Hello, readers!

Virtue01 Review:

"Awesome chapter, you wrote the birth of the twins very well it was realistic and detailed. I love the support that Maxon gave to America you capture his reactions has a first-time father Very well. Appreciate the fast update thank you."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for the support! I'm glad the chapter was realistic.

lav Review:

"Aww! This chapter was soo cute! I literally can't even describe how awesome this chapter was! I wouldn't be suprised if you worte your own book! I can't wait for the next update! Hopefully it will be soon! Thanks for making this chapter long too. I really love how you show the excitment of America and Maxon as they become parents and welcome their little ones into the world. Keep up the great work, and I look forwrd to the next update!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for commenting! I'm so touched that you think I could write my own book, and it's been a dream of mine for a while. Thanks!

Guest Review:

"I love this chapter so much! Dang, that was a fast update! Did they ever talk about baby names? Good job!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

They brainstormed baby names a little in the chapter Debate, but it wasn't a big thing. Thank you for reviewing!

Payton Ladner Review:

"I love that chapter it's so real! I feel like their family is complete!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Yay! Thanks for the support.

Rowena Kiara Review:

"Great chapter, loved how you wrote it. Can't wait for the next"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you! I'm glad you're liking the story.

goodwillabassad Review:

"LOVE IT BETTER THAN THE BOOK HAPPILY EVER AFTER"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Honestly, I started crying with happiness as I read this comment. I was sitting around at home doing nothing, and this made me stand up, get my laptop, and start writing. I can't believe that my own writing could even come close to a professional author's work. Thank you for the love!

Thank you for your heartwarming comments! I appreciate each and every one of you for reading and supporting me. This chapter is going to be full of drama!

After singing a lullaby, I kissed Eadlyn's forehead tenderly. Her peaceful sleeping expression brought a smile to my lips. Ahren, in a crib next to hers, was gazing up at me with wide brown eyes. Even at two months, he was quiet and observant. Tears pricked at my eyes; I could already see his resemblance to Maxon. I kissed Ahren's head and closed the door to their room softly, sighing with relief when neither broke out crying at my absence.

Usually, Maxon returned from evening meetings at around seven o'clock, just in time to say good-night to the babies. I was surprised that he hadn't come by today. Tiptoeing across the hall to make sure nothing disturbed Eadlyn or Ahren, I walked into my suite. Mary and Rosette were drawing a bath for me.

"Hello, ladies," I greeted them. The young women broke into smiles when they saw me leaning on the door frame of the bathroom.

"Hello, America!" they chorused cheerfully. "Are you ready for a bath after a long day?"

"I'd love to, but I think I want to do something for Maxon first. His meetings are going later than usual, so I thought we could do something like play a board game in the Observatory."

"That's a lovely idea," Rosette agreed sweetly. "Do you want us to help you get ready?"

"Thank you for offering, but you two can take a break for the night," I said. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Thank you, America," Rosette smiled.

"Good night," Mary said amiably as the two walked out.

I quickly took off my makeup, using a wipe to remove mascara and foundation. After my face was clean and makeup-free, I found my most comfortable knit sweater dress in my closet and pulled it over my head. A wave of comfort washed over me like warm water. I threw on a pair of black slip-ons and stepped back outside of my room.

I didn't know how long Maxon's meeting would last, so I quickly grabbed a board game to set it up in the Observatory with some cute candles. Found was a classic Illéan game with the object of gaining the most cards with pictures of the country's artifacts.

A guard opened the grand doors of the Observatory for me, nodding to me as I walked in. Every time I entered the space, a feeling of wonder swept over me. A section of the ceiling, probably a hundred by a hundred feet, was made completely of thick glass. The stars twinkled brightly against the inky night sky, leaving me breathless with marvel.

Seeing something so vast and constant put my life into perspective; everything around me and all of my problems truly were on such a small scale. I could affect the country, perhaps even the world, but not the stars.

I had fallen in love with the Observatory months ago and requested some couches and a table to be brought up, so I set up Maxon and my game there. I decided to wait on lighting tea candles until Maxon was coming, but I brought out two glasses with a bottle of red wine and set it down on the table for us.

I left the set-up and walked down to the Meeting Room to see if Maxon was still there. I could hear a heated argument from the other side of the door and debated entering, but figured it would be pointless. I didn't know what they were even discussing.

I made small talk with a guard outside the Meeting Room until I heard Maxon's voice rise above the others.

"Fine! I'll do it! I'm done." He jerked the door open and stalked out. I quickly stepped by his side.

"Maxon, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Hey, America," he said wearily, robotically kissing me on the cheek.

"What's wrong?" I repeated gently.

"It's nothing," he muttered, and I decided not to press him further.

"The twins are in bed, so I thought you and I could do something tonight," I said tentatively.

