Hey Readers :) I'm so excited for you to read this chapter. I didn't really explain the whole emperor deal earlier in the story so i reexplained it in this chapter so you have a better understanding. Again i'd like to thank you all for reading and reviewing my story, it's means so much to me :) I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter: 9
The rest of the feast went perfect. Everyone was dancing and having a good time even my family was mingling with the royal families. Thankfully Kenna gave me some pointers to help with the pregnancy symptoms that should be arriving soon. Soon people were starting to head up to their rooms and thanking us for a wonderful night. Nicolette left with a wine glass in hand and laughing about something that didn't even happen. The last guest has just left the ballroom and I see my family walking over to me. "Thanks again for inviting us to the fall feast." Mom says as she gathers me into a hug. May bounces over and hugs me too. "I can't believe that so many people were interviewing me on how excited I am to be a royal aunt. Do you think that you could name the baby May?" I shake my head at my little sister and laugh. Kenna pulls me into a hug. "May, you're already an aunt and we only need one May in this family. Two would cause so much chaos in the palace." Kenna laughs. "Well we defiantly don't need another America; one causes enough mayhem in the country" May comments. We continue talking and laughing and soon my family decides it's time for them to go home. "I'll miss you all. Hopefully you can come back over and we can have lunch sometime." I say as I hug them all one last time. As I watch them leave the ballroom a pair of arms wrap around my waist. "Would you like to go for a walk in the gardens before we go to bed?" Maxon asks as he places a kiss on top of my head. I turn around and face him with a smile on my face. "Of course, but not a long one. I'm am pretty tired from all the dancing." I say as we hold each other's hand and walk out the french doors.
As we walk through the gardens I can't help but notice how beautiful the gardens look in the moonlight. "What are you thinking about?" Maxon asks waving a hand in front of my face. "Oh just how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place with wonderful friends, family and a handsome husband." I say as I kiss him on the lips. "You are pretty lucky, but I think I'm luckier." Maxon says as he leads me over to our bench and sits down. "How are you luckier?" I ask confused. "Well I have a beautiful wife that is the love of my life, who also happens to be carrying our baby that was made by our everlasting love." Maxon says as he places his hands on my stomach. "America, I am so grateful that I chose you all those years ago. You have made me the happiest man alive. I know that the country is falling apart but I can't help but to think that my life is amazing. I can't wait until our baby arrives, so I can hold it, kiss it, and love it more than anything in the world. I want you to know that I will do anything to protect our baby. Not for the country but for our family. So that for one day we can feel like a normal family and not have to worry about anything. America, I love you so much and I can wait to spend the rest of my life loving you and our baby." We are now both in tears and I am speechless. Maxon pulls me into his arms and hugs me as tight as he can. "I love you Maxon, with all my heart." I whisper into his chest. Maxon puts two fingers under my chin and tilts my head up. He looks into my eyes and I can't help but to notice the love and passion in his chocolate brown eyes. Suddenly Maxon places his lips on mine and kisses me with as much passion as he possibly could. We stay like that for a while until I hear a noise come from palace. I jump in fright as Maxon laughs. "Don't worry my dear, it was only the guard making sure we were still here." He whispers in my ear. "I think we should go back in now. I'm tired and we have a meeting tomorrow with the King and Queen of Italy."
We walk up to our room hand in hand. The halls were empty except for the occasion guard and random maid. As we enter the King suite I notice that there is a box sitting on the bed. "Maxon, what is that?" I ask half scared to go near it. "Oh, I forgot about that. It's a present from the Leger family. Aspen brought it back for you when he visited Carolina. He and Lucy gave it to me tonight while you were dancing. Apparently his mother requested that you got it before you gave birth to your baby." Maxon explains as he leads me over to it. "I'll go and get you some night clothes while you open it." I pick up the box and remove the pink ribbon that is wrapped around it. I lift the lid and embrace myself for what's inside. I look in to find a letter on top of a bundle. The letter says:
Dear America,
I want you to know that I'm so happy for you. I loved watching you grow up over the years, from being a young musician to being a mature Queen and role model. You and Maxon have helped this country so much and everyday this country becomes a little bit better for everyone. I feel like you are part of my family even though you didn't marry Aspen like so many of us predicted. I would have loved to have you as a daughter, but I love Lucy as much as I love you. She's a sweet girl and she feels like my daughter. I hope someday that you can have a child just as sweet as you. I'm hopeful that that day will come soon. I suspect that the country will be demanding an heir soon. Anyway I thought I would give you something you could give to your future child. I hope this helps you and your child remember to never forget where you come from. Hopefully I can see you soon and maybe with a child.
