Like I said before, this story is starting to get spicier. This chapter is still rated teen, but soon it will turn mature. I think the wedding reception should be done in 2-5 chapters.

I'm trying to post longer chapters, but we'll see how long it goes until I'm posting shorter chapters.

Enjoy!

-CL

I pick up the mirror, touching up my smudged makeup, especially my swollen lips. I finish and apply some hairspray. I glance at Maxon, who's struggling to fix his hair. "Here, let me help," I say, applying gel to his hair. "Here's the mirror to fix it to your liking." I hand him the mirror and watch him fix his golden hair. I stare, mesmerized.

Maxon notices me staring. "Hm? You like my hair? Well, soon your fingers can thread through it as much as you please." He laughs when he sees my blush. He places his stuff back on the tray. "Let's go," he says, walking into the room and placing the tray on the table hidden behind the curtains. He grabs my arm, letting me lean on him.

Marlee and Carter walk up to us. "Where have you been?" Marlee asks, scanning my face. "Oh, I see."

I duck my head. "Is it really that noticeable? I thought I fixed it."

"It's not really, but your clothes are all rumpled. Here, let me…" Marlee walks over to me to fix my dress while Carter does the same for Maxon. "Alright, that's better. Now, let's go. America and Aspen are waiting to give their speeches."

Maxon, Marlee, Carter, and I walk over to our spots, Marlee and Carter going to their separate table. "Wait, you guys. Come sit with us," I say, gesturing for Marlee, Carter, America, and Aspen to join us. "You guys can just sit at our table from now on. It's big enough."

"Well, I will not not take you up on your offer," Marlee says, dragging Carter with her. America and Aspen walk up to our table as well.

"You guys ready for your speech?" I ask America and Aspen.

"Yep," America says. "We're planning on keeping it short, shorter than yours."

"You guys don't have to," Maxon says.

"We know, but if we said everything we want to say the speech would be at least an hour. And anyway, we know you guys want the reception to end soon," Aspen says with a wink.

I blush. "Aspen! Since when do you act like this? Is it because you aren't on duty?" I ask with a teasing smirk.

"Maybe," he says with a smile.

America taps her glass with a spoon. "May we please have your attention?" The talking stops and the guests turn their attention to America and Aspen who are standing in front of our table. "We have been asked to speak about the couple and boy do we have things to tell you," America says with a laugh. "But we won't be sharing those things. At least not today."

"Maxon and Bella, or should I say Your Majesties?" Aspen asks with a laugh.

"Oh, no, Maxon and Bella are fine," Maxon replies with a grin.

"Well then, Maxon and Bella are the most awkward couple. They don't tell each other anything until one is crying or yelling. And then, at least now, after the wedding, they kiss to make up. Or make out. That's another option. And I bet sex will be an option now. Well, I guess we'll see how many kids you have."

Maxon and I are both blushing. "Ummm…Aspen…" Maxon and I both start to say.

"See, I told you so. They are so awkward. It's like they don't want to talk about their feelings!"

The audience laughs and America takes over. "In serious terms, Maxon and Bella are the cutest, sweetest couple I've seen. They listen to each other, and when they are comfortable, they'll pour out all of their feelings. They help each other, but they help others before themselves. They've helped me through a dark time even though they were dealing with their own problems, such as planning this wedding. They care about the people they meet and are always there for them. They are kind to strangers, and soon they usually become friends with that said stranger. They are the kind of people we want ruling over Illéa. They won't use their people for their gain. If anything, they will use themselves for the peoples' gain." America turns to us and sees we have tears in our eyes. "And I think we need a kiss to finalize this, Bella and Maxon."

Maxon and I stand with the chants. I turn to Maxon, and he touches his lips to mine. There are cheers throughout the room. We break away quickly, knowing if we keep going too long, it will end like it did on the balcony.

"Well, now that's out of the way, Bride and Groom, we want to see you dance!" Aspen shouts.

Maxon and I walk to the dance floor. It's supposed to be the father-daughter dance, but I don't want to do that, and Maxon is supposed to do the mother-son dance, but obviously, that can't happen, so we decided to just do a lively dance between girls and boys. "All of you boys and men, get out here! We're dancing first!" All of the men and boys run to the dance floor and the DJ puts on the song "Party Rock Anthem".

I step off of the dance floor and all the women and girls crowd around me. "What song are we dancing to?" America asks. We glance over and see Maxon leading the men and boys, and Carter and Aspen are right behind him. They are starting to get into the swing of things.

"I think what's going to happen is we are going to dance to 'Single Ladies' and then the DJ is going to mashup the songs and the females are going to dance on the left side of the dance floor and the males are going to dance on the right side and there will be alternating dancing and that will become a little bit like a dance competition," I respond. I hear the song nearing the end. "Ok, get ready ladies!" I shout, "It's our turn next!"

All of the women and girls, myself included, run to the dance floor. "Allllright, men and boys, leave the dance floor so the females get a chance to show you their dance moves." All of the males leave the floor. Maxon catches my eye and winks. I smile back. "Ok, let's go, ladies!"

The DJ starts the song. America and I join hands and start dancing. I try to take it slower because of our dresses and because of America's pregnancy. But America wants to go fast. "C'mon, Bella! Let's dance!" I pick up the pace to match America's. We start laughing, realizing how ridiculous we must look.

Soon the song ends. "Alright, ladies, you're on the left side, and gentlemen you are on the right side. It's time for a dance-off!" Shouts and cheers make the DJ cut off. "Ready? Dance!"

The DJ starts the song off with "Party Rock Anthem" and the men go crazy. Maxon comes near me, still on the right side, but as close as he can come to me. He dances wildly, making me laugh out loud. Soon the song switches over to "Single Ladies".

When the song gets to the lyric "'Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it" I point to my wedding ring and yell the lyrics, looking at Maxon. He laughs. I start to sway my hips a little bit more noticeably. Maxon's gaze wanders to my hips. I smile seductively and glance at Maxon through my eyelashes. He's trying to keep himself in control, but I know he's slipping. The song switches to a mash-up, which snaps me back into reality, realizing we are doing this in the middle of a crowd. I duck my head in shame and start to walk off the dance floor in embarrassment.

"Bella, wait," Maxon says, grabbing my arm.

I glance back but am too ashamed to face him. "I'm sorry."