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maxericaotp · 7 years

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The One Alternate Ending

Hello, this is a one shot of how I think that 'The One' should have ended. I don't hate how the One ended but this was just an idea I had floating around in my head and thought I'd share it. It starts just after America has returned from the funeral and she has left the party. BTW this is on my fanfiction page under chescaannie. Enjoy!

I collapsed onto my bed. I couldn't believe that there was a party going on downstairs, I'd never felt less like partying in my life. I dreaded what was coming. I had to tell Maxon about Aspen and I before he officially chose, and I had to face the consequences of my actions, even if it meant I'd lose the man I love more than anything else in this world. I thought about not telling him, but he'd surely find out eventually if he chose me and we'd be starting our life together in a lie. I had to tell him the next time I saw him. First thing in the morning I'd go find him and tell him everything. Right now I wanted to sleep, or at least try to.

I sat and rubbed my eyes slightly, I'd been crying a little apparently and I probably looked a mess, but in that moment I didn't care. I no longer had a father, and I was probably going to lose someone else before the year was over. How could he ever forgive me, after everything else I'd forced him to forgive me for. I'd gone against a tradition, tried to remove the castes, gotten too angry and upset, I'd hurt him in every way possible, except this one and that was only because he didn't know.

"I'm sorry." I was startled by the voice so I turned to see honey-blonde hair and chocolate-brown eyes watching me. How long had he been there? Only one thought entered my mind when he apologized to me.

"Are you kicking me out?" Maybe my moral dilemma didn't matter. If I was leaving, then Maxon would never have to find out, not that I wanted to leave!

"No." He shook his head and walked over to me slowly.

"Not yet anyway." I mumbled. I decided I was going to tell him right now so that he could change his mind before it was too late.

"What?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Maxon. I'm going to tell you something. I'm probably going to cry and you're probably going to get angry. But just remember that you can send me home if you want to. All I want from you is for you to listen to me and not stop me, even when you do get angry. Do you promise?" He nodded and sat next to me on perched on the edge of the bed. I breathed slowly, trying to calm myself but I was anything but. It's better out in the open. I told myself, exhaled again.

"You remember me telling you about my ex from Carolina…" I started.

"You saw him when you were there, didn't you?" Maxon interrupted.

"Yes and no, but please. Let me finish." I pleaded with him and he nodded. "Thank you. I did see him, but that was mostly because I went with him. You see, the guard I knew from Carolina, that was him. I didn't tell you because I knew that you weren't exactly his biggest fan, and I didn't want him to get hurt. His family needs him, and I still loved him. We spoke a few times and we sometimes more than spoke. When I was angry, or upset, or confused, he'd console me sometimes. It went on until I tried to remove the castes. When I thought I was going home, he asked if he could write me and I said 'no'. I told him that I needed time to get over you. I realised, just then, that I really did love you. I realised that I could never really stop loving you, no matter what happened. Since then, there's been nothing between us. I never told you then because I was worried about what you would say, what you would do. Anyway, it seemed unimportant after it finished. I'm telling you now so that you can make a decision with no regrets, I'd rather you hated me now than later." I finished and we sat in silence for a few moments before Maxon finally spoke.

"I have to go and do some things." And then walked out the room.

I collapsed back onto the bed. If I'd known at the start of this how deep my feelings for Maxon would go then I would have never even considered getting back together with Aspen. I hated that decision more than any of my later ones, we could get through me telling the country that I wanted to change how it was governed, could we get over the fact that I'd betrayed Maxon's trust another time than he thought?

"Mer, are you ok?" The door opened and Aspen came in.

"Go away Aspen. I can't deal with this at the moment, we'll talk in four years, when we're both back in Carolina."

"No. We have to talk." I looked up and he moved further in. I sat up and he came over to my bed and sat next to me. I moved over to the piano stool, I didn't want to be near to him, he could say his piece and then leave.

"What?" I demanded.

"I'm in love with someone and you need to know who that is."