Love always, Lena Leger
Tears were falling down my face as I read the letter. I didn't even notice that Maxon has come back in the room with a nightgown and is sitting beside me. "What did she give you?" Maxon asked. I shrug and look into the box and pick up the bundle. I unwrap it carefully. "Oh my god, It's a blanket." I gasp. The blanket has many different pictures on it including a piano, tree-house, easel, music note and a paint brush. I hold the blanket tight and cry. It reminds me of Carolina and my life before the selection. Maxon hugs me tight and asks "My dear why are you crying?" "These are tears of joy, I'm so grateful for her. It's like she knew I was pregnant before I told anyone. It must have taken forever to make this." I cry. "I think it's time to go to bed." We get ready for bed and we are soon curled up next to each other. I lay my head on Maxon's chest as he starts playing with my loose hair. It's not long after that we are both sound asleep.
The morning passes by in a blur. We are woken up early and quickly get ready for the day. We rush through breakfast and meet our guests from Spain in the entrance foyer to say our goodbyes. It seems that guest after guest leaves and it is now lunch. We enter the dining room to find the Italians are the only guests left. We sit down and start eating our lunch quietly. I look up to see Nicolette staring at me with a huge grin on her face. I laugh and put my attention back on my food. I hear a cough and look up to see Nicolette smiling at me and holding back a laugh. I mouth the word 'What' to her. She just shakes her head and mouths 'Your plate'. Now I'm really confused. I look down and see my meal. It's exactly what I wanted; Ham and potatoes with jam on my potatoes. It soon comes to my attention that I never ate jam on my potatoes before. I start laughing myself as Maxon looks over at me to see what's so funny. "I guess the pregnancy cravings are starting to kick in." I say as Nicolette continues laughing and Maxon shakes his head. We continue to eat our meal as Carter walks into the dining hall. He bows and walks over to Maxon and whispers into his ear. Maxon's smile fades and he nods at Carter excusing him. Maxon stands up and addresses the Italians "I'm terribly sorry but I must go to a meeting, I do wish for you all to come to the conference room in an hour to meet with our advisors." Maxon then turns to me. "My dear, I must go to a quick meeting but please come to the meeting with the Italians. Take it easy for the next little while, we had a busy day." Maxon says and leans down to place a kiss on my cheek. "I'll see you later." I say.
After I finish my lunch I start walking around the palace aimlessly. I know Maxon wants me to rest but I have no interest in lying in bed right now. I find myself outside the music room and tempted to go in. Moments later I find myself sitting at the piano playing an old classic. I start singing and I'm soon lost in the music. I keep playing until I hear a knock at the door. I look at the door to see a maid standing there. "I'm sorry your majesty, but the king has requested your presence at the meeting." She whispers. I look at the grandfather clock and notice that the meeting is about to start. "Thank you Sara. I'll be there shortly." I say as I gather up my sheet music.
I enter the meeting room to find all the advisors red in the face and Maxon with his head on the table looking down at his shoes. Thank god the Italians haven't arrived yet. I walk over to Maxon and start rubbing his shoulders. "I think you should all take a break and give us time to talk to the Italians alone before you all come in." I propose hoping to get the advisors to leave. They all stand up and slowly leave the room. I sit down in the seat next to Maxon and lift his head up. His eyes are bloodshot and tears stain his face. "What's wrong?" I whisper as I wipe the tear from his face. "The Emperor called again. He wants a decision soon and we have no way out of giving him our child. America, I don't want to lose our baby. We waited so long for this opportunity to have a family and now it's being taken away from us." Maxon whispers as he gathers me in his arms. We are both crying when the Italians walk in. Nicolette sees us and runs over. "Are you guys okay?" I nod and Maxon stands up and clears his face. "We're glad that you all were able to come. As our allies we were hoping you could help us with a problem we are currently having." Maxon says as we sit down at the table. "We will do all we can to help." The Queen says as her and the King looks at us with concern. "The Emperor of New Asia has requested to end the war between our two countries which is amazing for everyone. But in order for him to sign the peace treaty he has requested that our first born child marries his son or daughter. The only problem is that he wants the child shortly after it's born, leaving us childless once again. Since we have nothing to exchange to save our child we were hoping you might have a solution to our problem." Maxon finishes as Nicolette's tears escape her eyes. The King and Queen both look at us with sympathy. Maxon grabs my hand and kisses it. The Italians have a silent conversation between the three of them while me and Maxon hold our breaths. The silence ends with Nicolette's scream "No, mamma. I won't let you do it. It's not even yours to give away. It's my decision." The queen sighs and stands up to console her daughter. "Mia cara, I know but you're not ready. Technically it's not your decision either. I know she left it for you and Aldo but it's not yours and if the Emperor is willing to accept it than it could benefit everyone." The Queen explains. Me and Maxon are very confused. The two women start speaking in Italian and we are addressed by the King. "I'm sorry if you're confused but here is what we were thinking. A few days ago one of Nicolette's maids had a baby boy. Sadly the mother died shortly after the birth. The maid told Nicolette that if during the baby's life something happened to her than the baby will become Nicolette and Aldo's possession. Right now the baby is being looked after another maid until we figure out if Nicolette and Aldo really want a child this early in their relationship and before they are married. If Nicolette and Aldo agree we could attempt to replace your child with the maid's child. Of course we would tell the Emperor about the change but we explain that this child will help keep the bond between three countries." The King finishes explaining as Nicolette and the Queen finish their conversation. "I agree but I have a plan that will convince the Emperor of the switch." Nicolette announces with a smile on her face. "What would that be?" I ask half scared of her unknown idea. "We tell him that he can be shipped over immediately so he can grow up in New Asia customs. But when we send him, we send over two guards; one to deliver the baby with whoever takes it over and one to stay in to watch over the child to make sure he never plans to attack our countries in the future and make sure he knows where he comes from. I suggest we use a guard that has New Asian heritage to make him look normal." Nicolette explains. I run up and hug her. "That might actually work. I might be able to keep my baby." I cry on her shoulder. We discuss the plan over the next few hours once the advisors arrive. We plan to call the Emperor early in the morning so the Italians can get back home to get the baby ready.
