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***Disclaimer; Don't own it & all that jazz***
Leave & Don't Come Back
Chapter 10
Endings & Beginnings
A week after Graduation;
Phoenix bags were packed for the trip to Oxford. She still from time to time was looking for Mason to come through that door to stop her from going. She knew it was no use, Mason had been dead for nearly a year now. Several boys wanted to take her out but, she couldn't do it. Now at almost 18 Phoenix Rue Everdeen-Mallark is flying out of the nest. This still did not sit well with her mother. Katniss felt she was running away from the problem.
The four parents took her to the airport for the flight to England. It was that awkward moment when they had to let her go. When they did it wasn't easy for any of them, but they did it. And became better parents for it.
Oxford, England two years later;
Phoenix was doing an assignment for one of her classes. The assignment was to write about the one person who they thought touched so many lives. They were also to read it out loud in front of the whole class. Phoenix wrote about her mother, Katniss Everdeen-Stone & how her mother was a voice of a new nation. A nation that no longer sacraficed their children to slaughter, helped draft measures against domestic violence, drafted measures against human experimentation & improved education for the whole country. She titled it "The Girl on Fire. The Mocking Jay who became a Phoenix." Her professor was so impressed he asked her if he could have her Mother give a lecture on the Panem rebellion. Phoenix advised him to ask all four parents so he can get the whole story of the Panem Rebellion. For once her Professor did & he was glad he did it.
When the four showed to give the two day lecture, the other students got a glimpse of Phoenix's life. After the lecture one student asked;
"Then why Phoenix won't let anybody get close to her after that?"
Cato & Katniss replied;
"You see when you lose somebody that close to you because another wanted to make you suffer, you feel you are at fault some how. A part of you never wants to go through that pain again nor, have somebody close suffer like that again. It's very hard. It's harder for the parent who has to see their child go through that pain."
It was also later while her parents were visiting at Oxford she met somebody closer to home. Phoenix finally let somebody in again. A young man by the name Orion Marcus of District 4 who she introduced to her parents. But that's another story.
Epilog:
Peeta & Delly lived quietly in District 7 with their son Rye.
Rye went into the medical field where he met his wife, Penne. Rye remained in District 7. They had two children. A son name Bran & a firey red head daughter they named Ruby.
Peeta & Delly were married 52 years when Peeta passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76. Delly followed 2 years later.
Cato & Katniss remained in District 2 where Katniss still did work with the government concerning domestic violence, abuse on all levels, education & human experimentation until she retired two years ago. Their son JC stayed until he graduated high school then, went into the Military & then later into Government office. After moving to District 4 where he met Mitu (water in japanesse), he became the Deputy Mayor & later Mayor for the District. They married & have four children. Their son Barrage James (Barrage is dam in french) & triplete daughters Suiren (water lily in Japanese), Kaigara (seashell in Japanese), Bella (beautiful in Italian). JC to this very day knows never to pissed off a mother (especially his) to the point that she will curse you with tripelet daughters that act like you are as a teenager, at birth. For the 'Mother's Curse' works.
Cato & Katniss were married for 50 years when during a routine exam the doctor had found something in Katniss's test. More test were ran to find stage four cancer. The Arenas, the rebellion & all the things that she was put through finally caught up with her. Katniss was told she had less than six months. Just to prove them wrong three years later, Cato called Phoenix to come home. Phoenix had made the trip in record time to District two to her parent's home in the old Victor's Village.
Has Phoenix arrived she was greeted by her niece Bella.
"Hi Aunt Phoenix."
"Hey Bella, where's Grandpa?"
"Upstairs. He won't leave her side. I don't think he's slept in two days."
"I see Pops is stubborn as always."
Phoenix goes upstairs & knocks. She pops her head in to see Pops holding her mother's hand. Head on the matress asleep. Mom wide awake. Has she turns her head toward the door, Katniss smiles.
"Hi my Butterfly."
