Hey readers. So i'm finally back with a new chapter. I'm sorry it took so long but exams and school literally took over my life the past month. I just want to say that i am writing a sequel to the story. Also i decided to skip several weeks in the story because i have a plan for the story but it takes place later in time. I'd also like to thank all of you for reading and reviewing my story. You guys are all great and seriously i can't thank you enough. I hope you guys like this chapter.

Chapter 21:

"Maxon, please stop. I need to sleep." I groan trying to escape his shower of kisses. I was peacefully sleeping for the first time this week when I started to feel kisses on my shoulder and neck. The kisses continue until I open my eyes and sit up. "Maxon, I am 30 weeks pregnant and I'm lucky to get an hour of sleep. Why do you have to wake me up so early?" I scold. I glance at the clock beside the bed, 6:34. I look down at Maxon, whose still lying in bed with a smirk on his face. "America, do you remember what day it is?" Maxon smirks as he stretches. I smile at the sight of Maxon's fit body. Working out with the guards once a week was the only thing keeping him from getting as big as me. "No, what's today?" I watch Maxon sit up beside me and he places a chaste kiss on my cheek. "It's February 14th, also known as the day I get to spoil you." I laugh and shake my head. "Well I doubt this year will be as scandalous as last year." I mutter, lying back down on my bed. I glance at Maxon's face as he remembers this day last year.

It started with Maxon cancelling all meetings for the day and demanding that no one bothered us. At this point we were almost married for a year and we've been trying to conceive a child for about a month. Maxon was getting tired of not being able to have time to try due to countless meetings; so he thought Valentine's Day was the perfect excuse to stay with me all day. Mary never came upstairs all day and we never heard from the advisors or Silvia. Marlee and Carter took Kile to visit her family in Kent for the week and Lucy and Aspen were on a short honeymoon, so the palace was pretty much empty. Maxon got me chocolates and a necklace for a present but I topped his present with the new red lace lingerie that Marlee gave me to wear. We spent majority of the day in bed only leaving for the occasional bathroom break or to eat. I'm still surprised the heir wasn't conceived that day. It was conceived much later after a mid-summer picnic in the gardens.

Maxon moves to hover over me and my ever growing stomach. I lift my head up and kiss my sexy husband. The kiss intensifies within seconds. "Maxon…" I whisper as he places his hands on my hips. "Hmmm?" he mumbles as he attacks my neck with his lips. "I need you." I moan as he kisses my sweet spot. Maxon stops kissing me and sighs. "I know my dearest but we shouldn't." He replies running his hand through my hair. "Why not?" I demand, angry that my husband won't please me on Valentine's Day. "Well I was reading the pregnancy book last night and it said that sometimes sex can lead to labour." He responds moving to lie beside me. I turn to face him and pout. "Would you stop idolizing that book? That won't happen this early; we still have a few weeks before we have to worry about that." I mutter. Maxon laughs and places his hands on my stomach. "I know Ames but let's just wait a few more weeks until the baby is born." He reasons. I sigh loudly and roll over to my other side, making sure my back is to him. "I thought you were spoiling me today." I mutter. "America." I hear him sigh and he moves closer to me. He wraps his arms around my and places a kiss on my cheek. "I never meant to upset you. I was just restating what you've been saying lately. I am going to spoil you but in different ways. I love you America." "I love you too." I reply as I snuggle closer to him. "Let's go back to sleep before the baby starts to kick and we lose the opportunity." I suggest. Maxon nods his head and curls up into the blankets. I attempt to hold back a yawn. "Don't you have meetings?" I ask. "Nope I cancelled them all for the day. I also gave Mary and Paige the day off to relax." Maxon replies, placing a kiss on my shoulder. I relax against Maxon's warm body and quickly fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

I wake up to a soft cool wind against my back. I open my eyes to see the window opened and a soft breeze blowing into the room. I look on the other side of the bed to see Maxon's gone and a note on the pillow.

