for her to grab hold of the stars and laugh in victory.

"Good job Karin!" Italy cheered. Karin looked over at him and pulled on a star. She smiled wide, showing off her shiny new teeth.

She in a mere month had grown into a one year old, looking almost like he did when he was a young country. She was losing her newborn chubbiness, getting thinner seemingly from nothing. She was growing like they were as countries, but at a very rapid, driving rate. She had grown several more shiny teeth and took advantage of it, taking to a teething ring like her binky when she wasn't busy trying to chew on his clothes.

Karin let go of her star chandelier and looked over at her mother. She squirmed over to the crib's bars and shakily got hold of it, struggling to stand up on wobbly, disobediently legs. She knees shook hard and twisted to the side, landing her on her butt with a cry. Italy walked over and hoisted her up on his hip, adjusting her for a moment and gathering her up in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, softly soothing his little girl.

"It's okay Karin. You were close that time! Soon, you'll be walking around with Mommy and Daddy!"

Karin's crocodile tears dried and her cries silenced and turned back around into a giggle as soft as bells and caramel. Italy could feel his sweet teeth rot farther as she giggled, and his heart melt into a tender puddle. As he danced around with Karin, keeping a tight hold on her blanket and tossing it up on her and humming 'Once Upon a December' Germany peeked in and whistled out the last notes of the tune, surprising the dancing mother-daughter duo. Karin lifted herself away from Italy and waved and grabbed out for Germany. Italy struggled to keep her in his arms, but was rescued by Germany who took the bouncing girl into his own.

"Guten Morgen Karin" Germany whispered to her. Karin giggled in response, tossing her full head of wavy light brown hair just enough to cover her face. Germany swiped the long hair back and lifted her high enough to sit on his shoulders. She eagerly accepted the shoulder ride, keeping a grip on his hair and shirt. She knew what to do, she learned on the job.

"I thought she would like to join us for breakfast" Germany offered. Italy quickly agreed and went on ahead, Germany and Karin coming up quickly. The whole time Karin laughed gleefully, pulling lightly on her father's hair. As Italy bounced into the kitchen, Karin was lowered into Germany's arms and they ventured in to make breakfast. Karin was seated on one of the faraway counters, instructed to stay and watch them make some food. She smiled as she slammed her palms on the tiled tops. Italy tugged out the egg carton and a few bags of shredded feta and mozzarella cheeses. He was in an omelet mood.

As Germany pulled out frying pans, Italy took a small handful of mozzarella and walked up to Karin, who clapped for him. She had stopped breastfeeding and went for bottles and very easy to eat foods like cheese. Because of that fact, Italy's maternal boobs went away, and he was grateful for it. They were starting to hurt his back.

"Want to try some Karin?" he offered. Karin held out her hands and grinned, taking a few small pieces of cheese and stuffing them in her mouth. As she chewed and showed off the yellow and orange strings stuck to her teeth, she let out a giggle.

"Sweet!"

Italy and Germany froze, Germany swinging around quickly. Karin looked at them funny, not noticing what had happened and grabbed for more cheese.

"Sweet, sweet!"

"Karin! You spoke your first word!" Italy cheered, picking up his little girl and spinning her around. She laughed the entire time.

"Sweet mommy! Mommy sweet!" she laughed, smiling like a Cheshire Cat. Germany came up and took hold of her this time, kissing her.

"Daddy sweet! Try, try!"

Germany laughed but accepted the small handful of cheese from Karin's small hand, chewing and savoring the taste of soft cheese. Karin clapped as she was set down again on the counter. Italy ruffled her hair, tossing the wavy mop back and forth.

"Karin you're growing so fast. You finally spoke, I'm so proud of you!"

"Karin do good?"

"Yes" Germany replied. "Karin do very well!"

"Yay! Mutti und Vati happy!"

"She even knows German!" Italy cried, forgetting about breakfast and turning off the oven, returning quickly to sweep up Karin into his arms. "Our beautiful, smart, special girl!"

