Hey there! Just a few notes:

First, there was a request for me to continue the side story, you know, make it longer and explain the last week before Mattie told Alfred at the meeting. I almost decided to do it, but then thought that I wouldn't be able to finish it with all the school work I've been getting lately and do the actual chapters. So just put it in your heads that Mattie 'tried', but was too scared to say anything to Al before the conference…ok?

Second, I am so sorry about the long waits! Like I said, school has been killing me with homework lately! (even if I try to avoid doing it till the last minute… ^^')

Third, I have a poll up! :D So for all of you wonderful people out there who have been faving and alerting Unexpected, please vote for what you want me to write next and I promise I will try to not disappoint! (I'm putting up the poll now 'cause I've got a pretty good idea already how I'm gonna end this story)

Fourth and last, I guess some of you probably noticed the updated summary…yea…my friend mentioned to me the other day how bad my old summary was, so I decided to write a new one! If it totally blows, just tell me and I'll change it back right away! O_o

…Anyway! On with the fic!

(Quick Disclaimer: I own nothing)

It's strange how fast time flies. Just last month Mattie was having a baby shower she hadn't even planned on, and now, as if it was only the next day, July was rushing in. More specifically, the Fourth of July.

Alfred's birthday was always a grand celebration, with a million guests, a cookout to feed those million guests, and a million presents from said million guests (how they found gifts every year for the man who had everything was beyond the Canadian). But this year Al decided to go for something slightly different. Only the nations were invited and the American had insisted that he cook all the food himself, every dish from the various countries attending. He wanted nothing short of perfect, after all, 'a hero always does things perfect'.

But the most important difference was that this year, Alfred wanted a joint birthday celebration, with him and Mattie.

Her birthday was only three days before his after all. But Al knew she hated extravagant things, so to get her to go he had to be a little creative.

And, you guessed it, by creative we all know I mean Alfred blindfolding Mattie and kidnapping her to his backyard, where the party was taking place.

Now you have to give him some credit. It was pretty smart of him to wait to take the blindfold off until after everyone had arrived, because we all know Canada is far too sweet to get angry at anyone and decline when everyone was watching. And by the official start of the party she was even starting to enjoy herself, spending time with all the countries who had made it.

Even England, who normally never did more than send a card, had decided to come to the celebration. Mattie had a feeling in the back of her mind that this had something to do with her. Or rather, her and her baby. The idea of becoming a grandfather was probably starting to get to old Iggy; making him feel like that caring older brother he turned into every time he had a new colony to take care of.

Mattie was overjoyed by the little idea that her child was bringing her family closer. Even Francis was coming over more often, actually getting along with England whenever the two were in the same room. Again, Mattie's suspicions ran back to her, probably because the last time her fathers had started arguing she had gone into one of her mood swings and yelled at them for an hour straight.

Finishing a previous conversation with Finland and Sweden, the Canadian soon spotted the Asian nations and awkwardly walked over to greet them, having to balance her growing stomach.

"MeiMei! It's good to see you again!" she said once she was close enough.

Taiwan immediately turned around with a wide grin at the sound of her friend's voice.

"Mattie!" She said, pulling the other into a somewhat difficult hug.

"I just wanted to thank you and your brothers again for the wonderful gift. It really means a lot. Even Alfred loved it!"

"It was nothing!" Yong Soo exclaimed, "After all, painting originated in Korea!"

MeiMei rolled her eyes. "Sure it was, Yong Soo. I bet poetry also originated in Korea. That's why Kiku wrote the poem, correct?"

"Aiyah! Will you two please stop fighting, aru?"

Korea simply ignored his two siblings and began ranting to Hong Kong at the food table about how potato chips had been invented in his country as well.

Still managing a smile, Mattie turned to face Japan. "You wrote the poem Kiku? Thank you so much, it was lovely!"

Face quickly turning pink, the island nation bowed his head to the floor. The grateful smile on his host's face was just too much. "O-oh, it was nothing, really…I'm glad you liked it…"

Once again, Mattie flashed that adorable, million dollar smile, this time sending a prominent blush to all of the Asian nation's faces (Taiwan because she was 'just sooo kawai').

Just as Yao was about to say something however, Mattie soon found Alfred joyfully bounding toward her and giving her a surprisingly gentle hug from behind. She stuttered slightly, hoping this wasn't what she thought it was.

"A-Alfred! What're you doing over here? Aren't you supposed to be inside preparing the-"

"But Mattie~," he interrupted, "I haven't shown any of the Asians yet~!"

