A/N:
mundane-pansycakes: Love your screen name, btw. I've been thinking about a scene with Magda… my stumbling block? How would an adult America with her own large family interact with the parent she was less connected with? Thanks for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Totalbooknerd13: Your review made me laugh out loud—seriously, people were looking at me. :)
going for the win: Doing my best, thanks!
The Devil Wears Westwood: Thanks for continuing to read and review. I know re: The Queen. I feel the same way—can't wait to read it. But, then what if she doesn't write any more. Then I don't want to read it because these series truly would be done.
prnamber3909 and Llol: Thanks for sticking with me. What do you think of the new development?
jthornestudent: Thanks—glad it's keeping your interest. It's hard for me to push the story aside so I can get end-of-the-semester stuff done.
As always, thanks for reading. I always enjoy reading your reviews. :)
"No," I whine, and bury my face back in the pillow, trying to catch a few more minutes of precious sleep.
Maxon just laughs at me, poking at the ticklish places on my sides, "Come on, America. We'll miss breakfast, and I am almost positive you can't count on me for dinner tonight."
He starts to pull the white down comforter from me, and I follow it on its trajectory almost falling off the end of the bed. Finally I relent, and sit up. "I'm up…I'm up." A yawn catches me off guard while I stretch. "This is your fault you know. That meeting yesterday took everything out of me." I fix my face in a frown, as I really open my eyes for the first time that morning.
Graciously, the light in our room was still dim. Dawn has not yet broken, but our customary tray already sits on the table. Maxon stands at the end of the bed, comforter in hand. His hair is wet from the shower, but he only wears dark sweatpants for breakfast. Shirts really do not do his muscular trunk any justice. I can't help but comment, "So, we're dressing formally for breakfast, then?"
He offers me his hand and pulls me to my feet. "Of course, as always." His eyes roam over my nightclothes and focus on my bare legs, "All those nightgowns in your drawer and you grab my undershirt to sleep in?"
I shrug, "It was close. I was tired. And," I tease, throwing on my terry cloth robe and padding to the table, "Maybe I missed you last night. When did you finally come to bed?" I take the tea cup Maxon offers, already full of tea.
"I don't even know, love. I couldn't bear to look. Aspen and I are grabbing odd times to review and update each other. If he is in my office too much during the day, the advisory council will notice. We had to have the meeting after the meeting, and I'm not ready to share details with anyone more than Stavros."
Stavros is the only remaining advisor from Clarkson's council, but he has always been especially allied to Maxon. Even when Clarkson was still alive, Stavros would support Maxon's ideas in council meetings. "What does Stavros think of the situation?"
Maxon sighs, taking a bite of muffin, "He feels betrayed. These families are friends and confidants, Ames. He personally recommended Didasko for his education position."
I just nod and change the subject slightly, "Is the training room prepared?"
"Another thing we checked on last night. Yes, but again, the children will train with May and Paige in the nursery at first. It's the best way to keep Barrett and Griffin secure, without advertising Cal and Brie's new skill. Georgia will work with Marlee and you in the training room."
"We're starting this morning. I don't like feeling helpless. And I felt helpless when the alarms went off the other night."
We're silent for a while as we focus on our food and let ourselves think. "Mary says the staff is beginning to talk. They realize that we had a drill, but they are speculating as to why it happened at night."
"I guess there really isn't such a thing as a palace secret, is there?"
"No, Maxon. I guess not. But she also shared that the kitchen staff are saying that we will not let anything happen to them. So, it seems like the staff is still on your side."
He smiles at that but adds, "Love, they're on our side."
Dressed in loose-fitting, guard-issue sweatpants and t-shirts, Marlee and I meet Georgia in the training room. I did not grow up training, and neither had Marlee. Never being able to afford seconds, walking everywhere we went—and Marlee's work in the fields—kept our figures slim and even toned during prosperous seasons. Maxon participates in military training; even to this day Carter is his favorite sparring partner.
