The calm quiet was something he was used to. How the wind blew through the trees, giving the land a gentle whisper of the branches, the bubbling creek a sign of prosperity and survival of the lands and of course the wildlife the proof that life continues to live on, no matter how many years pass. It was something he loved about his land. Although the screech of a toddler did add something else to the environment.
Liberty's excited giggles filled the air as Mattie chased after the blonde tot. He had run after her for the last hour and a half as Alfred and Amber gained some time away. Not that he was complaining. He loved being around the sweet girl, how she wanted to play with him and listen to him as he spoke to her, watching him cook and just sitting with him. He always enjoyed these days with her for she made him feel there, no longer invisible to the eye of most.
"Maddie!" Liberty yelled as he walked around the lower half of his home.
"Now I know I heard Libby, but where is she?"
Happy giggles filled the living room as her little feet poked out from under the large curtain, "Well, I guess she's not in here."
Slowly and quietly, Matthew walked over towards the sliding door, seeing it shake as another fit of giggles came from behind it. Practically on top of it, he waited for her to move, giving a little spur of fun into their game. Sure enough, her head popped out from behind the curtain and gave Matthew the moment to strike.
Gathering the blonde tot in his arms, Matthew hoisted the squealing girl in the air as he tickled her belly, "Got ya!"
Liberty laughed and cried out against him, "No Maddie, no kickle! I good, I good!"
"I still found you though." he said as he quickly blew a raspberry against her belly.
After fidgeting and messing with the girl, Matthew finally placed her on the floor as he smoothed her hair out.
"You made mess." she pointed to her hair.
"I did." he smiled at her, "Want to get the brush and I'll fix it before mommy and daddy get here?"
"Yes!" she jumped, "And Maddie, can I have pancake?"
"Of course you can. We'll make them up then, need my helper to do so. But first, need to make sure no hair gets in it."
"Yep yep."
And off she went, in search of the item in question as he just beamed at her, happy to know that he made her smile like she did. Yet with it, it made him a little down. He loved Alfred and adored Amber and Liberty, there was no doubt about it. But when Juliet joined the happy crew and Amber found as well, it just sent a small ache of jealousy and loneliness in his heart. He hated being that way, envious of his brother and others but it's what it was. Envy.
"A Maddie, 'ere is." she said handing him the small brush.
"Alright, petit aigle." he patted the cushion in front of him, "Hop up."
As fast as she could, Liberty plopped herself before him and he began messing with her blonde locks. Each stroke he made to the girl, his mind dwelled in the limbo of what-ifs and the underlying possibility of a capital for himself. If she was out there, what would she be like, what did she do for a living, would she be like him or different in other ways? So many things rolled in his mind of the idea yet he pushed it away. There were only four to their knowledge and that was enough for the time being it seemed.
"Maddie!" he heard Liberty whine at him.
"Oh sorry Libby, I got lost in thought." he apologized, placing her hair into sweet pigtails, "Ok, all done, now for pancakes."
"I think you have more maple syrup on you than anything else, Liberty." Matthew said as he wiped the sticky mess from her.
"Fun." she giggled as she took the dab on her finger and touched his nose.
"You know I'll get you for that, the little sticky monster that you are."
"Nope." she shook her head, "Daddy hero an won't wet you."
Matthew smiled at her, "Oh really? So does daddy let you get this messy or only when mommy's not around."
Her little blues widened as she suppressed a giggle, knowing she was caught in her words and the truth that Matthew knew too well with Amber. God bless that woman and dealing with his brother.
"So I win, now let's get you cleaned before-"
"Libby? Mattie?" he heard Amber's voice call out.
"They come home." he sighed, "In the kitchen Amber!"
Before long, the dark tresses of Washington D.C. graced the corner as Liberty lit up in excitement, "Mama!"
"Hello baby!" she replied, gathering the happy tot in her arms, "Were you good for uncle Matthew?"
"When isn't she Amber?" he said wiping the last dot from her cheek, "We always have fun, don't we Libby?"
"Yep yep!" she clapped her hands as another came into the room, "Dada!"
