The day after Mattie's party found me talking rapidly on my cell phone.

"Yes, yes, I know it's short notice…But will you please come? I don't think I can handle Alfred, Gilbert, and Ivan by myself for a whole day."

The only response I got was a rather loud sigh.

"It's at an amusement park. A freaking amusement park, Caleb. I'm sure you'd enjoy it."

"Jesus, Madge," he muttered. I could imagine him rolling his eyes. "And you're the one always complaining about people making plans at short notice."

"No, I complain when people make plans on the day of whatever it is they're planning," I replied. "I'm at least giving you a bit of a heads-up."

"Madge, I don't know…"

"Please? For me?" Okay, normally I don't get like this, but I was desperate. I'd go crazy if I was forced to spend all day with that trio of idiots.

Caleb was silent for a long time. "…Fine, I'll come."

"Great!" I said, grinning even though I knew he couldn't see me. "You mind letting Josh know?"

"Not a problem," he said. "See you then."

"See you," I said before hanging up. I breathed a sigh of relief. Now, at least, I would be at least somewhat calm during the party.

The ride to Sasha's house on the day of the party was uneventful. For once, Bridget didn't complain about the seating arrangement, and we managed to reach Sasha's house without me getting pissed at someone.

When we pulled up, I saw that Audrey and Jenny had arrived just before us. They were standing at the back of a huge van Sasha must have rented to fit all of us and were placing a couple of plastic bags in the trunk. Audrey turned when she heard my car and waved excitedly as we got out of my car.

"Hi, Madge! Hi, Bridge! Hi, Yao!" Bridget said as we walked over with our own bags. She didn't even spare a glance for Mattie.

I just waved a hand in greeting as I walked to the van and placed the plastic bag holding mine and Mattie's gifts into the trunk. Behind me, I could hear Bridget greeting Audrey and Jenny, talking rapidly.

"So I was thinking that I'd find a really scary ride and go on it with Gil," Bridget was saying as I walked back to the group. "Then I'd have a reason to cling on to him!"

I bopped her over the head. "How like you. Now go put that bag in the trunk before Alfred notices us."

Bridget rubbed her head and glared at me reproachfully before walking over to the van with her head held high. After she had put the bag in the trunk and closed it, the six of us walked into Sasha's house.

"'Ellooooooo!" Bridget called when we walked in.

Almost immediately, Alfred was right in front of us. "Bridget! You remember today is my birthday, right? C-can you believe Sasha and Iggy forgot?" he said, chuckling slightly.

"…That was TODAY?" Bridget said, her eyes widening in shock.

Alfred stared at her, looking even more depressed than he had before. "…You, too?" Then he looked at me. "Madge?"

"Uhhh…nope," I said. "Sorry, Alfred." Not that I was really sorry. This was kind of amusing.

"A-Audrey?" he tried.

"Hm…I forgot, too," she replied.

"…Jenny?"

"Actually, I think I…no, wait, that's my other friend…I'm sorry, too. I forgot all about it," she said.

He stared at us in despair for a moment. Then he noticed someone else behind us. "MATTIE! Matthew, you're my brother! You remembered, right?"

"A-actually, I f-forgot all about it," Mattie murmured.

Now, instead of looking upset, Alfred was looking angry. He turned to Yao. "I don't suppose YOU remember?"

"…No, me either, aru," Yao replied, shrugging and smiling. Really, this was all too easy. I mean, his birthday's a freaking national holiday. Did he really think we'd completely forgotten?

Gilbert, Ivan, and Vanya came down stairs to join us. I saw Alfred prepare to ask them the same question, but before he could, Sasha interrupted. "Hey, so, guys, we have to all go visit my aunt. She's only an hour away." Lamest excuse ever, but considering what a moron Alfred is, he'll probably believe it without a problem.

Speaking of Alfred, he had curled up in a ball on the couch. "Have fun," he mumbled. "I'm staying. Could you pick me up some ice cream? And I wouldn't complain if you brought back a cake." Wow, I didn't think he'd take it this badly.

"Get up, dumbass," Sasha said. "You're coming." Whoa. Since when was Sasha assertive? I must be rubbing off on her or something.

"Fine, but I'm sleeping the whole way there." What a child.

We all headed out to the van. Ivan rode up front with Sasha, as usual. Bridget had somehow managed to sit between Gilbert and Alfred, and I was right behind her, sitting between Mattie and Yao. Jenny, Arthur, and Vanya took the seats farthest back.

