It's official. I'm continuing America and Maxon's story from where we left off after Gerad's Selection.

*IF NOT SPECIFIED, THIS IS TOLD FROM AMERICA'S POV*

-

"Good morning Gerad. Gwendolyn." I nod my head at my son and my daughter in law each in turn, smiling in their directions. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes Mom," Gerad replies, taking his seat at the breakfast table. Gwendolyn sits down next to him, smiling politely at Maxon and me before looking down at her plate.

That's strange- the both of them are being awfully quiet today. At least, more quiet than usual.

Soon after they're seated, Amberly comes running into the dining hall with a huge smile on her face.

"Good morning Amberly. I assume you slept well?" Maxon says, laughing.

"Oh, yes. I had the most wonderful dream!" she exclaims, hurriedly taking a seat across from Gerad.

"Please do tell us more," I chime in, grinning at her. There's nothing like Amberly to warm up your morning.

"Oh, it was great. The flowers all opened up as I walked by them and there were no clouds in the sky and the sun was shining bright..." Her words echo through the room. "And when I woke up I was almost disappointed." She laughs, shaking her head.

"It sounds wonderful," Gwendolyn says. Her first words all morning.

"It was, Gwen," Amberly murmurs, giggling.

Silence consumes the room as everyone waits for permission to eat.

Maxon is always the one to grant us permission, but he can't do that until everyone is seated.

"Has anyone seen Logan today?" he asks, staring at Logan's empty chair.

"Ashlyn hasn't left yet. He must be with her," Gerad answers. "That's where he usually is."

"I see." Maxon sighs. "Well, I suppose we'll just have to start without him. I won't let his tardiness starve you all." With a slight laugh, he adds, "You can start eating."

Without a word, everyone digs in. Maxon and I make eye contact from opposite ends of the table, and I slowly reach my fingers up to my ear and tug. With a look of surprise, he does the same. I nod my head and avert my eyes, continuing to eat.

It's not like I wouldn't be seeing Maxon soon away, but I desperately need to talk to him. There are so many things going on with our children these days. Including Gerad, though he's barely a child anymore.

As I spoon my eggs into my mouth, I can't help but think about all the memories our family has collected over the years. One day, Gerad will be too old for our advice and will want to make his own way in this world. And the sad truth is that that day is sooner than we think.

Is it real that Gerad is almost twenty? Yes, it must be. He was nineteen all through his Selection, so his twentieth birthday is just around the corner. Wow, he's grown up so fast- almost too fast.

I remember when I was pregnant with him; the fear that consumed Maxon and I. We had no idea what a beautiful thing my accidental pregnancy would become.

Wait.

"So Gerad, Gwendolyn," I say, breaking the silence. I think I know why they're so quiet this morning. "You're not very talkative today."

"Long night," Gwen whispers, looking over at Gerad. He nods in agreement.

"Is that all?" I ask, and Gerad's eyes widen. Even Maxon looks at me in concern.

"Are you accusing us of something, Mom?" Gerad asks, but before I can respond, Logan comes bursting into the dining hall.

Taking a deep breath, I compose myself and force a smile onto my face. "Logan, so nice of you to join us. Where have you been?"

"Sorry Mom. I was... I was, uh, in my room. My maids forgot to wake me."

"Alright, if that's all..."

"America." Maxon's voice is firm. He doesn't say anything else, but he keeps his eyes on me. I look down, embarrassed at my forwardness.

We eat the rest of our meal in silence.

-

"America, what's going on?" Maxon says, catching my arm as I walk out of the dining hall, pulling me to the side.

"I know I tugged my ear. And I'll be right back. I just... I have to talk to Gerad really quickly. It's urgent." I smile at him apologetically and rush to Gerad's room. Gwen is probably in there too, since they now share the room.

But I guess what I'm about to say pertains to her, too.

"Hey, Gerad? It's me," I call, knocking on the door. I stand there impatiently when there's no reply. "Gerad?" I say one more time. I'm about to knock again when the door swings open, and I'm face to face with Gerad who doesn't look happy at all.

"Mom, what do you want?" He says, groaning. I look past him to see Gwen, her knees curled up to her chest as she sits on the bed.

"Listen, I'm sorry about what I said at the table. I just- I think I know what's going on." I sigh. "Can I please come in?"

Gwen interrupts us. "Gerad, let her in."

Gerad shrugs his shoulder. "Fine." He steps aside so I can walk through the door. I sit down on the edge of the bed close to Gwen.

"Okay, I'm going to take a wild guess here," I say casually. "You're pregnant."

Gwen's breath catches. "Is it really that obvious? Did I make it obvious? Was I-"

"Shh, Gwen. She was pregnant at eighteen, too. She knows," Gerad says, putting an arm around Gwen's shoulders. He's truly in love with her; it's not hard to tell.

"He's right. It happened exactly how I imagined it's happened here. An accident but not really an accident but still an accident." I laugh. "If that makes any sense."

Gwen laughs softly. "I get what you mean."

"Good. Trust me, it's terrifying at first, but it won't be so bad. I mean, look at what happened when I got pregnant." I point a finger at Gerad and he rolls his eyes at me.

Laughing, I stand up. "Okay, I just had to check before I assumed anything. I wish I could help you out a little now, but I have to go get yelled at by Maxon." I grunt. "Wish me luck."

"Bye, Mom," Gerad says, trying to hold in laughter.

I walk out the door and bump right into Maxon.

"I told you I was coming right back," I say, looking up at him innocently.

"Yes, I know. I was just coming to talk to them too. I think I just figured out what you were all hyped up about at breakfast." He looks straight into my eyes. "Am I right?"

"Yep. She's pregnant," I say quietly.

"Hey, it's okay. They'll be fine." He chuckles. "We did the same thing."

"Oh, we were so young," I say, smiling and shaking my head. I lean into him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "We had no clue what we were doing."

"That's true," he says, grinning. "We're still young, considering we have a nineteen year old kid."

"We are very young," I agree. "That just means we get to watch our kids grow up longer."

"I love you, America."

"I love you too, my royal husba-"

"Don't even finish that thought," he whispers, pulling me in for a kiss.

"Fine," I murmur. "I love you, Maxon."

-

Hey, so I hope you're glad that I'm continuing this. Basically I'll just continue it until they both pass away.

I'm figuring it can only be a complete story of after the Selection series finishes if I tell the story of their lives as a whole, not just pieces and parts of it.

Hope you all had a good day.

-Eve