A/N: Hello readers! I have another chapter ready!

I hope you enjoy! Have a wonderful read!

"I'm doing fine, Mom." I told her.

My mom comes by just about every other day to talk since I told her that I'm pregnant. She doesn't care if it's just a quick stroll around the garden or an hour long chat, she is almost always at the palace now. Now, she only wants to make sure I'm okay and only asks about the baby growing in my body. It's fine that she wants to check in with me and baby, I sometimes wish it wasn't the only thing we talked about though. I am still a person outside of my pregnancy. I try not to be bitter about it, but especially since I'm not showing yet, it's hard to not get a little upset when all she does is talk about the baby.

"Are you sure? I was so sickly when I was pregnant with all five of you. Kenna was the same way with Astra. I'd hate for you to be the same as well."

I sigh. "I've had some sickness. Nothing major. Once a day, sometimes twice and not for long spells. Most of the time it's about an hour after breakfast or lunch where I feel it. Marlee always makes sure I'm fine. There was only once or twice when it was in the morning before breakfast and it was kind of late into the morning, so I was already in my own room. Maxon doesn't really know about any of it and I'd like to not be put on bedrest when I'm still perfectly able to do my job, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him. I can handle it when the time comes to tell him."

We continue to walk around the garden, finishing up the lap before heading inside. I could see Maxon inside waiting for me from where we stood outside the doors, trying to finish our conversation before heading in.

She stops and looks at me. "How long have you been getting sick, Ames?"

"A few weeks, maybe a month or so at most. Please don't say anything to him about it."

"I won't tell him, but you need to talk to him about this kind of stuff. He wants to take care of you, so let him. Let him prove to you that he can take care of someone else. Let him baby you."

"Mom?"

"Yes, babygirl?"

I hesitate, but ask the question that burns in my throat anyway. "Did… did you let Dad baby you when you were pregnant?"

"Always." She says with a sweet, remembering smile. "Your father always took care of me when I let him. He would rub my feet at night if I wanted him to. He would cook dinner and let me eat a little bit extra, even if it meant he didn't eat till dinner. He was always taking care of me. And unless I couldn't stand it, I let him. I wanted him to prove that he could care for each baby I had. And your father did just that. There were times when I didn't want help. Your stubbornness comes from me, and many times I found myself not telling him what I wanted or needed from him. He always told me 'If I was sick, you'd take care of me. If I needed you, you were there. You need me, so let me be there.' and after he told me that when I was pregnant with Kota, I let him step in anytime I knew I would push myself to hide my pain. Your father took the best care of me. It's one of the reasons I love him even now."

I smiled and looked down at my feet as we strolled up the path to the doors. I think about my dad skipping breakfast or lunch so my mom could eat more or how he'd rub her feet when she was standing all day performing. It makes me wish my dad were here now to see me and take care of me too.

"Tell him about your pregnancy. Tell him about the sickness, the mood swings, the feeling you got when you knew there is life inside you. Tell him so he can love you the same way you love that baby inside you." She tells me before the doors open.

Maxon grabs my mother's hand, kissing it lightly before doing the same to mine. He leans down whispering into my hair, "We need to talk, Darling."

I nod just so he can feel it. "Mom, I've got to go. See you later?"

"Of course. See you later, America." She scurries off.

When she's far enough away, Maxon grabs me the way I know he wants to. He pulls me close, holding my butt. I feel myself dip down and his hand travels up my thigh, holding my leg up against his hip. He kisses me, I can taste the strawberry tart from breakfast on his lips.

"You taste sweet." I murmur against his lips.

He kisses me again, I can feel the smile on his lips. He lets me stand on my own two feet before saying, "Come on. Let's go for a walk around the first floor so we can chat..."

I grab his arm and we walk away from the comfort of the garden. After we clear about 20 feet and we are mostly alone, he clears his throat. "Were you ever going to tell me that for the past few weeks you've been getting sick after lunch in the women's room or in the mornings?"

I freeze. I feel the blood drain from my body. I looked at him. He stepped away from me, trying to just look me in the eyes, trying to read me. I am trying to sense his emotions, to know what he's thinking. He put up the wall that separates us when he's gonna blow up into anger. I can't tell what he's feeling exactly, but I know it's not good. I sigh, "Honestly?"

"Please, America." He says. "Honestly, were you going to tell me you were getting sick?"

He sounds desperate, like I've been hiding so much more from him. I break inside, fearing that he's feeling like I've been lying about everything. This is the only thing I've hid from him since we got married, but I know why the fear is there.

"I wasn't really planning on it. But-"

"Why not?" His voice is sharp enough to pierce my heart, leaving me wanting to cry. This is the consequence of my own actions, and I know that. It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, though.

"It's just because it's normal nausea and I eat when I feel better afterwards then I'm fine."

He rubs his face and turns his back to me. I hear the slow deep breaths he's taking to control his frustration. He turns back. When he speaks, his voice sounds venomous. "America, you can't just not tell me stuff about our pregnancy. I don't care if it's normal or if you think it's not a big deal. I don't care if you can hide it or handle it on your own. I'm your husband, your partner. You don't get to exclude me from this. This isn't just your baby, this is our baby that we created together. What is the real reason you didn't tell me?"

