"I love you much (most beautiful darling) more than anyone on the earth and i like you better than everything in the sky." - EE Cummings
"Oh no," I whispered, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "No, no, no. Oh my god, no." There was no way this was happening. This never happened to me. Never. Not even during my awkward years of puberty when it's supposed to happen it didn't happen. "Oh my god."
"America? What's wrong?" Maxon asked through the closed bathroom door.
I shook my head. "No, no. No." I closed my eyes tight and then opened them again, hoping that maybe it would go away like a bad dream. No luck. I had to go to a military presentation that day. I had to go out in public. Would make-up really cover this? "Maxon, don't come in. You don't want to see this."
I heard him sigh through the door. "Just tell me whether or not I should be scared."
"You should be very scared by my hideousness."
"Okay, that's it." The door opened and strode to me purposefully. "What's wrong?"
My eyes widened. Surely he could see it. He had perfect skin; he would notice blemishes. "Don't you see this?" I demanded, pointing to the zit that had formed on my forehead. He frowned and then started laughing loudly, his guffaws echoing off the marble walls. "This isn't funny!"
He raised his eyebrows. "America, you have bangs. No one will be able to see that," he said, still chuckling.
I frowned. "But I know it's there and that's enough for me."
"Ames, listen, if it's really that big of a deal Mary can paint your face with cover-up. But really, I didn't notice anything until you pointed it out."
I turned back to the mirror, pouting. "Pregnancy sucks. And it's all your fault. You did this to me so I reserve the right to blame all of it on you. I wouldn't be pregnant without you."
"Ah," he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his body pressed up against his back as he stared at our reflection in the mirror, "but let's not forget what we get at the end of it all." He pecked a spot of skin on my neck.
"Yes, two tiny human-monsters who throw up and poop everywhere."
He smiled. "But they're our monsters. And with the two of us, they'll be born into perfection," he joked.
I rolled my eyes. He loved using that line on me and I loved hearing it. It always sent me back to that night on my balcony where we kissed for the first time, where he kissed for the first time. Oh, how far we've come since then. "I guess I'll just wear a lot of makeup."
"And you'll look beautiful no matter what," he called to me as he left me in my bathroom.
I huffed when I finally made it to the third floor of the palace. Maxon had briefly mentioned moving our suite and everything to the second floor so it was easier for me to get around but I insisted on staying on the third floor. Now, at twenty-nine weeks pregnant with twins, I was really regretting that decision. Not only was it just genuinely uncomfortable and awkward to climb steps but my lungs just could not handle the exertion anymore.
I had finally somewhat caught my breath by the time I got to our study but I knew Maxon heard me coming before he actually saw me. "Guess what came today!" I said cheerfully.
He put his work down on his desk and looked up at me. "Really?"
"Yep! Guards are carrying it all up now. You have your hammer?"
"You're funny," he said even though we both knew that he had been keeping his tools in his closet for days, eagerly awaiting this day. He came with me to my bedroom where Carter was showing the guards where to put the boxes. "Thank you, gentlemen," Maxon told them as they all bowed and left us.
I walked around the boxes, having trouble since I couldn't really see my feet. "Cribs first?" I asked.
"Do I have a say in this?" Maxon asked, lifting a box on its side to cut it open. "Seeing as I am the one putting them together?" I just smiled at him so he nodded and went back to opening the box. "Right. Should've known."
He dumped the contents of the box out on the floor. I picked up the instructions and started reading the Japanese version aloud. "I never understood why they put the Japanese translation in and not a more popular language."
"You know, the joke loses its effect when I can actually understand Japanese," Maxon said as he went into his closet to get his tools. He came back in my room and put his toolbox on my bed, opening it up.
"Don't let Mary see that that's on my bed; she'll have a fit," I said, flipping the instructions over.
Maxon discarded his sweater and just kept his undershirt on, pushing the long sleeves up to his elbows. He put his hands on his hips and looked at me reading the instructions. "We don't need directions," he insisted.
I turned to him. "Really? And how are planning on putting this together?"
"It's a crib. Simple enough. Pass me that bag of bolts." I tossed the bag to him and he knelt on the floor, leaning one of the walls of the crib against my bed. He took the bolts and looked at the wood surrounding him on the floor. "Okay, what's the first direction?"
"I won't say it," I said, flipping through the direction manual to find the first step. "Okay I will. I told you so." I smiled at him and finally read him the first step. Once we put the first crib together, the second one was a lot easier. We had the bed frames at least put together until I finally said, "Okay, wait, let's plan where we're putting them."
Maxon looked around the room. "Well you want to sleep in here, I'm assuming? Why along that wall under your pictures?" He pointed to the wall where my own picture collage was slowly growing, thanks to my darling husband. He picked one of the cribs up awkwardly and shuffled it over to the wall. "Perfect."
