Thank you to everyone who has made it this far! You have no idea how much that means to me. When I started, I thought I would get a few reads here and there, but you are all amazing!
This chapter is really short, but it's because I want to have a post for next weekend. I meant to post this on Friday or Saturday, but now it's Sunday. My weekend was jammed, so I had zero time to post. Sorry about that.
School is in full swing, and now I have almost zero time to write. Plus, the next chapter I have to write involves research. I keep on procrastinating on the research part. Hopefully, I'll have time to write this week. Enjoy this for now! :3
-CL
Bella's POV
"Wake up sleepy head! It's your wedding day!" I hear America say. The curtains open and light floods the room. I groan and bury my face in the pillow. "C'mon, Bella. We have to get ready! The ceremony is in five hours!"
It's a week later, and Maxon and I decided to stay up late talking about the wedding. I was really anxious, thanks anxiety, but Maxon helped calm my nerves. We didn't stay up too late, we only stayed up until nine, but this was the first night I didn't wake up the whole night in a while that I don't want it to stop. America shakes me. "Alright, I'm awake," I say, sitting up. I get out of bed and look at America. "Did you eat breakfast?"
"Yes, I did. Do you want anything?"
"No, I'm too nervous to eat," I say, which is true.
"Alright, then let's go get our nails done!" America says, dragging me out of my room.
"Ames, I'm not even dressed!" I cry, trying to pull myself back into the room.
"It's fine! No one cares, plus we can request robes. It would be better if you stayed in your nightgown anyways. You won't be wearing it for a while," America says with a wink and a sly smile.
"America!" I say, blushing profusely.
"You know it's true," she says as she giggles.
"Well, at least I wore a bra to bed," I say quietly as she drags me to the Women's Room.
Over the next three hours, America and I get our hair, nails, and makeup done. My nails are a pale pink with a blue accent to match the flowers, and America's are rose gold. My hair is in a very loose bun with diamonds, and two strands of hair frame my face. There are pink and blue flowers woven throughout my hair, accenting my bouquet.
America's hair is in loose, styled curls, in a loose braid that starts at the right-top of her head and continues down her shoulder. There are little white flowers woven throughout. Our makeup is natural but has pink undertones. We were just finishing up when Maxon knocks on the door. "Bella, America? Are you in there?"
"Yes!" I respond.
"You're not allowed to come in, Maxon," America says, "you should not see us until the wedding. Especially the bride."
"Alright fine. I'll talk through the door. Bella, I just want to say, don't be nervous. I know you are nervous, but I promise I'll help you through this. You'll do amazing. Even if you screw up, just know, you are the queen…or will be, anyways," Maxon says.
I tear up. Shit, keep it together, Bella. I fan my eyes, not wanting to wreck my makeup. "Thank you, Maxon. You have no idea how much that means to me. I can't wait to see you."
"Me too, Bella. Me too. Good luck girls!" Maxon says as we hear him walk away.
America turns to me. "You heard what he said. Don't worry, Bella. Everything will be fine. I promise you."
I give America a small smile. "Thanks, Ames." America peeks out the door to make sure that Maxon isn't standing around the corner, wanting a peek. She waves me forward and we rush to my room. We ring the maids to help us get in our dresses.
As we wait for our maids we strip down to our underwear. America's small bump hangs out, and she quickly covers her bump with her arms. "Ames, you know it's fine if you don't cover it right now," I say, gently pulling her arms off of her belly. "It's beautiful." I look it her eyes. "You should be proud that you are going to be a mother, Ames. Even if it wasn't in the best of circumstances, it's still your baby."
America fights back tears as she says, "Thanks, Bella. I really appreciate that." She looks me up and down. "Bella, you seem to be getting skinnier. Have you been eating properly?"
"Oh, yeah. I've had a few meals here and there, but nothing too drastic," I say, as my mind was saying I haven't eaten properly for two weeks. I smile. "I'm fine-" I start to say, but then I collapse to the floor.
