Hello everyone! I'm going to start answering my recent reviews in the little author's note before each chapter. I'm copying the comments exactly, including spelling errors and whatnot. I will be replying to guest comments as well. If you have questions, they will be answered here...

Virtue 01 Review:

"Great chapter Maxon is gentle and loving with America understanding how she is feeeling. This gives her the power to not let what Hunter did ruin their relationship. Thank you for the update"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for reviewing! I love the support and it's great that you liked the chapter.

bja133 Review:

"I am assuming since he is royal and after what happened the night before, there is a secret force of personal guard following them and watching them while they are riding?"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thanks for commenting! Please assume whatever you wish. Whatever I don't write in the chapter is up to you to fill in with your imagination! I love that you have a question for every chapter, but I hope you understand that I'm not going to specify every little detail. Those are in your control to decide what you think should happen. Do you have any thoughts for future chapters? I would love to hear anything you want to express or read about. Thank you.

PastelUnicorn101 Review:

"I am in love with this book so far! It's so good, it could have been written by Kiera Cass herself!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Wow, that is such an honor! It is unimaginably amazing to hear that. Thank you so much!

Guest Review:

"Please remember that Maxon was NOT close to his father."

WriterQueen123 Response:

I will definitely keep that in mind and we can see how that plays out in the next few chapters. I kept that in mind while writing the Remembering chapter, because Maxon and America only gave speeches for Amberly at the funeral. Thank you for commenting!

Guest Review:

"I love how you included things from The Selection. The princess's suit and...OMG "One can't help being born into perfection""

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for reaching out! I certainly want to make a lot of connections to the original series and I'm glad that you like them!

Guest Review:

"Wasn't America pregnant in the last chapter of The One? You're doing a great job except for the little logic problems."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad that you're on top of it. America is actually pregnant in the last chapter of Happily Ever After, companion to The Selection series. The epilogue of The One is America and Maxon's wedding. The book skips a lot of time between the end of the selection and rebel attack to the wedding, so I wanted to rewind a bit and fill in all of the details. So, I guess I'm not going exactly from where The One leaves off. America will get pregnant in the future, but that isn't at all described in The One, so for now we are going back in time a little. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Thank you all for reaching out and reading my story! Now for the tenth chapter. It's a short little filler, but I promise the wedding will happen soon!

A week after my rebel incident, it was time for me to be fitted for my dress. Maxon had been busy with conferences about the rebels all week, so I only saw him at breakfast and sometimes dinner. Today, I was eating breakfast with Marlee.

"Are you all right?" Marlee asked me as I walked into the Dining Room for my morning meal.

"Of course," I said, tired from answering this question every time I saw Marlee. After hearing about my encounter with Hunter Bersole, she was always worried about me. "I promise I'm okay, Marlee. I know that you care about me, but it gets exhausting to say the same thing over and over again."

"I know, America. I'm sorry. I just can't believe what happened."

"That's fine. Honestly, I'm not completely over it either."

"You never have to be," she said sympathetically.

"So, what's up?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "Any news between you and Carter, or gossip around the palace?"

"Actually, I do have a surprise," she said shyly.

"Do tell," I begged excitedly.

"Well...only two other people in the world know."

"Come on," I implored. "Please tell me."

"Okay. I do want to tell you, I'm just nervous."

"What is it?"

"Um...I'm pregnant."

I jumped out of my chair in shock. "Seriously? Marlee, that's amazing! Congratulations!" I hugged her animatedly.

"Thanks, America. I'm pretty excited myself!"

"You should be. Do you know whether it's a boy or a girl?"

"Not yet. I only found out two weeks ago. I would've told you earlier, but I was supposed to keep it quiet for a bit. Only Dr. Ashlar and Carter know."

"I understand," I nodded. "Thanks for telling me! I can't wait to meet your little one!"

"Me too," she said contentedly, patting her stomach.

"I hate to leave you so quickly, but I have an appointment with Silvia to be fitted for my wedding dress. Do you mind if I go?"

"Of course not. Let's catch up later!"

"Totally," I squealed, exhilarated by the news. I quickly walked over to my wedding planner's office and strode in.

"Good morning, Silvia," I greeted her politely.

"How do you do, Lady America. I believe today is the day for your dress fitting, isn't it?"

"Absolutely," I nodded.

"You won't actually be seeing the wedding dress design today, because that will remain a surprise until the wedding day. However, we do need to take all of your measurements in a simple gown so that we can apply them to the dress," she explained.

"Great. Just tell me what I need to do." Silvia handed me a soft, silky dress and pointed toward the bathroom.

"Change into this in the restroom. We'll have to adjust it so it fits you nice and snug." I stepped into the bathroom and quickly shed my sunny yellow dress, slipping into the white one. It was loose and flowy, soft against my legs and touching the ground.

"Hmm," Silvia thought as I came out. "We're definitely going to have to make it tighter on you. This is much too loose." The designer team entered and began taking measurements of my hips, bust, and the proper length of the dress.

After about ten minutes, they were finally all done.

"That's all we needed for today, Lady America," Silvia concluded. "You can change back into your other dress."

"Thank you." I switched clothes again and stepped out of Silvia's office, sighing with relief. I didn't love being fussed over or my body being judged. I had nothing planned for the rest of the day, so I walked upstairs to my suite and found a book to read.

After ten minutes of sinking into the story, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it, and to my surprise, Maxon stood in the entryway with a bouquet of flowers.

"What's this?" I asked in bewilderment, smiling widely. He kissed me on the cheek before handing me the bouquet of white, red, and pink roses.

"We're getting married in a few weeks! With all the rebel conferences, I haven't been around lately, and I'm so sorry."

"Maxon, don't worry," I interrupted.

"No. You shouldn't have to wander around here alone, especially after your experience with the rebels a week ago. I'll catch you up on the headway we've made on the rebel case tonight, but for now, we need to enjoy each other and the time we have."

My face brightened at the thought of Maxon thinking of me, wondering what I was doing, and going out of his way to come up here and make sure I was okay. He really cared about me. Still holding the bouquet, I wrapped my arms around him in a loving hug. "You're amazing, Maxon. I've missed you this past week."

His face clouded with concern. "I know. I'm terribly sorry, Ames."

"No, no! Don't be!" I said sheepishly. "I didn't mean it that way. I know that you're super busy, because that's just what being royal means. Please don't worry about me. I hate for you to think of me as a burden. Of course-" He silenced me with a long, passionate kiss.

"You are the best thing in my life, America. I have never, ever thought of you as a burden." He looked straight in my eyes. "Being royal is certainly going to be exhausting at times, but I never want it to take away from our relationship. I didn't come up here solely because I was worried about you. I wanted to see you. You are the highlight of my every day."

"Thanks, Maxon. I love you."

He bent down, his lips against my cheek, brushing it lightly, and that faint touch sent shivers through my nerves, shivers that made my whole body tremble.

"I will love you forever," Maxon whispered softly. He brushed his mouth against the hollow of my temple and traced the line of my cheekbone. Maxon's lips were against mine, soft and tempting.

I dropped the flowers on my bedside table and reached up to pull him down to me.

Maxon kissed me gently, carefully, but it wasn't gentleness I wanted, not now after all this time. I knotted my fists in his shirt, pulling him harder against me. He groaned softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circled me, gathering me against him, and we fell onto the bed and rolled over, tangled together, still kissing.

"We can't go all the way," Maxon breathed regretfully. Our fingers entwined and I looked up at Maxon with complete adoration.

"Just a few more weeks of waiting," I smiled. "We can do it."

"We can do anything."