I look down, trying to blink away the tears I feel bubbling in my eyes. Shame is the only thing I feel. "I didn't want you to overreact about it cause it is normal and it isn't a big deal and I can handle it on my own. You have the weight of an entire nation on your shoulders, why would I put this on you too?"

"So you don't have to carry that baby and every hardship it brings alone." He tells me honestly. The venom is gone, but the bite is still there. "I am your lover. I'm your husband. I am the father of that baby. So let me step in and carry some of the weight like I let you do. Let me hold the metaphorical weight so you can handle all of the physical weight of carrying that baby. I want to be included. So, include me. Include me in the messy vomit and the unbearable pain, please. Don't hide anything from me. Please."

By the time he is done with his little speech, I am in tears, but so is he.

"I'm sorry." I mumble softly.

He pulls me into his arms and holds me close as I let more tears fall from my eyes. "I'm not mad. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do this alone."

"And I don't want you to die of stress before you meet our baby." I tell him. I fear that the stress of the country and then of my pregnancy and our marriage will hurt him if he tries to take on too much.

He pulls away from me to look at me with a slight smile. "I've had the weight of the world on my shoulders since I was 11. What's a few more months if it means helping you?"

I pull back in, placing my lips against his. He kisses me shortly before pulling away again. "Is there anything else about this pregnancy I need to know about?"

"Nothing urgent but you deserve the truth. I have been getting sick. Only once in a while after lunch or in the morning while I'm getting ready. It is never enough to warrant concern, and I eat when I feel better. I have been on edge on this emotional teeter totter, since I found out about the pregnancy. Everything has the possibility of shifting me and making me fall quickly into happiness or sadness. I am extremely sensitive in every way possible. Mary will be brushing my hair and I will start to tear up and she's been helping me get ready the same way for the last two years. I know I'm pregnant, but I have intense baby fever. Like hanging around Marlee and Kile makes me want to sleep with you so I can have one and we're already pregnant."

He nods after my confession. "That's a lot."

"I know."

"Why don't you talk to me?"

"Cause I know you and I know how you'll react." I told him. "I know how much you want to protect me and make sure that I don't ever feel bad, but there are some things that I can handle on my own and that you can't fix. There will be times where I can't do it, and I'll lean on you, but the little things… I can handle it."

He nods. "Thank you for telling me. I understand why you didn't want to tell me, but I really am glad you did. We're gonna work on this communication thing, okay? Especially as this baby grows, we are gonna need to be communicating a lot."

"Speaking of the baby growing, don't we have an ultrasound appointment with Dr. Ashlar to see our baby?"

"Oh shit, you're right! Let's go!"

We grab hands and scurry through the palace. Maxon almost knocked over a vase on the way, but after a few minutes of running we made it to the infirmary section of the palace.

"Your Majesties," An older woman greets us at the desk, "How may we help you today?"

Maxon says, "Hi, uhm, yes, we are here- well she is-"

I cut him off. "We have an appointment with Dr. Ashlar today."

She types away on her keyboard looking in the books for our appointment. "Ah yes, Queen America Schreave. Alright, Your Majesty, I'm going to give you this clipboard, okay? I need the first two pages filled out. The third one I just need you to read over. The fourth has a few things for you to read and sign to and then that fifth page is specific to this appointment."

She hands me the clipboard and the pen. "Your Majesty, when you're done filling out the paperwork, bring it back up and I'll have Lilian take you to your room."

"Excellent. Thank you." Maxon follows me as I sit down to begin the paperwork.

The first page is basic health paperwork: name, age, weight, and height as well as past medical history and family medical history. Nothing too serious.

The second page has more questions relating to the health history and medical history of my family.

I read the third page. It was mostly saying that anything said during the appointment will remain private and will not be shared with anyone unless shared by me.

The fourth page was a few understandings of how today's ultrasound procedure would be conducted, all of which I had to sign after.

The 5th page was the last report after visiting Dr. Ashlar. Four weeks ago, when I came in to visit, I was close to 8 weeks along. He wrote in the notes that today I should be close to 12 weeks and that at this appointment I should be able to tell how things are going and that it's likely to see if there are multiple fetuses during the pregnancy, which (for me) would be a dream come true!

I get up to return the clipboard with Maxon following close behind me. A tall blonde woman with freckles dotting her cheeks comes up to us. "Your Majesties, I'm Lillian. Follow me this way."

Maxon and I followed Lillian as we were told, making our way past the reception area to a more closed off area in the back. The sterile white walls were always so off putting to me, so in the Royal infirmary area I had them paint the walls a pale green. Once we got there, I started to relax a little bit more.

"Alright, Queen America, I'm going to have you step on the scale for you really quick."

I let go of Maxon's hand and stepped up. She records the number down on the clipboard. I step down and go back to Maxon.

"Alrighty, let's head to the royal exam room."

We follow her around the corner to where the royal exam room is. I sit on the bed and Maxon sits on the chair next to me.

"We are going to go through some questions together to confirm medical history, symptoms, and then the depression screening. Are you ready to begin?"

