The Promise: A Maxerica Fanfiction

The One: Bonus Epilogue - Part Two

I'd had minimal meetings today, but still was kept later than I had expected. It didn't help that I was distracted thinking about the call I'd received earlier and had to ask several people to repeat themselves throughout the meetings.

But I put all those things out of my mind and focused on getting ready for the party. Tonight, I would enjoy myself.

***

I tried to do my hair a little differently than usual for the occasion, which of course backfired horribly and I wasted an embarrassing amount of time trying to salvage it. As it was, I was several minutes to the party.

When I arrived I looked around for my wife. She was talking with Marlee at one side of the room. I decided not to bother her and wandered further into the room.

The party was beautiful. The lighting was just right, the musicians played at the perfect volume, and the décor enhanced the room without distracting from the atmosphere. Simple and classy.

I knew America still had insecurities about being Queen, but looking around at the party she'd planned and executed I couldn't help but think she was absolutely made for it.

I was busy admiring the event when suddenly someone dashed by, stopped, fixed the apparently askew collar of my shirt, and disappeared once more.

I blinked, confused, then heard a laugh to my right. I turned to find Aspen there, smiling.

"That was May, in case you were wondering." He said, laughing again.

I laughed as well. "I was wondering actually, but I really ought to have known. How are you Aspen? How's marriage been treating you?"

Aspen and Lucy had been planning on getting married shortly after America and I, but a few complications meant that they hadn't ended up doing so until relatively recently.

"I'm doing great. Marriage is a dream. I can hardly believe I'm so lucky sometimes." He got a faraway look in his eyes and smiled softly.

I smiled as well, clasping him on the shoulder. "That's great Aspen. America and I are truly so happy for the two of you."

"Thanks. Likewise, of course." Aspen paused. "Was your first year hard? Lots of people say it is, but you two seemed to do so well."

I sighed. "Hard to say. I don't think it was the marriage part that was so hard as much as the duties. It was a lot to ask her to step into the role of a queen when she'd barely gotten used to the idea of being a princess."

"Did you fight?"

"Are you kidding? That's what we're best at!" Aspen and I shared a laugh.

"I don't know why it feels like such a big deal," Aspen said, more seriously. "We wanted to get married for so long. Why does it feel so overwhelming now that we are?"

"It's the title." I said simply, taking a sip of champagne. "It's scary to be a husband. It feels like there's more to lose. I worry about that title more than being called King, easily."

"Really?"

"Really."

A comfortable silence reigned for a moment, as we both considered it all. Marriage, responsibility, happiness.

As I thought about specifically Aspen and Lucy, I suddenly had an idea.

"Listen," I began. "This isn't me kicking you out. You're always welcome here. But maybe what you and Lucy need is your own place."

"What, like a house?" He asked, confused.

"Look around. Take Lucy with you and see if you find a place you like, that feels like something you can work on together. Making a life together might be easier if you have a home that's really yours."

"Marlee and Carter do fine here."

"They're a different couple." I said simply.

Aspen looked down, and I caught a glimpse of something like disappointment in his eyes.

I clapped him on the back. "I don't trust many people the way I trust you. You've done a lot for me and for America. Just go look. See if there's something out there that you two really love, and if there is, consider it a gift from us."

"It's your birthday. You're supposed to be the one getting gifts." Aspen protested, but the look in his eyes had changed to one of happy anticipation and he was smiling.

"I have everything I want. A country on the upswing, a happy marriage, and good friends. Cheers, sir."

Aspen lifted his glass to meet mine, still smiling, and we drank.