The house in Havana was actually rather spacious and luxurious. Cuba had arrived this morning (alone, of course, for the time being) to say that she would not be released until the Cuban government had conducted a satisfactory investigation.

The note he handed her under the table, however, read that he was stalling for her until Russia had calmed down. From what else it said, Hungary was currently in the hospital from major wounds and signs of possible torture.

She nodded and allowed herself to be contained, not even pressing the boundaries of the house for the first few days, content to simply stay on the sundeck with the blinds on the roof pulled down.

***

After about a week of solitude, Cuba was back, and he was uneasy.

She didn't say anything about it at first, offering him something to drink and then dishing up some ice cream. (Apparently Nations, even former ones, got quite the luxurious house arrest in Havana).

Finally, he spoke his mind. "Russia is pressuring my government to release you into his custody, and we are holding firm for now on the need for an investigation, but I am afraid our stance will not be able to remain this way forever."

She looked around, her worry obvious, and he spoke. "We only have loyal Cubans in this building now. Although one is actually American."

Madeline raised an eyebrow at that.

"Half Cuban husband. They applied for Cuban citizenship once the wars had stopped. She is very loyal."

"More afraid of Russia than you?"

"That's part of it. The other half is that she worked for your brother, and knew about the Nations. I met her once, and we actually got along quite well."

Madeline had to laugh a little at that. But the conversation grew serious again.

"Madeline, if you are turned over, what should be done about Maria?" Carlos asked.

She paused, and then spoke. "Mexico is still alive, is she not?"

Cuba nodded.

"Would she be willing to raise her?"

He looked at her in surprise. "Madeline, what are you implying?" He asked, a note of concern rising in his voice.

"I doubt I will be allowed to live. If I am killed, I want you and Mexico to raise her until she is old enough to return to Europe on her own."

He stared at her, realizing she was serious. "Canada..."

"She has to be saved." She snapped, and Cuba looked at her. "I want her to live, even if I don't."

Finally Cuba nodded. "I'll protect her then."

"Thank you, Cuba."

He stood, and then stopped. "I will not bring her here, in case my government allows his to intervene. Is there anything you would like me to give her?"

Canada paused, and then nodded. "Allow me some time to write a letter, please, before you leave. Keep it for her until I know whether or not I will survive."

"I will do that."

***

After a month of house arrest, Canada was beginning to feel nauseous.

Constantly.

Every morning she woke up miserable, barely able to keep her food down, and in the evening she devoured everything she could see. She felt dehydrated and gulped down as much water and lemonade as she could.

Cuba, during his visits every three or four days, noticed these changes and finally sent a doctor to see her. She tried to convince him against it, but he did remind her that she was technically in his custody, and that was the end of that conversation.

After a few days of just observing her, as the doctor only spoke Spanish, and Madeline didn't speak any (for the moment at least), he handed her a test.

A pregnancy test.

Madeline used it and stared at the symbol once it had registered her results.

She wanted to scream.

In fact, she did.

***

Cuba was going to release Canada to him.

Russia was furious as they flew to the island nation, and Lithuania knew it. She had bargained, tricked him, and then taken sanctuary in Havana. Russia was calmer than he had been a month ago, but he was still ready to snap and destroy the girl.

When they landed, Cuba greeted them with civil terms and climbed into the car with them. Lithuania kept silent in the driver's seat as the two nations began to speak in rapid Spanish. Their argument was heated, and then suddenly Russia went quiet after a loud exclamation from Cuba.

Lithuania turned at the silence and saw that the color had drained out of Russia's face. Cuba looked at Russia with a glare of accusation, and Lithuania quickly dropped his head again, but now he was listening, and they slipped back into Russian.

"She's what?" Russia finally said after several moments, shock in his voice.

"Pregnant, and with your child." Cuba stated, sounding irritated. "Six weeks along."

Another long silence, and then Russia spoke. "And how do I know this isn't a lie?" He said with an accusation in his voice.

Lithuania was glad that Cuba, despite his pride, was used to receiving this attitude from Russia. Otherwise, that accusation could have led to many problems if Cuba took it as an insult.

"I have ultrasound photos, store-bought pregnancy tests showing positive results, and blood tests for a Madeline Williams AKA the former nation of Canada which all state the same simple fact. She is pregnant. Deny science if you want, but I have the proof."

