Chapter twenty:

A/n:*sigh* Little Italia is growing up! I feel kinda sad about that! DX anyways, I hope you guys continue to be as awesome as you have been! So, without father ado, here's chapter twenty of Baby mine~! Enjoy!

Discliamer:I think by now, we get that I own nothing but this story, and the ocs.

It's not like Italia exactly expected her Ludwig to let her see Italy again, but she still hoped. She held onto it, and didn't let it go, but they days turned into weeks. The weeks turned into months, and before Italia knew it, it had been three whole years since the whole bus station thing. Ludwig seemed more himself, and more relaxed. Italia eventually dealt with her conflicting feelings about staying with Ludwig, and eventually the two fell into their old relationship.

Italia's previous rapid growth slowed a bit, but she still entered a stage in her life that he wished he could just build a time machine, and skip all together.

It started simply really. Italia would occasionally take the day off because she said her chest hurt, and she was tired. Then, it went from chest pains and being tired to having her chest itch. Germany had no idea what was going on until he talked to Prussia, who had also been a bit concerned about the new "phase" that Italia was going through. So, Prussia decided to talk to Hungary about it. He figured that it was surely a girl thing, and maybe she could explain it.

"Oh, your little Italia isn't so little anymore." She said after she laughed a bit. Prussia looked at her, unsure if he actually wanted to know what she meant, though, somewhere in the back of his mind, he already knew what she was talking about.

"Uhh...Stupid question, what do you mean?"Hungray looked at her friend with blatant amusement in her eyes. She smiled, and shook her head.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's just something everyone goes through. Girls just start at an earlier age than boys." Prussia looked at his friend, and sighed heavily. He knew West would not be looking foreword to this "stage" in her life. And neither would he.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"No, no, no, no, no! That's my answer! I'm so not going to shop with Ms. Hungary for those things!" Italia yelled, blushing slightly. Germany sighed heavily, shaking his head. Prussia was merely silent, smirking slightly as he watched the entertaining scene of his brother trying to convince Italia to go buy training bras with Hungary.

"It's a normal part of growing up. I...We...You should think it's important to wear one." Ludwig fumbled with his words, trying to find a way to explain it all. This is why he wished Italia was a boy. At least then, this wouldn't be awkward at all.

"Well, if it's important, why don't you wear one?" Italia asked, her face growing another shade of pink. Prussia had to hold in his laughter at the comment. Germany looked at his brother, and glared.

"Don't make me make you go back in the basement Gilbert." He threatened.

"Ha!"Italia laughed, pointing at Prussia, who merely laughed with her. Germany looked back at his daughter, who merely blushed again, and sat back in the couch.

"Ha!"Prussia laughed, pointing at her, in mock gesture to what she had to done to him. Italia merely crossed her arms, and glared, making Prussia laugh again. Germany sighed, ignoring the strange fight between the two.

"Seriously, you should go out, and buy one. It's perfectly normal." Italia sighed, and shook her head.

"Nein, I don't want to. Can't I wait until waaay later to go out, and wear one?" Italia begged, her face again growing red. Germany sighed, and shook his head.

"People will start to notice." He baited hoping, she'd give in.

"Neine, I don't want to." Italia said stubbornly again. Germany sighed, and then thought a moment.

"I know someone else who might want to take ya."Germany said with a smile. Italia looked at him, eyeing him.

"Oh yeah? Who?" She said with suspicion. Germany smirked, knowing exactly who he'd call for this particular issue.

Sometime later, Italia ended up in the department that both Germany, and Prussia avoided like it as the plague. It was the woman's underwear department. Italia blushed, looking around the store wishing she could disappear into the wall or something like another nation that she could never remember the name to. To make matters worse, she there, in "young ladies" department, with someone she had hardly knew, and yet Germany decided it was a good idea. Something like a "bonding" moment between the mother and daughter. '

Was he always this dumb?' She thought, looking around nervously. Trying to make sure nobody saw her. 'I mean seriously! I know I've been around her more since I came back from that little run away attempt a few years back since Ludwig apparently thought it was a good idea that Belgium and I get to know each other better, but still! I sooo don't wanna be here!'

"Oh~! This one's kida cute. What do you think?" Belgium asked, pulling out a lace white training bra. Italia didn't even look as she was still looking around as if she were a thief about to run out with something she stole.

"Ya, it's nice. Cna we go now?" Italia asked, not even looking at the bra.

"You didn't even look, hun."

"I...I don't have to look at it to know it's nice. If you say it's cute, then it's cute." Belgium smiled in amusement at the child's logic.

"You're the one who's going to wear it, not me. You need to see it to know if you like it because nobody likes wearing things they don't like, right?" Italia blushed, and then looked reluctantly at the cursed thing. She supposed she liked it. A bit. Not much.

