Chapter 4 -

"PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAASEEEE?"

Seven just turned eight Alfred Jones had been begging his guardian and big brother Arthur to make his younger brother and twin, Matthew, come to their house ever since he had been informed the news that morning. As of yet he hadn't made any progress.

"No Alfred. I've told you many times, it isn't fair for your brother to have to come to your house every time you want to see him. Sometimes you have to be the one to go visit him."

"But Mattie's house is so COLD! I don't wanna go! Mattie likes it here anyway!"

"He likes seeing you and coming to play. He doesn't like the journey back and forth. Don't you remember how bored you were the first time you went to his house?"

"Yeah, but I get bored anyway waiting for you to pick him up and bring him back here. It's not as boring when you have someone with you."

The older nation heaved a big sigh. He was never going to get through to his stubborn and persistent charge unless he put some kind of incentive into the deal. Usually Alfred could win him over with just a smile and a simple please but this time he wasn't going to back down. Alfred could see this and, having used up all his excuses as to why they shouldn't go, was settled with getting something in return for having to make the hateful trip.

"How about this. If you go with me to Matthew's house for your birthday and don't complain, I'll take both of you to my home for Christmas. Sound good?"

"YAY! I'll be the best ever! I can't wait!"

Alfred smiled and went up to his room to grab his toys. Arthur had already packed his clothes and other necessary, boring things that they need for traveling. Even if he hated spending time at his twin brother's place, he still got to see his Mattie and it made up for it to get to go to Arthur's home.

He had only been there once before and every time since that his guardian had to leave he had refused to take the little boy with him. Now he would finally get to go there again and this time he had Mattie! Nothing was gonna stop him now and he wouldn't be left behind.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

When Arthur carried him and then his bags through the waist-high snow to get to the front door, Alfred knew he had made a mistake in agreeing to come. Arthur went back to get his bags and Alfred shivered near the door waiting for the tell tale flash of blonde curls to come hurling at him.

When his brother didn't come and after he tried calling for him Alfred ran up the stairs and stopped in front of his brother's door. It was decorated with pictures of maple leaves and snowflakes. Without bothering to knock, the hyper boy flung open the door and yelled an eager greeting at his twin.

"Alfred!"

"Hey Mattie! Did you miss me?"

This was answered with a tackling hug that pulled both boys to the floor. Alfred notices a stack of books laying on the floor next to some pictures of castles and hills.

" Whatcha been doing? I tried to call for you but you didn't come. Have you been reading stuff?"

"Yeah, Arthur gave me these books the last time he left. They're about his home and his people. I've been reading them and drawing out of them. Do you like my pictures?"

"I love 'em. What's that?"

"That's a picture of England. Those other places on top and to the side are Ireland, Scotland, and Wales."

"Whoa, do you think they have people for them too, like us? What if they know big brother too?"

"I've been thinking about that too. I wanted to ask him when he came but I wasn't expecting you! I thought you said you were never coming back to my place."

"Yeah, but guess what? England promised if I came you and I could go with him to his house for Christmas! Isn't that awesome?"

Both boys talked about their unexpected trip in excited voices and went on to ask each other how the other had been and checked to see if either had grown. They might have stayed that way forever if Arthur hadn't called them downstairs. This turned into a race that ended in both tumbling down the stairs in fits of laughter into Arthur's arms. He then threw each blonde over one shoulder and carried them into the living room where he had brought in several presents that had been hidden on the way down.

"So, I get here to see you and I get no greeting and am ignored for the first hour and a half. Maybe I shouldn't give such nice presents to you naughty boys?"

"NO!"

"I'm sorry Arthur. I'm really happy to see you! Thank you for coming and bringing Alfred too."

"It's okay Matthew, I was just kidding. Go ahead, you can open them up."

They ripped the packages open in record time and were looking at their gifts with smiles before they had even realized what they were. Matthew had gotten a red sweatshirt with a white maple leaf on it, an art kit, and beautiful blanket with a scene of a mountain forest on it and stitched along the edges were their country names along with their respective symbols. Even France was one side despite the fact that Arthur didn't like him.

Alfred had gotten brand new cowboy boots and a fake pistol that reflected his current obsession. He also received a hand knitted hat that was blue with stars on it and a carving of his favorite type of horse with a little Alfred that sat on top of it.

Matthew thanked Arthur and hugged him and Alfred jumped on top of both of them. The tsundere blushed and pushed the boys of off him after a few moments and told them to wash up for dinner. After this was done and they had settled at the table (and survived the first few bites of brick hard food) Arthur asked the boys what they wanted to do for the next few days since they had come later on in their special day.

Even though it was technically Alfred's birthday that Arthur had given him when he found him, they had both agreed that when Matthew came into their family that he would share that day too. Arthur had never thought to have it any other day because he didn't know when the little colonies had come into existence. Alfred had never said any different either because he was too excited about hanging out with his new big brother. Only Matthew ever bothered to remember their true birthday.

When the twins had exhausted each other, Arthur carried them upstairs and put them on the huge bed that the three of them shared whenever they were together. Then he left and brought them back their pajamas which they changed into while he hunted for their favorite storybook. As they settled in Arthur began to read and the characters and settings floated off the page like magic.

Alfred curled up close to the people he loved most in the world and watched Red Riding Hoods forest come to life. He almost thought, as he fell asleep, that he could here that wolf howling for real somewhere off from behind the house. Patiently waiting for two little boys who would never come home.

Yunie here! Nami won't post for awhile because of her moving but! She is going to give me the stories to post up here! The next chapter I believe is all flashbacks just like this one to!