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"I believe no matter how bad the fight, as long as our feet find each other underneath the sheets, everything will be alright." - The Story of Us

The queen of Hungary was much more agreeable than I ever could have hoped. She and I left our meeting peacefully and I couldn't wait to go to Maxon's meeting that afternoon and show all of the advisers that I was still capable of being queen.

I drank my tea with the queen slowly, feeling a little lightheaded. I had been feeling sick since before May's wedding and it had not ceased; if anything it had gotten worse. I knew I was not pregnant. That simply was not a possibility. But the question remained: if I wasn't pregnant, what was wrong with me?

I couldn't stop working though and the dizziness made it difficult for me to have any appetite so Mary kept taking away empty trays. She had started taking in my dresses and putting on more makeup to cover up the shadows under my eyes that had formed over the last few weeks. After my tea with the queen I went to my room to take a nap, promising myself that I would sleep only for an hour and then go to the meeting.

(Maxon's POV)

My meeting started in five minutes. I knew it was hopeless but a small part of me ached to see America walk into our study, ready to sit by my side and rule with me. It wasn't going to happen though; I had ruined every chance of that happening by insulting her so deeply. I had hoped that after our time in the safe room we would be back to some sort of normalcy but she just became cold again as soon as we were free.

With one last longing glance at the doors, I scooped up my folders and walked toward the conference room. Carter suddenly burst into the room, winded and worried. "Maxon, you're needed in the hospital right now," he reported, looking relieved to have found me.

I frowned and my blood ran cold. Amber, Shalom, America…who was in the hospital? I didn't know who would be best to be in the hospital; all three people were equally as dear to me. "Who?" I choked out, walking back toward Carter.

"America," he panted out. I didn't need to hear anything else. I put my folders down on my desk and took off in the direction of the hospital. Dr. Ashlar was obviously waiting for me. Parrah had Amber in her arms, crying for her mother while Paige played a finger game with Shalom on the floor, keeping him occupied.

I couldn't comfort them. I wanted to but how was I supposed to comfort them when I didn't even know what was wrong. Dr. Ashlar quickly pulled me inside, away from the children and led me to the room where America was being kept. "She passed out in her sleep. I've looked over all of her stats and it seems that she's been starving herself," he told me in a hushed tone.

Wait…what? Starvation was the last thing I was expecting but now that he mentioned it, I could see it. She looked skeletal, like some of the Twos I had met at Celeste's funeral. She had always been little just from seventeen years of never having enough to eat but this was the by far the skinniest I had ever seen her. But America loved food. There was no way she would purposefully starve herself, especially since she knows exactly what it is like to starve. "That can't be right," I told Dr. Ashlar. "She wouldn't starve herself."

He shrugged. "It may not have been intentional but that is definitely the culprit. Has she been stressed lately? How have her sleeping patterns been?"

I looked down at my shoes, shame pouring through me. "I don't know," I admitted quietly because I really did not know. I hadn't slept with her in weeks and out interactions have been few and far between. "I know she's been working very hard though."

"Being a mother and queen isn't easy. Your mother struggled with it as well. Of course, your father didn't expect nearly as much out of her. I'm not saying that you're wrong in putting so much responsibility in America; she's a wonderful queen. Frankly, I just am scared that there isn't enough balance in your relationship," Dr. Ashlar said honestly.

"There isn't," I told him, knowing that I couldn't hide it from Dr. Ashlar. I ran a hand down my face, thinking about my wife who was now in the hospital because I didn't care enough to pay more attention to her. "So what are we going to do?" I finally asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"I've given her an IV to keep her hydrated but for now we need to wait for her to wake up so I can give her some food. Mostly proteins and foods with high vitamin concentrations. I'm going to recommend that she starts taking those dieting pills we give to the Selected again, just for the time being, to get her body back in order."

I nodded, taking it in. I never liked the idea of giving the Selected those pills; I wanted the girls to be just the way they were here at the palace but now I was thankful we had them. "I should go tell Amber and Shay," I said quietly, excusing myself.

In the hallway, I walked over to Amber who was still crying and picked her up. She didn't react to the switch in arms holding her; she just buried her face in my neck and kept crying. I then walked over to Shalom and lifted him gingerly using my free arm. I didn't offer Paige or Parrah an explanation but they didn't ask for one.

I carried the kids back into America's room and sat Shalom on the bed but kept Amber in my arms as I sat down in a chair. "Mama asleep?" Shay asked, fixing his big brown eyes on me.

"Yeah, she's not feeling good buddy so she just needed to sleep a bit," I told him, not wanting to scare him. Amber's cries had quieted down and now she was just looking at America with teary eyes.

"Love you Daddy," she whispered. I smiled. Amber had this thing where any time she was scared or upset she would just tell everyone that she loved them. It made my heart ache to hear though. How could I have ever neglected these two wonderful souls? These people that were part of me, created out of the deepest of love between America and I.

I kissed the top of Amber's head as America shifted slightly in her bed. "Mommy! Mommy, up!" Shay squealed, climbing up the bed to tug on her hand. I put Amber by her feet and sat down on the edge of the bed as America groaned.

