"Maxon?" America didn't bother to keep her voice low. Addy was screaming at the top of her lungs.
Maxon's brow furrowed as he worked to pull himself from sleep, "Hm?" he managed, rubbing his face, hard.
"I'm sorry, I know you were working late."
"S'she alright?" Maxon managed, still working hard to force himself awake.
"She's fine, but she had a blowout diaper. There's baby poop everywhere, Maxon, I need some help."
Maxon laughed, wheezing and snorting at the predicament. America was not amused. She held their three-month-old daughter out in front of her like a messy, fussy little bomb.
"I need help, Maxon." America would laugh about it later, when the crib and the baby weren't both covered in horrific green sludge.
"Of course, Love," Maxon sat up. The sheet fell to his waist, revealing his admirably defined chest. "What can I do?"
"Bathe her?" America said. "I'm working on cleaning up the nursery. It's dripping down the crib, Maxon, it'll be on the carpets soon—"
"Alright." Maxon stood and extracted the squalling baby from her hands. "I'll take care of her."
"Thank you." America sighed in relief. The mess was simply too big for one person to combat.
She could hear the water running in Maxon's bathroom, all the doors wide open in their suite of rooms, and she rushed back into the nursery. She carefully removed the soiled sheets, blankets, and pillows, tossing in the poor, green-splashed stuffed elephant who guarded Addy nightly. The majority of the mess had been confined to the blankets and the baby, so the nursery was much less overwhelming now that so much of the baby poop was gone.
The moment she'd realized that she'd need replacement linen for Addy, she'd rung for Mary. She hadn't wanted to, but she truly needed the help. The Head of the Queen's household had very special rooms in the basement with a staircase leading directly to the third floor, so Mary would be arriving any moment to assist. America used her one free hand to grab some baby wipes and begin cleaning up the remaining mess to keep it away from the floors.
Sure enough, Mary arrived seconds later, another girl at her heels.
Poor Mary. It was her wedding day, after all.
"I'm so sorry—" America began as both girls bobbed a curtsey.
Mary held up a hand, clearly able to hear the screaming baby and Maxon's attempts to calm her in the other room, combined with America' visibly harried state, clutching an arm full of soiled linen to her body with one arm, the other hand full of dirty baby wipes. "What can I do?"
"I need linen for Addy's crib, and… I don't know where to take these to wash. I'd wash them myself—"
"No, no, don't be absurd." Mary went into action. "Natalia, go to the linen closet down the hallway and bring back one of the largest cotton pillowcases. You'll see, they're sorted by size."
Natalia shot a nervous look between America and Mary.
"Oh." Mary shook away the tiredness in her head physically. "I'm so sorry. Your Majesty, this is Natalia. She's my choice to serve you while I'm on my honeymoon. She'll be assisting me from now on."
Paige was long situated into her new position as royal nanny, but Mary had taken her time in choosing someone worthy to serve America. Mary was extremely protective of her that way.
"You're my new personal maid?" America was excited. She was ready for a new ally, she realized. She'd missed having another presence in her inner-circle.
Natalia smiled an infectious, wide-eyed beam of a smile and curtseyed, "Yes, your Majesty."
"I'm so happy to meet you! Oh… but this is horrible." Finally, America laughed. "I'm covered in baby poop."
"We'll have you sorted in no time. Natalia, go." Mary ushered the girl out the door.
"She's adorable, Mary!" America grinned, as Mary went into action, taking the messy wipes from America's hand and disposing of them in the trash.
"I agree, your Majesty." Mary said, before disappearing out of the nursery and returning a half a minute later with some anti-bacterial wipes from America's bathroom. She had the remaining mess cleared away in no time. While she wiped, she said, "Natalia's a very hard worker, and she's sharp as a whip. Best of all, her older sister worked at the Palace for years, so she comes from… reliable stock."
She wasn't a rebel, then.
Mary continued, "I wish I had more time to train her, and I'm sorry that I'm leaving you with an untrained maid—"
"Oh, Mary, don't worry about me. Natalia and I will get to know each other while you're gone, and you'll be back well before my next public appearance."
