A/N: Hello readers! Welcome to my new story. If you have followed me from Happy Endings or are new here, I am so glad that you are reading this!

I promised that I would come back with more stories, and I think I needed a fresh story to start with, so here we are!

The Nine months is going to be about 10 chapters documenting the nine months of America's pregnancy after telling Maxon! I'm not sur4e the frequency of my updates to this story just yet, however My goal is to get this one done by the end of the year!

If you are like what you are reading, please follow/favorite me or the story and leave a review! I read suggestions often and I'm always trying to improve my work!

Without further ado, Month 1 of The Nine Months!

"Maxon…" I whisper to him. He mumbles in his sleep to me. When he mumbles, I can hardly hear a word he says. Nonetheless, I smile at him, kissing his bare shoulder.

"Maxon…" I coo again.

This time, he rolls over, careful not to crush me. "Yes, my Darling?"

"It's time to get up. We have to work today…"

"But you need to rest. We should rest in bed together, all day, for the next nine months…" He's hardly even opened his eyes, yet he's suggesting we stay in bed for the rest of my pregnancy… that silly man.

"Maxon…" I scold. As nice as that sounds, we both know it's not an option. Even though he wants it to be.

"I'm just saying. You shouldn't strain yourself." He tells me, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"I won't. I'm not even showing yet." I rub my hand over my flat stomach, "I don't feel any different than I did two months ago. It's fine. I'm fine."

He sighs, looking at me with concern lacing his eyes, "Promise?"

"Promise. With my whole heart the same way I promised to love you till death due us part…"

He smiles faintly. I can't help but smile back at him.

"I love you…" I told him.

"And I love you, with all that I am, I love you."

"Then you need to get up so that way I can get up cause you know that you are my motivation to get out of bed most mornings."

He sighs, "But you are so cozy and if I get up, that means that I have to leave your warmth and also leave the baby."

He cuddles closer. His lips leave little feather kisses on my neck as his hand rubs up and down my still flat stomach.

"The baby is fine! Love, it's not even born yet!" I told him. "We need to get up."

"You need to get up cause you take longer to get ready than I do. I can lay in bed longer than you."

"You should get up. We have to eat breakfast, and I suspect you have a hangover from your birthday party yesterday."

He scoffs, "I am not hungover. I didn't even drink that much."

I roll my eyes, "You definitely did drink a lot last night. I saw how many glasses of scotch you grabbed as you celebrated. You need to eat. I need to eat. I'm hungry."

"Fine. Only because I can't let you be hungry since you're eating for two now."

I sit up from the warmth of the covers of our bed. "Babe, I've been eating for two since I got to the palace two years ago."

He chuckles, "You got me there. Go catch a shower, get ready. I'll meet you right back here to go down to breakfast."

"Okay… I love you."

"And I love you."

I take one of the sheets of his bed with me and I float from his room to mine. I let myself fall back against the cool door on my side of the room. A heavy sigh leaves my lips.

"Rough night, Your Majesty?"

I shake my head no. "Not rough. I just don't want to leave him."

She giggles, "Well then, let's get you ready so you can join him again."

I let her lead the way into the bathroom on the other side of my room. She scurried around getting things ready for me as I started to remove the articles of clothing left from last night with Maxon (Only a large t-shirt since I was cold).

"The water should be warm enough for you now. I'll be waiting for you whenever you are done with your shower, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Mary."

She curtsies and exits. My shower was quick, only needing to wash the smell of intoxication off my skin from Maxon. I rejoined Mary shortly after I was mostly dry from my shower. She knew about three days before Maxon's birthday that I was pregnant. She found the test shoved into a drawer and asked me about it. So, it doesn't shock me that she asks me about how Maxon took the news when I had my day dress on and she was doing my hair.

"It went well." I say with a sheepish smile growing on my face. "He's so excited to be a father."

"I knew he'd take it well. He seemed like he wanted to get you pregnant much earlier than he did." She tells me with a slight giggle to her words. My face flushes at the thought.