Georgia stands, feet slightly apart bouncing on the balls of her feet. Her shorts skim her knees and her t-shirt looks specially made for this type of work. An excited grin spreads across her face as we enter the room. "I've been waiting for you, Your Majesty. Lady Marlee."
After the fifteenth time of Georgia extending her hand and helping up off the mat, I believe she anticipated the work of the morning. It seems like she's enjoying knocking me flat. Marlee hasn't fared much better. I try to contain my irritation, but it is hard to be composed from a prone position on the floor.
"Ready to throw in the towel?"
"Never."
"Now I have another reason to like you, America." After about the fifth time of landing me on my back, I insisted that she drop "Your Majesty" in informal situations, as it sounded more and more like a taunt. Especially from the floor.
The sixteenth time that she tries to immobilize me from behind, I aim my elbow for the middle of her body and hear a satisfying grunt as she grabs my wrist. "Much better. See how much more trouble I have controlling you by your wrist than I do with your neck?"
"Sure," I exhale, wiping sweat from my forehead with the back of my arm. "I think Marlee and I were just talking about that the other day." I grab the t-shirt, pulling the fabric away from my body. I refrain from rolling my eyes because I have no desire to land on the floor again. But Georgia just grins at the joke and I know I'm safe.
"I always say you can never underestimate a strong quick to the groin" laughs Marlee, as I grab a towel off the pile on the floor. My furious blush is already hidden by the impact of the exercise. I ball up a clean towel and throw it at her. Very few people know the story of the first night I met Maxon. She catches it and winks at me.
Freshly washed and dressed, I stand silently and watch through the doorway as Paige works with Cal and Brie. Marlee and Georgia sit in my office alcove, looking at my schedule and planning training sessions around meetings and appearances. Breathe in. Breathe out. Paige is teaching my children skills that are essential for someone in the public eye to know. I know now it was foolish to think otherwise. If we didn't have the Loyalists looming on the horizon, something else would be. Brie catches me watching and calls to me, "Watch, Mama! Watch what Miss Paige taught me!"
"I know, Baby. You're doing so well! You, too, Cal. I'm proud of you both."
Paige looks at me and smiles, "They're naturals, Your Majesty."
May leaves the training mat and comes to stand with me. Barrett and Griffin, who had be diligently copying Cal's movements, follow Aunt May across the floor. Griffin puts his hands up and grunts, "Up," while Barrett is satisfied to lean on one leg. So, I scoop Griffin up to eye level and smile at May. "I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for this, May."
"Oh, America, it's just what family does!"
I draw a breath, "Talked to Carter last night. Do you have any questions? Are you sure you don't want to leave, May? I don't want to keep you away from Evan."
"America, I couldn't leave just when you needed me most. Marlee mentioned the public expects you to start traveling again, now that Barrett and Griffin are older. Besides, Evan lives ten minutes down the road. What makes you think you're keeping me away from him?" She wiggles her eyebrows to make me laugh and succeeds.
"Okay, okay. No details, baby sister."
She smiles and then nods to Paige, "She's good. I trust her already, and the kids are certainly enamored with her. I'd let you know if I felt differently."
I decide to ask May what she thinks of an idea that has been brewing in the back of my brain. "May, do you think we should move Mom and Gerad here? I'm worried for them, but worry that the closer they are to me, the more of a target they'll become. I just want to keep them safe."
"Here, there. Everyone knows we're you're family, America. We're the fives who were vaulted into fame and fortune and royalty solely because of your marriage to Maxon. Some see us as hangers-on. Some Loyalists see us as undeserving. Some see us as examples of what could be with enough work and luck. But no matter how people feel about us, the work you do with Maxon is important. Ames, children are being educated, hungry people are being fed. You've stopped wars with three different factions on three different fronts. And you still manage to hang on to love. No wonder they want to throw obstacles in your way. Otherwise, it would be way too easy for you two to take over the world!"
"And I do it all in conservative day dresses and coordinated sensible pumps," I quip.
She laughs and hugs me, "Dad would be proud of you, Sis."
"He'd be proud of you, too."