A/N: Just as a quick FYI I'll be working on my submission of MS2SL this year, so if I don't post regularly it's because I'm trying to get the editing and rewrites done. Thank you for all of the lovely comments and I am so glad you guys enjoyed the little surprise outake last week and to my beta for being the best. PS I do not own the Hunger games

In this chapter, there are more Cork shenanigans afoot a lot more of everything

Christmas Evening

Lavender sipped her tea. The Hawthorne home was lit up with Christmas cheer. It reminded her of her youth when her parents were alive. Their stockings hung by the fire, and fresh evergreens hung off the banisters, that led to the second-floor addition Gale and his father Clyde built before his untimely death. The fresh pine smell filled the house with joy. The kids were all gathered in the living area, playing a game.

Hazelle sat down holding her own mug of tea. "Mrs. Cartwright passed this morning."

"Poor Tilda." Lavender was not surprised, Tilda was a very sick woman. The town physician was an idiot. He didn't provide good care to the residents of the district. She was working on making a better medicine for Andy. "How did you find out?"

"Gale delivered the wash this morning. He found that poor child in shock. He said Delly looked whiter than a Peacekeeper's uniform."

Lavender shook her head. "Tilda was a wonderful sweet woman. Always kind to everyone regardless of where they came from. Delly is a mini-replica of her mother."

"The Cartwrights have been through so much. They buried Tilda earlier this evening, and they couldn't even afford a proper funeral." Hazelle sighed. "That poor girl has the weight of the world on her shoulders."

"The odds have never been in the favor of the Cartwrights."

Hazelle took a sip from her tea mug. "What do you mean?"

"It started with, Gaius and Lucien. To the elders, they were known as the Cartwrights boys. Neither one could have foreseen the future their progeny would face when they were brought out here by the Capitol."

Hazelle frowned. "What are you going on about Lavender?"

"The Cartwright family heads Gaius and Lucien. They weren't from District Twelve, they were from the Capitol. Transplants are what my Aunt called them. When I was younger, many people thought they were spies."

"What?" Her mouth was ajar. Hazelle was one of those women who could never be shocked. She'd seen and heard it all, so to have her shocked was a minor miracle. Sarcastically she questioned, "The Cartwrights?"

"Yes!" Lavender sipped from her teacup.

"How…why?"

Lavender smirked. "There are a lot of secrets in our humble district. Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Mellark's grandmother was a great wealth of information."

"Mrs. Brooks' kindness was legendary in the Seam."

"Mrs. Brooks told me our district is composed of old Peacekeepers who decided to live here, Capitolites who were brought here after the rebellion to keep an eye on the locals or to work, and the original old families from both the Merchant and Seam that lived in the district since before the dark days."

"Wait, why haven't they ever said anything?"

"Well because most have forgotten. We only have a handful of people old enough to remember the way it was before Snow took power. The rest of the population is too young to remember. Most people don't realize there was never a class divide in Twelve like there is now."

"I've heard rumors about how different things were before Snow came into power."

"There was never a division between us like there is now. The Capitol divided us, made us suspicious of each other. The same way many suspected the Cartwrights because the family heads were from the Capitol."

"I never knew." Hazelle shook her head in amazement.

Lavender took a deep drink from her tea. "Gaius and Lucien came from the Capitol to work in the Justice Building. Eventually, Titus' father Gaius married into the original cobblers, the Elsons. They had an unmarried daughter, Riva, who was over the reaping age. Regretfully their youngest was reaped."

"Wait, Elson...River Elson was one of the first boys reaped."

Lavender nodded, the first Games were taught in schools, under the history of Panem. It was a brutal Game, tributes were mauled by engineered mutts and animals. Eventually, the mutts fought with the real animals that were placed in the arena. It was total carnage. "Riva gave birth to two boys, Titus and Linus. When the Elsons died, Lucien moved in the upstairs apartment of the cobblers establishments with his small family. His brother Lucien purchased the rights to the Apothecary, but because of my Aunt they never did touch the business."

"I thought they were always from the district."

"They fit in until Snow came into power, then all of the whippings and beatings began. The worst of it peaked right before the 50th Games, you remember?"

"Those were horrible days. My mama used to shelter me at home. She didn't want me playing in the streets."

