A/N: Hello readers! I know the anticipation for the next chapter must have been killing you. I must admit, I did postpone this update until the one-year anniversary of my story! Which happens to be today, May 2nd! I know, right?! This is crazy that for the past year I have been working on this story, and that shock doesn't even extend to the amount of love and support both this story and I have received. All of you faithful readers have made this story possible because I wouldn't keep going without all of your reviews and suggestions!

Speaking of suggestions: I have gotten a few requests for the next chapters. I am sorry to disappoint but Maxon and America will not be making up this chapter. I have a really cool thing planned for it, so it might be another chapter or two. The other request I have received is for BDSM. I am working on researching and familiarizing myself with safe/consensual BDSM and how to portray that correctly since I don't actively participate in that. But, I do appreciate the suggestion and I will try my very best to include that in near future.

Of course, if you like what you read in this chapter or any previous chapter, let me know by favoriting, following, or reviewing this story. Every ounce of feedback gets taken into consideration for the next few chapters and even future stories that I might have up my sleeve.

Without further anticipation: Here is chapter 29!

I cried in my office with a bottle of wine that I requested at my side for a long time, or maybe it was only 30 minutes. I'm not sure. My head was wrapped around what happened. Not only did we fight, and are currently fighting, it was all my fault. If I could just- just fake it. This would work out better, so much better, if I lied or faked it. I can only imagine what we would be doing now if I had just… just fake moaned and pretended to cum for him. Damn it…

But is it truly fair for me to say it was all my fault? I admitted what happened. I tried to stay calm. He yelled at me, but I yelled back. I was louder, whether I meant to be louder or not I was. But I wasn't the one to place blame, technically neither of us did. We both said it was our fault. Was that even true? No… it wasn't. I told him that I wasn't in the mood. I told him twice. I got naked, though. But it was because I felt guilty for not wanting to sleep with him. Is it my fault or is it his? He called me dense. He told me to get out of my head. I called him petty and shallow, both of which are things he is not. I called him his father. He's not even close to being his father. I told him that it was his fault, basically. He continued to insult me, something I just cannot stand for. So, I walked out. That probably wasn't the right thing to do, but it was either that or risk getting hurt. He grabbed at me. His hand gripped around my wrist so hard. I know his intention was good, but when he's pissed like that… I can't let him touch me. He's too much like Clarkson when he's like that and that is the most terrifying thing ever. My wrist still hurts from where he grabbed it to yank me back.

I feel like it can't be my fault. But then again, I don't think all of it is his fault. Shared blame, maybe? I sighed.

After who knows long, I get up off the floor. My butt is just about numb, it's some sort of indication of how long I sat on that floor thinking about what I did and what we said to each other. I shake out my hands and walk out of my office. I pray that he doesn't see me; I think I would smack him if he came up to me now. Why? Because he still hurt me, whether he meant it or not. I rush down the stairs to the first floor and into the Women's Room. A safe haven. Luckily enough for me, I didn't see him. Thank God. I wondered what he might be doing, but I didn't let my mind wander too much before I entered my safe room.

When I entered, Marlee had the TV on as she looked through a magazine.

"... More on the 2:30 news: It is said that Queen America plans on giving audio tours of her childhood ho-"

Marlee turns off the TV, not fully paying attention to me as I walk in slowly. "Hey, Girly, how was the rest of your date with Maxon? I bet it was fantastic." She looks at me and her face falls, "Oh, honey, what happened?"

"We are currently fighting." I sniffle and wipe my still damp face.

"Over what?"

I sit down next to her and explain. She nods along, showing her understanding of the situation. At some parts, she gasps, and at others she grunts or sighs. I guess she already has some opinions on this topic. When I finish my whole story, now in tears, she sighs loudly. "Damn…"

"No shit." I roll my eyes and sniffle again. "What am I supposed to do? Who's even to blame? We both messed up."

"The way I see your situation, Maxon shouldn't have done anything if you said that you weren't in the mood."

"But I got naked and told him to love me."

"But you said you weren't in the mood to begin with. He pressured you."

"He did…"

"You blamed him first?"

"I technically owned up to it first. I said it was my fault and no big deal. He yelled after that."

"Because its his job to fuck you endlessly, and he failed if he didn't make you cum. That's all there is to it."

"But I called him shallow."

"And he called you dense, selfish, and basically stupid. America, you two are both wrong in this situation. You both said regrettable things. You both yelled. You both blamed each other at some point… there is no positive to this. At some point, you guys are just going to have to apologize and move on."

She's right. There is no positive. We both were mad. We both had reason to be, but is it worth it? "Is it leaning in my favor at all when I walked away from all of it?"

"Kinda. You see, you were protecting yourself. You're scared that, even though that man wouldn't hurt a damn ladybug if he saw it, that he would still hurt you. That is a sign of his rage."

I sigh, "I just… I'm so upset that he yelled at me and called me selfish… I can handle being told I'm dense. Quite frankly, I can be dense, but selfish… I don't think that's fair."

