Since it's Thanksgiving... I just wanted to say thanks to all of my readers out there, even if you aren't reviewing. I know you're there. *raises eyebrow* I have STORY STATS! Well, thanks for reading, anyway, and, as always, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. :)
Also, thanks to the people that are actually reviewing! I really appreciate it! *feelin' the love!*
~Whitney
P.S. I typed in Germany's accent in this one. I don't mean to offend anyone; I actually love accents and I really wanted to make it more realistic. I'm part German myself, so... If you feel otherwise, I apologize in advance. I hope you enjoy!
I avoke to the sound of clanging coming from the kitchen. Although this was unusual, it didn't really bother me, but I couldn't just ignore it.
So I was off to start another adventure.
Stepping into the kitchen, I was greeted by Whitney, her tone enthusiastic, yet slightly tired. She yawned, and that was when I realized how early it was...
"Why are you up this early?" I questioned her as she stood over the stove.
"Don't you know what today is?" She said, smiling at me. My face turned slightly rosy; I wasn't used to being caught off-guard.
"No... Vat?"
"It's Thanksgiving!" She grinned from ear to ear. "And we're celebrating it here this year!"
"Oh, right." I said, not knoving how I didn't remember. "I must've forgotten."
She shook her head. "It's alright. I just need to get alot of food ready. Thanksgiving is the day where you stuff yourself like crazy, and with all the people coming over..." she trailed off, continuing to cook. I understood vat she meant.
"Let me help." I said, valking over.
"Sure, I'll appreciate all the help I can get!" She said happily, but then eyed me varily... "I can trust you around stoves, right?"
"Ja." I nodded, hiding my slight annoyance. I'm capable of cooking...
"Why don't you make something that you like? You know, that reminds you of home... Then you can bring it here and we can all remember little bits of our own home and combine it into the big one we have now!" She vas smiling again as she said this.
"... Ja..." I said thoughtfully. But vat to make...?
Vurst vas too common. I vanted to make something that I vas sure they hadn't had before.
I decided to make a dessert. "I think I vill make Rote Grütze then." I said.
She looked at me confusedly. "What is that, if you don't mind me asking?"
"It is a desert that is very popular in Germany. It is a red fruit pudding, traditionally served with cream." I informed.
"Really?" She looked me over, as if uncertain about something, then smiled once more. "That sounds great! ... We can have potatoes too, right?" She obviously thought this funny.
"Ja." I said solemnly, taking a place beside her. "Vat do you vant me to do?"
"Well, I've put the turkey in, but I guess we need to make stuffing and thaw the honey to put on the ham." She viped her forehead with her sleeve. "Then I'll have to get some corn going later... And cornbread..." She looked up thoughtfully. "I'm not sure, there's so much to do!"
"I vill do the chores previously mentioned, then." I said, starting on the tasks.
Then, Greece walked in, looking sleepy as usual, and looked around at what we were doing.
"You can make something too, Greece!" Whitney said, smiling at him.
He thought for a moment. "I think... I'll make paidakia. Grilled lamb chops with lemon... oregano... salt and pepper."
She looked at him, tilting her head. "I've never had lamb chops, but I've had your grilled chicken before, and that was good..."
He nodded slowly. "I'll need the ingredients. Later."
"I'll get them~." She trilled. "Doitsu, could you come shopping with me later? So you can pick out what you want?"
"Ja. That sounds like a gut idea." I nodded slightly as Greece went off to go nap again.
"I'll have Spain watch the cooking." She looked around the room and yawned again.
"Vhy is he not up?" I asked, slightly nonchalantly, so as not to draw attention to my qvestioning.
"Oh, I like to let him rest." She smiled slightly again, her face turning the slightest shade of pink.
There vas then a knock on the door.
"Are people supposed to arrive this early?" I asked, confused.
She shook her head. "No, Cassi and France said they would come and help me."
She valked over to the door and opened it, letting the two on the other side in.
"Hey, dude, Happy Thanksgiving!" Cassi said, marching in.
"Oui, we have arrived~!" France sang, coming in after her.
I focused on doing my chores. It's not that I don't like France, it's just... Nien. I don't know how to describe it.