Justin and Mary were headed off on their honeymoon that very evening, and would be gone for five days. Maxon insisted they borrow one of the Palace's unmarked cars and have a road trip up the coast of Angeles. It's something Mary and Justin both wanted to do for years, before they even started dating one another. They never dreamed it possible, and it wouldn't have been, under Clarkson's rule. But Maxon made sure it was all happening for them. He had them booked at bed and breakfasts with beach access all the way into Likely, and they didn't know it yet, but there was an envelope of cash waiting in each of their bed and breakfast rooms for them. Nothing outrageous, but enough to cover some shopping or a fancy dinner every night. Honestly, sometimes in the weeks leading up to this wedding day, America had thought that Maxon was happier and more excited for Mary and Justin than they were for themselves.
Natalia returned with a huge grey cotton pillowcase in her hands.
"Open it wide." Mary instructed. Natalia did so. "Drop everything in, your Majesty."
America and Natalia worked together to get all of the messy bedding into the pillowcase, but the stuffed elephant remained in America's hands. "I don't want Elephanty to be ruined." America told Mary, nervously. Of course, Addy was much too young to have named her stuffed elephant, but that didn't mean that America hadn't.
Mary giggled and shook her head at America. "Elephanty will be fine. I've checked the wash instructions on Elephanty's tag several times, anticipating just such an event. He has the same instructions as Addy's sheets, he can go with the lot."
America sighed with relief, "Okay, good. Stay safe, Elephanty." She called to the stuffed toy as she dropped it into the case.
"Right." Mary turned to Natalia. "Down to the laundry. The small machine. Hand-wash setting. Drop it all in, even the pillow case. Got it?"
"Yes." Natalia nodded, wearing the look of a soldier receiving vital militaristic orders. Her golden brown doe eyes, a gorgeous accent to her dark skin tones, were wide with purpose.
"Off with you and hurry back." Mary ushered her out the door.
America smiled at her friend now that they were alone. "Sometimes I'd swear you've been possessed by Anne."
Mary blushed and ran a hand through her hair. "That's quite the compliment. Lets get you cleaned up."
While America took a birdbath, more for the feeling of being clean than any mess on her skin, Mary pulled out a new nightgown from America's closet to replace the old, germ-y one.
With America's hair neatly braided back on her head, and her body clean and covered with a fresh nightgown, America and Mary joined Maxon and Adrienne in Maxon's rooms.
"Good morning, Mary, I thought I heard your voice." Maxon smiled. Addy was still fussy, but clean and freshly diapered. She still didn't have any new clothes on other than the diaper, so in that respect, she and Maxon were matching perfectly.
"Good morning your Majesty, I see her Highness is doing much better."
"Oh, she'll survive, poor thing. I'm sure it was as unpleasant for her as it was for us." Maxon smiled at America. Shirtless Maxon with their bare baby girl, grinning at her at four in the morning… how could America not smile back?
From the door behind America and Mary, a high pitched squeal was gasped out and America turned to find Natalia, back from the laundry, curtseying low to Maxon but staring him with wide eyes.
"Oh." Maxon was surprised. Strangers seldom made it to the third floor, let alone into his rooms at this hour of morning.
"Your Majesty, this is Natalia, Her Majesty's new attendant maid."
"Oh!" Maxon was relieved, and began talking to Natalia like an old friend, "It's very nice to meet you. Thank you so much for agreeing to help my wife. She's so busy, it really sets my mind at ease when I hear that more people are being promoted to help her directly."
But Natalia didn't appear to be hearing him at all. Every known emotion was playing on her face, as she saw the Princess in person for the first time, then realized that the King was in nothing but his boxer shorts, and then realized, though Natalia herself couldn't have been more than sixteen years old, and so he was much older than she was, that the King was a very attractive man.
Finally, her mouth still in a comical 'o', Natalia's wide eyes drifted down to Maxon's abs.
"Tali!" Mary hissed.
Natalia blinked hard and came to her senses, blushing furiously.
America giggled, "Oh, I know, Natalia. He always looks like that when he first wakes up, and you never get used to it." she winked at her husband, who was thoroughly amused.
"You do get used to it." Mary snapped at Natalia, crossly. Apparently it was poor form to ogle the King in front of the Queen.
"Well… I don't get used it." America smiled and Maxon grinned back at her. Even if she'd tried to look away, her eyes were locked on his and it wouldn't have been possible. They were still in the middle of their gooey, lovestruck moment when Addy sucked in a long breath and wailed to high heaven, effectively ending her parents' flirtation.
Maxon shook his head, "She's clean and dry, she's not hungry, and she's pooped enough for ten lifetimes." America giggled at that. "I think she just wants to be comforted." Maxon diagnosed. "She had a very rude awakening this morning, after all."