"Yeah, it's cute. I like it. Can we go now? I don't want to be here. What if we run into someone I know? I'll die if they see me with one of those." Italia said, blushing deeper if possible at all, and again looked around to make sure nobody was looking their way. Belgium smiled, and shook her head slightly. Somehow, she expected Italia not to like this. At any age. "Besides, what do I need a training bra for anyways? What am I training them for? I'm pretty sure biology will tell them what to do. What the hell does a b..A br...You know what I mean, have to do with it anyways? And I don't have anything like you have, so I don't really need one. I don't need any at all. Can we just say we bought one, and let Ludwig be happy thinking I got one? I think we both know how he tends to over react to things. Like that one time, on my last birthday, when Prussia got all drunk like he always does, and he barges in, and mis-says one little thing, and then Ludwig got all-"

"Honey, you're rambling again." Italia blushed, and immedtaly clamped her lips shut. Belgium smiled, and touched her child gently." Besides, this is a perfectly normal thing for a child to go through. We'll just buy this one, to make Mr. Germany happy, and when you're ready to wear it, you can wear it. Ok?"Italia looked at her natural mother, and then at the bra, and quickly looked away.

"Ok, fine. Let's just buy the thing, and get out before anyone sees us." Belgium laughed a bit in amusement, and then put the bra in the basket she bought.

"Tell you what, I'm going to look around for some things. Why don't you shop for whatever bra you want. That should take some embarrassment from ya, no?" She then ruffled her child's hair slightly as she walked off. Italia watched her as she left, whimpering slightly at the thought of being alone in this department. She took another quick look around, and then quickly dashed for the arts and crafts department.

About fifteen minutes later, Italia was looking through some paints when she heard a familiar voice.

"Italia? It's been awhile since I last saw you. Where the heck have you been?" Italia blushed, and turned to face a boy that was slightly taller than her.

Despite the height difference, she still recognized him. He still had the same, large, almost innocents-like, green eyes with eyelashes that seemed to cast long shadows across his perfectly angular check. He still had the same deep chocolate hair that was curled slightly, with one curly on the side of his head like his daddy. In fact, it seemed he lost alot of his earlier baby-ish features, and was beginning to look more like his daddy than his papa. Italia blushed just slightly deeper, and smiled at him

"Hey stranger. What's up?"Nicolai shrugged slightly.

"I was here with my Papa, and Uncle, but I've seemed to have lost them a few aisles back. I figured I could at least run into my Uncle here, but I found you. That's even better." Italia smiled, and looked back at the paints.

"Well, I'm glad you think so." She said, looking through the colors. Nicolai was silent for a moment, and then scooted closer to her.

"You know, the gold looks pretty nice. I don't think I've ever seen Uncle Venni with that color before. It must be new." Italia blushed again as she felt his hand touch her for a moment, though it was quickly gone, and Italia was left with a painful chest as her heart pounded painfully in her chest from the brief contact. Nicolai's eye looked at her, and again her heart picked up its pace.

"R-really? I-I haven't seen the co-color before either."Nicolai smiled, and then picked up a bottle of the gold paint.

"It's a metallic paint. I wonder if there's watercolor or oil or whatever as well. Uncle Veeni had been teaching me how to paint, but I'm not as good as he is." He looked at Italia, and handed her the paint." But he's nowhere as good as you are." Italia blushed slightly, and took the paint that he offered her. She turned the bottle over, and looked at the directions of the bottle.

"Thanks. I'm much better now that I use to be. I just recently got into painting. Ludwig and Uncle Gilbert thought it would be good for me to expand my talent."

"Is that why you're here?" Nicolai asked, looking around. Italia blushed, thinking back to the whole awkward situation with the bra.

"Not exactly. It's a girl thing you wouldn't want to know, trust me. "Nicolai nodded, sensing she didn't want to talk about it, and then looked around.

"Well I better get going. Papa and Daddy are probably worried about me by now." Italia nodded, and then blushed furiously when he kissed twice on each side of her checks. "Bye, see ya around." Italia nodded, her voice was unable to speak up. She watched him walk away, and she so badly wanted to go over to him, and make him stay just a bit longer. She had no idea when she'd see him again after all...

"Who was that dear?" Italia blushed again, and looked at Belgium. How long had she been there?" He looks very familiar." She mused with a half smile. Italia nodded, and then looked at the paint bottle in her hand.

"He was my friend, but I don't see him anymore. He's the son of Mr. Spain and Mr. Romano." Belgium looked at her, slightly surprised, but didn't say anything. She wondered when those two got together...

"Well, isn't that wonderful. C'mon. We should head back now. Are you gonna buy that Hun?" Italia looked at the bottle, to which Belgium had pointed to, and shook her head.

"Nah, I got plenty of paint colors back at Ludwig's place." Italia said, putting the paint back in it's original spot. She then turned to Bella." Guess we ought to go before I run into anybody else." Italia said, and then walked together with Belgium.