I can't help but agree. If it were Maxon's choice I would have been pregnant a year sooner. I convinced him that we should take a year of marriage to ourselves, then we can get pregnant. He reluctantly agreed. But on his birthday last year, we had sex for the first time with no form of birth control. Prior to that, I had been taking a pill. Dr. Ashlar prescribed it to me. And Maxon had tried his best to wear a condom, but we both hated the way it felt, so it really didn't last long. Then, we were trying. It was weird to think that I would go from a meeting to a scheduled sex-visit with Maxon then to lunch with my mom. It was crazy, but it worked. Cause here I am, at the start of a long journey where I get to have my own family with the man I love.

"Maxon, I do not need to eat anything else. I am beyond stuffed. I think I ate for my entire family in one meal!" I told him.

"You need to be healthy for the baby, though."

"And if I eat another bite, I will throw up, which is not the goal… I need to keep the food down in order for the baby to absorb the nutrients…"

He set the fork of eggs down that he was trying to feed me, effectively giving up. "Fine. You win but only because I don't want you to get sick."

"I'll be fine. I have a meeting I have to get to. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay. I love you, Darling."

"I love you, too." I get up, kiss his head before departing.

I was going to a meeting. It was with Marlee in the women's room. Does that count? I think it does. We weren't planning on gossiping. We need to talk about what the plan is for my maternity leave. Even though it is months away, Maxon wanted me to be prepared in case the worst of the worst happens and I fall ill, miscarry, or give birth prematurely. I was more than happy to think about taking a break from work whether for the worst case or a baby. Plus, Maxon was having a similar meeting when it comes to paternity leave since he wants to be able to spend time with me and the baby before, during, and after I endure labor.

I walk into the women's room to see Marlee feeding Kile a spoon of apple sauce.

"Open for Mommy…" Marlee cooed to the baby.

I giggled, "Good morning Marlee. Good morning baby Kile."

She got the spoon in his mouth. "Good morning, America. How is the pregnant girl doing?"

"Doing pretty well. She doesn't feel pregnant yet, well besides the one incident."

Marlee rolled her eyes, "And the two times before that and the three you've had since the last two."

It's my turn to roll my eyes now. "Not the point. A few incidents of nausea are no big deal. It's normal, right?"

"Just because it's normal doesn't mean that after every meal you should have to run in here and hide from Maxon cause you don't want him to know you're feeling sick due to pregnancy."

"Cause I'm not feeling sick. It's a nausea spell that lasts for maybe 10 minutes, then I'm fine. Especially since sometimes, I don't even throw up. I just feel like I need to. He doesn't need to worry about me more than he already does." I told her. "He will put me on bedrest till the baby is out of me and I cannot do nothing when there are things to do. He tried to put us both on bedrest today and we were just getting up in the morning."

"Fine. Have it your way, but if it bites you in the a-s-s later, I'm just gonna tell you that I told you so."

I laugh, Marlee has started spelling out naughty words for fear that Kile will hear them and that will be his first word. "I will find you as soon as it does bite me in the a-s-s, if it ever does."

She laughs and continues to spoon feed baby Kile the applesauce. She clears her throat, "So, when the time comes when you are super pregnant and can't work anymore or whatever you and Maxon decide is the worst case scenario, what's the plan?"

"I assume that when I get too pregnant to work, you'd assume the work that I can't do. Nothing serious. Just meetings and plans. I wouldn't have you work on any projects, but granted I don't plan on taking any projects that are going to take over a year to execute from this point forward. If I end up ill before that point, you will take over as much as you can. Anything you can't handle will be put on hold."

"That's what I thought." She said, "I mean, I've been working with you for a long while now, and I can handle the basics of the job when the time comes."

I nod, "I know. That's why you'd take over for a month or so depending on what Maxon decides is the worst case scenario for the baby."

I get up, since that is figured out I'm going to my office to figure out the rest of the timeline for this pregnancy and my projects. Plus I have to plan to tell advisors and everything else. It's a mess.

"Heading out already?"

"Unfortunately. No rest for the wicked…" I sigh, "I'll call you up when I'm not as busy."

"Okay." She grabs Kile's hand, "Say bye-bye to Aunty America!"