"Hehe! Weeeee!" Karin squealed, enjoying every moment she up in the air, spinning around in her parent's arms. Celebration went through the entire day, and Hungary and Prussia, including sneaky Kugelmugel, were glad they could join in the festivities of Karin's first words.

"Karin come here! Stop squirming!" Italy asked, trying to pull a small skirt on her. She squirmed out of his hold again, crawling quickly away on the floor.

"No! Skirts are breezy! I want pants!" Karin challenged pouting when she was caught again, and the skirt was pulled up to her waist. She shimmied in it but she kept it on, smiling softly as Italy helped her up on her black shoed feet. She tugged on the soft fabric.

"Why skirts?" Karin asked. Italy smiled and hugged her close.

"You want to look good for this right?"

"Yes! Yes!" she cheered.

Italy smiled and looked over her look. Small heeled black shoes and white stockings to her knees, and a flat black skirt that hugged her form. She opted for a simple black tank top with white accents on the straps, and wore a white bracelet with a small inlaid diamond which was a gift from Austria.

"I think pants would be better Madre…." Karin pushed. "Please?"

Italy sighed and helped Karin step out of the skirt. She sat down on her bum and tugged her shoes off, setting them softly next to her. Italy helped her pull the black leggings on her, and then back into her shoes. She wore now almost all black, but Italy helped with accessories. Her outfit had her in the same black shoes and tank top, but with black leggings with a white belt accent and a cute pleaded white jacket.

"There! Magnifico!" Italy cheered. Karin clapped and applauded, twirling around with the help of her mother. She loved the clothes she was able to wear. She looked like a smaller version of the Milan models Italy took her to see once. She took strong hold of his hands as she started to topple, still not able to stand up and walk around.

"Close!" she cried, getting up to stand at least, "close!"

"Very close Karin. Soon I know you'll be spinning and twirling and dancing to your heart's content without mommy's help!"

"Maybe mommy teaches me to spin and dance?"

Italy nodded in approval and Karin jumped in for a hug. She was passionate on the musical arts, always taking the time to stop and listen to music and imagine what it would be like to sing and create such amazing melodies and hymns. Italy gathered her up and hoisted her into his arms. She smiled into the fabric of Italy's own suit and both walked calmly out. Germany stood and smiled as they showed themselves, a heavy suitcase in his hands.

"She didn't want a skirt" Italy said. Karin pulled on her leggings to show her father.

"I like these! Look daddy, I'm pretty!" Karin called out. Germany's heart melted and he hugged and kissed little Karin.

"Indeed, very, very schön" Germany complimented. "Ready to meet the others?"

"Si, si!" Karin cheered.

Today was one of the biggest steps not just for Karin, but the entire family. After long talks and discussions, theories and thoughts, they decided to introduce Karin to the rest of the countries, no human names. At the rate she was growing and learning, she had to be a country, and had to be introduced and recognized. It's been two months since her birth and still only Hungary, Austria, Prussia and Kugelmugel knew of her arrival. The others still think she's not born. They were going to reveal it at today's World Meeting and hoped that the world accepted her in. They feared the worst of course. If she's a country, where's her land? They feared a battle for her and her land would start, and they would fight to their deaths to protect her as her parents.

They also knew they weren't that land-crazy and anyway, most of them approved of Italy's pregnancy. Italy though hoped that Russia wouldn't pull anything when he met his little girl.

"Well come on. We don't want to be late" Germany prompted, adjusting the suitcase in his hand.

The family piled into the car, and Italy strapped Karin into her booster seat. She squirmed like she always did, clamoring for her chance to sit in a seat without a chunky booster keeping her down. She eventually settled in and they were off, taking some caution as they drove up to the Meeting Hall. All the while, Karin kept an eye on the outside of the car, watching houses and beautiful scenery pass by. She starts to hum a soft tune, thinking up notes as she went along. Soon she was mesmerized by her musical ideas, singing soft lyrics as they came.

