Re-Homed (A Chapter from one of my Wattpad Books)
Once Dixie finally got the chance to think, he nearly started screaming. He figures that New Jersey would not appreciate that, seeing as the state was driving through the dark roads of late evening.
"What's wrong, Uncle Dixie?" Virginia asks.
"What was I thinkin'?!" he exclaims, throwing his arms in the air.
"We did all agree wit you, so you're thinking something right," New York comments, typing something on his phone before setting it aside.
"What are you worried about?" Quebec questions in her heavily accented English.
"Alaska," Dixie admits, "she's a youngin and shouldn't be goin' out on monster hunts. I'm afraid she's gonna get hurt. The rest of the states can hold their own, but I worry 'bout her."
"Why don't we go send her to stay with someone else?" New York suggests.
"Like who? Canada is gone, and Aussie has enough goin' on as it is. He just got attacked a few days ago, he can't take nobody else. And I don't trust UK or those damn European Countries as far as I can throw 'em," Dixie replies sullenly. The car goes quiet.
"Well, what about Soviet?" New Jersey offers.
"Are y'all goin' crazy?" Virginia exclaims.
"No. Just...hear me out. You remember West and his stunt during the Cold War? Soviet didn't say a word to the other countries and didn't use any of us against Dad, not even as blackmail. The officials didn't know what had happened or that the states had personifications. There's a reason why Dad still respects him and told us not to hold it against him," New Jersey explains, not taking his eyes off the road. The other passengers go quiet.
"Besides, Russia spoke highly of him, and it would be far enough away to be safer," New Jersey continues, "and doesn't Russia have like 14 siblings or something? They're probably there now, so a large group of adult countries and a late superpower. Sounds pretty safe to me."
"Besides, Hawaii would be going with her. She'll keep an eye on Alaska and keep her outa trouble," New Yorks adds.
"But we haven't known Russia for very long, and the commies could do somethin' to her while she's there," Virginia counters.
"The only reason Russia was here was because of Soviet! Soviet sent him here to help Dad. Besides, it may not be the best option, but it might be the only one we have! Whatever is out here took down Canada, Massachusetts, Russia, Louisiana, and Texas! We shouldn't be taking extra risks right now. It might be better if we have her staying somewhere where she is safe and protected," New Jersey defends.
Virginia opens her mouth to deny his suggestion but closes her mouth a few moments later. Quebec puts a hand on her shoulder in a show of support.
Dixie laughs. Their heads whip toward him in concern, and he wipes the tears off his face. "She did always want a grandfather. What'd she say? A dadooshke?" he asks.
"Дедушка," New York corrects automatically.
"That's what I said," Dixie replies, and New York shoots him a skeptical look.
"I'll send you the phone number," New York suggests, "and you can call him about it."
"Now?" Dixie asks. New York rolls his eyes.
"Yes, I need to know our plans before I start trying to buy plane tickets," New York replies, retrieving his phone, and his fingers fly around the screen.
A few moments later, Dixie's phone buzzes and he lifts it to see a contact number.
"Thanks, kiddo," he says before tapping it. He grows hopeful that this was a feasible plan to keep Alaska out of trouble. Now he just has to make sure it would work.
The phone rang for a few moments before someone picked up.
"Hello?" someone answers. Dixie doesn't recognize the voice and the language sounds vaguely slavic in nature.
"Howdy. This is Dixie with the states. I was wantin' to talk to Soviet," Dixie introduces, wincing at the rushed introduction. He hears someone shout something in unintelegable to him, but the tone gave him the impression the speaker was calling for someone, hopefully, Soviet.
"Give me one moment," the person on the other end mumbles before covering the microphone and shouting again. There is some audible fumbling before the phone is handed off.
"Hello?" Soviet asks.
"Howdy! This is Dixie," Dixie replies enthusiastically.
"Hello. Why are you calling?" Soviet questions.
'Right to the point, okay,' Dixie thinks.
"I was wondering if you would be able to do us Americans a huge favor," Dixie prompts.
"What kind of favor? Aren't you staying together in the main house?" Soviet questions, curious.
"No, we ain't there no more. I'm afraid that the search party is in real danger, and we're rushin' down there as we speak, but we have someone with us that can't stay."
"What are you implying?" Soviet questions.
"Would you be willin' to house Alaska for a while? At least until this is over. I know this is sudden, and trust me, it ain't my first choice, but I'm graspin' at straws. She's too little to fend for herself, and keeping her with us puts her in danger. I just don't want her gettin' hurt."