I wave back to the sweet baby and my friend to head up to work. I was walking slowly and just dreading going up. I hated having to plan my entire work schedule out based on my pregnancy. I could just work on projects for ages, but it is hard trying to figure out what I have to do when and how to plan out the project timelines and make sure they can be stopped at the drop of a hat in case I do get sick or something goes wrong. Guess this is the life I chose to be a part of…

I met Maxon outside his office on weekdays at 4pm for one of the aforementioned sex visits before dinner. Today was no different, except that I really didn't want to have sex, which I told him before I arrived at his door. He opened the door right at 4. He smiles and pulls me inside. His lips hungrily meet mine. I pull away from him really quick.

"Hello to you too…"

"Sorry, Darling. I just missed you. How are you and the baby doing?"

"We're okay. I've been feeling a little tired today, but nothing I can't push through."

"Well, that's good that you're just tired. During my lunch I was reading that women can feel nausea, headaches, backaches, and dizziness during pregnancy. Seems like fatigue is the best of the worst."

"It definitely is." I sighed.

"I'm glad you're not going through anything worse than fatigue."

I swallow hard, pushing the rising guilt down, "Me too."

He kisses my head, "You okay? You seem spaced out."

"Just feeling tired. It's making it a little hard to focus. Nothing that I can't handle though."

"Okay. You tell me if something worse goes on. I don't want you feeling dizzy or nauseous or anything like that if I can help it."

"Of course, Babe. I promise I will."

"So, what other plans do you have today?" He asks while sipping from a mug. Whatever it is smells good and I wanna try it.

"We are having my mother over for dinner. I want to tell her the good news about the pregnancy. Hey, what's in your mug?"

"That's a wonderful idea. I think you should tell your mom. Just be careful cause she tends to talk and we don't need the press bugging us right now. It's so early in the pregnancy and I don't want your mom to leak the news and then have something change."

We both know that we can't share the news of the pregnancy too early because if I miscarry, it would be a bigger headline than the announcement of the pregnancy. I bet Maxon is worried that I will miscarry since his mother had 4 failed pregnancies before having him. I don't even want to think about telling the press about the pregnancy, let alone a miscarage.

"I know. I'm surprised you're so on board with telling her since she does tend to talk to the press often. What's in the mug, Babe?"

"Well, I think if we emphasize the importance that she doesn't tell anyone just yet then she might not spread it around. Especially if we tell her that we want to be the ones to tell the country first. I bet she'd understand."

"That is a really good idea. Babe?"

"Yes, Darling?"

"What is in your mug?"

"Coffee, which you can't have."

"Maxon, it's four in the afternoon! You can't have coffee, you won't sleep tonight and that means I won't sleep tonight."

"Darling, I can drink coffee when I need to. It's not exactly because I need the energy that I'm casually sipping this chocolate coffee."

"It's my chocolate coffee! I can't even drink coffee and you're drinking my chocolate coffee!"

"Sorry Darling, but regardless, I'm not drinking it for the caffeine. I asked for a dark brew with low caffeine in it."

"Are you still hungover?"

"Slightly."

I laugh. "I'm so glad I can't drink. I hope your hangover goes away before dinner."

"Me too." He chuckles, "Go get ready for dinner. Your mom is gonna be here soon."

I exit his office feeling anxious and excited all at once. There was a lot to consider about telling my mom and I had only told Maxon the night before, but I wanted her to know after Maxon and early on so she can help me in any way she can. I was excited to see her reaction since she had been asking when I was planning on getting pregnant only a month after my wedding.

"When are you going to give me a grandbaby like Kenna?" She asked me at dinner.

I almost choked on my water. I peered over to Maxon who just about did the same. I looked back at my mother, her eyes beating with serious hopes that I would announce I'm pregnant right now. I sighed, "When we're ready. It's only been a month… I don't think I would even know if I was pregnant right now, Mom."

"I bet baby Astra wants a little cousin to play with…"

I rolled my eyes. "She's barely even one right now, Mom."

"And infants need to play together!"

"Mom, don't worry. You will be one of the first to know after I tell Maxon."

She grabs my hand with her eyes almost welling with tears, "I would like that, Ames."

"Good. You will be the first to know after Maxon."

I sighed, she was finally getting her second grandbaby… My thoughts cleared as I entered my room. Mary was steaming my evening dress, a simple purple gown made of satin. It was fit to the body with a semi-open back and a dropping neckline. It felt too formal for a dinner with my mom, but I hardly had the energy to argue about what I should wear anymore.

After getting dressed, I meet Maxon in his room.

