Great what is Papa going to say this time? I think to myself as I sit here just sulking listening to the rain, when I notice that it's not just rain I hear. I turn my head towards the other sound feeling my heart land hard in my stomach. I try to smile as I crawl towards my little sisters a bit farther down in the empty tunnel, "Come on girls it's ok don't cry."

Nova Scotia and Newfoundland just huddle closer together both trying to wipe away their big tears and really I can't blame them it's my stupid fault we're here anyway. I struggle to get my favorite red cosplay jacket off in the tight space and as soon as I do I quickly wrap Nova in it. NL looks at me wiping her violet eyes as I again take off my other military cosplay jacket underneath and wrap her in that.

They may not be the thickest jackets but they should help a little at least against the cold and the rain, "See? Everything's going to be fine." I push my combat boot against the opposite wall looking out at the pouring sheets of water deep in thought, what happened? It was clear earlier when we got to the park in fact it wasn't until I had that asshole on the ground did it really start to come down and then it was too late to try and race it home with two small girls in tow.

"Edward?" NL asks wiping away her tears now snuggling up to my side which honestly feels really sore right now. "I want Papa."

Even though it hurts I pull her in closer just to make her feel better, "I know Jean, but as soon as the rain stops we'll go home and…" There would be no chance, Papa's probably home from that huge meeting now. God he's going to be pissed, but I don't let her know what I'm really thinking, "Papa will help us out of our wet clothes and make us dinner."

Clara's the next to crawl up on me; I let out a pained moan as she plops down on my chest. God she's either really heavy or that prick bruised something but again I let my little sister stay just stoking her light blonde hair for a while before she looks up at me, "Ed, what…what if that big kid comes back?"

I give her a really forced smile, "Oh, he wouldn't think of coming back." Inside thought I'm asking myself the same thing, I got off a lucky shot and I know it. But he deserved it, I mean so what if I go to the park dressed like this? That doesn't mean I wouldn't stand up for my sisters when he pushes them down.

I did what any of my big sisters would have done…right? Yeah Papa's still going to be pissed and at me no less. I let out a sigh just holding them close when I hear it, footsteps. I try to roll Clara off of me with little luck as I let out a shallow groan. Yeah he bruised something alright I just hope nothing cracked.

The footsteps get closer to the tunnel as my sisters both let out a small cry. The footsteps stop right outside and a flashlight blinds me for a second as a familiar voice rings out, "Good thing you guys didn't inherit Mattie's ninja invisibility thing."

Both of my sisters pretty much jump off me and race into my Uncle's arms as I let out a pained yelp, damn it hurts I think as I force myself to the exit as my Uncle hollers back over his shoulder, "Bro they're over here!" I look over to see a ton of lights coming our way through the rain.

My Grand-pere is the first to get to us and he quickly takes Clara in his arm shielding her from the rain with a large red umbrella. "Oh, mon petite ange are you alright? I was so worried about you." He kisses her forehead; I still don't see the whole pervert thing Quebec and Alberta talks about when they mention France. He turns to me and I realize I'm not wearing a shirt anymore…oh now I see it man he can be creepy.

Lucky for me or maybe unlucky Papa appears next to him in a big yellow raincoat. His voice is filled with concern, "Oh girls I was so worried." He kisses Clara's and Jean's foreheads now both under large umbrellas. He then turns to me still in the tunnel and instead of looking pissed he actually does look relieved, "Ethan, are you ok?" He must see the blotches of color all over my body, but all I can think to do is nod.

I force myself out of the tunnel and in an instant he has me in the big raincoat with him. I look up at him thinking that I should prepare for the worst, "Papa I'm so sorry it's all my fault." I look around as others gather around us, some states, some my sisters and surprisingly some are countries, "Papa what's going on?"

He shakes his head pulling me closer careful of my side, "Quebec called me on my cell that you guys have been gone for hours." We all start to walk out of the park and towards a group of cars with each of the large group pairing off to leave. We get to the van before Papa asks, "Ethan what happened?"

Before I can think of a really good line Clara pips up, "Papa, this really big kid was…was being so mean and he pushed J-Jean down and made her cry so…" she wipes her eyes clinging to Grand-pere's neck, "then Edward hit him but he knocked Edward down too and was hitting him and calling him really bad names."

America opens a van door and slowly slides Jean in before France and Clara gets in beside her then Papa motions me to get in, "Ethan does anything hurt?" I look away from my Papa's concerned violet eyes but I do nod. I still can't look at him as we drive home just listening to the rain and France's lullaby to my sisters.

000000000

I swear I can dry myself off but I don't say that as Papa finishes with my long blonde hair careful of my one long thin curly strand. He hasn't said much since Clara and Jean finished their story, at least to me but I know he's going to get that stupid hockey stick of his out eventually. It took three days when I first went over the Falls in a barrel before he got it out so I know it's coming. "Ethan…" Shit here it comes and I know I really F-ed up cause he hasn't once called me Prince Edward Island since they found us.

I first say good-bye to my ass before I answer, "Yes, Papa?" I still don't want to look at him.

But he takes my chin and makes me look in to his eyes, "You're going to the doctor first thing tomorrow. But first I want to tell you that…I'm proud of you son."

Wait did I hear right, "You're proud of me? But I started a fight, got my ass kicked and I got us stuck in that tunnel and-"

He raises his hand and I shut up, "And you stuck up for your sisters, you protected them and kept them safe. Son," He kneels down slightly, "You do things that even you're uncle shakes his head at but that doesn't mean I don't love you any less. And I know that any one of your older sisters would have done the same."

I take it all in for a moment, "No Hockey stick?"

"Why? Ethan when was the last time I smacked you butt with it?" It's rhetorical but I answer anyway.

"Uh when I played spy for Kansas and nearly got her killed by Russia."

"Yeah but you learned you lesson right?"

"Sure…it was never spy for someone who doesn't have the goods to pay right?"

He face palms as he shakes his head, "Oh Ethan…"

I was close, I think…