Dear Readers:

Because I am moving and because I will be gone for another week, I may not be updating as often. Please forgive me and be patient. I will finish this story; I already know where it ends.

Yes, The Scheming Turtle has been my wonderful Beta this entire time. However, your faithful reviews have also helped me greatly-thank you ever so much. I currently have over 140 reviews, soon to be over 150. Thank you ever so much, I truly am honored. Reviews let me know that somebody cares and that you are actually keeping up with the story, and also let me know what I need to improve. Thank you ever so much.

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~+~ The pioneer with a heart for people and a thousand stories to tell ~+~

Chapter 18

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

~ Mother Teresa

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A few days passed, and Lithuania and Belarus traveled to a market together. They had done this many times before, but today Belarus was especially interested in going because she deeply desired to give her husband SOMETHING to show how much she appreciated all he did for her. As they walked along the aisles, searching for various items, Belarus wandered off by herself, secretly looking for something for Lithuania, who had already given her more than she could ever ask. After some time, she neared an art stand, where she immediately spotted a breathtaking painting of a sunrise. It wasn't very large, but Belarus knew that it would be perfect for Lithuania's hallway. Quickly she purchased it and began examining it closer. As she examined it, she began walking through the market again, trying to get back to Lithuania.

While she looked at the painting, Belarus began to think back to that first sunrise that she witnessed with Lithuania. Originally, she was trying to get away from him, attempting to have a private moment of happiness, but he had followed her and... surprisingly... she had enjoyed his presence. For some reason, the sun seemed brighter on that day, and she took notice. Indeed, ever since then they had watched the sunrise together, and on the days when the skies were clouded over, or raining too hard to see the sunrise, Belarus would awaken early and see the darkness, and her heart would feel heavy in her chest. On those days she would watch the rain fall, wishing it would stop, and on those days Lithuania would wrap his arms around her shoulders, and tell her that tomorrow the sunrise would be more brilliant because the plants would be greener, and the world would be more lively because of the rain... and he would always be right. Now, here she was, looking at the painting in her hands, wondering if Lithuania would remember all those times when he saw this painting.

Eventually, she did find him. Before he noticed she was holding something, she hid the painting behind her back.

"Ah, there you are, Tasha!" Lithuania remarked as he saw her near him. Noticing that she was holding something, he added, "What is that behind your back?"

"A gift," Belarus simply replied as she showed him the painting. As Lithuania spotted the painting, he was awestruck at how the colors perfectly blended together, and how it seemed to shine when the light of the real sun hit it.

"It's... beautiful..." Lithuania breathed in awe.

"So... you like it? I bought it for you," Belarus piped up, twisting her skirt in her hands as she spoke.

"Yes, I love it," Lithuania declared as he locked eyes with her. "I... I really do love it... thank-you so much."

With that, Belarus slightly blushed and looked away. Lithuania noticed her blush and straightened up, a tiny spark of excitement lit within him. He made her blush. For many reasons, that made him excited, and hopeful.

"I already bought what we need-let's try to hang this somewhere," Lithuania declared as he carried his bags in one hand and the painting in the other.

When they arrived home, They carefully selected a spot in the hallway, across from the kitchen door, to hang their painting. When they finished hanging it together, they stepped back and looked at it again.

"Do you think that's a good spot?" Lithuania enquired as he gave it a sidelong glance.

"Yes, it looks perfect there," Belarus assured him.

With that, they looked at each other and nodded. Indeed, it looked like it was meant to fit there. For a few moments, they silently studied the painting, thinking of all the memories they had of sunrises together. Slowly, after some time, Lithuania leaned over, and kissed Belarus on her forehead and whispered, "Thanks for the painting."

Once again, Belarus locked eyes with him and lightly blushed. She felt her heart flutter inside; she made him happy, and that made her happy... which made her smile at him gently. Indeed, the painting wasn't the only thing that was meant to hang somewhere-that gentle smile looked like it should stay there forever on her face. For days afterwards, the two would often admire the painting that Belarus found at that market, and remember what they had done together. Although neither said it out loud, they both hoped that they could spend more sunrises together... forever.