"Aspen…"

"Mer. It's not you. I mean, I do love you but…not like I used to. When you made your choice. When you chose him, it hurt me. But it wasn't because I was losing you, it was because I realised I'd already lost you. I lost you when I broke up with you in the treehouse. Everything that happened between us wasn't real, and I think you know that. Since I stopped looking for you, I found someone else. Someone who needs me. And she wants your permission before she'll let us continue."

"Why? Do I know her? Have you told her about us?"

"Actually, she found out at the same time as your mother. It's-"

"Lucy." I finished for him. "Of course you have my permission, I want you both to be happy." I finally managed to look him in the eye but looked away again, quickly. "I told Maxon." I whispered.

"What did he say?" He sounded scared as well, I had almost forgotten that Maxon was technically the son of his employer, not someone you want on your bad side.

"He left." I shrugged. "He said he had to sort some things out and he left. End of story. I'll sit next to him tomorrow and have to watch as he chooses Kriss to be his wife. Then I'll go home to Carolina and have to cope by myself. And I'll have lost the three men I care most about in less than a week. How's that for a merry Christmas?"

"He'll come back, Mer. He'd be insane not to. And, just in case, I might get back to my post. I'm here until ten if you need me." He let himself out and then there was silence once more.

After a few minutes I decided I'd take a bath. I grabbed my robe and nightgown and headed through to the bathroom. My maids weren't here but my few months of luxury hadn't made me forget how to run my own bath. I stepped into the steaming water and submerged myself fully. I felt like it was the first time I'd been alone enough to realise how much I'd lost and I burst into tears.

Eventually I managed to pry myself from the tub and into my nightgown. I looked in the mirror at my red, blotchy face. I was not pretty right now, not even close. I didn't care. All I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and wake up before any of this happened. Not the selection, or meeting Maxon, just…none of this stuff that had ruined it all.

It was late and I was tired so I curled up on my bed, but I couldn't sleep. Instead I just cried. My life was a mess and it was all my fault. I looked up once, when my door opened and a guard looked in on me.

"Are you ok, miss?" He asked, worriedly. I forced a smile and nodded at him, praying he'd just assume I was upset about my father or something and not pry. He simply gave me a sympathetic smile and left again. I heard footsteps moving away from the door, he didn't want to have to hear me cry any more, heck I didn't want to hear it any more. I decided to stare up at the ceiling and think about something good. But everything came back to something I no longer had.

My happiest memories in the past few months were mainly Maxon, whom I no longer had…probably. Our walks in the gardens, our time on the roof, our meeting, secret signals, the whole thing passed in a blur and just reminded me that it was over. I could feel silent tears falling down my cheeks so decided to think of something else.

I thought of my family of May's bright smile when she visited a few months ago, her outfit when she dressed as a bride. But that brought me back to Hallowe'en and Maxon telling me that he was going to marry me. I moved on, there had to be something happy inside me. I had a niece. That didn't remind me of Maxon. But I missed her birth, I was just as out of the loop on that one as Kota. Is that who I was going to be when I got home? I would be a three, I wouldn't be singing at parties, I'd be teaching or something. I couldn't live with my family anymore; would I just be a stranger to them? Would I even get to be a three? What if Aspen and I were punished like Marlee and Carter and we both ended up as eights, I definitely couldn't return to my family disgraced! Ok, new thoughts. Something happy…

"Are you ok, my dear?" A familiar voice asked. I shook my head.

"I don't think I'll ever be ok again; I've lost too much." He mattress dipped as Maxon sat down beside me. I don't know how he found room, but he had managed to sit next to my foot. He placed a hand on it, making me smile slightly.

"You still have me." He whispered.

I sat up so quickly the room span for a moment, "What?" I asked, sure I'd misheard him.

"I'm still here America. And I will be for as long as you'll have me." He looked deep into my eyes.

"Are you serious?" I asked, I tried to stop the smile coming through on my face, but I was fairly sure I'd failed at least a little bit.

"I love you."

"I think I love you more." I said as I leaned over and kissed his lips softly.

As I pulled away his hands found the back of my head and he pulled me back in for a more passionate kiss. I pulled away after a few moments I had to clear everything for myself.

"So, by this time tomorrow, we'll be engaged?" I queried.