"I'll rock her for a bit." America crossed to Maxon and scooped up her squirming baby. "Oh, look at those tears." America frowned as Addy continued to cry, large droplets spilling down her chubby, adorable cheeks.
Maxon chuckled and kissed Addy's red hair, then America's. "She'll be alright now."
America nodded and turned.
Mary and Natalia still stood in the doorway, looking respectfully at their feet.
"What else can we do for you, ma'am?" Mary asked.
America shifted Adrienne in her arms, "If you just bring fresh linen for her crib, I can put it on myself."
"We'll take care of it, don't worry." Mary said. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"No, I'm fine now that you've both rescued me. I wish you'd go and get some sleep, Mary, you're going to have a big afternoon." America reminded her.
Mary chewed on her lip, nervously. "I'll have a nap soon."
America smiled reassuringly at her, and then led the girls back out of Maxon's bedroom.
Mary left to show Natalia where the nursery linen was kept. Apparently, Addy's things had an entirely different protocol than America's or Maxon's.
Addy was already much calmer when the maids returned, resting her head on America's shoulder, clutched to the left side of America's chest right over her heart. Addy still wiggled and groaned piteously, but the tears were dry and the screaming had passed. America hummed a soothing little lullaby as the maids remade Addy's bed, grinning up at Ames and Addy every once in a while. Mary used a low voice to occasionally explain something that Natalia needed to learn, and in no time at all, Addy's crib was back to perfect condition.
"Thank you so much." America told them in a whisper. Addy was right on the border of sleep and awake.
"You're very welcome." Mary replied, smiling between them. She tiptoed up to the chair and dropped a light little kiss on Addy's head. "Natalia will see you at breakfast, if that's alright?"
"Of course!" America whispered, grinning. "I'll see you when it's time to get ready for your wedding."
Mary tried to bite back her excited smile, but failed miserably. The maids curtseyed, and with grins on their faces, closed the door to Addy's nursery softly behind them.
Addy yawned against America's collarbone, and America kissed her head. "Good girl. I love you so much, Birdy. If you never know anything else in this world for sure, you have to know how much I love you. Before I had you, I never imagined myself cleaning up a poop explosion like that one, but now that you're here, I don't even mind. I'm not even upset. Relieved that it's gone, but not upset that it happened. I will always help you, Adrienne, no matter what you need. You just call for me and I will come running, baby girl, I will move mountains." America glanced down. Addy had fallen fast asleep to the sound of her voice.
Maxon was buried in covers, lightly snoring in an adorable way when America was done putting Addy down, and she crawled back into Maxon's bed. The cocoon between the sheets was already warm from Maxon's body heat, and America relaxed into it, allowing herself to be lulled to sleep by the sound of Maxon's breathing, just as Addy had been by the sound of America's voice and that familiar, steady heartbeat.
For the very first time, America was serving Mary. She dusted Mary's face with a sheer powder that left Mary positively radiant, as Paige carefully arranged long strands of beautiful hair into smooth, enticing curls that fell just so, and Lucy filed and glazed each fingernail to perfection. Mary sat, poised as a princess, still and peaceful in the midst of it all.
America was having a harder and harder time blinking back the tears of joy, the longer this went on.
In the other corner of the Women's Room, Kenna and Marlee chattered amiably. Marlee cuddled Addy, and Kenna made sure that Meri's toys maintained the little crawler's attention, and that the sparkling decorations throughout the room did not capture the child's imagination for long enough that Meri might decide to crawl over and 'investigate' anything.
Kile and Astra played pretend in between the two groups. Astra, in her flower girl's dress, made believe that she was a fairy queen, and Kile, much less thrilled to be wearing his little starched ring bearer's suit, scratched at the itchy collar and tried to serve his fairy queen as best he could.
Every single outfit in this wedding had been hand-stitched by Mary on her days off during the months leading up to this day. Another of America's small wedding gifts had been to grant Mary access to the reserves of fabric kept especially for the Queen. This had saved Mary a fortune, and allowed her designs to step up from beautiful dresses to amazingly gorgeous creations. Though the colors of America's, Lucy's, and Paige's dresses were the same festive, spring shade of mint green, each of the individual designs complemented the wearer's figures perfectly.
Lucy, with a small, almost frail frame, had a dress that cinched just below her chest and then fell, in graceful, flowing fabric, to the floor. Aspen's jaw would need to be picked up off the ground when he finally saw his stunning wife.
