America slid in the black car and wondered where Maxon was… He had came and spoke to her last night… and until Lucy had woke her … had thought that he had stayed with her last night… Of course him not being there when she woke could have been him needing to get himself ready … or…
The car door opened to a pair of faded jeans and a rumpled tan shirt that someone might wear if going to do some type of work… nothing that a prince should wear… Yet… "Maxon?"
"If we are going to see the people of Illea I don't want to be over dressed…" He said as he slid into the car... His camera clenched in his hand.
"And you're going to take pictures?"
"America… I do not take pictures... I take photographs. The two are completely different."
She rolled her eyes, "So you are going to take photographs of what?"
Now he smiled, "Of my beautiful bride as she speaks to her adoring public."
"I thought you were going to talk to them to."
"I will when I'm not taking some photographs."
"I see… and how much time are we spending in each city?"
"I think a half day to a day. Beside I want to see things besides people."
"You want to see…"
"Besides trips with my father to places that were never in Illea … I have never seen this country… so I want to see it…"
"And take … photographs…"
"Yes and take photographs … how else am I going to know what might work if I have no idea of what a single city actually looks like?"
Well at least he was doing this with an open mind… of course he was acting way to excited about this as well...
The sun was just rising as the plane landed…
America looked out of the window and smiled… "Carolina?"
"Hmm… I guess… As I said I had no idea of where we would be going first."
And the smile on his face said that he was lying… America smiled back… then remembered something… "I thought the… um… Italian King was coming with us?"
"Ah… yes about that…. He is helping my mother … with what exactly I do not know."
"So it's just the two of us?"
"Us and a few guards… The king said the less fan fair the better for everyone."
America got up and pulled Maxon with her, "In that case, let's go show you where I grew up and this evening we can talk to the people."
Two black cars had been waiting for them… America had to hide the smile… after months of wanting to be home… yet wanting not to leave Maxon… she now had both… if only for a day.
Pulling up in front of her house Maxon glanced up… much smaller then what he thought people would live in but then again bigger then what he had been told that a four would own. "Would your family…" the left was left unsaid because America was already at the door knocking.
The door was open slowly then "America!"
In once fleeting moment the door had held just mother and daughter now held America's mom and dad, May and young boy that was instead of fussing over his sister was looking wide eyed at Maxon. He tugged his mother's apron and pointed, "The prince."
Suddenly they were all doing their best curtsey. "Oh gees don't do that everyone will see you. Maxon tell them."
With a laugh he said, "She's right. It's really is not necessary."
"Ames? Um…. Why are you … both… well here?"
"Well if we can go inside I'm sure Maxon would be more than happy to explain."
Once the door was shut behind them May could barely contain herself, "If you're here does that mean we're going with you?"
"Not Yet.." "I don't see why not." America just looked at Maxon… looked because he was not acting like the level headed prince that she had came to know… looked at him because sometime in the last week or two she had became the level headed one. Finally asked, "What about our little trip?"
Maxon shrugged it off, "It will give me time to discuss things with your father."
"I think you need a nap…"
"America…"
"Nap. You have had a bad few days..." Her eyes said I come with me ... now.
"I…"
Not giving him time to protest or her mother time to take sides… America grabbed his hand and led him up stairs to her room… and was thankful that nothing had been changed. Closing the door behind him she gave him a kiss before she did anything else. "Is there anything that you actually wanted to do today besides giving my mom a heart attack?"
Ignoring the question he began to look around. "This was your room?"
"Yes?" now she saw the problem if she left him alone in here he would be poking around amusing himself… and not taking the nap that she decided that he needed.
"I guess I could use a short nap that you so kindly pointed out."
Uh ha. If she said anything to him about not needing one she would be dealing with her mother who would have no problem scolding her for acting as she did… if she left him alone up here he would be going through her closet and under her bed and who knows what else trying to figure her out better. And if she told him not to… it would only make him more curious. "How long is a short nap?"
"I'm sure I'll figure it out. Besides it will give you time to get a hold of whoever it is that can gather the people up so that I can talk to them tonight."
Wonderful. Just wonderful. Very carefully she gave him a soft push so that he landed on her bed. "Have a nice nap."
Watching her leave he couldn't help but laugh. Not a moment later he was looking through the few things that America hadn't brought with her when she had first came… and had a better understanding of how people dressed who were not a one or a two.
America met her mother at the foot of the steps, "I thought I told you to stop getting to arguments with him."
"Relax mom. We argue so much if stopped now he would think something was wrong with me. Besides he did need a short nap."
"Oh the …funeral… we saw some of it…"
"Yes well, as I said he has had a bad few days."
The door opened and Kenna rushed in James right behind her with a baby in his arms. "Oh, May said we had to come right now."
"Kenna!?" America rushed over and hugged her sister.
" Ames, What are you doing here… shouldn't you be getting ready for … I don't know … your wedding?"
Taking a deep breath America let it out slowly, "Why don't we go into the kitchen and I'll explain everything. Oh Mom, do you know how to reach the … um… Mayor?"
In the kitchen a cup of tea was set before America as she started to…try to… explain. "We decides that we had to start a few projects now and then after they are up and running in a few cities we could have a better understanding of how to make them work everywhere else…"
"So… you… both… came here?" Her mother was fanning herself from the shock that the prince was in her home … under her roof… taking a nap… and her daughter who she had hoped to see at the wedding… at the palace was also here acting so… Well America.
"I had thought that we would come here last that way we would go right to the place… it would appear that your future son in law had other plans."
No longer able to hold back the laughter her father had to join in this conversation, "So… any idea what my soon to be son in law … wants to discuss?"