"America, let me ask you one thing, that you must swear to answer truthfully and if I ever find out that you lied then…I don't know what I'll do." I nodded as my heart jumped into my throat. "Right now, are you mine, or are you this guard's" It took everything inside me not to laugh, was so relieved. This was a question I could answer correctly and truthfully.

"Maxon, I am yours. You hold my whole heart-" I had more to say but I was rudely interrupted by Maxon taking control of my lips by forcing his into them.

Before I knew it I was pinned on top of my pillow and was pulling Maxon down on top of me. I wanted him more and more with each breath we took. Sadly, he stopped and flopped down to lie next to me on the bed.

"What's wrong." I whispered.

"I have to go back to my room now." He moaned.

"Why? Stay here with me." I said, wrapping my arms around him.

"Can you just imagine the scandal of us sharing a bed?" He stroked my hair gently as I placed my head on his chest.

"You're the prince and I'm going to be your wife. What's one extra night together?" I begged and he sighed.

"How can I say no to you, my love. But I'll have to leave early to get ready. Can we compromise on that?"

"Just as long I can wake beside you, so that I can be sure that this wasn't all a dream." He chuckled and pulled the blankets over the top of the two of us with one arm and keeping the other around my shoulder. I fell asleep to the sound of Maxon's heart, the feel of his breath on my neck, and the warmth of his arms around me.

The bed was cold when I woke to Mary pulling open the curtains.

"Wake up Miss. Today's the big day." Anne whispered, shaking me slightly. I sat up and looked around frantically but saw no sign of Maxon. Was it all just a dream?

My mind wandered as my maids bathed me and did my hair. Was Maxon really here last night? He said he'd be here this morning. He promised he'd wake up with me. Before I knew it, I was dressed in a white dress with a red sash around my waist that went straight down to me ankles where there were white kitten-heeled shoes poking out from under the fabric. My hair was pulled into a chignon bun at the nape of my neck and was tied with a red ribbon that matched my sash.

After they were finished, my maids bowed and left the room, telling me that someone would be along to escort me soon. I decided I needed some air and, so, stepped out onto my balcony and looked over the gardens. That's when I spotted him. Blonde hair and brown hair very close together walking through the gardens. I could see a few guards around them but I was still angry. The gardens were our place and there she was…yep they were moving towards our bench and then they sat on it. Honestly, I could have cried. Last night must have been a dream, either that or he was lying.

There was a knock on the door and I turned to see a guard waiting for me in the doorway. I walked towards him and took the arm he had extended to me. He didn't speak for the entire journey, though I probably didn't look very talkative as the image of the two of them together flashed constantly in my head. I couldn't believe it, he was going to choose her, wasn't he? Not that I blamed him, I did betray him, but I still loved him and I thought he loved me!

Kriss and I reached the doors at the same time, there was a huge smile on her face and her hair still looked a bit windswept. Maxon had probably told her that she was going to win. I pushed past the pain, pushed my shoulders back, walked tall, and painted a smile on my face as we entered, leaving the guards at the door and walking together towards the chairs either side of Maxon. I was on his right and Kriss on his left. He stared ahead blankly as we sat down, as if he was still contemplating his decision. Did that mean I still had a chance? I wondered. No. I had to push those thoughts from my head, so that I didn't get my hopes up. Instead I stared ahead and tried to focus on other things. But nothing looked right. The guards looked…wrong.

"America, what's wrong?" Maxon whispered to be. That must have been a good sign.

"Those guards at the back just look a bit…shifty. I don't recognise them and they don't look as smart as the others." I whispered back without taking my eyes from one of the guards that kept looking around at the others.

"Me neither, actually. Maybe we got some new recruits since we've sent so many out to the provinces?"

"I hope so." I muttered. He turned back to staring away from everything and I continued to stare at the guard. "Maxon!" I whispered and tugged on his arm. I nodded my head towards the guard as he looked around and moved towards the back row, one hand in his pocket.

"What is going on?" He muttered. He clicked his fingers and a guard looked at him, Maxon pointed and the guard set off running towards the shifty guard.

That set him off as no sooner had the guard started running than the other one set a bullet into the back of Celeste's head. Maxon and I both stood, at the same time as several of the guards took red bandanas out of their pockets and tied them around their heads. One headed straight for us, gun pointed and ready to shoot.