Good Morning Love,

I'm sorry that I had to leave but the King was hungry and I had to make sure breakfast was ready. I'll be back for breakfast with the Queen and the Heir momentarily. Please feel free to stay in bed until I return.

Love, the King

I laugh and shake my head at his quirkiness, tossing the note to the end of the bed. I stretch and listen to the sound of birds chirping outside. I glance at the clock, 9:47. I sit up and considering getting a quick shower before the King returned. 'To shower or not to shower. That is the question.' I ponder as I stand up from the bed and search for my slippers. I have no luck finding them so I waddle my way to the bathroom to get a quick shower. I'm only in the shower for what seems like a few minutes when I hear someone screaming in the bedroom. "What is going on?" I mutter. I'm about to turn off the water when the door to the bathroom flies open and I hear footsteps across the marble floor. "America?" Maxon calls out. I turn off the water and pull back the curtain enough for him to see my head. "What is your problem?" I demand. "I could hear your yelling over the water." Maxon sighs and leans up against the vanity. "I'm sorry love, it was just a misunderstanding." He attempts a smile but I can tell something is up. I motion for him to hand me my robe as I leave the warm shower. He quickly hands me the robe and I struggle to get it to tie properly over my stomach. "What's going on?" I question as I attempt to dry my hair with a towel. "Nothing love, just wanted to make sure you didn't get cold feet and ran off." He jokes as he runs his hands through his hair. I glare at him until he caves. "I have a surprise planned for you and I was making sure you didn't see it before I got back." He smiles brightly at me. I know deep down that that isn't what he was looking for me for but I'll play along. "No I didn't see your surprise, I just got a shower." I reply, brushing out my fiery mane. "When do I get to see my surprise?" I ask as Maxon wraps his arms around me. "Well as soon as you're done with your hair, you can have it." I turn around to face him in surprise. "Can I get dressed first?" I ask. Maxon shakes his head and leaves the room without a sound.

I quickly finish my hair by putting it up in a braid. I walk into my room and sit down at my vanity. Maxon is nowhere in sight. I put on a bit of foundation, mascara and lipstick. I don't bother with the rest of my make-up. "Maxon." I call out, standing up from my vanity. "In your closet, love." He calls back. "My closet?" I walk over to my closet and see a 21 year old man going through racks of my dresses. "Maxon, what are you doing?" I question walking over to him. "Oh looking for something." He replies giving me no information at all. "Well if you're looking for the shoe you left in here that time; I'm pretty sure I put it in the trash to make room for more dresses." I joke as I sit down on a stool. "Well good thing I wasn't looking for it." He smiles as he continues to go through my dresses. "Ames?" "Yes?" "Did Mary put a blue garment bag in here somewhere?" he asks accidently dropping dresses on the floor during his search. "Yeah she said not to look at it and that she put it on the rack beside my wedding dress." I reply, pointing towards the mannequin wearing my dress with a protective blanket over it. "Of course, the one rack I didn't check." He mutters as he walks to the other side of the closet. "Maxon, can you please explain to me what you're doing?" I plea; wanting nothing more than to get dressed. Maxon laughs and takes the garment bag off of the rack. "Well I had Mary create a dress for you to wear today that kind of looks like one of the wedding dresses you tried on." He replies walking over to me. I sigh and remember the long list of dresses I tried on the day.

A few weeks after Maxon proposed, Silvia had a dress maker from town come to the palace with expensive wedding dresses that were pre-made. Of course my dress was original and Mary made it, but Silvia wanted me to try on some dresses to get an idea for what I wanted. A young woman came in with almost 20 dresses for me to try on. We spent all day in a spare room trying on the dresses. After hours of trying them on, I only liked two. One of which helped design my dress and the other was kept in my memory as the dress that didn't win its selection.