"Yeah?" Maxon ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't make eye contact with me or slow his pace to hear what I had to say.

I brushed it off, knowing he was stressed. "I set up a board game for us to play in the Observatory."

"It sounds nice, but I should get some work done." The words stung, especially after my excitement to create a special night for us.

I walked ahead of Maxon and clasped his muscular shoulders firmly, getting him to stop walking. "Maxon, I don't know what's wrong, but I think the last thing you need right now is more work. Let's just relax, okay?"

He bit his lip and looked like he wanted to argue, but then thought better of it. "Okay," he said, barely audibly.

I hugged Maxon snugly, trying to send warmth to him. He wrapped his arms around me, but it felt distant. He was miles away from this moment. It didn't feel like my Maxon at all.

We headed up to the empty Observatory, and I led Maxon to our spot on the couches. "You're not wearing makeup," he noticed.

My jaw dropped in shock. "Excuse me, Maxon?" I hissed. "I put our kids to bed alone, changed, and set up a nice board game for us to play. You have made no positive comment, nothing at all."

"No, that's not what I-" Maxon interjected, but I cut him off.

"You don't tell me I look pretty or thank me for working to put this together, you point out that I'm not wearing makeup! I'm sorry if my natural face is just too ugly for you, but I decide whether I do or don't wear makeup."

"America, that's not what I was saying." I raised my eyebrows. "I was just pointing a fact out, but I've told you before that I think you're beautiful with or without makeup."

"Right, you've told me before, but you're not going to say it now?"

"I'm sorry. I mean that you're perfect no matter what you wear." I wanted to believe that the words came from the bottom of Maxon's heart, but they seemed shallow. They seemed rehearsed, not genuine. "Let's just play the game," he said, sighing. I nodded and poured us both glasses of wine.

Playing Found was more boring than being lectured. It was my favorite board game, and it was fun when I played it with Marlee recently. But Maxon made no effort to seem engaged or excited. He sipped the last of his second glass of wine, and I didn't object when he poured himself a generous third. Something was up, but I didn't want to make it worse.

By the time we reached the middle of the game, I was fed up. "God, Maxon, will you stop drinking and take less than ten minutes for your turn?"

Maxon placed a card down stiffly. "There."

"I'm done," I said, throwing my cards down and standing up from the couch. I sat right next to Maxon on his couch and glared at him. "Tell me what happened in the meeting." Maxon just stared into space, ignoring me. I squeezed his wrists desperately. "Tell me what happened in there that turned you into the biggest jerk!"

"It doesn't matter," Maxon mumbled.

"Tell me," I begged, tears beginning to roll down my cheeks. I was more scared than angry. Maxon had never acted this way before. What had changed between us?

"I'm sorry," Maxon said uneasily. He drew himself away from me and closed his eyes. "I'm going to be leaving home for three months."

My eyes widened in shock, and I could feel more tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably. I wanted to deny it to myself, but it had to be true if this was how the news was making Maxon react. I could see something let go inside of Maxon, and his mask of indifference and hostility came off. Anger and regret flashed in his face, and he let himself cry with me.

"I'm sorry, Ames," he apologized, and it finally felt sincere. "I've been a complete idiot tonight. I was just trying to keep my emotions in check, because I could've strangled someone when I walked out of that Meeting Room."

I felt anger flare up inside of me as well. "Why are they making you leave? You can't leave for three months. That's absolutely ridiculous," I protested, massaging my temples. "The twins...you'll miss three months of their lives; you need to be around for their most developmental stages."

"I know, America. I tried to negotiate, but I couldn't handle anything else tonight." He enveloped me in a hug, and this time it felt real. "I can probably slim the time down, but they want me to go to Europe and figure out treaties with different nations so that Illéa's relationship with other countries stay strong. We need more allies."

I took in a shaky breath. "But what about your relationship with your family?"

"I know. I'll try, America."

"Okay," I said in a small voice, and Maxon hugged me again. "But it's Christmas in two months!" I realized. "You can't be gone for Christmas."

"I know, Ames. I'll try to figure it out." We laid down on the velvet couch, my back against his chest so that I could hear the soft beating of his heart. Maxon's arms were looped around my stomach.

He leaned his neck toward my mouth and gave me a long, apologetic kiss. "I'm really, really, really sorry for trying to keep everything in and being so cold tonight. I thought if I could try to stop loving everything around me, it would be less painful to leave it all for so long."

"I didn't know you had such a dark side," I said, only half joking.

"And I'm sorry for the whole makeup thing. I don't want to make you insecure, and you really do look beautiful tonight-"

"Maxon, tonight was a rough night," I broke in. "Don't do that to me again, but I forgive you for now."

My husband breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."

"And I have an idea. You may have to go to Europe, but you're going to stay with your family no matter what. If it comes to it, we'll join you."