A/N: Are y'all still with me? I hope you are, and that you are still enjoying. As always, what is mine is mine and what isn't is likely Kiera Cass's.

We had been doing well keeping the secret of my pregnancy from everyone but those who were already in the know. I was pleased with how well everyone cooperated with it. Maxon came up with an excuse as to why I wasn't seen as much in the offices as I had been previously. He had told them that I was just working from my room because I was feeling under the weather. Many of the staff and my own family knew I'd been feeling sick—they just thought I had a bad case of the flu.

It was Christmas Eve already, and I could hardly believe it. It felt as though Halloween and Thanksgiving had passed in a blur. I yawned, feeling tired, but I knew I needed to get myself up and moving at least a little bit. I would take dinner with the rest of the family. Looking around the room, I quickly noted that it was Paige that was stationed with me for now. "Paige," I called. "I'm ready to get ready for dinner."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Paige said, getting to her feet. "Shall I go fetch your dinner?"

I shook my head no. "I will be joining the rest of the family for dinner tonight," I said. "I'd like to look presentable, please."

Paige nodded her head. "Dress or slacks?"

I contemplated it for a moment. "Dress or skirt, no slacks," I responded. I heard the door open and I turned, spotting Maxon. "Maxon!" I called, moving toward him. "Can we tell them tonight?" I asked.

Maxon nodded his head. "If that is what you want…"

I nodded confirmation that I wanted to tell them tonight at dinner.

"Very well, love," he said. I knew he didn't mind one way or another.

Paige came over and handed me my outfit and I pulled it on. A beautiful dark blue gown – the shade of a clear night sky – with little white snowflakes around the hem. It was one of my favorites. I sat down and Paige pulled my red hair back into a French braid, before dabbing on a bit of lip gloss and the tiniest bit of eye shadow. I looked more regal than I had in quite some time.

Maxon and I made our way down to dinner, arm in arm, and everyone stood as we entered. I heard Mom gasp, as she placed a hand over her mouth, as if I took her breath away. As we approached out rightful places at the table and sat, Mom and my siblings followed suit, sitting as well. The meal was served and I looked to Maxon, who I noticed shook his head no. I knew instantly that he wanted to wait a bit longer before we announced it. My mouth started watering as soon as I smelled dinner- roast beef with all the fixings, just as I like it—potatoes, carrots, celery, fresh-snapped green beans, and dinner rolls to boot! No one chatted very much as we all ate the amazing meal, and as we got to dessert, I looked to Maxon. As all the servers exited the room, Maxon nodded his head, and I stood, lightly clinking my fork to my glass to draw all eyes to me. Immediately all eyes turned to me.

"Maxon and I wanted to express just how thankful we are for each and every one of you. The support you've been through the recent…" my voice broke. "The recent tragedies…. It's meant more than either one of us can express. With that in mind, we wanted to share some very special, very important news with you all." I stopped, hesitating. I knew they'd be thrilled, but I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed that it would no longer be our little secret. "I'm pregnant… I'm two days shy of ten weeks along."

May screeched. "How long have you known!? How come you are just telling us!?"

I figured that would be May's response. She's always been the one that was overly excited about things.

"We've only known for about two and a half weeks," I said, taking my seat again. "We're going to announce it on a special airing of The Report tomorrow." I was getting more and more excited about sharing the news.

We all dug into our desserts, and Maxon cut in. "We would like you to all join us on The Report when we announce it—dressed formally, similar to how America is dressed now."

Everyone jumped to their feet as we finished dessert and engulfed Maxon and I—embracing us so tightly I felt like I was going to pop out of my dress. After a few moments, I pulled away, tugging gently on Maxon, and everyone let go of us. "Goodnight, make sure your maids have you properly outfitted for The Report tomorrow… We're doing it at noon instead of later in the evening."

Mom, Kenna and May nodded their heads, and I knew Mom would ensure Gerad was properly dressed. "Festive colors!" I called out as Maxon and I made our way up to our room. Once we made it back to the room, Mary – who was now 'on shift' – readied me for bed while Maxon's butler aided him in his private room. I shimmied into a loose, long-sleeved night gown made of lavender colored silk. We left my hair in the braid and I crawled into bed. "Thanks, Mary," I said. "Will you be here the rest of the night?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," she said. "I'll just be over in your room. If you need anything, just call," she added.

"Thank you, and if you get tired, just have another maid come replace you for the night," I told her.

"Thank you, Ma'am," she said. But I knew better. I knew she wouldn't take me up on that unless she were to get sick. I really couldn't wait for morning—I couldn't wait to gift my personal staff with the presents I had gotten them.

The next morning I woke up excited, finding Lucy here to aid me.

"When do you plan to retire, Luc?" I asked.

"Maybe after the baby is born… Aspen really wants me to assist you through this because he doesn't trust anyone else," Lucy responded.

I chucked. "Typical Aspen."

We continued to talk and joke around while I was dressed in a red gown, with a silver cape draped about my shoulders with snowflakes stitched into the train of it. Lucy unbraided my hair and pulled it up into an elegant coil with a few strands of lightly curled hair framing my face. I felt stunning. After a moment I stepped away from Lucy and went into the room I shared with my husband. I rummaged in a drawer for a moment before pulling out a box wrapped in red, silver and gold bows crisscrossed against the package.

"For you, Lucy," I said as I carried the gift into my own room, handing the gift to her.

"Shall I open it now? Or wait until later?" she asked.

"Whenever you'd like." I smiled at her, reassuring her that I truly meant it.

She nodded her head and instantly broke into the gift, as eager to open it as I was to see if she liked it. As she got the box open I saw her eyes light up. Inside was a beautiful new dress, in just her size, with a matching set of jewelry.

"Oh, America!" she gushed, excitedly. "I'd have nowhere to ever wear this!"

I smiled knowingly. Maxon and I were going to be gifting Aspen with a nice get-away for him and Lucy. Neither of them, though knew it. We had planned it all. Their anniversary was coming up, so we were going to throw a small party for them, which was the purpose of the beautiful gown and jewelry, before shipping them off for a two week vacation. I couldn't wait. Aspen had been my first love, there was no denying it… But now? Now I loved him in a way that was completely different; he was family.

"I'm going to head down to breakfast. Be sure to eat something, hmm? Duck down into the kitchens and tell the chef I said to give you the best breakfast he can," I chuckled. "After The Report tonight, when we open gifts, I want you, Paige, Mary and Aspen with us… There's more gifts to open," I said.

I didn't give her a chance to retort. I knew she'd likely not do as I said about the breakfast, but I knew she'd eat, nonetheless. As I arrived to breakfast and sat down to eat, I noticed everyone staring at me. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing, dear," Mom said. "You just look stunning."

I smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

We all chowed down on the various flavors of pancakes—pumpkin, buttermilk, chocolate chip, as well as the bacon and sausages, the eggs…

"Maxon," I said. "Do you remember when I told you that I was only here for the food?"

Maxon broke out in laughter. "How could I forget?"

May tilted her head. "Did you really, Ames?"

"I did!" I chuckled. "It was before I actually tried in The Selection… But, well, I'm glad I stayed for the food—and got something even better out of it," I murmured.

We all finished eating our breakfasts and everyone retreated to their respective rooms. "Don't forget, festive colors! If you need help, let me know. I can send Mary and Paige to assist, as well as come and help myself, if you'd like," I said. We were only a few hours away from the huge announcement to the entire country, and I was feeling anxious.