Maxon holds out the garment bag for me to open. As soon as I open the bag a little I recognize the dress. "It's my selection loser dress." I tear up and cover my mouth with my hands. Maxon opens the bag all the way and takes out the dress. The only difference about the dress is the length. Originally it had a ball gown bottom the touched the floor. Now it ends at the knee and is flowy, instead of poofy. It's all white and has an illusion neckline that goes around to my back, making it look like a bare back. Instead of just my back showing, there is a silver beaded swirl design that covers part of it. The illusion ends at the front with a sweetheart neckline and the front is just plain white. I loved the dress because it was plain but also had some sparkle at the back. "Oh Maxon, I love it. But will it fit, wedding dresses aren't meant for women who are 7 ½ month pregnant." I worry, reaching out to touch the dress. Maxon laughs and smiles "Of course, Mary made it so you could wear it today with that big belly of yours." I smile and take the dress from Maxon's hands. He places a kiss on my forehead and smiles. "Give me a few minutes to get it on." I demand, ushering him out of my closet. "Alright, alright; I'm going. I need to double check on some things. Meet me down in the dining room for breakfast." He smirks as he leaves the closet. "Wait, I thought you were bringing breakfast up here so we could be alone?" I question. "Well that was the plan but I had a better idea. Just meet me downstairs when you're ready." He calls out, leaving my suite.

I arrive in the dining room a short time later after putting on my dress and making my way slowly down the stairs. I catch my breath and enter the large dining room. Marlee and Carter are sitting at the end of the table beside Lucy and Aspen. A large vase of roses are on the table and I see a maid walking into the room with a plate of food for me. Aspen is the first to look up and notice me. "Good morning Mer." He smiles, catching the attention of everyone else. "America, I love that dress." Marlee gushes, standing up and running to hug me. "I know. It's supposed to resemble on of the wedding dresses I was looking at." I cheer, running my hands over the dress. "You look sexy and it shows off your bump perfectly." She teases, walking me over to my seat. I sit down and the maid immediately brings over my plate of food. "Have you seen Maxon?" I ask as the couples start eating their own food. They all shake their head. Carter and Aspen look down at their plates. I ignore this and start covering my eggs with jam. I look over to the maid standing by the table. "Macayla, could you bring me some pickles and lemon sauce?" I request. The maid nods and scurries off. I look up to see Carter shaking his head at me. "What's your problem?" I demand, continuing to mix my jam and eggs. "I thought Marlee was bad." He mumbles and continues to look down at his plate. I hear Marlee laughing as the maid returns with the sauce and pickles. I hear the sound of the door opening and Maxon walks in with a box and a grin on his face. He sits down just as I start placing lemon sauce on my toast. "Ames, that looks disgusting." He groans as he starts eating his own breakfast. "I'm carrying your kid so you're going to have to deal with it." I state, returning to my toast. I hear Maxon sigh and continue with his breakfast. "What's in the box?" I ask with a mouthful of food. "Manners." Marlee scolds as if Silvia was here. Maxon laughs and hands me the box. "See for yourself." He smiles. I grab the box and remove the bright yellow ribbon. "Oh Maxon, it's so beautiful." I gush as I lift a picture frame out of the box. The frame is a basic black but the picture inside is priceless. It's a picture of me sitting on the rocking chair in the nursery. I smiling down at my stomach and holding a book in my hands. "I didn't know you were watching me." I whisper as I remember the day.

