America's POV
I assume the press conference is going swimmingly, as I haven't heard any complaints yet. My schedule is a tiny bit neater, but still harrying. I've tried getting Alexandra to arrange the wedding, but she's been unwilling and too stubborn. I don't want to get her angry; angry pregnant women are hard to bargain with.
"America," Maxon says, coming in through the door adjoining his and my office.
Before he says anything else, a knock comes at my door that doesn't wait for an answer. Alexandra walks in my office, and I'm surprised Alex isn't with her. He's been at her side since the news of the pregnancy.
"Hi," Alexa says softly, and for the first time in weeks, I can see that she's genuinely exhausted.
Maxon and I look at each other, and he says, "Sweetheart, come here."
She runs to her father's arms and cries. "Dad, Mom, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
I take her hand and stand to embrace her too. "Mom, I'm so scared," she whimpers, and I feel so hurt inside seeing my daughter crying. My oldest son is gone, my second son is bound to end up like my father, my daughter is pregnant. I feel like I've been neglecting familial issues for so long, focusing more on getting rid of the castes. We've accomplished that, and I've been thinking Now what?
I feel so horrible.
"I hope you two can forgive me," she says, her face still buried in Maxon's chest. "I want you to know that this wasn't all Alex. I wouldn't have let him if I didn't want it too."
"Alexandra," I say. "Why didn't you use protection or something?"
"We were caught up in the moment, and we forgot about it." Alexa pulls back and sniffles, wiping the tears on her face. "I'd like to arrange the wedding to be soon, if that's fine."
"Of course," Maxon says. "Go to Silvia and get Alexander. You guys can plan it together."
"I was hoping that maybe we should do it next week so it wouldn't look too obvious yet."
Next week? That's a little soon. But I feel like I owe this to her. I feel like she's old enough to make her own decisions. "That would be fine, dear," I say. She smiles, looking a bit better, and goes to meet with Silvia and Alex.
I sigh, and Maxon wraps his arms around me. "Maxon," I say simply. I'm not in the mood for an intelligible conversation.
"Yes, darling?"
I just sigh again and he kisses the top of my head. "It's funny how close we were to being the same situation as Alexandra and Alexander."
I frown. "What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the night before I proposed?" He kisses my temple this time.
"Mm, yes, I remember like it was yesterday."
The night before he proposed to me is always so vivid in my head. We wanted all of each other, and we were so caught up in this new feeling we've discovered. But we had to stop ourselves soon, or his father would catch us and there'd be hell to pay.
"Can we really blame them for being in love?"
It's a rhetorical question, but I answer it anyway. "I guess not." I pull back to look at him. "Max."
"Yes?"
"We're going to be grandparents."
His eyes widen. "I...don't know if I should be happy or not."
"When they get married, then we can be happy," I say and he smiles.
"Do you want to take a break for a moment?" he asks. "We could go to the roof, if you want."
I smile. "Yes, that would be nice."
Maxon pulls me along, a new carefree, childlike smile on his face, one I haven't seen in months. The guards are startled to see the king and queen running down the halls like smitten teenagers, but I do need a break.
How perfect. It's raining.
Maxon yanks me out into the pouring rain, and we're soaked within seconds. "Maxon!" I squeal.
"Dance with me!" he says.
I'm still not that good, but I've made quite an improvement since I've been princess. He sets his hand low on my waist, his other one lacing my fingers with his. "We'll go slow," he says, saying those exact words he said so long ago.
He spins me around, even dipping me low. His strong hands support my back as I'm bent close to the ground. Water pours off his hair to my face and I can't help laughing. Maxon kisses me softly and pulls me back up.
We dance in the rain, because that's what we, as king and queen, do.
Matthew's POV
"The press conference wasn't too bad," I say to Tess.
She nods. "Until it started raining." Then she laughs. "I don't know if this is mean, but I thought it was hilarious when literally every guard ran to us to cover us with umbrellas."
I chuckle. "It's like rain is poisonous or something."
"What are we doing tomorrow?"
"A photo shoot, I believe."
"So we just have to look pretty?"
"Yeah."
"Awesome."
Matthew's POV
The next day comes by in a blur of clothes and lights. The day after that is an interview day. I'm expecting it to be mundane and boring, but it's not. I'm guessing the interview is to increase our popularity. I feel more like an actor than a royal.
"So, Prince Matthew, do you have any secret talents?" the perky interviewer lady named Hannah asks. I think we've been here for about forty-five minutes. The entire footage would probably be divided into small clips that would no doubt be distributed to other magazines and news companies.
I chuckle. "Secret talents? I have talents, but they're not secret."
"Princess Tess, does he have any secret talents?"
Tess shrugs, an amused smirk on her face. "None that I know of."
"Okay, fine," I say. "I think my sister can do this too, but I can find any word's anagram."
