OMFG! You guys are AMAZING! I asked for 15 reviews, and I got 21. 12 reviews! I was FREAKING OUT! Due to me updating so fast, I wasn't able to give you a sneak peek, and I apologize. At least you got a quick update, right?
Kiren (2): lol I do the same thing! I don't sign in for, like, half of the reviews I post.
Going for the win: Ahhhh! You reviewed my story! Twice! I am totally fangirling right now! Thank you!
PEETAMELLARKLOVER123: I'm glad
Fanficforev: Yes, thank you for being the 17th reviewer
LovableL101: I agree. King Clarkson is the worst. Oh, and I would love to talk about horseback riding!
Fantasybookgirl: Thanks!
Nappyninja: Sweet. Thank you!
Meg-sters52: That's actually exactly what I did… lol!
A total of 9 reviews for the last chapter. Wow… I hope this second part lives up to all of your expectations!
P.S. Listen to Hurt by Christina Aguilera as you read this. I find that it makes it a bit more of an interesting read
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The Last Time Part 2The palace was in a frenzy. Guards were detaining all of the staff, locking them in rooms until it was deemed safe to come out. Reporters were crowded around the exterior of the palace, trying to get the scoop on why the palace was suddenly in lockdown. Specialists were coming in, investigating why the queen was in critical condition, bleeding and unconscious. Rumor has it that the former king had done it, and he was currently in the dungeons, waiting to be questioned by the authorities.
The only place that seemed to have an air of peace was the hospital wing, the beeping of the heart monitor being the only sound to be heard. America was lying on a bed, eyes closed with a look of peace on her face. Numerous wires connected her to IVs, medicine, and monitors, assuring her the least amount of pain.
Maxon stood at the side of the bed, staring sadly at his beautiful life, tears running down his cheeks. He had tried so hard to protect her from this, but America had never really been one to make his life easy. She usually blatantly disobeyed him, did the opposite of what he wanted her to do. And that was what he loved about her. "Please, America. I'll never call you my dear again. Just please come back to me." He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Please."
The sound of heels clicking on the marble floors caught his attention, and he turned away from America long enough to see his mother enter the room. Her face was a bit red and her eyes had slight bags under them, barely enough to be noticeable. But Maxon knew his mother, and he saw enough to know that she had been crying.
Seeing her son's tear-streaked face, Amberly held out her arms. Even though he was a good five inches taller than her, Maxon fell into the embrace and buried his face in the crook of her neck. She felt her neck becoming wet, and she held him tighter, wishing that she could just take all his pain away. She hated seeing her kids hurt. "Maxon, I'm so sorry. I-I should have taken the blow, I should have saved her. I should have known-" she was cut off. Maxon pulled away from her, drying his eyes and fixing her with a pointed look. "No, no you shouldn't have. It wouldn't have done me any good to have the two most important people in my life wounded. Besides, you couldn't have known. No one did."
That's when she saw it. The way his eyes left hers, how he stood a bit more rigidly and his mouth twitched. He was lying. "Maxon," she said warningly. "Maxon, I can tell you're lying. Someone knew. Who?" Tears welled up I her eyes as Maxon averted his eyes and stared at the ground. "Oh, Maxon what did he do?" "Nothing. He didn't do anything." Maxon said, unconsciously flexing his back. This move wasn't missed by Amberly, and she choked back her tears as she demanded, "Show me your back." Maxon's eyes widened as he opened his mouth to protest, but gave up once he saw the look in his mother's eyes.
He slowly turned around and took off his shirt, and he cringed once he heard Amberly's stifled sob. He knew what she was seeing. Pairs of thick scars, crossing over one another in an X formation, the newest pair still pink and raw. He felt a hand reach out and touch his back, and then drop as it was used to stifle another sob.
Whirling around, he grabbed his mother in his arms and held her as she cried, leaning against him for support. "How could I not have known? How could I have been so blind and not realize that my son was getting caned by his own father? I'm a horrible mother." "No, you're not. Mother, look at me." He pulled away and looked into her leaking eyes. "I went out of my way to make sure that you didn't know. I didn't want to cause you pain. You're the best mother a child could ask for."
