I know it's been way too long since my last update but you'll like this chapter, i promise!

"I have made you. I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." - Isaiah 46:4

"Mommy, I want to go with you," Amber whined, lifting her arms for me to pick her up. It was hard for me to pick her up with my belly so instead I knelt down in front of her and held her little hands.

I pouted and patted her hair. "I know honey but you have to stay. It's just a little trip. Four days. We'll be back before you know it."

Maxon walked out the front door with Shalom crying in his arms, a pained expression on my poor husband's face. This was the first time we were both leaving the kids and we didn't like it anymore than they did. He put Shalom down on the step next to Amber so we could address them both at the same time. "Are you two going to be good for Granny?" he asked them seriously.

Amber nodded solemnly as Shalom wiped away his tears and mumbled, "Yes, Sir."

"Shalom…"

"I meant yes, Daddy," he corrected, earning a high-five from Maxon.

With a huff, Amber stomped her feet. "I don't want you to leave! I want to go!" She frowned and crossed her arms.

I smiled at her small fit and hugged her. "I know but believe me, you don't want to come. We're not going to any parties," I told her.

"No parties?" she asked, her eyes getting wide.

I shook my head. "No parties."

"That's so boring!"

"I know. Be glad you're not coming with us." I kissed her forehead and squeezed her. "I promise, when I come back we can have a girl's day. How does that sound?"

Her eyes grew even wider. "Really?"

"Yup, but only if you behave yourself. Any time your brother tries to rope you into something, remember the words 'manicure' and 'pedicure.'"

"I will Mommy!" she squealed, pressing her face into my neck. A butler tapped Maxon's shoulder and told him that we had to get moving so I nodded at him over Amber's shoulder and pulled away, standing her on her own two feet. My mom was waiting just inside the door behind them.

I walked up to her and hugged her, bidding her farewell before turning back to the kids. "Be good Baby," Amber said, patting my stomach. Maxon and I laughed at her.

"Don't worry, Baby will still be there when we get back," Maxon assured her. "Do you have one more kiss for Daddy?" he asked, leaning his face down to her so she could peck him on the cheek quickly. He smiled triumphantly and mussed up her hair. "Okay, one last Schreave family hug." The twins hugged each other and Maxon and I circled them easily, holding their small bodies close to us.

We exchanged final kisses and hugs and then climbed into the car. I sniffed and wiped away some tears that I hadn't been able to hold in. Maxon reached over to hand me a tissue. "It'll get easier," he assured me.

I shook my head. "Its just hormones. I'm fine."

"Uh-huh," he said, his tone saying that he didn't believe me one bit. He put his arm around my shoulder as I started crying in earnest. "It's just four days," he reminded me but I could hear the pain in his own voice at the prospect of saying goodbye to our children.

"I just can't help but feel that we should have left some sort of contingency plan," I confessed. "What if something does happen to us Maxon?"

He smiled sadly and brushed away some more tears. "Nothing will, Mer. I will do everything in my power to protect you and our children. I refuse to let them grow up as orphans." He looked away, his jaw clenched in frustration until he looked at me again. "I don't want to hear anymore about this, okay? We'll be fine."

I sank down in the backseat of the car, watching as his free hand gripped the door handle in a white-knuckle grip, signaling his frustration. We were quiet as we rode to the airport, occasionally discussing some work things before relapsing into companionable silence.

We arrived in Carolina in the afternoon, allowing us enough time to go over to the Leger's house and Beckner welcomed us for dinner in their small kitchen. I expected it to feel strange to have Maxon in Aspen's childhood house but it just felt right. After eating the chicken and mashed potatoes Beckner had cooked us for dinner, he led me upstairs to the room his mom had been staying in.

Mrs. Leger's health had deteriorated and I prepared myself for that but seeing her lying in bed, decrepit and dying, was a whole other story. Her glassy eyes moved to the doorway when Beckner walked in and knocked on the door. "Mom, America is here to see you," he said, motioning to me.

Maxon had stayed downstairs, understanding that this was something I had to do myself for now. She smiled slightly when she saw me and Kamber gave up her seat by the bed so I could sit there. "Hi, Lena," I said softly, taking her cold hand in mine.

