Meg looked through the window at the approaching prep team and groaned. "They're here," she said, watching Snow totter through the streets in the highest heels she'd ever seen. She had adorned herself totally in gold, from the ridiculous shoes to the big bow in her dark hair. She even had a dusting of gold glitter on her lips. The prep team followed her, pushing what looked like carts-no doubt full of luxurious clothing for the Tour.

She closed the curtains and adjusted her ponytail. "Herc," she said, looking for her husband. "They're here." He walked in holding Hebe. "I heard you, honey," he said with a gentle smile. "We were just getting our game faces on, right, Hebe?" Meg rolled her eyes and took Hebe in her arms. The little girl had been dressed in a pink satin dress that her grandparents had given her, and she already had some of it in her mouth. Meg sighed and pulled it out of her mouth just as there was a knock.

Snow beamed and captured her in a hug as soon as they had seen her. "Oh, there she is! My greatest triumph," she said cheerily as the rest of the prep team piled into their front hall. Meg smiled and hugged her back. Cheshire, a member of the prep team, came up and kissed both of her cheeks with his purple hair getting in her face. "Sweetie, we've missed you," he said pompously. "What a cute little house! How quaint!" Snow said, twirling around the foyer. "Isn't it?"

The prep team nodded vigorously as Snow gave Hercules a huge hug. "Oh, of course, you've heard about Aladdin," she said, taking Meg's hand. Instantly Meg became afraid. "What happened to Aladdin?" she asked fearfully. Snow beamed at them. "Darling, he's a fashion star! You're his muse. Everyone in the Capitol's wearing him. Everyone, everyone!"

"Well, not everyone," Aladdin said as he entered the foyer with Jasmine in tow. Meg smiled at the sight of her old friend. She hugged him as tightly as she could with one arm. "Hi," she mumbled into his shoulder. He laughed and looked at the child on her hip. "Is this your daughter?" Meg nodded, smiling down at her baby girl. "Yeah, this is Hebe," she said. "You wanna hold her?" Jasmine held out her arms happily. "Oh, let me at her!" she cooed. Snow and the prep team grouped around Hebe excitedly, talking about how cute she was. Hercules decided to keep an eye on the excitable Capitol crowd that surrounded his daughter, just to be safe.

Aladdin looked at Meg's face, now that they were alone. "Are you okay?" he asked her softly. Meg thought about telling him what Hades had told her, but she didn't want to put him in more danger than she already had. She nodded. "I'm okay," she said softly. "You ready to work?" he asked her, looking her up and down. She nodded again and he smiled. "Good."

••••

In no time at all, their house had turned into a prep room. Her team surrounded her and began what was apparently a long process. Just when Meg was at her wit's end, they were dressing her again. She wore a heavy, floor length coat that looked like someone had skinned a small bear. She knew it was cold, but really. Hercules had on fur lined clothing as well, and they'd even thought to give Hebe a little matching fur hat.

"All right, it's time," Snow said. She'd been watching the broadcast carefully as Genie talked all about their love story, but now she bustled over to the family and began making minuscule adjustments to their hair and outfits."They're done, they're fabulous, we must feed the monster," she said as she waved the prep team away from them. She went to the door. "Remember, you're happy, you're in love, remember to smile, you're on camera!" she said as she pushed them out the door of their house.

They stepped outside and all they saw was a large moving camera. "There they are! Megara Kalagaris, the lightning girl, and Hercules Kalagaris, the thunder god!" the voice of the Genie boomed. Meg smiled as they walked down the steps, remembering that they were live and the whole country could see her every move. She hefted Hebe higher up on her hip as they walked to the center. The cameras were constantly moving, and bright lights shone in their faces as they smiled and waved at the crowds of Capitol citizens.

Genie laughed. "So, first of all, is this your lovely daughter?" he asked. The cameras swiveled in to focus on Meg and Hebe. "Yes, Genie, this is Hebe," Meg said with a large grin. Hercules put an arm around his wife as the crowds cheered at the first public sight of the baby they'd heard so much about. Hebe seemed unfazed by all the attention, like a true star. "Such a beauty!" Genie exclaimed. "Thank you," Hercules said with a proud smile. "How are things?"

They looked at each other before responding "Good" at the same time. There was a silence before Genie laughed. "That's all we get? Come on, give us some details!" Hercules was at a loss, and Meg knew that the President was watching, so she began to speak. "Well, this little lady keeps us pretty busy, but thanks to the generosity of our president, we've never been closer," she said with a fake smile. Hercules looked confused, but he nodded. "Yes, it's been wonderful," he said. Meg kissed his cheek and the crowd cheered.

"Wonderful!" Genie said with another loud laugh. "We'll be checking in on you as you go on your victory tour! The victors of the First Annual Hunger Games!" They waved wildly at the cameras. Meg took Hebe's little hand in hers. "Say bye, baby," she whispered, waving her daughter's tiny fist at the cameras. As she'd hoped, the crowd cheered even more loudly at the sight of the whole family smiling and waving together. Finally the cameras swiveled downwards and she breathed a sigh of relief as the lights dimmed.

Snow wasted no time. "Everybody in motion, we are on the train in ten!" she announced. The village became a mess as people ran around trying to get everything packed. Aladdin came up to Meg, holding the bag that held all of Hebe's things. She thanked him and went over to the house across the street.

••••

"Don't you worry, Meg, we'll take good care of her," Alcmene said, holding the little girl tightly. Cheshire was standing next to Meg, trying to hurry her along, but Meg was a worrier and she couldn't help making sure everything was taken care of. "Okay, you have her special bottle, right?" she asked, kissing Hebe's forehead. Amphitryon nodded. "Everything is right here," he told her gently.

Meg was still unconvinced. "You know that she needs the bottle every night at 7:30 sharp, and remember she's allergic to strawberries-"

"Strawberries and almond milk, we know," Alcmene interrupted. Meg sighed. It looked like they had everything pretty well in hand, so she guessed that she would leave. "Mama's going, sweetie," she said, leaning down to Hebe's eye level. "Gimme kisses." Hebe leaned forward in Alcmene's arms and gave her mother an Eskimo kiss that made them both giggle. Meg kissed her one last time and let Chesire begin to push her out the door. "Oh, and don't forget her bear!" Meg managed to call over her shoulder before Cheshire shut the door behind her.

Hercules was waiting at the train, where a crowd had gathered to see them off. "How is she?" he asked her as he wrapped a strong arm around his wife. Meg bit her lip. "She's going to be fine. Your parents will do fine," she said, mostly as a way to convince herself that it was true. Herc laughed. "At least we know for sure we're coming home this time," he said with a little nudge. Meg smiled. That was a small consolation. She was assured that they would come back.