'The world anew, the land bright green

My world is bigger than it seems

Streets and cars all the same

But the countries are my home

I call upon thee myth and legend

And I start my world anew'

'Girls in blue, boys in red

A field of flowers waits ahead

My world slowly grows today

as I await my birthday

Women in skirts, men in tee shirts

My world is expanding outward

And soon I see the sky

Blue as an ocean dive

And my world is anew'

Italy claps powerfully, looking over his shoulder as Karin continues to hum along her soft tune, letting the words hover and spin around the car as they drive. Karin does a mock curtsy in her seat smiling and laughing as Italy continues to clap. As soon as Italy turns back around, Karin starts again, this time taking a darker tone as the streets around her grow dark.

'Brightness comes without deception

Families without direction

Dark little children try to dance

While other seem to fail to prance

All the light has dawned to dark

And I pass without a mark

Their worlds are shrouded

Ours are lighted

And my world grows ever anew'

'The world is greyer then it seems

We hide behind our bright deeds

But I see our path as it is

Crossroads without a perfect end

But my world sees such greater plans'

'Do not weep, do not cry

This is our joint lullaby

The world is dawning fresh and bright

No more scars, no more fright

This is our greatest plan

Here is our world, stunning and grand'

Karin's carefully constructed free-verse song ends as they pull up to the World Meeting hall. Before they even think of getting out, Germany and Italy turn to stare at Karin, who hums her soft tune to its finish and curiously looks up at her gawking parents.

"What?"

"That song Karin….." Germany whispers, "Where did that come from?"

"I was looking out the window. The things passing inspired me"

Italy nodded, understanding now why her song grew dark. "It was nice and realistic Karin. You really do love your music"

Karin giggled, nodding quickly. She was playing through the lyrics again. Germany and Italy smiled at last as Karin played with her seat belt. They knew their girl would be special, but noticing the wrongs already? They were countries but they weren't psychic enough to predict their daughter to be so conscious of the world around her. They piled at after a moment, Italy taking Karin up against his shoulder. She snuggled in, trying to make herself invisible even though she knew it impossible.

They had to take the walk up to the hall carefully to make sure Karin was not seen by any other countries besides those already informed on her existence. Carefully they avoided those who decided to wander before the meeting, barely dodging Turkey as a quarrel between him and Greece began once again, and Cyprus and Egypt forced to try to stop it. Karin was watching the other countries as they passed their hidden places, keeping tabs on the names her parents spoke as they evaded each country to keep her existence a secret as long as possible. They weaved and wove through rooms and hallways, careful of each step. Soon they declared it safe and Italy let Karin, by her request, stand on her own.

She took her few tentative first steps, taking her new found freedom as far as she could handle until she fell. Italy and Germany silently celebrated and cheered for the feat, and Karin took the boost in stride, and she walked on her own alongside her family. She was intimidated by the size everyone was now that she was on the ground but she was strong. She was half German! She could face anything if she put her mind to it!

"You sure you don't want to be up Karin?" Italy asked, sensing Karin's hesitance and under-the-skin fear. She nodded, stomping ahead a bit.

"I can do it! I will learn to hone my craft! I will get used to the height difference!" she cried out, fist pumping into the air.

"Alright, calm down. Soon you'll get the meet the other countries. Remember, a lot of them could pose a threat. If they do, what do you do?" Germany asked. Karin looked up to her father and held onto one of his offered fingers.

"Get to either you or Mommy. Don't try to fight them alone, and if they get me try my best to break free" Karin recited, remembering her parent's talk about this.

"Good job Karin" Italy praised, rubbing her head and taking hold of her other hand. "Now you'll be with me until we are to be revealed okay?"

"Ja!"

