Finally! The final chapter is here~! Hope it's satisfying :)

Chapter 8: You Are Free

Alfred was still staring at the girl with a shocked expression plastered on his face. Suddenly, the girl started running to his direction. Closer and closer, he could see the face of the girl. The familiar hazel-coloured eyes and the beautiful tanned skin with that gorgeous dark brown hair tied in a bun but like ponytail. It was her. His only one.

"Clara!" He yelled and started running as well, the moment they reached each other; Alfred grabbed her waist and swayed her up on the air. Like a little girl playing with her older brother. Then, he leaned her closer, still carrying her. Clara's arms were at his shoulders, caressing the back of his head. They stared at each other, trying to picture the moment. Arthur and Aussie were looking at them with a 'mission accomplished' expression on their faces. Back at our lovers,

"Kuya... I am sorry I made you worry." Alfred still smiled at her. "I am the one who should apologize. For leaving you like that and letting you experience this crap." Then, they laughed softly, still on the same position. Suddenly, Alfred leaned his face closer and kissed her, not minding the two people around them. Clara felt this too and kissed him back. A moment or so had passed, [after that long sweet kiss, so sweet that even words cannot describe] they still stared at each other, enjoying this moment.

WEEKS HAD PASSED~

Alfred was proud enough to say that he helped Clara in her economy. She was feeling alive and cheery. A hint that she has fully recovered from her heart failure. But still, she looks gloomy whenever she's alone. This made Alfred a little worried. So, he tried consulting to Arthur like he always does.

"Artie! I need your heeeeeeeeelp!" He cried out loud. Arthur glared him the 'what in the bloody hell do you want?' glare, causing the American to flinch. "You're really mean! I just wanted to consult! I thought I was your bro! You HURT!" This statement somehow made Arthur feel a tinge of guilt.

"S-sorry. You could at least not yell you know. What do you need me for, anyway?" Alfred went back to his usual grin. "Thanks a lot bro! Anyways, I need your help. Clara's kinda gloomy. Ho-honestly, I don't know what to do." Arthur felt that Clara wanted like what Seychelles wants. "Did you ask her already?" The Brit asked. "Uhh... no. Not yet." He answered. Arthur shook his head.

"Since when did this happened?"

"After she recovered."

"Bloody hell." Arthur hissed. "Wha-? What's wrong with that?" Alfred sensed bad news. Arthur kept on cursing, as if not hearing his brother. "She hopes for freedom." Arthur finally said. Alfred was staring at him again, he doesn't really know what the Brit was saying. "W-what?" Arthur sighed. "Freedom, Alfred. Independence is what your girl wants." Alfred glared.

"You make it sound so easy. You don't know how much it hurts to leave her!" Arthur glared back. "You don't know anything! I've had colonies who want the same as your Clara! You think it's easy for me to grant their independence?" Arthur yelled, his eyes were red now.

"B-bro..." The American whispered. Then, Arthur turned around, covering his eyes with a hand, as if wiping tears off. "Seychelles asked for independence as well. I can't decide on what to do. I wanted to see her happy plus I wanted to keep her. We're on the same situation you know." He said, trying to keep a straight voice.

Alfred transferred his gaze down. A moment of silence dawned. Until Arthur spoke up. "You are dismissed. You may now leave." Willingly, Alfred walked out of the room. "Damn. Arthur is right." He whispered. Next week, Arthur is leaving to Europe. That means, he'll lose support. No more advices except for Aussie who's just near Philippines. Slowly, he twisted the knob of his door's room. Then, he ran to his bed, spreading his arms freely. 'What am I supposed to do?'

DAYS HAD PASSED~

The usual morning was on. Alfred was awakening because of the sun's beam. He yawned then stretched. Like the usual, he fixed his hair and went down to the dining room for breakfast. He scanned the room. No one was there except for Arthur who was drinking tea.

"Dude. Early in the morning, tea? You really freak me out." Arthur gave him his 'Why do in the bloody hell do you care?' glare. "Dude, chill. Seriously." He surrendered and went to the kitchen when he smelled something delicious. There, Clara was cooking. Sensing that Clara didn't notice him, he decided to surprise her.