"Hi Mom. Pops finally clonked out."
"Yes, had to promise not to go anywhere to get him to sleep. How's life abroad kiddo?"
"Well the people are nice but the travel can be hell."
"Remember what we talked about concerning all of this."
"Oh yes I do."
"By the way Dad & Momma Delly said hi. They're very proud of you."
Phoenix knew her time was coming near. For before she returned home & friend told her to look for the candles. When the candles are blown out, that's when she's gone. Phoenix saw the candles yet kept the conversation going.
"Well of course they're proud of me. Dad bragged for almost six months that his daughter graduated from Oxford."
Just then Cato wakes up.
"Hi Pops."
"Butterfly, how long have you been here?"
"About a half an hour. You needed the rest."
Two days later her candles went out. Katniss Everdeen-Stone died from stage four cancer. Has family & friends filed into the chapel for the service yet when everybody was seated Phoenix went to the podium & spoke;
"My mother is running a few minutes late so she left this for all of you."
Phoenix put in the DVD & Katniss came on screen.
"Sorry folks. I kind of got tired of everybody telling I would probably be 20 minutes early to my own funeral. Well you know me, since when did I do anything anybody tells me to do? (people started chuckling) So I decided to be late for my funeral. Just to see what's its like.
And before you all go 'Oh no she didn't? Yes, I did.' I mean if you look at a funeral, you're celebrating someone's life & they're not at their own party. (Everybody started laughing)
That & finally my husband can say "I finally got a sense of humor. Too bad I'm missing out on it. I love you baby. Remember no tears. My goodness, I think I'm finally getting in the last word. (laughter) See you on the flip side. "
With that the DVD ended as everybody applauded, as her casket was brought in for the service. Later after everyone left, Phoenix handed Cato a DVD as she & her Pops were talking;
"Pops, Orion got an offer here in Two. Were going to be here by the end of the week. Want to help me house hunt?"
"Sure. So mom got her final wish."
"What's that Pops?"
"You at home."
"You know Mom. One way another she was going to get in the final word on this." as both laugh.
"Yes she did Butterfly. Yes she did."
Later alone in their room for the first time in over 53 years sat Cato on their bed as he put in the DVD. It was Katniss with her message for him;
"Hi there Sword Boy;
Remember no going out & getting yourself shot at. I'm not there anymore to take the bullet for you (chuckles remembering the first time they met). I hate to sat this (then don't) but, my mother was right (what? I may need to rewind this part). There is life after bad relationships. Wings get broken but they do mend. Look at what we've done Cato. We brought down a government, helped rebuild a new one, our children no longer live in fear of being reaped for slaughter, we raise 2.5 great kids (don't worry Peeta use to say the same thing) & we had a great life together. We did it babe. We survived the good, the bad & the ugly together. I'll be waiting for you when the time comes. Just don't wish for it too soon. Love you."
The screen goes blue as Cato realizes that he's left alone here. Most of his family, friends & fellow Victors are gone. Now the love of his life & best friend is gone too.
18 months later;
Newsreels played the article over & over again as Phoenix, her husband Orion, JC, Rye & the rest of the family are in front of the family crypt waiting for a familiar casket.
As pictures of Cato Stone at various ages in life show on the screen, the news broadcast last Victor of District Two as died.
"Cato Stone, widower of the Mocking Jay Katniss Everdeen-Stone passed away two days ago at home. Cato Stone was the Victor of the 73rd Hunger Games, was part of the rebellion with ground forces, teaming up with the Mocking Jay & later after the rebellion assisted President Paylor in rebuilding that nation. Victor Stone & Victor Everdeen married six years after the rebellion ended. Victor Stone was that last Victor that came out of District two. Victor Stone is survived by 2.5 children, several grandchildren & great-grandchildren. A spokesperson for the family was quoted to say; 'They are together again-Always'."The End
***Debating on putting in alternate chapters, an alternate ending. Stay tune***