Happy New Year! This chapter also takes place during Bella's last pregnancy. Again, I believe she is about five months and ignore any plot holes.

-CL

"Presenting the King and Queen of Illéa, King Maxon and Queen Bella!" the guard announces when Maxon and I step into the ballroom. Everyone turns and curtsies or bows. Maxon gently pulls me toward the staircase, my arm looped through his.

America meets us at the bottom of the staircase, hugging each of us in turn. "How is it, finally having the public know?" Ames asks, gesturing to my visible five-month bump.

I look up at Maxon, smiling. I lean my head back on his shoulder. "It's such a relief. I don't have to be anxious and worry about being caught," I respond. Maxon gently squeezes my shoulder. "And I can wear whatever I want."

"Your dress is gorgeous, Bella," Marlee says, walking up to us. Carter is trailing behind her.

"Thanks," I say. My dress is a glitzy rose gold number with butterfly sleeves and a somewhat conservative v-neckline. The dress stops just above my knees, and my heels match my dress. My hair is straightened and swept to one side with star clips and pins on the bare side. My makeup matches my dress, with lots of pink and glimmer.

Suddenly, Maxon pulls me away. "Let's dance," he murmurs before gently nipping my ear.

I gasp, caught by surprise. "Why are you being so playful?" I whisper back, my fingers finding his hair. He retaliates by moving his hand up my dress to rest on my upper thigh. I gasp again, heat rushing to my center.

"Maybe I'm not," Maxon says, pulling me close and swaying.

"No, you definitely are," I respond, allowing him to spin me.

"I'm thinking about the New Year's party with the Elite. When you wore that navy dress with the gold swirls," he whispers in my ear. I shiver in response. "And how much I wanted to rail you, especially since the night ended with me in your bed."

I flush. "That's because I had a Charley horse. And you know now that I wouldn't have let you do anything."

"But I didn't know that at the time," he responds. His lips move to my neck, following my neckline. I shiver and pull him closer. "Let's finish this on the balcony."

"Won't–"

"I'll take care of it," Maxon says. He leads me through the mob of people to the balcony, the doors shutting behind us. "Now, where were we?" Maxon's lips finally, finally, touch mine, and I–

I hear someone clear their throat. I tear myself away from Maxon and notice Isa staring at us, her face red. "Oh, Isa, I'm sorry. We didn't know you were out here."

Isa, my personal maid, smiles. "It's alright," she says.

"Are you enjoying the party?" Maxon asks, straightening his jacket.

Most of the staff were allowed to attend this party, not as servants but as guests. Maxon and I agreed that they all needed a break. "Yes, thank you for holding it," she responds, curstying. Or as much as she can being heavily pregnant. Overdue, in fact.

I notice Isa stumble a bit and I reach out, allowing her to hold onto my arm. "So when are you going to be induced?" I ask. I find it funny that I'm pregnant at the same time as my maid.

"Tomorrow if I don't give birth tonight," she responds. "Actually–"

"Everyone get down!" we hear someone shout in the ballroom, even though the balcony doors are closed. Maxon and I glance at each other before he rushes to the balcony doors and peers in.

"Maxon, what's going on?" I ask. I notice Isa's panicked look. "Hey, it'll be ok. We're right here," I whisper soothingly.

"I'm not sure…but I know it's not good," Maxon says, returning to my side. Isa's grip tightens around my arm. "Isa, it'll be ok–"

Suddenly, a big splash of water falls. I screech, looking up at the sky. "Where did that come from?" I ask. I glance at Maxon and then at Isa. And that's when I realize, "That was your water, Isa."

Isa nods, her face contorting in pain. "Shit, shit, shit." I turn to Maxon to make sure he realizes what's happening. "Maxon–" I'm cut off by screaming in the ballroom. "Shit!"

Maxon pushes us over to the edge of the balcony, patting the wall furiously. "Maxon, what are you doing?" I ask. Isa groans, gripping my arm tightly. "Maxon!"

"I'm–" Maxon's cuts off by a loud groaning noise and the wall opening before us. "In here, quickly," he says, ushering us in. Maxon rushes in behind us and closes the door somehow. It becomes pitch black before Maxon turns on a light. I inspect the room.

The room is a decent size–for one person. But with the three of us, it is cramped. It's basically a long rectangle, with enough room for one person to lie down, Isa, and just enough room for Maxon and me to be able to sit. There are also no supplies. Isa groans but soon cries out. "Here, Isa, lie down," Maxon says, gently helping her lie down. He removes his suit jacket and folds it up, placing it under Isa's head. He then kneels next to Isa and looks at me. "Are you alright?"

Maxon must know that I'm flashing back to Annabella's birth–when I helped Ames deliver. I smile shakily. "Yeah, I'm alright."

"Bella," Maxon says, hearing my voice shaking. He stands up and kneels by me whispering in my ear. "You–"
Isa cries out, and I gently push Maxon aside. "Isa, I'm going to take off your underwear, alright?"

Isa nods, a grimace appearing. Her dress is too short to cover her, so Maxon looks away. Once I get her underwear off, I check how dilated she is. Or at least estimate to the best of my ability. All of my information is from studying on the Internet, so who knows? "I think you're about eight centimeters, Isa. You can't push yet," I say.

Isa shakes her head. "No, I need to push," she says. As if to prove her point another contraction washes over her. She groans, shutting her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Isa, but I don't want you to push too soon. I don't need you to tear. We're just going to have to wait it out."

Maxon kneels next to me again. "Bella, my dear, you don't have to do this. I can try if you want," he murmurs against my ear.

