Chapter 29

Berenice awoke in a soft bed, her body was cold due to the sweat, and she began to panic. Her body began to shake and her breathing became labored.

"No, no, no!" a male voice said and Berenice felt warm hands on her cheeks. She then looked into Snow's eyes and began to calm down.

"What...what happened?" she asked and then she remembered her baby. She removed the bed-sheets and looks at her stomach. It looked no different then before.

"My...our..." Berenice's mouth quivered in fear. Snow took her into his arms. "I'm so sorry, you miscarried," he said and Berenice began to cry.

Snow rubbed her back and shushes her in a comforting tone. After a few hiccups and cries of anguish, Berenice gathered herself and asks, "Do you know who did it?"

"One of the waitresses, she had injected thallium into the ribs that was on my plate. The poison was meant for me. Oh God, I can't believe I did this to you," Snow answers and brushes away fresh tears from Berenice's face.

"How long was I out?" she asks, struggling to regain her composure.

"Three days, the doctors at the hospital were able to save you, but the baby did not make it," Snow answers and kisses the top of her head.

"What did you do to the waitress?" Berenice asks, again, her sadness was replaced by anger.

"I had her executed after she admitted that she meant to poison me and not you. She did not expect me to switch plates with you," Snow answers and Berenice felt some relief.

Just then, Dr. Eli appeared and he had a look of shock and relief. "President Snow, I wish to speak to your mistress alone," he said.

"And why is that?" Snow asks, he was suspicious of the doctor.

"I have some news about her condition," Dr. Eli said.

"What ever you to say to Berenice, I want to hear it," Snow insisted and holds Berenice close to him.

Dr. Eli takes a seat by the bed and looks through some notes. "The first thing I want to share is that it is miraculous for you to survive thallium poison especially at such high levels. You had 20 milligrams of thallium in your system, that much can kill anyone at any age," Dr. Eli began and Berenice hid her face in Snow's chest.

"What of the fetus? Do you know the gender?" Snow asks.

"I'm afraid I don't know, a fetus' sex organs reach full development at 20 weeks, and Berenice's miscarried fetus was at roughly 6 weeks," Dr. Eli answers and Snow nods.

"It would've been a girl, I just know it somehow," Berenice said and Snow rubs her back.

"I do want to share some good news," Dr. Eli adds, "Your uterus survived the poison, therefore you can get pregnant, again. However, I do recommend that you don't perform any form of sexual intercourse for some time."

"How much time?" Snow asks and Berenice knew that he wanted her to still conceive another son.

"Until after her next menstrual cycle, that will give her time for her body to heal," Dr. Eli suggests and Snow nods. "My advice is for Berenice to get plenty of rest and do some exercise, like a walk, but nothing heavy. Also get plenty of fresh air, I've had patients who stayed inside their home all through the healing process, not the best way to heal after a miscarriage.

"Another thing, give yourself some time to grieve. It is naturally for anyone to grieve a loss, especially a baby," Dr. Eli advises them.

Snow then had Dr. Eli leave the room so he could speak to Berenice.

"Berenice, this loss is heavy for both of us, but I am grateful that you survived. I do want to ask if you are willing to carry another child after what you have been through," Snow said to his mistress.

"Whatever pleases you, I am willing to do it," Berenice answered, although she wondered if that was the answer Snow wanted to hear.

"I'm not saying what I want, I want to know what you want," he replies, "If you want to wait, I will be patient. You have given me a son already and I can wait for a year if you desire."

Berenice loved the idea, but she wondered if Snow would take another mistress while she recovered. She did not mind that, but she was afraid that Snow would send her and her family back to District 12. The thought of leaving her son behind was terrifying to Berenice.

"Berenice, I will not take another mistress. You are all I need," Snow said after she was quiet for some time.

"You swear?" she asked and he replies with a kiss to her forehead. Berenice took that as a yes and says, "Give me a year and we will do reproductive intercourse around the next Hunger Games. Is that all right with you?"

"It's a deal," Snow replies almost immediately. Berenice nods and the two share a kiss. "I'll have a chauffeur take us home whenever you are ready," the president said and Berenice lays back down.

She had a headache and she wanted to take a quick nap before going back to the mansion. There was something that bugged her. Snow had not once spoke of his feelings to Berenice. He was grateful for her in giving life to Antiolos, but he had not said he loved her or anything like that.

Berenice felt it in her gut that Snow did have some sort of love for her. She did not ask him as she thought he will come around in telling her some day.


From the author: Just a few more months until the big events! Will Berenice survive that long? Find out next time!