A/N: This chapter got a little big longer than what I originally intended, but it happened. hope you enjoy!

*THIS IS RATED M FOR GRAPHIC AND MATURE CONTENT. PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THIS SORT OF CONTENT*

We were definitely over flirty during lunch. Maybe it was because of the memories we were reminicing about earlier or the amazing sex we had in his office, but we were just so flirty. We had no reason to be, just the fact that we were in love endlessly. May was in heaven to see Maxon and I being so cute together. Maxon and I shared a look and both started to laugh, but muffled it with our napkins. May noticed and leaned over to me. She whispered in my ear, "You two are so cute. I'm in love with the idea of you two being in love."

I giggled and kissed her head, "Well, we are in love so it's not an idea. It's reality, May."

"I didn't even tell you. During breakfast, he called me his dear. Three times! I bet he doesn't call you that."

"He doesn't." I told her, giggling at her rosy cheeks, "He has other nicknames reserved for me because I didn't want to be his dear. I wanted to be his everything."

I swear that I almost saw her pupils turn into hearts like a cartoon character, "Really?"

I nod, "He calls me 'My America' and 'Darling', nicknames reserved for only me."

"Why does he do that?"

"Well, when I first met him, I told him not to because he called every other girl 'my dear' and I didn't want to be like everyone else. I wanted to stand out, so he only ever calls me 'my dear' when he wants to be annoying, as a joke, or on accident."

"That's cute, Ames."

I laugh slightly, "I mean, I guess. For me, it's just life."

"Do you call Maxon anything cute?"

"I do. He requested 'Your Royal Husbandness' but I have things that I like to call him like 'love' and 'baby'. You know, the stereotypical relationship names."

"Right, you call the King 'love' and 'baby' like it's easy."

"It is when he's all mine and I don't have to share him with 34 other girls." I elbow her lightly. I finished my meal and left to get some work done. Instead of going to the Women's room, I went to my office. I didn't feel like working up here, though. It's too official and too stuffy for my liking. I had a bright idea: I'll take my paper work and go to my old Selection room. I was able to get work done in there before, and now since I won't have maids bugging me in there, I might be able to get even more work done.

I was making my way down the stairs with my nose buried in my notes for the Italian party when I bumped into someone on the landing.

I squealed, "I'm so sorry, this is my mistake. I should be watching where I am going."

I picked up the papers, a hand helped me out. I finally looked to see the person attached to the hand. Maxon.

"You should, Darling. You could get hurt if you aren't careful."

"Thank you, for helping me with my notes and papers." I blushed.

"Of course. Where are you going?" We stand up right. I fix my dress and take my papers from him, still trying to adjust after bumping into him.

"Somewhere private to get some work done. I have to catch up on some things from earlier."

"Alright. You know you do have an office to work in, right?"

I laughed, "Yes, I know. But my heart is set on going somewhere different to work. I'll see you later!"

I walked- well, almost jogged- away before he could stop me. Hopefully he doesn't follow me to that room, to my room. My speed wasn't slowed after I had gotten out of the eye sight of Maxon. My feet hurriedly carried me to the closed door. Before I entered I double checked to make sure there was no one following me. There wasn't. Good. I entered and closed the door.

I sat at my old desk and got some work done. I had an advantage because the Italians liked me, but I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I worked on colors for the event first. Choosing something with a hint of red in it, mainly because the Italians were coming to celebrate my wedding with Maxon. Red symbolizes romance and love, so I thought it would fit perfectly. I had picked out a warm burgundy color, perfect for the event. I think sheer burgundy fabric draped along the walls of the Great Hall would look stunning with then white tablecloths and burgundy overlays. I was just about to look at flowers when there was a knock on the door.

The door swung open and Maxon stood in the door frame, "I figured I might find you here."

"Hi." I gasped lightly, I stood up in shock and fear, already beginning to defend myself in a hushed tone, "I just wanted a different place to work."

"No need to explain yourself. I think it is quite adorable that you are attached to this room the way you are."

I sat down, allowing my body to relax into the back of the chair. I sighed, "The best decisions I've made have been in this room."

He walks over to me, leaning behind me with his face next to mine and arms wrapped around my body and chair, "Like what?"

"Like, you, my love."

"That is very sweet of you, Darling."

"Thank you."

He kisses my cheek, "I hate to be blunt and rather improper, but why'd you leave your bra in my office this morning after we...?"

I lean into his touch, trying to keep him close so he can't pull away. "Thought you might like something to remember the occasion of the first time we had sex in your office."