He smiles when he sees me come in. "My darling… you look stunning as ever."

I scoff but it still makes a smile creep onto my face, "You are a suck-up if I have ever met one, but thank you."

"I am only a suck-up to you, my Darling. You are the only one worth sucking up too."

I giggle. He grabs my hand and pulls me towards him, kissing my cheek sweetly. "You look amazing, America."

"Thank you."

Then there is a knock on the door, "Your majesty?"

"Come in." Maxon calls back.

The maid, as nervous as ever, opens the door and curtsies with her head to the floor, "A Ms. Magda Singer has arrived for dinner.'

"Please let her know we will be down as soon as possible." I told the maid. "And thank you for letting us know."

"Of course, your Majesties." She curtsies again and scurries out.

"Time for dinner." He starts to walk off, ready to eat, but I grab his arm. He looks back confused. I could feel the fear bubbling inside me in ways I didn't know to be possible. It must have shown on my face. His face changes from joy to confusion and worry. "Darling, what's wrong."

"I'm nervous…" My brain felt rattled and confused, "I feel like something is going to go wrong. I can't explain it, I just know it."

"Darling, I need you to take deep breaths. Nothing bad is gonna happen. Nothing is gonna go wrong. Everything is gonna be okay. Just take a deep breath."

I listen, slowing down my breathing and taking it easy, and it helps, just not enough. I turn and move to sit on the bed. My head feels weird and I just want to sit for a moment before we have to go downstairs and talk with my mom.

"Can I get some water?" I ask faintly.

He nods, rushing to instantly get me some cool water like I requested. I nod graciously as he hands me a cup. I take slow sips trying to control my racing mind. I finish the cup and fall back onto the bed letting my body relax. I take a few deep breaths and sit back up.

"What if something does go wrong, Maxon?"

"Nothing will. We are eating dinner and then we can tell her. I will be very strict about the fact that she can share anything with anyone, not even May, until we give her approval."

I nod. That makes me feel better. "Okay."

"Are we ready now, Darling?"

I nod. He extends his hand to me and I grab it. In one swift movement, he pulls me up and we are leaving his room for dinner with my mother.

Dinner went by all too fast. I didn't feel prepared to tell my mom I was pregnant. Maxon looked at me as the plates were being gathered from the table. I shot him a look filled with anxiety and fear. He squeezed my hand. I watched as he took a deep breath. I followed his motions. He gave me a stout nod and squeezed my hand one more time.

"Mom, we have something to tell you."

"What is it, America?"

"We're pregnant. Baby Schreave is finally coming." I tell her with a hand landing on my stomach.

"America, that's wonderful news! How far along are you?"

I smile, "Barely a month. I found out a week ago and told Maxon yesterday at his party."

She stands up, her eyes filled with tears. She's beaming. She rushes over. I stood up quickly to give her a hug. She envelopes me in warmth, holding me close to her as she cries.

"I've been waiting for so long…" She cries.

"I know, Mom. Thank you for waiting."

"I'm just glad it's finally happening. An heir to the throne, a grandbaby to love… America, I'm so happy for you. And you too, Maxon."

"Thank you, Mom. Now sit so we can talk more!"

She sits down next to me. I smile. "So there are few important things we have to tell you. First, you cannot tell anyone about this. We want to be the ones that tell May and Gerad as well as the rest of the country. We are also waiting till about my second trimester to share anything to make sure there are no complications."

Maxon nods. "My mother had complications with her pregnancies before me, so to make sure nothing bad happens after we announce, we are waiting as late as possible."

"After we tell the press, you are more than welcome to share. However, in the event that something does happen, we are always going to speak on this first. We want to make sure that this pregnancy that is supposed to produce the future of our country goes as smoothly as possible which is why these rules are so important."

"I completely understand, America. You two have every right to be strict about this. America, I want to see you weekly to check up on you, is that okay?"

"Sure we can do lunch or something once a week. I don't mind."

"Good. You two keep me updated on that little baby too."

I smile, "We will."

Maxon yawns, "I think it's about time for us to head up for the night."

"That's alright. Thank you for telling me. I love you both."

"Love you too, Mom."

She blows us kisses and walks out of the room. I slouch back and sigh heavily. "I'm so glad that's over…"

"Me too, now let's head to bed."