As I watched, Alfred leaned his head on Bridget's shoulder. Oh, great, now she'll never shut up.

"Meep," Bridget said. Even though I was behind her, I could still tell that she was blushing. Probably grinning like an idiot, too.

I flicked the back of her head. "You're so stupid."

"Just because you have the sexual mentality of a ten-year-old, don't get pissed at me," she replied. "I'm the mature one. Sexually mature, not mentally, of course."

Christ. Ever since Bridget came back, it's seemed as though everyone's been playing a huge game of "Let's see who can pick on Madge the most!" Which, let me tell you, is not fun.

"…I'm the mature one," I muttered, leaning back in my seat.

"I don't think we need to discuss anything sexual when there's a child in the car," Arthur said from behind me. Oh, okay, we'll wait till Sasha leaves, then.

"Okay, Iggy," Jenny replied. "We can talk about sexual things when we're all alone." Okay, am I the only one here not fawning over the Hetalia guys? I mean, seriously, this is getting creepy.

"Big sister Sasha, are we there yet?" Vanya asked. "Are we?" And this is why you don't bring little kids on long car rides.

Ahead of me, I saw Ivan lean over and whisper something to Sasha. What it was, I have no idea. Probably something suitably creepy.

"Big sister, are we there yet?"

It would be a miracle if I didn't seriously injure someone on this trip.

When we finally reached the amusement park, everyone except for Alfred, who was still asleep, piled out of the car. Once we all had the presents, decorations, and cake ready, we walked back over to the side of the car.

Sasha reached out and gently shook Alfred's shoulder. "Alfred, wake up. Get up, sleepyhead!"

Alfred groaned and opened his eyes, still half-asleep. Before he could register what was happening, we all shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"W-wha…? Is this…? IS THIS AN AMUSEMENT PARK?" Alfred said, staring at us in amazement. "DUDE! HAHA! THANK YOU!" He leaped out of the car, crushing Sasha in a huge hug.

"A-Al, you're going to crack my back!" Sasha said, laughing. He let her down.

"Thanks, everyone. You do care," he said, turning to face the rest of us. Just saying now, if he tries to hug me too, I'm punching him in the face.

"I do not care," Ivan said pleasantly. "Just did it for Sasha, da?" Way to ruin the happy mood there.

"WHATEVER!" Audrey yelled. "What are we waiting for?"

We all ran together into the amusement park. We stopped just inside the entrance, looking around and trying to decide on what to do, when Vanya noticed something. "OH!" He tugged on Sasha's pants. "Big sister Sasha, someone, can you win me that bear? Please!" He pointed to a teddy bear holding a sunflower at a nearby game stand.

"Can do, little buddy!" Alfred replied, giving Vanya a thumbs up. He walked over to the booth, which was apparently some kind of "throw balls at things" kind of game. Considering the fact that baseball might as well be the official sport of America, the game was ridiculously easy for him, and he won the bear with no problem. He handed it to Vanya.

"YAY!" Vanya cried, running around us. He was holding the bear up so high, all we could see were his feet. Ivan grabbed him by his overall straps, but Vanya didn't seem to notice, his feet still moving. "The bear is mine, big me!" He hugged the bear tightly to his chest.

"Da, it is," Ivan replied, looking closely at the bear's sunflower. "Alfred, win me one."

"WHAT? Win your OWN, dude! It's my birthday!" Alfred said, looking taken aback. What, so he can get one Russia a bear but not the other? At least he had the sense to give the bear to Vanya.

"Nyet," Ivan said, putting Vanya down and stepping toward Alfred. "You win me one."

"No way!" Before any of us could react, Alfred grabbed Sasha's hand and ran off.

I glanced up at Ivan's face. He was smiling, but there was a hint of malice in his eyes. "Sasha broke her promise."

I looked at the others and shrugged before following Alfred and Sasha. Ivan trailed along behind us, his arms crossed, and everyone unconsciously kept about a foot away from him.

Soon enough we caught up to Sasha and Alfred. But as soon as they saw us, Alfred dragged Sasha off again, this time over to a rollercoaster. The rest of us, excluding Ivan and Vanya, followed.

"Ivan is gonna KILL you," Jenny said when we finally caught up to them, laughing as she got in the second car with Arthur. Audrey and Yao got in the third car, and Bridget and Gilbert took the fourth, leaving the back for me and Mattie.