"Let's get this over with." I told her.

"Alright, all of these are simple questions. Elaborate your answers if you need, but please be honest. We are just going over the basic information of your medical history and pregnancy thus far." She clears her throat. "Alright, birthday is February 26th?"

"Yes."

"Any history of alcoholism, asthma, cancer, depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, kidney disease, migraines, or strokes in your family?"

"My father died of a heart attack two years ago around Christmas, but other than that I don't think so."

"Any allergies to any medications?"

"None."

"Date of last period if you remember."

"I don't remember."

"That's okay, I think we have that saved. Any tobacco use, alcohol use, or drug use?"

"I drink, but not since I've been pregnant. When I did it was maybe once a week. No drugs except the ones I'm prescribed and the occasional pain killer."

"What is your sexual activity like?"

"Frequent, and enough for me to get pregnant." I saw with a chuckle. Maxon blushes.

"Do you exercise regularly?"

"Three times a week, just enough to keep my health in shape. Mostly cardio but I do strength training once a week."

"What is your sleep like?"

"Still getting 8 hours, occasional 1 hour naps since I am experiencing fatigue as of recently."

"How has your diet been?"

"Consistent. Trying not to eat too many sweets still, but I do have a sweet tooth. Mostly eating a healthy balanced diet, though."

"Excellent. Let's go through the pregnancy symptoms. Are you experiencing nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness or enlargement, fatigue, cravings, a metallic taste when eating, frequent urination, breathlessness, constipation, headaches, heartburn or indigestion, leg cramps, mood changes, tingling or numbness in your hands, or vaginal discharge?"

"Yes to nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, fatigue, cravings, headaches, and mood changes. No to everything else."

"Wonderful. And finally the depression screening. Please answer honestly and to the best of your ability. Over the past two weeks have you had little interest or pleasure doing things you normally enjoy?"

"No."

"Feelings of depression, hopelessness, or generally feeling down?"

"No."

"Trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much?"

"Occasionally falling asleep. Maybe just three or four days total though."

"Feeling tired or having little energy?"

I sigh, "Not consistently. Maybe half the days?"

"Poor appetite including over or under eating?"

"No."

"Feeling bad about yourself or that you are a let down?"

"No." I almost chuckle at that thought.

"Trouble concentrating."

"None."

"Moving or speaking slowly? Or restlessness?"

"Maybe restlessness, but a very limited amount."

"Thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself?"

"None."

"Perfect. I'll let Dr. Alshar know you are ready to be seen. Please change into this gown, it should open in the front like a robe and place this sheet over your lap once you're done."

"Thank you, Lillian."

She smiles sheepishly and exits the room, closing the door behind her.

I start to undress with the help of Maxon. I don't know why Mary put me in a corset dress today, however I do feel very good in it. With Maxon's help, I get the say dress off and slip the gown on with it opening in the front like Lillian said. I place the sheet over my lap and sit back down. Maxon grabs my hand. "I love you, darling."

"And I love you." I clear my throat, "I'm nervous."

"What for?"

I sigh, "Today is not only making sure that baby is okay, but also seeing if there could be multiple babies. I'm scared that something is going to be wrong with our little angel or that there could be multiple but something is wrong with one of them… I don't know. I'm just nervous that we aren't going to get good news."

He kisses my hand, "Darling, everything will be okay. I promise."

Then there is a knock, and Dr. Ashlar comes in. "Hello, Your Majesties! What a pleasure to see you on such wonderful terms."

"Good Afternoon, Doctor. How are you?"

"Wonderful, and how is the lovely family doing?

I giggle, "We are all well."

"Excellent to hear. Let's recap what we discussed last time to catch King Maxon up. Last time I saw you, Queen America, you were 7 weeks and 4 days pregnant according to our system. We didn't notice anything abnormal with the baby. We thought there might be a second fetus, however we couldn't get the baby to move very much to tell. This appointment our goal is to see if there is a second baby in there as well as make sure that baby is doing okay and, if there is a second baby, to make sure they are doing okay as well. The next time I will see you after that will be the 18 week mark to see if we can determine the gender. Are we ready?"

I nod. Dr. Ashlar exposes my stomach and squirts a cold gel onto my skin and uses the wand to rub it in. In a second, I can see my baby on the screen.

"Alright, over here we have baby number one… healthy, normal heart rate." He pans over to the other side of my stomach, "And, as suspected, here is baby number two. They were hiding last time. Everything still sounds and looks normal… No abnormalities from what we can tell."

Two… We are having two babies. I look at Maxon, he's staring at the screen of our babies in tears. We are having two.

"Your Majesties, you have two healthy babies on the way." He prints the pictures of our babies then removes the wand. "We are going to draw blood for genetic testing. This will make sure that severe genetic disorders that can ruin a child's quality of life are not present. We don't see anything abnormal now, but that doesn't mean that we can rule it out entirely. Queen America, you are 18 weeks and 2 days along. Unless you have any questions, you are all clear to get dressed. Your pictures of the ultrasound will be available at the front desk. Have a wonderful day, Your Majesties."