"Y VOLVER VOLVER VOOOOOLLLLLVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR," Texas yell-sung, before letting out his bestest grito that he practiced in the mirror that morning. He does it a lot. On one hand, Mexico thinks it's adorable that he likes to do it, but it's also not the greatest alarm bell.

"Your yell is fun, but why?" Tito asked, nomming on a fajita.

"Because! Fun! And papá does it when he sings this song," Texas said.

"What's it about?" Tito asked.

"A man begging to go back to someone he loves... don't you understand it?" Texas asked.

"No, your Italian is hard to understand sometimes," Tito said.

"Actually Tito, Texas speaks Spanish," Italy said.

"Ohhhh! That's why sometimes you say things weird!" Tito said. The kids all continued to hang out until it was dark out, and Texas had to say goodbye.

"Come over again all the time ok!!" Texas exclaimed. PJ nodded and gave Texas a hug, and Tito knew he had to one-up him. Tito channeled his inner sea monster and swept Texas off his feet in a biiiiiiiiig hug.

"ACCEPT MY LOVE! TI VOGLIO BENE MIO AMORINO!" Tito exclaimed. Texas was confused, however knowing that Tito was using his happy aggressiveness right now, he laughed and returned the hug. The adults aww'd, and PJ crossed his arms.

"Well played Tito... well played,"

A few weeks later, Texas was having fun cooking with his papá when suddenly his dad lead a man, woman, and teen inside. All of whom he did not know.

"Hello!" Texas exclaimed. The family smiled at him, and he decided that they were good people.

"This is Greenland, Antarctica, and their son Anthony," America said.

"I'm Texas!" Texas exclaimed.

"Nice to meet you! We've heard great things about you!" Antarctica exclaimed.

"Like what?" Texas asked.

"You're adventurous, just like your father," Greenland said, America chuckling. The rest of the night, the adults talked and had fun, while Texas dragged Anthony around and showed him his house.

"And this is my horses April and Angel! They're sweet, do you wanna pet them?" Texas asked.

"Um... yeah," Anthony said. Texas felt that Anthony was a bit standoffish, but he was sure that the teen would be his best friend before long. After all, that's how it was with Puerto Rico.

"Do you like horses?" Texas asked.

"Mhm, they're nice," Anthony said.

"What about bears?" Texas asked.

"I love bears," Anthony said.

"So does my sister! She likes playing with my stuffed bear, Osito," Texas said.

"Aww, that's sweet," Anthony said.

"Do you have friends, Anty?" Texas asked.

"Um... yeah? Well... I mostly just hang out with my cousin Izzy," Anthony said.

"Oh... can I be your friend?" Texas asked.

"Heh... I guess so?" Anthony said. Texas cheered, because new friends are always a great thing to find.

A few weeks later, Mexico was teaching Texas, PJ, and Nekomi how to paint. Texas was just winging it and havin fun; Nekomi was taking Mexicos advice, however used her own style; PJ was very focused, trying to replicate Mexicos art with the same level of mastery and skill.

"How is your art so good but mine is so bad?!" PJ exclaimed in frustration.

"Art takes time to master muchacho, and there's many different kinds of art. Would you like to come over more often? I don't have much to do, I can be your art teacher," Mexico said.

"Really?! Can I?!" PJ exclaimed excitedly.

"Of course! It'll be fun!" Mexico exclaimed. Meanwhile, Nekomi painted a lil dragon on PJs paper.

"HEY!" PJ exclaimed, wanting to throw a punch, but then suddenly remembering what his mother said...

"Please Philip, I know you're a good kid at heart, don't hurt others just because you can... if you really need to defend yourself, it's ok, but if they didn't hurt you physically, try to use your words, and know I'll be there if you need any help...

Don't hurt your friends, please Philip, you're better than this,"

"...that's really pretty," PJ said, studying the dragon. Nekomi smiled.

"Thank you, I like dragons... there's different kinds of them too! I made a wingless one, but there are winged ones too! Those breathe fire, that's why I'm part dragon," Nekomi exclaimed. Texas made note that Nekomi's race is warrior-princess-catgirl-magical-fairy-nymph-siren-angel-witch-dragon who breaths fire.

"That's so cool!! Don't dragons kidnap princesses though?" PJ asked.

"Nuh-uh! They protect them until their husband arrives to take them home!! That's why Holly is my bff," Nekomi said.

"Can I be a dragon too?" PJ asked.

"You don't look too dragonish... Hmm...," Nekomi said.

"How bout a phoenix?" Texas asked, his papá taking away the paintbrush he was trying to eat the paint off of. Can you blame him? It looked so colorful and creamy, like a fancy yogurt.

"What's a phoenix?" PJ asked.