"Did you bring a plate, France?" Whitney looked up at him. "We're bringing together the countries' foods!"
"Honhonhon, of course, chaton!" He smirked slightly. "Why wouldn't I?" He held out a bag. "Of course, I shall make it whenever it gets closer to dinner, non?"
"Uh, sure!" She replied, slightly unnerved by all of the food that vas going to have to be cooked in her oven. "So..." She tvirled her hair nervously around her finger. "What is it, exactly?"
"A wonderfull dish, basil salmon terrine!" he said, setting the bag on the counter. "Terrine is sort of like pâté."
"Ah, I have never had either of those. And Cassi, do you still want to cook something?" Whitney asked, turning to her friend.
"Yeah, I'll make something! I'll make... " she paused, thinking. "I'll make my Grandma's pecan pie!"
"PECAN PIE!" Whitney exclaimed, causing me to jump. I hadn't expected an outburst like that... I looked at her. She seemed extremely happy today, even vith all of the vork she had to do... "Now that sounds like home~." She vent off into a dreamlike state then, pulling things from cupboards and sitting them on counters.
"Haha, dude, I didn't think you liked pecan pie." Cassi said, amused at her friend's reaction.
"I love nuts. You should know that~." She still spun around, not realizing who vas there...
"Honhonhon, chaton, zat iz a good thing.. Considering, you are married." France smirked.
Cassi hit him in the arm and Whitney stopped spinning and glared. He simply shrugged.
"Well, anyways, who all is coming? And when do we need everything to be ready?" Cassi asked, looking around at all the stuff that had been set out.
Whitney paced around slightly. "This is everyone that's coming..." She put up her hands und started counting off the attendees. "Romano, Italy, Spain, me, you... Doitsu, France, America, England, Haley..." She put her fingers down und started again. "Greece, China, Korea..." She paused, thinking, und shook her head. "I'm not sure who else. But they'll be here around five, I suppose.
Cassi smiled. "Wittwe Kowea is coming~!" she said, twirling. She then stopped, and started giggling.
"Dude, do you know how much food you are going to have to make? Especially since Alfred is coming?" she said.
"Yeah, why do you think I started cooking so early?" Whitney said, smiling softly. This led to a slightly awkvard silence..
"Ja. She's been up for avile." I stated, still carrying out the tasks she had assigned me.
Cassi then sighed. "What do we do then?" she asked. "I am not making the pie until later."
"You could always help me with the main courses." Whitney replied. "Or you could take the others to the store..." She looked around the room and yawned. "It's going to be a long day..."
"I'm cool with goin' to the store with the dudes. I'd probably mess something up if I tried cooking." she said, grinning.
Whitney nodded. "Okay, then you go do that. Greece!" Whitney hollered, him trudging out a few seconds later. "You, France and Doitsu are going with Cassi to the store to get ingredients for the foods you need." Whitney informed. He nodded sleepily as he walked to the door along vith the others. I did as vell.
"So, ve vill be back soon... Hopefully." I said, avare of the fact that things could go vrong somehow.
A knock on the door startled us all, and Cassi opened it hastily. Our friend Selena rushed in, tossing a box of something at Whitney.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" she yelled, then rushed out the way she came.
She opened up the box hesitantly, and then smiled excitedly and snapped it shut. She started laughing, vich vas slightly unnerving...
"What's in the box, what's in the box, what's in the box?" Cassi asked, jumping up and down anxiously. She then ran over and looked.
"Yes, cookies, Selena's awesome!" she fist pumped. Whitney put the box in a cabinet.
"Yeah, but no cookies until later." she said.
Cassi sighed. "I know, I know, alright you guys, lets go." she said, valking to the door again.
"Let me know if anyone else is coming." Whitney called after us, and thus, our shopping trip began.
(Im Supermarkt)
"Whoa~! Look at all the stuff!" Cassi practically shouted as ve stepped through the doors of the supermarket.
"Mon papillon, it zeems zat you haven't been in a store before." France teased, mussing her hair.
"Yeah, well-!" I zoned out as she made her point and fussed at him for his slight insult. I vas on a mission. And I needed mein troops vith me.
"Greece." I turned around to note that the cat lover vas right behind me. He looked at me vith bleary eyes, but looked able enough to partake in the mission.
