I don't own The Selection.

okay, so usually, i would reply to all of the reviews here, but i feel like my responses would be a bit repetitive, so i'm just going to thank you all so so muchh! seriously, i'm so glad and thankful that so many of you took the time out of your days to review on this story. all of the support i'm getting is absolutely unreal though it's definitely keeping me going.

so, really! thank you all so so so so so much and just know that i love you all! have a wonderful day!

"Shh, my darling," I cooed, bouncing Avery. "Let's not wake your brother, alright?"

She wouldn't stop crying! Just when I was going to give up and let America try, Carter walked through the door. When offered, he took Avery into his arms and bounced her, and she let her crying taper off. I frowned. Since when did she hate me?

"Long night?" He asked, grinning at my disorganized appearance.

I nodded. "This is the fifth time she's woken us up tonight. I think she hates me."

He frowned and held a hand to her forehead, just before handing her back over to me. "She's got a fever, Maxon."

"What?" I asked, holding my hand to her head. Sure enough; my little girl was sick. "Oh. She was fine an hour ago."

Just to be safe, I placed a different hand against Roman's head. He was fine. Taking caution, I stepped away from his crib and held Avery to my chest, rubbing her back. She let out a raspy cough and shivered suddenly. I remembered then that when I'd picked her up, she'd winced the tiniest bit.

"You should probably go take her to see Dr. Ashlar," he said. "It sounds like it's just the flu, but I wouldn't take chances. Want me to go get Ames?"

"Please," I said. I held Avery closer as she coughed again. "I'll take her to see him."

And I did.

In less than ten minutes, I was knocking on Dr. Ashlar's office door, hoping he'd be in by now. It was almost six in the morning. Avery's coughs were getting more painful to listen to, knowing I could do nothing about them by myself.

He opened the door and bowed, before eyeing the baby in my arms. "Sir?"

"I think she's sick," I explained.

Dr. Ashlar opened the door immediately, letting us into his office. He gestured towards a chair in which I took my cue to sit down. I handed Avery over just as she coughed.

"Ah," he said, feeling her forehead. "She's got a cough and a fever. Any vomiting that you know of, sir?"

"None,"

After a minute, he pulled out a thermometer and checked her temperature, just as America came barreling into the room, looking like an absolute disaster. I would have laughed if it hadn't been for our ill daughter.

"Your Majesty," Dr. Ashlar bowed. "Don't fret, she's just got a mild case of the flu. Now, if you would like to sit, I'll explain what she and the Prince will need."

"Roman?" I asked.

He nodded.

America sat down and took my hand.

"I'm guessing Prince Roman is healthy, Your Majesties?" he guessed. We nodded. "Good, now. I'm going to prescribe the Princess a drug specially made for the flu in infants. The only risk of her taking it would be that it could delay the full recovery process by a day or two. That means that she'd likely be more exhausted longer. Are you comfortable with me giving her that?"

We both nodded again. Anything for Avery's health was worth it.

"And just so you're aware, she'll probably be sick for around five days, though the intensity should taper off. If it doesn't or if her fever gets over one hundred, bring her down or call me immediately. Now, onto His Royal Highness," he said. "Has he been around her much recently?"

"We don't separate them very often. They share most toys and possibly shared a bottle yesterday. It's hard to keep it all separate." America sighed.

She was right.

While we didn't let them come into regular contact with people who hadn't gotten their flu shot and other vaccines, it was next to impossible to keep them away from each other. Almost everything was shared. Bottles, toys, and sometimes clothes. I knew what was coming next.

He nodded slowly. "As I'm sure you know, the flu spreads rather easily. I want you to both keep an eye on him and to inform any potential babysitters that he may come down with the flu. I'll go ahead and prescribe him the same medicine, but you'll still need to let me see him to make sure it's the right decision. As for you both, I'm certain you'll be alright."

America bit her bottom lip. "What.. could it be a risk to their lives?"

"Sickness in newborns always has a risk, ma'am. But I assure you, I've had much experience with it and to me, Her Royal Highness has a mild case, meaning the risk is much less than normal."

I squeezed her hand as she nodded, looking relieved.

"They shouldn't be around Kenna, should they?" I asked, randomly. "Isn't she pregnant?"

"You'd be correct, sir." Dr. Ashlar handed Avery back to me. "It would be smart to keep them away from any vulnerable individuals until they're both in the clear." he said.

Avery coughed again and I rubbed her back, kissing her head. She was burning up. The only way I was leaving her today would be if another war started, and even then, I'd probably take her to work with me. All so I could keep an eye on her.

America and I walked back up to the third floor, stopping at the nursery, where we found Magda playing with Roman.

"Hey, Mom," America greeted. "Ave's got the flu, and Roman probably has it too."

"Poor baby," she sighed.

We all winced at Avery's raspy cough.

"Would you like if I watch Roman until she's better?" She asked. "I promise, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I love watching him."

