A/N: Thanks for continuing to read. Loving the candid reviews. I really appreciate them. I want to give another shout-out to KC, but afraid it may be a little much. And, who am I kidding? If I really got to hang out with her, I'd probably trip on my own feet and spill coffee all over her phone. So, a Starbucks gift card and a passing wave would be much safer.

nikitabella: Glad you enjoyed it. You're right that life with America and Maxon would not be all fluff-because real love sucks sometimes! Just hoping the "fish or cut bait" discussion didn't seem too forced. Thanks for your thoughts! :)

piepie1289: Thanks! And thanks for staying with me.

.books: I appreciate the detailed review, and that you shared your real thoughts. What other vignettes would you want to see? I like the time skipping because of the ability to focus on "touchstone" events. Hmmm. Again appreciate your thoughts-looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

candy1928: I know, right? And, more is explained in the next story chapter.

Athenachild101: Glad you enjoyed it.

prnamber3909: It felt great to right-so glad it was fun to read.

The Devil Wears Westwood: Thanks-I'm having fun with it.

pumpkin21: Wouldn't it be nice? :)

**We're skipping 18 months forward.**

"Italy's been good to us," Maxon grinned, looking at me from his chair at the breakfast table. I cradle Barrett against my shoulder, kissing the small head crowned with bright orange fluff, and place him gently in the bassinet. Changed, fed, and already back to sleep. Sometimes I would kill to be an infant. I stand and survey the room. His twin, Griffin, sighs in his sleep, belly full, and snuggles into the crook of Maxon's arm. The dim light from dawn is enough to illuminate his white blonde hair. "First, Abrielle, now these two..." He sips his coffee, looking satisfied.

"Mmhmm," I intone. "I told Nicoletta there must be something in that water." I maneuver back to my place at the table. He puts his cup down as I walk past, and grabs my hand to kiss it, looking up over my palm to say, "Have I told you lately how good you look carrying a baby?"

Laughing I answer, "Once or twice." Maxon's exuberance is infectious. "But don't get any ideas. I think four children should be enough for you for now, Your Majesty. That is plenty for a rousing game of just about anything."

I sit, and begin my breakfast with my customary cup of tea. Stone cold. "One of these days, I will have my tea while it is lukewarm, maybe even hot." I smile to let him know I am teasing, and dig in. Even after all these years, I greet breakfast with special enthusiasm.

These years. A shadow passes my eyes. A year and a half ago, I couldn't remember how to recover this easy-going back and forth. We had grown so far from each other.

"Ames?"

We started these early morning breakfasts after that horrible winter. Trying to weave ourselves together again. At this table is where we poured out all the misunderstandings of six months that led to our unraveling. Where we took time to heal and forgive. Where we decided loving each other was worth risking. Where I got my best friend back. It's even where we decided to take Nicoletta up on her offer to escape, though a short week was all the time we could spare. When either of us must be away, this is the part of the day that is the most painful to miss. For the first time in my life, I am a morning person.

"America, what are you thinking about?" He looks at me and knows where my mind wanders. When I don't answer he whispers, "I think about it, too."

I thought back to the night where I had given him a veiled ultimatum, despairing that he wouldn't want to touch me again. Then, I flush, thinking of the kiss and everything after.

He raises an eyebrow, and I know he knows what I was just thinking about the end of that evening. "Maxon, I still can't believe he cornered you in your study and described my back in detail to you." A shiver runs down my spine, thinking about how closely he must have been examining me during state functions. "I'm not sure Marlee has forgiven you yet for all the extra work it created for her."

"And I know Carter thinks I was a complete ass. I don't think I told you that he overheard most of our argument that night."

"How could he not? And, we agreed we both were wrong-for letting it go so long." My pregnancy and miscarriage after Abrielle hadn't even been common knowledge, but with that loss came the fear of never having a large family. We closed ourselves off to each other so completely, put on a brave face and threw ourselves into our work and our children. We left nothing for each other. I take another bite of toast, and push away those thoughts. "Of course he was on my side," I tease, "I inspire loyalty in all my guards."

"That you do, love." He gets up and places Griffin beside his brother. My eyes mist watching his gentle patience.

"What are your plans for today, Ames?" He pulls on his socks and then buttons up a crisp white shirt.

"A nap?" I joke, readjusting my robe as I stand to help with his tie. "Actually, Marlee and I need to work through a new school visit strategy. With the babies, it may be a little more complicated this year. Kriss offered to help, so if we can catch her on the phone, we will. And you?"

The sun breaks on the horizon, and I know our time together for the morning is close to being through. "We should be able to do family dinner tonight, if we eat early, but trade negotiations after are unavoidable."

I fix the knot on his royal blue tie, and grab his suit jacket from the back of the chair. "Well, the sooner you go, the sooner you'll be done." He shrugs into his jacket, takes my face in his hands, and kisses me gently. There is comfort in coming through difficulty, and landing upright on the other side.

I close the door quietly behind him, leaning against it briefly before I head to my closet to begin preparations for the day. "I love you, too, Maxon Schreave. I love you, too."