"What have I done to deserve a visit from my queen?" she breathed out, her voice raspy.

I smiled and shrugged. "You know I'm just America to you."

"I can't thank you and the king enough for how you have helped my boys," she told me. Despite sounding breathless she still was coherent. I looked over my shoulder and saw that Kamber and Beckner had left the room. I turned my attention back to Lena as she continued, "They're so happy. Even with Beckner technically being a Six."

"He's my brother-in-law; I'm not letting him struggle to care for himself and my sister," I told her.

She shook her head slowly. "It's more than that. I see what you and the king are doing. You're abolishing the castes. I know people don't like it but it's what needs to be done."

I nodded. "It hasn't been easy."

"Of course not. But I want you to promise me that you'll see it through. See to it that my girls and little Jemmy can grow up right."

So this was it. This was her dying wish. I had to look away to blink the tears out of my eyes at the thought. I was sure she had other things for her eldest sons and other children but she was giving me this one last wish. "I promise," I whispered, squeezing her hand.

Maxon and I left their house that night to go to the state house in Carolina, just an hour away. The next day we would be doing some press stuff and making an appearance at another school opening but the following day we would be going to the Legers'. It broke my heart to see Lena struggling so much but I was also happy that she would be reunited with her late husband soon enough.

I tried to put myself in her shoes. The mere thought of losing Maxon so suddenly was enough to send me into a fit of hysterics. Even my mother who had over thirty happy years with my father was still shattered when she lost him. It was inevitable that one of us was going to have to die before the other eventually. I just couldn't imagine my life without him though.

The day started just as any other day when we made a public appearance. We woke up, got dressed and prepped for the day, and were whisked away to the location. The guards surrounded our car to ensure that we would be safe with the mounting dislike for us amongst the Twos and Threes.

The crowd by the school was still excited to see us. We went inside and I made a speech. Whenever we went to schools or other institutions I was the one to make speeches while Maxon stood back and watched. After some brief refreshments we were told that it was time to go to the next event.

When we reemerged outside it was to a much larger and angrier crowd. Gone were the excited Fives and Fours, replaced by upset upper caste members. One man stormed the barricades set up, momentarily distracting the guards. They tried to contain the people that started to push against them, leaving only one or two to protect us.

A gunshot cracked through the air as Maxon pushed me roughly inside the car, echoed by a second bang and then we were in the car, being rushed away from the school. I watched out the window at the guards struggling to contain the crowd. A few people chased after us, banging their hands against the windows.

I shrieked and shrank away to the middle of the car, my hand automatically reaching for Maxon. "Maxon…" I whispered, feeling fear pinch me. He didn't answer me so I looked over my shoulder and saw Maxon slouched in his seat, a hand pressed to his stomach. "Oh my god," I gasped out when I saw the blood seeping through his fingers.

He opened his mouth to say something but couldn't find his breath. I put my hand over his and called to the driver. "Get us to the hospital!" I commanded.

The car stopped abruptly and Aspen slid in the front seat. He had only arrived in Carolina this morning but I wasn't surprised to see that he had chosen to come see us before his mother. "Mer, are you both okay?" he demanded, looking at us. His eyes widened when he saw Maxon.

"Aspen, we need…" I could feel my control slipping and was on the verge of a full breakdown.

"We need to get to the airport," Aspen barked at our driver as we started driving again, much faster than before. "Mer, is he talking?"

I looked at Maxon's quickly paling face and saw that he was still trying to talk. Strained gurgling sounds were escaping his mouth but no actual words. "No, he's not."

"Is his breathing steady?"

I sniffed and tried to gather myself a bit, putting my ear to his chest. "His breathing isn't steady but his heartbeat is," I reported.

Aspen pulled out a cell phone and called the pilot of our plane to inform them that we were coming. Next he called the hospital. "They're sending doctors and surgeons for the plane ride," Aspen told me.

We got to the tarmac and the doctors were already there, unloading Maxon on to a stretcher and taking him to the plane, already starting their diagnostic tests. Aspen stopped me by grabbing my shoulders. "Mer, what I need from you is to stay calm. You know that stress isn't good for the baby."

