Chapter 1: Years Tardy
Steffan entered the holding room to see Lillian Everdeen sitting on the cushioned seat by the window. She stood when she saw him. She had been Reaped as part of the Third Quarter Quell twist, in which two adults and two children had to be sent in. Her fellow tributes were Paula, Leven and Rye Mellark. Most of Steffan's family. Except for his youngest son….. Peeta….
"Steffan? What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you. I'm saying goodbye to the rest of my family; it isn't fair if you don't get the same treatment."
Lillian smiled sadly and looked down at her feet. "You're too kind."
Steffan approached and took her hand. "There isn't much time, but I will say this: I promise you, neither Katniss or Prim will starve. Or go to the community home. Victor or not, Katniss may still be susceptible to either, and Prim by extension. Don't worry. Peeta and I won't let anything happen to them."
Lillian looked up into his face, smiling. "You were always so incredibly generous. Even when we were kids….." A thought struck her. "What about Paula?"
"She doesn't have a say in this, and she likely won't for much longer. Besides," and his voice was bitter, "she hasn't loved me for years. Let's just say our goodbyes a little bit ago weren't as anguishing as you might think for a husband and wife."
Lillian stared at him: "I'm sorry."
"Now don't start - you have nothing to be sorry for…."
"Yes, I do. We were friends for years; anyone would think that would lead to something bigger, but then Estes…. just by singing…." She sighed. "I just wish….. if everything I loved about you and him could have been blended into one man. It was agony to choose."
"You followed your heart, what was best for you," Steffan told her quietly. "He was the one you couldn't have survived without. I don't blame you for that; I never have. And hey," he chuckled. "If things had turned out differently between us, my youngest wouldn't be lusting after your oldest like a lovesick puppy. Peeta would generously give Katniss the world if he could."
Lillian laughed. "He takes after his father, then." She squeezed Steffan's hand. "And he has my blessing. Just tell Peeta: Be patient. His time will come. My eldest girl is hardly the romantic type, but I hope she gets her head out of her rear and notices what's in front her. Peeta's a good boy. A generous boy. She would do well to see him as I do." She smiled ruefully. Steffan laughed, and she just shrugged. "A mother knows these sorts of things. Still, she should seize the opportunity, before it's too late. At least her dear mother will know she is taken care of." She smirked. "Don't tell her I said that last bit - she would kill me!"
Steffan laughed. "I hope she takes a chance, too…. they way we should have, but couldn't."
Both held each other's gaze for a long moment. Then Steffan pulled something out of his pocket.
"I bought this for you when we were teenagers. I was going to use it to ask you to marry me."
Lillian gasped, one hand to her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears. "And you kept it, after all these years?"
Steffan chuckled mirthlessly. "I wasn't about to give it to Paula after you and Estes married; it wouldn't have been right. Yes, it's tardy, I know, and now it's for a different purpose." He took the ring on the chain it now was attached to and hung it about Lillian's neck. "Katniss says you can wear a token into the arena…. Will you wear this for me?"
Lillian stared at him. Then she suddenly reached for him and kissed him - right on the lips. Her hands gently cupped his face. Steffan kissed her back, wanting to memorize every detail of the moment. Lillian drew away. Her kiss said it all - yes, of course she would wear the token.
"That was years tardy," and her voice seemed slightly breathless. "I haven't done that since Estes." She glanced away sadly. "It's been a long time for me."
"Me too," Steffan admitted.
The Peacekeepers could be heard approaching the door.
"Lillian!" She turned to him. "…..I love you."
She smiled softly. "I love you, too."
It was only until he got home that night that he noticed the print of her lipstick on his mouth.
