FI warning.

Thanks for reading!

-CL


I'm released the next day but on bed rest. We make Dr. Ashlar promise to say silent about the baby. The public didn't even know I was pregnant, let alone I had a miscarriage. Maxon and I decided to not mention anything to America, Aspen, Carter, and Marlee until we can tell them all at once. It was too painful to talk about it once, let alone three or four times.

"Maxon, watch over Bella. If she has any type of pain, please bring her back here," Dr. Ashlar instructs. "Do you want a wheelchair, Bella?"

I shake my head. "I don't want anyone spreading rumors."

"Maxon, keep your arm around her for balance, now and whenever she needs it. This is going to take a while to heal."

"Of course. Thank you, Doctor." Dr. Ashlar nods. Maxon leads me out of the hospital and into our room. I walk straight to the bathroom and turn on the shower. I haven't showered since the day before I miscarried. And it will be nice crying in private. I strip to my underwear and bra.

"Bella?" Maxon calls from the bedroom.

"Yes?" I answer, walking out of the bathroom.

"Besides taking a shower, do you plan on doing anything else today?" He pulls me in for a hug. He doesn't even bat an eye at my near-nakedness like he usually does.

"No, I don't think I'll work for quite a while," I answer.

"That's fine, my dear. I will have to go back to work tomorrow or otherwise, there will be questions. I'm thinking that I'll plan our announcement tomorrow if that's ok?" he asks, choked up.

I push back the tears. "Yeah," I answer softly. "I'm going to shower now. I need it." I gesture to the blood still on my upper legs and my knotted hair. "It may take a while. If you want to sleep I'll move to the Queen Suite."

"My dear, no. We need each other now. Stay with me," he says, kissing my hair.

I ignore his comment. "I'll be back," I say, heading to the bathroom. I grab my robe and a new pair of pajamas and underwear. I hop in the shower and silently cry. I cry the whole time during the shower, but stop when I exit. I don't want Maxon to see my bloodshot eyes-I just hope he's asleep. I just want to be alone. I finish up in the bathroom and quietly walk into the bedroom, noticing Maxon's light snoring. I start walking toward the bed but then change my mind. "I love you," I whisper before I walk to the adjoining Queen Suite and lock the connecting doors. I head out to the hallway from my suite and see guards. I walk up to them. "I want three guards, all for the Queen Suite. I want two guarding the main doors and one guarding the door that connects the Queen and King Suites. Can you do that right now, please?"

"I'm on it, Your Majesty. I'm calling for three guards now," a guard answers, talking into a radio. He seems like the leader. A few minutes later, three guards come marching down the hallway. "Attention!" the guard who called for them shouted. All of the guards saluted. "You three will be tending to Her Royal Majesty's needs. Follow her directions. Keep her safe. Now go!"

"Thank you," I say to the guard who called. He salutes and nods. I lead the three guards into the Queen Suite. They shut the door behind them. "Now, I want to know who wants a partner and who wants to be alone. I will provide food and things to do while you are guarding, as long as you are not too distracted. I will also call in reinforcements when you need to sleep. Anyone?"

A guard steps forward. "Your Majesty, I will be alone," he says.

"Name please."

He seems taken aback. "I'm…I'm Officer Grabs, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Officer Grabs. Would you like anything to do while on your shift?"

"N-no, thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now, you probably are wondering why you are even here. I don't want anybody bothering me. Do not allow anyone into the Queen Suite without my permission-including the King. Do you understand? That is your main and only job." All three of them nod. "Now, if you would like to switch positions every once in a while, you may. If you would like to talk, you may. You may sit, you just can't let anyone in without my permission. The King will try to get in but do not allow him in until I say. He will try to pull the 'I'm the King' card but remind him that I am the Queen and we have equal powers. If I am sleeping, please leave me alone and do not allow anyone in. You can decide if you would like to be inside the room or outside the room. Which one do you think will be better, Officer Grabs?"

"Your Majesty, I believe being outside will draw suspicion. We will stay inside for now."

"Sounds good. And you may call me Bella. All of you."

They all look taken aback. "Of-of course, Your-Bella," Officer Grabs answers.

"You may go to your post, Officer Grabs. Thank you." He salutes and walks to the connecting door. "Now, I would like you to introduce yourselves."

The shorter guard steps up. "I'm Officer Turner, ma'am."

I nod. "Thank you, Officer Turner, for your service. You don't need to bother with the formalities. Just call me 'Bella'. No 'Your Majesty' or 'ma'am' or 'Lady'." He nods and steps back.

The taller guard steps up. "I'm Officer Xavier," he answers, saluting. He steps back.

"Thank you, Officer Xavier, for your service." He nods. "Now, please don't come into my bedroom unless I call. You may go to your posts." They salute and walk toward the main doors. I walk to the bedroom, close the door, fling myself onto the bed, and scream into the pillow, starting to sob. I drift asleep, shutting myself out of the world.