I then realized something and rubbed my temples. "Ve probably should have wrote out a shopping list first."
Cassi, apparently hearing vat I said, started laughing. Greece shrugged. "I can remember...everything I need to get for my dish." he said.
"Oui, as can I." France added. I didn't need that many things either.
"Yeah, and I know what to get for the pie." Cassi said.
"Oh, papillon, didn't you say you were going to help Matthew and Kiku with their dishes?" France questioned, looking at her.
"Yeah, but I remember theirs too." she reassured, nodding.
"Vell then. Ve should be off." I started off in the direction that I thought was right, but then qvickly realized that everyvone else vas splitting up. I shook my head, but, knoving that I vould meet up vith one of them eventually, I let them go.
(Cassi's POV)
"Okay, pecans!" I said excitedly, leading the way. France was following behind me, and he smirked as I said this.
"Honhonhon, so you like nuts too, papillon?"
"...Some." I relented, then grabbed a nearby pan. "But you should watch what you say, if you know what's good for ya." He simply shrugged at my threat, and I sighed. "Right then."
When we got to the pecans I picked a packet of them up and looked to the ceiling in thought.
"What is it we need now, papillon?" France asked.
"Hmm... Vanilla, sugar, pie crust, sugar..." I grinned, thinking of the sweet crystallized awesomeness.
"Honhonhon, you're sweet enough as is, papillon~." France said, snapping me out of my daydreaming.
I looked at him. "If that is true, it's only because of how much I eat." I replied, looking at the signs above the aisles.
"Zo, we're after sugar? Doesn't zat have another meaning in America?" he smirked at me. I just rolled my eyes.
"You would know..." I then spotted an empty shopping cart. I stared at it for a while, trying very very hard to refrain from doing what I so much wanted to...
"Pourquoi, mon papillon...?" France then asked, probably confused thoroughly.
I then gave in. I ran to the shopping cart as fast as I could.
"PASTAAA~!" I yelled, jumping on it and making it roll quickly to the end of the aisle. When it stopped, I turned it around quickly and pushed with one of my feet and started zooming down the aisle again laughing.
(Doitsu's POV)
I looked around as I heard a screaming noise coming tovards me. Gathering my groceries in my arms, I turned hastily to see that Cassi had hijacked a buggy and vas coming right at me. Or rather, right at Greece, who decided to take a nap in the middle of the aisle!
"Greece! Vake up! On the double, at vonce!" I yelled at him, then dropped my groceries vhere I vas and ran to push him out of the vay.
I vas too late, and thought Cassi vas going to plow right through us vhen she just stopped. She looked over the buggy at us, a large grin on her face.
"Dudes, I know how to man one of these things. Ninja, remember?" she said just as France caught up with her.
"Very vell..." I responded, still slightly shaken up even though I didn't let it show. Turning around, I picked up my groceries carefully and placed them in the buggy, hoping that she vouldn't destroy them or get us thrown out of the store before ve could even purchase them.
"So..." Greece yawned from the middle of the aisle. "What happened..?"
"Germany just tried to save your life, mon ami! What do you have to say?"
"...Thanks." Greece said, turning to me after a few seconds.
I just sighed and shook my head. "Very vell, let's just get on with this..."
"Well, I've gotten my shopping done. Now it's time for Japan's!" Cassi said happily, taking off tovards the other side of the store.
"Should ve stick together?" I questioned her as she started to take off.
"Sure! I mean, if you want."
Ve vere valking into the Asian section of the groceries when ve sav Hong Kong. He vas looking at the bags of rice.
"Hong!" Cassi exclaimed, causing him to look at us. "Oh, hey or something." he replied.
Cassi ran up and hugged him. "Shoppin' for Thanksgiving! Do you see the Mochiko powder?" she asked. He pointed to a row of boxes and she grabbed one quickly.
"Thanks, Hong! Hey, why don't you come over to Whitney's house with us for Thanksgiving?" she then asked.
He vaited for a second, thinking it over I guess, then answered. "Sure, I've got nothing to do, or something."
"That's great! Bring a dish, okay?" Cassi said happily.