"...how old is she?"
"She is the human age of 7-ish, right Yorky?" Dixie replies, and New York nods in conformation, "yeah, 7."
"Will she have an escort with her?"
"Yes. Hawaii, the oldest of them states, will be going with her if you're willlin' to house 'em."
"I would like to talk to them before making a decision," Soviet replies.
"Hey Joisey, the others are saying that they need to stop for gas and to swap drivers. Any exits near us?" New York interjects, typing away on his phone.
"It's Jersey, York. And yeah, tell them I'll pull off on Exit 352," New Jersey remarks, moving to the right lane, and the cars behind them follow.
"I'll give them the phone in just a few minutes if ya don't mind the wait," Dixie comments.
"Do what you must," Soviet replies. Dixie puts himself on mute and helps navigate and direct New Yorks directions from the maps.
Once they are stopped and the states step out to stretch their legs, Dixie walks the phone over to Hawaii, who has Alaska attached to her hip.
"Has New York told you about the plan?" Dixie asks.
"Yes. I don't like it, but it will keep Alaska more safe. Will I be able to talk with USSR?" Hawaii replies, sounding apprehensive.
"Yeah. I got him on the phone here," Dixie replies, unmuting the phone and handing the it to Hawaii. Hawaii introduces herself as Alaska's current guardian with America absent. After a few more minutes of talking, she hands the phone down to Alaska, who takes it with shyly.
"Hello?" she says into the phone. She is quiet for a moment until her eyes light up and she gasps dramatically.
"You're Mr. Soviet! You're Mr. Russia's papa, right?" she asks enthusiastically. Dixie assumes that Soviet says yes, because Alaska begins enthusiastically talking into the phone as if he was already family.
"Hi!! I'm Alaska and I'm 61 whole years old! But daddy says that I should say I'm 7 'cuz the humans don't understand how years work. It's so weird! Are you really Mr. Russia's dad? Mr. Russia is very nice. According to Daddy, he's my papa. Does that mean that you are my grandpa?!" Alaska rattles off, bouncing in place with a huge grin on her face. She gasps aloud and exclaims, "I've always wanted a grandpa!"
"Okay 'Laska, darlin'. I think that's enough," Dixie says gently, taking the phone from the child hands and hoping that she hadn't scared away the late superpower on the other side.
"Are y'all still there?" Dixie asks into the phone, hesitent.
"I will house them for as long as you need," Soviet replies, "and I wish to see Alaska in the future after this is over."
Dixie feels a heavy weight being lifted from his back. "Thank you," he says with a sigh of relief.
"She reminds me of Russia when he was young. I would be happy to take care of her and whoever must help escort her here," Soviet offers.
"Oh thank the Lord above," Dixie mutters under his breath before returning the phone to his ear. "That would be amazing. Thank you. When can we send her?" he says.
"As soon as you can. Inform me when they are expected to land so I may be there to escort them to my home," Soviet replies.
"New York will get y'all all set up with the details, but we hope to have them there by the end of the week," Dixie promises.
"Okay, I will see them then. Was there anything else you needed?" Soviet replies.
"Nope, that's it. Thank you again for your help."
"It is not a problem. All I ask in return is that my son is able to come home. Goodbye, Dixie."
"Bye," Dixie says and he hangs up the phone, feeling more accomplished than he had in the past few days. He breaths a long sigh of relief.
"Hey Alaska?" Dixie calls.
"What?" Alaska replies.
"How would you like to stay with Mr. Soviet for a little while with Hawaii?" Dixie suggests.
Alaska gasps and pulls her hands to her mouth. "Really?!" she squeals. Dixie nods, and Alaska hugs him around the leg before jumping into Hawaii's arms.
"YAY!" she cries in victory and throws her hands in the air in excitement.
'She'll be safer there than with us. At least for now,' Dixie thinks, and feels the relief nearly send him to his knees.
Hawaii and Alaska have tickets directly to Russia a few hours later and were to board a plane early the next morning. Dixie pushes down any worries. If anything happens, Hawaii is capable and regardless, they weren't making themselves targets, he assures himself.
The goodbye the next morning is quick. It's a lot faster than what Dixie would've preferred under normal circumstances, but they have a long way to go to get to Colorado and they didn't have time for unnecessary stops.
As soon as the pair disappear behind the automatic doors of the airport doors, they drive on with brief waves of goodbye. Dixie hopes he made the right choice.
