America's POV

"Deep breaths, America," Marlee coached. "That's it. Breathe in. Breathe out. You'll be fine. You look absolutely stunning."

Despite Marlee's calming words, I couldn't seem to get my hands to stop shaking. "What if I trip while I'm walking down the aisle? What if Maxon changes his mind about me? What if the rings get lost?"

At that, my sister May spoke up. "First, you won't trip while you're walking down the aisle because Aspen will be walking with you, and we all know that that man has a grip of steel." She was right; he did. "Second, Maxon would never change his mind about you. Ever. Anyone with eyes can see that he's completely and totally whipped." I, along with the rest of my bridal party, couldn't help but laugh. It did wonders for my nerves. "Third, where's the trust, dear sister? I'll be the best ring bearer there ever was!"

I sighed. May was right. I had nothing to be worried about. There were no doubts in my mind that Maxon was it for me, but with all the guests watching and the cameras and the coronation immediately after...I guess I was just a little bit overwhelmed.

"America," my mother said. She walked over and grasped both of my hands. "Your father would be so proud of you right now. If he could be here with us today..."

"I know, Mom, I know," was all I said as I crushed her into a hug. Without knowing it, a few tears escaped my eyes. Obviously, Lucy and Mary weren't having any of that.

"Miss America, you'll ruin your makeup!" they chorused. I found it endearing how they still called me "Miss" or "Lady" even after we had gotten so close these past few months. Soon, they'd be calling me "Queen."

"Don't worry, girls, I wouldn't dare go back on all of that hard work you spent making me pretty," I teased.

Before Lucy and Mary could respond, Aspen knocked on the door, opened it, and peeked his head through. His eyes instantly found Lucy's, and I felt like we were all intruding on a private moment between the two as they simply stared at each other and smiled.

Moments passed. May cleared her throat. "So, is it show time?" she asked Aspen.

"Indeed it is. My Queen," he replied, extending his arm to me. I stood up, checked my hair and makeup in the mirror one last time, and gratefully held onto his arm.

"I'm not your Queen yet, Aspen," I said.

"But you will be shortly," he retorted.

I couldn't argue with that.


"Alright, everyone. Lady Georgia and Sir August will walk in first, followed by Lady May and Sir Gerad, then Lady Kenna and Sir James, Lady Marlee and Officer Woodwork, and finally Officer Leger and Lady America. Any questions?" Silvia asked. After a brief silence, she murmured her approval and directed the first of us in, just as the music started playing.

"How nervous are you? On a scale of one to ten?" Aspen whispered down to me. I smiled. He still knew me so well. After Maxon found out about what we did during the Selection, I was worried that I had lost the both of them for good. Surprisingly, now Aspen was one of my soon-to-be husband's best friends, and mine as well.

"Nine," I replied. The butterflies in my stomach were relentless. They just wouldn't settle down. Still, as long as Maxon was waiting there for me at the altar, all would be well.

"Lady America, it's your turn," Silvia said. The butterflies increased tenfold. My grip on Aspen's arm tightened.

"Ready?" he asked. I nodded. I couldn't speak; there was already an enormous lump in my throat. The doors opened.

And there he was.

Just minutes before in my bridal suite, I was worried sick about the cameras and the people and the overall lack of privacy. Of course, there were still bright flashes aimed at me from all directions. There were still hundreds of people sitting in the crowd, most of whom I didn't recognize. But all of that faded away until it felt like it was just Maxon and I in the room, in the whole entire universe even. Suddenly, I couldn't get to him fast enough, and I was seriously questioning my decision to wear heels. If I could've, I would've run down that aisle and collapsed straight into Maxon's arms.

An eternity later, we finally arrived at the altar. Maxon's giddy smile matched my own. I hardly noticed as Aspen lifted my hand away from him until it was placed into Maxon's open palm. I was lost in those eyes, those warm, chocolatey brown eyes that I loved so much. They conveyed to me every emotion, every thought, every feeling that Maxon was having right now. I couldn't be happier.

Honestly, I can't recall much of the ceremony itself. We remained in our own world until it was time for us to present our vows.

"My America," Maxon started. This wasn't good. He had barely gotten two words out and already I could feel the wetness on my cheeks. Maxon lovingly wiped them away and continued. "I will never forget our first meeting." I laughed. Neither will I. "The minute I saw you, I was already breaking so many rules. I wasn't supposed to see any of the Selected girls until the next day, but I didn't care. Something about you drew me in, and has kept me hooked ever since. I know being together hasn't been easy. But I'm so glad we both decided to fight for true love when we saw it, because if we hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here right now with the most beautiful, caring, loving, strong, inspiring, tenacious, intelligent, and stubborn woman I have ever met." A few chuckles arose from the crowd. I urged Maxon to go on with my eyes. "My America, I know I've asked for a lot." His eyes look pained. "I know we've had our rough patches. I'm deeply sorry about that. Nevertheless, you have quickly become my rock, my anchor, and the person that I turn to the most in just a few months' time. I wouldn't and couldn't have been satisfied with anyone else. I promise to show you every day for as long as I live just how much you mean to me. Not a day will pass by where you don't feel loved and cared for. I will never take you for granted. I would die for you. I would do anything for you, and I'm so thankful that it's you I'm celebrating the first day of the rest of my life with. I love you to the moon and back, my dear."

I giggled and hiccuped through my tears as I brought Maxon's hand up to my lips and kissed his knuckles. I didn't even mind that he had called me "my dear." For today, I would let the nickname slide. Now it was my turn.

"My Maxon," I started. "I've never been good with words or with expressing my feelings aloud, as I'm sure you're well aware of." There was a knowing glint behind Maxon's eyes. "Still, as I was writing my vows, I surprised myself by just how much I wanted to write and get down on the paper. Sometimes you don't realize this, Maxon, but you are the epitome of all things good. You bring me strawberry tarts and jeans and you treat me with so much more kindness than I deserve. You wiggled your way into my heart, and there you will stay all day, every day for the rest of my life. I feel so blessed that I am able to call you mine, because I know that the journey leading up to this point was rocky and, at times, it seemed impossible. I can't wait to laugh with you, start a family with you, and love you will all of my being and soul. I can't imagine my life without you anymore." Did I see tears forming in the corners of Maxon's eyes? "I believed that I was happy before I met you. I thought that I had everything I needed and wanted. I was wrong. My home is now wherever you are, and I don't think I could have placed it in better hands. I have faith that you will be the best husband, friend, lover, and king that I and this country have ever asked for."

When I was finished, Maxon mouthed the words "I love you." I'm sure my face was splotchy and red, but in that moment, I had never felt so beautiful. I felt infinite. I felt complete.

The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur. I got Maxon a simple gold wedding band. He got me a gold ring as well, but atop of it rested the most radiant ruby that I had ever seen. After exchanging rings, every fiber of my being was itching to move and kiss him, but I would have to wait for a moment longer. The air felt charged and electric. Intimate.

Finally, finally...

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Thunderous cheers and applause erupted from the audience. I'd be willing to bet that half of that noise came from our close circle of friends and family alone. None of that mattered to me right now, though. Here in Maxon's arms, with his lips pressed against mine and our breaths, our bodies, molding into one, all sound was drowned out. I couldn't tell where I began and where he ended. I loved it. I loved him.


Author's Note: First chapter is up! I hope you guys enjoy. I can't promise I'll have a set updating schedule but I'll try to post as often as I can.