A/N: First off, I'd like to say how sorry I am for taking so long to update. Life and school got me really busy and plus I had writers block. I'm really sorry…

On a happier note: HERE IT IS!

CHAPTER 20

The dress was simple and plain; the way my dad would've liked it. It was modest and all black. It had cap sleeves and went down to about my shin.

When I was done getting ready, I just sat there, playing with my engagement ring. I was told someone was to come get me. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I got up and headed towards the bedroom door. But when they knocked again, I realized the knock hadn't come from there. Smiling, I headed towards the other door. When I opened it, to my surprise, May ran into my arms. It took me a second to realize she was crying. I hugged her closer to me.

"I miss daddy!" She bawled into my shoulder.

"I know, sweetie, me too." Maxon walked through the door slowly. I put her down and bent down so I could face her. "But you know what daddy would've wanted?"

"What?" she asked in her small, child's, soprano voice. I lowered my voice so it didn't crack with tears.

"He would've wanted us to be strong, and brave. He wouldn't want us to cry over him, but think of the good memories." May could only nod and wipe away her tears.

Roughly four months after the funeral:

"I had nothing to do with it, I promise."

"You could have stopped them!" I complained.

"You know how our mothers get! Once they get going there's no stopping them! And plus, it wasn't even their idea! Gavril insisted!"

"Ugh!" I plopped down on the couch. Maxon sat down next to me and took my hand.

"Please? You have nothing to be scared of. You know the public loves you."

"Fine…. So an interview and a parade?"

"A week before the wedding." He added. it's been about four months since my dad's funeral and August is rolling around faster than expected. All I need now is my dress and the bridesmaids dresses. Kenna, Kriss, and Elise are to be my bridesmaids. May is my flowergirl and Kenna's little boy, Elliot, is the little ringbearer. I absentmindedly rubbed the bump in my arm as I thought. All the bones may be fixed, and the cuts turned into scars, but I still have the scars. But why should I let scars determine my strength?

Maxon cleared his throat, bringing me back from my thoughts. "Mer?"

"Yeah, sorry. I can't wait."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're right, there's nothing to be scared of."

"Gavril will be here with the questions later in the week then! I need to go, though." We walked towards my bedroom door. Maxon gave me a kiss as the bedroom door opened.

"I can come back later?" May offered playfully.

"No, I was just leaving." He kissed May on the forehead, then me, then left swiftly. I think it's sweet how much maxon and May have bonded.

"So? What do you wanna do today?" I asked May lightly.

Walking down the church, I didn't pay attention to the beautiful architecture or all the people staring at me. No, I couldn't' see anything but the man at the end of the aisle. I felt something on y and looked over. My father caught my gaze and smiled at me.

"But- but you're dead!"

"America, sweetie, I may be dead, but I will always be alive in your heart. I need to go now. But know that I love you. Always."

"Always," I repeated.

"Wake up, Mer. Wake up, darling." Dad I was pulled out of my sleep. When I opened my eyes, Maxon was standing over me.

"Hey," was all I could say.

"Hey yourself, darling." He said playfully. "Go get ready for the day. I have a surprise for you." He left after a soft, lingering kiss and I got ready.

I went down the stairs. Maxon met me at the bottom of the stairs and took my hand.

"I have a surprise for you." He repeated excitedly.

"I figured that much, thanks." I said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes.

"Close your eyes." I did so obediently. He led me into a room and turned me so I faced a certain direction. "Okay, open your eyes." We were in the parlor. For a second I was confused. Everything in the room was completely normal. Except for the girl sitting in one of the chairs.

"Marlee!" We hugged. Then I turned to Maxon. "But I don't understand. I knew she was in the palace."

"But now she doesn't have to hide. In fact, I gave her a carter a comfy little house close to the palace."

"But I still don't und-"

"Consider this an early wedding present." He kissed me on the cheek. "One of many." And with that, we walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Instead of questioning it, we sat down and made the best of it.

"I don't care if I shouldn't do this- will you be my maid-of-honor?"

"Oh I'd love to! But what about your sister? I heard she was your maid-of-honor?"

"I'm sure she won't mind."

A/N: So okay, I know, it's kinda a shorter chapter. I'm sorry. But the next chapter will be the parade and interview with America, Maxon, Amberly, and America's family.

So, you guys will have to remind me: remember the vote we did on whether or not the wedding will be in a cathedral or not and what color theme it will be? I forgot which won. So if any of you happen to remember the outcome of that vote, let me know please? If not I can just look at my other chapters later.

Again, I'm so sorry I never go to updating until now. I'm really sorry. I'll be better about it, I promise.

Love,

C.A.M.3