"It was the same on my end. My Aunt thought the Cartwrights were spies. All of us knew there were spies amongst us. The peacekeepers seemed to know all of our secrets, where we hid things, if we traded. We didn't know who the spies were? A lot of people refused to buy shoes or trade with the Cartwrights. That was before Titus' brother was reaped. We didn't think they would be reaped because his father was from the Capitol"

"I remember those Games vividly." Hazelle rubbed her arms.

"My best friend Maysilee Donner was reaped that year too."

Hazelle reached out and grasped Lavender's hand. "They are unlucky."

Those games were harsh, twice the amount of Tributes were reaped that year. A sign of solidarity. Those games saw Seam and Merchant working together to beat the odds. Had Haymitch Abernathy been able to convince Maysilee to stay with him she could have won. Yet the odds were not in her favor. "Five years ago Rudy was reaped."

"He was only twelve." Hazelle shook her head.

"Poor Delly will never get married. Her family has been touched by the Games thrice. The Merchants are very superstitious."

"That's hogwash. If that were the case none of us would ever get married or get busy living. We Seam folk always get reaped."

"Hazelle, with things going the way they are going, I tell you the Capitol is not done with us. The last time they didn't relent with the whippings and the harsh treatments until we turned on each other and separated, splitting the district into 2 factions. It makes sense really, a district divided will not rise up against its oppressors. Mark my word, Hazelle, these Peacekeepers are here for a reason. We have to be careful with our talk, our walk, and our mannerisms and keep the lines of communication open between us."

Hazelle's eyes slid to Gale. "I'm going to speak to Gale make sure he doesn't do anything rash."

Lavender glanced at her daughter, who despite her intent on staying with them was counting down until her moment to be with Peeta.

Vick and Rory were playing instruments. Vick played upside down buckets and Rory a guitar that belonged to their father. Prim came up to Katniss and asked her to dance. Katniss smiled and began to twirl with her sister around the room.

Gale smiled but didn't make a move to join the kids. He glanced at the clock, his eyes showing something more than just annoyance, worry.

Katniss stopped dancing and bumped into Gale. She recoiled away from him. "Sorry."

"It's okay."

"Why the sour face?"

Gale rubbed his face. "Sorry Catnip, my mind is somewhere else."

Katniss had never seen Gale like this. She frowned. "Wanna talk about it?"

He shook his head. "Sorry it's…" he became flustered, his cheeks became pale.

"What's wrong with you?" Katniss had never seen Gale this way.

"Nothing, everything, how's Prim doing?"

"She's not taking the nightmares well."

Gale sighed. "You know she's lucky she has you and your mom."

Katniss rolled her eyes. She didn't understand why she even bothered speaking to him. "Why do you always do that, always assume that Primrose shouldn't be afraid?"

"That's not what I meant Katniss, its just..."

"Then what did you mean Gale?" Katniss ground out. She was getting angry at him because her sister was important, and her worries shouldn't be swept under the rug.

"Your sister has so much." Gale shrugged. "She's lucky."

Sweeping statements like that infuriated her. They weren't lucky. Her father died and her mother abandoned her two girls. Katniss had to fight for everything they had. Every morsel of food that passed through their lips was hard won. She disliked Gale for saying that. "That's not true and you know it. You know how hard I've tried to keep everyone fed. It hasn't been easy this winter. It's been so cold and with all of the Peacekeepers lurking about, I have to be extra careful."

"I know that, but-"

"But what Gale, are you going to tell me how unfair it is that we have nothing while the people on the other side of town have everything? Are you going to tell me that my sister shouldn't be afraid of the reaping because the odds are that her name will not be picked?"

"No," Gale raked his hands through his hair. "That's not what I meant."

"Then tell me what you meant!" Katniss waited to hear his 'oh so' self-important tirade.

"Some people don't have anyone. They're treated poorly, they have lost as much as we have, and they feel unwanted. Yet they go out of their way to make everyone else smile." He looked down and took a deep breath. "Primrose is healthier compared to other kids in the Seam, she's happy." Gale pointed to her sister. "Just look at her." Prim was laughing skipping around with Rory and Vick. "She has friends who look out for her. She's a beautiful child, and no one would ever treat her poorly."

Katniss couldn't argue with that.

"I know she's having a hard time sleeping, but there are people with bigger problems."

Katniss took exception to the way he said 'bigger problems'. She questioned what he meant because she was his friend and her sister not finding rest was a real problem for her. It felt like he was making light of the situation.