I glance at his face and see his grimace. "No, I'll do it," I respond, sighing. "This time at least I'm pregnant. At least I know our baby is on the way."

"I'll be right here the whole time," Maxon says, gently kissing my lips.

I smile. "Thank you," I whisper.

"Just breathe, Isa," I say, kneeling. "Breathe."

"I don't–" she groans when a contraction hits, "-think I can do this."

"Isa, do you know where Xander is?"

Isa shakes her head. "He didn't come out with me to the balcony when I needed fresh air. I would presume he's in the ballroom." Xander is Isa's husband.

"Maxon–"

"I can't do anything about it, my dear," Maxon says, kneeling down next to me. He kisses my neck, causing me to shiver.

Suddenly, Isa cries out. I remember where we are and shove Maxon off me. I stand up and walk to the entrance of the secret room and take a deep breath. Then I turn to face Isa and Maxon. "Alright, Isa, let's check how dilated you are now…" I kneel down in front of her entrance and shimmy off her underwear again. "Oh, shit."

"What? What is it?" Isa asks, trying to sit up. Maxon helps her, holding her hand and placing his other hand on her back.

"Uh, well…the feet of the baby are coming out first," I say. "And the head is supposed to be first."

"It's breeched, isn't it?" Maxon asks, looking at me. I nod and he responds, "Fuck." He places Isa back on the ground gently before standing up and coming toward me. I stand up and we meet at the entrance of the room. "Do you know how to deliver a breech?"

"Maxon, are you serious right now? I hardly know how to deliver a baby normally! Do you think I know how to deliver a breech baby?" I whisper angrily. "Do you think you can check outside if Michael is around–"

"No, my dear, we can't risk that," Maxon says, rolling up his shirtsleeves. He places his hand on my shoulder. "As much as I would like to, we can't do that when Isa can't move. If the attacker realizes we're in here, it's game over. You know the attacker is looking for us."

I shake my head, muttering, "Shit, shit, shit." As if on cue, Isa cries out. "Just…support her as much as you can. I need her to get the baby out quickly."

Maxon nods and rushes back to Isa's side, gently murmuring to her. I push down my jealousy and focus on Isa. "Ok, Isa," I say, kneeling, "I'm going to need you to push as hard as you can, alright?"

Isa nods. "Alright, push, Isa," I say. Maxon lifts Isa up and holds her upright while she pushes. "More, Isa," I shout. Isa complies, stopping with a scream. Maxon lays her down gently. I look at him. "How soundproof are these walls?"

"I would hope very," he says, wiping hair off Isa's face. "C'mon, Isa, push," he says, lifting her up again. She groans but complies.

After a few more pushes, the shoulders come out. "Alright, Isa, now we just need to deliver the head. This is the most–" I start, but I'm cut off by Isa screaming. I remember from Annabella's birth how painful the birth of the head is just from America's screaming. "Just breathe, Isa. Breathe." Isa tries, but the pain is too much. "Push, Isa. One more big push!" Isa pushes, screaming the whole time. The baby's head comes out, and I catch the baby girl in my arms. "You have a girl, Isa."

I hand Isa her baby, and the baby starts to scream. "Thank God," I whisper. "Maxon, I–" I start, but I'm cut off by the door groaning open.

Maxon and I shoot to our feet and block Isa from the intruder's view, using ourselves as shields. "Get behind me, my dear," Maxon says.

I shake my head. "If you go, I go." The door finally opens all the way, revealing–

"Oh, thank God we found you," Ames says. "They're over here!" Marlee and Carter come into view, Michael and Aspen following.

"Michael, we need you," I shout over their voices.

Michael quickly rushes into the room and looks at me. "Are you alright? Is it premature labor?" he asks.

I shake my head. "Isa just delivered. It was breech. Feet first," I respond, stepping out of the way. Michael quickly rushes to Isa's side, calling for Aspen and Carter to come help him. They carry Isa out of the room, presumably to the hospital.

I turn to Maxon. "Well, now I'm a little scared about giving birth," I say nervously. I lean my head onto his shoulder. I breathe out deeply.

I realize I'm shaking when Maxon grabs my hands. "Hey, I'll be right there with you.

You know that." Maxon kisses me before gently leading me out of the secret room.

"So what happened?" Maxon asks Ames on the way back to the ballroom. He keeps an arm around me and allows me to place my head on his shoulder.

"Some guy…I think he said his name was Silas? I don't know, but he came into the ballroom with a gun demanding to know where Bella was. No one knew, so he had us all lay on the floor, picking out pregnant ladies. He realized none of them were you. He was about to shoot when some guards tackled him to the ground. He escaped, though," Ames says. "Hopefully we won't see him again."

Maxon looks like he's ready to kill someone. "Hey, calm down, Maxon," I say, placing a hand on his chest. He looks down at me and his eyes soften. "Nothing happened to me. I'm right here," I say.

Maxon sighs. "You're right." Maxon opens the balcony doors, and we are greeted by a shouted countdown. "Twelve…eleven…ten…"

"It's not the new year yet?" I screech. I drag both Maxon and Ames into the ballroom joining the countdown. "Five! Four! Three! Two! One!" I scream, kissing Maxon on one. Maxon dips me and confetti flies, raining down over the ballroom. I notice Ames and Michael and Marlee and Carter out of the corner of my eye. I guess they got back in time for the countdown. Dr. Ashlar is in for today so Michael could have a break.

Maxon and I break apart, our lips puffy and our faces red. "Happy New Year, Maxon," I say.

"Happy New Year, my dear," Maxon says before pulling me to him again. I smile, even though I have a sinking, dreadful feeling about this new year.