Just a short little story. This is a side story to my states story, 50 States of Crazy, although you don't necessarily need to read that to read this. I do think that I did a much better job on that story than this one, though, so if you like this, please take a look!
Enjoy!
"Shhh! He's gonna hear you!" New York elbowed Massachusetts, who was giggling in a rather creepy way at his lighter.
"D.C.! Don't touch that!" Virginia scooped up the toddler quickly before he could try to catch the glowing flame issuing from the aforementioned lighter. "That's not a toy."
North Carolina and Florida glanced up from where they were busily arranging decorations on the kitchen table. "Guys, we really do need to cut down on the chatter," North Carolina pointed out.
"Yeah, Dad's going to be home from the White House any minute now. Did we remember to ask the First Lady to stall him?" Delaware was running over his mental checklist.
"She just texted me that he was on his way," replied Virginia, still trying to restrain a wriggling D.C. "ETA, about five minutes, maybe less by now. Is everybody here?"
Maryland started a headcount. He nodded. "All fifty-one*."
"I wonder if Uncle Mattie's kids did anything nice for him on Canada Day?" Nevada finished tying on a streamer.
"Manitoba was talking to me yesterday. She says they all made him pancakes. He loved it," North Dakota said, helping her twin hang up his end of their banner.
"Quebec is awesome," Louisiana announced.
"Yes, we know. You talk about him constantly. Between him and France, I don't know who you're more obsessed with." New Jersey rolled his eyes. New York snorted
"Wait!" New Hampshire held up a hand. "I think I hear a car in the driveway."
"Everybody hide! Texas, you get the lights. Mass... I'm assuming you took care of the candles... Someone make him turn off the lighter," Delaware ordered, diving behind the sofa.
New York snatched the lighter and dragged Massachusetts under the table. Maryland and Virginia grabbed D.C. and huddled under the kitchen counter.
The door swung open, and America walked in, rubbing his eyes sleepily and yawning. "Ugh... That was the longest meeting ever." He set down his briefcase and started to remove his shoes. He paused. "Hey... Why are all the lights off?"
Delaware mouthed, One, two ...three!
The lights flew on.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Fifty states, one capital, two golden retrievers, and a parrot burst out of their hiding places. A giant, three-tiered birthday cake, courtesy of New York and Nevada, covered in candles and sparklers, glowed brightly in front of them. Red, white, and blue streamers covered every inch of the kitchen, while a giant banner over the kitchen read, "Happy Fourth of July!"
America blinked in surprise.
"Happy birthday, Daddy!" Alaska beamed, grabbing Hawaii and pulling her with him. "Look! Me an' Hawaii an' D.C. drew a picture for you, see?" The little boy held up a crumpled crayon drawing with a tall red stick figure in the middle, and three smaller stick figures in blue, pink, and purple smiling and holding hands. "That one is you. See, he has a cape, cause he's a super hero like you!"
America just smiled and shook his head, picking up both four-year-olds and hugging them. Arizona tackled him next. Massachusetts dragged New York into the hug, then Nevada and California joined, then everyone else, until even Washington had reluctantly joined the enormous group hug.
"Guys?" America asked.
"Yeah?"
"It's getting kinda hard to breathe in here."
THE END
I really don't like the way this ended. I'll probably come back and change it later, but for now, happy Fourth to all my fellow Americans, and ...have a nice day, to all those who aren't.