I do not own The Selection.

TW: rape, depression?

read at your own risk!

okay! hey guys, i'm back.

quick run down:

i won't be replying to reviews today, mainly due to the fact that i don't have long to post this unfortunately. i'm going to my best friend's house for her birthday! ((don't worry, i shall be wearing a mask :))) but other than that, this chapter was not intended to be posted so soon with such a small number of words :( but i didn't want to make you all wait so long again, so here it is!

Roman happily latched onto his bottle, finally silencing his own cries. I was more than relieved.

He'd been crying for almost ten minutes straight and I hadn't the slightest idea of why he was so upset. I'd gone from checking his diaper to talking to him, and apparently, he'd been hungry this entire time. I was nowhere near upset with him. It was my fault I hadn't known what he needed.

That was my job, right?

As a father, I was supposed to know what he needed and was supposed to be able to care for him. Maybe I wasn't only a failure of a husband but of a father as well. What a week.

"She doesn't want the bottle," America sighed.

I moved Rome to my hip and let him hold his own bottle with little help. "I guess our little princess isn't as demanding as her brother."

"Apparently not," she said. "Though it would be good for her to learn how to boss people around. Kindly."

"I suppose it would be."

"Marlee said her and Carter are going to come by soon. I think Lucy and Aspen may be coming too," she said, cuddling Avery.

I rubbed Roman's back. "I need to apologize to them for freaking out."

"Oh, we don't care," Marlee said. "You had a good reason."

Aspen walked in behind her. "Mars is right, like usual."

The four—Aspen, Lucy, Carter, and Marlee—all took their seats and I stayed standing. Roman still hadn't finished off his bottle. He was already the opposite of America in that way, as she almost always ate quickly. But he did eat a lot. They did have food in common.

It was strange that there were already similarities and differences in the twins. Of course, it was only natural, but I'd never known twins before. This was my first experience with them. And the fact that they could look so similar to one of us, yet be so different at six months? Mind-blowing.

America claimed that she was more than pleased that Roman had my blond hair and features. However, he did have her blue eyes. That was a great thing to me.

And I was more than pleased that Avery had the Singer-family red hair and most of America's features, other than how she had brown eyes, like me. They matched perfectly with her hair color.

When Roman had finished it, I set him back down in his crib and rejoined the main conversation.

"So, why do you think they shot you?" Carter asked.

America shrugged. "Don't know. I mean, I have been getting death threats and stuff."

"Death threats are very rarely carried out," I said. "I've gotten thousands and I've only been attacked what? Two times? Yet, when they are, they usually come close to their goal."

"Like the rebel attack?" Marlee asked.

Lucy had flinched away when the attack was mentioned.

I knew nothing of her past, but I did know the signs that a topic was too sensitive. Answering Marlee, I nodded. That's all I did. I didn't want one of my best friends to be uncomfortable.

Aspen gave me a grateful look.

Our conversation carried on, but never returned to the subject of the attack. Lucy seemed happier, and I was a little confused at why she'd flinched like that. I did that too, but only when someone took me by surprise and touched my back. Or yelled at me. For me, it was mostly PTSD, according to my therapist.

I'd had a therapist for over five years, when my mental health had been at its lowest. It wasn't something I was proud of, but it had kept me alive.

I caught up to Lucy in the hallway.

We went into a more private room to talk.

"Lucy, I hope I didn't upset you by bringing up the attack—" I apologized.

She held up a hand. "No, you didn't. I've just.. I've had my own experiences with them, and it's hard to talk about."

I frowned. Her own experiences?

"Two years before the Selection, there was an attack," she said, slowly. "I was tricked by a rebel dressed as a guard. I thought he was going to help me. He... he was going to… he was going to rape me."

I felt my face fall.

I'd been prince then. I hadn't known that this happened to her, all under my father's watch. Why the hell hadn't I known?

Catching me off guard, Lucy hugged me.

I hugged her back, being gentle with her small frame. She was crying into my shirt. I rubbed her back soothingly.

"I'm so sorry, Lucy," I whispered. "I had no idea."