Oh no…she was right. Alfred searched through his jacket pockets, digging out a picture and promptly shoving it right in Yao's face, seeing as he was in the middle. Actually it was more than a picture. It was an ultrasound.

"Oh my goodness!" Taiwan squealed.

The picture was in black and white and somewhat out of focus. There was a large white circle in the center that was unmistakably the baby's head and two dim lines that had to make up an arm. Another could be seen behind the almost grey mass that was no doubt the young fetus' body. It was almost as if it was waving.

Alfred had been going around, proudly showing everyone ever since Mattie had gotten it. It was kind of embarrassing, but he had insisted that their 'awesome 'kid had to be seen by everybody. At least the girls all seemed to enjoy it. Heck, they were practically fan-girling over it!

-----

After the whole ultrasound business was over (for Mattie at least, Alfred was now off showing Germany and Italy), Mattie decided to go converse with some of the less recognized nations she knew, like Bhutan, Malta, and Greenland. They were always very good friends to her and understood what she was going through when people forgot about her.

Some of them could be a little crazy though, especially Bhutan. Like at one point in the conversation when she came up, glomped Mattie from behind and shouted, 'Name the first-born Tohru! Name the first-born Tohru!'

Greenland and Malta instantly started cracking up, but Mattie was left flustered and more than a little confused. It was only when Malta assured her, still giggling, that it was an 'inside joke' did she decide to let it go.

-----

The sunlight outside began to dim, allowing the decorative party lights to take it's place as the last of the food was being passed around and people once again took up conversation around the spacious backyard.

Mattie had re-entered a friendly debate with Greenland over the overall global recession and was really getting fired up, when suddenly she felt a light thump.

The distinct, shrill sound of shattering glass could be heard throughout the yard as Mattie momentarily opened her hand in shock letting her (non-alcoholic) drink slip. But she barely noticed. She was currently too absorbed in absently staring at her mid-section.

Alfred however, heard it perfectly and immediately rushed over to her side.

"Mattie! Are you ok?! What happened?"

No reply. She continued to stare in pure wonder, as if the bulge containing their child that had been growing for five months had instantaneously become the most fascinating thing in the world.

Al's brain fought for an explanation as to what could've possibly been wrong. He gently placed a hand over the bulge, as if that would somehow give him an answer. What he didn't expect was that it actually would.

Thump

His eyes shot open at once in a mixture of disbelief and amazement. Seriously?!

"D-did…did it just…?" Mattie was now facing up at him, the very definition of joy written across her face.

"Y-yeah," she said, a little shaky, "I think it just kicked!"

Shouts and commotion could now be heard throughout the yard as suddenly every nation was struggling to get past one another, wanting to feel for the little life inside the Canadian. Mattie was too overcome with joy to care however, as her little one kicked again, a little softer than the first time, as if trying to say hello.

"Hey, hey!" Alfred shouted. "No crowding my kid! You'll suffocate it before it's even born!"

Another, somewhat harder than the first two, almost in excitement.

Mattie giggled. "I think it likes the sound of your voice Al."

He turned around, face flustered, and immediately knelt down so that he was (somewhat) face to face with his kid. Nervous couldn't even begin to describe what Alfred was feeling right now. All eyes were transfixed on him as the scene grew quiet, the air dripping in anticipation at what he was going to do, what he would say.

He replaced his hand over the bulge, wanting to feel it when, if, it kicked again.

"H-hey there kiddo…It's me Alfred…your dad…umm…I can't wait to meet you! You've got a wonderful mom here taking care of you. Of course your dad's pretty awesome too, if I do say so myself!" And that's when he felt it. That gentle thump that sent warm butterflies to his chest almost as fast as Mattie's smile. Almost.

His hand stayed there the rest of the night, even as he and his almost-wife were being sung 'Happy Birthday' over their cake. The nervous smile also never left either of their faces as the baby kicked all throughout the song, wishing it's parents a happy birthday as well.

Finally done! This had to be the longest chapter yet, time wise writing it anyway. I am so sorry this took forever. I think my teachers know I have a fanfic and are purposely giving me so much homework that I cant' work on it!

Anyway, one thing I have to mention. After going back and reading what I have so far, like, a million times, I noticed something very important. I made Alfred totally OOC!!! I'm so sorry Al! So in this chapter I tried to make him a little more awesome and 'hero-like'.

Another thing, the 'Name the first-born Tohru'…yea…an inside joke my friends and I have…just please don't pay it any mind. I promised them I'd put it in here. Greenland, Malta, and Bhutan are OC's a friend of mine made for her and two other friends.

As always please review! :D