Hi my lovelies! So I had a little contest. The winners get to be in my story. So yay for them!

Here's who won:

Queen Zeena

Piper Pippins

lilythemermaid

istillliveinadojo

This next chapter was inevitable. Hope you enjoy! ;)

The Selection Trilogy was made by Kiera Cass. All rights to her.

Chapter Twelve

(America's POV)

When I woke up, Maxon was next to me on his bed, doing work with a very serious expression on his face. I didn't want him to stop working, so I watched him quietly. He was biting his lips in concentration. Whatever he was working on must have been hard to do. He groaned in frustration, flipping the pages of the file, and looking through what seemed like statistics. I was trying to get a better look at the page he was reading, when suddenly arms wrapped around me and lips were at my ear.

"If you are so interested, you could just do this stupid status report for me." Maxon murmured in my ear quietly.

I laughed, "I don't think that's allowed if you're not royalty." I said, trying to be funny.

Maxon pulled away from me though. The expression on his face was serious.

"America, I think you, of all people, should know what my intentions are by now." he replied fiercely. The intensity in his eyes made my heart squeeze. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? Had he finally chosen someone to marry?

Better yet, was he choosing me?

(Maxon's POV)

I watched America's face after I said the words that would decide my future. Did she understand that I was saying I wanted her? Did she figure out that the hard and square thing digging into her back wasn't something random on the bed?

In the seconds that went by, her face went from shocked, to happy, to uncertain, to confused.

I decided it was time to ease here uncertain thoughts. Slowly maneuvering so I wouldn't hurt her, I took the small blue box out of my pocket so she could see it. When she got a good look, she started to cry. I took that as a sign of happiness, and started to help her out of my bed. As we made our way to the gardens, guards and maids stopped and clapped or cheered, knowing what I was about to do (gossip spreads through the palace like a wildfire). When we finally got to the gardens and had made our way to our bench, I sat America down and got on one knee. She couldn't see me because of the tears pouring from her eyes, but gosh was I nervous. My hands were shaking and I started to sweat. I was proposing to the love of my life.

I opened the little box, letting her get a good look at the ring I had made for her before I started talking.

It wasn't the flashy ring I knew Kriss would love, or the gigantic ring Celeste would demand, or the pearl ring Elise would think was 'divine'. No, America's ring was made for her. The band was silver, cut in to separate pieces and woven intricately in to one strand. The diamond was the perfect size. Not too big, but not really small either. It was cut to look like a heart, and tinted the misty-blue color I knew she loved.

She gasped and tears fell down her face. I could tell she loved it. I breathed out a sigh of relief, and wiped the tears off of her face.

Okay, Maxon, time for the big speech, I thought. I took a deep breath.

"America, when you first came to the palace, you were already against the thought of being with me, which makes me laugh now.

"I remember the first time I laid eyes on you. You were barely conscious." I laughed, "Pleading for the guards to let you outside. You looked so helpless, and although I wasn't allowed to see any of the Selected until the next day, I knew I had to help you.

"When you ran outside, I knew that you weren't the most graceful person in the world," I grinned at her and she sniffled and smiled back st me. "but I also knew that you were obviously hurting, so I didn't count that against you.

"And when I called you 'my dear', thinking you would love the name... you were so awful. I was appalled that anyone would talk to royalty that way. As you can see, I've changed a little since then.

"That night, after I left you to cry, I couldn't stop thinking about you. It only got worse the next day. When the interviews started, I found myself comparing everyone to you.

"When you finally came up to me and apologized, I was excited. I thought 'maybe I can get this girl to love me.' You, being honest, told me that it was unlikely to happen.

"I was crushed, but then my saving grace came. You said you would stay, and be my confidante. I will never forget that conversation for as long as I live.

"You stuck to your word. I could talk to you about anything. I still can now. That's one reason why I love you.

"When you finally admitted that you loved me in the safe room, I knew that you were not just my best friend. You were also the girl that I couldn't live without.

"The hours convincing my father to let you stay were tough to go through." She gasped and looked at me. I could see it in her eyes. Total fear about what my father had done to me, and what he could still do to us both. I tried not to show my pain at what he had done, but it was hard to hide my emotions in front of America.

"But he finally consented. Thank god, or I wouldn't be able to ask you this." My voice started to shake.

This was the big moment. "America, I have loved you since the first day I saw you, and have continued to love you more and more ever since. I promised you that I would always stay with you. I want to keep that promise, America. I want to stay with you every moment of every day until we die. And so, I need to ask you something, and it's rather important." I looked up into her eyes, feeling tears on my cheeks. "America Singer, will you marry me?" I asked, holding my breath.

Hehe! Cliffy! Have fun with that one. :) I bet this is killing you. I made a real cliff-hanger right here! If you think you know the answer, PM me and I'll answer back. Remember: follow, favorite, PM, or review! Tomorrow I will be posting at least 3 chapters. :) For now, I just suggest you re-read this so you remember whats going on. Alright, I'll let you read other fan fictions now.

-Property of Illea