***Disclaimer; I do not own the Hunger Games nor its Characters. ***

Little Victor

The Story of Poppy Rue Everdeen

Chapter 14

One down, one to go

Victor's Village; Stone house D-2 Saturday:

After coming home a day early where there were no shutterbugs for the event, things got really busy at the Stone house. Preparations were made for Caesar's interview to take place next Saturday. The date was set for Liam & Poppy big day. Paperwork was put in to adopt Jay & get a very small wedding put together. Now a nervous groom is waiting in Poppy's shop until the Justice of the Peace gets here with Brutus, Liam & Jay.

Cato looking at Brutus "You got 'em right? I gave them to you?" Brutus holds up the box with the rings & just shakes his head.

Brutus "For the 19th time Cato chill. I'm just happy for you son. You finally got one that made to the alter."

Cato "I've never been nervous like this in my life since Poppy was a baby." He remembers then about Katniss but there is no sorrow, guilt or grief there anymore. Only happy memories are left. That's when he knew it was okay to move on. To love again & to be loved in return. Now he was going to be a dad again & have another getting married in the near future. He's starting over again in new territory for him, hoping that it last longer & the memories are a lot sweeter. In the house the 'bride' is just as nervous as the groom.

Maya is in their room with the girls including her mother who is telling her to chill. Poppy who is still on crutches from the broken shin, is looking at this with amusement.

Poppy "Boy I hope I'm not THIS nervous when it's my turn."

Maya "Don't worry YOU will be." As everyone laughs, there is a knock on the door. It's Liam telling the bridal party the Justice of the Peace has FINALLY arrived.

Poppy "Well knowing Brutus is doing Gramps traditional speech, Maya on behalf of the groom's family welcome to the family(as she hugs her). Okay Haymitch my Gramps also had another tradition for this occasion & why mess with perfection so "Ladies, man up for another one bites the dust." The others look at Poppy & laugh.

Meanwhile back in Poppy's shop:

Brutus "Well son it's that time & time for Haymitch's tradition as Brutus breaks out a tray with four shot glasses. One with grape juice in it for Jay. Man up boys. Another one bites the dust." The guys are at the alter in the backyard where there is a tent set up for both wedding & reception. It was a small gathering of close family & friends including Caesar Flickerman. Of course there was little Jay who was looking at the cake thinking "mine" to the point that Cato had to remind him on his job for the day. Jay kept eyeing the cake then, looking at the Justice of the Peace with this look of 'I want cake Mister. Make it fast.'

Poppy because of her injury was seated on the groom's side (well somebody had to represent the family) along with the rest of the Hawthornes. The bridal party arrived with no problems. Yet the Justice then said "It looks like there is a conflict of interest" as he eyed Jay looking at the cake again.

Jay "What? I'm trying so see how to attack that later on. You're marrying them, I see a big cake there with my name on it. (As he point to it & the guest laughs) That baby is as big as ME. You have to plan for these things." As everyone is laughing, Poppy calls Jay over "Okay top layer go to Mom & Dad. If you think you can beat the rest of the guest, it'll take you about two to two & a half years to finish."

Jay "Nope. Day- two days, max. I can take her." Cato & Maya get this amused look.

Poppy "How about the rest of the guest? You're going to share some I hope?"

Jay "WELL. If I must…" Poppy looks at Cato with the look 'got him Dad…'

Justice "Now that we can get this ball rolling; Dearly beloved…."

After the vows were spoken the Justice said the classic line "Cato you may now kiss your bride." With that being said Cato kissed Maya until Cato felt a tug on his jacket. Cato looks down at Jay:
"Yes, Jay?"

"You're married, right?"

"Yes Jay."

Jay (pointing to the Justice) "He did his job, right?"

"Yes Jay." (As Poppy gets this look of amusement)

"Okay then, (points to the cake) Cake! Lets get this party started. Get this show on the road."

The guest are now laughing. Brutus said to Enobaria as they walk back to the tent; "One down. One to go" while looking at Poppy & Liam. Poppy gets up on her crutches to walk out with the rest of the crowd then, sit back down. Liam looks at her, Poppy holds up her hand as to tell him I'm ok. She gets up again only to lose her balance once again.

Liam goes back to get her "Poppy what's wrong?"

"Can't seem to get my balance on these things today."

So Liam helps by carrying her into the reception area. After sitting her at her seat, he goes to the bride & groom.

"Maya has Poppy's blood work came back yet?"

"Not that I know of. Why?" Cato looks concern at Poppy & pulls Brutus aside for a chat as Liam replies.

"Poppy can't keep her balance on her crutches for some reason today."

Maya looks to Cato whispers " Motioning HSS to come over."

Liam goes back over to Poppy who is talking Jay out of eating the whole cake. She looks up & whispers:

"I'm okay Liam. Honest." as Brutus comes up to chat.

"Cut the bull Poppy Rue. What's going on?"