Katniss was about to tell him off, but Gale sighed and blinked rapidly as if he was going to cry. She zeroed in on his face and indeed his eyes looked glassy, she told herself Gale didn't cry. Opening her mouth to say something, he walked away from her abruptly and left the house, out into the cold night. Katniss had never seen Gale so affected, not even when his father died. He seemed so different lately.

It irritated her. He annoyed her more so than ever. There was a time that she looked up to him, a time when his opinion mattered because they were a team. Gale was older and therefore wiser, but now she was not the same girl, she could not hang on his every word. He wasn't Peeta, he could never compare.

Glancing at her sister, Katniss couldn't help but smile. Peeta would never belittle Prim. She slipped her hands in her pockets and let herself be wrapped up in the moment.

"You should go spend time with your friend," her mother whispered into her ear.

Katniss's cheeks turned red, her eyes widened. "Mother."

"Don't mother me. You know you want to and as much as you love spending time at the Hawthorne's, I know you miss him."

Katniss swallowed. Everything her mother said was true. Her mother walked away to collect Prim. When they left the house they found Gale and one of his buddies were talking to Leevy, a tall girl that lived close by. Leevy put her hand on Gale's forearm and giggled. Gale gave Leevy an unreadable look. Katniss rolled her eyes. Of course, Gale would be outside talking to a girl. He never changed.

When they arrived home, Prim immediately went to bed. Katniss gathered a few things before making her way out into the cold. It was such a pretty evening outside, there was a light snowfall.

Katniss noted there weren't many Peacekeeper's out tonight. Maybe, she thought, they too were celebrating. Not wanting to take a chance, she rushed through the Seam and made her way to Peeta's house.

She was getting quite good at hopping over the fence. Staring up at the tree, she looked for those pesky squirrels. Katniss amended the statement in her head, she was looking for Corky. Every time she was in the tree that little furball always found a way to cause a scene. She didn't see him as she began to climb. As she reached the limb that extended to Peeta's window, a handful of snow fell on top of her head.

Katniss brushed it off, but as she did more snow fell on her hand. She looked up and saw the little menace, right before a snowball landed in her face. Not being able to take evasive actions she muttered, "You little…"

No sooner than she took a small amount of small and tossed at the little beast, he gathered snow on the branch above and threw it down in her direction. Katniss couldn't believe she was having a snowball fight with a squirrel. "I can shoot you right through the eye, you know."

Corky shook his head and squeaked back at her as if mocking her.

"Laugh it up," Katniss breathed. This was war. She was gathering up a bigger snowball when she heard the window slide open. She was caught with the icy ball in her hand. "Hi," she said guiltily while trying to hide the snowball.

"Now Katniss," Peeta said from the window, his eyebrow lifted.

"He started it. He threw snow at my face," Katniss grumbled.

"You are five times the size of Corky, and you're climbing on his home turf. He has a right to defend his home." Peeta's eyes twinkled and Katniss detected the way his shoulders shook with mirth.

Katniss narrowed her eyes.

"Not to mention you were threatening to end his life. You know he's married now. Shirley is a good influence on Corky."

Katniss looked skeptical. The only influential thing that could temper that societal pain in the neck was a carefully shot arrow in his eye. She wiggled her nose as the snow was falling at a steady pace. Peeta raised an eyebrow. Katniss wanted to hide as she sat astride the branch.

"You know I'm right." Peeta leaned up against the window frame.

He was right. The squirrel had made his den in the tree, his family lived here. Katniss was technically trespassing, trying to get into Peeta's room without any notice. She did threaten the little guy, even though he deserved it. Although thinking of a grieving Shirley made her feel guilty. Nonetheless, a battle brewed inside of her, because darn it, she was tired of being picked on by the pipsqueak. She frowned and pouted.

"You need to apologize."

They stared at one another, and after a while Katniss looked up, incredulous that she was going to apologize to a squirrel. What she found was Shirley waving her little paws at Corky, his little head was cast down. It looked like she wasn't the only one being reprimanded. Katniss grinned as she watched Corky and Shirley move away. By the agitated way Shirley moved, it was clear she wasn't done with her furry husband.

Katniss glanced at Peeta who gave her a warm smile. "You're lucky Shirley intervened."