Once Italia got home with the..."item" she had bought at the store, Italia quickly stuffed it back in her box. She was quick to forget about it, and went on with her usual activities. After all, other things had happened to her since that little "incident" three years ago.

In fact, she had learned to read and write rather quickly. Well, she was learning to read and write in German. She was also beginning to learn English as well, which both non and surprisingly enough she also took on quiet easily, and was learning math as well. Though she was having trouble with math. She hated it for being so difficult, but she did what she was told without much protest. She was also learning history as well, and some rudimentary science as well. She rather liked history and science the best, which were the ones she excelled at. She wasn't enrolled in any school. Rather, she was taught at home by Germany, which she didn't mind too much.

Each of her "classes" were broken down to each day. At the beginning of the week, she would work on her writing skills for a couple hours. Then it would a break for a short bit, and then she would come back to work on her reading for a bit before Ludwig would call it a day. On Tuesday, she would learn about History until noon. That was her standard lunch break. She would then come back, and learn a little more. History was always a wide range of subjects on history. Whether it was world history, because Ludwig believed it was good for her to understand it, or military history, or Germanic history. It always varied depending on what Italia specifically asked for. She hated Wednesdays, as most people anywhere did, because it was her math day. This was something that Ludwig liked to specifically work on with her because he noticed just how weak she was in this field. He thought, like most adults, that it was important for her to at least have the basic down. Italia absolute hated Wedsdays. Thursdays were alright for her. That was the day she would do some science. It was a fun class, expect from when she had to read some article or do some boring research on whatever Ludwig told her to research, but there were times when it was fun. Like when she would do experiments, or go outside, and count different species of whatever she saw out there. Fridays were probably one of her best days. Those days, she had two classes, just like on Mondays. She had her training in the morning, which she guessed was her caretaker's replacement for a P.E class, and then in the afternoon, she could do a relaxing activity like painting, drawing, or working on her musical talents. Sometimes Ludwig would have her cook pastries with her, which she also enjoyed because that showed her a side of him she didn't get to see too often. Saturdays and Sundays were the days she relaxed. She didn't know what actual school was like, but she guessed it was something similar to what she was doing. So, she didn't really want to go to regular school.

However, she was also getting taught on how to be a nation. She learned about currency, international relations, international trade, different types of government, and things to that nature. She was fascinated by the things she learned, and was curious about them, but the more she learned, the more she became convinced that once she was able to be on her own, that her nation would be closed off from the rest of the world. She still would not want to owe anything to anyone, and the rising debts in promenitent places like America only cemented her belief further.

But, in the end, Italia was growing up. So, after that day at the store, Germanys thought it was best for her to spend more time with Belgium. After all, she was her mother. So, on Italia's relaxing days or sometimes during the week itself if Italia was caught up with her work, she would go off with Belgium. It was also during one of those times, that Germany talked to her about giving Italia...A "special" talk.

So, Italia was at Belgium's home, sitting on the couch drawing when out of nowhere, Belgium sat beside her, and cleared her throat. Italia jumped slightly, she was entirely forced on her drawing, but quickly relaxed, and smiled at Belgium.

"What's up?" Italia asked, going back to her drawing. Belgium cleared her throat again, trying calm down her nerves, and then looked at Italia.

"We need to talk about something that is very, uhh, important." Italia momentarily stopped. She knew the tone all too well. She put aside her drawing, and faced Belgium. Her soft blue eyes meeting Belgium's green eyes.

"What's it about?" Italia asked, geniually interested, and yet apprehensive about what Bella had to say at the same time.

"Well, it's about you, really." Italia nodded.

"Oooookay?"She said with slight suspicion. Belgium nodded, and looked down at her hands. She had no idea where to begin.

"You're a very smart, and intelligent young girl. Surely you've noticed that there are some difference between boys and girls." Italia nodded slightly, and then looked back at her drawing.

"Sure I know there are differences. I don't know what they are, but I know that there are differences."

"Ok, so, what are the differences that you notice between say...Me and Mr. Germany. Or Mr. Prussia and Ms. Hungary?" Italia looked back at Belgium, and shrugged slightly.

"Well, girls have breasts, and guys don't. Guys usually have deeper voices, and girls don't. Guys are taller than most girls." Belgium nodded slightly, some of her earlier awkwardness going away with each word that Italia spoke.

"Ok. Do you know why they have those differences?" Italia shook her head, and stared at Belgium as she waited for a reply. Belgium took a deep breath, and let it out before she continued. "Well, let's start with something simple. Do you know why girls have breast, and guys don't have them?" Italia again shook her head." It's because, well, girls grow breast because when they get older, they will most like have babies. And those babies feed off the milk that grows in the breasts."