Paige, with her killer curves and shorter torso, had a form-fitting design that celebrated every asset she possessed in a most enticing, yet elegant, way. Mary was clearly hoping that Paige would reuse the dress, perhaps for a Palace ball later in the summer, and maybe even finally catch the eye of some handsome, eligible bachelor or other.
(Or bachelorette or other. It was hard to be entirely certain, with Paige.)
As for America's gown, it was no less magnificent than the other spring dresses Mary had already crafted for her. The neckline on America's mint green dress scooped as low as it could possibly lay without actually revealing any cleavage, and dipped just as low on her back, leaving plenty of respectable skin out in the open for Maxon's perusal. The sleeves on America's dress stopped at her elbows, because it was too early in the season for the Queen of Illéa to be photographed in short sleeves, but the wedding would be out in the warm, spring sunshine and it wouldn't do to have the Queen sweating in the photographs, either. Similarly, Mary had tailored the bottom of the dress so that the front fell right at America's knees, but the back swept gracefully to the ground. Elegant, but breezy and comfortable. When paired with the right set heels, it would be a showstopper.
Or, it would have been a showstopper, if not for the masterpiece that was Mary's wedding dress. While not the fluffy ballgown that had been America's wedding dress, it was no less elegant thanks to America's gift of fabric. Though sleeveless, there were straps that fell gently on Mary's shoulders and lay comfortably across her chest. It was close-fitted all the way to the ground, but it stretched and forgave in exactly the right places. The embroidery work was breathtaking, and, as America buttoned her into the creation, Mary evoked the strongest image of an angel.
"Oh, Mary…" America breathed, hopelessly at a loss for words. She'd always known that her close friend and maid was beautiful, but it was easy to neglect that beauty when Mary spent most of her time in her maid's uniform.
Mary couldn't stop grinning at her image in the full-length mirror, taking in slow, steady breaths. "It's exactly what I dreamed of." she confessed to America in a hushed, reverent tone. As if she'd hardly dared to let herself have the dream in the first place, and still couldn't quite believe it was real. "It's exactly what I wanted."
America pressed the lightest of kisses to Mary's cheek, infinitely careful to avoid smudging lipstick on Mary's perfectly rosy cheek.
Astra and Kile had stopped their games when the commotion around helping Mary into the dress had begun. Mary had been wearing the slip that went under the dress all along, so she was perfectly decent for their young eyes. Still, helping her into that dress was easily identifiable as the main event, the moment that all of the makeup and hair and giggling and grownups almost crying had been leading up to.
"Um, Ms. Mary?" Astra asked, tiptoeing up to the angelic incarnation of her grownup friend.
"Yes, Princess?" Mary asked, tearing her eyes away from her own reflection.
"You made that dress?" her voice was hushed, and Astra's wide, round eyes danced over the dress.
"I did."
"How?"
"A little needle and thread." Mary giggled. "A bit of fabric, an idea, and a lot of patience."
"I love it." Astra breathed.
"Thank you. I love it, too."
Astra nodded, understandingly. Then she added, tentatively, as if she hardly dared to ask, "You can make one for me?"
Mary grinned, surprised, and swept Astra up into her arms, settling her comfortably on her hip. "I promise. When it's time for your wedding, I will make you the most beautiful dress in the world."
Astra grinned widely, "When?"
"It will be a while."
"Next year?" Astra asked, knowingly. Next year was a very, very long time away for a four year old girl.
"Something like that." Mary negotiated through the child logic. "But there's no hurry. Whenever you are ready, that is when I will make the dress."
"Tomorrow?"
"Your wedding can't be tomorrow!"
"Why?"
"Who would you marry?"
"Mommy?"
"Ah, no, you can't marry your mommy. 'Marry' is when you find a best friend who you love very much and want to stay with forever, even when they're sick or grumpy or sad and it's no fun. And they'll stay with you, and bring you soup when you're sick or grumpy or sad until you feel better and it's fun again. 'Marry' is when you share all your toys and books and everything with your best friend, and it doesn't matter anymore if it's yours or theirs, it all becomes something new. 'Ours'."
Astra didn't need so much as a heartbeat, "Oh, okay, I can marry Kile."
The grownups in the room shared stifled grins and amused looks.
"What do you think of that, Kile?" Mary asked, looking over at Kile, who was wrapped up in his mother's arms.