"I mean, I am not complaining. Is that the full reason, or is something more to it than just memories?"

"Well, in all honesty, I probably didn't need it to begin with because this dress is structured enough, but I had the opportunity, so I went for it."

"Well, again, I am not complaining. Knowing that underneath that light weight dress there is only a pair of panties is enough to drive a man wild, Darling." He pulls away slightly.

"I'm glad I have that effect on you, King Maxon." I laugh.

I hope his face is flushed. He pulls away completely, and starts to look at my work. He clears his throat, "So, what are you working on?"

I turn to face him in the chair, "Party for the Italians. They are going to be here in 3 days, and I have so much to do."

"Well, would you like a distraction since I don't have any more meetings today?"

I stood up and grabbed my papers, "Always! We need to stop at my office to drop this off, but I would love a distraction."

"That's alright with me." He takes the papers from me and offers his arm to me. I grab it happily, and we begin the walk to the 3rd floor.

"How long was I working before you came in?"

"About an hour or so. What do those colors mean?"

"It's a burgundy color theme because red is the color for love and purple is the color for royalty, so mixing them is the perfect color for the party."

"Wow, when did you learn so much about colors?"

"My dad and May. I know the color wheel because of them, but Sylvia also had us look at colors for the event I did with Kriss during the Selection."

"That's really amazing, America. I'm very impressed."

"Thank you."

I opened the door to my office. It was a white room (which I am going to have May paint something on my wall soon) with a white couch and coffee table. There was also a music stand and case for my violin that I had. My desk was a light oak color, and only had a few pictures on it. One of Maxon and I looking at my Halloween designs, one from the photoshoot in the earlier days of the Selection, one of Maxon and I's engagement (I chose the one where he was hugging me from behind and my hands layered over his, showing off my engagement ring in a classier way than what Maxon had in his room), and the taped ones of my family from the Selection. I set down the papers and Maxon picked up the photo of our engagement.

"You make that ring look stunning, Darling."

"Thank you." I blushed slightly.

"Let's go play hooky for a little bit. I was thinking we could go for a walk around the garden and then hang out by our bench." We started to leave my office, I closed the door on the way out.

"We always do that!"

"It's your happy place. And it's becoming mine as well."

"That's very cute and very accurate. It is my happy place." I laughed lightly.

"I take pride in knowing you so well."

"You are also the person that said I was cute when I was mad..."

He huffs in agreement and slight disappointment, "I did do that."

"That is not so accurate information."

"It is not, but I also have a different opinion about that than you do."

"You do, but it is completely incorrect!"

"Only from your perspective, Darling!"

We laughed together as we walked down the stairs. We were just about to go to the doors when we noticed the pattering rain hitting the windows and the glass door. It had been a month or so since the last rainfall in Angeles. I was as excited as the first time I saw the drops. I had an idea, and this one was the best idea I've had yet!

Our eyes met. I quirked my eyebrow up at him, took off my shoes, and began to run back up the stairs to the fourth floor where we could access the roof. He laughed, but followed behind quickly, making sure I went to the right location. Once I got to the fourth floor, I dropped my shoes at the top of the stairwell and followed his footsteps to the room. He went through the process of opening up the secret door leading us up to the roof. I could barely stand still, I was so excited.

"Hold my hand," he told me, so I did. He helped me up the narrow stairs to the roof. My eyes lit up when I saw the large raindrops falling down onto the pavement of the room. There was a crash of thunder, which only excited me more. I walked directly into the rain, not minding the fact that my dress was going to get soaked to my body. I just wanted to be here, with him, like we were the first time we did this together. He was staying sheltered under the little overhang. That wasn't going to work for me. I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the downpour with me. His laugh blended in with the booming thunder. I kissed his cheek and looked around at my surroundings. I always loved being outside, and the lights from around the palace caught my eye. My hand fell from his. I walked to the edge, not getting too close. I just wanted to see all of what I could from this height. I was so happy to be back out here with him.

I looked away from the lights of the neighboring cities. I looked back at my husband, his shirt was sticking to his skin, and he looked absolutely perfect under that wet dress shirt. I almost couldn't tear my eyes off of him, just like he couldn't keep his eyes off of me. His eyes were rounded, taken in my appearance in awe. I was trying to decide if it was because of me and my actions or because of the water weighing down my dress and thus exposing the slight curve of my body. It didn't matter, I liked the attention on me right now. He extended his hand to me, I took it happily. He pulled me close to him. His lips meeting mine, "Do you want to dance with me, America?"

