So Romano, Canada, and Peppermint headed back to Canada's house after Romano re-packed his bag. The snow became heavier the farther north they got. "It's so c-cold." Romano shivered holding the kitty close to his body for warmth. "Don't worry we're almost there." Canada whispered as they drove past a mountain of snow. After an hour or so they drove up a long icy drive way. A large white house stood tall in front of them. "W-welcome to my h-home." Canada said nervously. "So big." Romano managed through his shivers. "Thank you." Canada blushed. He led Romano into the house and to the kitchen. Romano let Peppermint out of her cage to roam around while they baked. "What should we bake?" Romano asked Canada leaning on the marble counter. "Baguettes, we can also buy him a bottle of wine too." Canada said happily pulling out yeast and bread flour. "I don't know how to…" Romano began. "That's okay I'll show you!" Canada smile taking out measuring utensils
"So….let's begin?" Romano said hesitantly. Canada pulled out a bread machine from the cabinet. "Here, you can measure the ingredients out and I can put them in the bread machine." Canada said handing Romano a measuring cup. "How much do I-?" Romano asked trailing off. Canada handed him a paper with the recipe. Romano blushed; Canada was taking charge for once. Romano kind of liked this. Romano measured out all the ingredients. Romano began to stare off into space, daydreaming off Christmas; the look on his bro's face when he got the kitty…The noise of the bread machine yanked Romano out of his dream. "It'll take a while for this bread to be ready. Let's go look for some wine to give him." Canada said. "Hey Canada…" Romano said quietly. "Yes?" Canada smiled. "Why don't you act like this around all of us?" Romano asked sadly. "What do you mean?" Canada asked. "You're really being yourself." Romano explained picking up Peppermint. "I try…no one hears me." Canada said sadly.
"I think people hear me too clearly." Romano said as they walked out of the house and got in Canada's car. Canada started the car and began driving to the store. Romano stared out the window at the piles of snow. It was all so clean and white, not like America's snow. He pressed his face against the cold window and felt as if half his face was going numb but he didn't really care too much. Canada turned on the radio and Christmas music played quietly until they arrived at the store. Romano got out of the car and him and Canada began walking to the store. "France likes strong expensive wine. Have any ideas?" Romano asked. "Not really. If we can't find anything we can just ask someone who works here, I'm sure they will be nice and help us." Canada smiled as they walked into the store. The two young men walked around looking down the aisles till they found one filled with fancy looking bottles. "Found them!" Canada said cheerfully walking towards a red bottle with a green ribbon. "What about this one. It's pretty, eh?" Canada smiled holding it carefully in his hand. "Let me see." Romano said taking it form Canada, he looked at it trying to look like he knew what he was doing. "It's good." Romano said trying to sound official. He handed it back to Canada.
Canada began walking to the checkout line. "I hope he likes this." Canada smiled. "Yeah that'd be cool." Romano said with a hint of indifference as he stared around at the colorful holiday decorations around the store. Canada bought the wine and they walked back to the car. On the way home Romano started thinking about the other countries and what presents to get them. Food seemed like a good idea for most of them. He wasn't as close to them as he was Italy so getting them all pets could be a catastrophe
The two countries arrived at Canada's house and stepped out into the cold. They hurried into the warm house and put the wine on the counter. Canada opened the bread machine and took out the fresh, hot bread. It smelled wonderful. "Ouch!" Canada whimpered dropping the bread on a long white plate. "It's hot."
"Well no duh." Romano said irritably. "So who is next?" Romano asked. "America…" Canada said putting a little Band-Aid on his hurt hand.