I nodded my approval before he moved the other one. A maid came in the room, taking in the mess of cardboard and packing paper before curtsying to me. "Your Majesty, there's a call from your brother," she informed me.
"Thank you, Marisol." She bobbed again and then retreated from the room. I turned to my husband. "You okay here for a few minutes?"
He nodded and wiped his forehead. "I actually am going to take a break for a bit. You want lemonade or anything?"
I shook my head and then walked down the hall to our study and picked up the phone. "Hi Kota," I greeted, looking at some of the notes left on my desk by various people throughout the day. I could take the afternoon off but that didn't mean the world stopped.
"Hello sister. You got my e-mail right? About coming home in March?" he asked, sounding relaxed.
I wracked my brain but I found it difficult to remember what I ate for breakfast that morning. "You know, I'm sure I did, I just don't remember. Why?"
He hesitated. "I was just wondering if I could bring my girlfriend with me."
"Girlfriend?" I repeated. "We sent you to France to get your hand better, not for you to get a girl," I joked.
"I know, I know. It is Paris though. City of love."
I rolled my eyes. "It's the city of lights, Kota."
"And love," he added quickly. "So it'd be okay then?"
"Of course. As long as she's not a serial killer or psychopath."
He hesitated again. "Okay. Well, I was actually hoping for permission for her to come to Christmas as well. She isn't very close to her parents so I thought our family would be a nice change of pace for her."
"If her parents are okay with her coming here for Christmas, it's okay with me," I told him, writing a note to remind me later that we'd be having another person at Christmas dinner.
"Geez, you sound like a mom. We are adults you know."
"I just don't want angry parents coming and busting down the front doors of the palace on Christmas morning. Do you need anything else?" I asked, getting impatient and wanting to just finish building the cribs.
There was a pause on the other end as he thought about it. "No, I don't think so. Thank you sister. See you in a few days?"
"Yep, see you." I hung up the phone and went back to my bedroom where Maxon was playing with Fitz on my bed. "Kota has a girlfriend," I announced, collapsing on my bed next to my favorite boys.
"A girlfriend? Here I thought we'd never see the day."
I playfully smacked his ribcage, the closest thing to my hand. I could feel my eyelids getting heavier so I finally said, "Okay, break time is over. Help me up." I held my arms out in front of me and Maxon slowly pulled me up so I could sit and then stand.
"You know, I have all of this sorted so if you want to go do Christmas stuff, go ahead," he said.
"Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
He smiled. "Fine, if you don't need the time…"
I leaned down to kiss his forehead and went over to his room to start wrapping my Christmas presents.
We woke up early on Christmas morning, wanting to get everything ready for when our families descended upon us. Adele's family had been in town for a couple days and were already at the palace but her kids were getting to the age where they slept in until noon so we were more worried about my family showing up at the crack of dawn.
Once everyone was awake and in the palace we assembled in the Great Room for breakfast. Forgoing traditional seating, Maxon and I sat next to each other at the table. Everyone was chatting excitedly with the kids squealing and running laps around the table, our sources for constant entertainment.
After breakfast the boys went to the game room to mess around for a while as us girls sat in the Women's Room which had really lost its effect over the years. Maxon came in there constantly as well as Carter or Aspen. Marlee joked that it's because their favorite ladies were always in there and they naturally followed us everywhere. It was where Maxon and I decided to put the family Christmas tree so we decided to just put all of the presents in there as well. We sat in there talking about babies and our husbands.
Kota was due to arrive at lunch time and that is indeed when he walked into the Women's Room, his new girlfriend in tow. All heads turned when he knocked on the door, the air instantly icing up in the room. Conversation ceased as Mom walked up to him to hug him and welcome his girlfriend.
She looked nervous, an expression I didn't think I'd ever see her wear, but she was still the same girl I had met in Swendway. The same girl that had once claimed to be in love with my husband. "Daphne," I said, approaching her. "Welcome to the palace."
She nodded cordially. "Thank you Your Majesty. And thank you for letting Kota bring me."
"It's a pleasure," I said but in all honesty, rocks had settled into the pit of my stomach. She was a One by our standards, a princess. She was also in no way like Maxon in her generosity and kindness. What would she think of my family? I just prayed that no one told Mom that she was a princess until after she left.
With the doors wide open to the hallway, we heard the boys coming before they got there. Carter was laughing as Adele's oldest son, Aaron, came in and told us all about how Maxon had won at bowling three times in a row. Kota and Daphne were absorbed into the fray and it was a few moments before Maxon noticed her presence.
"Daphne? You're dating Kota?" he asked, blinking several times.
She shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah. We've been dating for a few weeks now."
Maxon was flummoxed as to how to handle this news but he smiled and hugged her quickly and awkwardly anyway. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," she said, blushing deeply.