I shook my head. "But, Maxon…"

"They'll try their best. But you'll be better off for him by protecting his heirs and making sure they arrive at a healthy date. I know it sounds superficial but trust me. Maxon would want your child to be your top priority." Aspen's words made sense but I couldn't make myself take them to heart. Losing any of my children would damage me deeply and I wouldn't be the same but losing Maxon would damage me beyond repair.

We boarded the plane and Maxon was taken to one of the bedrooms that was being turned into a makeshift hospital room. We lifted off and the pilot reported that we would be back in Angeles within two hours. Maxon just needed to hold on for that long. I wasn't allowed back near the room where he was being taken care of. It was like the safe room all over again.

The two hours ticket by agonizingly slow. We were just a half hour from Angeles when I went to the bathroom, the baby pressing on my bladder uncomfortably. When I slid down my pants and underwear I noticed some spots of blood on my panties. The baby hadn't been moving much throughout the flight but I figured she was sleeping. Now a whole new fear crept into my bloodstream.

As if the blood was a taboo, a pain attacked my lower abdomen. It was stronger than a cramp but still different than a contraction. I quickly cleaned myself up. I had to be strong for Maxon and if there was something wrong now it would only preoccupy the doctors from saving his life.

I walked stiffly back to my seat on the plane, thankful for the dark cushions so no blood that bled through would be noticeable. It reminded me of my early teenage years when I had first started getting my period and was still uncomfortable about it. Another cramp came and I felt my stomach muscles tighten. I took a deep breath to calm myself, reminding myself that Maxon needed me.

The next pain that came though was too strong for me to stay silent. As the plane touched down on the runway in Angeles my stomach coiled painfully and I grunted at the pressure of that and the bumpy landing. Aspen was immediately at my side. "What's wrong?"

I couldn't hide it anymore. The pains that had just been mildly uncomfortable for the last twenty minutes or so were now starting to frighten me and take my breath away. Sweat was gathering on the back of my neck as I fought back my tears. "Aspen…something's wrong," I whispered, staring up at him with horrified eyes.

The doctors rushed Maxon passed us but as I stood up to follow I swayed on my feet, only to be caught by Aspen. I didn't have the strength to keep myself upright so he held me up, calling out for another stretcher. "Mer, everything will be okay," he assured me. "Tell me what's wrong. Now." He wiped some wisps of hair from my face as I spoke in a shaky voice.

"I'm having cramps and…and I'm bleeding," I finished, not wanting to say it out loud because that just made it real.

Another team of doctors arrived with a new ambulance and I was rushed inside, the two ambulances speeding through the streets of Angeles to the palace. I faded in and out of consciousness as the doctors barked information at each other like my high blood pressure and the baby's heartbeat. Somewhere along the lines I lost Aspen and I desperately wished he were there with me. If Maxon couldn't be there, Aspen was the next best thing. At some point, everything just went black.

When I came to, it was to raised voices. Aspen ordered the guards to move faster as they wheeled me into the hospital. Another contraction was ripping through me. I needed an epidural or I would go crazy. How could anyone tolerate this pain? Surely it wasn't supposed to be this painful. Was something wrong with the baby?

I was wheeled into the delivery room where Dr. Ashlar promptly checked me. "America, you're fully dilated. You need to deliver this baby now before your life is endangered," he reported, looking at me with level eyes.

"No, I can't have this baby without Maxon," I refused, tears trailing down my face. This was his baby. I literally could not do this without him.

Dr. Ashlar sighed and I heard yelling from the other room as nurses shouted different orders at each other. My husband was in that room. I needed him. He needed me. Neither one of us was able to be without the other. "America, look at me, you have to do this for your child," Dr. Ashlar said.

I winced as a nurse inserted an IV to my hand. "Isn't there a drug to slow it down?" I asked through gritted teeth, feeling the familiar pain of my baby pressing down on my pelvis. It felt like my baby was about to crack it in half.