She nodded. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."

It was horrible.

Humans were a horrible species.

"Have you ever tried talking to someone about it? Like a therapist?"

"No," she said. "I'm not sure I can."

"I always thought the same thing," I said, and she looked curious.

She gave me a minute.

"Sad, isn't it? The King needs a therapist," I laughed.

"No," she said. "I think it's reassuring. To know that you're just as human as anyone else. It's good, actually. I thought you were invincible. You have to see the absolute worst in everyone and everything, everyday. It makes sense."

I took a minute to figure out how I was going to say this.

"I… I suffered from depression for most of my teenage years." I explained. "It's better now."

"Oh."

America let me run my fingers through her hair as we laid in the silent hospital room, enjoying each other's company. She was curled up on my chest in a position that wouldn't hurt her side. It was healing nicely, thank God.

She was doing better, according to her nurse, and could leave tomorrow. We'd been here for two days. It was a longer stay than I personally would have liked to have, but it was worth it.

"Lucy told me about the rebel attack," I said, breaking the silence.

"I feel so bad for her, Max."

I kissed her knuckles. "So do I, love. I'm glad she's okay today."

"She still has panic attacks," she said. "They aren't as bad now, but attacks always shake her up. They always have, according to.. Anne."

Speaking of her deceased maid was hard for her.

I kissed her head and felt her relax in my arms.

"I suggested that she see the therapist I see. I told her about my own.. Issues."

America nodded. "She should do that."

We laid there for a while longer, just until there was a knock at the door and I was informed that Stavros was wanting to meet with Aspen, Carter, August, and I. I had a feeling it was mainly to discuss the rebel attacks. But just in case, I prepared myself for anything else that could be brought up while I was there.

Before leaving, I kissed all three of my favorite people.

I was the last person to step into the room, apparently.

Aspen offered me the seat beside him and I took it. Though I was traditionally supposed to sit at the head of the table, I wasn't sure anyone cared right now.

"Sir, we've found a rather concerning note," he said. "It was left in your and the Queen's bedroom. Her maids found it."

I took it from him and read it.

To The King,

I'm very sorry about your wife. She was a very wonderful person.

P.S. I know how hard it is to raise a family alone.

Have fun,

Your Friend

My friend? I didn't have many friends.

Have fun?

I'm sorry about your wife?

Whoever this was had made it sound like America had died two days ago, though she hadn't. She was very much alive and upstairs resting. Right? I was becoming a little paranoid.

"So what?" Aspen asked. "They were going to kill her. We knew that."

"We did, General Leger, but we've found the security tapes from the moment Her Majesty was shot. We have a face on camera." he said.

"He let himself be on camera?" August frowned.

Stavros sighed. "She. She let herself be on camera."

"This rebel is female?" I realized. "That's practically unheard of."

Carter nodded in agreement. "The only time females have been heard of killing is for.."

A moment of silence passed.

"Revenge."

"Sir, can you think of any women you've.. Insulted over the past ten years?"

I literally laughed.

I'd insulted every woman I'd met in the past ten years. I had been dating thirty-five women at the same time, and I'd kicked out thirty-three of them. Celeste and America had been the only women I hadn't kicked out. And Daphne? She wasn't crazy.

And how many women had I really even met?

"Could it be Lady Kriss? Elise? Natalie?" Aspen asked.

"No," I said. "They've gotten over the Selection. Elise works with me, and Kriss and Natalie still talk to both America and I."

"One of the other girls, then?" August asked, chewing on the end of his pen. "What about someone in their families?"

"Why don't we watch the video? See if Maxon recognizes her." Carter suggested.

Stavros nodded and pressed play.

It was America and I, running down the hallway. I hadn't realized how fast the pair of us were before. But then, there was a woman that ran into the frame and I pushed America in front of me, and lots of gunshots.

We both disappeared from view and it was then just the woman.

She turned to face the camera.

A stupid move, really.

But I could see her face perfectly.

She had long, black hair and what looked like silver eyes. Her body frame was larger than most women's. Her skin was about as white as America's. No, I'd never seen this woman before.

