The Addition (The Selection)

Chapter Four

I'm sitting at my desk filling out papers when I hear a knock at the door. I stand up and smooth out my dress, getting rid of any wrinkles. I expect to see my Maxon on the other side of the door. He is the only person who ever comes to visit me in my office. I open the door and see, not Maxon, but Kenna.

"Hello again, Kenna. How can I help you?" I ask her, slightly confused by her visit. She looks to the side, as if she is making sure no one is watching us.

"America, can we talk. . . about you and Maxon. . . having a child?" she asks. I'm confused as to why she would want to talk about it, but I still step to the side allowing her to come in.

"Of course. Come in," I say. I usher her over to a small, green velvet couch that sits between two bookcases. We sit in silence for a few minutes until Kenna speaks up.

"America, are you sure you are ready for this? Ready for raising a child? Having children isn't easy, America. And, it's a big deal," she says. I stare. This is what she wanted to talk about?

"Kenna, I have thought this over for a good six months. Maxon and I have agreed this is the right time for us. I know that I'm ready," I explain.

"America, it isn't like you just say 'I want a child' and it appears full grown and ready to go," she states. I roll my eyes. She says this as if I'm the child and Maxon is the kid next door that I play family with.

"I know, Kenna. A child isn't like a doll," I say.

"America, your life changes the second that you find out that you are carrying that baby. What happens when the whole country finds out that you're with child?" she asks, her eyebrows raised slightly.

"Kenna, I know that everyday won't be a ray of sunshine, but I will still get through it. It's just nine months," I explain, aggrivation coating my voice.

"America, when you are pregnant you begin to take care of a second person. You eat for you and your child. You sleep for you and your child. There is a person-your child-inside of you. One accident and you could loose your child and it would just be you, again," she says.

"Kenna, I'll be perfectly fine. There are so many people here to help me, anyways," I say, shrugging off her concern.

"America, all it takes is one fall down the steps or slipping while you're in the bathroom," she explains.

"I get it, children are fragile. I'll be careful," I promise.

"Okay. So, what happens when it is born, America? You have to take care of it. You can't keep a nanny around all the time," she asks.

"Kenna, this is silly. Why are you doing this?" I ask. I'm starting to get annoyed by her pesky questioning.

"I'm trying to make a point," she says.

"And what point is that?" I asks.

"I'm trying to make sure you don't make the biggest mistake of your life! Of your child's life! Of Maxon's life!" she exclaims.

"Kenna, we will be fine!" I yell at her.

"America, you have to be sure of this," Kenna says.

"Kenna, I can't be more sure of this. I have never been more sure of anything in my life," I state. Kenna looks in my eyes and asks me one more question.

"Are you sure, America?"

"I'm positive," I state.

Original chapter five!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Selection series. Kierra Cass does.