America woke up in a cold sweat, yet again. He always did whenever he knew Texas wasn't home. America didn't want to be overprotective of his son, however the past few weeks had been hard on him. Unlike America, Mexico never seemed to be as outwardly anxious about how Texas was, unless he knew the situation was urgent. America didn't hold this against Mexico, because he knew he did care very much, and was simply less paranoid. Sometimes America even felt bad for being so full of fear constantly. However, in this instance, with Texas being in the hospital, he realized that Mexico was just as worried. When America woke up, he saw his husband wasn't even there.

"Mexico...?" America said, the room silent. He went downstairs, and found Mexico sitting at the dinner table, looking out the window to the lake right outside of their house. America sat next to him. "Everything alright?" America asked. Mexico sighed.

"Yeah... I just... was texting your dad... just asking how Texas was... I think he's asleep, he hasn't responded...," Mexico said.

"It is three in the morning," America said. Mexico nodded, taking a deep breath.

"This kid... what are we gonna do?" Mexico said.

"I... I don't know... I hope this taught him to be a bit more careful but... he doesn't seem to really understand how close we were to losing him that day... I'd hate to be overbearing... but maybe we need to ground him?" America said.

"He'd find a way to get himself in trouble, I just know he will... he thinks he's invincible, even though he got hurt... I'm glad he doesn't seem to be emotionally scarred from the fall, or pain... I just wish he learned his lesson and we don't have to worry about this happening again...," Mexico said. America nodded.

"Maybe... Maybe I need to start working from home?" America suggested.

"No, your job is important, and it'd be too difficult from home... maybe I should take Texas with me to my job?" Mexico asked. America chuckled. 

"Your clients wouldn't mind, right?" America asked. 

"As long as I keep him from damaging any properties... ugh... maybe... I should quit and be a househusband," Mexico said.

"But Mex-,"

"It's fine with me, your job covers most of the bills anyways, and I'd much rather spend more time with Texas than try to landscape a rich ladies backyard while simultaneously trying to make it clear that I only accept actual money to pay for my service rather than... 'a good time', for lack of a better term," Mexico said. America chuckled. 

"Speaking of, how did your last project turn out?" America asked. Mexico sighed and shook his head.

"The lady called it off after I turned down going out to get dinner with her to 'discuss the plans for the garden'... I was very subtly playing with my wedding band and saying how I'd rather discuss the plans with her during the day, at the garden, for that was more professional... and that my husband promised to take me out to dinner that night anyway.... After that, she suddenly decided she was no longer interested in my services, and wanted to 'see other landscapers'," Mexico said. America chuckled.

"Good," America said. Mexico smiled and nodded.

"Well... I'll hand things over to Brazil and he can keep up with the landscaping business... I'll stay at home with Texas... at least until he is a bit more responsibly independent," Mexico said. 

"Don't give up on designing though... maybe make some art in your spare time? When was the last time you spent all day in your art room?" America asked, taking Mexico's hand. Mexico smiled forlornly.

"It's fine... There are more important things than my passions-,"

"Mex, you loved art so much... It's alright to spend a bit of the day on something you love, you deserve it! Maybe even teach Texas to paint? You two can make art together! Doesn't that sound fun?" America asked. Mexico smiled and nodded, but America could tell something was bothering him. "What's wrong hon?" America asked.

"Sorry... I just... I don't know... I feel... um...," Mexico said, stumbling over his words.

"It's ok, you can tell me," America said softly, moving his chair right next to Mexico's, and wrapping his arm around him.

"I just... I feel like... I'm not Texas's father... I-I know that I legally am, and that... y'know... it doesn't matter that we used your sperm for the surrogate but... I feel like a fraud... I'm not a good dad... and I know you might not see it but I'm scared one day you'll realize I'm not a good dad or husband and y-you... you would leave... and It's not your fault because I know I don't deserve all of this but I don't want you to leave because... I'm selfish a-and-,"

"Mex, please... You are not selfish, you are not a fraud, and you are an amazing husband, and an amazing father... I-I... I didn't realize you felt this way... hon, I love you so much... I'm so grateful for the patience, appreciation, and love you showed me for so long, and all I want is to show you the same... and as for Texas... I wanted to start a family with you, and we finally have that... Our family... taking care of Texas can be stressful, and having you there always made it so much better. And Texas is a wonderful kid, despite the mess, and I know he isn't directly 'your' child... but he's just as loving, creative, hilarious, and adventurous as you are. He is still our son, ok?... Please, it's ok to talk to me when you feel this way... You hide your emotions sometimes... if you don't want to tell me something, it's ok to talk to someone else you trust, I just want to make it clear that I love you, and want you to know that I know you aren't a fraud. You are my husband, and Texas is our child," America said softly to Mexico, the two of them facing each other. Mexico closed his eyes to keep in his tears. "Love, don't hide those gorgeous eyes... It's ok to cry," America said. Mexico took a deep, shaky breath and opened his eyes, letting his tears fall, and America gently wiped them away. The two smiled at each other, holding each other close.

Suddenly, Mexico's phone rang.

M: Britain?

B: G'morning love, you called?

M: Oh yeah! sorry, I just wanted to check on Texas.

B: he's alright, he just woke up and is as energetic as ever! The nurse says he's good to go home, if you'd like to come pick him up

M: Of course, me and Ame will be there in a bit!

B: Wonderful, hon, are you alright though? You sound horrible

M: I'm just tired... kinda stressed too... he's doing alright though, right?

B: Yes, he's doing great-

T: HIIIIIIIIIIIII PAAAAAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

M: ¡Hola mijo! Estamos en camino para llevarte a casa, ¿de acuerdo?

T: ¡de acuerdo! ¡Te amo, papá!

M: yo también te amo, mi vida

The next day, it was as if nothing happened. Chile, upon hearing Texas's request, immediately got him an eyepatch just like hers.

"Papá? Why does tía Chile look so much like me?" Texas asked.

"Um... Uh... So you see Tex... Uh... Chile is the one who... Um... gave you to us," Mexico said.

"Ohhh! like in a basket?" Texas asked.

"Hm?" Mexico asked.

"A basket! All babies are delivered in baskets! I saw it in a movie, the mamá found a baby in a basket and took it home! So tía Chile must've found the basket and then given it to you and dad!" Texas exclaimed. Mexico chuckled.

"Yeah... Let's go with that," Mexico said. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. 

"I'll get it!" Texas exclaimed, running to the front door. He opened it and gasped excitedly.

"It's Nekomi! Hello Nekomi!" Texas exclaimed. Mexico joined Texas at the door, and found Japan and his daughter, Nekomi.

"Hello Mexico, sorry if we're disrupting anything. Nekomi and Texas met at the park a few days ago but... well, you know what happened...," Japan said.

"I thought you died," Nekomi said.

"I did, but the doctors brought me back!" Texas exclaimed cheerfully. 

"Oh! That's sooo cool!!" Nekomi exclaimed. The two started excitedly chatting about resurrection and doctors, While Japan and Mexico chatted about setting up some playdates.

yayyyy Texas will get lots of friends and have lots of fun :>

oh also I am making like, soooo many drawings of Texas so I will post a chapter soon which will probably just be like a billion drawings of Texas because Texas is my child and I will show you all the pictures I have of him like the proud father I am

Oh and maybe Texas might get a baby sibling sometime, who knows :)