The One Fanfiction

Chapter 32: Part 2

I looked around the room. It was decorated beautifully. I'd chosen Silvia to design the reception. It was obvious I'd made the right choice.
The hall was decorated with purple lilies. There were long tables in the back of the room covered in white tablecloths. They had small candles going down the center. Small purple flower petals were sprinkled artistically on the tables. White china plates sat on the tables with silverware. A buffet was along the wall with servants behind it, ready to serve food to the guests.
A small stage was set up across the room, leaving enough room in between for people to dance. On the stage, sat a small group of musicians, practicing for their performance. One seat was left open. It had a violin case on it. The seat must've been for me.
Maxon leaned down and whispered into my ear, "Go introduce yourself. Be quick, though. Our guests will be here soon." I smiled up at him and started towards the group of people on the stage.
I climbed up the steps and walked over to them. The group, made of men and women, started to bow. I interrupted them hurriedly, "Please, don't bow. I've been princess for only a little over an hour. I haven't earned that kind of respect yet."
They smiled and went back to a normal position. One of the men said to me softly, "Do not underestimate yourself, Princess. Your kind actions have made me respect you already."
The others nodded in agreement. My hand went to my heart. That was possibly the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me.
"Thank you," I said. "I should be the one bowing to you."
I lowered myself into a bow, humbled my the man's words. The man gently pulled me out of my bow. "That was not necessary, Princess, but thank you. I am Desmond, by the way." The rest of the group introduced themselves. Desmond and I spoke about the performance for a while.
We all chatted until Maxon called over to me. "America, people are starting to arrive. Come and greet them."
I gave Desmond and the others a warm smile and walked quickly to Maxon's side. We interlaced fingers as the large doors opened and our guests came in. The first people, I was unfamiliar with. Maxon introduced them as his cousins.
Then, in came my family. I barely had time to say hello before being smothered in hugs. I smiled as we embraced. When they pulled away, I noticed Kota was standing a little ways away. I beckoned to him and he took a few hesitant steps. I rolled my eyes and walked towards my big brother. Sometimes, he acted more stupid than normal. I mean, yes I hated him for leaving us, but that didn't mean I wasn't happy to see him. My arms wrapped around his waist and he held me tightly. It was strange, after all this time, to be hugging him.
"I'm happy for you, sis," he said and drew back from the hug. Kota placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. I looked into his eyes. I didn't see any hint that he was lying. What was up with him? What had happened to the greedy brother who had abandoned his family?
Kota stepped away and exchanged a firm handshake with Maxon, before heading into the dining area. Everyone stood and watched him go, mouths open in surprise. Maxon coughed and asked, "That's Kota?" I nodded.
Our attention was drawn from my brother, when other people came in. I was congratulated about ten thousand times and I was pretty sure if I heard the word "Congratulations" one more time, I would explode.
When everyone had arrived, we went to go sit at the head of a table. Maxon and I plopped into our chairs and sighed in unison. The night was barely started and I was exhausted.
I closed my eyes for a minute, but Maxon nudged me before I fell asleep.
"America," he snickered. "I don't think it would be good to fall asleep at your own wedding reception."
"Ugh," I groaned. "I've had a lot going on today. I just want us to go up to your room and get some sleep."
"Well then it's going to be a long night. Try to get through this. For me?"
I sat up in my chair and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I reached for his hand and Maxon took it tenderly. "Okay. For you."
He smiled brightly and I couldn't help but smile along. I started to feel more awake as the excitement settled in again. Maxon was my husband and I was officially the happiest girl in the world.
We continued to look at each other. Maxon tried to make me laugh by crossing his eyes suddenly.
It worked.
I snorted loudly and Maxon burst out laughing. Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at us. We tried to stifle our laughter, but our attempt was in vain. The looks on their faces made us crack up even more. I buried my face in his shoulder, trying to calm myself. Maxon had his hand over his mouth as rested his elbow on the table. Our shoulders shook from repressed laughter and we were both red from laughing and embarrassment.
Eventually, people returned to their conversations. I saw people cast us wary glances every now and then. Maxon and I calmed down after a few minutes. My cheeks ached and were still deep red from humiliation.
"Why did you do that? It was mortifying," I whispered.
"I wanted to make you laugh," he said simply.
"Yeah. Well, now, they probably think we're insane."
"So what? Did you see their faces? It was so worth it."
"Oh, definitely," I sniggered. I felt like a little kid again. Giggling and smiling and not caring what other people thought.
Maxon and I went up to the buffet to grab dinner. Silvia had chosen the perfect foods. There was a chicken dish that smelled like heaven. There were also a variety of pasta and vegetable dishes as well. Maxon smirked when me saw savoring the delicious food.
Eventually, after everyone had eaten, Silvia went up to the microphone. Once she had the people's attention, she announced, "Thank you all for coming to this heartwarming occasion. It is time for the newly weds to have their first dance!"
A spotlight turned on and shined down on us. Maxon reached for my hand and led me to the dance floor. Our guests crowded around us as Maxon pulled me close. I put my arms around his neck and he rested his hands on my hips. I loved how close he was. So close that I swore I could hear his steady heartbeat. Desmond and the others started playing a slow song.
We started dancing, but it wasn't a rehearsed dance. There were no steps or flashy moves. Maxon and I just stared into each other's eyes and swayed slowly back and forth and took steps in random directions. It was completely natural. It was perfect.
"Are you ready for this?" Maxon asked quietly.
"Ready for what?"
"Ready for all of it. Being princess, ruling a country, being a Queen one day."
I wasn't sure of my answer to his question. That was a lot of responsibility. I was afraid I would make a mistake. Something could happen and as always, I would make a rash decision. But instead of only hurting the people I loved, it would also hurt a whole country. I wasn't sure I could do it. It was too much pressure for one person to handle.
But I wasn't really doing it all on my own. I had Maxon to help me. He would keep me from making the bad choices I tended to make when I got emotional. He would lift some of the weigh off my shoulders and I would do the same for him.
I put a hand on his face and stroked it gently with my thumb. I held eye contact as I said, "If you're there with me, there's no way I could fail."
Maxon smiled softly and kissed the tip of my nose.