A/N: I didn't know how tf to fit this in either of the stories, so... Oneshot! God, I haven't done one of these in a while.
The Hospital, Three Months Before the 227th Hunger Games
Alicia Schripe (17) POV
Victor of the 225th Hunger Games
After quite possible the worst six hours of my life, I'm anxiously waiting for the nurse to tell me if everything is okay. My heart is racing as my dad holds my hand, my mother, brother, Dylan, Nathan and Fenton sitting in chairs strewn around the room. Everyone looks anxious, and my dad traces small circles onto the back of my hand, trying to reassure me. It's not working.
"It'll be okay, Leesh," he says, quietly.
"What if it's not?" I whisper. "What then?"
Before he has a chance to answer, the nurse comes back into the room, cradling a bundle in her arms. Happy tears spring to my eyes as I extend my arms. As I take him, I feel the tears ready to fall, and I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand before Fenton hands me a tissue. I'm relieved to see that the baby looks exactly like me; not a trace of his father on him.
"What are you gonna name him?" my mom asks.
I smile to myself, remembering the name I've had picked out ever since I found out I was having a boy. It's perfect, really.
"Ross," I say, glancing over at Dylan. Dylan's eyes light up, and I can see I picked well. "Ross Adam Nathan Schripe."
My partner in crime, my brother who was already named after my dad, and my mentor. All the most important men in my life.
Dylan crosses the room to where I am, leans over and hugs me. Soon after, Adam and Nate do the same, all three of them beaming with pride.
"Does anyone wanna hold him?" I ask, looking down at the sleeping baby.
Everyone volunteers at once, as if the hospital room was District 2, and holding the baby was the Hunger Games. I hand him to Fenton- after all, he's pretending to be the father. He takes Ross gingerly, smiling down at him. Over the next little while, Ross is wordlessly passed around the room. For the moment, I forget everything; the rebellion, the upcoming Games, where I'll have to mentor. Everything.
This is all that matters.