Hello readers!

WannaGoMate Review:

"I feel like I have been waiting FOREVER for this moment! Now I feel content and happy :)."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Yay! I'm glad you're satisfied.

bja133 Review:

"No pregnancy test or blood test? straight to an ultra sound? Really, I think it would be hard to keep something like this secret with so much staff and security around."

WriterQueen123 Response:

I don't know much about pregnancy, so forgive me for making small logical errors. I don't even know what comes before the ultrasound! Also, many people choose to keep their pregnancy secret until a few months in, just to solidify the situation.

Virtue01 Review:

"Lovely chapter Maxon will be over the moon when she tells him she is pregnant. Great idea to tell him on is birthday. Thank you for the update and your comment to update regularly. I think I posted my previous comment in chapter one my wifi was playing up."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for the support! No worries about the extra comment.

lav Review:

"OMG! YESS! THis chapter is sooo good! please update!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I love the enthusiasm! Thank you for commenting!

Guest Review:

"SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOD"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for reviewing! I'm so happy that you're enjoying the story.

Millyna Review:

"You have a quite lovely writing style that reminds me of Kiera Cass a lot. I just skimmed through the first chapter (idk how I've missed your fic haha), and it's quite clear that you put effort into continuing the story of the books. :)"

WriterQueen123 Response:

This means a lot to me! Thanks.

Payton Review:

"I love this chapter. I'm so excited for America"

WriterQueen123 Response:

This is very exciting! Thank you for commenting.

Thank you all for the love! Every kind comment touches my heart. This chapter is adapted from the last chapter of Kiera Cass's Happily Ever After, so it'll be pretty similar if you've already read the book. Enjoy!

Half asleep, I swatted at a tickle on my shoulder. It happened again, and I instinctively rolled away. The tickle returned, traveling across my back.

Oh. It wasn't a random breeze, or another feather that had escaped from my pillow. Those were kisses.

I smiled to myself as Maxon brushed away a lock of my hair to find a new place to kiss. Waking up to the feeling of Maxon's breath on my skin reminded me of how we ended up knotted in these sheets in the first place. I giggled as his mouth hit a ticklish spot on my back.

"Good morning, darling," he whispered.

"Good morning."

"I was wondering," he began, murmuring the words into my cheek as I rolled over. "Seeing as it's my birthday, do you think we could get away with spending the entire day in bed?"

I smiled and forced my sleepy eyes open. "And who will run the country?"

"No one. Let it fall to pieces, so long as I have my America in my arms." His hair was the perfect mess, and he was so warm that every last particle in my body wanted nothing more than to stay here with him.

It was completely fascinating to me the way that love grew. I kept thinking that I'd find a way to give him all that I had, but then I'd learn a new quirk, hear a new story, or go through a new experience, and my heart swelled.

"But what about the party we spent weeks planning?" I complained. He propped up his head on his hands.

"Hmm. Okay. We'll take a ten minute break to check out the party and come right back." Maxon wrapped his arms around me, and I laughed as he covered me with kisses. We were so distracted we didn't even hear the butler open the door.

"Your Majesty, there's a call from-" Before he could finish, Maxon chucked his pillow at him. The butler retreated into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him.

There was a pause before a muffled voice filtered in. "Sorry, sir."

I'd gotten used to the lack of privacy since I had started living in the palace, and as far as awkward moments went, this was one of the better ones. I covered my mouth, trying to contain my laughter. When Maxon saw my smirk, he smiled too.

"Wow. I guess that answers my question."

I sat up to kiss his cheek and immediately felt a rush of dizziness. "Oh!"

"Are you alright?"

"Mm," I mumbled, covering my mouth. "Sat up too quickly." He ran his hand over my back, and I leaned into him.

"What time is the party, again?"

"Six. Everyone's coming, even my mom," I replied. Maxon's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, then it'll really be a party!"

I swatted him. "Are you ever going to let it go? It was one time!"

"She danced in the fountain on New Year's Eve, America," he said, a childish amusement lighting up in his eyes. "It was amazing, and I will never let it go."

I sighed. "Anyway, don't be late. I'm going to get dressed, and I'll see you at breakfast."

"Okay." I pulled the sheet off of the bed as I stood, wrapping it around me. Maxon laid back and watched me go. "Of all your dresses, that's my favorite," he grinned.

I bit my lip and took one last look at Maxon before opening the door that led to my suite. There was no way I was ever going to have enough of him.

Mary, my last original maid, was waiting for me. She was used to seeing me walk back from Maxon's room or watch him bolt out of mine, but it was that knowing smirk that got me every time.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," she greeted me with a curtsy. "Have a good night, then?"

"Wipe that smile off your face," I teased, tossing the sheet at her and running to the bathroom.

I'd been worried about the cut of my dress, but it fit spectacularly. Heads turned when I walked into the party. I tried to accept the attention graciously, though being in the spotlight still took some getting used to.

May rushed to my side. "You look so pretty, Ames!"

"Thank you. You clean up pretty well, yourself." I touched one of her perfectly placed curls and marveled at how well my sister had adjusted to life as a royal. Not that I was surprised. May had always been charming in public, and since she and the family had moved to Angeles, she'd immediately become a darling. While many pictures of me would be published tomorrow, there would be twice as many of May.

"You feeling okay?" she asked.

"Just a little distracted. You go have fun. I need to make sure everything's running smoothly."