"Alright. Or something." He replied, grabbing a few more boxes from the shelf. "I'll make something good. Or something like that." He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, appearing slightly annoyed by our presence.
"Ve should tell Whitney on our vay home." I said to no vone in particular.
"Yep!" Cassi shouted. "Later Hong! Well, all I need now is some maple syrup and ice cream. What about you guys?"
I sighed. "I have gotten my supplies and Greece has gotten his as vell... Vith some help."
"Oui, and I already have mine at chaton's house." France said.
"Great, so lemme just get that stuff then we're done!" Cassi said, skipping off to the ice cream.
(Time Skip)
(Whitney's POV)
"Did you guys get enough stuff?" I asked, marveling at the bags that they brought in.
"Well, we didn't buy the whole store out~!" Cassi replied, teasing.
I sighed as I looked at my meager accomplishments. Since they'd left, I'd only had time to set things out for the turkey, which was baking as they unpacked. "Think we'll ever be able to fix enough to feed Alfred?"
"Dude, a flipping ARMY of chefs couldn't completely feed him." she replied, laughing and putting the bags on the counter. "But he'll be satisfied, I'm sure."
"I don't want to aim for just 'satisfied'..." I said, frowning.
She sighed. "Dude, I was kind of joking."
"Oh... I knew that!" I laughed nervously.
"Well, what do we need to help you with?" she asked, then paused and turned around to the other three. "And why are you three so quiet?"
"You would rather us be chatting obnoxiously, papillon?" France asked in a rather sarcastic tone.
Cassi opened her mouth, about to respond, when Spain walked in.
"Hola mi amigos~. Como estas?" He looked around, smiling at the amount of people in the room. "What are we doing, mi amor?"
"We're cooking for Thanksgiving." I answered, smiling shyly. "Care to join us?"
"Why, of course!" Spain said happily. "I can think of nothing I'd rather do!"
"Okay, well, everyone, the turkey needs to cook for another hour, so now, since America's coming, I'm going to start making no bake cookies and puppy chow. Do you know how to make it?" Receiving blank stares, I went into further detail. "No bakes are cookies made of oatmeal, chocolate, and peanut butter, and puppy chow is cereal mix with powdered sugar, chocolate, and peanut butter. I also need to get the vegetables ready..." Spying the stacks of corn next to the stove, I motioned to them. "I need to shuck the corn and then make the salad. Any volunteers?"
"I can make the salad!" said Cassi happily with her arm raised.
"I vill take care of the corn." Doitsu said, his arms crossed.
"I can help with the vegetables..." said Greece sleepily.
"I guess France Niisan and I will help with the deserts you are making, amor!" Spain then said.
"Sounds good." I replied, smiling at everyone. "I appreciate it!"
"Now, how do you make zese?" France questioned, looking at my ingredients. "I am a gourmet, I know not how to use zese." He shook his head.
"First, we'll melt the chocolate..." I started, launching into instruction mode as they followed me diligently, then jumped slightly as a knock sounded on the door.
Before anyone could get it, though, the door swung open and a loud voice sounded throughout the house.
"The hero is here to help with Thanksgiving, yo!"
We all turned around to see America standing in front of the door.
"Alfred!" Cassi exclaimed, running and jumping into his arms.
"Hey, Ninja Heroine!" he said smiling and holding her bridal style.
"Hey, hey, guess what! I am making salad." she said in a tone that made it sound like some sort of big announcement.
America gasped, feigning shock. "No. Way."
She nodded. "Yes way. And..." she looked around for a second. "I am using vegetables."
"Seriously?" he replied, continuing the facade before the two started laughing.
I laughed a bit too. "Hey America."
"Hey Whitney! So, what needs doing?" he replied, causing France to start laughing immediately.
"Obviously, she and Spain need to be doing something." He eyed us, and I resisted the urge to smack him. "And I could use some help in that department as well, mes amis."
"Uh, dude... You can help yourself there." Alfred said, slightly unnerved. "But seriously, where are me and my hero skills needed?"
"Well, have you ever heard of making puppy chow?" I questioned.
"Dude, you have a dog?"
"Noooo~!" I shook my head as I laughed. "Oh, I mean yes. We just got her yesterday. Her name's Mina. You'll see her around later."
