A/N: First, let me start by saying that I'm so sorry I didn't hold up my promise. There was some family stuff going on that just consumed my life for this past month. I feel so bad that I left you guys for so long, but I just had some other stuff going on that needed more attention. As an apology for skipping so many weekends, you guys are getting 4 chapters to make up for the missed month plus 1 bonus chapter this week as an "I'm Sorry"/"Thank You For Sticking With Me". I hope you guys don't hate me and that you love this chapter! (I will be back to my regular schedule this weekend as well, so look out for a 6th chapter on Saturday/Sunday)

Also, I have two quotes for this chapter...and prepare because it's about to get real sappy.


From The Elite

"Well, one thing I've thought about is having my dad give me away. You know when he takes your hand and puts it in the hand of the person you marry? That's the only part I've ever really wanted." Embarrassingly enough, it was true.

"But everyone does that," Celeste complained. "That's not even original."

I should have been mad that she called me out, but I merely shrugged. "I want to know that my dad completely approves of my choice on the day it really matters."

"That's nice," Natalie said, sipping her tea and looking out the window.

Queen Amberly laughed lightly. "I certainly hope he approves. No matter who it is." She added the last words quickly, catching herself in the middle of implying that Maxon would be my choice.


From The Elite

"Maxon?" I asked, turning my face toward him.

"Yes darling?"

I smiled at the name. "Why were you talking with my dad?"

Maxon smiled. "He is aware of my intentions. And you should know that he approves wholeheartedly, so long as you're happy. That seemed to be his only stipulation. I assured him that I'd do everything I could to see that you were, and I told him you seemed happy here already."

"I am"

I felt Maxon's chest rise. "Then he and I both have everything we need."


I stand back and admire the Great Room. We've finally finished all the preparations for the Halloween ball and the big night is just two days away. Sylvia, of course, is still in a flurry around the room checking every detail and attempting to find something else she can adjust. I know she'll only be like this for another thirty minutes or so before she's finally satisfied that everything is ready. I turn and notice Brice standing against the wall taking everything in.

"America, it looks so pretty," she said in a breathy voice.

"Isn't it?" I ask, coming up to stand next to her.

"Do I get to go?"

I let out a frustrated sigh. Maxon and I had talked in circles about this very question. We want Brice to be a part of the family and to get the chance to enjoy the good things that come with her parentage, but we also know what the public image would be if her lineage got to the press. In the end, we settled that she couldn't go.

I squat down to her level and pull he closer to me. "Brice, the ball is really just for grown-ups," she starts to pout, but I quickly give her the good news, "but tomorrow everyone is going to dress up and you're going to get to go around and get candy, and we'll have a party just for you, ok?"

A huge grin fills her face at that opportunity and she seems to be pleased enough about that answer.

"Now, why don't you go find Mary? I think she has a few costumes for you to try on." The little girl doesn't need any more prompting; she runs out the door and heads for her room.

She bolts right past Maxon, who attempts to ask what's going on, but she's gone before she can give him an answer. He just shakes his head after Brice, and walks into the Great Room.

"Hello, my dear," he says as he places an affectionate arm around my waist, and leans in for a kiss. "It looks incredible in here," he mentions as he steps away and takes a moment to look around the room.

"Good, I'm glad you like it. I figured it would be good to get everything up earlier so we can have our staff party in here tomorrow night, too. I don't think it will be too messy pf a cleanup before the big night." I had just told Brice that the party would be for her, but really, it's also for the staff. Maxon mentioned that because they didn't get to participate in the formal event, the palace would often host a separate party for the staff to celebrate. We figured this would also provide a good time to let Brice in on some of the fun as well.

I step closer to my adorable husband, and wrap myself in his arms, tight against his chest.

"Do you remember the last Halloween Ball?" he asks, wistfully.

I close my eyes and think back to that night. That memory is tied up in so many emotions that I can't help the tears that spring to my eyes. Before I know it, there is a steady stream falling down my cheeks.

