It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: 

I barely have a minute alone with my daughter before the pains begin again. She's peaceful, sleeping in my arms with her mouth barely puckered open as I grip the edge of the bed once more. I have to quickly hand her over a bewildered Maxon, who takes her gently in his arms, placing her in the crook of her arm like it's the most natural thing in the world. The smile that lights up his face is the smile of a million suns. I almost wish that I could capture the moment, but the pain draws me back. 

"America -" Maxon's voice is full of concern. I know he's worried about me, but what's happening now isn't something that he can really protect me from. 

In the tears and joy of the last few minutes, I almost forgot about the second baby. The nurse tells me to take deep breaths, but there's no escaping the tension that grips my body as I have to barrel down once more. 

"America, you've got to push!" My mom urges. Her eyes are full of sympathy. She knows exactly what it's like, after having five children of her own. 

"I am!" I snarl. I'm trying to, I really am. 

I squeeze Maxon's hand tightly and put all I have into the final pushes. 

"I think I see a head!" The nurse exclaimed. I nod, and keep pushing, letting out every ounce of energy that I still have. If Eadlyn wasn't sleeping in Maxon's other arm, I'd be using every single obscenity I know. "One more big one!" 

I push back into my bed, and down into my feet until every last muscle is taut. This is it. Just as I let out a deafening scream, I feel something slip from my body and another cry pierces the air. 

I look over and see the nurse hold another baby up, covered in a similar sheen of goo. "It's a boy", she breathes. I turn towards Maxon to see tears forming in his eyes. He looks at our son with the same love that he held for his daughter. Maxon hands Eadlyn over to my mother and goes over to help cut the umbilical cord and take measurements while I lie back, exhausted. The nurse tells me to push once more, and even though there's not any strength left, I manage to get the afterbirth out in one push. 

After it's over, all I want is to close my eyes, but a couple minutes later, I feel something warm placed on my chest. My son. His little face is framed by the blue blanket that the nurse wrapped him in, and his eyes are open wide. He already looks a little bit like how I imagined Maxon as a child - with the same facial structures and little tuft of golden hair sticking up. His curious eyes roam his new surroundings, picking up all of the little details that the rest of us could probably never notice. I wish more than everything that our parents could be here to see this, and it breaks my heart that they can't be. I wrap him close in my arms, and give him a kiss on the forehead, just as my mom hands Eadlyn back to me as well. They're both so perfect that I'm distracted when Maxon pulls out his camera and snaps a picture of us all, capturing the moment forever. 

He then comes over and sits right next to us, taking our son into his loving arms, and wiping a sticky strand of hair out of my face. 

"Ahren." I whisper, as I hand him over. 

"What, dear?" He asks. 

"I said, he's Ahren. And you still can't call me your dear. Especially not after what you just put me through." I scold. Maxon chuckles, and kisses him on the head. "Yes he is. He's our little Ahren." I watch my husband gently strokes his little cheek and holds him close. I can't help but think about how perfect it all is. After everything we've been through - the Selection, the rebels, and the removal of the castes...it's all led here. 

I never knew that I had it in me - to deliver two perfect bundle in one day. I could watch Eadlyn and Ahren all day as they slept, but can't seem to keep my eyes open. I feel Maxon kiss my hand and then lean over to kiss me on the lips. "Thank you Ames. For everything." He whispers, so that I only I can hear. 

I know that this is only the beginning, and that there will be many challenges ahead. We still haven't completely removed the caste system, but make I promise that my children will not grow up in a world where occupation or status is not pre-determined by birth. Of course, my girl - Eadlyn, will someday carry the burden of the crown; a burden that could've fallen easily to Ahren had he been born first. Of all of the burdens to be placed upon a little girl, I would not wish that one to be her only choice. We may live a life of luxury, but over the years I've learned that ruling a country is no easy task. I hope with every fiber of my being that both of them will be happy, no matter what type of life they choose to lead. 

Soon, it will be time to return to our normal lives; to balance ruling a country and having to raise two very special children that both Maxon and I had a hand in creating. We'll have to return to erasing the castes and dealing with a country that's just started rebuilding. The journey ahead won't be easy, but it will be worth it. 

After all, it's not supposed to be a fairy tale. 

It's so much more than that.