I bet you didn't think there would be an update, now did you?

Truth be told, I didn't really think there'd be an update either. I haven't really been spending a lot of my time focusing on this story. I haven't even been on this site in a while, so I kind of forgot about the story. It was only today when one of my all-time favorite Wattpad stories updated (and they haven't updated in like FOREVER) that I realized that this was a good time to be working on the story...so here I am.

Please forgive the beginning (I started writing it a LONG time ago, I forgot how I was planning on continuing it, and I was too lazy to rewrite it) and it doesn't really flow that well. To be honest, the beginning scene isn't really my normal writing style, and I kept feeling the need to constantly rewrite it...even now I'm not completely happy with it, but it'll have to do. Let me know what you think.

Finally, S2 of Never Leave You is probably going to be less "lovey" and more plot. I do love writing drawn-out romantic speeches (as already evidenced) but I REALLY need to start getting into the plot. The first scene, for instance, is supposed to be more funny than romantic.

Sorry I didn't do the shout-outs...I literally cannot find them all because they are buried so deeply in my inbox...

Anyway, I just want to say that I've really missed writing, and hopefully, I'll have more time to continue!

Thanks :)

XXX-HHL


America's POV

The open window cast strange shadows across the bed as I lay staring at the ceiling, thinking about what had happened.

The rest of yesterday had passed by quickly in a blur of hugs and well-wishes, and then a long car ride (provided by some of my father's doctors who had cash to spare) to our honeymoon destination...an abandoned village in the middle of the woods. There was nobody around for miles and all that was heard was the roar of the nearby waterfall and the cheerful chirping of the woodland creatures.

Maxon had swooped me up, bridal-style, and walked me into the only house that seemed to be able to withstand our weight. As he set me down inside, I instantly had one thought. This is clearly not the prime honeymoon destination...and if Maxon had chosen to marry Kriss, he would've had many other better options to choose from. I guess what really makes a honeymoon special is the person you're spending it with...not the place, the amount of money, or even the gifts. A honeymoon is all about celebrating someone else and reaffirming your dedication to them. I guess Maxon must really love me in order to love a honeymoon like this.

After Maxon set me down inside the doorway, he turned to grab our bags from the car and I used the opportunity to explore.

The house was not large; it only had three rooms: a bedroom, a bathroom, and an open plan kitchen and living space. As I walked, my footsteps stirred at the dust, filling the room with a shimmering glow as the sun hit it.

Walking carefully across the floor (I wasn't sure how sturdy the floor really was), I crept towards the first door. The handle was a bit rusty and seemed like with a hard enough pull, it would fall right off. Carefully turning the handle, I opened the door and observed the small bedroom. The walls were painted a light yellow that the sun, slowly sinking behind the trees, highlighted. There was only a small bed and a dresser made from rotting wood. I was relieved to see the massive carpet that adorned the floor, helping to insulate the room.

I backed carefully out of the bedroom and opened the door to the right. A very tiny bathroom greeted me, with only a shower and toilet. I momentarily panicked. How are we supposed to take a shower? before I felt a pair of arms hug me behind. Maxon whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, my dear. I made sure that the water was working. I don't want my princess to be uncomfortable while we are here."

I spun around and melted into his chest. "Prepared as always," I chuckled.

He flashed me a quick grin before asking, "Have you explored the house yet?"

"I already checked out the bedroom and took a quick scan of the bathroom, but I haven't really gotten a chance to explore the main living space yet."

Maxon smiled, "Come, let me show you around the luxurious suite." He released me from his arms and took my hand, "My lady, your mansion awaits."

He pulled me towards the small kitchen, "This is the top-of-the-line model for this season. Nothing but the best for you, my dear. Come, look at this high-quality stove with not two but one burners!" I laughed, admiring the beaten-down stove that seemed like it was on its last legs.

"But that's not all," Maxon continued, "Look how it opens!" He demonstrated, beginning to pull down the door but instead succeeded in completely breaking it off.

I started laughing so hard at Maxon's pale expression. "It's all part of the model," he continued, shoving the door back into place. "But I recommend only using the burner from now on...this model may be too fancy for you."

Once I stopped laughing Maxon continued, "I think we've seen enough of the kitchen, don't you? Let me show you the living space next."

"I'm sorry, good sir, but I think I've had enough of this tour," I said thinking of what Maxon was going to break next. "Perhaps you could instead let me change out of my wedding dress."

"After you, m'lady," he said gesturing towards the bedroom. "I already brought your stuff into the room." He paused, looking carefully at me, "I think the lady may need some help getting to her room. This sounds like a lovely job for the husband," and before I knew it, I was being carried into the bedroom, bridal style.

You know how you never really know you're missing something until you find it? Well, this is one of those times. This is the first day of the rest of my life with the man I love most, and hopefully, all the drama is behind us.


I got up from the bed, careful not to wake my sleeping husband (I can't say it enough) and walked to the window.

Although the trees towered high above us, I could just barely make out a slimmer of the moon, peeking through the thinner canopies. I thought about how far Maxon and I have come. I chuckled, remembering how I once thought of him as shallow. I remembered thinking that I was going to marry Aspen and that the Selection was just a stupid process that I did not want to take part in. I remembered that first night we talked in the palace garden, my first strawberry tart, and our little bet. I remember Mary, Lucy, and Anne, the best palace maids I could ever ask for. I remember my first rebel attack. I remember Maxon and I's first kisses. I remember the Halloween ball and Marlee's beautiful angel costume. I remember how Maxon let me borrow one of Gregory Illea's diaries. I remember my presentation on how we should dissolve the castes. I remember meeting Georgia and Augustus for the first time and our little "expedition" outside the palace. I remember dancing in the rain and realizing that I loved Maxon. I remember the Convicting and the furious look on King Clarkson's face as he dragged me to his office.

I remember Maxon choosing me over his throne and the immense relief I felt. I remember boarding the plane to Carolina, being in shock that Maxon Schreave chose me over the throne. I remember showing up to my parent's house and finding out that the rest of the world thinks we are dead. I remember our first night together in Carolina, in that old house that seemed like it was going to collapse at any moment. I remember dancing in the streets. I remember his proposal and how we laid in the field for hours. I remember walking down the aisle at my make-shift wedding and not caring that it wasn't quite what I pictured...all that mattered was that I had the man of my dreams and a loving father who could walk me down the aisle.

And now I was here: in the middle of the woods, in an abandoned cabin, married to the best man imaginable, and unbelievably happy. If you asked me a year ago where I thought my future would be, I definitely would not say this. And yet, this is better than all the futures I ever imagined for myself.

Smiling one more time at the slimmer of the moon, I quietly tiptoed back into bed.