This time, we decided to do something different than last time. I need to know whether I finally get to ask for my old clothes, or reuse Jojo's. So, we are doing a public ceremony where Maxon and I will be leading a parade, and the very last float will be colored pink or blue depending on the gender. I can't wait! I would go find out now, but the float is strictly kept in shed out back with heavy guard around it. Fortunately, my maids are tasked with keeping me preoccupied with playing card games, or teaching Jonathan some words, or helping him stand. That's always the favorite part of my maids' day, when they get to excuse themselves to go hang out with Jojo for three hours. I can visibly see their eyes light up with excitement, and almost dim when their time is up.

"I can't believe our little Jojo almost a year old already!" I gushed to Maxon, barely

keeping the excitement out of my voice. Back in Carolina, we never had enough money to have even a small party, so I'm ecstatic that Jojo can have as big of a party as he (or I) want. He hasn't really had the opportunity to meet a lot of babies his age, so the party will mostly be adults.

However, I've been talking to Maxon to try to convince him to either set up a daycare for local children in the castle, or let Jonathan go to a local daycare, with a guard, of course.

"He does get kind of lonely in the castle. I can see it in his eyes. Maxon, Jojo deserves some kids his age to play with."

"Why isn't your company good enough? Plus, he has many friends throughout the working staff. And, while I said that I want peanut butter finger prints on my desk and cries ringing through the halls, I meant our children, not some random Seven from the town." Maxon firmly looks me in the eye.

"First of all, I was a Five, and I'd prefer if you showed a little respect for the castes you never made the time to meet with, and second, while he will have a new playmate in five months, he needs to interact with the people he'll one day govern. The only way you know about the outside world is from what I've told you."

"That's not true, I've seen some of the providences on tour, and-" Maxon starts to rebut, but a wave of my hand stops him short.

"You told me yourself, you have only seen the world from outside of your bedroom window. And even if you have seen some of the providences, all of the people you see wash up really well and stand rigidly because they want to look their best. Trust me, that's how I used to be. But that isn't really how they act. Each number has their own general personality, and the babies, they don't realize that there are these invisible lines, and I hope that they never will. If Jonathan meets them now, he'll understand that there are names and faces and personalities to his people, not just a block of things he has to govern." I start pacing back and forth, emphasizing my points with a stamp of my foot.

"Fine." Maxon exhales a gust of wind, giving in. I begin to smile, but then he stops me with a wave of his hand. "Wait. I'm not done yet. The only way I'm doing this is if we set up a daycare on the first floor. All of the children's parent's backgrounds will be checked from Angeles, and several members from every walk of life will be invited, and we can set up a new care for each child as they turn one. Fair enough?"

"Fair enough." I say with a sigh and a smile, and I hug him gratefully before dashing off to my room to get changed for the parade. My stomach is just beginning to peep out, and everyone's eyes will be trained there.