"Hey there, Supergirl." Alfred said, giving her a kiss, "You're a sweet mess aren't you?"
"Pancake!"
The three of them laughed at her as she sleepily rubbed her eyes, "Alright, seems Mattie tired you out. Why don't we go get a bath and I tuck you in before we see Mr. President tomorrow?"
"A baf?" Liberty smiled, "Yay!"
Amber held her close as she gave a wary glance to the two of them just to nod at Alfred. A look Matthew knew too well when it came to government. Watching as Amber carried Liberty off, Matthew looked over at Alfred, seeing the worry lay within his eyes.
"What's going on Alfred?"
All he did was nod his head the other direction, "Your office."
He didn't have to be told twice, he knew it meant business of the fact he wanted to go to the office, and there was only one reason for that. Once in the large room, Matthew waited for Alfred to speak, yet all he did was place himself within the large chair. It was starting to worry him, seeing Alfred like this was always worrisome. The overly hyper man he knew for so long being silent and serious was enough to stop everything around them.
Matthew tried to speak up but Alfred beat him to it, "It grew again."
"What?"
"Genesis." Alfred repeated, "They grew again."
Matthew felt the color leave his face, "How big now?"
"Between Greenland and Bermuda."
"How is that possible? It was just at the population of Monaco a bit ago, how are they growing so fast?"
"We don't know. I got the call during our date. It wasn't something I was ready for either man."
He knew his worry, understood it fully. For Genesis to continue growing like it did, it also put more on all of them to protect their nations, and in Alfred's case, his wife and daughter.
"How strong do you have your borders?" he heard Alfred ask.
Matthew sighed, "Right now as high as I can get them, I have stretched my power to its limit. If I want to make them harder I have to pass things before the Prime Minister. You know how that is with all your branches and such."
"Don't remind me." the man sighed in his hands, "There are times I'd love to give my two cents but know I can't."
"Isn't that all of us?" Matthew tried to ease the tension, "But now, what do we do? We have a terrorist group getting bigger and bigger every day it seems and soon will be as large as me in population. What else can we do to stop this?"
Alfred's blues just glared down at his desk, "I don't know."
It was then something crossed his mind, "Have you asked her?"
"Amber? Are you kidding? She's under enough stress for the reservations and more. I don't want to worry-"
"I didn't mean Amber."
Question was written on him until it donned upon him, "Oh."
"Guessing you haven't thought of her since before Amber's change and Liberty's birth?"
"Pretty much." Alfred nodded, "Still feel guilty at times."
"You know what they all said at the Powwow."
"I remember. Maybe I'll do it later."
"Best to do so while its fresh in your head."
"Like I'm going to forget this anytime soon."
Matthew chuckled at him, he knew he wasn't wrong with that fact. There was so much going on around them that it was hard not to forget the hell that was surrounding them.
"There is something else we learned as well, and I think you should prepare along with the rest of the nations."
"What is it?" worry crept into him.
"Abuja is believed to be found along with Hanoi."
Matthew's mouth practically dropped, "Nigeria and Vietnam?"
Alfred nodded, "It seems that the capitals are a true real thing happening to all of us. So I think you should keep your eye open for one of another or your own."
That wasn't something he put much thought into. He thought it yes but really dove into it and picked it apart to the point of truly looking, no. Was it possible there was a capital out there waiting for him? In truth, he prayed it was true.
"I'll keep my eyes open."
"Good." Alfred sighed, "Well bro, I'm going with my girls. I'll catch you in the morning."
"Night Al."
"Night Mattie."
And once again, he was alone. The quiet Canadian wooded night was as usual for him, yet his mind was abuzz with the thought of Ottawa and the possibilities out there that didn't seem real long ago.
Venturing out upon the vast deck, he gazed out into the wilderness. So calm and quiet, and now, it was almost damning now. The feeling of being alone almost was too much as his mind moved to the only thing that seemed to quiet him down. Closing his eyes, he let his mind flutter to past as the memorable scent of sage caressed him into comfort.
"Un-ni-tsi, I need to speak with you."
