Selection Epilogue

Chapter thirty nine

America's POV

Maxon hasn't left my side all week since I woke up in the hospital ward.  He follows me everywhere I go. Usually, it would be cute, but I'm starting to get worried.

I have to go with him to every council meeting now. We do all of our work at the same time.

It's only been a couple days, but I can't help but wonder how long this is going to last.

I look over at him working at his desk in our office. He looks up at me and smiles. I smile back and get back to work.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A couple hours later, it's dinner time.

"I'm going to head to the room to just freshen up, I'll meet you in the dining hall," I said.

"I'll just go with you, I can check on the twins that way too," he said.

"Are you sure? I can just do it while I'm there."

He shook his head, "No, I'll go with. It's no trouble, really."

I smiled, "alright then"

We joined arms and walked to our room. We checked on the twins and freshened up for dinner.

We made our way to the dining hall. As we were walking there was a loud crash.

Maxon's full body was immediately in front of me. We looked over to the source of the sound and it was just a butler who had dropped an empty tray on his way to the kitchen.

We both sighed in relief. Maxon stayed in front of me.

"Maxon,  it's alright," I said.

He didn't move. "Maxon...love are you okay?"

His breathing was quickening. I have had panic attacks before so I know what they look like.  He needed air.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him with me.  I knew the best pave ro get air and be able to maintain privacy was the gardens.

He didn't say a word the whole way.  I opened the door to the gardens and felt the cool night air on us. I led us to our bench and sat down.

He didn't sit, he just paced in front of me.  I grabbed his hand.

"Maxon, sit. It will help you calm down."

I could tell nothing I said was going to make him feel any better.

I say on the soft grass, and leaned my back on the legs of the bench. I pulled him down by his arms so that he was laying back to my chest between my legs.

I just held him and played with his hair.

After about ten minutes his breathing sounded pretty normal.

"Feeling better?" I asked.

He just nodded and played with the fingers of one of my hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked. "I want to help."

He didn't respond right away. A few moments later he said, "I'm not sure"