MYSTERY MOMMY
Yesterday we gave you the scoop on a young woman that we spotted at the train station- a special arrival for soon-to-be mom Katniss Everdeen, escorted to her apartment by none other than Natalie Everdeen (Katniss's mom and personal OB/GYN). Well, thanks to an anonymous source, Capitol Couture can now give you this exclusive snap of the lady herself! And look at her baby bump! Who is this mysterious mother, and what is she doing here in the Capitol? Vote what you think:
I stare at the poll underneath the image of Delly's pretty-much obscured face. The options gleam on the shiny tablet screen, showing the Capitol's speculations. The most popular option by far is that she's helping me with ante-natal things- I don't know why they think I'd need it when my mom is here as a sort-of-qualified healer, but I'm not one to argue with them when they've served me a cover story on a plate. I flick to the next article only to find an item on Finnick Odair and why he's more likely to win the Games than Peeta; I immediately lock the tablet and resist throwing it across the room. Instead I place it gently on my bedside table, next to the box that contains Delly's present.
I plan to give it to her tomorrow morning- she went straight to her bedroom when she arrived yesterday so she could settle in and I didn't see her again until dinner tonight. It didn't seem right to flaunt more of the luxuries I am exposed to when she was still marvelling over the fact that there was enough to feed all of us on the table.
I sit in bed for a minute, for some reason reluctant to go to sleep just yet, until I give up and pick up the tablet again.I unlock the screen, pressing the back button to close the horrid article, and open up a game; it's a racing game, old enough that it has the image of an aged car rather than an up to date model driving across the screen. Peeta once told me what car it was- I think he said it was an Audi R8 or something- but in any case, it looks pretty ancient.
I am turning the final corner of the track when there is a quiet knock on my door. I pause the game. Who could want me at this time of night?
"Come in," I say softly. The door is slowly pushed open by none other than Delly. Her hair is crazy and her eyes red and puffy. An awkward silence hangs as she closes the door behind her. "Are you ok?" It is a stupid question- she obviously isn't, judging by the state she is in and the fact that she's come to me of all people.
"Sort of," she murmurs, swallowing loudly. "I guess- I just miss home." A dam seems to burst and a sob wracks her body. I sit staring. I don't know what to do! I think. Peeta, I need you! I almost feel like crying myself. I put the tablet on my bedside table again and pat the bed beside me.
"Come here," I say, my tone hopefully reassuring. She plonks herself down, her head in her hands.
"I don't even know why," Delly gets out. "I mean- I have everything, everything I could ever want here. Everything this little one could ever want." She caresses her enlarged stomach. "But it's not- it's not-"
"It's not home." She glances up at me and a look of painful understanding crosses between us. She leans over to hug me, moving slowly with her heavy bump. I hug her back as best I can, squeezing a little before letting her go again. "I know it's not brilliant in District 12, but at least everything's familiar. And the ribbon shop in town is the only thing so bright it hurts your eyes." She lets out a small chuckle, wiping her cheeks. I pause, turning to the box on my bedside. Maybe the gift could cheer her up.
"This is pretty bad timing, really," I say, picking up the velvet box. "I guess the last thing you want is something else to remind you of where you are. But here." I hand the box to her, and she looks at me questioningly. "It's for you. Open it." She does and as soon as she sees the glittering diamond set on the silver chain her eyes widen to almost the same size as the gem.
"Oh, my goodness... Katniss!" She turns it this way and that, admiring the rainbows reflecting around and inside the jewel. "It's beautiful... Absolutely stunning." She gives it back to me. "There's no way I can take this."
"Then there's no way I can possibly take your child." I hold the box out to her again, eyebrows raised slightly, and she frowns a little, hesitating before taking it back.
"You looked so much like your mother then," she murmurs quietly. "She always tells me what to do, too." I laugh, a small, breathy laugh that's close to a sigh. "Thank you so much," she whispers, still frowning slightly. The frown dissipates as soon as she fastens the clasp behind her neck. "I'll never take it off!" She laughs a little and so do I.
"I doubt it'd be very comfortable to sleep with," I muse. Delly lets out a snort. "Not like that!" I feel my cheeks redden and Delly laughs harder.
"I know, I know!" She looks into my eyes earnestly as she removes the necklace and puts it back into its velvet box. "Thank you, Katniss." I can tell she doesn't just mean for the necklace.
"You're more than welcome. Thank you."
"I'd better go back to my room. Natalie- your mom, I mean- she often comes to check on me." She grins knowingly and I smile back.
"Goodnight, Delly," I say as she gets up and, being extremely careful to mind both her box and her tummy, opens the door.
"Night, Katniss." She blows me a kiss and closes the door behind her. I slip down underneath my duvet, feeling the warmth encompass me. I have just enough sense left to reach out and turn the light off before rolling over.
I hope Delly's okay now, I think. I really do.
AN: I suck and even the threat of punishment can't make me write. :L Ok, so start sending your forfeits in! Popular ones I've seen in other situations like this one include:
Making me write a one shot about a pairing that I hate...
Not allowing me to make Tumblr posts for a week by monitoring it...
Make me do the Accent Challenge thing and film it...
Yeah. You can ask for any of those, or something of your own, but remember- if you like one you see and want me to do it, you need to review saying I should otherwise I won't know! (What am I letting myself in for?!)
Anyway, I hope the new chapter was worth the wait, and I'm really sorry I'm so crap at updating. Thanks old readers for continuing to follow this- it really means a lot to me- and thanks to new readers for giving me a chance! x