She opened her eyes, staring in bewilderment at the toddler holding her hand before recognizing him. Then she looked up at me and looked even more surprised. "Maxon…" she sighed. Tears filled her eyes. "Maxon, I'm so sorry, your meeting…you should be there. I'm fine, I can take care of the kids," she babbled quietly.

I shook my head and ran a hand down her face. "Beautiful, I'm not going anywhere. You are more important to me than any meeting I'll ever have. You're more important than this whole country. You come first in my life," I told her, squeezing her hand that didn't have the IV in it. Her eyes filled with tears. "For now, your only responsibility is to rest and get better. I'll play the role of mommy for a bit. Lord knows I should've been helping for weeks now."

A few tears leaked out of her eyes. "But who will run the country?"

I smiled and said, "I think the advisers can manage for a couple days. I will have to reschedule the meeting for tonight but after that I am yours." I wiped a tear away with my thumb. "I love you," I told her, wanting her to know that I meant every word wholeheartedly.

"I love you too," she sobbed, her face crumbling.

"Mama, no sad," Amber said, throwing her little arms around America's neck.

Dr. Ashlar came in then to check America's vitals. I left Amber and Shay in there so I could tell Parrah to summon Mary along with the instruction for Mary to bring Marlee with her. I felt better knowing that people would be there to watch over America while I went to my meeting.

I walked up to the conference room, all of the advisers already there and waiting. They sat down after I took my seat and flipped open my folder. The queen of Hungary was sitting a couple chairs down from me and stopped me from speaking with a wave of her hand. "Your Majesty, might I inquire as to the state of your wife's health," she said pleasantly.

I smiled at her. "She's well, thank you."

The queen nodded and motioned for me to proceed. I called the meeting into order and tapped my pen impatiently as the advisers went through the standard roll call. The last adviser had barely finished saying his name before I proceeded with the meeting. "The reason we're here today is to discuss the current and future trade arrangements with Soviet Hungary who is represented here by their queen. Are we all in agreement with the plan outlined recently in meetings?"

I looked around the table and was surprised to see the queen raising her hand. "Your Majesty, I am not happy with the previous arrangement," she said.

I frowned. "What do you suggest then?"

"Well, I spoke with your queen this morning, as you probably know. She and I were able to outline a new plan ourselves and I am extremely satisfied with this one we have drawn up," she told me, passing a folder to me.

I flipped open the folder, actually unaware that America had spoken with the queen that morning. But when I read over the plan written out in America's beautiful, loopy calligraphy, I smiled as I was reminded once again of why I chose her as queen. Why I chose to not have her just as a wife but as a partner. She always had the incredible ability to see everything from a different perspective from me and in times like this, she showed that the I, the teacher, had become the student.

The queen grew nervous at my silence. "Are you unhappy?"

I shook my head. "No. This is perfect. Genius, even. Gentlemen, take a look at this and put it in action," I told them, sliding the folder over to James first to look over.

I held my breath before James nodded and said, "This will work. You have my vote."

The folder continued to be passed around the table and I breathed slowly, just wanting everyone to agree so I could get back down to the hospital. Only two advisers said no but I wasn't surprised; they weren't fans of America though so I wasn't surprised.

The queen was smiling and looking down at her hands in her lap. The folder finally came back to me and I looked around the table at everyone, trying to affirm that the agreement had won the vote. We discussed a few other topics but with a queen from another country in the room we couldn't talk about too much.

After a much too long discussion about education funding, I was relieved from my duties and walked with Carter into my office. James closed the door behind him and went to the copy machine to start making copies of America's plan. "Carter, I just need these documents authorized. This bill needs to be proofread; I only finished typing it up two nights ago. If there is anything else, feel free to call me but only if it is urgent."

Carter nodded. "I think James and I can keep everything straight while you're taking a break. I hope America feels better soon," he told me.

"Me too," I said, cracking a smile. I could barely keep from running downstairs and when I got to the hallway that led to the hospital I jogged the rest of the distance. When I walked back into America's room I found Marlee and America talking quietly, each of them holding a sleeping twin.

America looked up at me, anticipation in her eyes. She knew what had probably happened at the meeting and was obviously apprehensive about my reaction. She opened her mouth and I could see the apology poised on her tongue. I held up a hand to stop her, instead walking straight up to her and pressing my lips to hers.

She melted into my kiss and I fought to remember that we weren't alone. I would love to take her right then and there but Marlee and the kids were there and her health just wasn't optimal for what I had in mind. "Maxon," she breathed out, pulling away. "Maxon, I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "No, don't apologize. You're brilliant. Don't ever apologize to me again," I told her. I felt tears slowly move down her face and I quickly wiped them away. "No more crying."

That just made her sob more so I sat next to her on the small bed and pulled her into my side. I looked at Marlee from over the top of her head and smiled at her. She stood up slowly, expertly moving Amber so she didn't wake up and placing her next to her brother at our feet. She pointed to the door to show that she would be outside if we needed her. "Let's not fight anymore," America suggested.