I nodded into him, "I would love to dance with you, Maxon. I was wondering when you were going to ask."

I threw my arms over his shoulders and his arms wrapped around my waist. He pulled me closer to his body, and I leaned my head on his chest. I felt and heard his racing heart. I'm glad I still have this 'lovesick-puppy' effect on him. He kisses my head lightly. We lightly swayed together, not really dancing, but still moving.

"I was sort of hoping it would rain so we could dance up here, together." He confessed.

I peeled my face away from his chest to look back into his chocolate eyes. "I guess I always hope that it rains because I know that if it rains, you will come find me and you bring me back up here and we will dance together, even if I am terrible at it."

"Don't be so hard on yourself! You've gotten much better, Darling."

"Thank you."

We let the silence resonate between us, just listening to rain hit the pavement of the roof. We began to move in a circle with our swaying, and the rhythm followed the flashes of rain and claps of thunder almost perfectly.

"When I'm feeling under the weather, I like to think about the fact that you see beauty in the rain. It reminds me that maybe it rains for a good reason and not just a bad reason."

"It's just a matter of perspective, my love."

"It most definitely is. I always admired that you think that way. It's different from what I grew up with."

"That's what makes us such a good team." I paused, "You know the first time that we dance in the rain like this, was the first time I realized that I most definitely positively loved you?"

"Is that so?"

"It is. It was just us. We were just existing together, dancing like this, and I knew in that spontaneous moment, I loved you."

"Why did you wait so long to tell me?"

I hesitated, "I guess it was because I was afraid." I began to just spill my guts as to what I felt, "I was afraid to be the queen. I was afraid of the duties and responsibilities and just holding that title. I mean I grew up a Five, and I was preparing myself to marry down to a Six not even weeks before I left for the Selection. It was a lifestyle and culture change for me. It would be dishonest to say that was the only thing I was afraid of. Part of me was afraid to be yours and just yours. I hated dating you through the Selection process, but I was always okay because I knew that if you didn't want me then you would preoccupy yourself with someone else or send me home, despite what I wanted at that time. At the same time, as I was battling with wanting to be queen and taking on responsibilities that I didn't find myself fit for, and I still wanted this life because it meant I got you, in the end. And I wanted to be yours and be a part of your family, even if it meant the change in lifestyle."

"Well, I'm glad that in the end you did come to your senses and tell me." I looked at him disapprovingly, and he chuckled slightly and continued, "Actually though, I get that. That's why I gave you time. And I was willing to give you all the time you needed to make sure that you were 100% sure. I knew that this job and title was a lot to ask of you. I'm glad you chose me, and this life. And hey, look at us now. It's just you and me. The way it should have always been."

"The way it will always be."

He guided my head up to meet his lips, "I love you, America."

"And I love you, Maxon."

Our lips collided, and I felt safe and at home. I was, I truly was. As much as I loved Carolina, it wasn't home anymore. Maxon was my home. He was my safety and my everything, not my home in Carolina and not the treehouse, just Maxon. It didn't matter if I was in this palace or somewhere far away from here, I knew that as long as I had him I would be okay. We pulled away from each other. His fingers brushed my cheek bone, taking wet hair with the motion.

"Why don't we go get dried off and watch a movie together?"

"I'd like that. Maybe a change of clothes, too."

"Definitely." He laughed. Our hands clasped together and he pulled me inside.

I tried to ring out my dress, but just like the last time we did this, I was going to be leaving puddles around the palace until I changed. He rang out his suit jacket. I started to shiver because I was cold and now dripping wet from the downpour. He pulled his wet jacket over me, trying to warm me, even though it didn't work that well because it was also wet.

He took off his shoes and socks, matching me in the footwear department. We begin to walk back to our bedroom, picking up my shoes as we reach the stairwell.

"I really hope that Mary isn't around, she might kill me for getting this dress wet."

"Well, if she has a problem with it, she can take it up with me."

I giggle, "You are my knight in shining armor against Mary, that's for sure."

"It's what I do best."

We laugh together. I enter our room with him. He closes the door and starts to take off his soaking tie. I drop his coat on the back of one of his chairs.

"Darling, as much as I hate to say this, you need to change in your room because you don't have any dresses in here."

I seductively suggest, "We could change that." But then my tone changes slightly. "Can't I just wear one of your nicer night shirts and jeans?"

He tries to conceal his cringe, but fails miserably. His steps are calculated as he walks towards me. His hands rub up and down my bare arms.

