I hope I'll be able to post next week, but we'll see how much time I have to write. I'm going on vacation, so I doubt it'll be much.

Thanks for reading!

-CL

I groan, forcing my eyes open. "Maxon, what time is it?" I croak. I turn onto my side, snuggling next to him. Maybe I'll just go back to sleep…

Suddenly, I become overwhelmingly nauseous. I jump out of bed, running to the toilet. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to hold back the vomit. "Bella?" I hear Maxon croak. I close the bathroom door, locking it. I rush to the toilet, just barely making it. Once I finish, I stand up and splash water on my face from the sink.

I think back to the positive test, taken a week ago. It's been ten weeks since my breakdown, and Maxon and I are like lovesick teenagers-almost like we just got married. We have had sex at least three times a week, which is why I'm not surprised I'm pregnant, let alone two months along. I had Dr. Corden confirm it earlier in the week, planning to tell Maxon. I guess it will be today. I inspect myself in the mirror and go back into the bedroom. Maxon is sitting up in the bed, looking dazed. "Bella?"

"I'm fine," I say, burying myself in the covers. It's way too early after the late night we had. It's only six. "I'm going to go back to bed."

I feel Maxon scoot closer to me, spooning me. "Are you alright, my dear?" he asks again, gently brushing hair out of my face.

"I'm fine," I repeat. "I just want to go back to sleep."

"Bella…" Maxon says, leaving the question unasked.

I stretch out my leg and feel the start of a Charley horse. "Fuck," I hiss. I turn my head and bite my pillow, trying to muffle my scream.

"Bella?" Maxon's concerned voice comes through the haze of pain. I feel his hand on my arm and I quickly grab it with my own hand. I squeeze tightly, the spasm reaching its peak. I scream once more before the spasm recedes. "Bella?" Maxon repeats.

I groan, gently trying to stretch my leg. "Charley horse" is all I respond. Maxon gently grabs my leg and starts massaging my calf.

"Well, I guess we should get up. I doubt you'll fall asleep again," Maxon says.

I groan. "But it's…it's so early." I throw a pillow over my eyes.

Maxon snorts. "Maybe I wouldn't have married you if I would have known that you weren't a morning person." I take the pillow from my eyes and throw it at him. He chuckles, the deep sound reverberating through my core.

I sit up, dragging my fingers down my face. I glance at Maxon through my fingers and notice him shirtless. I crawl over to him, careful of my leg, and sit in his lap. I lean my head against his chest and close my eyes. I feel his hands travel over my curves and I stop his hands, grabbing them in my own. I open my eyes and turn my head to face him. I smile and move his hands to my stomach. I rest our hands there and tilt my head to gauge his reaction. "Bella?" Maxon asks. He doesn't ask the question but I already know what he means.

I nod. He smiles and turns me around, gently grabbing my stomach. I straddle him, holding my hands around his neck. "How far along?" he asks, looking me in the eyes.

"About two months. And yes, I've gone to Dr. Corden. I meant to tell you in a better way, but-"

"This way is perfect, Bella." He gently grabs my face and kisses me. I move my fingers to his hair and rake them through. I moan when he gently nips my bottom lip and lean back, bringing Maxon with me. His hands trail to the straps of my barely-there nightgown. He drags them down, exposing my naked breasts, the nipples hard. He sucks in a breath before he latches onto the pebbled nipple. I gasp and thrust it toward him. He takes my other boob and gently squeezes it. He lifts his mouth off of me and I sigh, already missing his touch. "Eager are we?" Maxon teases. To prove my point, I thrust my opening toward him. He chuckles and takes off my nightgown. I feel myself dripping for Maxon, ready for him to-

"Bella?" I hear America call through the door, a knock following.

I glance at Maxon and throw on my robe, tying it close. Another knock comes. "Coming!" I rush to the door and open it, finding America beaming. "Ames? Is everything alright?"

She nods. "Can I talk to you quickly? Privately?" I feel Maxon's hands rest against my hips and I hold back a shudder.

I turn to face Maxon. "I'll be back," I say, kissing his stubbled cheek. I recoil, not used to his face having stubble.

Maxon laughs. "Don't worry. I'll shave that while I'm gone."

I laugh and walk out with America. I run my fingers through my hair, hoping that it doesn't look terrible. I turn to Ames. "So, what did you need?"

"Bella, I think I have a crush on Michael," she replies, smiling wistfully.

"Michael?" I ask, racking my brain for his face.

"Dr. Corden?" America responds, glancing at me.

I turn to her sharply, surprised. "Really?"

She nods. "He's just…he's so handsome. And smart. And-"

"How many times have you talked to him, Ames?"

She flushes. "Maybe…three times," she responds, ducking her head.

"Ames, not to question you, but how do you know he's interested in you?" I ask, skeptical. "I mean, he's only just met you."

"Ugh, I know," she moans. She runs her hands through her hair, somehow making it look better. I push the jealousy away and try to fix my hair. She turns to me with a sly smile on her face. "Which is why I want you to help me."

"Me? How?" I ask, shocked. "You know I'm the most awkward person ever, right?"

America laughs. "But somehow you still won the king's heart against some of the hottest girls in Illéa. You've got to know something, Bella."

I shake my head. "I really don't, Ames. I was just myself. I didn't put on this fake façade that the other girls did and was honest." I turn to look her in the eyes. "If I were to give you any advice, just be yourself, Ames. I know it sounds cheesy, but if he doesn't like the real you, he's not worth it."

She nods. "Thanks, Bella. I just don't know how to go about this."

"Well," I start, trying to hold back a grin, "you can come with me to my pregnancy appointments, but I guess if you don't want-"

America screams, staring at me. "Are you serious?" She starts jumping up and down, grabbing my hands.

I nod. "I'm about two months along. I just told Maxon this morning, so you are the second person I've told. Just…don't tell Marlee, Aspen, or Carter yet." I can't stop from jumping up and down with America.

America grabs my hands and pulls me in for a hug. She stops jumping and puts her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes. "But really, congratulations, Bella. After what happened last time you deserve it." She hugs me again.

"Thanks, Ames," I say. "Don't forget to-"

"Am I interrupting something?" I hear a deep voice ask. Maxon and Dr. Corden are standing behind us.

I look up and notice that we somehow made it back to the King Suite. I do a double take of Dr. Corden before I rush into the room, realizing that I'm in a robe with my messy hair and bare face. "Be right back!" I hear laughter behind me and I can't help smiling.