It was a day last week and I was bored beyond bored. Maxon found a box the day before with Amberly's stuff from when she was pregnant with him. Maxon said I could go through the box if I liked and take out whatever I wanted. At the time I pushed the box aside with plans to open it the next day. I was sitting at my desk reading over some notes from a meeting Silvia and Gavril had earlier in the week. They were making plans to do a special report soon about the pregnancy. I noticed the box peeking out from underneath my vanity, where Mary put it earlier. I open the box and put the contents on the bed. I found a bright blue regal suit sitting on top. A picture beside it showed Maxon wearing the suit as a baby and Amberly holding him on the set of the report. I presumed that it was the report to announce his birth. I found a couple other baby clothes that I assumed had a special meaning but there was no note or picture to go with them. Next I pulled out a couple baby books. Inside each was a special note written to Maxon on the inside covers. The notes were signed from Amberly. I decided not to read the notes, they weren't for my eyes. The rest of the contents were mostly small toys or photographs of Maxon as a baby. The last picture I picked up was a picture of Clarkson holding Maxon in the palace infirmary. It must have been the day he was born. That was the only picture involving Clarkson in the box. I picked up the books and outfits and carried them into the nursery. I placed the outfits in one of the drawers of the dresser and put the books on the bookshelf. I sit down in the rocking chair and I relax against the soft cushions. I feel the baby kicking furiously. I rub the spot it's kicking and sigh. "Do you ever stop kicking" I ask. I look over at the bookshelf and grab a book. "Would reading to you calm you down?" I open the book and start reading the story. As I read the pages the baby slowly stops kicking. I close the book and smile down at my stomach; imagining a small child in my arms.

I look up at Maxon with tears in my eyes. "Thank you." I whisper as he places a kiss on my hairline. Lucy walks up behind us and looks at the picture. "That's adorable." She smiles. I hand her the photo to show Aspen and the Woodworks. We finish breakfast and Maxon excuses himself. I don't bother asking where he's going. Carter and Aspen leave right after Maxon. Me, Lucy and Marlee go to the women's room to gossip. We walk inside to see Paige chasing after Kile, who is only wearing underwear. "MAMA." He calls out running towards Marlee. "What's going on?" Marlee asks, picking up Kile. Paige runs over to us and sighs. "I'm sorry Lady Marlee, I was looking for some clothes for him but he ran out of the room. I found him in here." She mumbles, clearly disappointed in herself. "That's fine Paige. I'll go get him dressed and then I'll be back." Marlee replies, carrying her son to their apartment. Lucy laughs and takes a seat on a nearby couch. "How's the pregnancy going?" I ask as I sit down beside her. "Well the morning sickness is annoying but so far, it's been pretty good. Lena was excited to hear about the baby and she mentioned something about making a blanket to match yours." Lucy explains, looking up at me with curiosity. "Oh Lena made me a blanket for the baby a few months ago." I reply, leaning back against the soft cushions of the couch. "That's so sweet of her. She's going to be an amazing Grandmother." Lucy smiles. We gossip for quite some time and Marlee and Kile joined us once he was dressed. Our conversation about Kile's birthday is interrupted by shouting in the hallway. I stand up to address it but the doors of the women's room burst open and Maxon walks in. Carter and Aspen follows Maxon in with angry expressions on their faces. "Maxon, what's going on?" I ask walking up to his tense body. Maxon sighs and smiles at me. "Nothing my dear. I just came to ask you if you wanted to go out to the gardens." I nod my head and I take Maxon's offered arm.

"What's going on?" I ask Maxon once we are out of earshot of any guards. Maxon shakes his head and continues to walk. I sigh and stop walking. "Maxon, I know something is up. You've been on edge all day and I heard shouting before you came into the room earlier. I want to know what's going on." I demand, glaring up at him. Maxon runs his hand through his hair and steps away from me. "Do you remember that rebel that got loose a while back?" he asks, taking a seat on a nearby bench. I walk up to him and stand in front of him. "Yeah, why?" "Well he was spotted not too far from the city early this morning. We have soldiers hunting him down right now but they can't seem to find him." He explains grimly. I sigh and run my hands through his hair. "I thought he was long gone." I said. We searched for the rebel for a while but never found him. We assumed that he took off into hiding indefinitely. "So did I until today." Maxon mumbles. "So what was the yelling about earlier?" I ask as Maxon leans his head up against my stomach. "Carter and Aspen thought that we should've told you girls earlier about the rebel." He mumbles. We remain silent for a few moments, soaking in the warm tension filled air. "Ames?" Maxon whispers against my baby bump. "Yes?" "Would you like to watch a movie with me?" he asks, placing a kiss on my stomach. "Of course."