Kile shrugged.
Mary nodded to Astra, "Maybe. When you're both old enough to know for sure that you won't change your mind." and she lowered Astra back to the ground.
Astra fluffed the skirts of her own dress and said, "Okay, but Kile is my marry."
Mary tilted her head to the side, "Kile is your marry?" Maybe she'd thought Astra was referencing 'Mary', her name.
"All that things about being grumpy and sharing and friends, that's my Kile." Astra informed her, simply.
Kile nodded his agreement, and then popped a thumb into his mouth, leaning against his mother sleepily. He, Astra, Meri, and Addy were all sacrificing nap time for this. It was supposed to be worth it, though, because they'd been promised cake.
Mary simply shrugged between Kenna and Marlee, who were still sitting together and looking highly amused. "Kile's her marry."
Maxon and America had offered Justin and Mary any wedding venue in the world. The grand cathedral in Waverly, a villa in Italy, a castle in England, or the throne room in the Palace. Justin and Mary had asked, very shyly, if they'd be permitted to use a little section of the gardens at the Palace rather removed from America and Maxon's special bench. There was a lovely fountain very nearly at the heart of the gardens, and it was the perfect moment in spring, with all of the flowers blooming and fragrant, for such a gathering. Birds chirped wildly as the women made their way out along the garden paths.
Justin, Maxon, and two other butlers who were Justin's friends, were already in position with the Justice of the Peace at the fountain. Aspen, James, Carter, and Justin's parents were seated in the handful of chairs that helped to define the 'aisle' that the procession would walk up, beyond just being the path already defined to the fountain.
May was the one serving as unofficial wedding coordinator, having begged an invitation from Mary a few days earlier. She stood in a beautiful sundress, just at the corner of the hedge that formed a leafy wall of green, providing perfect cover for the women so that the men could not see them.
"They're here!" May squealed to the men, to alert them. A soft chattering of male voices that had been audible, grew silent.
May waved Kenna and Marlee, carrying Meri and Addy, around the corner and had them join their husbands. While Kenna held on to Meri, Aspen took Meri from Marlee and snuggled his daughter eagerly, bouncing her on his lap to keep her from growing bored and trying to crawl away to investigate the flowers.
Then, with the guests all seated and the wedding party in the correct order, May picked up America's violin. This had been a last minute addition on May's part. When she'd arrived at the Palace that morning and volunteered for the job of warning the men that the women were ready, she'd been horrified to learn that Mary didn't plan for any music. She was just planning to walk down the aisle to the sound of the fountain and the chirping birds. Now, May might be a magnificent painter, but she'd have been a sorry Five indeed if she'd never played a wedding or two with her mother and older sisters, and she knew all the traditional processional music on violin.
Mary hadn't wanted to disappoint the girl, so America exasperatedly agreed to lend May a violin and let her play the songs.
May's expression was euphoric as she stood at the back of the handful of seats, lifted the violin to her chin, and began playing.
Paige went first, small bouquet in hand, smiling at Justin and the groomsmen. She did pause for a tiny curtsey to Maxon, wholly unnecessary, but it made her feel more comfortable so Maxon didn't hold it against her.
Lucy was next, and Aspen looked like he'd been hit, hard, in the head. He had that dazed, concussion look about him as he took in the vision that was his wife. Slowly, a dopey grin spread over his face and he pressed a long kiss to his daughter's golden hair.
America tapped Kile on the shoulder and said, "Okay, I'm going next. When I get all the way up to where Ms. Lucy is standing, I'll turn around and give you a wave. Then you can come and bring that special pillow to Maxon, okay?" The 'special pillow' had Mary's and Justin's rings tied onto it. Maxon and America had offered them full use of the royal jeweler, but Justin had respectfully refused. As a matter of pride, he'd used his own savings for their simple, beautiful golden bands, each carved like two entwined branches from a golden tree, interlocked forever.
Kile nodded, and America blew Mary one last air kiss, before turning and making her own way up the aisle.
Her eyes, of course, locked hard with Maxon's as she went, and she had the strongest, most visceral flashback to her own wedding. Seeing Maxon up there brought all of the Happily-Ever-After back to her, and if the look on Maxon's face was any indication, he felt it, too.
America arrived at the front of the aisle and turned, waving to Kile who was peeking around the corner, nervously. America laughed and nodded her head at him, assuring him that it was okay.