"How does the milk get in there?" Italia asked, looking down at her chest where she was beging to "grow." Belgium smiled, and shook her head slightly as Italia's gaze returned to her face.

"Ik weet niet, honey(1). It's something that nature does so that a woman can provide nutrients for her child."

"Well, then, where does the baby come from?" Italia tilted her head slightly. Belgium sighed, and bite on her lip as she thought of a way to explain this all to her without confusing the child.

"Well, you see, there's more differences between guys and girls than just having breasts. Girls have something inside them that boys don't have. Do you know what that is?" As expected, Italia shook her head. Belgium sighed again, slightly frustrated that Germany or whoever hadn't spoken to her about this before." Well, girls also have ovaries, and a womb. Once a month, the girl relashes an egg from one of her ovaries. If the egg meets something from a guy called sperm, than she gets pregnant, and nine months later, she gives birth to the baby."

"What happens if the egg doesn't meet a sperm?"

"Well, then her body releases the egg, and she has what is called a period." Italia nodded. For some strange reason, buying a bra was way off base for the child, but talking about this topic wasn't all that bad. It felt like having any other conversation. Belgium also looked at her child, trying to figure out what the child was thinking. From the wya she acted at the store when they were buying one simple bra, she figured she would be all red in face, and avoid this topic like it was some terrible illness. How could she just be so relaxed about this convosation?"Is there anything else you wanna know?" Italia thought for a moment, and then nodded.

"How come they have different bathrooms for guys and girls?" She asked." Are they also different.. You know, like, down in the private area?" Belgium nodded again.

"Yes, they do have differences too. Guys have what is called a penis down there, and girls have vagina's down there." Italia nodded, and for some reason, blushed at the mention of those words." Any other questions?"

"Uhh, where does the sperm come from to make a baby." Belgium thought for a moment, and then answered in the simplest way she could.

"Well, guys have another thing down in their private regions that girls don't have. It's located right behind the penis, and it's called the testies. When a male starts going through what you're going through now, those testis begin to create millions of sperm each day. Any other questions?" Italia again nodded. There was one other thing that confused her...

"So, you said that girls have the babies. Can a guy have a baby too?"

"Uhh, well depends if they're human or a country really." Italia looked at her mother with slight confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well, see if he's a regular human, than the answer is no. It's physically impossible for a regular human male to carry a child, but if he's a country, than it's completely different. Countries can have kids, and carry them full term, male or female."

"How come it's different?"

"I...I'm not sure Hun. I really don't know. Maybe it only occurs rarely because that's how countries or provinces are born. Who really knows." Italia again nodded, her eyebrows knotting together in confusion, but she was still trying to understand all the information given to her..

"So...Then, I got another question." Belgium nodded, waiting for her to continue, but Italia clamed up. She wouldn't talk. Belgium titled her head slightly confused. Italia had been fine with everything up until this moment. Why was she suddenly so shy?

"You can ask me anything you want dear." Belgium said encouragingly.

"I.. I wanted to know what sex meant. What is it?" Italia looked awkwardly back at Belgium." I know it' something private, but what is it?"

"Well, sex is something private. Sex is something you only do when you're older, and with someone that you're in a committed relationship with. You want to make sure that you really, really love the person before you do anything with them. If you have to question about what they'll do after wards, like if they'll call or you or something, then do do it with them. They clearly aren't the one you want to do something so inmate with. Sex is something that happens between two people that really love each other. Do you understand? And it's important that you know that if you don't want to do that, then you tell that person loudly, and clearly, no ok." Italia nodded, and then picked up her drawing again. Her awkwardness was coming back, and she didn't want to talk about this anymore. Belgium smiled, and sat back. She was happy to have that convosation over with...Well, for now anyways.

A/n:Well some of this talk was something that came from personaly expreicence. It happened with my eight year old niece when we got her her first trainig bra, though she asked difrfent things like"what am i training them for anyways?" and then her mum and I sat down, and had the puberty talk with her. I was planning on having Belgium give Italia the sex talk as well, but I figured to save that for another chapter. Perhaps even have Germany give her the talk? Haha, I think I might have him do that now. Just because I love putting people like Luddy into awkward situations, which on a side note, it's a miracle in my mind that I didn't make him have the puberty talk with her. But I felt that since Belgium went with her to buy the bras, it was only appropriate that she also give her the puberty talk. Anyways, loved it? Hated it? Comments? C'mon people tell me what ya think! So, what's ins tore for the next chapter? Well, Italia comes to terms with her enemy...The bra, and the rest we'll just be surprised together, da? So until next time, always remember to wear your seatbelt with an Italian driving, and never insult England's cooking. So, enjoy what I have, and let me know what you think~! Reviews are a writer's muse(haha think about that. Now say it out loud. It kind of rhyme, da?) Hatsa La Pasta~!

Translations:

(1) This is Dutch, Belgium's main language, and this prhase means I don't know honey.