Wow guys you liked the last chapter didn't you? I liked reading your reviews and seeing how you interpreted it! Bookworm123112 you can't cry! I didn't mean to make you cry! Idk I'm glad you liked it! Lady Kalee I'm not trying to torture you! But I love cliffhangers! And I love you girl you're awesome and keep up the good work! Meg-sters52 do you like the rebels? Panda-Crazy-19 haha that's all you can say? Princess America how about you find out ;) lilythemermaid I won't ever stop don't worry! And thanks that means a lot! Please keep writing too I love your work! Juliana Rose awesome! ClaireMonteith I've missed your comments! And don't say school doesn't give you a chance! How do you think I learned all my writing techniques? Guest I'll make sure of that! Karen ok! Jonelle awwww I'm sorry! And I'm not that cruel you'll see! Cute Irish Gal awesome girl!

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Love Smashleigh

Chapter 42:

Holding the drooling little baby on my shoulder I walk around the garden. The only way to get Alex to sleep these days is to walk around with him. Sadly, this time it was at two in the morning. I feel like he knows he's a pain but I can't say no to him. Neither can Maxon. Both of us have spoiled these children to their hearts content and I have no idea how we can stop.

A small whimper escapes him and I try soothing him by rubbing his back. He is comforted immediately and I hear his soft little snores again. Letting my eyes drift shut I start humming a small lullaby to him. When his breathing calms and I hear his constant little snores I decide that he's good. Walking back towards the gardens entrance I stop when I spot a familiar figure leaning against a tree. He's watching me and for a moment doesn't realize he's been caught. When I approach him he crosses his arms over his chest and stares coldly down at me.

"Aspen." I say softly, so no one can hear us.

He nods his head. "Hello Mer."

"What are you doing here?" I ask him as Alex makes a small noise. Trying to soothe him I shush him and start swaying again.

"I just needed to see you." he said.

I sigh. "That's a little difficult now isn't it? But you know my decision. Can't you see that?"

"Oh I know." he said sadly. "But I just can't forget. Can you?"

I shook my head. "Of course I won't forget but I have to move on. So do you."

His eyes drop to his boots. I notice that he's gained some weight since I last saw him. He seems much more muscular. His hair has also been cropped shorter than usual and the light scruff of stubble sits on his face. But his burning green eyes are constant. Letting my eyes roam to his outfit I almost feel bad. A least when he was a Six he didn't have such tattered clothing. But he chose the life of a rebel and I'll never be able to get him back.

"Listen Aspen." I say. "As you can see I can't go back, nor will I ever want to. But I want to see you happy, okay?"

He lifts a hand and rubs his thumb over Alex's hand. Alex stirs but doesn't wake. Thank God! But I unconsciously turn him away from Aspen. A small glint of anger reflects in his eyes. But he sees the content look I give Alex and his expression softens. "How's the other one?"

"She's good." I say softly but then realize something. "How do you know there's a second one?"

A sly smile crosses his face. "Mer there's nothing we don't know."

"But…but I made sure no one was to know until the birth. Except close friends." I stammered.

He takes a step closer. "Am I not a close friend anymore?"

I back away. "No."

His eyes turn cold and hard again and I take another step back. Before he can say anything else I leave. His gaze burns into my back but I don't turn around. Walking back inside I let the cool palace air refresh me and walk back upstairs.

Passing through our room I find Maxon still asleep and his soft snores make me smile. But of course after an hour outside Alex still isn't asleep and he lets out a small cry. I cringe hoping Maxon doesn't wake but it's too late. He stirs and glances up at me. His eyes soften as he stands and comes over to us. Placing a hand on my shoulder he looks down at me and Alex. "Darling how long have you been up?"

"Not long." I lie. When he gives me a hard stare I sigh. "About an hour."

Glancing at the clock he sighs. "You can get a few more hours of sleep."

I shake my head. "You need them more. Since your Father…" I couldn't finish, thinking of the King's death. "You have new responsibilities."

"One of them being a Father." he tells me softly. "Come on America. You've done enough."

I reluctantly give him Alex. He cradles him in his arms and looks down at the little boy. For some reason Alex likes being in his arms because I see him yawn before letting out a cute little noise. Giving Alex a small kiss on his head and Maxon one on his cheek I make my way wearily to bed.

