Alfred woke up early on the third day. It was July 1st, Matthew's birthday. On the inside, Alfred was really sad that his brother wouldn't be able to have his birthday the way he wanted to, but he had a plan.

Alfred went down to his basement and picked up a rather large picnic basket. They didn't have to leave until 10 but Alfred prepared everything so he could do other things.

He went back upstairs and grabbed the pancake mix from the table. He also grabbed some eggs and gallon of milk.

Yesterday, the guest nations had some toast and butter. It wasn't much and it certainly wasn't a filling breakfast for the group, but they wouldn't allow Alfred to cook. Maybe because everyone knew that England raised America and thought that he couldn't cook just like his old caretaker.

Well they were wrong. Alfred could cook meals for hundreds of people without really trying. Everything he cooked may not be fancy, but it was comforting and good. Once Alfred cooked more than enough pancakes and left them on the dining room, which some of the nations started to eat, he started to work on some food for the picnic. Alfred started, but after going over the list he thought it would be better for some food to be fresh than to leave it cooling until the picnic.

Alfred spent the next five hours working on some food such as Pot Pie, mashed potatoes, muffins, and other foods. In the end, Alfred overestimated the amount of food he needed and ended up making enough to feed the state of Ohio. Oh well, at least some of the nations could bring it home and he would be able to have enough dinner for the next week.

Alfred then made sure that he had charcoal for the BBQ and started to load the food in the bus.

Around 10 the Nations started to get on.

Alfred could hear them talking about how rude he was to not greet them when they woke up but Alfred was focused on one small, quiet voice. His younger brother.

He could hear Matthew talking to his pet bear, Kumajirou. "I can't believe they forgot again," he said in his normal but soft voice,"but I'm not surprised, Kumasquarepants. They forget every year."

Alfred tried to focus on the road as he drove uphill.

"Who are you?" Canada's bear asked.

"Who cares? It doesn't matter anymore."

Alfred forced back a tear. It was his brother's special day. He wasn't supposed to be like that. The America part of him wanted to stop the bus and hug his brother being the hero that he was. But Alfred didn't think that was smart. Unlike America, Alfred knew how to read the atmosphere. It wasn't hard to do, actually. He might be able to write a book or something if he had a chance.

Oh, how Alfred could use a pack of cancer sticks.

Once they arrived, some of the stronger nations (Ludwig and Berwald) helped out, bringing all of the heavy things onto the table while others sat them up. When Alfred locked the car he saw Arthur tied up to a tree. Inside, he could feel America wanting to say something rude that cannot be written in this fanfic to keep the rating but something is for sure, Alfred disagreed with America's vocabulary. He walked up to the man.

"Hello Arthur," he said as he went on his knees trying to untie the rope.

"What do you want, Alfred?" he sneered back. Alfred flinched at the harsh tone but he went back to the rope.

"I'm just here to help. Don't move or it will get worse," he said back softly.

Arthur face softened. "You're not here to make fun of me?"

"Make fun of you? Why would I make fun of you being tied up to a tree?"

"Well...it sounds like something you would do."

'No, it sounds like something America would do' Alfred thought darkly as he dropped the rope. "So what happened?" he asked.

Arthur stood up trying to get the dirt off his pants. "That dumb frog tied me up, said if I get near the food that your bear, Smokey will get angry and attack us."

Ah yes, Arthur's cooking was something that America loved to tease the man about. Alfred always snorted whenever America teased the man, because without Arthur's food they would have never lived this long.

"Well...I like your food, Arthur," he said quietly.

Arthur naturally didn't hear. "Well thanks for letting me out I suppose," he frowned, "but you better not do anything to me later. If you excuse me I have a frog to kill." As he marched off to where Francis was hiding. Alfred sighed, of course. He got up and opened one of the bags of charcoal and started to make the fire.

"You're doing it too slow, comrade." A voice said behind him. Alfred jumped as he turned around. It was Ivan. Alfred nervously chuckled. "Oh I was? Then how do I do it faster?" Ivan grinned as he pushed Alfred aside, "Just watch," he said.

Alfred sighed as he sat down at a nearby tree watching Ivan play around with fire. "Hey Ivan, I remember that I never gave you the gift "

"What gift? If I remember correctly you hate me."