As they approached the main meeting hall, Italy stayed back, holding onto Karin as Germany gave his family a last smile and walked in, his voice shouting for control and an end to the chaos. Karin had to keep herself collected as she so wanted to peek through the doors to see her father take control of the meeting. She held on to Italy who had kneeled down to her level, hugging her close. They were hidden in the shadows of the next room, listening to the fragments of the conversations streaming through the room.

"Look, I'm just saying, a giant hero would be really cool!"

"America, seriously! We cannot have something coming forth from your demented imagination to fix our problems! It's impossible!"

"Says the non-believer who can perform magic!"

"Wha-"

"And create Harry Potter!"

"Good grief guys, enough of the release of sexual tension oui? I just realized something"

"And what would that be Herr France?"

"Italy is missing. He hasn't been here for a while, yes? His chairs been empty this entire time"

"I knew there was a lack of the word pasta around here! Germany, we know it's connected to you. What's happened to him?"

"My thoughts exactly"

"Was that Uncle Austria mommy?" Karin asked in a whisper. Italy confirmed her question with a nod, patting Karin for her good memory.

"Where is Italy? Last I heard of him, something was happening with his pregnancy?"

The room rolled into waves of murmurs, all going unanswered for a while until Germany cleared his throat, and Hungary smiled toward the doors.

"I guess you can say he's been busy, we've been busy, for a while and he has not been able to join us"

"Ohhh…..wait!" France's voice shook through the doors like an alarm. "You don't mean-"

Italy stood up and took Karin up in his arms, knowing his signal would be coming on right now. Karin twisted in his arms so she could face the tidal wave of other countries waiting for them. Italy pushed open the doors, and all voices silenced down until you could hear someone's jaw hit the table as Karin was revealed finally to the rest of the world.

"Everyone" Italy's voice did not shake as he announced himself and his daughter, "This is Karin"

"This is my daughter born two months ago. Karin, say hello to the countries of the world"

"Hello other countries!" Karin greeted warmly, waving her hand and tossing her hair around her shoulders. Italy surveyed the room, looking each country in the eye as if to say 'Challenge me if you dare'. Germany kept his eyes trained on Austria and Hungary, who smugly smirked toward Karin.

At first, no one knew what to do with the news of Italy's baby girl, or the fact that she was two months old and could easily talk and looked like they did as young children. They looked Karin up and down from their frozen statue-like places, seeing the shared genes of both Italy and Germany in her. Her blue, silver-speckled eyes scanned the room as well, spotting Uncle Austria, Aunt Hungary, and Uncle-Big Brother France whom she learned of from her mother. She smiled at France, whose face heated into a red blush.

The world was silent, until Russia moved from his seat, a smile on his face, and headed toward Italy and Karin.

"Privet, Karin!" he called out, taking advantage of the silence, "I'm Russia!"

Karin was hesitant at first, seeing the slightly scariness underneath Russia's cute face but relax, smiling at him as he grew closer.

"Hallo Russia! Nice to meet you!"

Italy smiled weakly as Russia finally got close enough, respecting the hand signal from Italy to keep some distance. Karin looked up at Russia, instantly seeing the darkness in his eyes, seeing the black past he went through and how he hid his cruelty behind soft, cute exteriors. Her impromptu song came to her mind, and her weak smile widened. She stretched out her hand and Russia leaned in to make up the difference, letting Karin touch and pet Russia's cheek. Russia's cheek lit up in pink underneath her hand, sending soft heat into her palm.

"I want to get closer!" Karin cried. "Let me get closer!"

The world promptly woke up and started to panic.

Welcome back! This is the second installment, our sequel, of 'Once Upon a Coin'! We'll get to see how Karin gets through her early years of life and being around this bunch of idiots (I say it nicely). I'm not sure how long it'll be but you'll get a fair share this time!

Thank you for continuing to like and read my work and come back for the next chapter!

EDIT 1- Gahh, mix-ups and typos! She's two months old, not three weeks, I'm sorry for the mix-up!