"Kriss, come on." Maxon shouted as he grabbed my hand and sprinted off towards a side door.

I heard a shot fired behind us but dared not to turn around. Another shot, but this time I felt a searing pain in my side, I clutched at it with my free hand and groaned out but didn't stop running, no matter how bad it was. I'd been shot, but I wasn't going to let it kill me.

We came out into the corridor and saw red guards headed towards us, Maxon quickly pulled us down a side corridor and another and another. Eventually we came out at another hallway, and could no longer hear the heavy boots of the guards and the rebels. Maxon pulled out his key, opened a secret door and pushed the Kriss and I inside. I immediately collapsed, without the adrenaline of being chased keeping me going, I suddenly realised how much pain I was in.

Maxon picked me up and carried me over to the little bed on the back wall and Kriss walked over with the first-aid kit. I felt Kriss prodding at my side as Maxon crouched by my head and rubbed my hand. I felt my eyes dropping as the pain increased with every second. I was trying my hardest not to scream or shout but I was fairly sure I could hear myself screaming on several occasions.

"Come on, America. Stay with me please!" I heard Maxon sob but I could already feel the world around me fading into darkness.

My eyelids fluttered open and I was greeted by an intense pain in my side, I groaned. I wanted to sit up so that I could see the room but I knew that it was going to hurt far too much. Instead I settled for staring at the white ceiling. Even if I could see nothing. I heard the door open and someone walk in.

"Who's there?" I called but got no answer as they closed the door and I heard their footsteps walking away. I sighed, I'd wanted someone to tell me what was going on. What had happened since I passed out? Who'd died? Was anyone ok? Was Maxon? I don't think I could bare it if something happened to anyone.

The door crashed open and someone rushed over to me and grabbed my hand. I winced slightly at the pain.

"Sorry." Maxon whispered but didn't let go. "I didn't want you to wake up alone, and I swear I only stepped out for two minutes and that was when you chose to wake up."

"That's me." I laughed, painfully. "What happened?" I asked after a moment.

"After you passed out, Kriss and I patched you up as best we could and then we waited. We must have been in there four or five hours and you never stirred once. We both feared the worst. Then the guards came and told us it was safe to come out and I carried you straight here. Then they told me that my father died and that my mother was in the hospital being treated for a gunshot wound, they're hopeful but there's a chance she won't make it. We've been here for the past two hours." He explained, I could hear the sorrow in his voice at the possible loss of both his parents. I squeezed his hand gently in comfort.

"Maxon, I have to know. Were you with Kriss this morning?"

"I knew I'd seen you up on your balcony. Yes. But it wasn't what you think. I was merely explaining to her why I had to choose you, I can see why you may have thought something else since I left so early this morning-" It wasn't a dream! "But I had to get up and, you looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to disturb you. Then, my mind was elsewhere this morning as I…it seems so stupid now but I was trying to recite my speech in my head. I didn't want to forget a single word. But then I have now…" I smiled. "Just remember that this wasn't planned to be said by your bedside while you can't even move enough to look at me." I tilted my head to the side until it started to hurt but it was worth it as I could finally see the chocolate-brown eyes and blonde hair that I loved. "I love you Miss Singer. I love you so much that it hurts. It hurts when you are not by my side, it's as if half of my heart is missing. I need you and I need a Queen, someone to stand by my side, even when it's hard. I promise that I will always be beside you to support you and help you if you will make me the same promise and become my wife?"

He pulled out a box and revealed a golden ring with a purple amethyst and a green peridot intertwined. I smiled through the tears and nodded, stretching out my finger as much as I could as he placed it on. Maxon reached over and kissed me softly but, the pain no longer bothering me with him in my arms, I quickly pulled him towards me again with my newly engaged hand. He pulled away all too soon and placed his forehead on mine.

"I love you so much America Singer – or should I say Schreave?" He said and I smiled at the sound of my future name

"I love you, too Maxon Schreave. I love you and I always will."

#maxerica #america singer #maxon #maxon schreave #the selection #the elite #the one #the heir #the crown #alternate ending #kiera cass

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