Alfred winced. It was true that America hated Ivan, he was a villain which was everything that America stood against, Alfred couldn't even have a decent chat with Ivan before America butted in. "Well I have one for you if you want. It may not be much but I thought you might like it."

He saw Ivan hesitate for a minute, "Alright then, let me see it." Alfred pulled out a frame, inside was a Sunflower.

"It's pressed, so it can never die. I call it The Immortal Flower. But you can call it something else I just thought of it last minute but..."

"Shut up and thanks." Ivan smiled. Alfred just nodded, "Your scarf is on fire."

Ivan quickly took off his scarf grabbing the nearest cup of water and pouring it on the the scarf. Alfred winced, looking at what used to be Russia's prized possession.

"Sorry about that," he said as sincerely as he could.

"It's ok," Russia said pulling it up. "I needed a new one anyway."

Alfred still felt bad, maybe he could buy him a new one later, it would be hard to get his hands on a scarf in July but it's America. You can get your hands on anything if you look hard enough. He looked over at his watch. It was near 12. Everyone was pretty much sleeping, talking, or playing some sort of sports. Alfred didn't mind. In fact, he needed to look for a certain blond.

Alfred found him hiding behind a tree. "Still hiding from Arthur?" he asked. Francis jumped pointing a finger at Alfred. "You, you set him free," he said accusingly.

Alfred put both of his hand up. "Sorry. But can I ask you for advice?"

France gave him a strange look. "Advice? What kind of advice...is it a love advice?"

Alfred shook his head,"No, it's nothing like that. I want to know how to say sorry to someone."

"Just say it from your heart." Francis smiled. "If you really mean it then show it. That way the person who you are saying sorry to will feel how you feel."

"Wow...that was deep."

"Yes! And so is love! Are you sure you don't have anybody that you- "

"Thanks Francis." Alfred said outloud tossing the bus key to him. "Good luck in your game of hide and seek."

After that, no one was able to find Francis until it was time to go back.

Lunch was served at 1 o'clock, it was a bit late but no one complained. They all happily ate and talked to each other. Alfred was glad that no one made fun of him. He thought they might tease Alfred for being a horrible cook and trying to make them fat as well. But his brother on the other hand, was anything but happy. Alfred frowned. Why did his brother look upset? Well, normally around this time, America spent his time preparing for the 4th by getting rid of unwanted paperwork. Then it clicked. America never acknowledged Matthew's birthday. Matthew was probably upset because he thought that everyone forgot his birthday. But Alfred never forgot. Matthew didn't notice but Alfred sometimes forced America to do nice things to his brother. It may be small but it was the little things that Alfred thought would make his brother happy. He picked up a basket that was by him and walked up to Matthew. "Hey Matt can I talk to you?" he asked softly.

His brother looked at him in alarm. "Um...sure."

The two walked over to behind the bus. "What do you want to talk about America," he sighed angrily.

Alfred could tell that Matthew was upset but for once he was going to pull an America.

"Guess what day it is?!" he said as happily as he could.

"July 1st," Matthew mumbled.

"And you know what happens on July 1st?"

"Three more days till your birthday. "

"Thats-"

"Enough!" he shouted his face red with anger. "I'm sick and tired of being forgotten. What day is it? You ask, well it's my fucking birthday! That's what day it is. Have you forgotten again America? Of course you did, 'cause you're a fucking idiot. No wonder everyone is saying that their country is going to hell because that's where their representative is going!"

Alfred wanted to say that's not it but his brother snapped. Alfred tried his best to hold down tears. He needed to stay positive. He didn't want Matt to feel bad on his birthday.

Alfred carefully opened the basket pulling out a red and white cake.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Matthew~ Happy birthday to you." Alfred sang quietly presenting the cake to his brother.

Matthew's face melted, carefully hugging Alfred. "Thank you Al, I'll go get the plates. We can share it with everyone."

Matthew never said sorry for the words he had said to his brother. He would one day regret it, but Alfred was glad to see his baby brother happy.

Hello Happy Canada day... I'm sorry I won't be able to answer people cause of work and junk, I just finished and I'm tired af so see you soon