"An anagram?" Hannah asks. "What's that?"
"An anagram is a word, phrase, or name that can be turned into another by rearranging its letters."
"Really? Can you find an anagram for anything?"
"Yeah, um, an anagram for parliament is partial men."
Hannah and Tess laugh at the irony. "An anagram for Teresa Renaldi is Dearer Saltine."
They laugh again, but Tess playfully smacks my arm. "How dare you compare me to a cracker?"
"You're dearer than the others," I say.
"Okay, to a more serious topic," Hannah says. "Gossip got around when you were in France, Prince Matthew, that you and the princess separated. Is this true?"
I look at Tess. I feel like she should explain. I won't be able to tell this story without lying a bit. "Well, we took a break for maybe a few weeks, because it was only a few weeks after Prince Michael's death."
"Yes, that was a tragedy. How did you deal with that?"
"It's always hard when you lose someone close to you," I say solemnly. Tess takes my hand and she squeezes it softly.
"Well, I'm glad you two resolved things," Hannah says, changing the subject. "When will the wedding be?"
"Did we set up a definite date already?" I ask Tess.
She rolls her eyes. "Men these days." Hannah laughs. "I think we set it for the twenty-fifth of September."
"Ah, that's right," I say.
"We're looking forward to the wedding of the century," Hannah says. "Thank you so much, Your Majesties. It was a pleasure."
Tess and I smile at the camera until we hear, "And we're off."
Kind of a filler chapter. So yeah.
Question of the Day: So, this is a weird one, but in the event that Matt and Tess end up "doing it" do you want the narration to stop before it happens, or do you want it to be in the moment? I know some of you are more romantic softies than others. Just want your opinion!
Thanks for the reviews!
bubble4life- That game between Germany and Brazil was intense :P I hate Twilight too, and I started watching Vampire Diaries and I'm sooo obsessed with it. I've heard of Once Upon a Time, but I haven't watched any of it. Thanks so much!
KhrystineR- Older brother instincts :P And I've always wanted to live in California. Thanks!
Kiren- Tomboys are cool! I used to be a total tomboy, but I started liking heels and dresses and boys. :) Maybe you'll be the same? :P Jk it's good to embrace who you are but don't be afraid of change. Haha I'm Team Stop Moping Bella. I was for Germany cuz my uncle's German but otherwise I don't really care. Thank you so much!
LittleMissTori- You're talking with him again? That's awesome! And if I could Matthew real, we'd be dating by now :P I'm glad you're still liking my story! Thanks so much!
agb1700- I'm so glad you thought both chapters were AMAZINGER! Thanks so much! Lurve ya!
fantasybookgirl- I love musicals too! Thanks!
LovableL101- Aww your reviews were so sweet! I think that was the most philosophical chapter I've ever written too. :P Thank you so much!
Athenachild101- My uncle's German so I was happy they won :) Thanks so much!
salmabookworm- Aw don't hate me! I love Ian Somerhalder too :P Thanks so much!
winterprincess- Lol your brother. :) I love TVD! Thank you!
PokemonLuver151- I'll try to put in an Alexa POV if I haven't already :) Thanks!
theoneforever- Aww thank you so much!
Property of Illea- I feel the same way about the Brazil/Germany game! It's like they weren't even trying :P Matt :) Thanks so much!
SJWrites2014- Haha can you like give all of my chapters a title :P Jk. Thank you!
HikariTheNormaller- Haha I see what you did there. Hehehe(kariTheNormaller). Oh middle school plays. Awk :P There may be a baby-naming contest. Possibly. I miss lucid dreaming. I used to be able to do that, but then I got too lazy in my sleep. Whoops? Haha thank you so much!
lilythemermaid- GURRRL I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! I totally thought you forgot about me. Idk if I've said that already. Mm I love tea. I have a passion for tea. Haha getting drunk on tea :P That's hilarious. And awwww bae you're soooo nice and sweet and ily. Thank you so much! LALOL.
BellatrixHazelRose- I take it you like it? Thank you!
prnamber3909- Woo! Thanks!
ReadLikeYouMeanIt- Aw thank you! I have wifi issues too :P And you're a great writer as well! I read your story A New Selection(?). If I remember correctly that's what it's called :) Thank you so much!
WinteryRose- Ohhh my goodness I know what you mean about Allegiant. Sigh. Thanks!
NalissaPatali- I'm glad you care about my characters enough to be sad :) Thank you!
ilona18- I only watch TVD, not read :P Not enough tiiiime :P Thanks!
Magicalnerd123- I think that was the deepest chapter I've ever written :P Thank you!
dakotamo- Hahahahaha this made me laugh :D Thank you so much!
Guest- Haha so true :) Thanks for reviewing!
Love ya!- AcademicGirl
