The Second Choice: The Selection Series

Priorities

At a week over three months, we were surprised that America was already showing. It was a pleasant surprise, especially for me. America gets to feel everything with our baby, but I'm stuck with mostly visuals. We have our first ultrasound later this week and I couldn't be more excited.
America and I are laying in bed cuddling after a nice lunch. We both decided we need a break and are watching a movie.
I put one of my hands on her stomach and she smiles up at me.
I look at her and smile. "I can't believe we have a little one in there."
"Me either," she replies. "We'll have to tell the others soon since I've got a tiny bump now."
That's one thing I've dreaded for this pregnancy. No one but us two know about the baby. Some people will be fun to tell, others will make it difficult to enjoy. We'll just have to tells those groups separately.
"Soon, my dear," I try to push it aside.
"Is soon when I'm in labor? Because I think that'd be a bit late."
"Oh ha ha....no. We'll do it soon. When my dad is less busy. I have to go to that interview with them tonight."
"Should I come?"
"Probably. I know you've been tired, but they'll be suspicious if you don't come."
"That's ok. I'll be fine. Is it late?"
"A bit. It's after dinner."
She leans up and kisses my cheek. "We'll make it work."
"Of course we will."
I give her a real kiss. She kisses me back, making the kiss longer.
"I love you," she whispers with that beautiful smile.
"I love you too."

"You two are standing to the side behind us. Don't say anything, we'll do the talking," my father orders us.
With all of the war issues going on, we decided to hold a large interview with many different news organizations. It's in the throne room and we're standing in front of our thrones for a better backdrop. Because that's a priority to my father.
I'm shocked that so many people came for the interviews. There are more than thirty people with cameras, microphones, and recorders standing behind the ropes. They're all ridiculously dressed of course which makes me smirk a bit.
America holds onto my hand as my father starts answering questions.
I feel terrible that she had to come. There were delays to the interviews since there was a security issue at the start, pushing back the time by an hour. I can tell how sleepy she is.
I do my best to pay attention to the questions I think are important, but end up blocking most of it out since these reporters aren't asking real questions. Apparently upcoming parties and our future plans at the palace are more important than the plausible war ahead of us.
A guard moving away from his post catches my eye. I look over to realize he took his jacket off and points a gun up at us. It all seems to happen in slow motion. My mind just seems to focus on the gold buttons of our guards uniforms until the gun registers in my mind.
I immediately position myself in front of America. There's more movement and people scream as gunfire starts from all around the room.
I'm in shock at first and start to look for a way out when I'm interrupted by a pain in my chest. I feel myself knock back into America and try to look at her. Before I can, I hit my head on my throne and everything turns black.