Maxon POV

America was asleep on my shoulder, her breathing was even and her body relaxed. I can't believe what we just did. America had trusted me so much. Her face of ecstasy would always invade my dreams and I wouldn't mind, I hoped I could see it again but I doubted we'd ever get to see each other alone. I had to think of a plan to keep her; somehow I would make my tyrant of a father allow for her to stay. Time passed but I was never certain how much, I was wondering if we'd be stuck in here the entire two days until it automatically opened, but I was proved wrong as I heard ticking and metal sliding.

The doors pushed to the side revealing a brightly lit hallway. "We've found them." The servants rushed forward but I shushed them, America didn't wake up and so I picked her up ignoring the pain in my back and carried her through the mass around us. The halls had red stains on the floor and debris littered the floor, I stepped over it all and walked to my room. Usually the royal wing didn't get touched because it was so far away and I lucked out, the hall was searched and my room was messy but nothing was torn up to horribly. I shifted her in my arms so that I could pull back the covers and laid her down. She moaned and rolled over onto her stomach bringing my pillow fuller on her face, I sat next to her and watched the fiery red hair engulf her face in flames obscuring it from my view so I pushed it back behind her ear. She shifted and pushed her face into my hand sighing. I smiled and stood back up the leaned down, kissed her, then pulled the blankets up around her. She'd wake up soon but I planned for this to be a very short argument.

Stalking out of my room I locked the door and headed downstairs to the throne room, typically where my father was as we strategized there. Sure enough he was there mulling over a pile of paper work. He looked up at me with cold eyes, "Where were you? You worried your mother. Have you sent away that wretched child?" He didn't care if I was okay just that I had made my mother cry.

"I wasn't able to make it to the main room, I had to wrap up a wound. I'm sorry that it slowed me down, be thankful America got me to a safe room. The rebels entered right behind us, I was nearly taken, the only heir was nearly taken, and if not for that child our reign would have ended. So no I am not sending her away, I have her to thank for my life not you."

"That girl may have helped you but she nearly took apart the country you will rule one day. She is bad for this country. You will get rid of her or make her straighten up." His tone was harsh and loveless. America would have to be perfect, I understood that and I will make her, I will push her.

"I will tell her and make sure she does not screw up again."

He stood from his chair and loomed over me, his face hard and threatening I didn't back down like I used to, I stood tall and strong. I was sick of his beatings and his tyrannical rule. He would no longer hold me down especially when he was trying to take her away from me. He may be king now but I will also be the king.

"She does screw up, even breathing at the wrong time and it will be her under the cane." He stepped back and sat back at his chair knowing that his threat struck me. I turned around and headed back to America. Hopefully she's still asleep.

Walking through my doors I heard crying, it wasn't loud enough to rouse any guards walking the halls but it made my skin crawl. I ran over to America whose shoulders shook with sobs. "America! Are you okay? Look at me please." She didn't turn to face me so I pulled her over to me and slid under the covers with her. I stroked her tangled hair and let her cry, she'd tell me the reason when she cried herself out. So I lay next to her for an hour or so while she cried and finally just hiccupped, all the while rubbing her shoulders, her back, anywhere that I thought might comfort her.

Finally she looked up at me with bloodshot eyes, and salt tracks down her cheeks, "What if I'm…I mean it's possible, isn't it? I'm being sent home, aren't I? I'll be executed." I stared blankly at her as renewed tears flowed down her cheeks, then it dawned on me that she could be pregnant. I pulled her tighter feeling panic rise in my chest.

"Yes, you very well might be pre… with child, but you are not going home. I plan to end The Selection soon and it won't matter if you are. Our wedding is already being planned and it happens fairly quickly so we can just say the honeymoon went really well." The optimism I forced into my voice seemed to soothe her, my grip tightened but I was very aware of her, especially making sure I did not squeeze her abdomen. "I promise you I will not let any harm come to you, especially if you are in fact carrying a royal heir. You'll be fine, but if you are staying you must be a perfect lady, you cannot throw any more stunts, or tantrums, or revenge screams. My father disapproves of me keeping you but I don't care this country needs some backbone to lead it. You have to be perfect though or he will lash out on you. Do you understand that any screw ups even a small one could get you beaten?" I looked into her eyes seeing the fear mixed with horror, and the determination that snuck its way into that mix.

"I will be perfect. I will make up for my stupid reckless behavior." She buried her face in my neck and I could feel her breathing even out and I thought she was asleep, "Maxon, if I am pregnant, then what name would you want?" This must really be bugging her but I had to say I couldn't get the image of a little red headed toddler running around terrorizing the palace.

"I want a girl, Annalise, I like that name." I felt her cheek pull up into a smile. "What would you want?"

"A girl, but I like Rebecca." I chuckled and her face turned up to look at me. I stared for a moment at her puffy face and red cheeks.

"Don't forget any names have to fit well with Princess, and Queen. I think Rebecca will work but you have to think of that." Her smile dropped for a moment then came back full force.

"My god, I will one day have a princess or prince! I don't think I'd ever be allowed out of bed!" She laughed slightly but my serious expression had her pausing. "Are you serious, you'd be that overprotective?"

"Aren't pregnant woman supposed to stay in bed?" I was slightly confused I had always thought that was the norm.

Her laugh filled the room and I couldn't smile at her. "No, god no! Most women are running around until they pop!" An image of a bleeding America filled my mind with terror. I would definitely tie her to the bed. Her hand slapped my chest and brought me back to her, "Pop, as in go into labor! What did you think I'd be lying on the ground like a balloon?" She chuckled letting me know that it wasn't a bad thing to 'pop'. That awful image still flooded through my mind and I prayed she was not pregnant or ever pregnant.

"We have a while until we'll know; we'll be engaged by then, so let's just stop this discussion, until we know for certain." She stayed in my bed for a few more hours but tomorrow approached quickly and she had to leave. She hobbled a bit and I felt bad but she still left so that her maids could prepare her for the day so she wasn't late to breakfast, a wise choice when I remembered my father. He knew he had me in a vice and that he could control her if only through me and the threat of torture. How that girl could still love me I wasn't sure.

Well review I really want to write your next chapter but I hate posting new things when no one reviews on the old! It seems pointless! Thanks for all the great past reviews all though there were only three!