A/N: Sorry for the long wait in between chapters. I wanted to fully celebrate the month of pride, so I tried not to spend too much time writing and more time fighting for equality.

With that being said: here it is, chapter 31. And I can tell you, the fighting has mostly dulled out, but I'll let you read and come to your own conclusions with that.

Another thing before I let you all read: I did get a comment about Marlee being involved with the photo shoot. The only reason she's really there is to make sure that things stay PG13 till after the photoshoot. I also want her to control things such as posing for them because, even with the timer, it might be hard for America and Maxon to pose and get the pictures. Also, candid shots. Hopefully, when I get that chapter up you'll see what I mean.

The next chapter will be up very soon. I'm in a groove now, so expect it up within the next few hours or days!

Hope you enjoy another chapter of Happy Endings!

*America's POV*

I laid in his bed, completely naked. One hour and thirteen minutes later, he did what he wanted to do. He made it up to me. He made it up to me big time. Eight orgasms in one hour and thirteen minutes. Eight of them! Each one was electric and so needed. They almost made me forget that we were fighting. It wasn't till he fell down next to me and told me that he was too tired to try anything else and that he was happy that I gave him a second chance that I even remembered we were fighting.

He laid next to me. He was dozing off and was overly tired from our activities. I don't blame him in all honesty. I'm surprised that I'm not passing out as well. I think I'm not already sleeping because I know that I still need to leave. As he started to fall asleep, I decided it would be the best time to take my leave. It would hurt him (and probably myself as well, to be completely honest), but I know that for me to prove my point and stay true to my word, I would have to go through with it and leave his side for the night. It means pain on both ends. It means it hurts for the night. But it also means proving a point. It means teaching him that I can't be walked over. It means telling him that I am still his wife, not his little fuck toy. It means reminding him that I have feelings and I can hurt. It means reminding him that I married Maxon Schreave and not Clarkson Schreave.

So I flipped the covers off of me and slid out of bed as quietly as I could manage in efforts to let him sleep. As I crossed the floor in efforts to get my undergarments on, the only sound to be heard was the light padding of my feet making their way across the floor. My underwear and bra made their way onto my body. Then my dress. I didn't waste my time trying to close the corset backing. I was going to change into my pajamas and go to bed early, so it would be a waste of time to worry about the closure on this stupid dress. I picked up my white shoes, not putting them on for fear of being too loud. Before sighing, I looked back at the bed.

My sweet, loving Maxon looked so calm while he rested. He deserved to rest and sleep. He didn't deserve what I put him through. In all fairness, we both didn't deserve this fight, especially over something as silly as finishing when we always have time to go back and do it again.

I blew him a kiss and a tear managed to slip out of my eye. I slowly and quietly walked over to the door. Time to leave. I opened the door, took one last look back, and closed it softly. I sighed, releasing the handle knowing that letting go means not going back for the rest of the night and sleeping alone. I leaned back into the closed door, longing to go back and crawl back into his sweet embrace. I can't. I want to be with him, but I can't do it. It would go against what I'm trying to prove if I did. Tears blurred my eyes more and started to trickle down my face. Mary and Kiana, who were waiting for me to come back for the night, saw me starting to fall apart.

"Oh! Your Majesty!" Mary rushed over to my slowly crumbling frame. She grabbed my arm, pulled me to the bed, made me sit down before I actually fell onto the cool floor. My tears were quickly turning into silent sobs.

"It hurts. Mary, it hurts."

"What hurts?"

"Being away from him like this." I sob out to her. I fall back into the bed. It doesn't feel the same as his bed, especially since his arms aren't around me. For a moment, it hurts more. "I can't sleep with him tonight though. I have to be away from him."

"Are you fighting?"

"Yes!" I wail out. Mary is a smart woman, much smarter than her caste and her position as my maid. Couldn't she have figured out that we were fighting without me admitting it to her in such a weak and frail state? It's a damage to my pride, or whatever is left of it at this point.

"Kiana, you are dismissed. Go find Elle or Sarah. I'll talk to you later tonight about how we plan to go about your… predicament." She turns her attention back to me, "Would you like to see Lady Woodwork? Maybe she can help you, Your Majesty."

I sit up. "Will you get her for me? Please?"

"Of course. I'll be right back, Your Majesty."

So, she leaves. The time both seems to rush but also seems to go on for an entirety. It feels like she's already been gone for days, yet only mere seconds. But still, before I can even fully comprehend her leaving, Mary returns with Marlee. Her body crouches in front of mine, worry lacing each of her brown eyes. Her eyes just about match Maxon's. They have the same swirl to them, his is just a little bit brighter. Knowing that makes a small part of me die inside because they are so familiar, but they aren't his.

"America, honey, what's wrong?"

"It hurts, Marlee."