While tip toeing to get her, she suddenly turned around to smile at him. "Good morning kuya!" The Filipina greeted, as if knowing he was there to surprise her. "Hehe... G'morning, Clara! What's for breakfast?" Clara turned around again to finish her cooking then, turned the stove off.

"It's called longganisa here. It's pork and it's quite delicious!" She said in her usual cheery voice. Then, Alfred kissed her quickly. Clara was a bit shocked; Alfred chuckled at her blushing face. "Morning kiss." He said then, went back to the dining room, leaving a dumbfounded Clara in the kitchen.

Moments later, breakfast was ready and Alfred was jumping like a kid. "Yippee! Breakfast!" He exclaimed causing Arthur to face palm himself. Clara simply smiled at him and served his share. She did the same with Arthur's plate then her's.

"Well then, eat!" She said but Alfred has beaten her in to it. Guess he's really hungry, Arthur and Clara thought. Arthur took a bite on the longganisa and somehow, his face lightened a bit. Clara was suprised so she asked him, "Did you like it, kuya Arthur?" She asked innocently. "Of course. But still, it'll be better if I cooked it." He said with a proud grin.

"Put a cork in it, Arthur! Just by judging your scones made me twitch!" Alfred said with the mouth full. Unfortunately, the Brit understood this. "Sh-shut up you bloody git! You're burger tastes like crap than mine you know!" Clara glared at them. "Kuya Arthur, no cursing!" She scolded that made him shut up and eat again. Alfred laughed and sticked his tongue out at him.

"You too, kuya Al. Stop that." This time, the Brit tried not to laugh. After breakfast, Clara cleared the table, Arthur helped him and Alfred called for the couch to read a comic book.

Arthur sighed and gave Clara the look of apology. "Don't mind him. I simply didn't know where I went wrong when raising him as a gentleman." Clara smiled back at him. "Honestly, I'll miss that attitude a lot." She replied that made him shocked. "You'll miss him? Why? Is he leaving you?" Clara blushed lightly and turned to him to reply. "Um... what I meant was... um... if I ever get my impendence, that is." Her last words gave him a hint of sadness.

"You wanted to be free from him...?" Clara gave him a baffled look. "N-no! I-I mean, I simply wanted t-to be free like him! I don't want to be hindrance in his way. And I've always wanted to feel what it is to be independent!" She admitted with a red face. Arthur chuckled. "You know, I would've granted his independence if he were to answer me that polite." Clara stared at him for a while. "Independence..."

LATER~

In Clara's room, she laid down carelessly and began thinking of the consequences if she were to be independent. 'Of course, I'll lose him. He'll be away from me all the way to the other side of the world. Kainis! Ayaw ko namang mapalayo kay kuya.' She thought sadly.

Later, she sat at the corner of her bed, hugging her knees. Suddenly, she felt a tear roll down here cheek. "Crap. Am I crying? Bwisit. I am so weak." She whispered to herself. "I'll miss everything. His smile, his touch, his eyes, his voice... his presence! Diyos ko po, lahat!" She said, not whispering this time still, tears were flowing down her cheeks. Suddenly[again...] the door opened wide, revealing Alfred in the doorway. Clara was frozen, not knowing what to do.

"Claire! I have something to tell-" He paused when he saw her eyes filled with tears. "Cl-Clara? Are you okay?" Instead of answering, Clara looked away, trying to hide her face from him. Alfred sat near her, placing an arm around her to comfort her, her head leaning on his chest.

"It's okay. Tell me what's wrong." He whispered. Now, she slowly looked at him, tears still there. "I-Independence... lose you... can't...can't decide!" She said while tightening her grip at Alfred's shirt and trying to keep a straight voice, but failed. Alfred's face looked so sad when she said it. "You want to be free, right?" Clara nodded, still leaning unto him.

"But it hurts to decide." She admitted. "Yeah, I've been thinking about your freedom too. It's not easy." The American said while wiping the tears off her face. "I don't want you to leave me either! But I know you have to go. I don't want to be hindrance in your life too." Alfred crossed his eyebrows to a worried expression. "You're not a hindrance. I am giving you independence to see your happy face all the time." Clara was speechless then.