"You also have the bruises forming on your wrist that are from his hands."

"That is a good point."

"America, do you want my advice?"

"Yes."

"Okay, here's what I got. Go to dinner. Explain to him while at dinner that for the night you would feel more comfortable sleeping in your own bed. Don't ex-"

"But I won't be able to sleep…"

"You have to try. Don't explain to him why until after Carter and I leave. I'll try to get us out early, okay?"

I nod to her. "It doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm lying to him."

"You aren't."

"How so? I wouldn't feel more comfortable. I won't be able to sleep. And shouldn't we be trying to be closer since we have the photoshoot tomorrow?"

"America. He hurt you. So take a day off from being at his beck and call. It'll show him a lesson for if he hurts you again. You are showing him that he can't treat you like a dog when shit gets rough." I sigh and nod in agreement. She smiles, "Good. Now, changing the topic: tell me about your plans for the photoshoot tomorrow."

"Well, the first half is still going to be just me with him taking the pictures. I need to go try on all of the lingerie, now that I think about it."

"We can do that now. That'll distract you and give you something else to think about."

I nod and smile at her suggestion, "That sounds nice. I have what I personally requested and what he gifted me. None of which you've seen, right?"

"Nope."

"Oh, good!" I stand up and she stands with me.

We walk out of the Women's Room together. I continue to tell her the plans for tomorrow. "The flowers should be coming in tomorrow morning. I just ordered them yesterday after the party. I got red, yellow, blue, pink, and white roses. Hopefully we have enough for the whole shoot. Then, the second half. Maxon is going to have to figure out what he wants to wear. I think it's going to be dress pants with no shirt or dress pants with untucked and unbuttoned shirts. At least, until the very last pictures where we will both be naked."

"And I have to take those."

"Yes. All of the ones with Maxon, you need to take."

"I will see his dick tomorrow." She announces as we begin to ascend the stairs.

I blush, "Oh my god… I didn't even think about that…"

"It's okay. Right?"

"I'm okay with it, but you better talk to Carter about what's happening tomorrow so that way you both are on the same page."

"I will."

"Good." I sigh as we reach the top of the first set. We walk the ways over to the second set and then it hits me. "You're gonna see my boobs for the first time tomorrow."

"Well, I'm gonna see them in a few minutes, am I not?"

"Right… This is all hitting me now. Like, I'm okay with it, but still… it's just such an odd realization for me." I sigh, "I'm fine with it. For some reason, I didn't realize that you basically see both of us naked when we had this idea."

"When I had this idea and I let you steal it." She corrects me.

I giggle, "Yea, let me steal it. It was fully your idea. Did you realize it when you suggested it?"

"Honestly, no. It wasn't some elaborate plan to see you nakey or him nakey, although…"

"Marlee…" I warn.

"I'm kidding. I am happily married to Carter and do not want to see him or you naked longer than I have to. Just for the photoshoot tomorrow and trying the sexy lingerie on for today."

"And today I won't even be fully naked, so it'll be fine."

"Exactly."

Finally, we hit the top of the stairs and begin to walk to my room. It's farther down the hall than Maxon's room and office, where I normally stop to see him. It doesn't feel right walking so far during the day when I know that I can stop to see my husband, who is only one door (maybe two) away from where I am now. Of course, as we walk to my room, Maxon exits his room.

I stop in my tracks, suddenly frozen at his sight. He looks up as he continues to adjust his cufflinks on his suit jacket and button-up shirt. He stops walking. Only 10 feet of distance between us, and we both are still. I finally got a good look at him, though. He looks upset, but not angry. Put together and professional, but upset, almost sad. It's something only I would be able to see. I could tell that his eyes were slightly puffy and a little red. Those chocolate swirled eyes still look glassed over to me. He must have been crying. We make eye contact. I look down, away from him. Maxon can read me like a book, and I don't want him to read me now. I don't want him to see the battle I am fighting on the inside. The fight between avoiding him and rushing into his arms.

"America." Marlee gets my attention. I snap my head up to look at her. She sighs, "Let's go. We still have a lot of planning to do."

I nod. My head drops again and I begin to rush over to her side. I feel his eyes watch me as I make my way to Marlee who waits maybe 20 feet ahead of me.

"America..." He whispers as I pass.

I stop to look over at him. I can tell he is breaking inside. It hurts to see him hurt, but I can't let him hurt me again. I have to shut him down. So, with a wobbling voice while holding back tears I tell him, "I'll see you at dinner."

I walked on, looking back down to my feet and picking up my walking pace. I knew I would be crying into Marlee's arms once we entered my room. The distance between Marlee and I was finally closed when I met up with her. She wrapped her arm over my shoulder and pulled me into her. My body leaned into her touch, it was unfamiliar and nothing like Maxon which hurt so much more due to the circumstances of our situation. I knew that as we were walking she was checking back every few steps to look at the hurt Maxon, still motionless behind me. She was probably glaring at him or trying to stare a hole into his head. She grabbed the door and yanked it open to usher me in. I was already in tears as the wooden door closed behind us. I went to sit down on my bed as Marlee locked all of the doors, keeping us in and others out.

