The years passed as nations rose and fell. There were good days more so than the bad for the small little family. Matthew had always been there for Alfred, from the cradleboard to the small toddler he would place in a carrier on his chest. Wars would leave the little one sick and almost unresponsive. Erik was never far away also, content to follow Matthew's lead. The American Continents were always worried for the little one who never grew. Alfred was healthy all things considered, healing slowly from the wounds of the past.
He never attended the meetings as his government didn't know of him or what the personifications were. Arthur and Francis knew that the useless American was alive and that he didn't do his job. Matthew seemed to speak for both of the countries. Antonio, Gilbert, Ivan (Russia), Kiku (Japan), Romano (Southern Italy), and few other nations including Liam (Netherlands/Holland) had met the little nation and were pretty much wrapped around his finger and he didn't know it. The meeting was filled with arguments and stupid antics that tired Matthew out. The only good things happening were that Liam along with the Nordics would come visit the home. If Alfred had known they were coming over, there would be no calming him. He absolutely adored Liam. Erik had invited the Nordics for some family game, forgetting to inform the Nordics about Alfred and that Matthew had been the oldest of the two Vinland brothers and that Alfred was the other one.
Once the meeting ended a bunch of the personifications broke off into groups, exploring the city. Matthew and Erik had their things put away and were speaking with Gilbert, waiting for their guests to wrap up their conversations to give them the address or take them to the house in the minivan they had. Matthew kept looking down at his watch until Erik sighed.
"I'll just ride with the Nordics. Liam is almost done. He'll be fine if you're a few minutes late," Erik reassured Matthew.
"How is he doing? Did his cold clear up?" Gilbert asked, knowing how kids were at a young age.
"Yeah. His fever broke yesterday and he was so tired today that he didn't wake up before we had to leave. I'm sure that Carlos is ready to head home though. We really should head down to the offices to pick up the little tyke. We'll wait for you in the parking lot." Matthew informed Gilbert and Erik as he watched Liam make his way over. Liam quickly joined them before the two left, Erik watching the Nordics and Gilbert trying to figure out what to get Alfred as a gift.
"Mattie! Cuddles?" Alfred giggled, trying to climb up Matthew who was happy to bundle the little one up and place in the special carrier that Alfred seemed to like. Alfred was so happy to see Matthew and Liam that he had run over to them. Carlos was trying to keep up, completely out of breath with the diaper bag over his shoulder. Winnie the Pooh didn't go well with the tacky Hawaiian shirt. Matthew found himself smiling after a horrible day of dealing with a World Summit hosted in Quebec.
"Yes, Alfie. We're going to head to the car now. What do we say to Carlos?" Matthew smiled as Alfred turned to Carlos (Cuba).
"Bye bye Carrot!" Alfred chimed, waving at the Cuban man who had given him a large stuffed animal carrot. Carlos snorted as he handed the diaper bag to Matthew.
"Bye Alfred." Carlos replied, going over to Andrés for the notes to stay up to speed with what happened today. Matthew, Liam, and Alfred walked quickly to the van. It was a large van with 10 seats in total. Alfred pointed at the car and started talking.
"Vroom vroom! I go vroom?" He was smiling. Matthew nodded as he got Alfred strapped into his car seat. Alfred helped to put it on, continuing to make car noises. Matthew made sure that the hat, coat, gloves, boots, and the blankets were arranged correctly before giving Alfred his favorite spill free cup with space ships on it and filled with warm milk that had been heated up a few minutes prior.
Liam sat next to Alfred as the car warmed up and Matthew had to moved some things in the very back of the car. Alfred seemed sleepy, tucked in and warm.
"And what's your new friend's name kiddo?" Liam asked Alfred who had shoved the giant carrot into his face suddenly.
"Mr. Car!" Alfred stated proudly. Liam tried not to laugh.
"Will Floppy your rabbit friend like Mr. Car?" Liam loved the logic of this child.
"Yeah! Floppy hates carrots! Yucky!" Alfred semi-whispered. The little nation yawned as he tried to put his thumb into his mouth. Liam gave the child one of the soothers from the diaper bag. Alfred started using it, quietly playing in the middle seat of the first row of seats behind the driver's seat. Matthew moved to the driver's seat, turning to look back at the two of them. Alfred was quick to fall asleep and Liam moved to the passenger seat. They talked about the last hunting trip they had as they waited. Soon enough, Erik and the other personifications reached the car, loaded their luggage, and loaded up the van. Tino and Berwald were on either side of the car seat, not noticing the sleeping toddler. Matthias and Lucas took the next row. Emil and Erik were in the very back row. Andrés and Carlos ended up in the two remaining seats, needing a lift to the hotel. Five minutes later, they were on their way to the small home that wasn't actually small.