"It's a bird that is birthed from fire! They're super cool and pretty. Mi papá said that when birds die, they become a phoenix! He told me that when my pajarito died," Texas said. Mexico smiled sadly and nodded.

"Oh! I'll be a phoenix then! They sound cool!!!" PJ exclaimed. Nekomi and PJ spent the rest of the afternoon painting their respective animals together. Texas tried joining in, but kinda felt like he was interrupting, so instead he got Cali and the two of them finger-painted in the corner.

"Ok, do you want blue paint, or red?" Texas asked, setting the two paints in front of her. California stared at them in silence, and Texas got confused.

"C'mon sis, pick your favorite," Texas said. California crawled past the paints and into Texas's lap, cuddling against him. He picked her up, confused.

"Brother!" California exclaimed happily. Everyone froze.

"PaaapAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! SHE SAID HER FIRST REAL WORD!!! SHE SAID BROTHER!!!! PAPÁ GET DAD! HURRYYYYYY!!!" Texas exclaimed excitedly. Mexico ran to get America, while the kids all encouraged California to keep saying it. She liked the attention and energy, so she kept saying it.

"Brotherrrr!!!" California called happily, as America walked in the room.

"Dad! Did you hear that? She said brother!" Texas exclaimed. America smiled and kneeled down, hugging his kids close, Mexico joining.

"Cali is growing up fast Tex, and it seems she wants you by her side... be a good brother, ok? I know the two of you are gonna have each other's backs... god, just like me and Maple," America said. Texas smiled and nodded.

"What we're here first words?" Texas asked. America chuckled.

"I don't know... probably 'more food' if I had to guess," America said. They laughed, and continued doing what they were doing, however Texas and his friends were trying to encourage California to say more words.

A few weeks later, there was a knock at the door. Texas opened it, and proceeded to excitedly hug the person on the other side.

"HIII PUERTO RICOOOOOO!" Texas exclaimed.

"How's it goin you little diablito?" PR exclaimed, picking Texas up and squeezing him like a teddy bear. Texas was giggling, having a great time.

"Puerto Rico! How are you?" America exclaimed, joining them outside.

"I'm good! I just heard it's your little man's sixth birthday today!" PR exclaimed, floofing Texas's hair.

"Mhm!" Texas said happily.

"I got you a little something, brat," PR said playfully, holding a small box above Texas's head.

"What is it?! Gimme!!!" Texas exclaimed, trying to grab the box.

"What's the magic word?" PR asked.

"Pleaseeeeeee!!!" Texas exclaimed. PR chuckled and handed him the small box. Texas opened it, and made a loud gasp upon seeing what was inside.

"A sheriff badge!!!" Texas exclaimed. PR smiled and helped Texas pin it on his shirt.

"I heard how being a sheriff was your new passion... soooo I figured I'd get ya this," PR said. Texas gave him another biiiiiiig hug.

"Thank youuuuu!!!!" Texas exclaimed.

"No problem kiddo," PR said. The rest of the day, Texas got a bunch of awesome presents and played a lot of games with friends.

A few weeks later, Texas lost a tooth. He got money, which was cool, but he had a bit of a bad feeling.

"Dad...? I lost another teeth.... And I gotta start school soon... don't I...," Texas said. America sighed and smiled.

"Yeah... it'll be fun though! You'll get to hang out with your friends, learn new things, meet new people... I think you'll enjoy it! You just need to give it a chance," America said. Texas smiled, but America could tell he was still nervous. "What's the matter kiddo?" America asked, sitting Texas down on the couch with him.

"I don't know if I wanna be a adult yet," Texas said.

"Oh hon, you won't be an adult for a while... you'll keep growing and learning, and I'm sure you'll be ready when the time comes... and if you still feel anxious, that's ok... you'll still have me, your papá, your sister, your grandparents, abuelo... we're all here for you. It's normal to worry, and I want you to remember that you're still allowed to enjoy being a kid while you are. We can think about the future when it's here, but for now, let's enjoy what we have, ok?" America said. Texas nodded.

"How'd you feel when you became a adult and not a kid anymore?" Texas asked. America paused for a moment.

"I... I'll be honest, it wasn't easy... I didn't have my father, or brothers, or sister... I eventually had my mom, but... it was hard... and I'd hate for you to got through the same thing... Your papá and I are always here for you... and, if there are some days you'd rather not talk to us, you still have your other family, your friends... Auntie Maple is better at advice, so keep that in mind," America said, making Texas giggle. "... we're all with you, Texas," America said. Texas smiled and gave his dad a hug.

"I love you, Dad," Texas said.

"I love you too hon... now c'mon, get ready... Grandpa ordered a pizza. We're having a movie night at his house to celebrate you going into first grade," America said. Texas smiled and nodded, still a bit anxious for the future, however comfortable knowing his family would be there for him.

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(This is just a sneak peek, but book two will start with Texas being ten)