Annalise went to Jeffrey's room with Callum in tow. It had been a couple of weeks and the Elite were down to Joel and Greg. Annalise had made her decision and it was time to tell her sons who she had decided on. Jeffrey's arm was out of the sling, and he glanced up from the book that he had been reading when his mother entered the room.

"I need to talk to both of you," Annalise said as she and Callum sat down on Jeffrey's bed.

"What is it?" Jeffrey asked.

Annalise took a breath, "I've decided who I'm going to marry."

"Who is it?" Callum asked excitedly.

"Now, listen boys, before I tell you I want you to know that I expect you to welcome him and his family into ours, we may be royalty, but we aren't above anyone else. Jeffrey, I don't want any attitude from you regarding this, you might not be overly thrilled with my choice." Annalise warned her children as she placed her hands on Callum's shoulders.

"I don't think Jeffrey will be happy no matter who you choose," Callum said.

Jeffrey smirked, "I don't really care that much, mom."

"You say that, but he'll become a part of your life, whether you like it or not. You'll have to listen to him and accept him as your stepfather," Annalise said.

"Whatever, who is it?" Jeffrey asked.

Annalise walked to Joel's room and knocked on the door. She felt nervous, she didn't know how he'd react, but she needed to tell him. The door opened to reveal Joel.

"Annalise, come on in." Joel said as he opened the door wider.

"Thank you." Annalise said as she stepped into the room. She sat on her bed and took a breath. "I need to talk to you."

"What is it?" Joel asked.

"I've decided that Greg is going to win the Selection," Annalise said gently.

"I see," Joel said, and his face fell.

Annalise sighed, "I'm sorry, Joel. I wanted to tell you before the proposal, you're great with Jeffrey, better than Greg is, but I can't base this decision on who would be best for him. I just, I have stronger feelings for Greg than I do for you."

"I understand," Joel said. He gave her a sad smile. "Thank you for letting me make it this far, and I hope that you're happy with Greg."

Annalise stood and pulled him into a hug, "Thank you, I think I will be."

"That's really all that matters." Joel said as he hugged her back.

Annalise pulled away, "I'll let you pack your things."

Joel nodded as Annalise left the room. Annalise sighed as she closed the door behind her. She felt bad for rejecting Joel, but she didn't think he'd translate well to palace life. He had his whole life set up outside of the Selection, and she couldn't ask him to give up his passion for her. Besides, like she had said, she had stronger feelings for Greg.

Greg opened his door to reveal Jeffrey and Callum. Callum held a box in his hands and Greg glanced between them, confused. The princes had never visited the Selected before, not that he knew of.

"Can we come in?" Jeffrey asked.

"Of course." Greg said as he opened the door wider, Jeffrey and Callum stepped inside of the room. "What's this all about?"

"Well, our mom has reached a decision," Jeffrey said.

Callum opened the box to reveal a bunch of expensive looking engagement rings, "You won!" he said excitedly. "Just pick out a ring and tell us where you want to propose, we'll make sure our mom meets you there."

Greg stared at the rings in the box in shock for a few moments, after he got over the initial shock he focused on a small, but splendid emerald encrusted band, "I think…that one might be all right," Greg said.

"Then take it," Jeffrey said.

Greg nodded as he took the small box containing the ring, "Are you two on board with this?"

"Yeah, you're really nice and you make our mom happy," Callum said.

Greg sucked in a breath, "And you, Jeffrey?" he asked, remembering how he had gone toe to toe with the teen countless times.

Jeffrey shrugged, "It's not my decision to make." Sure, he would have preferred Joel, but he didn't exactly have a say in who his mother married.

"So, where do you want to propose?" Callum asked.

Greg thought for a moment, "At the fountain…in the gardens."

Jeffrey nodded, "Let's go tell mom, Callum."

Callum nodded and followed his older brother from the room.

Annalise met Greg at the fountain at sundown, there was a beautiful sunset as she approached. She smiled at Greg as her children followed behind her. She was dressed in a stunning lilac dress, while her sons and Greg wore suits. As she approached Greg got down on one knee.

"Annalise…after my wife divorced me and took my child away, I thought that was it." Greg stammered. "I thought that I was never going to be happy again. I didn't think that I was ever going to fall in love again or even deserve it. You…you are the most strong, intelligent, and beautiful woman that I have ever known. More than that though, you showed what love actually means. I know that being your husband isn't going to be easy and that I'll always have to share you with the country…but I know that as long as I'm with you…I can survive anything. Will you marry me?" he said as he pulled out the ring.

Annalise smiled as she extended her hand, "I think you already know the answer to that." She said with a little chuckle.

Greg grinned as he slid the emerald ring onto her ring finger. He stood up and hugged Annalise, then placed a kiss on her lips. Annalise kissed him back.

Jeffrey rolled his eyes, "Gross."

Callum approached the pair and hugged them, but Jeffrey kept his distance.

"Get in here, Jeffrey." Annalise said as she reached out to him.

Jeffrey took a step back, "I don't do group hugs."

Greg and Annalise laughed at this, then kissed again. They pulled away and Greg ruffled Callum's hair while Annalise hugged Jeffrey.

"You're sure you're okay with this?" Annalise asked.

Jeffrey shrugged, "Like I said, I don't really care, it's your Selection, you choose who wins."

Annalise smiled and kissed her eldest son on the cheek, glad that he was as on board with this as he was ever going to be. They went to the table where assorted deserts, sparkling apple juice, and champagne had been left out. Greg poured himself and Annalise a glass of champagne while Jeffrey and Callum had sparkling apple juice. They spent the rest of the evening chatting until it was time for Callum to go to bed. Annalise took him to bed while Greg stayed with Jeffrey, who as usual, was glued to his phone.

"I want to thank you, for being mature about all of this, I know this isn't easy for you," Greg said.

Jeffrey glanced up from his phone, "If you ever hurt my mom, I'll happily kick your ass."

Greg chuckled, "Trust me, I have no intention of hurting her."

Annalise returned to the gardens after getting Callum settled into bed and Jeffery took off to go see Ethan before it got too late. Annalise and Greg sat beside each other, holding hands.

"So, I have a lawyer working on your case against your ex-wife, he thinks he'll be able to win full custody of Jane. She's old enough to decide who she wants to live with," Annalise said.

Greg grinned, "That's amazing, thank you so much, Annalise."

"Anything for you, Greg." Annalise said with a smile. "It would do some good to have a girl around here."

"I'm sure she'd love it here," Greg agreed. "It'll be nice to have her around more often."

Annalise and Greg spent the rest of the evening talking in the gardens while sipping champagne. Annalise excused herself briefly to ensure that Jeffrey actually went to bed on time. Afterwards she and Greg retired to her room.