Making sure she's asleep, I walk into the nursery and place sleepy Alex in his crib. We had new cribs delivered because the others were ruined. Plus we didn't want the children sleeping in something that someone's blood was in.

Looking at baby Olivia and making sure she's asleep I went back into our room. These past three weeks have been the most stressful on all of us. Learning that my Father was killed- making sure that our children were out – made me cringe. All he wanted was to see them, and America and I took that away from him. My Mother was beside herself with grief and it broke my heart to see her cry so much. America was not her usual self because she was so full of regret for not letting him see them. She would break down crying some nights because she felt so guilty. Nothing could comfort her and no matter how hard I tried she'd still feel awful. Even though she taught me all she could about crying women, I still wasn't getting it. Then there was me. Everything was immediately thrown on me as soon as we learned of my Father's death. There was not once in the week that I was able to see America except for at night. She tried taking my mind off everything but even I noticed how tired she was. No longer were we the carefree people we use to be. All these responsibilities landed on us and it was suffocating us.

Olivia cried at quarter of nine, which I was grateful for. She was a quiet child but I couldn't sleep anyways. Throwing the covers off me I slipped into a pair of slippers and made my way to the door. Easing it open I came over to her crib quickly, making sure she didn't wake Alex.

"Shh Vivi." I said softly. She grasped her little fingers around mine and I couldn't help but giggle. No matter how much she cried she was a playful child. "Aw I'm here sweetie."

Walking around the room, I took a seat in the tower window seat. Sinking into the soft cushions I watched the sun rise higher in the sky. It'd be a cold July morning but I'd take them out for a stroll later.

There was a knock on the door and I turned my head lazily to see Maxon relaxing against the door frame. He seemed unnaturally happy this morning but I couldn't quite place why. I offered him a smile and he smiled back.

"I see you beat me to it." he said softly, walking over to us.

I nodded. "I've gotten a lot of practice."

He grimaced. "I'd like to help you know?"

"You are." I say leaning my head on his shoulder when he sat down. "But I've got it."

He sighed. "You're a really stubborn woman."

I kissed his cheek. "But you love me anyways."

"Do I?" he laughed. "I think I need a refresher."

Standing up I placed Olivia back in her crib. She stared up at me with wide blue eyes. Letting out a small yawn she curled her fingers around a small tiger. I smiled before turning to Maxon. He was watching over my shoulder and when I turned we were literally nose to nose. A sly smile crossed his face and he looked down at my lips briefly.

"I still think I needed a refresher." he said seductively.

"Not in front of the children." I teased.

"I don't think they'll remember." he said wrapping his arms around me and lifting me up for a kiss.

I kissed him back and then let out a small squeal when he started moving. Moving into the bedroom he closed the door. I gave him a knowing smile when my knees hit the bed.

"Good afternoon." my Mother said to me when we finally made it downstairs.

It had to be a little after noon when we came downstairs and America shot me a small smile. I almost laughed but winked at her instead. My Mother's eyes roamed between the two of us before settling back on her book.

"Sorry we weren't down sooner." America said without giving an explanation.

"Oh don't worry about it. I'm sure you both needed your sleep." she assured us.

I snorted but turned it into a cough, not as gracefully as I thought because my Mother gave me a sharp look. Taking a seat at the desk one of my advisors approached me. Placing a few papers on my desk I glanced over them briefly before signing. America sat down before picking up a book. But as soon as she did the baby monitor beside her went off. Sighing she stood and nodded towards my Mother and I before leaving the room. I gave her a sympathetic glance before returning to my work. Seems we just do a lot of that lately.

My Mother cleared her throat. "I really wish you'd attend to your responsibilities before work."

I shot her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Family before work." is all she said.

Picking up Alex I cradled him in my arms. As soon as he was in my arms he quieted immediately. "Oh you little heathen." I laugh quietly. "Take me away from relaxing."

I stroll around the room with him when a shuffle startles me. Training my eyes around the room I spot the door to the hall slightly ajar. Placing Alex back in his crib I creep over a peek out. The guards must be changing rotations and one accidently hit the door. I shut the door and turn to meet the eyes of a very scruffy looking man. Letting out a scream he shoves a hand over my mouth before I can again. My vision gets spotty when I start losing my breath and then everything goes black.