(I just want to put a little author's note here, describing a pregnancy using the male pronouns was really weird to write, it felt wrong in many ways, I'll never get used to it.)

It had been a few months since the Mandarian family found out that they would be getting a new member, and everyone was very excited, including the man who would bring the new child into the world.  MA was given nothing but love and support from his friends and family, and when the news of his pregnancy inevitably reached the press, the support grew exponentially, especially from the winged community.  With how rare it was to be born with wings, everyone was excited that the skies would be getting a new pair, and MA was so glad that his child would be welcomed so warmly.

One night, a good week before his due date, MA was lying in bed trying to get some sleep, it was nearly two o'clock in the morning and he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep, like something was nagging at him to stay awake.  He wasn't the only one who was restless, his dog Tank was pacing the floor near his bed, constantly whimpering and tugging on the sheets, but MA was too tired to pay attention. On the other hand, his brother was sleeping surprisingly well for once, no night terrors interrupted his or his husband's dreams, all was well for them. 

Suddenly, a loud alarm startled the couple awake, making them panic initially from thinking they were under attack by something.  Once Mandara woke up a little bit more, he realized it came from his phone, and when he turned it on he nearly dropped it.  It was the alarm that he and his brother set up, that if MA went into labor he would alert his brother that it was time, but what worried Mandara was how early it was.

The country jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room, calling to Poland to get the overnight bag. It took everything he had not to start panicking like he did during Poldara's birth, which was only made worse by the complications that could have cost the child and father their lives, Mandara prayed that his brother would not face such complications.  Slowly but surely, he and Poland got MA to the van and he made his way to the hospital, his husband staying behind to watch Poldara and call their friends.

Hours had passed since MA went into labor, Poland, Poldara, the three Slavic siblings, and the three soldiers had all arrived to support MA and welcome his child to the world.  Since no one wanted the other father to even know about the birth, much less be there for it, Mandara was the one that was allowed into the delivery room, everyone else had to wait in the waiting room.

"How much longer, Papa," Poldara asked tiredly, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"We still don't know, honey, it's very hard and tiring to have a baby," Poland told him, "well see your Uncle MA soon, then you can meet your new baby cousin."

"I still can't believe that MA's gonna be a father," Kazakhstan said in excitement, "he's going to be great, I wonder what he's gonna name her?"

"I wonder what she's going to look like," Russia stated, "is she going to look Mandarian, or something else?"

"It doesn't matter what she looks like, all that matters is that she's MA's, not anyone else's," Belarus reminded him, "you need to lighten up about this, Rus, a new life is coming into this world, this is supposed to be a happy time, not at time for you to be leaning against the wall and brooding.  Don't bring that negativity with you when we see them."

"I'll bring my damn negativity if you bring that fucking "gift" from Ukraine," Russia spat, pointing to a pink gift box in his sister's lap, "I can't believe you didn't throw it away the moment it was sent to you."

"I told you what was in it, how do you expect me to toss something so thoughtful, not to mention the letter that came with it," Bel defended, "I'll give it to MA and we'll let him decide what he wants to do with it, end of discussion."

The universe also decided it was the end of the discussion, as a doctor came in to tell everyone how MA was doing.  She said that the birth went without issue and that father and baby were doing fine, and that they were welcome to go see them now.  The group filed in one by one, Poland made sure he and Poldara were last so he would be calm around the baby.

Mandara was sitting next to MA's bed, and in the militant's arms was the smallest bundle of joy any of them have ever seen.  She indeed was a mix of Mandarian and Ukrainian flags, with the black hoist, shield, and four stars of the Mandarian flag, and the color pallet and second and fourth quarter of the Ukrainian flag.  MA had tears in his eyes, they were from both the pain of giving birth for the first time, but also because of the overwhelming joy he felt.

"Hey there buddy, congratulations," Russia said softly, his grumpiness fading away at the sight of his friend, "how are you doing?"

"It still hurts, but the doctors said the pain will go away in a few more hours," MA mumbled tiredly, "they said that even though she was early, she is in good health and there were no complications, she's just a little bit small," he smiled and looked down at his new child, "she's perfect, even with Ukraine's colors I couldn't have asked for better, I'm just so happy."

"Can I see her now," Poldara asked from behind the adults, who chuckled at his impatience.

"Yes you can, just be quiet, she's sleeping," MA told him.

Poldara shyly came up to the bedside to see his new cousin, his eyes lit up and a bright smile spread from ear to ear.  He held his hand out to the baby, smiling brighter when she reflexively grabbed his finger, the whole scene warmed the hearts of everyone there.

"You sure are a blessed man, General," Jacob Mars smiled, "anyone who's been through what you have dreams of such a happy ending."

"Nah mate, this isn't the end, just the start of a new chapter," Grant corrected, "and one we all will be by your side through, no matter what."

"Thanks guys, this means so much to me," MA said, "I couldn't have asked for any better friends."

The group hung out there for a few more minutes before leaving to let MA rest, though Belarus hung back to give him the present, but when he heard who it was from he was initially hesitant.

"I promise that it's nothing harmful, this isn't even the original wrapping paper since I opened it to check," she reassured him, "you don't have to keep it, just open it and read the letter, it'll shock you."

MA hummed in suspicion, but his curiosity got the better of him and he had Bel open it, there was a baby blanket and a well-worn plush bunny.  Belarus read the letter, it was mostly just an obnoxiously long apology letter explaining how in-the-wrong Ukraine was, and how he wouldn't try to hurt or take away the new baby.  It told how the two items once belonged to the Slavic country when he was little, and figured that even though he wouldn't be allowed to see his daughter, at least she could have something of him.  The letter ended with him saying that he would pay all the child support necessary, and that he wished MA a happy life, it all made MA feel mixed emotions, but led him to decide to let his daughter keep the items.

"So, what are you gonna call her," Bel then asked, "I never did get to hear what you decided."

MA smiled and held his daughter tighter, "I'm gonna call her Stella, my little star to light up the darkness."

Bel smiled too and gently hugged the militant, "it's perfect for her, welcome to the world, Stella, your father is gonna take great care of you, and you'll have the best life anyone could ask for."

MA chuckled at this, she was right, his daughter was going to have the best life possible, he would make sure of it, and she will be in his heart, now and forever more.