This chapter mentions anorexia.

I'm hoping to post a chapter on Valentine's Day and next Friday, but we'll see what happens. Per usual, it matters how much time I have to write.

Thank you all for reading!

-CL

"Bella? Bella? She's waking up, Ames!" I hear Maxon's voice over a bunch of background noise. No, panicked voices. I try to open my eyes, but they only flutter before they shut again. "Bella, wake up. Please." Maxon's pleading. I groan but don't open my eyes. I just…I want to stay like this forever. I'm so exhausted. I feel wet drops fall on my face, followed by Maxon's lips. He's crying. "Please, Bella," Maxon sobs. What the fuck? Does he think I'm dead or something? It dawns on me that he's concerned about the baby if I really am pregnant. I never should have told him before I knew for sure. How many fucking times have I already worried him tonight? I try to open my eyes again, but the heaviness is back. I know I'm losing consciousness again, but I decide I'm going to fight it. "Bella, if you can hear me, please wake up." I feel him lean closer to my ear. "I don't want to tell them why I'm so worried. And I don't want to bring Dr. Ashlar into this." I groan with effort. "Bella? C'mon, Bella, you can do it." I force my eyes open and see Maxon's face hovering over me. I turn my head and see Marlee, Carter, Aspen, and America standing to the side. "Bella? Bella! Thank God." Maxon pulls me into his arms. He's shaking; he's crying.

I'm limp in his arms, still exhausted. I lift my hands so they are looped around his neck, but I quickly drop them when I have the urge to fall asleep. "Mmm…Maxon…"

"You're alright, my dear. I'm right here," Maxon says, walking me over to the couch. He sits with me in his arms still.

The fuzz is starting to fade and I become more aware of my situation. I still feel exhausted, but it feels like I'm slowly waking up. I try to sit up, but the room spins. Maxon gently pushes to a laying position. I groan and grab my head. "What happened?" I ask quietly.

Maxon brushes my hair away from my face, so it's now hanging off the armrest. "You don't remember?"

I think about what happened before I saw black. "I was standing in line to get some food; you start walking over to me and there was concern in your eyes…then there were two of you…the next thing I know my cheek is on the floor and then…blackness."

"Yes. When I get over to you your eyes are closed and I tried to wake you up. You wouldn't and, honestly, I thought you were poisoned or something. You wouldn't respond at all. America, Marlee, Carter, and Aspen saw you fall; they thought you tripped. America saw me running and rushed over to you. I reached you first, but America saw how pale you were. She wanted to get Dr. Ashlar, but I told her to wait. And-I thought-I thought that somehow the," Maxon leans in to whisper, "baby caused this somehow." He's tearing up.
Hell, I should never have told him. At least he'll be a good father. At least he cares. I reach up and feel his smooth face. "Maxon…it's not because of the pr-thing. It's because…well…I'll tell you after the party." I don't want to talk about my eating disorder in front of America, Marlee, Carter, and Aspen.

"No" is the last word I expect Maxon to say.

"What?" Why not?!" I shimmy out of his arms and stand up slowly. I turn to face him after I take a deep breath. "Why? I'm fine now."

"No, Bella. I'm sick and tired of this shit that you're pulling. You refuse to open up to me. I thought we agreed on telling each everything; we're now one, Bella. You're not out on your own, you're not by yourself, you are with me. So if you would please, just fucking tell me what has been wrong with you before our wedding!" Maxon's temper is flaring, and I slowly back away. I don't think it'll get to the point where my father has gotten, but I'm still a little scared.

America hears Maxon's yelling and cautiously comes near me. "What's his problem?" She places her hands on my shoulders, knowing that things may get ugly. She knows a little about my past, knowing that this is making me uncomfortable. Maxon comes toward me. "You aren't touching her until you calm down," America says, stepping in front of me. She's the barrier between Maxon and me. "You don't want to do something you might regret. Don't become your father, Maxon."

Maxon looks at me and glances away. He runs his fingers through his hair. "Fuck, Bella. I'm so sorry. I'm no better than my father…or…oh shit…like your father." He drags his hands down his face.

I walk toward him. "Maxon, it's ok. I understand-"

"No, Bella. Stay away from me until I calm down." Maxon gently puts out his hand, pushing me away.

"But-Maxon-" I stutter. I try to walk back to him, but America gently leads me to the Queen Suite bedroom. "No! I want to talk to him! Please! I need to tell him!" I try to fight my way to Maxon, but Aspen, Marlee, and Carter come in as reinforcements; they push me back to the bed gently. I glance at America. "Why? Why can I not see him?"

Marlee, Aspen, and Carter exit the room when America gestures for them to. She gently grabs me by my shoulders, forcing me to look into her eyes. "Bella, it's nothing against you. Maxon will get mad like this and I don't want him to do something to you that will change your relationship with each other-he's done things that he has regretted. I promise as soon as he's calm again I'll allow you to see him. For now, do you want to tell me what's going on?"

I sigh. "I'm done keeping this a secret. I'm anorexic, Ames."