Sorry that this chapter is short! I think I'm going to write a New Year's special, so I have to write that! For now, enjoy this chapter!
Maxon's POV
Oh my Bella, my darling Bella, I think as I hold her in my arms. She looks so peaceful sleeping. I'm going to love you forever. I'm so glad we get more time together. Dr. Ashlar comes by to check on Bella.
"She's doing really well, Maxon. I know she'll pull through," he says.
"Thanks for everything, Doctor," I say, kissing Bella on the head. "I owe you her life."
"It's nothing, Maxon. I'm glad that you still have family left."
"Thanks, Doctor," I say tearing up, realizing the only family I have left is America and Bella. "I still owe you. Do you want some days off next year?"
"Maxon...I can't do that…"
"Yes, you can. I'll give you an exact week soon."
"Thank you, Maxon. I really appreciate it."
"Of course. I'll get you the dates this month." Dr. Ashlar smiles at me and walks away. Bella starts to stir and I say, "Bella are you awake?"
"Mmm…" she says, looking at me. Her eyelids are fluttering open and I kiss her forehead.
"Are you feeling better, my love?"
"Yeah, especially with you holding me," she responds with a smirk.
"Oo, I think I like this Bella better," I say, flirting right back.
"Well, of course, you do. There's nothing better than Bella!" and she winks.
"Where did this flirting come from? Are you not actually Bella? Was there a mix-up with the bodies?" I tease.
"Hmmm...maybe...you might want to check with Dr. Ashlar…"
"Ok, then, but first I've got to check you out myself." I start tickling her and she laughs her bell-like laugh.
"Maxon...please...stop…" Bella says between laughs.
"Hmmm...what will I get in return?" I tease.
"A...kiss…"
"Hmmm?" I tease and I stop for a second. Bella kisses me on the forehead and then she kisses down my neck. I shiver, goosebumps following her lips. "Bella, don't do that. You make me want to do very naughty things."
"Ok...but you have to promise to stop tickling me."
"I promise," I say, but I'm already regretting it. I want her to keep kissing me like that. "Dr. Ashlar says you need to stay here tonight, but then you will be discharged tomorrow morning."
"That's great!" Bella says, smiling at me. "I want to be back in my own bed."
"Awww," I pout, "you don't want to sleep in my bed?"
"Well…" she says, looking at me with a glint in her eye, "I could make an exception…"
"I'll see you tomorrow then!" I wink at her, starting to climb out of bed.
"Where are you going?" she says, looking anxiously at me.
"Well, I need to go to sleep," I say, wondering why she's so anxious about me leaving.
"Can you sleep with me? Please?"
"Sure. May I ask why?" I say, already getting back in bed with her. I pull the blanket over both of us and she hugs me.
"I don't want you to leave me right now. I'm scared," she says, tearing up.
"Why darling?"
"I'm scared that the rebels are going to kill you!"
"Bella, my dear, the guards checked the palace and it's safe."
"Yeah…but that bomb! We could've died!" she starts shaking, all of her emotions catching up to her.
"Oh, darling, it's ok. It's ok," I say, trying to comfort her. She starts crying and I hold her in my arms. "Shhh…shhh…"
She looks up at me and I wipe her tears away. "Maxon…I'm sorry…I don't know what's wrong with me," she says, trying not to cry. She buries her head in my chest.
"There's nothing wrong with you, my love. All your emotions from the last few hours have just caught up with you, that's all. There's nothing wrong with you. You're perfect," I say, trying to comfort her.
"But Maxon…I'm a screw-up."
"Shhh…Bella…no you're not…"
"Maxon…I literally almost killed myself…"
"My dear, you're not a screw-up. You're perfect in my eyes."
"Maxon…I need to tell you stuff about me…but I'll do it tomorrow when we get to your room."
"Of course, darling. I could listen to you talk all day."
Bella blushes. "What time is it?" she asks, yawning.
"Ten forty-seven, love. Why don't we go to sleep?"
"Mhm…" she says, her eyelids fluttering.
"Good night, my dear," I say, kissing her forehead.
"Good night, Maxon." I snuggle with her and fall asleep with Bella in my arms.
Bella's POV
I wake up, feeling cold. I snuggle closer to Maxon and I look at him. He looks exhausted. There are bags underneath his eyes and his skin is paler than it usually is. This is all my fault, I think. I made him stressed and injured. This is your doing with your suicide attempt because you are just messed up. I start to cry silently, whispering to Maxon that I'm sorry. "This is all my fault. You're in pain, don't feel well, and on top of that, you are a new king. I'm sorry. So sorry." I bury my head in his chest, listening to him breathing. He sounds so peaceful. I soon settle down and fall asleep in Maxon's arms.