Katniss shimmied toward the window. She was glad for the warm interior of Peeta's room.

"I'll get your shirt," Peeta said turning around.

Katniss slipped her hands in her pockets. She glanced at him from beneath her lashes. Her heart did that swooping thing that caused flutters to happen in her stomach. He was so handsome. When he bent over her cheeks turned red as she realized she was staring at his butt. Though it was a fine specimen, she didn't go around staring at anyone's anatomical features. That was rude, but for some unknown reason she couldn't help but stare at Peeta's posterior.

She tried forcing her eyes to look away, but they were traitorously glued there. Her mouth watered. "Daum," she muttered.

"Here." Peeta straightened.

Katniss' face was beet red. "Thank you," she croaked out. Her hands were clammy and she felt warm all over.

"Are you okay you look a little flushed."

Katniss nodded.

Peeta turned around and said, "I'm glad you're here. I made something for you, for Christmas. I know we didn't talk about exchanging gifts, but I wanted to make you something."

Katniss didn't expect it. "You didn't half to…do" the words died on her lips when she gazed down at the rendering. The small painting of her father was in a homemade frame. Peeta captured the exact shade of her dad's eyes, the way his lips tilted and creased when he smiled. It was so lifelike it was as if her father was smiling right back at her. She had tears in her eyes and she launched herself at Peeta.

Peeta embraced her. "Do you like it?"

Overcome and unable to speak, she nodded.

"Merry Christmas, Katniss."

Katniss pressed her lips to his neck. This boy was so precious, so good. She questioned how she could ever deny her feelings for him. She held onto him tighter.

"Hey, would you like hot chocolate?"

Katniss grinned.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Peeta quickly went downstairs to find Rye standing by the door. He whistled. "It must be getting serious if you're going out twice."

"It is," Rye nodded as he slipped out. This time there were no cats or anything else stopping him from going next door. This wasn't the type of gathering to learn how to fight, it was a strategy meeting.

Knocking on the door, he was ushered in by Thom.

"Cold night to be out?"

"Yeah." Thom grinned.

"Good," Madge said when she spotted him, "we're all here." Madge put her hands on her hips. "We need more members. If we are going to fight against 50 skilled Peacekeepers with weapons, we need more people."

"Tonight I spoke to my friend Rain, Leevy, and Bristel they are interested in joining the fight. Bristel is an expert with explosives she uses in the mines."

Madge nodded. "What about Gale?"

"No can do," Thom said. "He's a powder keg still."

"A powder keg," Rye whispered.

Madge moved on to Purina, who was reporting that some of the older Peacekeepers were fed up with the Capitol's ways and wanted to join.

Thom whispered, "Gale's methodical about a lot of things, but he's got a temper that's uncontrollable when he explodes. When he gets into a fight, he doesn't let go until you're maimed or dead."

Rye nodded. "My baby brother is like that, he'll snap. The last time he snapped like that was with a kid named Jackson Sharpie. He was twelve, and it took four of us to pry him off of Sharpie."

"Damn." Thom rubbed his head.

Just then there was another knock on the door. Everyone became still. Madge nodded to Purina who went slowly to the door. The four of them had escape routes just in case they were caught by the Peacekeepers.

Purina looked through the small gap in between the planks of wood of the boarded up window. She visibly relaxed. "Friendly."

Madge opened the door. "Mrs. Hawthorne?"

"Let me in, it's cold out here," Hazelle said. "Thom."

"Mrs. Hawthorne," Thom greeted. "How did you know we were here?"

"There are no secrets in the Seam, plus I overheard you talking with Bristle and Rain right outside my window while I was fixin' a cup of tea earlier."

"We're trying to get more people involved." Madge said, "Frankly we're tired of the injustices of the Capitol."

"You sound like my husband. He was always spoutin' stuff against the government."

"Are you here to join us?" Purina asked.

"No," Hazelle glanced around at all of them. "My husband gave his life for a free Panem. He was part of a team of guys who were going to help rebel against the Capitol. The fates were not in his favor. His buddies in the mines would gladly join your group. They've been waiting a long time for a chance to give Snow some hell. A lot of them are skilled in causing trouble. I'll put the word out there for you. I'll have them contact Thom here since he's someone they are familiar with."

"Thank you," Madge said.

"No troubles," Hazelle said. "Well, I got to get back, don't want my boys to wake up and not find me at home."