Maxon places a kiss on my bare shoulder as we watch the sun set from his balcony. We spent the rest of the day watching movies or relaxing in our suites. Maxon gave me a bracelet and chocolate as a present. Of course I used the baby as a present for him but he was more than happy to accept it. "Maxon." I whisper, leaning back against him. Maxon wraps his arms around me and rests his hands on my stomach, rubbing the spot the baby is kicking. "What do you need my dear?" I shake my head and laugh. "First I'm not your dear and second, I'm craving lemon pie with pickles." I hear Maxon sigh and he places a kiss on my head. "America that sounds disgusting." "It's your child." I state. Maxon places a kiss on my lips. "I love you." He whispers while stroking my stomach. "I love you too." I whisper. Maxon kisses me and heads down to the kitchens. I look out over the city. The rebel could be anywhere. The soldiers couldn't find him anywhere. We gave up the search and double the guards at the palace for the next few days. We couldn't sit around and wait for someone that might never come. I go back inside Maxon's suite and close the balcony doors. I lie down on the bed and close my eyes. The baby is constantly active and it's wearing me out. I rub my stomach and start singing a lullaby.

A while later Maxon comes back with a tray full of food. "Finally, I'm starving." I smile, sitting up on the bed. Maxon sets the tray down on the bed and laughs. "You're always hungry." He smirks. The tray has two pieces of lemon pie, a bowl of pickles and two glasses of milk. "I'm pregnant. I'm allowed to be hungry." I state placing a pickle on top of my pie. "I know." He smiles. I pick up the glass of milk and give Maxon a questioning look. "Why milk?" I ask. "Because Dr. Cole said that you need more calcium for the baby and the pregnancy book states that calcium is good for both of you." I sigh and drink my milk. I make a mental note to hide that book soon. "So have you tried on your bridesmaid dress on yet?" he asks, picking up his plate of pie. "Yes but I'm waiting until the last minute to get the alterations done. I'm still getting bigger every day." I reply, taking a big bite of pickle and lemon pie. "Oh I'm aware." Maxon laughs. "Shut up." I mutter. "Ames, I still don't think you should go to Italy." I shake my head and look up at my concerned husband. "Maxon, you know I have to." I reply. "No America you don't. Nicoletta will understand if you don't go." He reasons. Tears start forming in the corners of my eyes. "Maxon, I want to go to Italy. I can't do anything anymore. I want to be able to do something other than sit around all day. I can't go to meetings, I can't sleep properly, and I can't even eat without someone commenting on my food." I start full on crying and Maxon pulls me into his arms. "Ames, I'm just scared that something will happen either on the plane or in Italy. You're going to be 35 weeks pregnant at that time and that scares me." He confesses. I burry my head in his neck and cry. "Maxon I need to do this. I need to go support my friend." I whisper. Maxon places a kiss on my head. "Alright America but I want to bring Dr. Cole with us. If he doesn't come with us then we're not going. That's my final decision and I'm not changing my mind." He states, hugging me tighter. "Maxon." I whisper. "Yes my dear?" "Can I eat my pie now." I hear Maxon laugh and he loosens his grip on me.

We finish our pie and milk and start getting ready for bed. "Maxon?" I call out from his closet. He enters the closet only wearing boxers and carrying his pants from earlier. "Yes?" he tosses the pants onto a chair and walks over to me. I'm standing in a robe by the rack of his many suit coats. "Do you have an empty hanger to put this dress on?" I ask, holding my beautiful dress. Maxon walks over and picks up a hanger. "Will this one do?" I shake my head. "No that's a pant hanger, Maxon. Honestly you need to learn common sense." I mutter, going back to my search. I hear Maxon shuffle over to the other side of the closet. "Found one." He calls out. I walk over to him and take the hanger. "Good job." I congratulate, putting the dress on the hanger and putting it on a hook. I put the dress on the chair with the pants. Maxon wraps his arms around me and kiss me passionately. "May I have this dance?" he asks holding out his hand. I laugh and take his hand. We dance around his closet to imaginary music. I look deeply into Maxon's chocolate eyes. I feel as happy as I did two years ago on our wedding day.

