Just a heads-up in response to Maxericaaa, I am planning to post a short Maxon and America high-school fic quite soon. It's actually already written. I will be posting a sneak peek of some sorts here when it's up.

Thank you Anj0921 for reminding me about America's birthday. I completely forgot about it. This chapter is a little late but serves the same meaning.


Photo #54: Sleeping Birthday Beauty

Eadlyn smirks a little from the corner of her mouth as she looks at the next photo.

She knows that in the royal world, aside from the actual monarchy, the next best thing were the parties. Illéa sure knew how to throw parties. If an event had to be arranged, Illéa was always considered to host. Political celebrations were one thing but birthday parties were something else. Those parties were always the most entertaining because nothing economical would be at stake. It could just be a hell of a good time.

The next photo still has Eadlyn smirking as she wonders what kind of party is going on. Instead of seeing dancing or champagne in the photo, she sees her mother asleep in her bed, laying on her stomach with her arms circling around her head. On top of her messy red locks in a little paper 'Happy Birthday' party hat.

Eadlyn feels warm inside as she stares longingly at the photo. Then as she feels her own body go cold and empty with a disappearing grimace. She finds herself muttering, wishing for her mother to wake up just so she can live to experience her next birthday.

-o-

The palace doors open and America walks in wearing her most comfortable jeans, a basic tee with a cardigan, flats, and sunglasses. Basically, this is the most comfortable she's been all weekend which is relieving to her. She yawns and ruffles her own hair as some of the butlers enter the palace with America's bags.

"We'll take all of your bags, your Highness," one of the butler says.

In the middle of her thanks, America yawns again. She could've slept on the plane ride home but she still hasn't gotten used to the idea of sleeping on planes. One would think that by now and after all the overseas traveling she has done, she would know how to sleep on planes but that is a lesson she still has to teach herself.

America climbs up the stairs to head to her bedroom. She holds on the railing, pulling herself up with her hands more than using her feet to walk up. That's how tired she is. It's times like this when she wished her bedroom was on the ground floor or the basement rather than upstairs.

At the top, she sees Maxon light up at her presence. He wraps his arms around her, embracing her return as he kisses he repeatedly on her head. America lets herself loose on him, putting all her weight on him. She closes her eyes as her head rests on his shoulder. If she could, she would fall asleep in his warmth.

"How was your trip?" Maxon asks her.

"Fine..." America mumbles into his shirt. "I'm beyond tired. I'm going to sleep."

"Really?" Maxon questions, surprised at that response as America breaks from his hug and continues walking towards their room. He jogs a few steps to catch up to her. "Are you really going to take a nap now?"

"Hibernation would be a better word."

"But, darling - "

America turns around sharply, pointing her finger at him. Maxon immediately stops, not seeing that action coming. She lowers her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose and glares at him with sharp and narrowed eyes. He doesn't comment on the dark bags under her eyes because even he knows better than to insult a sleep-deprived and angry wife. As Maxon's silence lingers, she raises her sunglasses back up to her eyes and continues her walk to the bedroom. Maxon continues to follow, needing to say something to her.

"America," Maxon calls again.

"It can wait till tomorrow!" America yells back, opening the bedroom door and swinging it closed.

"No, it cannot..." Maxon mutters to himself, catching the door before it closes and walking in.

Maxon closes the door behind him as he stands in the doorway. America staggers over to the bed and throws herself right in the middle, lying like a starfish that's washed up on shore. America throws her sunglasses off and finally feels relieved when she can just close her eyes. Nothing feels better than falling asleep when your body can no longer stay awake.

"America..." Maxon whispers, walking over to the bed. "Are you forgetting something important, darling?"

"Go away..." America grumbles through the pillows.

"No, America, this is - "

"I'm not changing into my pajamas, deal with it."

Maxon has no response. He didn't even realize that America just fell asleep in her civvies. She even left her flats on.

"No, America," Maxon tries to get in there, "I'm trying to tell you that - "

Maxon cuts him off when he hears America's light snoring. She's completely knocked out with no hope of her waking up anytime soon. Maxon just smiles to himself, putting a hand on the back of his neck. At first, he decides not to laugh out loud despite him really wanting to but America is so fast asleep that a bomb could go off and she'll only nestle deeper into the sheets.

"Oh, my..." Maxon mutters. "That must have been one hell of a plane ride."

He heads over to his dresser and pulls out a small party hat with the words 'Happy Birthday' written across the circular part of the cone. He gently rests it on her head. Maxon backs away and grabs his camera, taking a picture of his sleeping beauty with the party hat on her head, still smirking wildly to himself. When that's done with, he takes a seat on the little space on the edge of the bed considering that America's starfish position has her limbs populating the entire surface area. Before he does anything else, Maxon stretches forwards and takes her flats off, throwing them across the room. Then, Maxon lightly kisses her cheek once more and throws some of her red curls off over her head and away from her face.

"Happy birthday, my dear," Maxon tells her. "I never imagined one could be so tired that they forget their own birthday. Don't worry, when you wake up, you can have some cake."


To be honest, I am so tired of typing up party chapters so that's why this chapter is written with this plot. Also, I won't be surprised if this were to ever happen to me.

Stay Tuned - gotta start the day off with a hot cup of coffee...