He was never more thankful for this day. It was something he was looking forward to after all that they had learned just a couple days ago. The annual dinner of nations. he had told Chloe and Briana of the event and even had Carine over to help them out as her husband, Ian, bustled around the house with the three of them.

Feliciano was quite content with how the day was going and prayed that it would continue to be that way even for what they all planned later. He just hoped that the little bit of practice between Carine and Ian would help him in the long run.

He saw somebody standing out on the terrace way, looking out over the land. Looking harder, he noticed it was Lovino, deep in thought. Ever since he learned the truth of Briana, the man had been different. To most he seemed the same, yet to Diego and himself, they noticed the tiny things. His eyes never leaving her as she maneuvered around the home in the wheelchair, the fact that he made everything easy for her to reach and use around the place was another. He followed when no one noticed and made sure she was alright. It was that that made Feli know it was the best thing to happen to him.

"Ciao Lovi." he said entering the walk.

"What do you want?"

"No need to be mean, I was just seeing how you were doing?"

"Fine."

Ok, he was a little worried now, "What's wrong fratello?"

Lovino gave a deep sigh, never looking at him as he pondered his own head. Feli knew he was worried over the fact of Genesis and what they could do and what they were after, yet he seemed more off than usual.

"Just a lot on my mind Feli."

Feliciano stood next to him, looking out over the fields and seeing the sun sink into the horizon, their time getting shorter for the dinner.

"You know I worry too, right?" Feli brought up, "We both can help-"

"That's just it Veneziano!" Lovi snapped at him, "This is more real than I could have ever imagined."

Feliciano was stunned by his sudden outburst and the use of his name, yet he waited for him to continue, "At one point Feli I accepted fate and was ready for it. I knew that one day I would fade like the others or any micro that can't make it. Hear me Feli, ready and accepted. You were always the better one. The one everyone turned to for arts and food and fashion. All I had was the mafia and a bit of growing from the gardens yet you had it all."

He watched as Lovi paused, holding tightly to the rail, "Even when the nations gained capitals and had cities, I accepted that I would die. But now."

"Lovi?"

"I can't protect her Feli." Lovi confessed to him. "I want to change everything that I have ever done wrong, fuck I apologized for everything I ever did to that tomato bastard. Yet that doesn't give me the strength to stop Genesis from crossing over here and repeating what they did to her again if not worse."

"But that's why we have to-"

"Will it help in all reality?" Lovi looked at him finally, his eyes were wet as his face was filled with sadness, "God Feli, she told me what they did to her. I mean we heard what happened to Harper and saw Nora afterwards, but hearing it and seeing the affect it had on her..."

He stopped as he sat himself upon the ground, resting his arms upon his knees and Feli wasn't sure on what to do.

"Are we really strong enough to protect them fratello?" Lovi asked.

Feli sat beside him, brushing his shoulder into his as he did when they were younger, "Remember what you told me when Chloe first came here?"

He heard him chuckle, "What would Grandpa Rome say."

"Yep. So, what would he tell you?"

"A man will become twice the man he is when needed. You could be the smallest sprout in the garden, yet when time is needed, you will become the biggest tree." Lovi recited, smiling at Feli, "Grazie Feliciano."

"Prego." he smiled back. "Still thinking bad about yourself then?"

"Like you don't." Lovi said, "Maybe it'll go away once we go to bed."

"Huh?" he couldn't have meant?

"We'll I don't mean that way you idiot." Lovi scolded, "She has nightmares of Genesis and what they did. I told her I'd lay with her until she fell asleep and I'd make sure that bad dreams wouldn't happen. I think we've both slept better due to it."

"Never thought that." Feli looked back at his watch as time ticked by, "Hey Lovi?"

He was replied with a hum, "Want to stop at the Vatican quick, like old times?"

Lovi chuckled at him, patting him on the shoulder, "Why not. What could a little prayer hurt?"

Feli beamed at him as they both made their way out of the home. Feli knew what he would do as he prayed, and he just hoped it be enough to make it work.

"Oi, easy on my locks woman!" Chloe winced as Carine yanked back her hair.