"Doctor, we need you right now. The king needs surgery!" a nurse yelled into the room. Dr. Ashlar didn't even look at me before sprinting out of the room. I heard a cry of pain from Maxon and I wanted to scream in response, both from hearing his pain and drowning in my own.

"Mer, America look at me," a voice near my head ordered. I opened my eyes and saw green orbs hovering over me. "Mer, you can do this. I'm here. I'll stay here with you," Aspen told me.

"You'll stay?" I asked, choking in relief.

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm right here." His hand found mine. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you or your baby. I made a promise to Maxon a long time ago that I would protect you and I'm going to make good on that. For now, you need to help me though and deliver your baby."

More tears gathered in my eyes and I had to choke back a sob. "It's too early Aspen. I'm only thirty-two weeks," I said sadly, my other fear making itself known. As I came out of another contraction, I noticed that the palace midwife was there. That meant that Dr. Ashlar wasn't coming back. I wasn't sure if that made me feel better about Maxon that he was being taken care of or if it made me even more scared for my husband's life. But I had another life I had to worry about for the time being.

"America, I'm going to be helping you deliver this baby, okay? We don't have time to give you anything for the pain so just squeeze the officer's hand. I recommend you take your wedding ring off, son. That'll just make it hurt even more," the midwife said to Aspen.

Aspen touched his band but then pulled his fingers away. "I can handle it," he told her, reaching for my hand.

The midwife sighed. "Okay, if you say so. Jules, Orla, hold Her Majesty's legs…that's it. Okay ma'am, you know how to proceed. During the next pain you need to bear down on the baby, curl yourself around your baby…" she kept up the litany of instruction and I followed her guidance. Four magnificent pushes later though and the baby still hadn't budge. I was starting to get dehydrated. "Officer, let her sip some of this water," she said to Aspen, passing him a cup.

"It hurts," I whimpered. I took a sip of water but kept shaking my head. "I can't do this. I can't…not without…I need Max…" I was losing it on the delivery table but I didn't know how else to act. Another contraction took my breath away and I could feel my resolve crumbling by the second. "I want a cesarean," I panted out.

The midwife smiled sadly at me. "I'm afraid it's a little too late for that, ma'am. This is your only option. Officer, pull her hair back from her face." Aspen did as he was told and even went a step further by taking the tie offered to him from a nurse and putting it in a ponytail. "Just another push, ma'am. A few more pushes and you should be well on your way." I pushed as hard as I could and was rewarded by a triumphant laugh. "I see the head! The baby is crowning. C'mon ma'am, just a few more pushes. Get those broad shoulders out, that's it."

I screamed as I kept pushing, feeling the stretching from the baby's departure. If anything this was just ensuring that I was getting epidurals from now on. I kept squeezing Aspen's hand as he encouraged me and offered me water.

"Just breathe through the next contraction ma'am. Breathe the baby out. That's it, c'mon, that's it," the midwife said, poised to receive the baby as soon as it came out. And then I felt the familiar release of the child being out of me and heard Aspen laugh. "It's a girl," the midwife announced.

"A girl?" I repeated, not quite believing it. I had been so sure that it was a girl. "A girl…" I sighed as a nurse placed her on my chest. Another nurse started rubbing her down to get some of the fluid off of her. They cut the umbilical cord and I held my daughter to my chest, her hot skin against mine. "Hey baby girl. I love you so much," I told her, her brown eyes gazing up at me. She already had a tuft of blonde hair on her little head.

"She's beautiful Mer," Aspen told me as he looked at her from over my shoulder.

"I know," I breathed, kissing her forehead again.

A nurse gently took her from my arms as the midwife explained, "Your Majesty, we must take the baby and run some tests. She is very early and we want to ensure that she is healthy."

More tears gathered in my eyes, these tears for sadness. I just wanted my baby girl to be okay and be kept safe in my arms. Aspen hugged me as I started crying in earnest, not ready to part with her. He whispered something to one of the nurses and she left, only to reappear moments later with Marlee behind her.

"Oh, America!" she exclaimed, running toward me and hugging me gently. Aspen excused himself and disappeared around the corner. "Aspen told Carter and I what happened. How's the baby?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. They just took her for some tests," I told my friend. "She looked healthy to me."