"We know, Mom. Are you sure?"

Magda raised an eyebrow.

"Maxon,"

Marlee snapped me out of sleep, almost scaring me. I sighed and rubbed my face in an attempt to wake myself up. The past two days, I'd learned that dealing with two sickly twins was absolutely exhausting. She handed me a much appreciated cup of coffee.

"I thought you'd need it. How's Rome and Ave?"

"Getting better, but slowly," I said. "Roman's fever broke an hour ago, so he should be good, though Avery's keeps going up."

"How high?"

"A little over one hundred. Nothing dangerous, yet. Where's America?"

She grinned. "Ames went to take a shower. She left me to keep you from crashing."

"May as well be the Titanic," I groaned. "Good news, I've almost been awake for two days straight at this point. Bad news, I can't hardly walk."

"Is that incorrect grammar I hear?" Marlee joked.

I laid my head back down on my folded arms and closed my eyes, so close to giving in. She nudged me, but it was too late at this point. Brain… foggy. Sleep was my destination I so desperately wanted to reach.

I felt America's warm touch on my back, and heard her musical voice.

And then, I was out.

America had told me that I'd been so exhausted, I'd slept for almost twelve hours.

I felt horrible; I'd actually left her with the responsibility of our sick twins all night with no second thought. Then again, my brain had hardly been working yesterday.

"Ames, you get some rest," I said. "I'll go see the twins and you sleep."

"So, we're taking turns now?"

I laughed. "If you would like, then sure."

She shook her head and sighed. I placed a hand on her delicate waist, turning her head towards mine. "What's wrong, my love?"

"I don't know, Max. It's just—This is so hard! We haven't regularly slept nine hours a night in actual years, and we're both exhausted…" America threw her arms in the air. "I think we need a vacation."

"I'll plan it for us," I decided. "An entire week, if we need."

After getting that off of her chest, her mood improved drastically.

Together, we went down to the nursery, where the twins slept quietly for the first time in two days. Just to be safe, we checked both of their temperatures. I let out a relieved breath. Avery's fever had broken! Now, we just had to hope it didn't decide to return. They were now both on the road to recovery.

"Her fever broke," I announced.

America laughed. "That's wonderful. Maybe they'll be back to normal by next week."

"I do hope so,"

Leaving the nursery, I got a message from Markson that James was in my office, wanting to talk to me privately. I thanked him and parted from America, going down to the first floor.

Sure enough, James was standing in my office, admiring one of the painted portraits of America, Avery, Roman, and I as a family. Our first family portrait, though it would not be the last. They were typically replaced every year or so as the family matured.

My office was it's usual self; big, magnificent, and expensive.

"Thanks for coming," he said. "I know the twins have been sick and everything.."

"No problem. What's up?"

"Well, do you remember how I promised to tell you first?"

"I do."

"Uh, well, Kenna's pregnant. We're having another baby."

My face split into a goofy grin and I hugged him like he truly was my brother, because I did consider him to be one. He pulled back and laughed, pulling out an ultrasound photo to show me their little blob baby.

"She's only five weeks, but we still managed to get a picture for Astra's birthday," he said. "We've already told her and she's been begging for a picture ever since."

"Wow," I said, handing it back. "That's amazing. Congratulations, really."

"I know! I was honestly scared it wouldn't work out, and it's no twins, but I'm excited."

"As much as I love the twins, I'll admit, you'll sleep more without them," I teased.

He smirked. "I guess you're right. Speaking of those two, how are they doing?"

"Avery's fever broke, so hopefully they're both on their way to recovery." I said. "Anyways, how did Astra react?"

"She started crying!"

"Really?"

"Sobbing, really. She kept asking about when the baby is going to be here, if it's a boy or girl.." he said. "It's hard to explain to a five year old why we don't know the answers for sure."

"She'll understand one day. Good news is that she's rather intelligent for a five year old."

He nodded, pushing his brown hair out of his face. We talked for a little longer before May rushed in, looking panicked. James waved us both goodbye and left through the large, wooden door.

May paced back and forth and I watched from the edge of my desk.

Her red hair was braided and twisted into a bun, but basically sticking out all over the place. I frowned; it wasn't like May to have even one hair out of place. Moving onto her clothing, I almost laughed. She was sporting high-waisted, gray, cotton pajama pants and a hoodie dedicated to a popular singer. Plus, she was barefoot.

"I don't know if I can do this!" she finally said, falling to the floor.

I rushed over. "Do what?"

"Marriage! I mean, Peyton and I never fight, but what if we do? I don't want to lose him, Max," she said, groaning. "And what if I mess something up? What if I'm a crappy wife?"

"May," I said, getting her attention. "Look at me."

She obeyed. Her blue eyes met mine.

"Would you believe it if I told you that your sister and I fight almost every week? We always have, and yet, our marriage hasn't failed. If both of you are as smart as you seem, you'll figure it out if you do fight." I said. "And seriously? You're kind, caring, and your happiness is literally infectious. You're going to be a wonderful wife."

