This is going to be the last chapter for a while. I've started school again and I have finals next week. I think I'm only going to post once or twice a week because now I have to write all of the chapters and none of them are prewritten. Sorry, but I can't juggle posting every day. I'll try to post twice a week and sometimes I might post more. Thank you for all of your support!
-CL
I wake up and Bella is sleeping peacefully in my arms. I yawn, snuggling closer to Bella, trying to fall back asleep. I stretch out my bad leg and it feels better. I don't think I'll need the crutches today, but my leg will be stiff. "Your Majesty," I hear someone say.
"Hmmm?" I look up and see Silvia. "Yes, Silvia?"
"Your Majesty, Dr. Ashlar wants you to sign Bella's discharge papers."
I almost jumped out of the bed, wanting Bella to get out of the infirmary as soon as possible. "Of course. Lead the way," I say, kissing Bella's forehead. Bella stirs and her eyelids flutter open.
"Mmmm…Good morning, Maxon," she says, stretching. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to sign your discharge papers, my dear. I'll be right back, darling." I smile at her and go to Dr. Ashlar's office. "Good morning, Dr. Ashlar. I hear there are some discharge papers to sign?"
"Oh, good morning, Your Majesty. Yes, I have Bella's discharge papers right here. Let me grab a pen…" Dr. Ashlar says, opening drawers to find a pen.
"I have a pen, Your Majesty," Silvia says, handing me my fountain pen.
"Thank you, Silvia," I say, grabbing the pen and starting to sign the papers. I quickly go through them and sign each paper. "Here you are, Dr. Ashlar."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Bella is being prepared to leave the infirmary right now. As soon as she's ready, you can take her to your room to rest."
"Thanks for everything, Dr. Ashlar. I will get you your vacation dates soon." I dash out of the room. I round the corner and see Bella. She's beautiful. Her red-brown hair is down her back and is in its natural state of curliness. The nurses have brought her a simple day dress to change into, but it fits her perfectly. The dress reaches her ankles and it has ruffle sleeves. It's a pale green and it becomes lighter the further up you look. I gasp and Bella turns around. She blushes and smiles shyly at me. I run over to her and she throws herself into my arms. "Bella Starr, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever set my eyes upon."
She giggles and I hold her close. "I love you, Maxon Schreave."
"I love you too, my dear. Now let's go to my room." I let go of her, but I put an arm around her shoulders, and we walked out of the infirmary. We walk to my room, with Bella leaning her head against my shoulder. "Here is my room, darling." We enter and I notice that the room has been cleaned up since the last time we were in here. I see Bella visibly shudder, recalling what happened the last time she was in here.
"I'm so sorry, Maxon. I should not have fallen into that temptation…" she starts to tear up but doesn't let the tears fall.
"I'm just glad you're better now."
"Maxon…I'm ready to tell you about my mental health," she says, becoming nervous.
"Darling, if you're not ready-"
"I need to tell you, though, Maxon. You deserve that much information," she says, gesturing for me to sit on the bed. I sit on the bed and give her a reassuring smile. She takes a deep breath. "Maxon, I suffer from anxiety, social anxiety, and depression. I believe the cause of these is from growing up in an abusive household, where I was expected to do my best and get the best. My social anxiety makes me nervous in front of other people and I'm always self-conscious. My anxiety makes me worry over the stupidest things, which can then lead to a depressive episode. My depression can be mild, but when I build up all of those negative emotions, my depression can turn severe. The episode that you saw was obviously severe. I honestly don't understand why I tried to commit suicide over you yelling at me…that's so stupid…" she abruptly stops and puts her hands on her knees.
I jump off of the bed. "Bella, are you ok?!" I ask, rushing to her side.
"Yes, I'm fine. Now, these past few days make sense. I'll be back," she says, walking to the Princess Suite bathroom.
"Bella, are you sure you're ok?! You didn't look ok a minute ago!" I hear her opening a cabinet and I hear rustling. She soon emerges from the bathroom and looks just fine. "What? Bella, can you please explain what's going on?!"
"It's very simple. I'm getting my period, which causes my depression to be more severe than it usually is. That's why I tried to commit suicide….wow, everything makes so much more sense." She walks to the bed and lays down. "Come lay with me."
I walk over and lay down on the bed, pulling her close to me. She puts a hand on her back and grimaces. "What's the matter?" I ask, concerned.
"Nothing. I'm just having cramps and back cramps. Nothing that isn't normal."
"And you go through this every month?!"
"Yeah. I'm somewhat used to it by now."
"Oh my gosh, you women go through so much…"
"Yeah, well, that's the way it is," she says and notices me looking at her. She blushes and ducks her head. "I guess I probably gave you a little too much information, huh?"
"Maybe a little…but I still like listening to you talk. I don't mind."
"I'll finish telling you about my mental health," she says, looking at me. I nod. "I've had depressive episodes before, mostly triggered ones. Sometimes it was from abuse or from my parents fighting. They fight over the stupidest things. They fought about my mom going out to see a friend. My dad has backed me into a corner and threatened me," she says, and she starts to tear up. "He's hurt me and all of my siblings, even Mother. He was trying to do that at the New Year's party. I know he was going to harm in some way, and he was drunk, so it would've been pretty bad if you didn't intervene when you did. I'm lucky he let me come participate in the Selection. He's very overprotective, and he's a control freak.
All of this has triggered depressive episodes, but other things have also triggered it. Stress has, especially when money is tight. And, well, I-" she blushes.
"You can tell me, my dear," I say, kissing her forehead.
"I-I was also scared that nobody would love me and nobody would marry me because of my looks. I'm not that pretty, and I'm not comfortable with my body, although I'm trying to change that."
"Oh, Bella. You're beautiful, and I love you. Don't let anybody tell you that you're not beautiful. You're perfect," I look in her eyes and she tears up.
"I love you, Maxon. Thank you for putting up with me," she says, burying her head in my chest. We stay there like that until there is a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" I say, getting out of the bed. Bella sits up, trying to see who's at the door. I open the door and see Silvia standing there. "Yes?"
"I just wanted to let you know that Princess America is going out to shop. She's bringing Marlee with her. She says they should be back by dinner."
"Thanks for letting me know, Silvia." She curtsies and walks away. I close the door and walk over to Bella. "You ok?"
"Yes. Are you?"
"I am now that you're ok."
Bella walks over to my desk. She looks at me and smiles. "Don't we have a wedding to plan?"