Russia said nothing for quite a while, and then he finally spoke again. "I would like to see this with my own eyes." He said, as Lithuania made a turn towards the address the Cuban nation had given him.

"The doctor is there with her." Cuba responded, his tone calm once more.

"Good." Russia said, and then they said nothing else.

***

Canada laid down on the exam table, aware of the Russian's eyes on her. She wanted to ask Cuba to get him away from her, but she held it in. You must do this for Maria. For Maria and your unborn child.

The doctor did the exam and once he was done, she was allowed to retire to the bathroom in order to get dressed again. She felt like tearing off layers of skin over her stomach as the Russian had stared at her.

When she returned to the room, completely dressed, Russia looked at her with that uncomfortable violet and spoke in French.

"You will come back to Europe with me and stay there until the child is born, at least."

She said nothing, recognizing an order when she heard one, and Cuba nodded, though he looked like he wanted to argue.

She was released into Russia's custody. He put a hand on her shoulder and she held back an involuntary shake at the touch. Cuba looked at her with sympathy as she was guided away.

Keep my daughter safe. Keep Maria safe. She prayed as they drove back to the airport, and she was put on the plane back to Russia. She wondered if she would live after the birth of her second child.

***

Once Canada and Russia had disappeared into the distance, Cuba drove back to his house. The emptiness of the house where Madeline had only been moments before was too much to bear.

Maria sat outside on the porch swing, looking at him as he approached the front door. Her face was too serious for a girl her age. He sighed, knowing he had to tell her.

"Your mutti had to go away." He finally said.

The girl stood up, holding her bird close. "Will she be back soon?"

Cuba wished he could lie to this child as he had been doing for the past month, but she deserved to know. "No, she won't be back soon."

Maria said nothing, simply looking at her feet and sighing.

"Maria, your mother wanted me to let a friend raise you until she can get back." Maria nodded, looking back up at him. "Her name is Esperanza Hernandez Carriedo Martinez." Cuba continued. "I'll be taking you there tomorrow."

She nodded again and then headed inside towards the guest room where she had been sleeping during her stay. That evening, he found her packing when he came to tell her dinner was ready.

She looked older than she had when Canada arrived. About the age of four, rather than two, but she already acted much older. Such was the fate of nations. Mental age and physical age were determined by arbitrary things that not even China had been ever to explain.

She turned and saw him holding an envelope. She came over and spoke. "If that is for me, may I have it?" He nodded, handing it to her and she opened it up.

Inside was the Iron Cross.

She put it on and tucked the letter into her bag, prepared to meet this new stage in her life wearing Prussia's Iron Cross.

Cuba sighed.

This young and now she's motherless.

***

When they landed in Moscow, Canada followed the two men, and said nothing when Lithuania asked her if she was feeling alright.

This would be her defense from now on. To say nothing was better than to say anything.

Lithuania climbed into the driver's seat, and Russia climbed into the back, motioning for her to join him. She did it knowing she had no choice, and realized there was a dividing wall between the driver's seat and the back.

Russia looked at her and spoke softly. "You are lucky I am a forgiving person, Madeline. Many would not be so kind after what you did."

She let her eyes stare at the floor, not speaking.

"You will have to be punished eventually, but it will not be harsh. After all, this child is a sign that this new nation will survive." He said, leaning in close to her. "Our child will be strong, and I know their nation will endure."

He set a hand on hers and she flinched. He sighed at her physical reaction. "Do not fret. We will grow closer, little Kanata. This child ensures it."

My child, not yours. I will let you have no claim on this child inside me.

Yet, she said nothing, simply breathing as she stared at the floor.

He set a hand on her back, the way a husband would comfort a wife.

She wanted to cry, but she held back the wave of tears that tried to rush forward.

***

Maria looked at the woman in front of her, who examined her with a sharp and curious eye. Cuba had fallen silent.

"So, your madre named you Maria?" The woman finally asked.

"It was vati's middle name." She replied, unsure how she knew that fact. Prussia had always been secretive about his real middle name. Only a few people knew it.

Mexico watched Cuba for a moment, and then switched to Spanish. "If she's the daughter of Canada and Prussia, why is she here with you?"