THE NEXT DAY~

Today is the departure of Arthur from the Philippines. Alfred still is confused. So for the last time, he asked for one last consultation in which Arthur agreed to. "Okay, git. Now is my last day here so I'll help you." The Brit said. "Gee, Arthur. Thanks."

Later, they went to the living room when Clara went to the market. Arthur whispered something to him too. For a moment, Alfred thought for a while then, grinned. "Dude, you're awesome!" He exclaimed while patting the Brit's back. "Of course. Aren't I the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?" He said with a proud smile plastered on his face. Alfred simply rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, geezer."

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

ON THE DEPARTURE~

"Well Alfred, Clara, I bid you my farewell. Take care you two." Arthur smiled at the two nations.

"Sure thing, dude. Have a safe trip."

"Good bye, kuya." Arthur nodded and smiled at her. "Oh! And, give my best regards to Seychelles!" She added. Then, Arthur turned to the American and began to say something."Alfred! Don't forget your task, alright?" Alfred looked up to him and nodded with a big grin. "Of course!" He happily replied.

AFTER THE DEPARTURE~

The two nations watched as the plane flew peacefully in the skies, holding each others' hands. Then, they left the port and went back to Clara's house. Later, they reached her house.

"Um, Clara? Can I have a heart to heart talk with you?" Alfred said. 'Heart to heart? So gay!' He thought. Clara looked at him for a while. "Sure thing! Let's do it in my room." She suggested as she went up, Alfred hurriedly followed her.

"So, what's to talk about, kuya?" She asked innocently. "Um... something really important!" Clara simply nodded and opened the door of her room. She hurriedly sat on her bed, inviting the American to sit beside her. "So what is it?" She asked again. Alfred was actually nervous for once.

"W-well, i-it's my birthday next week, so I-I um...yeah... it's my independence day..." Instead of being sad like Arthur predicted, she gave him a normal expression. Then suddenly, "Independence, huh." She absent-mindedly said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Cl-Claire?"

"What is it?" She asked again as if nothing happened. "... Marriage." Alfred suddenly said, Noticing that he said that out loud, he covered his mouth, 'I sounded like that crazy chick Natalia!', he thought. Clara cocked an eyebrow, signalling him that she does not understand it. "I... want to ask you to... b-become one with me?" 'Now, I sound like that effing commie!' Clara looked at him with a shocked expression. "W-what?"

"M-marry! Marry me! Yes that's it!" His face went redder than usual when his mouth suddenly said something that wasn't supposed to come out yet. Clara's eyes widened with shock and nervousness. Clara froze, therefore.

'Damn that Limey! He told me to ask her for marriage! Definitely a bad idea! Damn, he wanted me to be in trouble.' Alfred sighed in defeat and in shame. "Claire, I am sorry to ask you that damn question... I must admit, it wasn't- Clara?" He paused to look at the nation in front of him. She was blushing madly and still frozen in her place.

"Um, Claire? Are you mad at me?" He asked, trying to keep a straight face. "M-marriage?" She suddenly yelled in his face. "Whoa! Talk about bad hair day!" Alfred said as he felt his Nantucket drop. "Why are you asking me this NOW?" She ordered him to answer with her glare at him.

"W-well, I wanted you to be not away from me! Even if you're independent, we're still together, right?" He excused, but it was the truth.

Clara's blush went redder than usual. "That's really sweet of you, kuya but 'marriage' between two countries is like 'being one'. As in as one country only. Didn't you know that?" Alfred gave her his confused look. "So it's like Austria-Hungary during the WW1?" He dumbly asked.

"Yes, remember? They were married! But, they divorced because of political problems." She explained properly. "So, I can't marry you, right?" He sadly asked, worrying the other nation. "I would really love to marry you but, it's my peoples' decision to make." Alfred pouted his lips in disappointment. "Aw man! And I gathered up all my courage to do this!"

Clara smiled at him sweetly. "I appreciate that, kuya. If we were only normal people, I would surely marry you." Alfred blushed lightly. "If I can't marry you, then let's form an alliance." He said with a small smile. "But, we're allies already." She said confusingly.

