The Unexpected Expected

Part 1: Chapter 3

America's POV

*a couple hours earlier*

"America, darling, it's time to leave," I blink back sleepiness when I heard Maxon's gentle whisper in the early hours of morning.

"It's too early," I grumbled, but quickly ran my fingers through my hair to make sure it was lying flat.

When I finally sat up, I saw Maxon leaning against my door wearing the plainest clothes I've ever seen on him. When he saw I was sitting up, he took there long strides and pressed his lips to mine. As the kiss deepened, I remembered my horrible morning breath and gently pushed Maxon away.

"We're going to miss our plane," I whispered.

Maxon nodded. "Perhaps it's better if I wait for you there. But first," he said with a small smile, "America, my dear, the woman who I gave everything up for." He got down on one knee. "This isn't my official proposal, I just want to assure that you'll always be mine, even after I'm no longer the prince." He grabbed my wrist and gently kissed it. He then attached a small charm bracelet with two charms: a crown that had Maxon's birthstone and a crown with mine. "America, my love, even though you won't actually be the princess, you'll always be my princess."

I felt slow tears pouring out of my eyes and I smiled at Maxon. "I promise you, I'll never leave you. Your mine and I'm yours."

Maxon seemed to like the possessiveness for a great smile appeared on his face.

"And Maxon," I gently whispered in his ear. "I love you." I paused, it was the first time I had ever said it out loud.

I never thought his smile could get any brighter. "I love you too, Ames. And with all that I am, I promise to do my best to provide for our family and spoil you like you should be and,"

I covered his mouth with my hand, "You should probably leave now before we actually miss our plane."

"See you soon," he said as he left a ghost of a kiss on my cheek before quietly opening and closing the door.

As soon as his footsteps were too quiet to hear, I squealed. Maxon Schreave, the Crown Prince of Illea, loves me and was willing to give up everything for a humble Five!

I looked down at the charm bracelet and traced over the intricate detailing. It was an amazingly well designed piece of jewelry and the patterns across the crown looked like they would match up if put together. As I traced the smooth back, I felt a strange marking. It said: U _ _ P _ _. What could that be? It was too perfect to be an accident, so Maxon must've put it there on purpose.

I puzzled over the markings while I was packing, taking a shower, and getting dressed, but I soon forgot about it when I reached the plane and saw Maxon waiting for me.

*-*

"Are you excited to see where I grew up?" I asked Maxon curiously.

"Of course! I can't wait to see everything, even the small things. I want to see your treehouse, your house, and all of your ex's houses so I can thank them for leaving me with the most beautiful woman alive," he said with a small smile.

I smiled. "Thank you for doing this Maxon," I struggled to find the right words for the significance for what he had done for me. "You've literally given up everything for me: your job, your family, your life, your status, your title, and..." I trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Maxon looked me in the eyes and quietly said, "America, my darling, you are the lady whom I gave everything up for. You are my family and you are worth more than any sum can buy or any caste label. You, my dear, are one in a million, the one I've been searching for, and now that I've found you I'll never give you up."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes. This man truly is the one for me. This is the person who I want to wake up to every morning, to see in a suit standing under a wedding arch, to create blonde hair and brown eyes in our children, to grow old with me, and to hold me as we slowly die together. This man I trust with my life.

"I love you, Maxon."

"As I love you," and as soon as he said that, it appeared in thin air, the desire to kiss him, to feel his hair in my fingers, to show him my love for him.

He looked at me with desire flickering beneath his eyes. He leaned closer and so did I, but as soon as we were nose and nose, the co-pilot entered the chambers. "Excuse me, Your Highness and Lady America, we will be landing in less than five minutes, can you please fasten your seatbelts?"

"Starveling, you don't have to call us that," Maxon said as we pulled away from one another, "We're no longer at the palace. I'm not the prince anymore and America is no longer a member of the Selection."

Starveling hesitated for a moment before responding, "Some of us do not agree with the King and his plans for the country. This is one plan that both the pilot and I do not agree with. Good day sir, miss," he said bowing as he retreated back to the front of the plane.

"It looks like some people are behind you Maxon," I whispered.

He sighed. "I have some of the people's support, especially in the lower castes, but most of the richer Twos with whom my father is close with would rather him stay on the throne because of their political agreement. Most people from a Three up want the caste system to continue to be expanded, but the lower castes hate it. I've had plans for a while now to get rid of the caste system," I inhaled in shock, "And that's why when you announced it on the Report I became so upset. When I told my father I was picking you that was the final straw. He knew you would support the removal of the castes and he would lose his power over the people, so he sent us away so he can continue to rule Illea."

"That actually makes a lot of sense," I said with a small smile.

"What makes sense?"

"Why your father hates me so much. He's just jealous of my open vision for society and your support from the lower castes."

He smiled, "Actually, that does make a lot of sense."

I felt the plane jerk to a stop. "Looks like we're here," I whispered in Maxon's ear. "Are you nervous?"

"Considering I feel like I may lose my breakfast right here in the plane I would come to the conclusion that yes, I'm nervous." I laughed.

"You have nothing to worry about, now that we're here together."

His smile grew, "I like that."

"What?"

"Hearing you say together. It reassures me that I haven't made a mistake, that I won't wake up and find you gone faraway with your ex-boyfriend, laughing as you run."

"That's quite the image," I said chuckling. "But, Maxon, you mustn't worry. I promise that from this day forth, I will never leave or doubt or persecute our love. We're in this together always."