Hey! So here's chapter nine. There'll probably be a double entry today (two chapters in one day) but no promises… Anyways hope you like it!

Who cares, Melody, BookWorm000, winterprincess, maggiebswim, avaatquevale2250, lilythemermaid, Dl9571- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! haha Thanks sooooo much for the reviews. Most of you are repeat reviewers and you guys mean so much to me! THANK YOU! :D

CHAPTER NINE

The rest of the day was spent packing and getting ready to go. Kenna and mom got in a fight about whether or no Kenna and Elliott should go. Kenna won after Maxon pointed out that they have many maids at the Palace and that we was just about raised by those maids. They could help her take care of Elliott while they're at the ball.

In the afternoon, an assembly of black cars took us to the airport. At the airport, the paparazzi yelled questions and took pictures. Most of the questions where about the King, whether it was true that he was dead, and who Maxon's Queen was going to be. Maxon wouldn't answer anything and the rest of us followed his leave. Maxon and I walked through the fans and news reporters hand in hand. We all settled into the private jet Maxon and I took there. But the game has changed since then.

Am I ready to be Queen?

I know I'm ready to be Princess. But Queen? I'm not even close to ready. I can't do this. I'm not ready. I'll never be nearly as good as Amberly. I'm going to let her down. I'm going to let my family down. I'm going to let Maxon down. I'm going to let this country down. I can't do this.

I breath started to quicken and my eyes got wide.

"America! Are you okay?" Maxon asked asked as he touched my arm.

"I can't do this. I'm not ready to be Queen."

"Yes you can. And I'll help you through it. I'm here for you." I relaxed a little and kissed him on the lips. I can do this…. I think…. I hope….

We sat and just talked through the flight. Elliot was the cutest thing ever and made the funniest faces. I'm so happy Maxon fits right in with the family. I hope my family fits in with Maxon's.

The plane landed and, after going through the fans and paparazzi, we settled into the car.

"Is it always like this?" Mom asked.

"Pretty much," I answered. There was a silence. "So how are things going to happen?" I asked Maxon quietly. Is it going to be rushed? Or are they going to try and make things as normal as possible?

"We're going to try and keep things as normal as they can while still rushing them a little bit. I'm still going to propose at the Ball. But instead of having time to get married, we're gonna need to get married in six months time. During that time, I can't be King, so Parliament is going to do almost all of the heavy lifting. No one is going to be acting King. But my mom's still going to be acting Queen until we take over." I nodded.

"Okay," I said. It's all happening so fast. He put his hand on mine.

"You can do this. I know you can. You're strong." I took a deep breath. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

My chantings were interrupted by them telling us we're about to land. I gathered my thoughts and stood up. Maxon helped me out of the plane.

Walking into the palace again was like returning home. We immediately had dinner. Maxon pulled his ear and I returned it. Then we each went to our respective rooms. I hugged my three maids. They showed me my ball gown for the Christmas gala. It was simply magnificent! There was a knock at my door. Maxon!

"Hide it! Don't let Maxon see it until the ball!" They rushed to put it in the wardrobe then opened the door for Maxon.

"Hi, darling." He kissed me on the lips.

"The more you say that the more I'm liking it." I said. He chuckled and walked past me into the room.

"So I know this is a big change you for. Going from Elite to Queen can be a big jump and under normal circumstances would have a few years of being Princess before having to worry about the transition from Princess to Queen. I get that this is hard for you and I just want you to know that I'm here for you- that we all are." I kissed him.

"Thank you. You're the best." He smiled against my lips.

"I know," He joked. I swatted at his chest. "I also wanted to tell you that the Ball was pushed up from Christmas day to Sunday."

"What day is it?" I asked, not even realizing until now that I didn't know the date.

"Thursday," he answered.

"Okay."

"I need to go." He headed towards the door. "I'd start planning our wedding if I were you. And your princess suite. Don't forget that." He whispered in my ear. Then he was gone. God I love him…

The next day, friday, I spent making final plans and changes to the Ball. Then all the women (Elise and Kriss' families had also arrived) had tea with Amberly. Then later that day, she made sure to have tea just with my family. My mother, May, Kenna, and Queen Amberly were soon talking like old friends. Amberly simply adores May and Kenna, saying that if she had daughters, she hoped they would be just like them.

MAXON'S POV

"Sir?" I approached Mr. Singer.

"Yes, Maxon?" I could tell he still wasn't used to calling me just by my first name.

"I was wondering if you'd like a tour of the grounds while the ladies have tea."

"I'd be honored."

So I showed him the gardens and the greenhouse and the dining room and the ball room and made sure my study was last.

"This is my personal study. Would you like to sit?" I offered. He headed to my desk but I sat on the couch that surrounded the fireplace off the side. We settled in. "Something to drink?" I offered.

"Get on with it, boy." he warned me. He knew where this was going.

"Yes," I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress pants. "Well I hope you know now, that I love your daughter very much. She's beautiful and smart and you raised her well, sir." I said, hoping the compliment would soften him. "I know that usually, under these circumstances of The Selection, this wouldn't matter very much. But I know this would make America happy so… I was wondering if I had your blessing. I'd like to propose to her at the Ball."

He sighed. "When I saw her this week, I knew something was different about her. So different. But I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then I saw the way she looked at you. I knew it was love. I've always wanted whatever made her happy. No matter what it was. And you make her happy, Maxon. So yes, you have my blessing." I sighed in relief. "May I see the ring?" I took the box out of my pocket and opened it. He whistled low.

"How much did that cost ya?"

"None, sir. It's been in my family for generations. I actually was having a ring made for her. But when my father died, my mother offered the ring he gave her. She says she wants to keep it in the family. But the other ring was already almost done. So I just had him change a few things and it went perfectly with this ring."

"That worked out nicely." He agreed. I put the ring away, in case someone decided to come in or something.

"Thank you, sir." We got up and shook hands.

"I would say I'm sorry for your loss, but from the looks of it, it wasn't much of one." How could he tell? Did America tell him?

"No, sir. He wasn't much of a father." I admitted. He just nodded.

AMERICA'S POV

After tea, I played some piano guitar and violin. So far the piano was the only instrument I really played during the selection. So I closedy eyes and play a pretty and slow song on the violin. Clapping at the end startled me from my trance. Maxon was leaning against the wall. I smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey. So I was talking to your dad. And he mentioned my father. And get what he said! "I'd say I was sorry for your loss but from from the sounds of it, it wasn't much of one."

"Maxon I'm sorry.y dad can be blunt sometimes."

"That's not the point. The point is that he could tell my father and I weren't in the best relationship. The only people that know what my father does-did to me was him, me,you, my mom a little bit, and the doctor. How could your father have known?"

"Your blowing this out of proportion. I think all my father was that he could tell you two weren't close. That's all." He sighed.

"You're probably right. Sorry." I walked over to him and put my hands on his chest.

"It's okay. There's a lot of stress right now. I get it. It'll be okay, just like you said."

"Just like I said." He repeated. "Right." And I kissed him.

On Saturday, all the families just spent time together. Kris's Elise and I made the final changes to the seating chart. Some people had to cancel because of the date change.

As I fell asleep Saturday, I realized that by this te tomorrow, I'd be engaged.

So no ball or engagement this chapter… sorry… I know you guys are looking forward to the ball and the engagement and the wedding. Any ideas for:

What their day could be like before the ball starts.

What the ball could be like.

What could the wedding be like?

I have a slight idea for the climax but any other ideas for that are also welcome.

Any ideas in general!

haha Thanks for reading! Like I said- there's a chance I could also have chapter ten up today but I can't make any promises!

Review!

Thanks

~C.A.M.3