I'm happy to be posting again! I have finals this week, so this is going to be the only chapter this week. I tried to make it longer to make up for it. Thanks for all of the views! I hope you are enjoying it! Don't be afraid to review! I would love to hear you feedback!

-CL

Maxon and I try to plan part of the wedding, but we keep on distracting ourselves. We did finalize a date, though. February 11th. I want a winter wedding and Maxon doesn't care, as long as we are married soon. That gives us four months to plan this wedding. "Are you sure this is ok?" I ask, concerned for all the people that have to help us plan this wedding.

"If you want it, you can have it," he says.

"I don't want to be selfish, though," I say, chewing on my bottom lip.

"It's fine, Bella. Honestly. We purposely planned it so it's not interfering with any major holidays." He kisses the top of my head and I relax into him.

"You know, this wedding is going to take forever to plan if you keep on distracting me," I say, standing up. I grimace, my back sore from sitting for so long, and not to mention my cramps. "I'll be right back," I say, crossing the room to go to the Princess Suite bathroom. I look to see if there are painkillers, but suddenly I hear a frantic knock on the door. I rush out of the bathroom and go towards my husband's side. "Who is it?"

"I don't know yet. I haven't opened the door," he says, walking towards the door. I trail behind him, concerned.

"Maxon, I have a bad feeling about this," I say. We reach the door and we both take a deep breath. Maxon opens the door and we see guards and Silvia. "What is it?" I ask, not letting Maxon speak first.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness…Lady Marlee has returned from shopping," she says. "But-"

I hear a guard rush towards the room and Maxon and I step out of the room. "What is it?" Maxon asks, squeezing my hand.

"Princess America was found, Your Majesty," he says, bowing.

"America was lost?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Is she harmed?"

The guard hesitates before answering. "I-you should go down the infirmary. Princess America will tell you what happened. She hasn't told anybody else. Dr. Ashlar is examining her right now."

Maxon and I are already running towards the infirmary before the guard finishes speaking. We glance at each other and Maxon keeps on holding my hand. We burst into the infirmary, still holding hands. "Where's my sister?" Maxon asks, frantically looking around the infirmary.

Dr. Ashlar rushes out of the room he was in. "Your Majesty, Princess America is in here." We rush into the room and almost bowl Dr. Ashlar over in the process. I give him an apologetic look, but I quickly turn my attention to America.

I gasp, noticing cuts and bruises all over her. Her red hair is in tangles and she's breathing heavily. Her dress is torn in many places and her corset is loosened, and from the looks of it, forcibly. She looks pale and she grimaces when Dr. Ashlar transfers her to a hospital bed. "America, what happened?!" I look at Maxon and he has gone pale. "Maxon, let's sit down." I walk him to the chair in the corner and I sit in the chair next to him. I squeeze his hand, trying to reassure him. He clears his throat, ready to speak, but I say, "Maxon, let Dr. Ashlar make sure America is stable. We can wait." He gives me a deadly look and I give him one right back. He sighs and nods, accepting defeat. We wait for about an hour until Dr. Ashlar tells us he will leave us alone with America. "Thank you, Doctor."

He smiles and walks out of the room. Maxon pounces as soon as Dr. Ashlar closes the door. "America, what happened?" he asks, jumping out of the chair and rushing to her bedside. I stay seated, not wanting to crowd America.

"I-Maxon, I was so scared," America says, starting to cry. Maxon pulls her to his chest and rubs her head.

"Shhh…it's ok. I'm right here, sis," he says. "You can tell me what happened."

"I-I was shopping…with Marlee," she says between sobs. "And-and I went outside to the alley to get some fresh air while Marlee shopped for perfume because… I was starting to get a headache…from all of the scents…" she stops, collecting herself. I shift in my chair, feeling a cramp starting. I tense up, trying to not make noise. I don't want to worry Maxon more. I bite my lip and don't make a noise. America starts talking again. "I was looking at my phone, checking the time. The next thing I know is there's a man. He grabs me and ties my hand together. I yell, but no one hears me. The man gags me and drags me to his truck that is parked at the other end of the alley. He throws me into the backseat and he starts driving towards, what I presume, is his house. It's secluded in the middle of the forest outside of town."

I take in a sharp breath, a cramp squeezing my muscles. Maxon glances at me, asking if I'm ok. I smile, telling him I'm ok. America starts again. "He takes me into the house and he lays me down in the bed. The house was filthy. There was mold all over, the paint was chipping, there were leaks in the ceiling. I tried to escape, but he tied me to the bed. I fought him, but…he…he…" she stops to take a deep breath. "Maxon, the guy raped me." Maxon takes a sharp intake of breath and walks to the door.

"America, I will find out who did this and he will be punished," Maxon says, opening the door.

"Maxon! Wait! You need to make rational-" I start to say, but a cramp overtakes me and I sink to the floor. "Maxon, help me, please," I whisper, scared I'm going to pass out.

"Bella? Bella!" he rushes to my side on the ground and I fall into him. I groan, the cramp making everything hurt. I feel weak.

"I'm…fine, Maxon," I say, grimacing when Maxon picks me up into his arms. "Focus on America. Just set me in the chair."

"Are you sure, Bella?" I nod. He places me in the chair and he sits next to me. "Do you need anything?"

"Mmm…I could have a smoothie…strawberry banana?"

"Of course, my dear. America, do you need anything?"

"No, but I can call a nurse here with this button," she says, pressing the button. A nurse pops in and Maxon orders my smoothie along with some toast, which I presume is for America. The nurse leaves with a curtsy and America looks at me. "What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm-" I stop and clutch my stomach. I cry out, the cramps escalating quickly.

"Bella, Bella! Look at me!" Maxon rushes to my side and pulls me close. I groan, the cramps fading away.