May laughed, rocking back and forth in front of me. "Thanks, but you don't have to lie."

"I've been raised not to lie," I reminded her. "As my father always put it, 'You'd rather be honest and make them cry than lie and make them smile.'"

"What kind of a childhood did you have?" she teased.

I smirked. "An odd one."

A moment of silence passed.

"You know, May, I truly think you'll be an amazing wife. Stay the way you are. If Peyton does anything questionable, come to me and I'll fire his ass. And maybe destroy it, too."

"Maxon!" she laughed. "Hearing you cuss never gets old."

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah. I am. I would've gone to Ames, but she's so excited and I don't know.."

"You didn't want to worry her?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I mean, the twins are just now getting better, you run a country, and she's still recovering… I'd feel bad."

"Believe me, I get it. One more lesson marriage has taught me; never keep secrets because you're trying to protect the other. Never. It causes more pain down the road."

"Any other lessons?"

"Dozens."

Looking around the family room, I grinned.

The room itself was beautifully decorated. With a large, ornate fireplace and arches that could compare to those in the foyer, it was architecturally genius. But even despite that, the people within the room were the reason for my happiness.

Everyone was happy.

I couldn't remember the last time that I'd actually felt like this. With Adele's death, everything had become more saddening for me. The hallways had reminded me of her and our midnight walks.

America, May, Brice, and Kenna obsessed over bridal magazines while Magda, Astra, James, and Gerad obsessed over the now very healthy twins. That left me with Peyton Ryder. And two dogs, of course.

Wilma was laying with her head in my lap, while Ozzy sat between my legs. I wasn't sure if I could pick a favorite.

Peyton finally sparked conversation with me.

"So," he began, "I-uhm, is it normal to be terrified? Of getting married?"

"Well, maybe not normal, but I was. I promise it's not that bad. Just a few vows and you've got yourself a partner."

"You were scared?"

"You make it sound like I'm not human."

He tripped over his words for a moment, and I just grinned and shook my head. Peyton really needed to loosen up; I wasn't going to bite him. Or fire him, for that matter. I considered myself above that. Much, much above that level of strictness. In fact, Peyton could do almost anything—other than cause physical harm to anyone or anything—and I may only consider firing him.

"I'm joking," I assured him. "I promise I won't punish you for talking to me. In fact, seeing as we're about to be related, I'd like to get to know you."

"Oh, uhm, what do you want to know?"

"Anything you'd like to tell me."

He nodded. "I, uh—I'm not very good at sports. Or watching them. They confuse me. A lot. And, uhm, I think your dogs are beautiful. Especially Wilma. I had a dog growing up.. Her name was Vinnie. Odd, I know."

"I think Vinnie is a wonderful name," I said. "As you can probably tell, America and I are a fan of more unusual names."

"Oh! I also wanted to ask how you came up with Roman's name. I mean, I really like it, actually—"

I shrugged. "Honestly? There isn't much meaning behind it. We just fell in love with it."

"My parents named me Peyton because they thought the doctor said 'It's a girl!'" he said, humorously. "I wish I was kidding."

"No way."

"Yes way. I was born at home, so there really weren't any blue blankets or anything. My parents have always been a bit hard of hearing."

"Wow," I said. "At least the name goes either way."

He snorted. "Yeah. I got very lucky."

We went on like this for a while, simply getting to know the other. He seemed so much more comfortable around me. I was starting to see what May saw in him. Peyton was funny. He was definitely loyal. And I could tell just from the way he spoke of my little sister that he loved her with his entire heart. That's what I had originally been looking and hoping for. But maybe, just maybe, I had a new friend and brother to gain from this.

I rubbed Wilma's head, watching her eyes flutter shut. It wasn't long before she began to snore in my lap. Ozzy's head turned at the noise. I swear I saw him grin.

When May had picked a dress, she showed everyone but Peyton. Truthfully, she actually made him leave the room. But the dress was seriously beautiful.

It resembled a ballgown, in a way. There was much lace decorating it, but not so much that it was overbearing on human eyes. The neckline dipped down in a soft v. It had straps; one thin one over the shoulder and a thicker one for her arms. There were several layers to it. Each one overlapped the other perfectly.

"May, it's beautiful," James said.

Brice beamed. "Isn't it? She's got great taste."

"And Maxon, you've got to wear your uniform thing." May announced. "No complaining."

"Alright,"

so i know this chapter is a little shorter... (around 2,500 words, i believe) and i apologize! but i wanted to get something out and between school testing going on and some slight writer's block, it's been difficult to sit down and focus! i hope i didn't fail too badly with this chapter! also, i've read everyone's review and as requested, i will be trying to work in some more of maxon's childhood! also, i may or may not be actually outlining a book i may be wanting to write? hehe? have a wonderful, wonderful day!