America POV
At the moment I'm hiding in the women's room from Lucy and Marlee. It's only 8 in the morning, but I have so much to do today. Tonight is the Fall Festival, our spin on Halloween, and it's been the chatter of the palace for days now. Last night I picked the final hor dourves and decorations, and if I think about it another second I'll end up changing the whole thing. I stretch myself out on the couch, savoring the few moments I had alone, until someone finds me.
I dream about last year's festival, I was in the selection around this time. Oh how I wish Amberly was still here, she would know exactly who to invite, what centerpieces to be made, and what to say to calm my nerves. I tried to recreate her golden decorations, and have the same awe that I felt last year walking into the Great room, but I'm still new to this queen thing so who knows. I also wanted to do things a little differently, and I hope the guests and Maxon would like it.
With a bang the doors open, and in storms Marlee, my moment gone before it had started.
"I know you're in here Mer" She giggles. Dancing around the room
"No I'm not" You could never get a moment to yourself in this palace. She spots me and flings her on the couch next to me.
"You are gonna look gorgeous tonight" She squeals. Lucy has been working night and day on gown after gown with Mary. I couldn't wait to see the final products, especially Marlee. I told everyone to keep their costumes a secret.
"And you are too" I say back. She playfully pushes, and sighs closing her eyes. "It's nice and quiet in here" She murmurs
"Yea til you came in" I tease. She ignores me, and continues to enjoy her moment.
"Ok you are not going to fall asleep on me now" I push her off the couch.
"Heyyy" She complains. I get up and walk over her
"Can't you go annoy Carter" I call over my shoulder as I exit the room. I hear her laughing as I close the door. I go over the plan for today. I wanted Maxon and me to have time alone today, where we can just talk and begin where we left off. He's been pulled into so many meetings, I barely see him anymore. I'm so lost in thought that I hardly notice that strong arms are wrapping around my stomach. Maxon buries his head into my neck, and I giggle as his scruff tickles me. He sighs deeply "do we have to go tonight?" He does this everytime. I turned around to face him "It'll be fun"
"At least I get to see you all dressed up" He winks at me, and a warmth spreads across my cheeks
"Oh stop it" I push at his chest, he catches my hands and pulls me closer to him.
"I wish you would tell me what you're being" he hugs me tight
"Now where would the fun be in that" I look up at him. His lips find my forehead, and then my cheek, and then my nose. I smile up at him, and he presses his forehead against mine. Someone coughs behind us: Marlee.
"I guess that is my que to leave" I speak into his shirt.
"I guess so" Neither us though make an attempt to move though
"Am I going to have to drag you to your room America because trust me I will" Marlee smart mouths
"Ok ok ok I'm coming" I give Maxon one last squeeze, and make my wave over to her. Marlee gives him a wink, and takes my hand practically dragging me back to my room.
"Do we have to do this now" I complain the whole way there.
"Yes we are running out of time" Marlee rushes
"We have plenty of time"
"There's never enough time to get you looking presentable" She gives me a cheeky look. I roll my eyes.
"You know if you keep rolling your eyes they are gonna get stuck like that," she remarks. I laugh unable to stay annoyed with her. She pushes open my door and reveals the commotion within. I groan, this is gonna be a long day.
I breathed in the sweet sickly scent of perfume and hairspray. My hair was gently being combed into a low ponytail, a few strands were pulled on in the front per usual. I peeked a glance at the clock it was 10, I sighed another 2 hours to go, til I could get out of here. I waited and waited while the maids pampered me. It had been a few months since any event had been planned, and now everyone was itching to get back in the swing of things. I had someone painting my nails, while Lucy straightened my ponytail. Marlee was bent over me completing my face, her eyes focused and her nose scrunched up in total concentration, I could feel the layer of makeup adding up on my skin. I was trying so hard to be still, but every few moments my foot or hand would fall asleep or we would have to stop for another bathroom break. After another hour, I was finally free.
I slipped into a long black skirt, even though I begged and begged to wear pants, but that was not part of the Queen's wardrobe. Carefully with the help of two maids not to mess up my hair I put on a gray sweater. Lucy helped me into black silhouettes, while I slipped a fur coat around my shoulders. I didn't even have time to breathe before I was being pushed out into the hallway to meet Maxon. He looked cute in his white sweater, his hair was slicked back. We were on a tight schedule and only had a few minutes to get to our awaiting car. Without a word he grabbed my hand and led me through the hallway, passing people carrying curtains and decorations. Oh I hope tonight looked good. I had planned the party to be outside in the garden, near the grand patio so we could see the changing trees painted red and orange. Let's hope it's enough to please our guests making Silvia proud. My heart flutters as I realize my family is coming tonight, do I have news to tell them. Little miss May is gonna be an Aunt.
I look out the window the whole way there I can't believe the sights I'm seeing. I am mesmerized by the cozy houses and the color of the leaves. I've never seen the city of Illea. People are walking outside smiling to one another, but watch with curiosity at our car as it goes by. Maxon is sitting across from me, memorized at my excitement. I'm practically bursting with energy, and I can't wait to get out and explore. Once the car is parked I leap out of the car, feeling the cool breeze against my face. Maxon appears behind me.