"Pipe it." the woman said as she pinned her hair back in place. "I almost have you done."

"I do have to stay, it's beautiful on you sis." Briana pipped up from the table.

"Wheel your ass over here as I yank your head-OW!"

"No fighting." Carine scolded pushing another pin in place.

Briana laughed at her as she did steer herself over, the sweet cream and black lace dress covering her legs, "Still hard to believe we have the real Ireland in the room with us."

"Tis a pleasure to be here as well." she smiled, "I was starting to worry that no Irish blood would be found within Capital besides my brother."

"Which one?" they said together.

"Allister. Scotland." she replied, "Sweet Siobhan is Irish yet grew up in the Nordic country of Norway. Fair lady she is, finally put a curb to him. That and soon having him a precious babby."

"What is it if you don't mind me asking?" Briana asked.

"Dunno. They want a surprise." she replied, "Me, I'm hoping for a wee lass. It be a good thing if a little girl was born, mostly first born so far are boys. We girls need to come up top in this family."

"I thought Juliet and Arthur had a girl?"

"Little Elizabeth, yes. Yet she was second, not first. So, for the whole blood line is all boys first, it's depressing being the only girl surrounded by boys and she's the only one so far."

The women chuckled at her as they all chatted about Ireland and what they missed of it as they readied for the dinner. Chloe found it strange to have an elaborate dinner as everything was going on outside the nations and Genesis breathing down their necks, but according to Feli, it was a way to relax and get away from the nastiness of the world. He seemed extremely happy over it, more than she would have expected.

"Don't be fretting over the dinner girls." Carine said to them, "It's a way for us to enjoy our time together and not look at war."

"Lovi said there's more after it." Briana pipped up.

More? What more? Feli didn't say anything about more about the dinner.

"That there is but I won't be discussing that." she smiled at them and patted her head. "There, all done Chloe. Go ahead, look."

Without hesitation, Chloe made her way over to the mirror, nearly terrified of how bad she looked. Yet looking within the piece, she didn't see herself. The woman looking at her was fair. Her red hair up in Celtic braids as her eyes were brighter and lighter than usual. Her lips a dainty red as her green and black laced dress gave her the complexion of a model, the woman she once called fat was nowhere in sight.

"Just one more thing." Briana said as she wheeled over to her, pulling something from a box, "Lean down here."

Doing as told, Chloe felt something cool place itself upon her neck, "There we go, all finished. Who says you can't blend two cultures together?"

Looking back at the reflection, she saw what Briana had given her. There upon her neck laid a fine golden necklace. The chain almost had a rosary look to it as little green gems graced its locks and in the middle sat the Claddagh lacing more of the chain to another piece, and that itself was an Italian cross. It's fine golden hues embroidered the green and white glass cross as another golden cross laid within it. To say it was beautiful was a lie for it had no words for it.

"My god." was all she could muster up as she looked at herself.

"Told you that you are pretty." Briana said, "Gonna call yourself fat again?"

"Isn't that what most girls do?" Chloe joked.

"It's true yet you are not my dear. "Carine reassured her as she looked at her in the mirror.

"Thank you. Really, I mean it. Both of you."

"Tis nothing to think of nor worry about." Carine smiled, "Now it's time for dinner."

The gentle music in the air added the atmosphere as regal and etiquette, something that Chloe was far from in her mind, yet she sat there a proper lady as Carine gave her advice on what to do and sit. She felt like she had a board up her ass with how things were meant to be although looking at Feli she couldn't help but laugh as he dove into the pasta upon his plate.

"He's a typical boy." Carine poked, "Best to get him is through his stomach."

"That's any man Carine." Chloe giggled as the leaders of the nation's spoke to one another on the other side.

Carine joined her as her own husband was chowing down the same way, "You'd think I never fed the man?"

"True." she nodded, "Carine, quick question, where are the children?"

"They're elsewhere in the build. Don't worry they're waiting for us."

"Waiting for us?"

"Now never you mind and finish up." Carine chided her as she focused on her own plate.

