The Happily Ever After

Chapter nine

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America

This morning I wake up and get dressed in a lovely black dress. Today is the funeral for the king and queen. I remind myself that I need to be extra nice to Maxon because I know how hard today will be for him. I sigh as I think how I'll probably have to let him call me "my dear" today with no complaints.

I walk back into Maxon's room and see he is dressed and ready to go. Well, physically he's ready but mentally, he's definitely not. I walk towards him and wrap my arms around him. He begins to cry on my shoulder.

"Oh America you shouldn't see me like this. I need to be strong for you not the other way around," he complains.

"Oh hush Maxon! Your allowed to feel sad and I'm allowed to comfort you," I reassure him.

He pulls away and looks at me.

"What?" I ask him.

"Your the best," he says pulling me into another hug. As much as I love these hugs from Maxon I know we need to get going. I slowly pull away from him.

"Are you ready?" I ask him.

"No," he answers. "But with you by my side I know I can do this."

"I swear I'll never leave your side today Maxon," I vow.

"Thank you my dear," He replies clearly testing the water. I let him get away with calling me that but only for today and only because I know he's gone to hell and back this last week.

He gives me a kiss on my forehead and we head out to the gardens. I recognize many of the guests from our wedding such as Maxon's extended family and the dreadful princess Daphne. Maxon and I slowly make our way around greeting all of the guests. It's all the same: we give our thanks for coming and they give their condolences for the death of the king and queen. Maxon always adverts eye contact when the reason for todays gathering is brought up.

Someone taps me on the shoulder and I spin around to see Adele, queen Amberly's sister.

"Adele," I say. "It's so lovely to see you again. Thank you for coming."

"Of corse!" She replies. "Now tell me how that nephew of mine is doing," she whispers in my ear so Maxon can't hear.

"As well as can be expected," I say matching her tone with a whisper. "I'm taking good care of him though."

"Oh I have no doubt about that."

Then it's time for the service to begin. One of Queen Amberly's friends from her selection gave a beautiful eulogy that perfectly captured the Queen and Kings personalities. I felt tears rising to my eyes and look to my right at Maxon wondering how he is handling all this.

Clearly not well. I see he isn't crying and I wrap my arm around him. As I lean in closer to him I am hit by a strong potent smell of alcohol. So that's why he's not crying; he's drunk. How did he get drunk? I've been by his side the whole day like I promised giving him limited time to drink without me noticing. Maybe he snagged some liquor on his way to the bathroom.

As the service ends and the Queen and King are put in the ground to rest eternally I quickly hurry Maxon upstairs to our room so no one can find out about the drunk state he is in. As I lay him in bed he is mumbling something repeatedly and I can't tell what exactly he is saying until I tuck the covers up towards his chest.

"Why does Aspen still love you? Doesn't he know you love me?"

What?!?!? Aspen doesn't love me still. Does he? Impossible. He's with Lucy now. He's happy now. Isn't he?