Marlee smiled sympathetically. "I know, believe me. I'm sure it will all be okay." As she spoke, Dr. Ashlar came in holding my baby.

"All is well, Your Majesty. Quite a little miracle you have here," he pronounced. "There are some things we'll have to monitor but we can discuss them later with both you and Maxon."

I raised my eyebrows. "Maxon's okay?" I asked, feeling relief flow through me. It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of me.

Dr. Ashlar smiled. "We had to operate and remove his appendix but he will make a full recovery," he reported happily.

I started crying tears of joy as I hugged my newest daughter to my chest. "Daddy's going to be okay, you hear that?" I whispered to her, kissing her forehead. I already loved her so much. She had been in my arms for no more than a few minutes but I still felt this overwhelming adoration for my little girl.

A couple hours later, Aspen let Amber and Shay come see me. He was able to stop Ahren from jumping on the bed.

"Mommy, I missed you so much!" Amber practically cried into my shoulder. The two of them curled up in my lap with their baby sister between them.

She had little tears in her eyes and I was able to wipe them away with my thumb. Shalom was putting on a brave face but his face was so much like Maxon's that I saw right through it. "I know. I missed you both as well," I told them.

"Are you sick Mommy?" Amber asked, moving to sit between my feet at the end of the bed.

"No, I'm fine sweetie," I told her.

Shalom curled into my side and looked up at me with his big brown eyes. "Then why are you in the hospital? Is the baby sick?"

I thought carefully, trying to figure out how to tell him about the baby. "Your mom just had to come here to get the baby," Aspen explained, coming to my rescue. He winked at me and then walked out of the room to give me some space with my kids. He was also probably checking on Maxon. He had been leaving the room intermittently and he never told me why but I could guess that he was worried about his best friend.

"Do I really have a baby sister?" Amber asked, looking at my baby.

I smiled at her and nudged her with my foot. "You do. Come look at her," I urged. I lowered the baby from my chest a bit so that both Shay and Amber could get a good look. We were all transfixed and a bright flash made me jump. I looked up and saw Aspen standing by the foot of the bed with one of Maxon's camera.

"Figured you'd want to share this with Maxon later," he said.

I felt myself stiffen and I adjusted so I was closer to Amber and Shay. "How is he?" I asked. Aspen hesitated, looking between the twins, unsure if he could say anything. I stepped in. "Shalom, Amber, could you two go get me some water?" Shalom, always his father's son, jumped right off the bed, dragging Amber by the hand behind him.

Once they were out, Aspen said, "Honestly, it didn't look good at first but Dr. Ashlar expects him to make a full recovery."

"When can I see him?" I asked eagerly, sitting up a bit more.

Aspen shrugged. "He's still under the sedative, just to help with the pain, but he'll be waking up in another hour or so. He'll have to stay here for a few days. It was a somewhat serious surgery so they have to monitor him."

"But he'll be okay?" I pressed.

With a small smile, Aspen nodded. "Yeah, he'll be fine."

Amber and Shalom ran in then and they sat with me for a while before I just got too sleepy. Aspen took them and with Marlee's help they were able to get them to sleep. I slept with the baby at my side, not willing to let her out of my sight. I woke up a few hours later and saw that it was finally fully bright outside.

I sighed when I felt how sore I was which alerted Aspen who was standing guard outside. He poked his head in. "Hey, the king requested your presence as soon as you are able," he reported. He had purple bags under his eyes and a shadow of a beard on his face. I wondered when he had last been home or gotten a full night's sleep.

I nodded and sat up, grimacing in pain. Aspen rushed forward to help me get up and get out of bed. He slowly led me from my room to the room next door where Maxon was. Maxon had seen better days and he was obviously in a bit of pain but he managed a smile when he saw me. Aspen hung back by the door so we could have some privacy. "Hey," I said quietly, approaching my poor husband.

"Hey," he breathed out, his voice raspy. "That's her?"

I looked down at my girl. "Yeah, it's a girl," I told him, tears collecting on my eyelashes. "She's so beautiful."