"Cool." he said. Cassi laughed.
"Dude, puppy chow is like a dessert or something. She'll tell you how to make it!"
"Oh." he said, setting her down. "The hero can handle that!"
Cassi went back over to the vegetables and started washing them as I told him what to do.
"It's more of a sweet snack food." I replied, looking down in slight embarrassment. "You see, you take Chex mix and mix it in with the melted chocolate and peanut butter, then put it in powdered sugar." At about this time, a timer went off. "Oh! That's the turkey! Guess I need to make stuffing or something like that, right?" I looked to the others uncertainly. "Is it funny that this is my first big Thanksgiving that I'm making myself?"
Cassi lightly laughed. "I sure couldn't tell, 'cause you friggin' had everything under control and seemed like you knew what was goin' down at what time."
Spain then walked up next to me. "Si, amor, and don't forget we are here to help you out. There is nothing to worry about!"
I sighed and nodded, setting out the ingredients.
After I had successfully made the puppy chow, I looked to notice everyone's progress. Everyone was almost finished with everything, and the stuffing was already done...
"Chaton, may I use your stove?" France asked, coming up from behind me.
"Uh, sure, go ahead." I replied, slightly taken aback as I snapped back to reality. "But I have to use the over for the ham later too."
"Tres bien, merci chaton!" France said, rushing over to the oven.
Cassi was washing the vegetables one more time, as Greece was supervising the activity.
"Have you made the potatoes?" Germany asked me gruffly. I looked to him, slightly surprised.
"Oh, no, they're still boiling... I need to mash them soon, I guess..." I looked to the pot on the stove as France made a ruckus looking for some type of pan to use. "I've never made mashed potatoes." I looked at him slightly embarrassed.
"Vell... I'll help by making them, I suppose." He said softly, then walked over to them to check their tenderness. "They need a few more minutes."
"Thanks, Doitsu." I said, smiling.
"Yo, dudes, I think we've almost made everything..." Alfred said, stepping back and looking around.
"Now we should probably prepare for when the others get here and make their foods." Cassi suggested.
"Alright, guess we need to clean up, then?" I responded, looking to the others. America and Cassi flashed two thumbs up signs and Spain smiled. "Alright, then let's get this ready!" I said happily. "Oh, hero, can you expand the table?"
"Dude, I don't have a super size ray... I'm more of a super strength type of guy..."
"No, silly, I have a leaf to put in it-"
"I don't think a leaf's gonna expand it that much either..." He looked at me doubtfully.
I shook my head. "I'll show you. Can you guys clean while I get the-"
"No, mi amor, I know where it is! You take a break. You've been working hard!" Spain said, sitting me down in a chair.
I sighed. "Well, if you're sure you have it under control..."
"Dude, Doitsu's here. He knows all about this control-y, in charge-y business." Cassi said, earning an odd look from him. She just shrugged, smiling.
After a while, everything had been cleaned and Japan, China, Hong and Korea had arrived. Cassi was in the kitchen helping Japan make mochi ice cream and Hong was watching Korea while China chatted with the rest of us.
Cassi then came into the living room after a few minutes. "Okay, the mochi is finished and so are the maple ice cream sandwiches!"
"But papillon, I thought you said Matthew was going to help you with that." France said.
"...Dude, he did. He's been here for like 45 minutes." she said, just as we all noticed him shyly come out of the kitchen.
"Canada!" I said happily. "Glad you could come!"
"Yeah... No problem. I'm glad you remembered me." he replied quietly.
"Of course!" I replied, but his response was drowned out by America and Spain returning with the leaf.
"Here, amor!" Spain called, a little out of breath.
"Dudes was this thing ever heavy!" Alfred said, sitting his half of the leaf on the floor and practically tossing Spain down with it. "What now?"
I laughed lightly. "Well, we have to pull out the table and put the leaf in it."
"Dude, I don't think a table can grow."
"Really?" I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Watch." I leaned underneath the table and unhooked the latches, then got on the other side and pulled it out so that there was a reasonable space between both ends of the table. "Believe it now?"
He just stared in shock for a split second before laughing. "Dude, I didn't know tables could do that!" he pointed.
