Ever After . . .

Chapter 6

~Maxon~

It's been over a week since I've seen America, and I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. Did I make a mistake choosing Kriss. No. America betrayed me. That's something I could never forgive her for. Kriss would never keep something from me. Would she?

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Tonight is the night of the competition. Sometime with the family, and watching dances all day. Can't wait.

I'm getting ready when Kriss walks in wearing a stunning red dress. It's covered in diamonds.

"Kriss. You look stunning."

"Thank you. It was made just for this," she says.

I straighten my tie, and offer her my arm.

"Shall we?"

She smiles and takes my arm. Together we walk to the front doors where we meet my parents, my daughter Alison, and my sons Nathan and Ben. Alison is wearing a beautiful purple dress. My mother is wearing a blue dress.

The guards open the doors, and we walk out to the waiting limo. We all climb in, and we set out to the convention center.

We all file out of the car, and the convention center authorities lead us to a table surrounded by other tables. I see familiar names, such as Celeste Newsome which is the table next to us.

We all sit, and wait. More people come and sit at the tables. Celeste is one of the last people in. As she sits, she flashes me a smile, then turns her attention to the stage. The judges come and sit at the head table, and then the crowd.

The lights dim on the stage and the crowd. Then the lights come up on the stage, and a middle aged man and woman come on the stage.

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The day was long. But I got to see a different side of Illea. Preforming Arts are a big part of what these people do. No wonder America loved it so much.

Her daughter and son where here again. They both competed. They didn't win unfortunately. But they didn't show any disappointment. Instead they smiled and walked off stage laughing. I guess that it's not about winning. That the journey is what really counts. 

After the competition was over Celeste stood up and began to walk out. She stopped in front of our table and gave a small bow. "Your majesties," she said before continuing. 

She waited just off stage. Then I see her meet America, Marissa, and Lucas. She envelopes Marissa in a hug before the three disappear into the night.