"Just my balance is off today, Brutus. That's all."

"How long as these off spells been happening?"

"It started just after the ceremony. Honest."

Brutus talked to the HSS. He wants her in first thing tomorrow. Brutus lets the newly weds know what the Head Staff Surgeon said & told them he has it, to go on.

Head Staff Surgeon's Office Hospital, D-2

He gets back from the wedding early that evening & finally gets the blood work back on his patient & calls Brutus.

"Brutus call Cato, we have to go back in there."

"What's wrong Doc?"

"The poison Diamen used with the monkey venom that hit Poppy's leg. It's deteriorating the bone. Maya was sharp as ever to catch it & ordered a retest. We should be able to save the leg but we'll have to insert a rod in there & do a bone graph transplant. Brutus we have to do this soon."

"I have the POA, she be there tomorrow with the security team."

"Okay see you tomorrow." Hangs up then informs the President that to send in the big guns for what he needs to do to save this kids leg.

Brutus calls Cato lets him know what's going on & that his Bride is one sharp lady. Cato told Maya what was going on & they're coming back, early. Cato told him get the ball started they'll meet him at the hospital as soon as they arrive.

Brutus hangs up. He then calls Liam to let him know that Poppy is going back in tomorrow then goes to the guest room where Poppy is staying & knocks on the door. But Poppy doesn't answer. After the third knock Brutus cracks open the door to find Poppy asleep. After awhile Enobaria comes looking for him & sees him leaning against the molding of the doorway deep in thought.

"I thought I find you here husband of mine."

"Seeing her sleep like that. That innocent sleep reminds me soooo much of her mother that it brought back a memory. A bittersweet memory."

"You're thinking about the night of the Victory Ball, aren't you Brutus? The night that she was conceived by two Victors."

"Yes. When we 'found' Katniss. She was asleep in Cato's Room. Cato came up with this B.S. story of some capitol guy who 'spooked' her. Cato said he brought her back there since she was so shaken up, loaned one of his trainer shirts & let her crash. I should've known better.
I always thought if I ever had a daughter, I would want one as brave as Katniss was. From the time that kid was 11, she sacrificed all for those she loved dearly including her own life to keep Cato safe & get Poppy out of there alive. About 18 years later we're seeing the result of that night complete with fireworks & I finally realized something Barry."

"What is that Brutus?"

"I got my wish." as he shuts the door to accompany his wife in their room.

In the morning all were there has Poppy went back in. HSS came out three hours later stating that it was a complete success. However Poppy will have to go through extensive physical therapy to stay mobile & even then made walk with a limp for the rest of her life. If all goes well she will live a normal life. When Poppy woke up Liam was there so was her father. Cato, Maya & Brutus were talking to the doctor. However he had to tell her that he was accepted into his program in Scotland but she wasn't.

"Why Liam?"

"Because according to them you completed based on the battle in the 75th arena. However they do want you to give lectures as the legend & teach there while I am completing my program."

"I think that would be a great idea but not as the legend. If I do it, it will be done my way. I will not go as the legend. If I do we'll never have the normal we need on our lives. (Has she stops & thinks) We are going over there married right?"

"Oh YOU better believe it. After everything we've been through, I'm not losing you now."

"Good. I bet Dad's pissed that he had to come back early."

As Cato walks into the room with Maya

"No I'm not pissed off at you. You don't need to even asked that Poppy."

"Hi Dad. This is hospital crap is getting really old..."

"No argument there. How you feeling?"

"Well let's see, going into surgery again, needles, those damn needles & my father back from his honeymoon early hmm... Not a good day dad."

At this Cato chuckles.

Now with one wedding down its a countdown to the other has Caesar after decades of airing the Capitol's programing, the rebellion & so forth has decided to retire but not without one last hurrah.

Caesar is doing his last interview with Cato & Poppy. Caesar always wanted a happy ending & now two are going to happen on his show. In reflection he remembers many of the Tributes who came on his show that never made it home. Peeta the way he got the crowd going, Finnick with the ladies, Haymitch's cockiness, Little Rue where you knew you would never see her again but you wish you would. Then there was the one he remembers the most, the one who should still be living today. Katniss The Girl on Fire who got three of them out of the 74th arena & her newborn out of the 75th. Innocence personified of making it work & caring for the people she loved the most. To work it up to his last show, he's going to do a memorandum of many of the Victors & Tributes from all the years for three days before ending with the last two Victors who has passed away, Katniss Everdeen & Haymitch Aberthany both from District 12.

Making the last day sweet as his last interview goes down with Cato & Poppy. Then he turns the reigns over to his successor, an up & coming persona from 12 by the name of Seth. The theme & lesson here; 'Even though at times life can be bittersweet, life goes on.'

***Sorry for taking so long. I've been working a lot & still being the injured Wookie. ON a good note it should heal within a short time.***
***It may take a while for the next chapter due to other projects.****

Later & enjoy.