Rye was taken aback by their visitor as she slipped out quietly into the inky night. Hearing Hazelle Hawthorne's approval gave him the courage to want to recruit more guys. "I'll keep on working on my friends. I know that some of them are tired of being oppressed as well."

"Great." Madge nodded at Rye then said, "Mrs. Hawthorne brought up something valuable. We have to be cautious when we're talking about making a move against the Peacekeepers, anyone can overhear us. Anyone can turn into a snitch if their life is held in the balance. Please be careful, be aware of your surroundings." She took a breath. "I think we should all head home."

Rye hung back as Thom slipped out first. He had to make the longest trek to the Seam. Purina slipped out next.

Madge was waiting for her turn when she turned to Rye. "I think it's brave that you're trying to talk to your friends."

Not wanting to blush he played it cool. "Thanks, Madge. I think it's awesome that you have taken up this cause. Not many people would."

She nodded, and Rye swore he saw a slight blush on her face.

"A lot of my friends are not cool with the way the Peacekeepers treat us. I just don't know how to introduce the idea that they can do more than just talk."

"You and I both know while there are a lot of Merchants who side with the Capitol, a lot of them fear the Capitol more than the Seam. They've got a lot more to lose, you have to think about that when you speak to them."

Madge slipped out into the cold.

Rye waited a few moments, his mind going over what Madge said. He slipped out into the cold and easily crossed over to his house. The warmth greeted his face. He quickly brushed off the snowflakes that were falling again. Slipping upstairs he rubbed his face. They didn't have much. Rye hated to admit it, but the bakery was mildly successful because of his mother's managerial style.

He heard a creaking noise coming from the stairs that led up to the bedrooms. Curiously he went up and paused at his brother's room. Sliding the door open he saw his brother and Katniss snuggled up in bed together. A grin spread on his face. As he stood there Madge's words hit him, they did have a lot to lose. If his brother lost Katniss, Peeta would be destroyed. Rye had never seen his brother so happy and that was something he didn't want to lose. He had a lot to fight for and now he also had an in with his friends.

In the Seam Hazelle reached her home, quietly she took off her coat and poked the logs in the fireplace. It was cold out tonight. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She walked to the kitchen and heated up water for a cup of much-needed tea.

Gale was slipping out of his room, getting caught, he turned red. "Mom."

"I hope you're not heading out to see one of those women?"

"No," he lifted his hands. "I wanted to see Delly. I'm worried about her."

"Gale," Hazelle sat down at the kitchen table and patted the seat across from her.

He sat down.

"I overheard your conversation with Katniss."

He hung his head. "It didn't go the way I wanted to."

"That's because Katniss doesn't know about Delly. You're not explaining yourself to her and she thinks that you're coming down on her sister. Which, by the way, is the most important person in Katniss' life. To her, it sounds like you're belittling her problems." Hazelle put her hand up to keep Gale from speaking. "I know that's not your intention, but just look at it from this point of view. If Andy was scared of the reaping, would you behave the same way?"

"No, Andy, can't be reaped. He can hardly walk."

"Prim is so sweet and innocent, all she wants to do is help those in need. You're gonna lose your friend if you keep this up."

"I've been losing Katniss. I don't know how to talk to her anymore."

"How do you talk to Delly?"

"She's easy to talk to, easy to listen to, she gets this sparkle in her eye when she gets excited." His face relaxed and Hazelle watched her son's face transform into a happy one. "I like being around her. I can't explain it. She makes me hopeful."

"Well, the way you treat Delly with respect is the same way you have to treat Katniss. And you have to stop treating her like a kid sister. She's an accomplished young woman." The tea kettle went off. "Who is a better shot than you."

Gale sighed. "You're right."

Hazelle poured some of the hot water inside of the thermos and she slid one of Lavender's calming teas inside of it. "Here, take this to Delly. She might appreciate a good cup."

"Thanks, mom," Gale whispered. He slipped out into the cold. Taking the shortcut through the forests and through the Victor's Village until he slipped into town. He held his breath when he came to her door.

His mother was right. Gale evaluated his conversation with Katniss earlier, and from where Katniss stood he must have sounded like a jerk. He needed to talk to Katniss, tell her about Delly, tell her how wrong he was about the Merchants, tell her how important Delly was to him, tell her that he was sorry for treating her like a child, and tell her that he was sorry for the way Primrose was feeling.