"I know. An alliance that we will help each other no matter what happens. And, you're also independent. It's like marriage! Like normal people do! Let's just minus the marriage ceremony, the priest, the godfathers and mothers and-"

"We can have our own marriage ceremony minus the priest, the god fathers and god mothers." She said with the usual blush. Alfred was speechless for a while then, smiled at her. "Yeah. Our very own marriage ceremony. Our own alliance." As they agreed unto this, they faced each other hurriedly.

"So, I'll start, okay?" Alfred inhaled then exhaled slowly. "I, Alfred F. Jones, promise to be with Clara Carriedo de los Santos whatever happens. I also promise to be the best ally, friend, brother and lover for her. And, I promise to never leave her in times of hardships." He grinned at her. Clara smiled at his promises, hoping it was true.

"And I, Maria Clara Carriedo de los Santos, promise to support Alfred F. Jones in whatever may happen. I promise to be at his side if ever he needs me. I promise to be the ally, friend, sister and lover for him. And finally, I promise to never leave him in whatever may happen." Alfred smiled at her too. "Now, what are we going to do?" Clara asked.

"In normal marriages, after their vows, the priest usually says 'you may now kiss your bride.' so, yeah..." Clara blushed when she heard 'kiss'. "I-I am gonna kiss you?" Alfred blushes too when she asked this question. "I-it's okay if you don't want to. I mean, I-I won't force you too." Clara saw the diappointment of his face. "I-it's not that I dislike it! I-I gave you the permission to kiss me, right?"

"Uh... no, actually."

"T-then, I now give the permission to kiss me if you want to!"

"Like now?"

"Whenever you want!"

"I will now kiss my bride!" He proudly said and kissed Clara. She was actually taken by surprise there. Eventually, she closed her eyes to savour the moment. She knows that he'll be leaving soon so, they need times like this. Moments later, they let go of each other. "Then, I hereby grant your independence on my birthday!" Clara gave him a shocked look.

"M-my day on yours?" She asked innocently. "Of course! If it's my birthday, you'll come to my house! And if it's yours I'll come to your house!" He said with his usual grin. "K-kuya... I-I... I am so happy!" She said and hugged him tightly. Alfred hugged her back. "You know what? I am officially declaring you as a freed country."

ON JULY FOUR~

"To every Filipino out there! I, Alfred F. Jones, proudly declare Philippines as an independent country! The Republic of the Philippines!" With his announcement, everyone cheered and smiled. Clara at his side was happily smiling with her countrymen.

"But don't worry! If ever your country needs help, just call me and I assure you, the hero will come to save you all!" Another cheer was heard from the audience then. Alfred faced Clara then said something that every Filipino can hear.

"That's because, I love Philippines so much. To be precise, I proudly announce that I certainly love Maria Clara Carriedo de los Santos with all my heart!" Clara blushed lightly upon his sincere proclaiming of his love for her.

"Of course, I love you too." She said that everyone would hear it. Now, everyone was cheering for them to kiss [typical Pinoy!] "Well, the audience wants it, therefore they get it!" The American said then, pulled Clara for a quick kiss then, he pulled away. Everyone was cheering loudly than ever now.

"You're free, Clara. You are free." He whispered in her ear as gentle as ever.

ON ALFRED'S DEPARTURE~

"I guess I'll see you." Alfred said sadly as he hugged the crying nation. "I-I'll definitely miss you, kuya!" She said in between sobs. "Me too." He said in reply.

"But hey! I am the hero, right? Surely, I'll call you and call me too if you need me! I'll be there to support you! I swear!" Clara nodded as she let go of him. "Sure thing." She replied while wiping the tears off her eyes.

"Well then, see yah!" He said, trying to be cheery as he climbed up the plane. But inside, his heart was totally aching. Clara waved good-bye as well. Later, the plane flew in the air, and on the land, she was there, crying sadly with a smile on her face. "Mahal na mahal kita, kuya Alfred."

~WAKAS~

Wakas means "end". Yep. It's the end alright. But don't worry! I have written a omake! And an epilogue~!

Note: The omake is AsaSey. ^_^