Maxerica

Memories

My thoughts go to my family.
All of the moments and memories we had together.
The happiness.
The love.
Even the pain.

"Do you like it daddy?"
He looks at the painting I made on a scrap canvas with his paints.
"Nope," he replies.
My smile falls.
"I love it," he says with a smile.
I grin and hug him.
"I made it for you daddy."
"Why thank you. But aren't you supposed to be practicing?"
"Maybe."
He rubs my head.
"Get going."
I giggle and run off

The guard lays me on the hospital bed.
I open my eyes.
A nurse is standing above me.
"Are you alright miss?" she asks.
"I'm fine."
"Do you feel any pain?"
"My head really hurts. He hit me with something."
"Alright. Let me take a look."
She looks through my hair at my head after I show her where it hurts.
"You have a concussion," she tells me.
"I do?"
"Yes. It's not to bad, but it'll give you headaches. I believe the king's meeting is running late. I'll get him and-"
"No," I interrupt. "Have him come once the meetings over."
"Are you sure miss?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Stay here and rest. I'll turn the lights out."
"Thank you."
She turns the lights off on her way out.
The only light in the room is a little night light by the door.
I close my eyes.

"Wait for me!"
"Hurry up," Aspen replies.
"You're going to fast. This stuffs heavy."
"Just keep up."
My daddy brought me to the Legar's house for the third time ever today. We're helping them with things around the house. Aspen and I are carrying firewood then we're gonna pick vegetables.
"I'm trying Aspen."
"I know."
I follow him to the back of their small house. We put the wood in the log bin.
"Thanks for helping America."
"You're welcome."
He smiles at me. I smile back.
"Ready to pick vegetables?"
"Mhmm."
I follow him to the garden.
We start picking the vegetables and putting them into a basket woven by his mom.
"Come on Mer, let's head inside for dinner."
"Mer?"
"Yeah. I thought it'd be a cool nickname."
I take note of th blush on his face. I smile.
"I like it."
He grabs the basket and we go inside.

"Hurry up mom!"
I look up from my book as May pulls my mom into the living room.
"It's gonna start," May whines.
"I'm coming. Sit with your sister."
She runs over and hops on the worn couch next to me.
"Calm down May," I tell her.
"No! I'm excited!"
My dad comes in with Gerad and sits in a chair. My mom grabs another chair and sits next to him.
We turn on the TV and watch the Report.
We watch and listen as King Clarkson tells us about the war with New Asia. He then talks about a few boring things that I zone out of.
After he's done, the crown prince stands.
The camera zooms in on him. My heart skips a beat.
"He's so cute," May swoons.
"You just like him because he's the Prince," I say.
"Not true!"
"That's enough," my dad says.
I stick my tongue out at May, which she does back.

"How are you feeling May?"
"Not good," she says weakly.
"Here, eat some more," I say, putting my plate on her lap in her bed.
"We had extra?" she asks.
"Yeah," I lie.
We almost never have enough food, let alone extra. We're lucky if we get two meals a day.
Giving up a meal for my sisters health is worth it.
"You guys can have it," she says.
"No May. You need it. You want to get better don't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Eat. I'm going to go do chores. I'll check on you in a bit."
She nods and nibbles on the dry potato bread as I walk out. My empty stomach hurts as I work.

"I'm glad you decided to give me a chance," Maxon says, bumping my elbow with his.
We're having a walk in the garden. I haven't been at the castle long, but long enough to decide I don't need Aspen, and I can date others if I please.
"Me too," I reply with a smile.
How he smiles at me makes a happy feeling rush through me. 
"Do you like it here?"
"Um...yeah. It's beautiful."
"But?"
"But, like I said, it's like a cage here."
"That's true," he says with disappointment in his voice.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"It's nothing. Really."
"Fine."
"We should get inside."
I nod and we head in.

Maxon groans as I make him lay back down.
We just officially got engaged, and he's still recovering from his injuries.
"Just relax. I'm gonna do a lot of the work right now," I tell him.
"I can do my work," he insists.
"I want you to rest. I can handle it."
"I don't want you to have to do all of that."
I look at him. He's looking at me.
"Maxon. I love you. I just want you to get better."
He looks at me for a moment.
"I love you too."
"I've got it ok?"
"Alright."
I smile and kiss his cheek.
He smiles.
I sit next to him with the papers.
He sits up a bit and adjusts the sling on his arm.
"Don't mess with it."
"I'm not."

"I can't believe we're married," I say, looking into Maxon's beautiful eyes.
"I can," he replies, flashing his gorgeous grin.
I kiss him hard, wrapping my arms around his neck. After minutes of making out, we move away for a breather.
"You look beautiful in that dress America."
"Are you saying I don't always look beautiful?" I tease.
"No. You're natural beauty is more than beautiful. It's indescribable," he says with his lips against mine.
I kiss him again. He kisses me back.

"Hi there," Maxon says.
He kneeling in front of me and has both hands on my enormous stomach.
I smile at him.
"How are you two?" he asks, watching my stomach.
I was about to say something, but one of them kicks by his hand, interrupting me.
I wince.
Maxon smiles at my stomach then looks at me. His smile falters.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah. That hurt."
"You should sit."
I nod. We sit on the couch together. I lean on him.
"I love you so much Maxon."
"I love you too America."
"I'm so happy."
I get teary eyed.
"I'm glad," he replies.
I hold his hand.
I end up falling asleep in his arms.