That night I'm lying in the bath reading the pregnancy book in my candlelight ensuite. I hear the door open and look over to see Maxon standing in a robe. "Mind if I join you?" he asks as he closes the door. "Of course." We situate ourselves in the tub so my back is pressed up against his chest. "What are you reading?" Maxon asks as he inspects my book. "I'm reading the chapter about pregnancy cravings. Apparently they should start now and last until the pregnancy ends." I say and Maxon groans. "Does this mean I'm going to have to get you a strawberry tart every night?" Maxon laughs. "I have no clue what food I'll crave but you better get it." "How far along are you?" Maxon asks as he rubs my small bump and places a kiss on my shoulder. "I'm not exactly sure, I'm going to see Dr. Cole soon to have another ultrasound and find out my due date. I want to make sure I can attend Nicolette's wedding on May 1st. I can't miss it, I'm going to be a bridesmaid." I exclaim. I'm more than excited for this wedding. Maxon laughs and continues kissing me as I finish reading my chapter.
We finish our bath and get dressed in our night clothes. I walk into my suite to find a tray of food waiting on the bed with a note.
America,
I thought you might be craving these. I heard from the princess that you're cravings kicked in. I hope you give Maxon a warning on the cravings or else he may be doomed these next few months. I'll see you tomorrow in your study after your important call. We have tons to do these next few days so enjoy your night off.
Love Marlee xo
I laugh at Marlee's note and look down at the tray covered in chocolate covered tarts and fruits. Maxon walks over and starts laughing as he reads the note. "Of course Marlee would want you to warn me. Carter told me that he went through hell trying to satisfy all of her cravings." Maxon laughs as he picks up a tart. We eat the entire tray in a matter of minutes and leave the tray on the couch. We crawl into bed and cuddle up next to each other. "I'm hoping that the Emperor accepts the exchange. It's our only hope to save our baby." I whisper as I protectively wrap my arm around my stomach. "I know. I think he will but who knows. We will find out in the morning and then we can start planning more important things." Maxon smirks as he starts placing kisses on my neck. "And what would those plans be?" I ask blushing as the kisses move from my neck to my collarbone and even lower. "Nursery, Christmas, Halloween, names, etc." he says between kisses. "I think we can wait a while before the nursery and names but Halloween and Christmas sounds good to me." I say as I lift Maxon's head and start kissing him passionately. Things get heated quickly but we are stopped when a knock comes to the door. Maxon sighs and leaves the bed to answer the door. I hear mumbled voices coming from the hallway. Maxon closes the door again and makes his way back to the bed. "Who was it and what did they want." Maxon sighs and climbs in bed. "Well it was Aspen telling me that the Emperor wants us to call him around 6 am. That means that it is now 11pm and we have to be up at 5am, maybe earlier, in order to be ready in time." Maxon explains as he cuddles back up to me. "Why can't we take the call in bed?" I ask between a yawn. "Because my dear, the Italians are going to be taking the call with us in the conference room. And I think that you should go to sleep now." Maxon whispers. Surprisingly It doesn't take me long to fall asleep to the sound of Maxon's heartbeat.
So i hope you guys liked this chapter :) I hope to update again soon but of course school takes up a lot of time. So keep reviewing, favouriting, reading and following. If you guys have input for the story don't be afraid to tell me. I love hearing you're guys ideas :) Until next time
-SelectionGirl0723