"Wow, this is going to be a bad one," I say, trying to make light of the situation. Maxon's looking at the floor and I follow his eyes. There's a pool of blood under the chair.

"Bella, are you-?" America asks, hesitantly.

"-on my period, yes," I say, not wanting America to think I'm pregnant. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I would bleed so heavily on my second day. Maxon, are you ok?" He's staring intently at the blood.

"That's a lot of blood, Bella. Are you sure this is normal?"

"Yes. That's why I would disappear for a few days once a month throughout the Selection. My period cramps and bleeding get pretty bad. So bad that sometimes I pass out," I say and Maxon looks at me, concern evident on his face. "And no, I do not feel like I'm going to pass out now."

I try to stand, but I feel lightheaded. I sink to the floor, knowing I can't make it to the bathroom. "Bella! You are obviously losing a lot of blood. Let me help you," he says, picking me up. "America, we are going up to the Princess Suite so I can help Bella. I'll be back as soon as I can. When the nurse comes back with the food, send the smoothie up the Princess Suite, but you keep the toast," he says, opening the door.

"I'm sorry, America," I say, ashamed that she's in pain and I'm leaving her.

"It's ok, Bella. I'm a woman, too, don't forget," she says, winking. I give her a small wave and Maxon walks of the room, closing the door behind him.

"Let's get you upstairs," Maxon says, walking towards the doors of the infirmary. Dr. Ashlar comes around the corner and asks if everything is alright.

"Yes, thank you, Dr. Ashlar. I'm just dealing with my monthly visitor," I say, not wanting to say the word "period" out loud in front of all of the nurses.

"Ah, well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, Lady Bella," Dr. Ashlar says, bowing to Maxon. Maxon nods and walks out of the infirmary, heading to the Princess Suite.

"I'm sorry, Maxon. I screw up everything, don't I?" I say, tears filling my eyes. I refuse to cry again, though. I've done enough of it recently. Damn hormones.

"No, darling, you don't screw things up. You make things more interesting," he says, kissing my forehead. I smile. I look and see we are at the Princess Suite. The guards open the door and Maxon steps inside. He carries me to the bathroom and I let him, too tired to argue. "Do you want me to draw a bath for you?"

"Yes, please," I say, "nice and warm."

"Of course. Here, let me set you down for a minute…" He sets me down on the chaise and walks to the Jacuzzi, turning it on hot. I grip the counter and pull myself up to a standing position. I grab my swimsuit and step behind the shower curtain. I change into my swimsuit, my legs shaking. I must be losing a lot of blood, I think. I step out of the shower and I collapse to the ground. "Bella, are you ok?" Maxon, asks, running into the bathroom. I notice he's wearing swimming trunks.

"I'm fine. I just need to get in the tub. Why are you in your swim trunks?" I say, standing up, slowly. I walk to the sink and a cramp overtakes me. I grip the sink so tight my knuckles are white.

"I figured I would sit in the tub with you. I could use some relaxing, and I bet you could use someone to talk to," he says, walking towards me and I lean against him. The cramp fades away and I take this opportunity to walk to the Jacuzzi. I notice the bubbles Maxon must've put in. Lavender. I turn the jets to high and step in. I hiss at the burning water, slowly lowering myself in. I get used to the water and sigh. I sit right in front of a jet, the water pushing on my back. I lean my head back and close my eyes. I hear the door close and Maxon walking towards the Jacuzzi. He sets something down and I open my eyes, curious. There's a tray of food by the Jacuzzi, steaming hot, with a smoothie. I glance up at Maxon and he smiles. "Dr. Ashlar ordered some food for you to try eating." He steps into the Jacuzzi and instantly relaxes. I give him a small smile, a cramp starting. I grimace and Maxon scoots over so he's near me. "You ok?"

"Yeah. It usually isn't this bad, but I wonder if it's because of losing all of that blood before this and getting the transfusion," I say, laying my head on Maxon's shoulder. He kisses my hair and I smile. "I'm sorry for being so needy recently," I say, "And I'm sorry for taking you away from America."

"It's ok, love. You just make my life much more interesting," he says, pulling away from me to look me in the eyes. "I love you with my whole heart, Bella Starr," he says, grabbing something from the tray next to the Jacuzzi. He lifts it off the tray and holds it out. He has a pearl choker with a heart-shaped diamond. "For you, my dear."

I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. "Maxon…it's beautiful…" I say. Maxon motions for me to turn so he can clasp the choker. I turn, and Maxon puts the choker on me. I reach up to touch it. "Maxon, thank you," I say, facing him. I move towards him and kiss his forehead. I lose my footing and fall backward, but Maxon catches me before I fall into the water. We both laugh, but my stomach growls, and we stop. I look at him sheepishly. "Sorry to ruin the moment," I say, "but I haven't eaten anything for a while…" Maxon laughs, knowing I love food. He grabs the whole tray, but I say, "Just the smoothie for now. I can only stomach a little of food right now." He puts the tray down and hands me the smoothie. "I love you, Maxon Schreave."

"I love you, my dear," he says and he holds me in his arms. "Would you like to watch some TV?" he says, waggling his eyebrows.

"There's a TV in here?" I ask, glancing around the room, wondering where it is.

"Yep," he says, picking up a remote from the tray and pressing a button. The TV spins out from the wall. "What do you want to watch?"

"I don't know…I never really watch TV…being a Five and everything…you choose."

"Hmmm…what type of stuff do you like…Oh! We should watch this," he says, choosing something called Here.

"What is it?" I ask, but Maxon doesn't answer. I watch and realize that this is footage from the Selection. "Maxon, is this what I think it is?"

"Mhmm," he says, pulling me into his arms. We sit in silence watching the footage, and I feel like I'm in the perfect place. With Maxon.