Kile trundled quickly up the aisle, eager to perform his duty, and arrived at Maxon's side with the pillow proudly held up in front of him. Maxon smiled and accepted the pillow, then mussed Kile's hair and gave him permission to go and sit with Marlee and Carter. Kile's little cheeks flushed pink at the praise he received from his parents, commending him on a job well-done.
Then it was Astra's turn, and she took her responsibilities very seriously. She kept slow, perfect time with May's music, and remained hyper-focused on carefully scattering the flower petals evenly on her way up the aisle. When she got America, she offered her aunt a huge, toothy smile. "Okay?" Astra whispered, very loudly.
"Perfect, baby girl, that was perfect." America reassured her. "Want to go sit with your mommy and daddy?"
"No. I want to stay, I like it."
"Okay. Turn around and look for Ms. Mary." Astra turned around and peered at the corner of the hedge.
May transitioned the music to the traditional bridal march, and that was Mary's cue that everyone was finally in position, and it was time to go.
The first step is the hardest, America remembered, and she felt especial compassion for Mary knowing that she was taking that first step alone, for her family was long dead. However, it made America's heart swell, and tears pricked her eyes and finally fell down her cheeks, when she remembered that these were the last steps Mary would ever have to take alone. By the end of this ceremony, she would have a family again, in Justin. It was like fairy magic, a very, very happy ending for this previous chapter of Mary's life, and the best possible beginning for the next.
Justin was appropriately awed at Mary's appearance, making the perfect mixture of facial expressions and shocked gasping noises. When she was halfway to him, he held out a hand, and this seemed to power her, to give her the strength to finish the walk to him. She clutched his hand tightly when she reached him and passed her large bouquet to America. May finished the song with a beautiful flourish and the Justice of the Peace took over.
Mary and Justin had chosen the traditional vows for each other, and imbued every word with all of the meaning and fervor they could manage. It was a short ceremony but it did the job, and in the end, Mary and Justin were declared 'husband and wife'. They sealed their vows with a kiss, to much applause from the little group, and May played them out.
Maxon offered America his arm, and they left with Astra, then Lucy and one of Justin's friends, and Paige with the other.
Maxon went back after making the official exit, to pick up a large camera case housing an especially elaborate camera and bring it back to the group. He insisted on photographing everyone while a handful of maids brought some refreshments and the wedding cake out to the fountain.
First, Maxon photographed Mary and Justin, extensively. Then Justin and his parents. Then Mary, Justin, and his parents. Then Mary and America. Then the rest of the bridesmaids and Astra, with Mary and America. Then Aspen stepped up and took a few of Justin, the Groomsmen, and Kile.
America had to convince Maxon that these would be enough, coupled with whatever candids he wanted to take while they all milled around and ate by the fountain. Maxon agreed, reluctantly, and thus this tiny part of the Kingdom was freed from the tyranny of the King.
Mary and Justin cut the cake together, and served each of their guests dutifully before taking anything for themselves. It was a symbolic gesture, a metaphor for the way they would serve their community and loved ones through their union.
Astra and Kile got the very first slices, which was kind of Justin and Mary, and very understanding of them. They'd make excellent parents one day soon.
When the cake was devoured, tiny groups of conversation sprang up, and America picked up the violin. She wanted Mary to have a first dance with Justin, even if it hadn't been in Mary's or Justin's plans. She knew they'd look back on it fondly, many years from now. So she played them a waltz and they were too honored to refuse.
May took the violin back and played another song so that America and Maxon could dance, too. In fact, several couples joined Mary and Justin in the impromptu dancing.
The most wonderful thing happened at the close of that song. Officer Rivers, fresh off of a training shift, had showered, put on his dress uniform, and hurried out. Relieved that the wedding was not, in fact, over, he joined May and Kenna took over the violin briefly, so that May and Ryland could have a dance, too.
It had been ages and ages since America had seen Kenna play. It was heartwarming. Kenna had loved music and art equally, but made more money off of art and so was forced to focus all of her time on it out of necessity. Then, when she'd agreed to marry James, she'd given both up for good. Now, thanks to Mary and Justin (with a little help from May and Ryland), here she stood with a violin in her hand, and though her fingers weren't strong enough anymore to produce a very resonant sound, they were perfectly accurate and the music was all the more beautiful for it.