Marlee sighs in anguish, turning to Mary to give instructions. "Mary, you're dismissed. I can handle her for now. I'll get you when she's calmed down and is able to get ready for bed." She looks back at me, not even caring for Mary's response. "Maxon?"

I nod. The door clicks shut. She nods. "After you guys left dinner. I told him that he hurt me. I told him what he needed to hear. Then I told him that I wanted to sleep in here tonight, like you said I should. He wanted a second chance. So I let him sleep with me to make up for what didn't happen earlier. He asked if there would be any chance that I would spend the night like we normally do. I told him that I wish there was, but I know what's best for me. I spent one hour and thirteen minutes with him. He's asleep over there and I had to leave. I had to, but it hurts. It hurts so bad. I won't be able to sleep, Marlee. I won't be able to sleep without him next to me."

She moves to sit up on the bed. Her arms pull me into her. "Here's what you need to do: try. For tonight, try to sleep in here without him. If you can't sleep around midnight or one, go to him. If you sleep, then good for you. But I need you to try. Try to sleep in here. Please. Remember, this is a punishment for him, not for you."

I nod into her. She whispers in my hair, "I know it doesn't stop the pain, but it's right. Trust me."

So I did. She held me for a little while longer. I calmed down, it took a lot for me to get to the point of mostly okay, though. My whole world felt like it was falling apart all because I couldn't be with him. When I was mostly okay, Marlee got Mary back for me. She left after that. I told Mary to give me Maxon's shirt so I could change. She did as I asked. She didn't question the few tears that slipped out of my eyes as that shirt slid over my head and down my body. Mary decided to pamper me extra tonight. She gave me a back massage (sensing the tension of my situation right now), braided my hair, and even tucked me into my stiff bed.

"I'll be back in the morning around 7:30." She told me.

"Okay. I might not be here. Just be quiet when you enter, just in case."

"Of course Your Majesty." She sighs, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Goodnight Mary."

"Goodnight Your Majesty." She curtsies, then I hear the door latch shut. I sigh. I'm alone to sleep. I haven't been alone in what feels like forever. Hopefully I can make it through the night, alone. I sigh. Just me, myself, and I. This is how it was in Carolina and during the selection. I should be just fine. No, I will be just fine.

I was in the garden, my favorite place. The fresh air was cool on my skin. The sun warmed my pale arms as I floated around the garden, just existing freely. My dress flowed with the light whispers of the wind. I picked up a flower by my feet. It smelled absolutely wonderful compared to flowers I've smelled before today. I tucked it into my hair by my ear, wanting to keep it by me to show Maxon. Maxon always loved to see the flowers I picked for him. Besides, it matched my dress nicely, then again everything matches with white. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was relaxed. There was nothing going on. Just me in my garden. Without warning, the sirens signally a rebel attack began to go off. A rebel attack? It couldn't be. The rebels hadn't attacked in months, almost a full year. They were happy with the caste being dissolved. They got what they wanted. It couldn't be an attack. The sirens that rang out around me begged to differ. It was indeed an attack. I heard gunshots echoing behind me.

Shit. I reacted. My body jumped up and I began to move hastily. I ran back to the palace. It wasn't terribly far, I was only at our bench, but the distance grew to miles in front of me as I tried to get to safety. I heard more shots around me. I need to get to safety. I kept running. In my peripheral vision I saw other people, faceless people dressed in all gray, dropping dead due to the shots fired by the rebels. I need to get to safety. Maxon must be so worried about me.

I ran fast, but my speed only did me so good. After what felt like days of running, I made it to the doors. I tried to pull on them to get in, but they were locked. They never lock these doors. Maxon told them not to because I come out here so frequently. He didn't want something like this to happen.

"Help!" I yelled. "Help!"

More shots rang around me. I saw a guard on the inside. I banged on the glass door, hoping he would get to me to let me in. He looked at me, beginning to move to me. I saw sorrow on his face. He got shot in the chest. He fell, the dark liquid pooling out below his lifeless body. I need to get to a safe room! I tried the door again. It opened. I pulled it open and ran to find a room that I could get into. Any room that would lead to the underground tunnels. Any room would work. As I bolted through hallways, I saw blood on the walls. I hoped that none of it was Maxon's. I ran more. The whole time as I ran, the only thing I could think about was making it to Maxon. Making it to his arms. Seeing his brown eyes relax as he looks at me. Seeing him before it's too late. I hope and pray that it's not too late. I ran even more. I didn't think it was possible, but I ran more than I had ever before. Adrenaline was chorusing through my veins. It was one of the only reasons I kept going. The other being my need to know that Maxon was alive, okay, and waiting for me in the damn safe room.

After finding a room that had an entrance, I made it to the tunnels. I need to find the royal safe room. It shouldn't be too far. Just a little bit more down this hallway. Uh oh. Guards, dead, on the floor. Blood leaking out from under them. I hope Maxon is okay. Maybe he got away. I slowed down as I approached. I took one deep breath as I stood just outside the door. It's now or never. I grabbed the frame of the open door, scared to look inside.