"He's waiting down at the exit with Vanya," Audrey added, snickering.

"Fuzzballs," Sasha said, and I'm pretty sure I heard her hit her head against the rollercoaster car. Not the smartest thing to do, but whatever.

At that moment, the coaster started to move, slowly climbing up to the highest hill. When we started the descent, I heard Sasha scream, "FUCK IT. IF I'M GOING TO DIE, I'M GOING TO ENJOY THIS!" Her hands shot in the air, and she began screaming as loud as she possibly could. The rest of us included our own laughter and screams throughout the entire ride.

Soon the ride ended, and we started to head down to the exit. As soon we we began walking, Sasha hid behind me. I glanced back at her and snorted. "What the hell are you doing, Sash?"

"Hiding." No shit, Sherlock.

"Obviously! Why behind me?"

"Because you're the only one brave enough to punch him," Sasha admitted. I didn't need to ask who she was referring to. I just grinned at her and held up my hand for a high five, which Sasha returned.

"Damn right I am." I laughed, putting my arm around her shoulders. It was nice, not being mocked for once. "Sash, we haven't had this much fun in forever."

"No, we haven't." She was quiet for a moment. "You know you're still my best friend no matter what, right?"

"Yeah, 'course," I replied, a little confused. Where had this come from all of a sudden? "And you're mine." We grinned at each other.

Okay, now for those of you going, "But what about Caleb?" I have two words for you: Shut up. You can't make me compare Sasha and Caleb. They're both important to me in different ways.

Speaking of Caleb.

"..And by the way…I kinda invited Caleb and Joshua. You don't mind, do you?" I said.

Sasha's smile stayed fixed in place, and she was silent for a few seconds. "No problem, Madge. Thanks for coming and helping me with it and everything, though. I know you don't like Al too much."

I shrugged. "You wanted to throw him a party. He's not…too bad. Of course I'd help, weirdo." I lightly smacked the back of her head, grinning.

Suddenly, Ivan was in front of us, and for once he didn't look happy. "Comrade, you broke your promise."

"I didn't!" Sasha protested, hiding behind me again. "Al pulled me away! There was nothing I could do!"

"You touch her, I'll punch your lights out," I growled.

What I expected to hear next was Ivan's voice, either saying something else or kol-ing again. What I didn't expect to hear was Caleb saying, "Why are you punching a giant's lights out, shrimp?"

I looked over to see Caleb standing there, grinning and holding a present. Joshua stood behind him, also holding a present. Where the hell had they come from? And why the hell is he calling me a shrimp when he's not as tall as Iva – wait, no, scratch that. He's actually about the same height as Ivan, maybe even a little taller.

Really?

"HAHA, DUDES, I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT THANKS FOR THE PRESENTS," Alfred exclaimed, shaking their hands enthusiastically and clearly freaking them out a bit.

"Sorry, guys," I said. "Sasha's units are nutcases." Well, isn't that the understatement of the year.

"I've noticed," Josh replied, eyeing Alfred, who was still shaking his hand, and Ivan, who had started kol-ing. "So, where can we put these?"

"In the arcade," Sasha said. "Madge, do you want to show them, or should I get one of the nation –"

"I'll do it," I said quickly, grabbing their sleeves and walking off. I wasn't about to force them to spend even more time with the units than needed.

"Okay! Meet us at the pirate ship!" Sasha called.

It didn't take us long to reach the arcade. I led Caleb and Joshua over to the table we'd reserved. The rest of the presents were spread out on the table. "Just warning you guys, a few of the units are completely insane," I said as they put their stuff down. "Alfred, Ivan, and Gilbert in particular. The others aren't quite as bad, though."

"Don't worry about it, Madge," Josh replied, straightening up. "It'll keep things exciting!"

"As long as it doesn't drive you insane first," I muttered. Josh just smirked.

Caleb, who'd been looking around the arcade, suddenly pointed at something and grinned. "Look, Madge! It's you!"

I looked to where he was pointing and saw a brown teddy bear dressed up in a ninja outfit sitting on one of the shelves for the prizes. "Haha, very funny. And what are you, the dog with the torn ear?"

He shook his head, smiling. "I'm that giant stuffed dog that no one will ever get because it costs too many tickets."

"Because you're too ridiculous to get," I replied, whacking his arm. "Come on, let's go find the others."