When Kenna finished the song, she was greeted with a kiss from James, his fingers ghosting a trail over her tiny baby bump. She wasn't quite ten weeks along yet, but already the twins were visible through the little curve of a lump just below her naval. Kenna had been too busy to tailor a dress for this wedding, and so her dress stretched tight over the slight bump, giving it extra attention.
Maxon was obviously green with envy over this baby bump that wasn't his to caress, but he had his deal. They'd negotiate a new baby bump for America (and for Maxon's caressing pleasure) after Adrienne was walking and talking. Still, he seemed to snuggle Addy extra tightly after that display, perhaps reliving the days when his daughter had been but a bump on his own wife's abdomen.
That was the end of the wedding. It had been simple and beautiful, and it ended without a fuss. Justin and Mary left straight from the gardens to the car they'd be driving up to their first bed and breakfast. There were hugs and kisses all around, warm congratulations, and then they were off, leaving their party guests to enjoy the rest of the gorgeous spring afternoon.
That night America and Addy snuggled in bed while Maxon showered. Addy lay on her back, kicking and gurgling. The little princess had recently learned to smile socially, instead of just automatically as she had when she was younger, and Maxon and America were taking full advantage of this brand new feature.
America was making silly faces at Addy, who was grinning widely, when Maxon reappeared, all damp blond hair and boxer shorts.
"Ah, is it time for your lessons in comedy, my darling?" Maxon asked Addy as he collapsed into bed next to them. He had captured Addy's full attention, and now she was grinning at him.
"Yes, Princess lessons are never done." America replied.
Addy cooed in an extensive sound.
"Oh, is that so?" Maxon pretended Addy had said something interesting. He turned to America, "Did you hear that, Ames? She's learning what will make her subjects laugh so they won't notice as she takes all the world's milk for herself."
"A devious little queen already." America ran a hand through Maxon's dripping curls, then pressed a kiss to them.
"Yes, after seeing Mary's wedding today, she's already planning her own strategic marriage to the president of a major dairy conglomerate."
"Is she? That's quite a lot to glean from one—" America mimicked the cooing sound Addy had made.
"Yes, she's an efficient communicator, our baby bird." Maxon nodded.
America giggled, which spurred Addy to grin again, eyes going back and forth between her parents, happily.
Maxon grinned down at the little wiggler, then swept America's free hand to his lips, tracing them over her fingertips. "It's always a good day when I get to hear you play, my love."
"A certain king has a birthday in five months time. Perhaps you'd like to book my services in advance?"
"Oh, don't make me wait five more months to hear you play again, Ames." Maxon complained. "Let me book your services tonight."
"Hmm…" America feigned. "I'm very expensive. I don't know if you can afford me, your Majesty."
Maxon stifled a smirk and studied her playful expression, then gathered her hair and let it fall over her far shoulder to free up her neck for gentle kissing. "True, I don't have any dollars in my pocket." His lips tickled her throat. "But I pay in kisses and massages, your Majesty, perhaps you will indulge me?"
"Mmm." America closed her eyes, relishing the sensations for a long moment. Then she opened her eyes and addressed her daughter, "Never turn down a perfectly good massage, Adrienne. That's really the best lesson I have to teach you."
"Violin?" Maxon asked, eagerly, leaning away from her.
"It's all the way in my music room. We haven't used the piano in the family room very much. Piano?" America suggested. She tended to use the gorgeous grand piano in her music room if she was feeling musical, and the little upright that they kept in the family room went largely neglected as anything more than another shelf on which to display family photos.
Maxon gathered Addy up and carried her into the family room for what he told her was 'the show'. He snuggled her close as he took a seat on the sofa facing the piano and when America started playing a soothing little lullaby, Maxon rocked Addy to the gentle beat. Addy's eyelids were drooping in no time.
When the last note rang out and America turned around on the bench to take in the sight of her family, Addy was fast asleep and Maxon was in a sort of trance.
He smiled lazily at her, his head resting on the sofa behind him. His voice was a soft rumble to avoid disturbing the baby. "I swear, on nights like this one, I could just as soon retire today. What need have we for Kings in such a perfect world as this?"
"And where would we retire to?" America asked, slipping off the bench and joining him on the couch.
"Anywhere. It doesn't matter because the world is perfect and life is perfect, just look at my family if you need proof."
America rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, utterly content. He was right. Their life wasn't easy and it wasn't simple, it was messy and noisy, a never ending battle. But why should that mean that they hadn't found their own special brand of perfect?