She joined me on the bed as I cried more. She sighed, "It'll get better. You guys just need some space. You did the right thing."

"Why does it hurt so much if it's right?" I sob out loudly.

"Because being away from the one you love hurts, but healing so you guys can be stronger… that's what you're doing by taking a minute away from him."

"Did you see him? He looked hurt."

"He's hurt because he messed up, America. He's hurt because you need to take a minute and decide what's best for you. He can't accept that. Give it time."

I nod and wipe my tears away. They finally stopped falling from eyes and are done rolling down my cheek. When I am fully calmed down Marlee brings up the real reason why we are in my room. "Lingerie time!"

I giggle, "Alright. I'm going to change and I'll come out and show you. Honest opinions only."

"When have I lied to you?"

I laugh again as I enter my closet, "Never."

After closing the door, I quickly undo my dress and slip off all of my undergarments. I opened up the white box that had been placed back in my closet along with a red bag full of some of Maxon's dress shirts that we stole in advance and then his new camera that Marlee pulled strings to get for me. I grab the first thing in the box which happens to be the royal blue silk robe he got me. The embroidery of my initials is still refreshing and bright white due to not being used. I set it to the side and grab the next thing. Oh! The sheer navy bra and panty set. Marlee is going to squeal when she sees this. I slip on the cheeky panties and latch the sheer balconette bra. I look at the mirror in my closet. Oh. I look hot. I slip on the robe and tie it around my waist. It barely covers my ass, which is definitely a Maxon request. Time to leave my closet.

I pull the door open and walk out.

"Ooo, nice robe moment. Okay, okay." I untie the robe and let it fall by my feet. Her face makes an 'oh' shape, "America the babe! Holy shit! You are literally perfect!"

I blush and look down at my feet. "Thank you, Marlee."

"First off, this bra… wow. It is doing you wonders. Your boobs look so perfect. These panties: don't even get me started. Your ass looks so perfect. Wow."

"Thank you."

"Next! I request more of this spicy lingerie!"

I walk back into my closet and slip all of this off. Next in the box is the strappy black bra and panty set. The panties were not that hard to get it on. I got them on along with the high-waisted garter belt and thigh garter. The bra wasn't too bad either. It had a circle in the center of the cup for my nipple with a strap holding it all together. The band was two horizontal straps that had a normal bra latch. I looked in the mirror. Wow! I thought I looked hot the first time…

I exited and Marlee didn't even hesitate to whistle. I giggled and looked down at my feet again. "America Schreave you are so hot! Jesus! This would look so good with one of his dress shirts over it."

"I'll have to try that."

"More!"

I laugh, "Your wish is my command."

Back into the closet I go. I get all of the straps off of my body and it is on to the next piece of lingerie. I decided to go straight to the lacey bra and panty set. Lace, while beautiful, is rather itchy when it rubs against your bare skin. This bra, unlike most dresses, wasn't double-lined lace. So it was uncomfortable at first. But after a few seconds, I was okay. I adjusted and got over it. I exited the closet, fully in love with how I looked in this.

Marlee gasped, "And I thought you couldn't get hotter! Maxon is a lucky man!"

"Thanks, Marlee."

"Of course. More."

I turn around and walk back. She whistles and calls out, "That ass of yours is hot!"

I slip off the bra and grab the red sheer nighty that Maxon got me. I decided that I wouldn't need to show Marlee both the red and the blue. It slipped on like a dream and had so much fluff at the bottom. I was so comfortable wearing this, it was unreal how comfortable I actually was. I exited once again, and Marlee looked over to me.

"Oo, this would look nice with those roses!"

"I figured you would say that."

"What else do you have left?"

"Just his dress shirts."

"Alright. Go put on normal clothes. We can hang here for another 30 minutes until dinner."

"Sounds good to me." I walk away and go change. I slip on the dress and miraculously get the inclosure first try, again. I make sure everything I tried on ends up folded and back in the box that will be used tomorrow. I sigh as I fold it all and put it away. Maxon got this all just for me because he wanted me to have it. He heard my idea, agreed, and got me things to make it even better. Despite being in a fight right now, he still has my heart. One thousand percent.

I exit the closet to find Marlee at my vanity. She looks at our engagement photo. Such genuine smiles were on both of our faces. I sigh, "That was one of the best days with him. We laughed the entire time. He made me feel like a million bucks."

"You look happy."

"I was."

"You will be again. Give it some time. Fights are hard, but the strength you will gain… it'll be like you never fought."

I just sighed and nodded. She opened her arms for me to walk into. I hugged her so hard. I hope she is right. I hope that we can go back to normal before tomorrow.