Sasha and the others were just getting off the ride when we arrived. We all rode the pirate ship one more time, then wandered throughout the park, riding pretty much everything. We probably would've kept going, but poor Mattie nearly puked after a really loopy coaster, and we all decided to head back to the arcade and watch Alfred open his presents, which ranged from nice (a camera from Sasha), to normal (a little American flag from Joshua), to just plain stupid (a free pass to "become one with Mother Russia" from Ivan).

After we finished with presents and cake, everyone except for Sasha and Ivan spread out within the arcade. Josh and Alfred in particular seemed to be enjoying themselves. After their rather strange first meeting, they seemed to take to each other quickly, and they were practically inseparable. We could all hear them yelling abuse at each other as they competed for high scores on all of the games.

After about two hours, it was almost time to leave the amusement park. I was playing one last game of pinball, and I was on my last ball when something furry was suddenly shoved in my face. "Ah!" I heard the "game over" sound from the pinball machine and turned furiously to see Caleb. Of course.

"What the hell was that?" I fumed. "You made me lose!"

"Relax, Madge!" he said, laughing. "It's about time to go, anyway. And…andIgotyouthis." He said the last part so quickly that I could barely understand him. I was about to ask him what the hell he was talking about when I finally noticed what he was holding.

"…Are you serious?" In his hands was the very same bear he had pointed out to me a few hours earlier.

He nodded. "I thought you'd like it."

I hesitantly took the bear and stared at it. "…Thanks, I guess."

He grinned at me. "What are you gonna name it?"

"I-I'm not sure," I lied. I did have a name in mind, but I wasn't about to share it.

He shrugged. "Sure. Anyway, we need to get going."

I looked around to see that everyone else had already left the arcade and was waiting for us. When Caleb and I reached the group, it was to find Alfred and Ivan having a heated but quiet argument.

"I won't let you carry her, commie!" Alfred hissed.

Carry? What? I looked over at Ivan to see him holding a sleeping Sasha. Huh. She must've been exhausted to be able to sleep through the racket everyone was making.

Ivan shook his head. "Sasha is my comrade. I will carry her."

"Come on, dude! It's my birthday!" Alfred whined.

"No."

Alfred pouted and crossed his arms but didn't say anything more. Our little group began heading toward the exit, Ivan wearing a pleased little smile on his face.

After about a minute, I heard Ivan whisper something. I glanced over at him to see that he was talking to Sasha, who must have woken up when we started walking.

I was all set to ignore them when I heard a sleepy call of, "Madge!"

"Huh? What, Sasha?" I asked, looking over.

"Sorry for letting Ivan carry me."

She knows me too well. "Al tried to, but Ivan wouldn't let him," I muttered. "But it's fine. This once. He'll kill you, though."

"…Nah," Sasha replied, sighing.

"Go back to sleep, Sash," Audrey said.

"Yeah, you've been working too hard at work," Jenny added.

"Not to mention I know you've been up all hours of the night planning this," Bridget said.

"That was awesome of you, Sash," Gilbert said, walking over to her. "Here." He placed Gilbird, who was fast asleep, on Sasha's stomach.

"You did a good job, big sister!" Vanya said, grinning widely up at Sasha.

"I'll make you some tea and get you to bed when we get home," Arthur said quietly.

"Thanks for letting us come," Caleb added. Um, excuse me, but who invited you again? Oh, yeah, it was me.

"We had fun," Joshua added, grinning yet again. Is he ever not grinning? "We should all hang out more."

I twitched slightly. Yes, yes, this is super. Let's all say nice things to Sasha! She doesn't even have to work for compliments. She just gets them. Now isn't that special.

By the time we reached the exit, Sasha had fallen back asleep. Caleb and Josh had parked on the other side of the lot, so they said good-bye there and turned to leave. Before they left, though, Caleb turned back to me with a wide smile. "Hey, tiny! Make sure you tell me the name of that bear!"

I hugged the bear closer to my chest and glared at him. "Not if you ask me that way!"

He just laughed before waving and heading toward his car with Josh.

Sighing, I turned and followed everyone else to the van. We all got into our seats, and Ivan placed Sasha in the passenger seat and buckled her in before getting in on the driver's side. As he started the van, I glanced down at the bear in my lap. I don't think I'll ever tell Caleb the name I came up with.

After all, there's no way that I'd ever tell anyone that I'd named it Anders.