America rolled her eyes, "I do but I think he would word it better."
"I see."
Once again the front door opened only it was one of the guards, "Miss?"
"Hector?"
The guard smiled, "There is a gentleman here… says… he's your brother?"
Wonderful. Just wonderful… and judging from this guards tone her so called brother had already offended him. "If his name is Kota let him in."
A moment later Kota stood in the doorway looking anything then pleased to see her, "Didn't you receive my letter?"
"And hello to you to."
"Really America we will have plenty of time for pleasantries while …we.."
"Who said anything about … you… coming to Angles. The decision about family is left up to me."
"America!"
"No Mom. He has the income to do as he please… and since he didn't give a rats…"
"Do you think I would have what I do if I had to support everyone!?"
Hearing a very heated argument Maxon came down the steps… let his eyes take in everyone and everything. The fact that America's parents were holding her back from the rather large gentleman that the guards were more or less pushing out the door… told him everything that he needed to know. "What the Hell is going on!" He had never used that tone of voice but right now that didn't matter.
"Your majesty." A collective gasp…. Those who had been there when he arrived knew he had been taking a nap… those who hadn't … had not seen him yet.
"America?" His eyes locked on hers… for just a moment he had to remind himself hat she loved him and she would not yell at him in front of people.
A deep breath and she growled, "I would like to introduce my brother… Kota."
"As yes … the one you told me about." He took the last few steps down and reached out his hand. A gesture that looked friendly. The moment the hand was grasped he leaned in and very softly whispered, "You better have a good reason to be yelling at your future Queen."
Kota's eyes widened, "I…"
America went over to Maxon's side… every step radiating with Temper. "I think we should go for a walk."
Giving a pleasant smile Maxon nodded, "Ah yes. A walk would be wonderful. Would you lead the way?"
Once America was out the door Maxon turned to her family, "I trust whatever this is about will be settled before we return."
With a nervous Curtsy her mom spoke, "Of course your majesty."
As the door shut the little boy asked, "Does he always do what America wants?"
Her dad laughed, " I doubt it."
They walked in silence till the house was out of sight. "Would you like to tell me what that was about?"
"Kota thinks he will be going with us back to the palace."
"Ah."
America stopped, "Where is your camera at?"
"Oh I have it… why? Did you see a wonder photo op?"
She pointed over to group of small children all covered in dirt and playing in the street. "Thought you might want to take a photograph of real people."
He smiled and obliged her… since for whatever the reason talking about her brother was not going to him the desired results of this trip. After a few clicks of the camera he asked, "Where are the parents?"
With a shrug she asked, "How much do you really want to know about the citizens?"
"America… I can't help if I'm not made a wear of everything."
She took a deep breath. "See how dirty the cloths are?"
"Yes?"
"And the wholes and lack of shoes despite the chilly temperature?"
"Yes." He was seeing but not yet understanding. "They're either sevens or eights."
And that was a kick in the gut. "And the parents?"
She saw a man selling fruit and bought an apple. Held it up to Maxon so he could see that it wasn't the shinny ones that the place had but one that the kitchen would have either thrown out or taken home themselves… Then very slowly went over to the little group. The boys ran off almost immediately … old enough not to trust anyone who was offering something… a small girl stood there eyeing the apple. "What's your name sweetie?"
She placed her hands behind her back knowing that her dirty hands would soil the lady's dress. "Charlotte."
"It's nice to meet you Charlotte. Can I ask where your parents are?"
Tears started to streak her face, "Mama is with the angles."
America turn back to Maxon making sure he was close enough to hear and to see everything. "Here you go sweetie. You earned this."
Charlotte bit into the apple stopping only to remove a worm that had found a home.
Maxon watched and thought he would be sick. He waited until America was close enough to whisper to before saying, "There was a worm."
"It's all that is available."
"And there is no one to take care of her?"
She shook her head slightly, "If someone takes her in…. that means less food for themselves. It's better to let one starve then a whole family."
She had told him this before… but seeing it… seeing a child … No he was going to do something about this… he had to do something about this… Very calmly he went over to the little girl and knelt down, "hello sweetheart."
"Hello?"
"When was the last time you had some real food?"
She just shrugged.
"How about this… if you walk with my friend and I and show us some things that I can take some pictures of … I make sure you get your tummy full."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up in a way that was fraying on hope and disbelief.
"Yes really."
A boy about a head taller than the girl peaked out from behind one of the buildings, "What are going to do with piglet?"
"Piglet?"
The boy nodded to the little girl, "Her dress was pink when we found her."
"Do you know where the adults meet when there is announcement?"
"I guess."
"Be there tonight."
"Ames?"
She smiled at hem called her a family name, "Yes?"
"I need a phone."
"The post office is this way."
After Charlotte nearly stumbled twice Maxon picked her up despite the fact that he would be wearing at least half of her filth on him.
Entering the post office the teller glanced at America but locked eyes on Maxon, "You can't bring that in here."
He looked down at the little bundle in his arms. "I can't?"
"No you can't. If you don't leave this instance I'll call the guards."
"Sweetheart would mind holding my little friend?"
America tried not to laugh. "Of course." Sleepy little arms wrapped around her neck.
"Out both of you."
"Madam, I think you better look at me for a second… Do I remind you of any one… Perhaps the Prince? And My friend for growing up in this city you should really remember her surely."
"I….I…" Her eyes widened in both shock and fear… "Your majesty?"
"So glad we have that settle. Now Do you have a phone?"
A breath later and it was setting on the counter.
"Maxon?"
"I think I know what the next report will be… And I want to use some of what I see here on it."