I sigh, "Maxon, we are going to watch a movie and we are in our palace… who cares what we do…?"

"America, darling, prot-"

"Protocol didn't matter this morning when you wanted to sleep with me in the garden. What about one of your night shirts and a nice skirt…?"

He huffs, "Fine, but only because I love you."

"And I love you. Even more now since I got one of your shirts. You are never getting that shirt back, by the way."

"I figured." He laughs digging through one of his dresser drawers to find a shirt to give me, "Do you want this black one or this light gray one?"

I looked at them both. They were the same breathable, but a rather tight fitting, material. So, I smelled each shirt. Which one smelled the most like Maxon?

"The gray one." I grabbed it from him, greedily, "Thank you, my love."

"You're welcome, Darling."

I ran back to my room through our adjoining door. I continue to smell his shirt, the cologne he wears still faintly there. The smile plastered across my face doesn't want to leave as I collapse against my door, still inhaling his scent. Of course, as I got in there, Mary waltz in carrying a deep red wine dress.

She curtsied deeply, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

"Maxon and I danced in the rain. We are going to watch a movie together. Will you help me out of this dress?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." She sets the dress down and rushes over to me.

"Is that my dress for the Report?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You outdo yourself with every dress!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I turn and let myself relax as the dress comes undone. I remember that I left the strapless bra in Maxon's office earlier. My face fills with heat. I am thankful that Mary doesn't ask where it is, she just hands me a dry bra. She hands me dry panties, as well.

"Mary, can you find a skirt that matches with that shirt?"

"Yes, of course, Your Majesty." She walks into my closet and pulls out a black pencil skirt that hits right above the knee.

I nod excitedly as she walks over to me. "This is perfect. Will you help make this shirt look royal without modifying it? Also, would it be possible to get another bottle of this perfume within the next few hours or so?"

She nods, "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll have it on your sink counter right after the Report."

"Thank you."

"Of course, Your Majesty." She replies and quickly begins to work on my outfit. I clean my face as she pulls out belts to see which match better. I put on just mascara with a vanilla flavored lip gloss and pull my hair into a french braid. I don't want to spray anything on his shirt, so I avoid hairspray, perfume, and any heat protectants. She pulled out a sparkling hair clip to elevate the hair and make it more royal. I step into some black heels and stand back to look at the finished product.

It's royal and queen-worthy, but also simple and beyond comfortable. The shirt was kind of big on me, so I rolled the sleeves so they weren't an awkwardly long length. The skirt and belt definitely elevate the look to the more royal style I'm supposed to wear. I knew that Maxon wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of me. Just as I am about to leave, she pulls out some concealer. Oh, I forgot that he gave me a hickey on my neck. She must not have seen it until now.

"Tell him not to leave these marks on your neck. They are a pain to cover up!" Mary instructs.

I blush and giggle slightly, "I will. I told him not to, but he didn't listen."

She giggles and I laugh with her. I look back into the mirror to check the mark, it looks as if he didn't even leave a mark on me. I thank her as I slip back into Maxon's room through our door.

Maxon looks rather dapper for us to go watch a movie. I don't know why he put on a suit jacket or why he put a matching handkerchief into the breast pocket. He is fixing his dry gray tie by his mirror. I walk over to him and fix it for him. He drops his hands away from the base of his neck. His eyes meet mine as I continue to fix his tie and flatten his collar.

"You look gorgeous, My dear."

"You called my younger sister that. You are most definitely not allowed to call me that, ever again." I rub my hands down his chest, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles in his overly crisp shirt.

He laughs and kisses my forehead. His voice drops as he lowers his head down to my ear, "That's why I love you. You look gorgeous, my America. You wear that shirt better than I ever could."

I shiver at his husky words, "Thank you, Your Royal Husbandness. Let's go before this goes too far. I need to watch a movie. I haven't seen a good movie in a few months."

We pull away from each other, but not for long. He holds out his arm for me. I lace mine into his with ease. We walk out together. The only sound we made was the clinking of heels and pattering of footsteps going down the stairs. I wasn't complaining about the silence, though. It was calming and much needed after dancing in the rain and poking fun at each other all day. He propped open the door and held it for me to enter. He carefully closed the door behind us and got the lights all situated for us so we could see as we walked in. I was so excited to sit down and, hopefully, watch a good movie with Maxon. Part of me really wanted to just watch a movie. The naughty part of me really wanted to get all cozy and start the movie, but end up not seeing it in the end because we would be too busy being in love.