Chapter 11: Sappy Chappie!

"I'm going to take a shower." I announced. I still felt Green Suit's fingers on me and shuddered. After that, I lay down to take a nap. Beetee woke me for dinner. He had dimmed the lights and drawn the shades over the windows. I smiled at him. He was either making the room less harsh on my senses or making it more romantic or both.

"You look lovely, dear." Beetee whispered taking my hands in his.

"I'm only wearing – ordinary clothes." I said. "For the Capital – ordinary." I looked down at a shimmery green shirt and black sweats. I blushed suddenly and realized this was my first meal alone with Beetee. Well – technically, he probably ate something at my bedside when he was coaxing me to eat during my weeks of bed rest. This was the first time we were eating as equals instead of patient and helper. The Capital attendant who helped me when we first got here put platters of roast pork, rice, and vegetables in front of us. "You don't have to cook tonight." I joked. Beetee laughed and took my hands across the table.

"I'm sure the food will be just as good as always." Beetee said smiling.

I took a few bites and looked around the table. It was enormous for just the two of us. Then I realized it usually sat two district tributes, two mentors, and an escort from the Capital. I blinked back tears remembering how as tributes, Terrance and I would sometimes have eating contests to see who could eat what the fastest. "It's hard to come back here year after year." Beetee said. "They're always with you." I nodded. We ate our food without talking much. Maybe it was because it was our first evening married, but for some reason I would suddenly supress a fit of giggles whenever Beetee would smile at me. Which he did quite often.

I never thought I'd spend my wedding night in the Capital. In fact, after the Games, I didn't think I would ever get married, because who would want to marry a bedridden girl who couldn't think straight? Well, apparently Beetee did because he saw my determination even when I didn't.

The next morning, I woke up to the sun streaming into the window. I blinked and looked at the multicolored buildings of the Capital. Some had lights down the sides that blinked off and on even during the daytime. I watched them to see if there was some sort of meaning to the blinking patterns. Nothing came to mind. Beetee grunting and rolling over in his sleep jolted me out of my musings about the buildings. I watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful. I brushed some hair out of his face before gently tracing outlines on his face and neck. I held his hands and smiled. He seemed pretty deep in his sleep.

As quietly as I could, I climbed out of bed and dressed in a nightgown and robe. I found our attendant and asked her if she would be able to bring up some coffee and muffins. She nodded. A few minutes later, she came out with polished silver coffee set. The coffee aroma was strong and inviting. The muffins were blueberry muffins that smelled like they came fresh out of the oven. I thanked her and headed into the room with the tray. I set it on the nighstand near Beetee and then crawled back into bed. I wanted Beetee to wake up so he could see his breakfast, but I didn't want to disturb his sleep. Maybe this is how he felt all the times he watched me sleep when I was ill. I kissed his forehead and wrapped my arms around him. Suddenly a lullaby came to my head. I began singing it softly.

"Well – good morning to you, dear Wiress." Beetee said smiling. I laughed before he kissed me. "What's this?" He looked at the bedside table before putting his glasses on. "Wow! Room service!" I giggled again. "Did you order the tray and bring it in?"

"Yeah." I said shyly. "I – I guess I wanted to something – for you – for a change." Beetee chuckled and pulled me into a hug.

"Well, we can both have breakfast in bed!" Beetee said settling the tray on his lap and handing me a muffin and cup of coffee. "I'll have to tell your grandma what a nice hostess I married!" I blushed before he kissed me again.

"Beetee – things will be – different." I said staring at the designs on my mug. Sitting in the same bed as him with his arm draped around me reminded me that we just made a drastic life change only yesterday.

"Yes." Beetee said. "But you'll still be able to go to school and keep your schedule there. We'll show them the contract and you can use your school projects as part of helping with design work." I nodded.

"Grandma – can she –" I looked at Beetee with a worried expression.

"She can still live in the house." Beetee said smiling. "I wouldn't dream of making her move." I smiled before he kissed me. When we finished breakfast, Beetee put the tray on the dining room table and then changed out of his pajamas into the clothes he wore yesterday. Our clothes had been washed during the night.

We walked hand in hand through the lobby before Beetee found the driver that would take us back to the train station. I spent the train ride curled up on Beetee's lap dozing. The Capital's bright colors and constant movement of cars and people still overwhelmed my senses, but I didn't panic as much as I thought I would. Having Beetee by my side probably had a lot to do with it.

I dozed off anyway and woke up to Beetee trailing kisses down my face and neck. I laughed. "Your lips tickle, Beetee!" I giggled.

"Oh – Wiress – I haven't heard you laugh for so long!" Beetee said, his nose brushing my cheek before his mouth found where my neck met my shoulder. "You're so beautiful, Wiress!" I kissed him on the forehead.

"I love you so much, Beetee!" I wrapped my fingers in his hair and he pulled his head up so our lips could meet. My eyes were closed throroughly enjoying our kiss when I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh good, you youngins are home! Well, the old lady hasn't croaked in your absence!" I yelped and whipped my head around to see Grandma standing there looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

"GRANDMA!" I yelped. "We – I – you –" I just stared at her, feeling all the blood rush to my face. Grandma saw us basically making out! She stood at the doorway to our car laughing.

"Well, you two've been hitched for a little over twenty-four hours, so I won't say anything, I promise."

"Do you want me to drive, Mrs. Carpenter?" Beetee asked. He was still blushing like mad as well.

"Sure." Grandma said. "I'll be working on my quilt in Wiress's old room, so I will be leaving you two quite alone when we get home."

"Um – Thanks – Grandma." I stammered.

"You've been a big help to us all." Beetee said as he got in the driver's seat. "If you have anything you need in your room, just let me know." We drove back and I smiled. No matter what, I would have these two as my support – as my family.