It was strange how they were all acting the same way, it seemed that she was left out of the loop. She tried to focus on other things yet her mind wandered to what was being hidden and what Genesis would do.

"Are you alright Briana?" she heard Lovi ask.

"Yea, my back is starting to ache." Chloe looked over to see her attempting to rub the spot that troubled her.

A second later, Lovino's hand was rubbing the very spot as he whispered to her, creating a large smile upon her face. Chloe couldn't help but smile at them. How much Lovi had instantly changed. Not that he changed so much, yet more to make Briana comfortable and yet loved. It was something that she wasn't expecting.

Turning back to her spot she noticed that seats were becoming empty as nation and capital left, bidding their leaders a good night. Chloe went to ask Carine where everyone was going only to find two empty seats next to her.

"What the hell?" she whispered to herself, turning to Feliciano, "Feli? Feli?"

He hummed in reply as a stray pasta noodle hung off the side of his lip. She chuckled at him as she wiped the mess away, "Messy man. Anyway, where's everyone going?"

She watched as his eyes scanned the area, realizing she was right. Glancing at his watch, he made a notion to Lovi as he set everything down on the table, just to stand and bid the leaders farewell.

"Come on Chloe, we gotta go." he said, taking her hand.

Giving a gentle nod to the president as she followed the hyper man as he practically dragged her out of the banquet hall. It was reasons like this she hated heels as she struggled to keep up with him. He led her down hall after hall and stair after stair as she slowly was losing breath.

"Feli, hold on, wait. I'm dying here." she said finally pulling her arm free.

Finally, he paused as he wrapped his hands grasped her arms, checking her out, "Mi spiace Chloe, I didn't mean to hurt you if I did."

"No, no. You're fine." she breathed out, slowly catching her breath, "What's going on anyway? You just led me down a maze of stairs and halls to this area."

He smiled at her, this one reaching ear to ear as his eyes twinkled down at her. "Something really exciting I promise. But I do have to ask and yes I'll be quoting a movie for it."

"Alright?" she replied, hesitation laying in her voice.

"Have you ever been to a third-class party before?"

She gave him a puzzled look as she thought of all the movies she could think of that would have that just to hear music from down the way and the quote coming to light.

"Feli?" she felt excitement grow within her.

"I thought you'd like it." he said taking her hand.

Like wasn't going to be the word if what he said was true as the music grew louder, "The nations that play instruments all play together and try to do other songs from nations to make it all feel like we are one. There's no arguing or hate within this room, just good laughs and friends."

The door came open as he ushered her inside and her jaw dropped just to have her jump in excitement. The massive room held all the nations, capitals and cities as each danced and enjoyed one another's company. The music from the nations was cheery and festive as instruments from each nation gave it its own colorful collage of sound. Laughter, chatter, and cheers echoed the large room as they went in.

"This is amazing!" she yelled to Feli, his own smile as big as hers, "They're even playing Swallowtail Jig!"

She couldn't get over the happiness within the room as she saw the children playing and dancing with one another, once accidentally bumping into her. Her dark curls sprung around her head as she smiled up at Chloe, placing a white mask over her eyes. With a flash, she was gone and running over to Sadiq as he twirled her around, making her giggle at him as she placed his mask back to its rightful spot.

"Papa!" she heard someone yell.

Looking over she smiled as she saw Satine and Jeanne dancing with their father, Francis attempting to twirl them both as they giggled at him in joy. She watched as fathers danced with daughters and mothers did the same with sons, the joy full in the air.

"For the love of god, Gilbert don't make them sick!" She heard Eliza yell at him.

Feli pointed him out as he laughed at him. Sure enough, there was Gilbert, dancing and twirling around Julia and Adeline as the two little girls laughed in his arms. Feli gave her hand a squeeze as he pulled her to a table where the other nations sat.

"About time you joined the party." Harper smiled at her as Kiku kept an arm around her waist.

"I didn't know there was one going on." she told her as her gaze landed on Feliciano.

"I wanted to surprise you." he replied.

"Thank you for it, I am surprised and I love it!" she beamed at him as Marie handed her a pint.

