So… I'm back again. Sorry for the late update, I was really busy. I promise I'll try to update quicker, maybe every week? Is that okay? Anyway, here's Chap. 3

Olive20021: Thanks for reviewing on both chapters!

AndreeaJ: Thanks so much. Sorry for the late update.

Mac: Thanks for reviewing! Here's the next part

Guest: Sorry for the late update, but here it is!

Okay, so I don't own the Selection trilogy because if I did, I probably would be working on the Heir right now and not fanfics. Please review, favorite, follow – feel free to PM me with any suggestions! I'll stop talking now and here's Chapter 3 of In My Heart.

Chapter 3:

AMERICA POV:

I sigh as Maxon and I leave the meeting room half an hour later, the advisors and the King and Queen discussing further details about some New Asian bill that I really don't want to know about now.

"Ames, my dear?" Maxon says, putting his hand on my arm. "You're walking really fast. Slow down, the prince can't catch up."

I turn, facing him, and cross my arms over my chest. "I am not your dear, Prince Maxon," I say, smiling. "And I would hardly think that a crown prince who has trained for years could lose to a Five who could barely scrape by."

Just then, Nicoletta dashes by. "Hey, Ames! Meet us in the Women's Room quick – oh and you too, Maxon. We've been planning our afternoon. Don't be late!"

Maxon smiles slightly. "You are not a Five anymore, America," he says. "You're a One now, and you'll always be one."

I sigh. "What about the other Fives?"

Maxon winces. "America, I know you're not happy about the bill but we have to do what's best for everyone."

"Maxon, I know the process is going to take years. I had it planned out when I gave that speech at the Report. I knew that it wouldn't take just a bill for the Twos and Eights to get along as equals. I knew that. But what I don't understand is why your father and Stavros would want to wait until you are King."

Maxon sighs. "That way, not only will we have higher approval ratings, but it is a fresher start. My father has been king for years and will hand down the throne in about . . . what, ten years? When I'm thirty? I don't know, but ten years is no way near enough for the castes to dissolve completely. We'll need jobs, money, and most importantly, time. I promise you will live to see the castes gone, Ames, but you've got to understand this part, okay?" He reaches up with both hands to cup my face.

I smile gingerly. "Okay, Max, I understand." I reach up and give him a gentle kiss and pull away. "Don't you have something to do, Maxon Schreave?"

"I do?" he stares at me. "Oh! Yes, yes, the Italians wanted to see us. Come on Ames," he grabs my hand and pulls me down the hall, skidding to a stop in front of the Women's Room. "Go in and grab Nicoletta. I don't want to withstand her fury of why it took us so long."

I laugh. "And I want to?" He nods and leans firmly against the wall. I shake my head and enter, seeing Celeste and Nicoletta talking while May and Kenna are draped on couches sipping tea with Elise and Kriss. "Hey," I say. Nicoletta bounds up and crosses her arms.

"What on earth took you so long, caro? Was Maxon distracting you? You are so slow, Ames! You'll never live up to the efficiency a queen needs," Nicoletta mockingly shakes her head at me.

"Love you too, Nic," I laugh. "What are you guys planning?"

"Where is your fiancé, Princess?" May asks, sliding off the couch and delicately placing her teacup on the table. "Shouldn't he also be here?"

"He decided to leave me to face Nicoletta's wrath alone," I say. "Where's Mom, Dad, and Gerad?"

"Gerad's still looking forward to a soccer match with Maxon!" May yells that last part so Maxon can hear. I smile at her bobbing red head.

"Yeah, I've heard that before," Celeste smiles.

"Oh, Celeste, how was your date with Mark?" I ask sweetly. Celeste's face flames.

"Mark is completely over the top with her," Nicoletta cuts in. "I'm ninety nine percent sure I'll have Celeste as a sister in about a month!"

"Nicoletta!" Celeste protests, her face as red as my hair.

"Anyway," Nicoletta chirps, ignoring Celeste, "We planned a picnic lunch for all of us. And by that I mean Maxon and the rest of your family, Ames. May, would you go get your parents and brother for us? We'll be out in the garden." May nods and dashes off. I hear her call "Hi!" to Maxon outside.

"Let's go before Maxon becomes too impatient," I say.

Outside, Maxon stands up. "What on earth took you guys so long?" he asks. "You've been in there for fifteen minutes!"

After the picnic, which resulted in Gerad literally kicking Maxon's butt in soccer, we headed in and I departed towards my room. My maids were in there, giggling about something. "Hey, girls," I say, flopping down on the bed.

"Oh, miss, we didn't see you come in!" Anne says, flustered.

"What's so funny?" I ask, yawning.

"Oh, nothing," Lucy blushed. "Just . . . Maxon losing to your ten year old brother in soccer."

I laugh at that. "Believe me, it was much funnier in person. I think that'd make a good Report story: Maxon losing to a ten year old in a sports game."

"Excuse me?" Maxon says, coming in. "I don't find that funny."

"That's okay," I kiss his cheek. "We do."

He smiles. "Your brother is really good, Ames. We could send him off for professional training if you want."

I shake my head. "That would be amazing for him, but he is still so young. I am not responsible for him. You'll have to ask my parents and him."

"Well, he'll say yes." Maxon argues.

"Of course he will. He doesn't understand anything yet. You know, we could start enhancing Gerad's soccer experience by letting him play for an Angeles team."

Maxon smiles. "We'll see. People will recognize him as the brother of the Prince's fiancée."

I shrug. "That doesn't mean they have to treat him differently."

Maxon shakes his head at me. "Anyway, my dear, would you be up for having dinner with me tomorrow? I know you wouldn't today since the picnic lasted till five."

"'Kay," I mumble, burying my head in the blanket. I hear my maids leaving and Maxon sits down, putting his hands on my shoulders and starting to give me a massage. "Mmm," I murmur.

"Feels good?"

"Uh-huh," I groan. "Do we have another meeting tomorrow?"

At this, Maxon's hands leave and I give a whimper of protest. I hear the smile in his voice as he answers, "Now, princess, wouldn't it do you good to remember yourself?"

"Mhmm, but I'm lazy," I grumble.

So anyway, that's chapter three! I know, it's a bit short, but it's just a fluffy little chapter to see how much America's family and friends love her. As always, review, favorite, follow, and PM me with questions or suggestions.

See you next time!

Bookworm4life