"Have fun? I'm on it!" She dashed off, waving to people I was positive she didn't even know, sparkling all over. The party was in full swing by now, and it looked like the guests were enjoying themselves. The decor was simple, the lighting was lovely, and the musicians were doing an excellent job. I hoped Maxon was pleased.

I made my way across the floor, sampling some hors d'oeuvres on my way. None of the food seemed terribly appealing, though. Maxon's favorites weren't necessarily mine. I just had to trust that everyone else would enjoy the selection.

I rose up on my toes, scanning the room. If Maxon had been listening to me, he ought to be around here by now. I didn't find him, but I did see Marlee.

She rushed over as soon as she saw me, leaving Carter talking to some of the guards.

"The party is amazing, America!" she gushed, kissing my cheek.

"Thanks! I'm trying to find Maxon. Have you seen him?" I asked. She turned to look with me.

"I did see him come in, but I have no idea where he is now."

"Hmm. I'll have to do a lap. How's Kile?"

Marlee smiled anxiously. "Good. I'm trying to get used to letting his nanny put him down." I adored Kile, the only male allowed into the Women's Room without expressly asking for permission.

"I'm sure he's doing fine, Marlee, and it'll do you good to spend some time with Carter alone." She nodded.

"You're right! We're both having so much fun. Just you wait and see. It's hard letting them go, even for a little while."

I smiled. "I can only imagine. Enjoy some of the food, and I'll see you later."

"All right." She gave me another kiss and made her way back to Carter.

I looped around the room, searching for my husband when I finally saw him. My heart lit up. Not simply because I was happy to find him, but because he was talking to Aspen. They were deep in conversation, and I moved closer to come up behind them.

"How was your first year?" Aspen was asking Maxon. "Has it been rough?"

"The marriage hasn't been so hard as the duties," Maxon answered. "It's been a lot, asking America to be queen, but she's been amazing." I smiled to myself.

"Do you fight?"

"Are you kidding? That's what we're best at!" He and Aspen shared a laugh. I would be offended, but it was true. We were good at arguing. Still, that had died down a lot.

"I don't know why it seems like such a big deal," Aspen said, his laughter fading. "Lucy and I wanted to get married for so long. Why does it feel so overwhelming now that we are?" I'd been overjoyed when the couple finally tied the knot a month ago.

"It's the title." Maxon took a sip of champagne. "It's scary to be a husband. It feels like there's more to lose. I worry about the title more than being called king, honestly."

"Really?"

"Really." Aspen was quiet, considering this. "Cheers!" The two lifted their glasses and drank. Maxon turned and broke into a sunrise of a smile.

"There you are, my dear!" He wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you. This really is the best party I've ever had."

"You did well, Mer," Aspen added.

"Thank you both very much." I turned to Maxon. "I need to steal you away for a bit."

"Of course. We'll talk more later," Maxon promised Aspen and followed me from the room.

"This way," I instructed, pulling his strong arm.

"Perfect," he said as we walked out to the garden. "A break from the madness!" I giggled, putting my head on his shoulder.

Without instruction, he led me to our bench. We sat, him facing the forest and me facing the palace.

"Champagne?" he offered, bringing over his glass.

"No thanks." He took a sip himself and sighed contentedly. "This was a wonderful choice. Truly, America, this was the best birthday I could've hoped for. Well, second best. I still would've liked the option I came up with this morning."

I smiled. "Maybe next year."

"I'll hold you to it," he chuckled. I took a steadying breath.

"Listen, I know we have a whole night ahead of us, but I wanted to give you your birthday present."

"But darling, you didn't need to get me anything," Maxon protested. "Every day with you is a gift." He leaned in and kissed me.

"Well, I hadn't planned on getting you a gift, but something presented itself, and here we are.

"All right," he said, placing his glass on the ground. "I'm ready. Where is it?"

"That's the only problem," I started. My hands began to tremble slightly. "It won't actually arrive for another seven or eight months." He smiled but squinted.

"Eight months? What in the world could take eight-" As his words drifted away, so did his eyes, leaving my face to focus on my stomach. He seemed to expect me to look different already.

I'd done my best to hide everything - the nausea, tiredness, and sudden distaste for food. He stared on and on and I waited for him to smile, or laugh, or jump up and down. But he sat there, frozen to the point that it started to frighten me.

"Maxon?" I reached out to touch his leg. "Maxon, are you alright?" He nodded, still watching my stomach. His eyes filled with tears.

"Isn't that remarkable? I suddenly love you a hundred times more," he said quietly and in awe. "I didn't think it was possible to find love for a person I don't know at all." He finally looked up at me. "Are we really going to have a baby?"

"Yes," I breathed, welling up too. His eyes lit up.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" he asked excitedly.

"Too soon to tell," I said through happy tears. "There's not much the doctor can tell yet except that someone is definitely there."

Maxon placed a gentle hand on my tummy. "We'll shorten your work days, of course, or we can cut them completely if we must. We could have more maids on call."

"Don't be silly. Mary and Rosette are plenty. Besides, you know my mother will want to be here, and Marlee and May will be around. I'll have too many people taking care of me!"

"As you should." I threw back my head and laughed. Maxon cleared his throat and wiped away his tears. "I'm assuming this is our secret."

"For now," I said brightly.

"All the same, now I definitely feel like celebrating." He scooped me up, rushing me back inside. I couldn't stop laughing. I peeked up at his expression, and Maxon looked hopeful and excited. I knew we were only just getting to the best parts of our lives.