I stepped inside to find the most heartbreaking sight. My love, tied to the King's throne. His crown askew on his head, blood dripping from his nose down his lip. More blood stained the edges of his blonde hair and blonde sideburns as it dripped from the side of his head from his temple. Even more blood seeping through his white shirt. The worst part: written in blood on the wall behind him 'One down. One to go.' I stepped into the room more. Part of me thought that somehow he'd still be alive. That somehow the blood leaking from the cavity in his chest where his heart is was fake so he'd wake up and see me, so I'd get a chance to look into his brown eyes again. So, I stepped in closer. I saw a note, pinned onto him by one of the rebels that did in fact take his life. I ignored it for just a moment to kiss his lips one last time. It didn't matter that I would probably get blood on my lips, it was still him. It was still Maxon. I sat in his lap and held his head to my chest. Tears leaked from my eyes. It didn't matter that he was dead, he was still Maxon. I cried into his blonde head for a moment. Then I remembered the note pinned to him. I got up, wiped my eyes, and then looked at it. It read: "He said he loves her. His last words were 'make sure she knows I love her forever and that I didn't want to leave her.' Too bad she's good as dead too."

I turn around, sensing that I'm no longer alone in the safe room. Something, or someone, stands in the doorway of the safe room. Dressed in all black, they smile.

"You must be the girl he loves." I swallow anxiously. The rebel woman chuckles. "When I wrote that down in blood I almost wrote two. A little birdy told me you might be pregnant Queen America."

I gasped. I hadn't told anyone. Only Marlee that I might be, but I hadn't even taken the test yet. "Who told you...?"

"Doesn't matter. You're as good as dead anyway."

Then the shot goes off.

I burst up from the bed. Oh my god. Oh my god! I feel like I can't breathe. Not only seeing Maxon, dead and tied to his throne, but watching myself get shot… It's still so painful to think about. I check my clock. 1:07 am. You've got to be kidding me. I went to bed at 9:00 pm and fell asleep around 10:00. This is ridiculous. What is even more ridiculous is the fact that I still can't breathe and I can feel the tears forming in my eyes. Tears start to fall. I can't. I can't sit here. I can't do it. I can't even catch my breath. I need to see him. I need to know he's okay. I need him.

So, once again, I pull myself out of bed and creep across the floor to our door. Slowly, I push it open. My eyes adjust to the slightly brighter room. The moon shone in, casting a dull white haze over his space because he forgot to close his curtains. Normally I do that, that's why. It's beautiful nonetheless. I tip toe in and close the door quietly. I look to his bed. He sleeps so peacefully in it. His arms wrapped around a pillow and his face burrowed into it. The moonlight shining off his skin made me melt inside. I run to the bed, still on my toes to be as quiet as possible. I open the blankets and crawl in. Maxon opens his eyes.

"America?" He asks sleepily.

"Shh…"

"What are you doing?"

I sigh. "I couldn't sleep. I know we're fighting, but can you just hold me, please?"

"Of course. Come here." He opens his arms for me and I slide myself in. He envelops me. I allow it. I relax into his bare chest and he just holds me.

"I had a nightmare," I tell him after resting in silence for a moment. "It was bad."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"It's basically the same as the last one." I sigh. "I was in the garden. The sirens went off. They hadn't gone off in months, so I was worried. I ran to the doors. I watched a guard die. I got in. I ran to the safe rooms. I was hoping to find you. I found the right room. I saw you, dead, tied to the throne, crown askew on your head, and blood. Lots of blood stains on your shirt and face. It was a horrid sight. Written above you in blood was 'One down, one to go'. Pinned to you was a note that said your last words and that I was good as dead. I heard something so I looked behind me, and there was a rebel. In my dream, I suspected that I was pregnant. She told me that she was tempted to write 'One down, two to go.' then the shots went off."

"I'm sorry that our fighting caused that."

"It's not your fault. I just need to know you were alive. I felt like- like I couldn't breathe knowing that I wasn't beside you when I woke up."

"I understand. I'm glad you're in my arms. I didn't even fall asleep until about thirty minutes ago. I couldn't even try to sleep without you here."

"Seems like we need each other just a little bit."

"We do." He kisses my head. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Me neither." I sigh into him. My voice just barely above a whisper, "I… I love you, Maxon."

"I love you, too, America. I won't ever stop loving you."

"Good. I won't ever stop loving you."

"Just the way it should be. Now, get some rest. We need to rest for tomorrow."

"Right. Tomorrow. I can't wait."

"Me neither."

"Goodnight Maxon. I love you." I tell him, more sure of myself now.

"I love you, too." He tells me before placing a kiss upon my head and leaving us both to drift back into sleep, this time knowing that we are okay in each other's arms.