"I agree," came a voice from the other side of the room. "You're loving, caring, sweet and you still make time for your family even when you have a bucket load of work to do. I know of some royals who neglected their children. Oh, and you won the Selection. I know I did too but-" a cough interrupted the little speech. A sound of pain escaped from a certain redhead's lips before she continued. "But I'll never compare to you."
Maxon and Amberly turned around to see a pale-looking America half-sitting in her bed, her face twisted into a half-smile that kind of looked like a grimace. "America!" Maxon ran over to her bedside and put a hand on he chest. "Lie down." She shook her head. "No. It hurts." Maxon looked panicked for a second before he sat on the bed next to his wife and pulled her onto his lap. Her back was off the mattress, but she was still at an angle where she wouldn't overexert herself. "Thanks," she muttered as she closed her eyes. "No, America," Maxon said. "Stay awake, at least until the doctor comes, okay?" Reluctantly, the said redhead opened her eyes and gave a curt nod. \
Maxon looked over at his mother. "Can you go get the doctor?" Amberly nodded, still choked with tears, and swiftly left the room. America looked up at Maxon questioningly, having seen her mother-in-law's tear stained face. "I take it that you told her about your back?" she asked. Maxon nodded. "Yeah. She kind of figured that something had gone on with my father and I. I didn't see any point in hiding it from her any longer." America sighed. "Oh, I feel so bad for her. Seeing me in this state, finding out that her husband is a jackass, and then finding out that he's a jackass that beats his only child must be really hard on her." Maxon smiled at America's description of his father. "Yes, I'm sure it must be."
They stayed in that position, in comfortable silence until the doctor came into the room, followed by Amberly. "Ah! Your Majesty. I see that you are awake. I thought that it would take a bit longer for your body to regenerate itself." America laughed, but winced right after. "Quite honestly doctor, I think it was the pain that woke me up more than anything else." A frown crossed over the doctor's face. "I guess I didn't give you enough medicine. Here, let me fix that." He went over to one of the tubes and took it out of her arm, replacing it with a new one. Almost instantly, America's muscles began to relax.
"There we go. Now, I recommend you get to sleep Your Majesty. You're doing fine, but your body really needs its rest to get better." America nodded. "Thank you, doctor." The doctor bowed. "Your Majesties." Then he walked out of the room. Maxon slowly lifted America off of his lap and kissed her head. "I have to go my love. Ill come and see you when I'm finished with my meetings." America smiled. "Of course my dear." Maxon looked at her, a look of mock-horror on his face. "Did you just say what I think you said?" America giggled. "Yes, yes I did." Maxon laughed. "Oh, America." He gave her one last peck on the lips, kissed his mother on the cheek, and walked out.
Now alone, Amberly walked over to America's side. The redhead smiled at her. "Hey," she said weakly, her words laced with drowsiness. Amberly gave a small laugh. "Hey," she said back. America's smile slowly turned into a frown. "He didn't hurt you, did he? After I passed out, I mean." Amberly shook her head. "You knocked him out, remember?" "Oh yeah…" America smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that." Amberly shook her head disbelievingly. "Why are you apologizing. We would all most probably be in far worse condition if you hadn't." She reached out and brushed a piece of hair from America's forehead. "You saved me. Thank you." America smiled. "Anything for you, mom." "Oh," Amberly whispered, feeling the tears coming again. She leaned over and kissed her daughter's forehead.
America smiled and let her eyes drift shut. She was fast asleep in seconds. Amberly smiled too as she took out a box that she had been hiding and put it on America's bedside. "Sweet dreams, my dear."
The door closed with a soft click.
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So? How was it? Let me know in your reviews. I will update when I reach 25 reviews… can you guys do that for me? Please feel free to give me any suggestions on one-shots that you want to see. I completed the one where Maxon and America have kids, but I don't really like it. Please send me other ideas while I try to fix the chapter so I can keep updating.
Once again, you guys are the best!
Until next time,
HorseGalFangirl9