"Russia took Canada away. She asked me to bring her to you." He replied swiftly, trying not to met her gaze

Mexico looked at him suspiciously. "You still have feelings for her, don't you?"

Cuba said nothing, and Mexico nodded. The silence was an answer enough. "I thought so. I'll take her, but I need you to shut down a cartel for me. They've got people getting into rather high places in the puppet government you left me with, and it's quite annoying."

Cuba nodded, and the young girl looked at Esperanza with curious eyes herself. "Will you teach me that pretty language?"

Esperanza smiled, a different expression coming to her face as she gazed at the child. "Si. That's yes."

Maria smiled herself, a small giggle coming to her lips. "Si!"

***

Months passed, and Canada found her imprisonment in Russia's home boring and menial.

She had always tried to keep herself busy with real work. Paperwork, while it had to be done, was not something which appealed to her for months on end. Neither were handcrafts. Cooking had it's place, but not as her only activity, and Russia had even taken that away. Despite no medical reason to do such, Russia had basically forced her into bedrest.

She watched trees drop their leaves from her window and missed the maples at home. She would go to try and cook dinner and be sent back to her room. She would sweep the floor, and if anyone spotted her, they made her cease. Lithuania gave her a sympathetic look while he did it at least.

It drove her mad. She couldn't even do housework now!

Ukraine tried to be cheerful, but it was hard when Canada refused to respond. Belarus looked ready to murder Canada, and she was so bored she might have appreciated the attempted murder from Belarus if only to show that she wasn't completely helpless.

One day, as Ukraine sat next to Canada, she spoke of Russia.

"He had a human wife once, during the earliest days of Russia. She was active right up until the moment she went into labor. It was more dangerous back then, and he lost them both. He blamed himself. That's why he's trying to keep you in bed."

"Bed rest won't save me from boredom."

Ukraine was startled by Madeline's voice. She had not spoken at all the past few months except for occasional whispers in her sleep. It was surprising to hear her voice.

Then Canada looked at Ukraine. "Do you have any knitting needles? Or scraps of fabric? Handcrafts aren't my favorite, but it's better than nothing."

Ukraine smiled brightly. "I'll be right back."

***

As the weeks passed, Canada soon began to worry often about what would happen to her once her child was born, and one night she just couldn't hold the questions inside any longer.

She walked down the hall to Russia's study, and ignored Latvia's request for her to return to her room and rest. Knocking on the door, she waited, hearing Latvia grow more panicked behind her by the second.

Finally the door opened and Russia stared at her in surprise. She nodded and spoke. "May I speak with you?" It was the first time she had spoken to him since forcing him to allow her to divert to Havana.

He let her in without saying a word, and gestured to the couch. She sat and watched him as he returned to his own chair. He sent Latvia away with a swift motion, and Latvia was smart enough to shut the door behind him.

They sat in silence for several minutes until she finally spoke. "What will happen to me after the child is born?"

Russia paused, surprised by the question, but then he nodded and spoke. "You will stay here at least another six months, and then we will go to your home for a visit. Whether you stay there or return to raise this child with me, it is your choice."

Canada had to pause for a moment before speaking. "I won't be allowed to keep the child with me?" She said, trying to hide the emotion in her voice.

Russia looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Nyet. You have proven that you are willing to disobey commands. If you wish to raise this child, you will have to stay at my side to do so. That is your punishment for your insubordination."

Canada said nothing while she processed this information, all while Russia's eyes watched her body language. She was glad that traces of her invisibility remained. It made her hard to read, even to people who knew her very well, so she knew he was unable to see what she was thinking.

She finally nodded. "Thank you, Russia." She said, standing. "I will consider my options." She turned towards the door to flee.

"мой ангел?" He said, almost at a whisper.

Canada turned. Russia came up to her and took her hands, and then, cradling her face with one of his, kissed her.

"If you stay, you will not regret it." He whispered when he pulled away.

She left his study, and the moment the door had shut behind her, she ran back to her room to scream into the mattress.

Translations

German
Mutti-mom
Vati's-dad's

Spanish
Madre-mother
Si-yes

Russian
Nyet.-No
мой ангел?-My angel?