Stavros turned it off.

"I've never seen her before," I announced.

"You sure?" Aspen asked.

I nodded again.

"So no one has ever seen her before?" August said. "She must be either someone we could easily overlook, or… someone no one would ever suspect."

"Have you tried looking for any criminals who look like her?" I asked.

Stavros shook his head. "We haven't, sir."

"That's smart," Aspen said, leaning back in his chair. "If she has any, they'd probably be minor crimes. Being caught after curfew, or something like that. Something she wouldn't have learned to cover her face from."

The rest of the week was hardly exciting.

America was released from the hospital.

After she'd been given a day or two to settle in, her advisors had begun to bring her work to our room. That way it wasn't put on me, and she had something to do when the twins slept or behaved.

Speaking of the twins, they could now sit up completely on their own.

They were more energetic, stronger. I personally thought they were growing much quicker than they should have been. I'd hardly registered the fact that they were six months old, and now they were almost seven. I would have appreciated it if life could have slowed a bit.

Kenna informed us that her and James' baby was doing wonderfully.

She was about five months now, and had a visible but small bump. They'd decided that when able, they were going to find out the gender. James was hoping for another girl. Kenna wished for a little boy.

And as for the mystery woman, we'd identified her as Jamie Kand. But she'd been dead for almost ten years. No cause of death or anything.

America pulled me from my thoughts. "He needs a diaper change, Max."

"I've got it," I said, standing. Wilma—who had been in my lap—did not look amused.

I took Roman and changed his diaper with great care. He had a minor case of diaper rash, but nothing that wasn't normal.

When I sat back down, both Ozzy and Wilma piled into my lap.

Ozzy licked my face so aggressively that I fell back onto the floor, letting him stand on my chest. Wilma still sat between my legs, watching with an almost amused expression.

"Oz!" I laughed, guarding my face with my arm. "Ames, Osborne is attacking me."

My wife laughed. "He just loves you."

"I wish he loved you more than he loves me."

"I got the better end of the deal, obviously." she teased. "C'mere, Oz,"

With a treat, she convinced the mammal to climb off of me. I kissed her cheek appreciatively. Then, I was handed Avery.

She immediately became fascinated by the strings on my hoodie. I took it out and let her play with it. I was careful to not let her do anything stupid with it, because I'd never forgive myself if I let her hurt herself.

I rubbed Wilma's head absentmindedly. "Do you think that woman faked her death?"

"I mean, it's possible, but not that likely. Maybe she's a twin."

"Maybe,"

"Are you still thinking about that?"

"Of course I am." I moved my hand to pet Wilma's back. "She shot you."

America smiled. "As much as I love you, you are a little protective."

"I can't help it, Ames. I love you too much to let you go. Even if it is just for a few hours." I said, rubbing Wilma's stomach now. She'd rolled over to give me access.

"Let's have another baby."

The request caught me off guard, and I just gaped.

She wheezed a laugh. "I'm joking! Not for another few years, remember?"

"I remember. It's definitely too soon."

"Yep. Especially since Ken's having a baby pretty soon. And May's getting married, and Mom and Gavril are becoming friends.."

I raised an eyebrow. "Magda and Gavril?"

"Oh, yeah! She has the biggest crush on him. Dad used to tease her about it. He'd make her promise that she still loved him more than Illéa's Master of Events."

I laughed.

I'd never considered the two possibly liking each other, but I was glad that Gavril may have someone he liked around. The palace was incredibly lonely without that kind of companionship, or any companionship at all. Luckily for me, I was a bit of an introvert growing up.

"I just can't believe she's moving on from Dad." America sighed.

I stopped rubbing Wilma's head, which got me a heavy sigh in return. "Ames, it's probably just a crush."

"You're right. Just a crush."

don't get too excited! i'm not sure i have anything in store for magda and gavril yet

as for the mention of maxon's depression, i wanted to talk about that rq. basically, i think he would've had some mental health things in his life. he was abused, he was constantly trying to please the public and his father, and not to mention that he had to be the prince. i hope everyone enjoyed and has a great day