I rolled my eyes and looked at Cassi. She sighed and shrugged, walking up to Alfred and patting him on the shoulder. "There are alot of things you don't know Alfred."
He looked at her in confusion before she added "And I'm sure lots of the other countries would agree to that as well."
He stared for a minute before bursting out in amused laughter. "Aha I'm sorry, there are other countries?"
We all facepalmed.
(Time Skip)
Everyone who was supposed to come was here, in my house and talking in groups. It was just about time for everyone to start eating.
I stood up and held out my glass filled with imitation wine. "I'd like to start a toast, about things we're thankful for. Since it is Thanksgiving" I looked around the room, and was met with smiles from the others as they raised their glasses. I smiled back. "I'm thankful for my husband, and my friends. And I'm thankful you all showed up today! Or else all of this food would go to waste." I motioned for someone else to go as I laughed at the expression of dismay on Alfred's face.
Cassi, who was sitting next to me, stood up and went next. "I am thankful for music and animals, but mostly for all of my friends." She sat back down, elbowing Alfred who was next to her. He stood up.
"Okay dudes, I'm really thankful for freedom and hamburgers and McDonalds! And the fact that I'm the hero!" he exclaimed, smiling and sitting back down. He then looked to the other side of him at England, who sighed and stood up as well.
"I am thankful for my girlfriend, Haley," he flashed her a smile. "And also for tea and scones. Because my cooking is amazing." he sat down as a few at the table coughed.
Haley stood up and went next. "I am thankful for England, as well as all of my friends. And yes, England, your cooking is amazing." Haley giggled and sat down. To England's dismay, France was sitting on her other side. He stood up next.
"As well as everyone else, I am thankful for mes amis. I am thankful for l'amour as well as wine and the beautiful rose." he said, smiling as he pulled one out and sat down.
Prussia, who was next to him, stood up quickly. "I am thankful for my extreme awesomeness... And beer... And Gilbird." he sat down quickly as well.
Germany, after sighing and rolling his eyes at his brother, stood up. "I am thankful for my friends, und my bruder... Und beer." he added shamelessly as he sat back down.
Italy stood up then. "I am thankful for pasta, pizza, and pretty girls. Oh, and pasta!" he said, then sat back down.
Romano hesitantly stood up, with a glare on his face. "I guess I'm thankful for Mom and Dad... And my dummy Fratello... And tomatoes, definatley tomatoes." he said then sat down.
China stood up then. "I am really thankful for all of my friends~aru. Also for animals and cute little kittens, and puppies, and hamsters, and-" he had started getting worked up, picturing all the 'adorable fuzzys' with wide childish eyes and an excited smile before Japan stood up and coughed. He set his hand on his brothers shoulder and sat him down.
"I am thankfurr for my friends, as werr as miso soup and rice." he said, sitting down as Hong Kong stood up.
"I'm thankful for food... And art... And my brothers... Or something." he stated, and sat down hastily.
"I'm thankful that all of this food originated in me, da ze!" Little Korea said, jumping from his seat. "AND I'm thankful for Aniki... And BRE-mph!" Hong had smacked his hand over Korea's mouth so fast I wasn't entirely sure that it was possible... Then he moved his hand away and Korea sighed pitifully as he sat down. "Da ze..."
Beside him, Greece was daydreaming, shockingly awake for once. "Oh." he replied, standing up. "I'm thankful for shelter, my friends, sleep, and cats." he finished up, sitting down as he said 'cats'.
All eyes turned to Vash and Lily, who just arrived. I had invited them before, but wasn't sure if they were coming or not.
Lily stood up. "I'm thankful for my Niisan, and the ribbon he bought me. And that we have friends like you!" She smiled, then curtsied and sat down.
Vash coughed as he stood up. "I'm thankful... For Lily, providence, and neutrality. Thank you." He said, sitting down.
"I'm thankful..." A quiet voice spoke up. "For my family, and friends, and for finally being remembered." Canada replied, then sat down, not used to attention.
"And I'm thankful for mi amor!" Spain spoke up, wrapping his arm around me. "And the wonderful dinner she's prepared! As well as everyone else's contributions. Let's eat, amigos!"