"It's Beamish. Carine and Ian are the ones that had that sent here." the woman told her.

"Good stuff too." she said, beginning to down the hearty drink.

She felt eyes lay upon as she tilted the glass up to take more of the beer, only pausing to see what was the matter as all the men and women were staring at her in awe.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing love." Juliet replied smiling.

"They've never seen an Irish woman drink before." Arthur added. "Wait till Carine gets her's."

She chuckled at the truth before it as she heard Alfred and Amber clap and laugh along with Ivan and Lily as their eyes never left the open floor. Looking over she saw Alexei and Liberty dancing together, hand in hand as smiles adorned their faces, neither one looking away from the other. She couldn't help but smile as the thought of them being together in the future came to her mind. As her eyes shifted around to the nations, she saw an empty wheelchair by the door, a wave of curiosity and worry came over her just to see Briana sitting on Lovino's lap as they were deep in conversation with one another, both laughing and smiling.

"Your sister is enjoying herself I see." Nora said beside her, the bump more visible in her cheongsam.

"Nora, what are you attempting to drink?" Lily asked.

"Baijiu." she smiled, holding up the clear liquid.

"You do realize when Yao finds out, he will be livid." Kiku warned.

"He's away and it's his. He set it in my hand so I have every moment to taste it-" she was cut short when the glass disappeared from her hand as Yao came to her side.

"What was that?"

"You are worse than a mother, I swear."

The table laughed as the children talked with one another or nibbled on the food present. Chloe watched as Pierre leaned to his mother pointing at his father and then to the corner of the room. Seeing Brie nod to the man, she watched as his head whipped to the side as a stern look cross his face.

"Jaque!" he hollered, sure enough the boy popped his head up from looking up a set of skirts, "Ne me faites pas!"

She watched as Jaque darted to Monique and Michelle, hiding himself between them attempting to avoid his father's harsh glare. Brie laughed as Francis finally came to her side as the two girls continued dancing on the floor.

"He's yours." was all Brie said.

A sudden tap came to Chloe's shoulder, making her jump. Turning to find the source, she found Carine smiling at her.

"Oi, how good is your Irish?" she asked.

"Cad?"

"Oh, it's good then yes?" she asked again as Chloe nodded. "Good, come with me."

Before Chloe had a chance, Carine yanked her away from the table as she pulled her to the open floor, "Now I know you worked a pub in Dublin and known to let out a song or two as well. Want to join me then?"

"Are you kidding?" she smiled, "String it up and tell me which one?"

Carine laughed as she looked at Allister giving him a simple nod. With a simple shout the music began as the familiar tune lifted to her ears. She smiled knowing this by heart. Only would Carine want the seaweed song, well Dúlamán in their tongue. Carine began the traditional song as she followed suit. The happy tune filled the room as everyone clapped and cheered as they finished the song just to hear the familiar tune of Gaelic Storm's an Irish Party in Third Class came to play. It was then she felt hands grace her waist and pull her to them.

Looking back, she saw Feli, bright eyes and cheery as he gave a light bow to her and held out his hand.

"You really want to dance with me?" she asked him.

"I asked Arthur and Juliet along with Carine to help me learn your steps." she smiled at her.

She took off her heels and chucked them at Juliet whom waited on the side for her. Grabbing his hand and placing her other on his shoulder she smiled. With a nod, they were off and he followed with her as the alternated leads. The music giving them their rhythm as they moved around the large floor. Chloe couldn't help but laugh as the world slowly disappeared around them again, the music blending with them as their own movements became fluid like.

She was never happier to be there in reality. Never had she doubted the big move or the deal her and Feli made all those months ago. There wasn't anything that made her doubt any of it as the final crescendo of the jig came up as he twirled her around like mad. She could hear the others cheering and clapping for them as he swooped her down and hoisted her against him as the final note hit.

Chloe was a laughing mess as Feli joined her, his arms holding her up against him. Looking down into those amber orbs, she knew she made the right choice. She placed a sweet kiss to those lips of his as she sighed against him. Yes, she made the perfect choice.