"Where to first?" He asks. Without answering I walk forward onto the sidewalk, Maxon following in pursuit. My nose follows the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries, I find a cute bakery on the corner of a street. I hear Maxon sigh next to me, I turn to look at him
"My mother used to take me to this place when I was little" He explained, opening the door, a soft ding was heard from above our heads. Inside was so warm, and bakers were bustling around: putting bread into ovens and decorating cookies and tarts. My eyes glistened when I saw the strawberry tarts; I could taste their sweetness already.
"What a wonderful surprise your highnesses" A small plump women smiled up at us
"Nice to see you again Sue" Maxon walks up to the counter, giving her a hug
"It's been too long" She gives him a meaningful look, and then her eyes land on me. Maxon notices her glance, and reaches over for me to join him
"I must introduce you to you to my beautiful wife" Maxon squeezes me hand
"Oh I know who she is" She smiles at me "Now what can I get for you dear"
"Your strawberry tarts look amazing" I breathe
Maxon lets out a big laugh, his shoulders shaking "We come all the way here for you to order strawberry tarts"
"Yes" I stick my tongue at him. Mary hands me a bag full of tarts and winks at me "It's on us," she says as Maxon tries to hand her a ten, he doesn't listen but places it in the tip jar instead. I thank them and make our way to a table tucked away in the back.
I plop a tart after another into my mouth totally lost in the chewy goodness.
"Remember our first date?" He interupts my thoughts with the question.
"I still can't believe May didn't cry" I stuff another one in my mouth.
"I'm glad she didn't" He steals one form me, and I whine in complaint. My mind goes to the beginning of the selection, even before I meet Maxon. When me and my dad were sitting in our kitchen joking and bugging my mother, as I filled out the form. My mother was ready to strangle both of us. I smile at the memory. It feels like decades ago when everything was so simple, and there were no parties to throw or meetings to make, and my dad was alive.
"What are you thinking about" I feel Maxon's eyes on me
"Just an old memory" I reply
"Care to share" he presses
"I was just thinking of the time my dad told me to write that I could finish a meal in 5 minutes on one of the Selection questions"
Maxon lets out another hearty laugh, his head is thrown back and his mouth is widened into a smile.
"I would have married you right then and there if I saw that" he finally says. I wink at him as I eat my 100th tart. We talk for hours in that small bakery, wasting time. People come and go, but I don't notice, all my attention is focused on Maxon. I watch as the sun slips over his face highlighting his blue eyes. His smile always takes my breath away, and I giggle as he gets jam stuck in between his teeth. I picture him as a little kid coming here with his mom. I know exactly why Amberly brought him here: it's so cozy. Each minute I sit here my nerves are washed away by the warm smell of bread, and I become more comfortable. I could have stayed there all day but we've run out of time.
After exiting the car I'm whisked away from him, and back into my room, not even getting to say goodbye. I find May sitting on my bed her hair being tucked away into a low bun, and my anger is melted.
"May" I squeal and run up to hug her. My mom walks out of the bathroom hearing my entrance "Mom" I breathe, she comes in and joins me and May's hug. The three of us are huddled in the middle of my room. It feels so good to see them. Someone clears their throat from behind and instead of Lucy, Mary is staring back at me smiling at us. I hardly see her anymore, due to the selection ending, and it brings back memories from when she would get me ready for interviews and the dreaded Report. She is holding my dress for the evening, it glimmers against the light. Lucy did her job well. It is absolutely gorgeous and simple.
My mom helps Mary with my hair smoothing down the bumps that appeared during my visit earlier this afternoon. It's not so bad this time because I have May to talk to. She informs me all what has happened at school, and at home: only pausing to take a breath. I could listen to her talk all day, but Marlee, and Lucy bustle in distracting her.
Lucy looks lovely with her hair and makeup done. Her lips are painted a faint bubblegum pink color that matches her eyeshadow. Little tiny flowers are painted on her cheeks looking almost like freckles. Her hair was pulled up into a braided bun. Her dress is a peachy pink color and falls gracefully to the ground. It's covered head to toe in ruffles, that are designed to look like a rose. Her heels match her dress and are covered with pink studded diamonds. You would never have guessed she was a maid, she looked very sophisticated: I couldn't wait till Aspen saw her. I gave her a little wink and she blushed. It was perfect that she dressed up as a flower.
Marlee of course looked absolutely stunning. You almost couldn't recognize her, half her face was covered in blue and purple scales covered in glitter, that matched her dress. It was strappy and hugged her curves, just like her makeup it was covered in glitter. She had slit go from her toes all the way to the bottom of her thigh. Her back was exposed and you could barely see scars that ran from her shoulder down her back, it was bold of her to wear a piece like that. Especially since she didn't have her hair down: It braided down her back, which was decorated with shells. I admired her strength, this was also her first appearance to the press after the whipping. It took a lot of convincing to get my ladies to come with me, but they finally agreed to attend every event with me. I would need their support.
