Hey everyone!
lav Review:
"Oh nooo Kenna:'(
I really love all the chapters you done and man this just added on. honestly i cant even imagine myself not reading this fanfic. Congrats on your year anniversary. You have been providing us readers with joy for over a year now. How are we suppoesed to repay you. Like always, really looking forward to the next update. Thanks for everything that you do and keep up the awesome work. :)"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you for this sweet comment! You repay me with every thoughtful, wonderful message. It's hard for me to believe that this fanfiction has been so successful, and I'm so grateful to have your support.
ilovedarrycurtis Review:
"I love this fanfic so much! I actually was forgot it was fanfic at first it was just that good. Please keep the story going!"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you so much for your kindness!
CambieP26 Review:
"That... was so so sad! I just love this fanfiction series so much! I have already recommended it to all of my Selection loving friends! You are such an amazing writer. I can't believe you are so good! At only a year younger and an aspiring writer, I definitely don't think I'll ever be as good as you are. Please write more! I'm so excited to see the rest of your works!"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you for this touching comment! I have no doubt that you can absolutely become an amazing writer. My biggest tip is just to read a lot!
Virtue01Review:
"A sad chapter but, it was filled with so much love and understanding. Kenna's relationship with America was what America is to May. Thank you for the update."
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you for your consistent love and support! I appreciate your review.
Thank you all for being here and reading my story! I hope you enjoy.
Even though Kenna passed away three weeks ago, her death still felt like a twisted blade in my heart. I spent as much time as I could with my family and the twins, trying to shake off the dull pain wrapped around me like a cold blanket.
After putting Eadlyn and Ahren to sleep, I crawled into Maxon's bed. He was still in a meeting, but I was aching to feel his scent wash over me. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I couldn't hold back my tears. I cried until my throat felt raw, and then I started hiccuping and crying again.
I kept forgetting that Kenna was gone, only to have the truth slam into me at the next moment. After about ten minutes of lying in bed, Maxon came in. He did a double take when he saw me crying in his bed.
I quickly tried to dry my face, embarrassed that he had found me crying pathetically in his own bed.
"America..." Maxon's brow creased with worry, and he kicked off his shoes before lying down next to me in bed. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked quietly, his face an inch from mine.
"Would you draw on my back?" I said softly, swallowing a hiccup.
"Of course," he murmured, giving me a sympathetic smile. I rolled onto my back, and Maxon lifted my shirt. His finger swirled on my back and traced different shapes, the warm touch calming my grief.
"You've gotten a lot better at consoling crying women," I said, smiling weakly.
He grinned, proud to be praised. "A certain someone has provided me with many chances to learn." I rolled my eyes, nudging his shoulder playfully. I already felt some weight lifted from my shoulders.
"Oh, Ames, I forgot to tell you this. You need to ask your maids to start packing for the trip." I cocked my head to the side, confused. "We're going to France, remember? For a month."
I gasped. "Whoops, I totally forgot about the trip."
Maxon smirked. "We fly out in four days."
The sunny smile left my face. "Four days?"
Maxon nodded. "I know it's very soon, especially with all the grief you're dealing with, but I wasn't able to postpone the trip."
I bit my lip. "I don't know if I can make it, Maxon. There's no way I can leave my mom and the family right now."
Maxon looked stricken. "Really?"
"Well, yeah."
"But then I would have to leave you and the twins for a month," Maxon protested, running a hand through his hair.
I frowned. "You know I'd never want us to be apart, but I can't leave now. My sister just died."
Maxon pulled away from me, looking distressed. "Do you mind heading into your room? I need to pack."
I raised my eyebrows, hurt. "Lionel can pack for you, and you don't even need to do it right now."
"I'm just going to get it done now," he mumbled, avoiding my eyes. I nodded, slipped out of his bed, and walked into my room without glancing back.
In the next few days before Maxon's flight, my husband and I didn't talk much. I knew he was upset that I didn't want to join him in France. I was disappointed too, but a small part of me was also worried. Maxon would be negotiating a treaty...if things backfired, he could get hurt. And how would our relationship take the blow of a month long separation? What if Maxon found someone else, and he was so bitter that he used rash judgement?
The possibilities haunted me. I couldn't stand the distance between us.
"Maxon?" I asked hesitantly, knocking on the door to his suite. I heard him walk up to the door before he opened it for me.
"Hey," he said, any trace of happiness absent from his face.
"Hey," I returned, placing my hand lightly on his shoulder. He flinched at my touch, and I pulled away, stung. My pride was deteriorating, but I had to keep trying. I was too afraid of how our relationship would fair if we were apart like this, emotionally and physically, for a month.
"Maxon, I..." I chewed on the inside of my cheek, looking down. "I'm sorry," I muttered.
"What?" he asked. When I looked up, a muscle in his jaw twitched. He'd heard me; he just wasn't satisfied.
"Look, I'm sorry!" I burst out. "I'm sorry we're staying behind while you have to go to France. I really am. I just wish you could show a little more understanding, Maxon. I just lost my sister. I can't go right now. I have to be with what's left of my family."
"But you're my family! I have literally no one left. The twins and you are all I've got. And I'm going to lose all of you for a whole month. The twins will have forgotten all about me by then! How can you let me go and be so passive about it?"
My heart broke when I realized what he'd been thinking about. My husband thought I didn't care. I didn't know what to say, so I tentatively wrapped my arms around Maxon. He was slower than usual to forgive, but after about a minute of me holding him, he hugged me back.
"You know I'm sorry, right? I'll always care." I propped my chin up on Maxon's chest and gazed up at him.
The tension left his face. "I know. I'm sorry I snapped. I'm the king. I knew times like this would come."
I gasped, pulling away as I had a realization. "Maxon, it doesn't have to be a month!"
"No, I already asked the advisors, but they can't cut the time down any more."
"No, no, no! What if the twins and I joined you in France after a couple weeks? That way, I spend some time with my family to heal, but we can all be together sooner."
Maxon's eyes lit up. "That's brilliant, America!"
"It's perfect!" I laughed and threw my arms around him, excited for our upcoming vacation.