9. The Final Choice!

Day 9


A party was scheduled for this day and it could be any type that Maxon chose. Deciding a dinner party sounded nice, that is what he chose. This would be the very last day of the choosing. Two lovely ladies, both of whom he felt equally close to, were left. Malica and Joleen.

Maxon enjoyed a catered dinner with them and then they all danced. It was a fun time for all. But eventually Maxon knew it was nearing that time when he'd have to choose. It was the hardest choice he'd ever have to make. Would he make the right one?

Time inevitably passed and it was time. Time to make known whom he had chosen.

Joleen, you could have been a great soul mate but there was something holding you back. You will be going home.

Maxon felt that she did not love him romantically and only cared for him as a good friend. Thus being the case, he declared his bride-to-be.

"Malica Garso, will you allow me to love you forever, to be your husband, to be your friend for all eternity and beyond?"

"Dearest Maxon, yes... a million times yes!"

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Maxon and Malica Pern!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: Maxon felt exactly the same way about both girls. Both were viewed as soulmates. Friendship and Romance bars were in the same place on both. So I had to go to the girls' relationship pages to see how they thought about him. Surprisingly, Joleen's romance bar for him was extremely low.  And she only viewed him as a sweetheart. Malica on the other hand viewed him as a soulmate too. They were meant to be. A surprise ending to be sure, but a very welcome one.

8. The Dates

Days 6-8

With three left, Maxon is to go on a scheduled date with each. One lady a day for the next three days. How did he do?

On the beginning on the 6th day at 8am. He sat down with them for breakfast and informed them of what would happen. And who would have a date with him on which day. They would go in order of relationship with him, from the lowest to the highest. 

Let us fast forward and see how these dates went...

Day 6 - Malica Garso (Legendary date!)

Day 7 - Joleen J (Legendary date!)

Day 8 - Rosalie Kirby (Legendary date! But there seemed to be something lacking...)

The dear lady with the lowest relationship with him is to go home with Maxon's caring wishes for her happy future. We sadly say goodbye to: 

Goodbye dear Rosalie.

7. The Bluffs

Day 5

The three lovely ladies who did not win the fishing challenge enjoyed a day with Maxon at the bluffs. Why they chose to where the outfits they did to visit the semi-wilderness, one may never know. Overall it went... okay.

It wasn't until after they had returned to the Pern Estate that anything 'special' happened. Jolene, who had refused Maxon's embrace earlier in the day seemed to have warmed up to him enough for a first kiss. Perhaps she realized she was in jeopardy of going home. Or maybe she was trying to be brave and overcome whatever shyness she might have had before. Whatever it was, it was a sweet moment that they share.

An hour later, Maxon was scheduled to make a choice. A friend he'd come to care about, one of the four left, he had to say goodbye too. It was not an easy decision but he did it.

"Dearest Alexis, its been a privilege getting to know you. I think we both know that it is time to say goodbye." Maxon wiped away her tear and gave her a parting kiss on the cheek.

And then there were three...

6. Fishy Fun

Day 4

An early morning outing to the nearest fishing location proved to be rather interesting. Two of the four ladies did not catch anything at all and gave up. Another only caught one fish. The fourth managed to catch three. Who would have thought Rosalie would have been the outdoors type, raise your hands?

After a while, even the girl that caught the one fish gave up. They all knew who the winner of this challenge would be.

Yes, the one with the plumbob over her head is the winner for tonight's date with Maxon. Rosalie! Let's see how it went...

Well, it seems to be going well so far and wow! First kiss! Mary Pern, Maxon's ancestor, seems to approve too.

Though he was exhausted by the time the date was over, it was a wonderful success. He became Good Friends with Rosalie and their date score was legendary. What will this mean for his future? Will Rosalie be the one?

Will Rosalie be the one?

Stay tuned next time to see who of the four lovely ladies will be going home, and who get to stay for one more day...

5. Double Take

Day 3
Two ladies today. Those that had the most valuable paintings the day before were to go with Maxon to a destination of his choice. Knowing of a popular nightclub, he chose to bring them there for dancing and drinks. It went very well. They were both dancing and chatting. There was even some flirting in their too.

And who should show up but his Best Friend, who also happened to be his identical twin brother, Arkkan. He was happy to see him but felt a bit awkward too. Especially with the initial double take that both ladies gave to him and his brother. Arkkan laughed it off easily. Maxon smiled and shook his head, then introduced them.

A while later, Arkkan bid his kind farewell and headed off to give his brother the space and time he needed. He was awesome like that.

When their gathering was coming to an end, he chose to give Malica a rose. Though he did come to care for them both. Later that night when the girls had settled before bedtime, he sat up and had a late night snack as he thought.

There was to be another elimination tonight and he was debating within his heart who it would be. Sadly, he kept going back to one. He was still waiting for a connection to form between them. But so far...still nothing. He didn't feel that she was very into him either. So, with a sigh of regret, he made his decision.

Farewell Serenity Eastman.

Another lady was gone from Maxon's life. Now there were only four left.

Which one will be his wife?

