"You want to know what I've been keeping from you?" Maxon asked, sitting down across from America's desk. He straightened his tie as he sat and tried to keep his voice even. He was secretly terrified of his wife's reaction to him visiting his sister-in-law but he had to appear calm because his nerves would only make her react more.

She flicked her gray eyes up from the report in front of her and set it down. "Do I?" she asked, sounding unsure.

He nodded slowly and looked to the corner of her desk as he collected his thoughts. "I've been visiting May," he said slowly and met her eyes tentatively.

She leaned back in her chair, taking it in. She was terrifyingly placid as she asked, "And why is that?"

"Because her whole family has abandoned her, Ames! She deserves to know that someone cares about her. I decided to seek her out because I want to help her."

"I wish you had told me sooner," America said quietly, looking away from him.

He frowned. "You're not mad?"

She shook her head. "You should know by now that I never really get mad at you; I just don't understand your choices." She paused. "How is she?"

"That's why I wanted to talk to you about this. I want to bring her family here. I've tracked them down; her husband is your age and they have twins named Spark and Boe, a boy and a girl. I think her whole problem stems from her fearing her husband. If he comes here and talks to her and reacts badly, then we have people who can intervene. I don't want to send her home to that."

"Does she want to go home?"

He shook his head. "But again, it's because she thinks her family hates her. Like I was saying, if we invite them to come here then maybe we'll be able to fix that."

America debated it for a few moments. "I suppose so," she said slowly.

"Good because they're coming on Friday."

"Maxon!"

"America!" he automatically shouted back.

She groaned and put a hand to her forehead. "Dax, I already have this gala to plan. I don't need visitors."

He waved it off. "It's their first time at the palace; they have low expectations."

She rolled her eyes as the door to the office opened and Michael ran in, carrying a new set of toy cars with him. "Mommy, Daddy, look at my new toys!" she exclaimed, jumping into America's lap before his mother could really react.

Maxon smiled at his son and wife. America laughed and kissed Michael's hair as Maxon excused himself, knowing that he had won the argument for the time being.

On Thursday, May's husband and children arrived. They were wearing shabby raincoats, protecting their clothes from the unseasonable weather. Due to a crisis of gum being stuck in Georgina's hair by Michael, he was late welcoming them. He ended up missing their arrival in the foyer altogether and had to go to the parlor to extend his gratitude for their visit. America was claiming to be tired and need rest but he knew that she didn't really want to meet them. It was probably for the best anyway; Maxon wasn't really part of the family.

Josiah was a tall man, well over six feet, with large shoulders and olive skin. His hair was black and curly and fell into his eyes. He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth, when Maxon walked in. "King Maxon," he bowed. The twins were obviously confused, not understanding in their young age that they had to bow as well.

Maxon didn't mind though. At least they were there. He opened his mouth to test the waters with Josiah when the man immediately asked, "Where's my wife? Is she okay?" The concern in his voice was so palpable to Maxon that he realized he was worried about nothing; Josiah clearly loved May very much and missed her deeply.

"She's fine; she's been living upstairs lately…"

"As a prisoner?" Josiah suddenly asked.

With a sigh, Maxon realized that this man was obviously very intelligent and was not fooled by the circumstances of May's presence in the palace. "Sir, you have to understand that we are just being careful. The last time she was here in the palace she tried to kill me, my wife, and multiple members of her family. However, though we have kept her under guard she has been given the best accommodations we could offer under the circumstances."

Josiah nodded. "I do understand, of course. I apologize if I came across as rash but it's been a year, you see since I've seen Maribell...I mean May and I don't know why she left. I was never able to forget about her, especially with the twins to raise and all."

"Don't worry, I know how you feel," Maxon told him, recalling the weeks he spent apart from America after Christian was kidnapped. "I assume you'd like to speak with her alone first?"

"Yes, I think that'd be best. Is there anyone who could watch the twins?"

The door behind Maxon opened and Gerad walked in, saving the day. "I'll watch them," he offered. He walked right up to Josiah and shook his hand. "My name is Gerad. I'm May's younger brother." Gerad had always been the most forgiving of May's actions, despite being the one who suffered the most from them.

Josiah looked awestruck. "Gerad Singer? The soccer player?"

Gerad blushed and nodded. "Yep."

"Me and my son are both big fans of the Union and you are undoubtedly our favorite player," he gushed. "That game where you kicked that impossible goal was madness…"

"Well, it's my job to please so it's my pleasure to hear that." He waved to the door. "Now, uh, I'll keep an eye on these two so you can go talk to my sister…"

Josiah nodded, as if remembering why he was really there. "Yes, thank you." He followed Maxon up to the second floor to May's doors, shuddering at the sight of the guards stationed outside.

"If it's any consolation," Maxon said, pulling the key to her room out of his pocket, "my wife and I have guards outside our doors as well. Um," he paused, opening the door a crack, "I think I should go in first."

He went inside and saw May sitting at the table with her sketchpad and another plate of food. He smiled, glad that she had finally started eating properly again. "May, there's someone here to see you."

She looked up at him expectantly. "It's not America, is it?"

"Nope. I did you one better," he prompted, stepping aside so that Josiah could walk through the door.

"Si…" May breathed out, her eyes wide as saucers.

Josiah waved bashfully. "Hi…May." They stood there awkwardly facing each other for several moments until they both moved toward the other and kissed passionately. "I was so worried, I've missed you so much," Maxon heard Josiah whisper to her between kisses. It was strange seeing May wrapped up in the arms of this man because she looked so much like America.

He stepped outside to give them space and when he turned he saw America standing behind him with her arms wrapped around herself. Maxon prepared himself for a scolding and approached her, his hands raised and an explanation already leaping to his lips. "Ames…"

She surprised him by simply throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his chest. "Thank you so much for doing this," she said quietly. "You've taken better care of her than I have."

He realized that she was crying. "I'm not faulting you for that."

"I'm her older sister though. I should have been there for her."

"You've had a lot on your mind," he said, not wanting her to beat herself up for this too much. "C'mon, let's give them some time and you can meet your newest niece and nephew."

She nodded and wiped her eyes, checking for runny mascara. He kept his arm around her shoulders as they went back downstairs, leaving May and Josiah alone to sort out their relationship.

yay, may and her family are reunited. i can't believe it but there's only one chapter left! aaaahhh!