Our wedding was the first Saturday in April, a few months after Maxon proposed. Our reception was in the ball room, which was decorated with many flowers. Silvia planned the whole reception because she wanted it to see a surprise. She truly outdid herself. I and Maxon danced all night, only stopping to thank guest for coming and to cut the oversized cake. After eating some cake Maxon led me out to the dance floor again. "America?" I look up into his gorgeous brown eyes and smile. "Yes?" I whisper. "Do you think Silvia would get mad if we danced a little closer?" he whispers into my ear. I shake my head and laugh. "If she does we'll explain to her that it's our wedding day and we only get one." I laugh. Maxon pulls me closer and places his hands firmly on my hips. I lean up and place a kiss on his lips. I wrap my arms around his neck and move closer towards him. I can hear Silvia scolding me in my head but I don't care. It's my wedding day and I'm now the Queen of Illéa. "This is the happiest day of my life." I smile. "Mine too." Maxon whispers, pulling me closer.

We dance around the closet for what seems like hours. "Maxon?" I whisper against his chest. "As much as I love dancing with you, could I get dressed please?" Maxon looks down at my robe and shakes his head with a smirk. "Nope, we are sleeping naked tonight." He cheers. I shake my head and laugh. "Oh fine my royal husbandness." I tease. "But first I have to take off my make-up and fix my hair." Maxon pouts and nods his head. "Fine, you have two minutes." He commands as he walks out of the closet. I waddle my way to the bathroom and remove my make-up. I start undoing my braid when I notice in the mirror Maxon looking at me from the door way. "Can I help you?" I ask, combing my fingers through my hair. My red waves fall down across my back and over the white robe. Maxon shakes his head and smiles. "Just admiring your bump." He walks over to me and wraps his arms around me from behind. "I can't wait Ames. The nursery is done, names are picked and i am ready to be a dad." I lean back against him and smiles. "I can't wait either, I'm ready for this." I turn around in Maxon's arms and face him. "Are you ready?" I ask, placing my hands on Maxon's chest. He sighs and places a kiss on my lips. "I wouldn't say ready but I'm excited. I never had any experience with babies or toddlers unlike you. You had May and Gerad to get experience from. I'm not as ready as you are love but I'm going to be there for you and help you any way that I can." I feel pride and happiness throughout my entire body. I lean up and kiss Maxon as loving as I can. My love for him can't be explained. "Thank you Maxon, I love you so much." I whisper against his soft lips. Maxon kisses me back and pulls back for a second. "America, I love you so much." He whispers. He takes my hands and leads me out of the bathroom and into our room. Maxon let's go of my hands and walks over to the light switch and turns off the light; only the moonlight lights the room. Maxon walks over to me and kisses me lovingly. I wrap my arms around his neck and return the favour. Maxon moves his hands from my hips to the tie of robe. He quickly unties the robe and moves his lips to my neck. I feel the robe leave my body and hit the floor by my feet, leaving me completely vulnerable. We slowly make our way to the bed and I lie down in the middle. Maxon lies beside me and places a kiss on my bare stomach. "6 more weeks." He whispers before moving his lips to mine.

Hey, so i feel like this wasn't my best chapter but i think that was because i wrote parts of it over 4 weeks and i changed my ideas a lot. So i should be back with another chapter soon because i already started to write it. So keep reading and reviewing :)

-SelectionGirl0723

P.S is anyone else annoyed about all the heir leaks or just me. I'm annoyed because i want it to be a surprise.