Alexis, Rosalie, Malica, and Joleen

Author's Note: I noticed that three out of four of the remaining contestants have blond hair. That is coincidence only and not intentional. I find it interesting though. Maybe they remind him of his beloved mother.  His twin was not the only one to have been at the bar, but he was the only one to come and say hi. His father, Arroden was there. Also a ghost of generations past, Rivarra.

4. Artistic Bonfire

Maxon could understand the reasoning behind this father-approved exercise for the girls. He really could. But, he thought it completely unfair to those of them that had never picked up a paintbrush, not to mention use one. The two paintings that could be sold for the most money would get their artists a special group outing with Prince Maxon. Really? What of the others? Yes, it was unfair but like the day before, Maxon would try to make the best out of a not so happy situation.

At least the girls seemed to have fun. That was a bonus and made him feel a little better about the entire affair. As he finished up his work and then snuck down for a covert look, he found smiles and even heard some giggles from amongst the group. It brought a tired smile to his lips when he saw that some were still in their night clothes. He was glad they were not unhappy here.

And now came the moment of truth.

With the girls doing whatever it is that they did in their 'Relaxation Room' father's assessor came to value each of the paintings. There was a lot of snobbish comments and snorts of disgust. But at the end, Maxon was given the results and held back a sigh. Instead he nodded curtly, turned and headed to his rooms to prepare the group outing that would be scheduled for later that day.

---------------------------

A bonfire after the artistic evaluation from the morning was scheduled. Yes, he's wearing a suit. He'd never been allowed anywhere near the ruins before, not to mention a bonfire there. He was never told the story of the ruins either, but after some digging a few years back, he'd come to learn the truth. A truth he would never speak of. It had to do with betrayal, greed and a family torn apart by a crown. It seemed only fitting to bring a possible family, his future wife, to a place that had once seem the same torn apart. Heal the wounds. Bring peace.

It did not bring him peace though. As much as he had fun dancing at the fire with the girls, he knew that one of them would have to be sent home. Those were the rules. Going to his favorite place on the Manor grounds, he walked among the garden plants and thought long and hard of which one it would be.

Having started carrying for them all in certain degrees and ways, made saying goodbye difficult. But he knew from the start, he'd have to watch all but one leave him behind. Behind in his gilded cage. The one he sent home today, was a young lady that had made a disgusted snort at him as he tried to embrace her at the bonfire earlier in the day. It had shocked him as he thought he was presenting himself to her as a gentleman. Perhaps he had made a grave mistake. But from that time forward, for the rest of the day, he could tell that she ...well, she did not like him.

Good bye Rosalinda.

Author's note: Aww, I liked her. Oh well. She really did turned him down at the bonfire. Sad really, but she is the next to go. Joleen was the one that had the highest relationship with him on that outing, so she got the 'rose' which he didn't have the option for again, as he was too embarrassed by Rosalinda's rejection to give it. Joleen was the one who got the rose last time too.

3. Difficulties

Things were a mess. The selection coordinator was no where to be found. The ladies were running late. The caterer was second class at best. The first day was ...a mess. Thankfully Maxon's life-long training was there to save the day. Mess or not, he tried to make a good thing out of a bad situation. Choosing for the first day to host a Black n' White gathering, he hired a pianist, and made due with what the caterer could come up with. A mixologist was also called in at the last minute. It seemed to be the popular 'refreshment' spot for many of the girls. Perhaps they were nervous. Perhaps they were clueless. Perhaps they were uncertain about what to do, now that the Selection Coordinator was MIA.

Maxon swore to himself that no one was going to ruin this, as he was beginning to suspect. Was it his father trying to see how he handled things under pressure? Was it an enemy of his family? Of his people? Were their traitors working in the palace itself? Determined to provide a nice evening for the ladies, Maxon tried to put his worries aside for now and enjoy their company instead. They were rather beautiful. Which one would he choose to give the rose to this night? Which one would he be sending home.

Elimination. Maxon never thought it would be this hard. One would stay. One would be going home. Sadly, Meena was the one that seemed to be the farthest away from him all evening. Hiding behind others, looking away when he glanced in her direction. She didn't seem like the shy type. All of Maxon's efforts to converse with her seemed to be thwarted. And so it was with a sad heart that he said farewell to the first elimination. Much to his surprise, she smiled brightly and thanked him, then whispered her secret. She'd been forced to come. She was in lo--. He raised his hand and stopped her from finishing her sentence. If his father heard wind of her secret, she would be branded a traitor and sent to the prisons...or worse.

"Thank you for your honesty. Tell your secret to no one. I wish you well in your life Meena. I'm sorry we could not get to know each other better."

And with that, they parted ways on friendly terms. Good bye Meena.

Joleen had been the most vocal with him and even dared to start flirting. She was beautiful. She was cheerful, she was a goofball. Maxon took notice and gave her the very first rose.

Author's note: Maxon did not have the option to give a rose to her and so he flirted and then gave a bold pick-up line instead. Things were really a mess for this first day. I lost track of time and didn't even start the party until almost 6pm. The group, he formed with the girls did not listen to the classical music that would have been one of the goals for the party. The caterer did not prepare the needed dish, which Maxon could not make himself, which was another goal for the party. Over all it was a Bronze party effort and they didn't all get down for sleep until 1am.