"Present time!" Gerad yelled to the room and we all gathered around. May and Gerad took turns handing out presents with Astra and Kile following them around the whole time. I got a lot of baby stuff from my mom and sisters. Gerad gave us some baby toys for Shalom while May gave us dolls and girly toys for Amber.
As the merriment of Christmas day passed, the tension between Dapne, Kota and the rest of the family eased up. Finally Maxon handed me a small box. "Oh, I told you not to get me anything!"
He nodded and smiled. "Where's my present? I'll get it for you."
I smiled back at how well he knew me. "It's over there on the bookshelf by all of the remotes," I told him, pointing to where it was. I watched him cross the room, daring to go through the pit of wrapping paper that had formed in the middle. Some times I was really grateful for not having to clean messes up myself.
He sat back down next to me, his box in hand. "Okay, open yours."
I started tearing at the paper. "Which piece of jewelry from your mother am I getting this year?" I asked, teasing him because that's what he gave me for every occasion. Not that I was complaining; Amberly had beautiful jewelry and I knew it meant a lot to him to give it to me.
"It's actually something made specially for you," he told me, putting an arm around my shoulders.
I raised my eyebrows and opened the velvet box. Inside lay a magnificent ring that I knew right away was made for me just because it fit my taste in jewelry. The band was rose gold with diamonds wrapping all around it, also forming a halo around a magnificent sapphire. "Maxon, this is…" I said, putting a hand to my heart.
"You like it?" he asked, pressing his face against mine as we both looked at it.
"I love it!" I exclaimed, turning my head to kiss him quickly. "Thank you so much. Put it on me?"
He smiled and took the ring out of the box before sliding it on to my right-hand ring finger. He kissed my forehead and then focused on his present. I rested my head on his shoulder as he opened it. Inside was a smaller digital camera that was more compact than his other cameras and easier to carry around in his pocket, something that would be much more convenient with two small children running around the palace.
"This is perfect, thank you." He kissed me again and he opened the box his camera was in. "And the first camera will be…" he prompted, holding the camera up to take a picture of us together. I made sure to lay my right hand on his chest to get the ring in the picture.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing with our families and then enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner. We said goodbye to everyone at the end of the day, including Kota and Daphne who were spending the night at Mom's house.
Maxon and I went to bed earlier than usual, completely worn out. I lay on his bed as Maxon got changed for the evening. He eventually came and wrapped himself around me on his bed. "So, how was that for our last Christmas alone?"
"It was wonderful," I told him, playing with my new ring. "But I'm actually excited to have kids next year. Just think, by then they'll be almost a year old."
His eyes grew wide. "Don't say that! They're not allowed to grow up. Especially Amber. She can't date until she's at least twenty-five."
"A little premature for setting rules, aren't we?" I asked, snuggling closer to him. Well, as close as I could get with my belly.
"She's my little princess, I can give her rules whenever I want."
sorry for the quick ending! i just am really excited for the next chapter! *hint, hint* oh, and guess who just applied for a job at Barnes & Noble? This girl!
zqueens: i actually love movies and reading equally, both for their own reasons. i love reading because, i mean, how could you not and i love movies just because they're so great.
Mac: let's be real here. it's Maxon and America. How could they not ever fight? Don't worry, there's plenty of fighting to come. after all, she's only 20! she has a long life ahead of her!
Theoneforever: yeah, it does kind of suck. all of my friends have said though that they healed within days so hopefully my Thanksgiving won't be a complete bust. maybe if i really put my mind to it, i'll heal fast.
The Selection Fangirl: ah, for privacy reasons i'm gonna say no. sorry! however, if you want to follow me on Instagram or Twitter, my username is FL_GeorgieLine . just tell me your name in a review if you do so i not you're not some creeper and i block you.
Someone the World Forgot: i'm not sure i believe the baby thing. no official palace source has said yet that she's having twins (that i know of) so i'm not really holding my breath.
PEETAMELLARK123: um, Question of the Update?
winterprincess: i thought about it and it would make sense for them to name their kids that. it'd be weird though if that's really their names. and sorry, i already told another reviewer that i'm not going to say what my question was or my name for privacy reasons. however, if you want to follow me on Instagram or Twitter, my username is FL_GeorgieLine . just tell me your name in a review if you do so i not you're not some creeper and i block you.
Weatherbug02: oi, Meatchicken. and to make matters worse, a Meatchicken student made a sign at the game that said "No child molestors here" or something. ugh, that makes me so mad. but yeah, we don't play Meatchicken state until the end of November. hopefully by then our offense remembers how to play football.
prnamber3909: yeah! i'm naming someone else later on after one of my reviewers as well!
thanks for the amazing reviews! really. i started this fic back in May just as a way of continuing the One and never dreamed you would all love it so much. i cannot thank you enough! just...wow!