Maxon spins me and [pulls my face against his chest. "Oh, darling, I didn't mean to make you cry.'

I laugh through the tears and wipe them away, "I know, it's just that night is so many different things to me. It's the night I first realized that I could see a future with you; it's the night before Marlee's caning; it's the last night I saw my dad."

Maxon nods as he attempts to wipe the tears from my cheeks. "You know that's the only time I ever got to talk to him?" It makes me so sad that I never got to really know him. I feel like I would have liked him."

I put smile up at him and put my hand on his cheek. "Maxon, he would have loved you. He may have been a rebel, but I think once he heard how I talked about you, he knew that'd you be a great man."

"Your dad was a rebel?" Maxon asks, obviously confused. I realize that I never talked to him about it. When I found out about it there was just so much going on, and by the time things had died down a little bit, it wasn't at the front of my mind anymore.

"Yeah, he was a northern rebel. I only found out after he'd died. I really should have known, though. All those history books he had, and of course, my name. all the pieces finally fit together when I figured it out." Maxon doesn't say anything, so I keep talking, trying to justify it to him. "I don't think he would have supported any violence or anything; I think he just didn't like the caste system, and he was ready for some change, you know?" He's still unresponsive. "Maxon? Hello, earth to Maxon!"

He looks down at me with a weird expression and I'm suddenly regretting giving him this information. He must see my doubt because he smiles once again. "Don't worry, I'm not mad, I'm just putting that information with the conversation we had, and..." he hesitates, recalling the conversation once again, "you're right, all the pieces fit together now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, obviously, I was talking to him with the intention of getting his permission for your hand, but we talked beyond that. He was asking me all these questions about what I thought about your caste and if you'd told me anything about how you'd grown up. At the time, I thought he was just feeling me out to make sure that I was treating you well, but now I realize he was trying to get a sense of my sensibilities." He chuckles and squeezes me a little bit. "Thinking back on it now, I remember how his eyes would flash and light up as we talked about the castes and the things you'd shared with me. It was a lot of the same expressions you have."

We both stand in silence for a little bit.

"Would you have really said 'yes' if I'd proposed that night?" he asks after a while.

"Maxon, I think we've already had this conversation."

"I know, but it just blows me away that it all could have ended that night...all the pain and heartache and fighting; it all could have been avoided."

"I know I would have said 'yes', but I definitely was not as sure of it then as I was the second time you asked. That night I knew I could see a life with you, but it scared me, and I wasn't completely sure of my feelings."

"I don't think I would have been as ready then, either."

I take a step back, and look up at his face. "What? I thought you were in love with me the day you laid eyes on me. I thought you were just waiting for me to catch up to your affection," I say a little teasingly.

He rolls his eyes. "Well, obviously, I was in love with you then, and I was certain of my feelings, but everything that came after that...I wouldn't trade it. Those were probably some of the most heartbreaking moments, but I meant what I said America, my heart is only yours to break. And while the breaking part isn't so great, we always seem to put it back together even better than it was before."

"Wow, you really know what to say to sweep a girl off her feet." As soon as I get the words out, Maxon swiftly picks me up into his arms.

"Well, of course I do, darling. What else would you expect of Prince Charming?"

I laugh, "Alright Prince Charming, why don't you take me upstairs so we can see what ridiculous costume Mary has given that little girl."

Maxon places a kiss on my lips and I melt into it. It's taken a lot for us to get here, and Maxon's right, all the heartbreak has been painful and has produced some very sad memories, but I wouldn't trade them. If anything, they've made me fall more in love with this man than I thought possible. We finally pull away and Maxon sets me down. I take his hand and together we walk upstairs, following the sounds of an excited little voice.


A/N: I hope you guys liked that! This is 1/5 of the chapters this week, so be on the lookout for the next ones. As always, if you have quotes that are your favorites or scenes you want to see, leave me suggestions in the comments. I love reading your reviews, good or bad, and getting the email that there's a new one is the best alert my phone gives me. Love you guys! Keep reading!