A/N: This picks up pretty much where The One left off. I loved both the Selection Series and The Heir, but I really wanted to fill in the gap between the two. So this is my interpretation of what was going on before we meet eighteen year old Eadlyn. Honestly, it will probably be more like a series of one-shots than anything else, but we'll see.

I do not own any of these characters, so any full passages you see in italics are Kiera Cass' words. Enjoy!

From The One

Maxon and I move close to each other as the ceremony starts.

"Hello, my dear," he whispers.

"Don't start," I warn in return and we are both left smiling.

He holds my hands as if they're the only things pinning him to the earth, and I focus on that as I prepare myself for the words coming, the promises I'll never break. It's magical, really, the power this day has.

The minister begins the ceremony, but I don't pay very close attention to the words. We've already had three rehearsals to make sure this day goes off without a hitch. As much as this wedding is about Maxon and I, it is so much more for the public. Though I begged to have something a little more private, Silvia insisted that it needed to be televised. Because of this silly little detail I had to sit through three full rehearsals and countless other classes to learn what to do at the right time during the ceremony. Of course not only for our wedding, but for my coronation as well.

So I don't pay too much attention to what's going on. I mindlessly follow the words and stand up when I'm supposed to, sit when I'm supposed to, and repeat after the minister the words that I'm supposed to. The whole time I keep my eyes and mind on Maxon. I can't believe we finally made it to this day. If at the beginning of this competition someone had told me I would be standing next to this man in a wedding dress I would have laughed in their face, but now I couldn't imagine any other outcome.

All of the sudden I hear the minister ask us each to speak our vows and I immediately tune in. This is where I won. Silvia insisted that we needed to recite the traditional "'till death do us part" vows, but I wanted something a little more personal. If I was going to have the ceremony be so public, this was the one thing I wanted to control. In the end Silvia gave in, realizing that the public might actually like personal vows better anyway. Personally, I didn't care about what the public wanted out of this day, but if it convinced Silvia I was on board.

The minister turns to Maxon. "You may start your highness."

Maxon looks at me with so much love in his eyes, I can already feel the tears pricking behind mine. He clears his throat and begins speaking.

"America, I love you so much. I have from the moment I saw you. Sure, at first I agreed to just be your friend, but I soon figured out that I wanted more than that. Your stubbornness and tenacity enchanted me more than any other girl, and I kept finding myself comparing everyone to you. Your fiery personality challenged me to start thinking and acting for myself, and I loved that you were the one that brought that out in me. I knew I would wait as long as it took for you to catch up because you were worth it America. You are worth it. I treasure every minute we've shared, whether it was spent arguing or laughing or just enjoying each other's silent company. My love for you has only grown every day that I've known you, and I can't wait to see where our future goes. I promise to love you, listen to you, and protect you always." As Maxon finishes his vows I can feel the tears streaming down my face. His words reflect my emotions so well, and I can't believe that I get to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful man.

The minister then turns to me. "America, your turn."

I take a deep breath and attempt to compose myself. Maxon removes his hands from mine to wipe the tears from my cheeks. He gives me a small smile and I finally find some composure.

"Maxon, I don't even know where to begin. Before I even came to the palace I had so many preconceived notions about you, and you proved every last one of them wrong. You are the kindest, strongest, and most generous man I know, and I thank God every day that you waited as long as you did for me to catch up. Even when things got rough between us, or I had my doubts, you waited and stood by me; you supported me. Thank you for that, Maxon, because without it I'm not sure if I would have found the strength to be here today. My promise to you is to not give up on us. Even when things get hard, which knowing me, I'm sure they will, I promise to always keep my love for you first. I love you, Maxon, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with such an extraordinary man."

As I finish my vows I hear sniffles, but they aren't mine or Maxon's. I take a quick glimpse of the room and see many people reaching for tissues. I then notice Silvia out of the corner of my eye, and almost start laughing. She has a similar look of tearful content on her face, but unlike the rest of the congregation, her focused is not placed on the altar, but rather on the tearful audience. To her surprise, the personal vows were a hit.

I turn my focus back on Maxon. He mouths the words 'I love you' as the minister gives his closing remarks.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, by the power vested in me by the crown of Illéa, I now pronounce these two husband and wife," the minister turns to Maxon, "You my kiss your bride."

Maxon pulls me in and places an appropriate, but loving kiss on my lips. It isn't the longest or most earth-shattering kiss we've shared, but the love we feel for one another is shared in that kiss and it perfectly sums up the ceremony. Maxon and I pull away and turn to face the applauding crowd. Then we turn back around to face the minister. Now comes the only part of today that I've been dreading.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now proceed with the coronation ceremony." The minister faces Maxon, "Your highness, if you would please step the side and allow your lovely bride the center of attention." The room chuckles a little and a warm smile covers Maxon's face. He places a chaste kiss on my hand and whispers "you got this" before stepping off to the side.

"America Singer Schreave, with this ceremony you will be tasked to bear the shared weight of the nation of Illéa on your shoulders. You will need to rule with a fair and just hand. You will be responsible for the lives and welfare of your people," the minister picks up an ornate orb placed on a small pillow to his right, "This orb represents the world that you are tasked to maintain. You must protect your soil from foreign threats and work with our allies to keep the piece. By accepting the orb you are accepting this responsibility," he then turns to his let and picks up the scepter. "This scepter represents your firm grip on our country. You will not cede your power to any other. You will rule this nation with your own will, and refuse to give in to outside forces. By accepting this scepter you are accepting this responsibility," another man steps up to the side of the minister holding the royal crown. Once the man has taken his place, the minister continues, "This crown is a reminder of the weight you must carry, and the pride you must maintain. As it is placed upon your head, may it remind you of the responsibilities and authority you carry. Now, America, please kneel."

I kneel down on the small pillow placed in front of me and bow my head slightly, as I practiced countless times before.

"I will now place upon you the crown, the scepter, and the orb."

I feel the weight of the crown as it settles atop my head. And I gently take the orb and scepter as they are handed to me.

"Now, America, please rise and take your seat in the throne you will rule from henceforth."

I gently stand up, conscious of the precious weight I carry on me head, and make a careful procession to the ornate chair behind the minister. I sit and face the audience. I see my mother and sister beaming with pride and excitement. I see Aspen looking at me with an amused smile, almost as if he can't believe I'm now his sovereign. Most of all, I see Maxon looking at me with a mix of awe, adoration, and pride; his gaze is so intense that I have to look away.

"America, as you sit upon your throne, do you accept the responsibilities duties as Queen of Illéa?"

"I do"

"And do you swear to protect the people, land, and pride of our nation with a careful and just hand?"

"I do"

"Then, I now pronounce you Queen of Illéa. Ladies and Gentlemen, pleas rise in the presence of your Queen, America Singer Schreave."

Everyone stands and together they repeat, "Long live Queen America."

I smile and stand as well. Maxon comes up to my side and together we walk out of the sanctuary as people bow and curtsy as we pass. As soon as the doors close behind me, servants help me remove the crown and take the orb and scepter from my hands. When everything is removed I heave a sigh of relief. Maxon takes my hand.

"Come on, let's get out of here," and together we head for the waiting car.

A/N: I really hope you guys liked that! I don't really know that much about royal coronations, so I just winged it…anyway I promise to update soon, so until next time!

(Also if you like Divergent, I have another story titled After Divergent that is my interpretation of how the story should have gone. I haven't updated in a while, but I'm working on it, so please go check that out!)