Caring for Delly and her family made him realize how devastated he would be if Andy was reaped at the tender age of twelve. Andy with his big smile and bright eyes. His hands shook as he knocked on her door.

He wouldn't be able to volunteer for Andy, Vick, or Rory after this year's reaping. It left him cold.

The door opened and Delly stood there looking small with a candle in her hand. Her blue eyes were wet with tears. Her cheeks were stained with them. His heart went out to her.

"Gale?"

"Hi." Gale fumbled with the thermos. "I brought you some tea. My mom thought you might need some."

She bit the bottom of her lip, before letting him in. Her eyes welled up with tears.

"Hey," he held her hand then gently pulled her closer to him until she was in his arms. He could feel her trembling, so he embraced her tighter until she stopped. "Why don't you get a blanket and a pillow and I'll pour us some tea."

Delly moved away. Gale went to the kitchen, grabbed two mugs and poured them each a steaming cup. He put them on the coffee table when she came with the pillow and blanket.

Once they sat down Gale draped the blanket over their laps. He gave her the tea and she sipped it quietly.

"Do you remember those corny knock, knock jokes from when we were kids?" Gale sipped his tea.

Delly gave him funny a look.

"You know, knock, knock-"

"Yeah."

"I used to love them. When my dad was alive he used to make me laugh all the time with them."

"What was your favorite one?"

"I'll tell you, but it's better if you do it with me." Delly nodded, Gale cleared his throat, "Knock, Knock."

"Who's there?"

"Banana."

"Banana who?"

"Knock, Knock," Gale grinned when she rolled her eyes at him.

"Who's there?"

"Banana."

"Banana who?"

Gale couldn't help the way his shoulders shook before saying, "Knock, Knock."

Delly shook her head but she was smiling, "Who's there?"

"Orange."

He could tell she was curious, her brows creased, indicating she was working on the possible solutions. "Orange who?"

"Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

Her shoulders shook. "That was corny."

"I didn't say they were funny, I just said I loved them. Wanna hear another?"

She sighed. "There is no way I can stop you?"

"Nope."

She breathed, "Okay."

"Knock, Knock."

She leaned up against him. "Who's there?"

"Double."

"Double who?"

"W." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows and she giggled. "See I told you they're great."

"You are so corny. How in the world do you get women to fall for you?"

"You mean besides my face?"

"Once they get past the face, what do you do?"

"I use a pickup line." He was breaking all sorts of bro codes, but it felt natural with Delly. Everything, even the hard stuff felt natural, unlike with Katniss. With Katniss, he had to get used to her. She wasn't someone who talked and it took a long time for them to find a rhythm. With Delly, it was instantaneous.

She stared up at him, "What?"

"Every Guy that I know has one."

"No, they do not. Peeta doesn't have one."

"I bet you he does, and it would be something cheesy too. Like 'I loaf you, do you loaf me."

Delly thought of Katniss and shook her head. "Sorry, the type of girl Peeta likes isn't going to be won over by bread."

"Okay, Rye's is your father must be a thief because he stole the stars from the skies and put them in your eyes."

"Noooo," Delly half whispered half laughed.

"Yup, wanna hear mine?"

"Why do I feel I am going to regret this?"

"There is only one way to find out," he said wiggling his eyebrows at her. She giggled.

"Okay."

"Can I follow you home cause my mom always told me to follow my dreams."

"That is cheesy, please tell me no one fell for that line."

He shrugged, "Well."

"Gale Hawthorne." She hit him lightly on the shoulder.

"It worked when I was sixteen."

"You are the worst."

"Nope the worst is Thom, he's using the line you must be a snowflake cause I'm falling for you."

She wrinkled her nose. "Does he know it's freezing outside?"

"He's tanking left and right, too stubborn to admit that line is not helping his cause."

Delly buried her head in his shoulder as she laughed. Tears slipped out of her eyes, not from sadness but from glee. He cupped the back of her head and placed a kiss on her forehead. "It's good to hear you laugh."

"My mom would have wanted me to laugh." Delly yawned.

"Sleep Delly. I'll be here for you."

"Thank you, Gale," Delly whispered.

"You're welcome." He whispered back. Her breathing softened and Gale was happy that she had fallen asleep with a smile on her face.