The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Elliott smiled faintly, settling against him. She let herself relax a bit, focusing on him and not what was happening downstairs. She had something to look forward to and she had someone who loved her as much as she loved him. It was better than what she had before she had entered the Selection.

[AnnaCat17]

-three weeks later-

Pavel felt lazy after his meeting and was trying to hide from his work. He laid on the bed in Abril's room, laying beside Abril and quietly murmuring to her enlarged stomach. He kept a hand resting on her stomach, grinning every time he felt the baby kick. He looked up happily at Abril. "He is going to be a tough one, isn't he? He definitely takes after his mom."

Victory still hadn't woken up from the accident and the person who had hit her, though Sutton had found out who it was, had been unable to be arrested yet because they left the country to avoid punishment. Everything was quiet in the hospital wing but suddenly the heart rate monitor began to beep loudly as it tried to keep up with Victory's racing heart. her peaceful expression was lost to a troubled one as her body began to register the pain causing her weak form to shift uncomfortably on the bed, finally moving for the first time in weeks.

Romeo cursed as he drove, trying to see through the heavy rain as he drove Elliott and him to his parents house. he glanced at Elliott for a moment but quickly refocused on the road, taking it slow so that they wouldn't get n an accident. "How are you feeling?"

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Abril laughed, glancing down at him. "You bet, huh?" She closed her eyes, enjoying lazing around with Pavel. "He's going to be a handful, that's for sure. Matteo's probably going to teach him all his tricks and they'll be pulling pranks on us left and right."

Atlas was in the training room, unfortunately not with Victory to notice he waking up, though the nurse in the room did. He was slowly moving around, leaning heavily on his crutches. He got tired easily as he tried to walk, but he was pushing himself to try to walk more. He ignored the woman in the doorway, watching him and trying to get his attention. It was frustrating, having girls vying for his attention. He wanted none of that. He was anxiously waiting for Victory to wake up, the last thing he was going to do was date someone.

Elliott bit her lip, looking down at her lap. "Scared," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I'm worried they won't like me, or they'll think I'm rude because I'm nervous."

[AnnaCat17]

Pavel laughed happily and kissed hr stomach again, grinning as he felt the tiny baby inside bop his nose. "I wont mind. I love him already." He ran his hand over her stomach, practically glowing with happiness. "you, my dear, are going to be a remarkable king one day."

Victory gasped for air as she woke up and struggled against the nurses who were trying to hold her still and calm her down so she wouldn't hurt herself. Was she dead? She thought for sure she had been but now that she was awake and could feel all of the pain from her healing wounds she knew she couldn't be. A shudder ran through her as she looked frantically about for atlas. Why wasn't he here? Did he really hate her like she had been wondering? She tried to push the nurses away so she could see Atlas' bed across the room but it was empty. A terrified wail ripped through her and she fought harder against the nurses who were now calling for the doctor so they could sedate her. This wasn't real. This was a nightmare. In her delirious state she felt sure that something had happened to him. She couldn't remember what happened to her but felt sure that it had somethign to do with the argument at the restaurant. If someone was willing to hurt her this badly what would they do to the person she cared about? She felt certain he was either dead from the surgery he had, had been killed because of her, or had found some way to fully give his life for hers. She felt the sting of a needle being stabbed into her arm and after a few moments she slipped back into sleep and the heart monitor went back to normal.

Romeo shook his head and reached over, resting a hand on her leg. "The will love you. Rose absolutely adored you and is excited to see you again today. My parent's will love you so try not to be nervous but if you are it doesn't matter. They already know so much about you I doubt you need to speak."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"You say that before he's going to be waking you up in the middle of the night," Abril teased, but she loved him already as well. She cuddled closer to him, giggled as she felt him kick. "He'll take after his father for sure, and since his father is an amazing king, he'll be great as well." She kissed the tip of Pavel's nose.

Atlas went to the infirmary as fast as he could when he got called, desperate to see Victory. But she was already asleep as he got there. Sighing, he set the crutches aside and carefully lied down beside her, gently pulling her close.

Elliott nodded, trying to stop her nervous trembling. She rested her hand on top of his, anxiously getting out of the car once they arrived. She stuck close to Romeo's side, still terrified of making a mistake even though Romeo had tried to reassure her.

[AnnaCat17]

Pavel kissed her back lovingly. "Honestly, Im already used to Matteo waking up in the night so I think I will be able to handle our own little prince. There is no way he can be worse than Matteo was."

An hour later Victory slowly woke up again, the drugs causing her to wake up slowly this time and keeping her from getting as scared. She shuddered as she opened her eyes but looking at Atlas' face, relief washing over her as she took in the sight of him. He was ok. He was right beside her and everything was ok. "Hi... How long was I asleep?" She asked in a voice rough from lack of use.

Romeo hurried her inside of the large house and out of the rain. "Mom! Dad! We are here!" He called to the house, smiling as he heard the radio playing in the kitchen, from which wafted out the scent of dinner.
An older woman poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled as she saw them. She wiped her hands off on her apron before walking over and hugging Romeo, giving him a swift kiss on the cheek. "Its good to see you in once piece. i was worried you would speed even with the rain this bad." She said, scolding her son slightly causing him to chuckle. She turned to Elliott and gave her a bright smile. "Hello dear. You must be Elliott. Its wonderful to finally meet you."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Abril smirked, giving him another kiss. "I'll remember that, and you can get up to change his diaper in the middle of the night since you're so willing," she teased, only joking because she knew she'd be helping and sharing the responsibilities.

Atlas perked up when he heard her, gazing at her with concern. "A while," he murmured. "Three weeks. Just now, though, only for an hour." He gently brushed her hair out of her face. "I was so worried you weren't ever going to wake up."

Elliott stood by Romeo's side timidly, examining everything around her as they hugged. She looked over at the woman, maybe his mother? "Hi," she said, her voice quiet. She felt a bit reassured as the woman smiled at her, and she hesitantly smiled back.

[AnnaCat17]

Pavel chuckled happily and shifted so his arms were wrapped around her. "Seems only fair." He softly kissed her forehead as he got quieter, more intimate. "how are you feeling?"

"Im ok. You dont need to worry." She said softly as she looked around the quiet room. She couldn't understand how he had gotten in her bed. "Where is your chair?"

Romeo's mother smiled at her. "Are you hungry? Dinner is almost ready and we made a lot."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Abril smiled, resting her head against his chest, relaxing against him. "Good. Happy. I can't wait until our child is born, though. I feel so big," she complained playfully. "But it's not time yet."

How could he not worry? Atlas stroked her hair, breathing in her sweet scent. She was alright and talking to him. She'd be okay. "I don't need it!" he said proudly. "I can just use crutches now. It's tiring and I have to go slowly, but I'm out of the chair."

Elliott nodded, blushing faintly. The food smelled good. She glanced up at Romeo, making sure he looked happy. She smiled back at his mother, still uncertain of what to say.

[AnnaCat17]

"Nope. We still have a few more months before we get to meet him." He held her close, enjoying the peace that surrounded them. "I couldnt be more happy than i am with you, Abril."

Victory's heart sank. He was walking, and she had missed it. He was learning to live without her and didnt need her, especially a wounded her, anymore. "That's great Atlas. Im really happy for you." She gave him a broken smile, trying to hide her misery. She wished she hadnt woken up. "How did the date with Ivory go? Do you like her?"

Romeo chuckled and pulled Elliott close. "We are starving. Thank you Mom." He guided Elliott into the dining room so she could relax and adjust to everything for a moment before going to the kitchen to help with the last few things, quickly joining the conversation going on.