Chapter Text
It was now many years later and Eadlyn and Ahren were 4 years old. America was noticeably pregnant and was soon to be expecting any day now as her stomach bulged out noticeably.
Lately Eadlyn had been really into dresses which was very appropriate for the young princess. She would follow her mother like a puppy whenever she would go to her closet to get dressed. There was just something about the beautiful elegant dresses that captured her attention. She would stand in her mother's vast closet for hours touching the ruffles and exclaiming in a high pitched voice Woh! Every time she came across one that she especially liked.
It was like a little escape for Eadlyn as she didn't do well around people and was really shy, never really knowing how to react when people talked to her which her parents usually told her to don't be scared and lighten up but Maxon and America understood and gave her the space that she needed whenever things got to overwhelming for her.
Ahren on the other hand was the complete opposite. With his blonde hair and caring brown eyes, everyone in the castle was always commenting on how much he looked like his father. He was also very smart for his young age and had a desire to learn which never ceased to amaze America and Maxon. They always gloated over his intelligence and he was definitely a palace favorite. He was very well spoken and was quite the little conversationalists wooing the maids with his charms.
Eadlyn and Ahren were best friends and Eadlyn trusted Ahren because after all they were twins. But the one person that always made Eadlyn mad was Josie woodwork. Her mom would always try and get her to play with the bratty four year old and she always grined and bared it for the sake of her mother. She had made Josie cry on multiple occasions as she was not happy to share her dresses when they played dress up.
On one occasion she yelled at Josie because she had ripped a seam down one of her favorite pink ruffle dresses loudly saying You meanie! I'm gonna tell my mommy and your going to fix this now! Get out of my room and never come back." Shortly after her mom with Ms. Marlee tailing on her heels looked around concerned as Josie ran out of the room sobbing.
Evelyn ran to her mom hugging her around the waist with tears brimming on her grey eyes exclaiming,"Josie ruwined my favorwit dwess!!" as she bawled hysterically to her mom.
America reacted to it by patting her back saying,"Aw Eady...we have to be understanding remember Josie is younger than you and I'm sure that neena can fix your dress up good as new"
That made Eady calm down a bit but she continued on saying,"But it won't be the same anymore it's not fair!" And stormed out of the room
America sighed and said to Marlee,"She has been having a little trouble lately" which earned an understanding smile from Marlee.
As Eadlyn sat there in her moms closet reflecting on this painful memory she remembered that her birthday was tomorrow. She loved birthdays which meant new dresses, delicious cake and most importantly everyones attention. A smile began to form on her small pink lips just as a knocking came from the other side of the door.
She looked up to see the kind face of her mother as she exclaimed,"Mommy!" And ran up to hug her.
Her mom chuckled and in a kind voice said to little Eady,"I see your in my closet again" with a small wink towards her adorable daughter.
Eadlyn blushed back deeply and said,"Ya mommy just looking at the dresses.. they are so pretty especially this one." as she pointed to a light blue dress with cascading ruffles and a silky tresses"
America looked fondly at the dress and responded to Eady nostalgia hitting her as she said,"Yes eady that was my selection dress" sighing deeply remebering the day she met Maxon.
Eady looked back up at her mom questioning,"What's a selection?"
To that her mother gave a distant look and said,"You'll know when your older. In the meantime follow me, I have a birthday surprise for you"
With the sound of that Eadlyn's entire face lit up excitedly. She had no clue what it was as she followed her mom through the vast corridors of the castle taking her into a small room with a large mirror on the end.
Her mom opened up one of the doors and saw the most magnificent sight! Wall to wall were the most beautiful dresses that she had ever seen. She walked down the closet feeling all of the different textures of the many dresses as they brushed up against her hand.
America looked at her daughter as she sauntered down the closet saying,"Do you like it Eady? I know how much you love my closet and so it was neenas and my idea to build you your own"
Eady looked back at her mom with the widest grin on her face exclaiming,"This is the best gift I've ever got" hugging her mom. She couldn't believe that neena had also been in on this. She would be sure to give her thanks when she came to help her go to bed later.
Meanwhile Maxon was leading Ahren to his birthday surprise. His happy go lucky son in tow.
They arrived at a door next to his office opening the door to reveal a magnificent office just for Ahren. Ahren's eyes widened at the sight as he took in the medium sized wooden desk in the middle the blank walls staring back at him.
To others it would have been underwhelming especially since it was such a blank unemotional room but to Ahren it meant something more. It felt like he was being treated like an adult, like he had his own space to think and be himself. It also made him feel closer to his dad as he gasped out a I love it dad.
Maxon looked back at his son with a smile on his face pleased that he liked it and added,"It's yours to decorate which is the reason for the emptiness. I want this to be a place just for you so make it your own and add whatever you want."
Ahren smiled up at his father already ideas popping into his mind of how he was going to decorate it. He gave his father a hug and snuggled into his embrace.
The next day they had a party for the twins who received lots of gifts kisses and hugs.
Evelyn dressed in one of her new dresses choosing a simple pink dress with sparkles at the hem.
At the end of the day her mom came to her room with a small box.
America passed the small box containing the small dainty treasure inside. Evelyn tentatively took it in her small hands opening up the velvet box. She pulled the sparkly tiara out of the box turning it over eyes roaming over it curiously.
America moved closer to Evelyn saying,"May I?" Which Evelyn gently nodded. America took the tiara out of her hand placing it on top of her head and nestling it in her hair. She kissed her temple and said,"I love you my little princess you are going to do great things when you get older."
They sat there snuggling and than did something that they hadn't done since Evelyn was younger. She cuddled on the bed with her and America and Evelyn fell asleep in the warmth of each other's arms.