Maxon smiled a bit at that and lifted an arm. "Can I hold her?" he asked. I doubted he could really hold her so I lifted the front of his hospital gown and tucked our baby girl inside so she was lying on the warm skin of his chest. "I don't think my chest is as comfortable as yours," he joked, looking down at her.

I laughed. "No, probably not. It doesn't give her food either."

"What's her name?" he asked.

"Winifred Paxton Schreave," I told him proudly. "It's the one you picked."

He smiled at her and kissed her tiny head. "Hey Winn, you beautiful girl. I'm your father. You really are beautiful," he laughed out, as if he was so surprised. "She's so small." It was true. She could probably be held easily in one of his hands.

"Well she was a bit early," I reminded him.

"America, I'm sorry. I heard the gun go off and wanted to get you to safety and…"

I put a finger to his lips to stop him. "Maxon, it's my fault she came so early. I should have stayed calmer. I should have listened to Aspen and kept my stress level down."

Maxon smiled a bit at me. "I heard he was there with you," he commented.

"I understand if you're jealous," I told him.

He shook his head. "No. I mean, obviously I wish I had been there but I couldn't have chosen a better substitute." He put an arm around Winifred and moved himself over to give me room to sit next to him. "We have another daughter," he mused.

"I know. Shay and Amber have already met her. Aspen couldn't keep them out of here."

"That's good though," Maxon said. He looked up at me with a smile I knew he reserved just for me. "Hey, I love you, you know?"

"Yes, I do. And I love you too." I leaned down to kiss his forehead and added, "Even if you do call me your dear."

Baby Winifred is here! Yay! I know it's not my best for having not updated in over two weeks but i've been super busy and i'm trying to figure my other book! thank you so much for your continued support though! Merry Christmas!

P.S. If you're a guest and you reviewed, i'm sorry but i won't be able to answer y'all! there were too many guests that reviewed so please, please, PLEASE, in the future leave some sort of name so i can answer! so sorry! but thank you all of you guests for your reviews!

P.P.S. Oh, and i forgot. I'm Ginger Tags on Tumblr! if you think you found me, the first thing on my dashboard is a reblog of a post about anxiety!

booklion4: right now!

Me: your wish is my command

Ann's Krazy Obsession: that was just a teaser for an AU i was working on. unfortunately i do not think i've written chapter two for that. i probably will not publish it any time soon as long as i am doing this but if i do i'll announce it on here.

WisdomandtheNight13: i'm sorry, i tried to update quickly. i just had finals, and my sister is planning her wedding and it's been a little stressful lately. but here's your update!

winterprincess: honestly, its been so long since i saw Mockingjay that i don't remember much but my favorite part was either the Hanging Tree scene or the rescue mission. i thought that it was so good though! one of my friends and i are gong to go see it again i think!

Mac: i've had the arrival of winifred written for a while and i was so excited to finally get to publish it!

canadianbanana: thanks! i guess i didn't do too bad since i made Dean's List for the semester!

Weatherbug02: I have wanted to read the Jewel; i've heard it's good! Matched is awesome! i loved it!

Olive: thanks so much! i haven't looked at what exactly i got on each of my finals yet but i know i got A's for three of them!

Olive20021: sorry, i categorize the high school one into AU and i don't do high school AUs. They are going to college though so that'll be a thing eventually and i have a chapter in the works for the future where they are 11 or 12.

unicornsarereal: i love all of those Fics! i think my favorite is the Laws of Inheritance and One Night with the Prince. My all-time favorite is the Miner's Wife. it's a Hunger Games AU by mockingjayflyingfree!

Alexis: thank you! i know i feel the same way about different Fics so it makes me really happy to hear that from someone reading my own Fic! and as for your one-shot, i'm working on it!

Prnamber3909: yes! i loved it! i wish there was more of josh hutcherson in it because he's Bae but i understand that Peeta wasn't in this part of Mockingjay a lot.

shadeslayerprincess111: welcome to the club for my Fic! (at least i'm pretty sure that this is your first time reviewing here.) Fitz is always so hard to write about! fictional pets are really easy to forget; now i know why there aren't more pets in other books. God bless Suzanne Collins for remembering Buttercup!