"Sounds good to me," I whispered, kissing her temple.

Around dinnertime, Dr. Ashlar let me take America up to her room. She slowly walked at my side and it felt so undeniably right to have her next to me again. I held Amber and Shalom in my arms as I walked right to the door for her suite. "Can we go to your room? I miss your bed," she said, blushing.

I happily obliged and walked ten feet further to the double doors of my room and held one open for her. She jumped right into the bed and curled up around one of the big pillows. Amber and Shay didn't even stir as I put them down next to her. I grabbed an old set of her pajamas that were kept in my closet and turned to find her standing in the door.

We both changed, just like old times. With her back turned, I watched her change, noticing the way I could see her ribs, shoulder blades and spine. There was just a small layer of pudge under her navel from the twins that seemed like a permanent thing. She turned suddenly and caught me looking. "We're young," she said to me, sliding her bra off in front of me without even batting an eye.

I frowned and had to look away to stay focused on whatever she was trying to say. "Yeah, we are. Why?" I asked, not seeing where she was going with this.

Pulling her t-shirt over her head, she said, "I mean, you're twenty-three and I'm twenty-one and we are not only running a country but responsible for two small people. Maybe we just grew up too fast."

"Do you regret anything?" I asked, holding my breath in anticipation of her answer.

She smiled and shook her head. "I could never regret marrying you. I couldn't regret the twins if I tried. And as far as being queen…it wasn't at all what I thought I would be doing but you have to admit that I am pretty damn good at it."

I laughed and stepped toward her, putting my hands on her hips and backing her up against the shelves of my closet. "You are the best queen Illea has ever had," I told her.

She took my hand and led me to my bed. We stayed in my room for the next two days, playing with the twins and just getting reacquainted with each other. Amber had started coloring and though it consisted of her scribbling in different color crayons, I still felt a pinch of pride every time she smiled her triumphant smile. Shalom just played with Fitz the entire time, even though the dog was clearly distraught over the toddler who kept stealing his toys.

I told the cooks to prepare all of America's favorite foods and have them sent up to my room regularly. Dr. Ashlar told me to watch her diet closely and make sure she is eating enough. With me arranging her meals for her, she was in more danger of overeating than undereating.

In our downtime, I completely briefed America on everything she had missed during her time away from the throne. I was ashamed to report to her that not all of the Sevens had been absorbed into the Sixes. "It's only been three years, Maxon," she reminded me, putting her hand on my cheek. "We knew this would take a long time and the higher up we go in the castes, the longer it will take. And don't forget that the Fives, Sixes and Sevens are the largest castes."

I nodded and I felt confident that we would get back in the saddle now that she would be ruling with me again. I could already feel myself coming back to life. I slept better with her in my arms than I had alone the past few weeks and I knew she did. The frown lines that marred her beautiful face were replaced by laugh lines. She laughed at me as I tickled Shalom, making him squeal in delight.

At one point I grabbed a camera from one of my shelves and we took turns taking pictures of each other and kids. I didn't want to forget a single second of this life I had forged for myself. I knew it was impossible for me to remember everything but moments like these where I get to watch my beautiful wife playing with our children are the ones I want to lock away so that I can take them out and remember on a rainy day.

Sorry it was kind of an awkward ending. anyway, the next chapter will have a time skip to maybe...around the twins' second birthday? So about four or five months ahead.

Has anyone else heard these ridiculous rumors that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are dating? They're floating around because apparently they were both sick during the Mockingjay premiere. Okay people, calm down. The whole cast is living on top of each other with touring around doing premieres, they're bound to share sicknesses. Besides, there are so many other ways to spread illness besides kissing. Calm down.

haha, anyway, my rant is over. haha.

Also, i just finished the Matched trilogy...oh my golly. let me just sit down for a few seconds...those books were so good! i just looked at their fan fiction page and they only have 100 fics. guys, remember when we only had 32 fics? surely we can help the Matched fandom get to our level!

Weatherbug02: All boys are idiots. ;)

Juju v: Honestly, i always forget that Fitz exists. Pets are always hard to keep track of in books. But he's still there. Also, Maxon and America have stopped the extravagant celebrations for their birthdays just because they both prefer spending time with each other on their birthdays.

Someone the World Forgot: I'm not really into writing smut. i probably won't ever go into much detail. but i normally do warn y'all ahead of time by saying at the beginning of the chapter that it's Rated M or something. i know that not all of my readers like reading that stuff and i don't want to make any of you uncomfortable.

AcademicGirl: I know, it was so hard writing the angry Maxon again. But let's remember that this is Maxerica; they're gonna fight and now that they don't fight as often, when they do fight it's going to be explosive.

Kikithefangirl: When you throw kids into the mix, things tend to get a little less perfect and more real. Trust me, there will be plenty more Maxerica fights to come.

Olive20021: thanks! I'll try my best! :)

annabeth669: Yeah, i've been trying to update quickly but i was slow with this one! the next one may be a little quicker!

Kylie: HE'S FIXED!

Thanks so much for the reviews guys! they were awesome!