May went running to Marlee, as soon as she saw her, almost tripping on her dress in the process. She was dressed up as a doll. Her face was painted to make it more realistic. Lucy and Mary helped me slip into my dress. It was so uncomfortable, the glitter itched and pulled at my skin whenever I moved, but it was absolutely breathtaking. From head to toe the dress was covered in gold sparkles. It hugged every inch of my skin, wrapping itself around my body. It was pretty conservitive, except for the plunging neckline, that formed into a twist in my stomach. I was a greek goddess, I could never get over the pieces my maids made, they were always handmade, and the effort they put into them was shown in every stitch. I was placed into regular nude heels, that were much more comfortable than those silhouettes. I had a head piece on that could poke people's eyes out. I had to be careful.
"You look just…. Wow" May broke the silence. The women in the room let out a little laugh at my younger sister's reaction, but then fell silent as we all admired my dress and the way the sparkles seemed to dance across the fabric.
"I say we all look pretty darn good" I say spinning to face my audience.
"I'll say" Marlee agrees.
"Ugh I'm just ready to get this over with," I complain. My mom gives me a nudge
"You are a Queen, not a moody teenager" My mom scolds me. I sighed, she was right. With that I made a graceful exit to the awaiting party.
The venue turned out perfectly; I was blown away at how it turned out. The patio was filled with tables and chairs covered with candles and pumpkins painted gold. Satin cloth was wrapped around the railings to add more color. The lights wrapped around the garden highlighted the trees' natural colors beautifully. I wanted people to be surrounded with the colors of fall and it was a perfect blend of red and orange and gold. I entered the party with Lucy and Marlee behind, in a v line. Many people greeted me with smiles and handshakes. I was searching the crowd for a familiar face, still new to everyone. Silvia comes up from behind me
"Excellent job" She whispers in my ear "I would never have thought to have a party outside, you continue to surprise me every day, I knew you would great"
"Thank you, I learned from the best" I smile at her. She gives me a squeeze and walks into the ocean of people. I want her to come back, and help me. I breathed and scanned the crowd for Maxon, I didn't find him but I did find Nicoletta waving at me. I make my way over to her, very glad to see her. She's sitting at one of the tables by herself, she radiates grace and beauty, and I'm still taken away by her height and glowy bronze skin. She was dressed up as a fairy. The top of her dress was gold, but the bottom of ot was blue, and she had the most gorgeous pair of wings on.
"Oh I am glad to see you" I smattered
"This is excellent" She waves her hands at the scenery
"Thank you" I gush
"I'm gonna need you to plan my parties" she laughs.
"I would be delighted to" I laugh with her.
"Where's your handsome hubby" she looks up looking for him
"I haven't seen him yet, I just got here" I confess. Marlee and my mother come sit down with us, I introduce everyone.
"I see where America gets her beauty" Nicoletta gushes to my mother shaking her hand
"I don't know about that" She laughs
"Oh stop your whole family is radiant" She indicates in the direction of May and Garad, who have surrounded the sweets table, stuffing themselves with chocolates. "I can't wait to see the beauty you and Maxon produce" She gives me a little nudge, as everyone sits back down. Marlee lets out a nervous giggle, I stepped on her foot so she would stop.
"I'm not gonna be around forever America, I would love to see a few grandchildren '' My mother adds. All eyes are on me, and nerves are pulsing through me. I didn't expect this turn of events. Marlee looks at me raising her eyebrows.
"Well about that" I begin. Nicoletta squeals with joy, she knows exactly where I am going with this.
"Are you really?" My mother asks in a hushed whisper, catching on. I nod my head, and my mother gets up to hug me. "Oh sweetie"
"Keep it on the down low though" I don't need the whole party finding out.
"How far are you?" My mother presses sitting back into her seat.
"2 months" Marlee answers for me.
"Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?" Nicoletta asks.
"I don't know… I think I want to wait to find out," I answer. She nods her head like she understands. Our conversations are broken up, when a server brings us champagne. But starts right up again when they leave.
"Oh this is so exciting" Nicoletta squeals "Let's toast"
We all raise our glasses, and then everyone drinks except for me.
The party's in full swing now, music is playing and people have gotten up to dance. I stay in my chair, and watch as couples waltz, and spin around becoming a blur of color. Marlee and Carter are in pure bliss laughing as Carter has brought Mar into a dip. He is dressed up as a pirate. He must have borrowed Maxon's old costume. Lucy and Aspen have been irrespirable and sway back and forth, eyes locked. Nic and May giggle while they do a jig of their own, doing the opposite of what others are doing.
"May I have this dance" Maxon places his hand on my shoulder. I look up at him, and he's grinning down at me. I take his hand and he leads me to the center of the dance floor. He is dressed as Posiedon. His chest is bare, and he wears a white toga, with a fishnet drapped over his shoulder. In his hand he carries a trident. We started to glide across the floor, my head leans against his shoulder.
"You make an amazing Queen" He whispers into my ear "And your gonna make an even better mother"
I look at him tears welling up in my eyes, a smile planted on my place. The music ends, but we keep dancing, completely absorbed in one another, this feels exactly like last year and once again I catch myself falling for Maxon Schreaves.