Disclaimer: I own very little.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Family Affairs

There was nothing to make me think that getting married was going to be a blissful affair, not after all of the photo shoots, publicity, stress, and decisions made. I found that there was far too much that needed to be done in too little of time as President Snow was quite impatient when it came to the date of the wedding. Interview after interview, Seneca and I received congratulations after congratulations and gifts upon gifts. We joked much about the amount of presents we were receiving.

Sadly, though this was a happy time for us, there wasn't a night that passed that I wouldn't awake from horrendous nightmares varying from that of my father or even as severe of myself back in the arena. Sometimes, I would stay awake for hours, wandering about, trying to find some way to ease my mind. I found sleep to be a blessing when it came, but a curse when it left me. Still, I kept mum about my evenings and led everyone to believe that nothing could possibly be wrong.

After many months of planning and also working, President Snow finally seemed to be pleased with both Seneca and I again, since we did follow his plan and not disobey his rules. It was for this reason that President Snow permitted my mother and brother to visit me during the week before my wedding. However, the condition was that they were only allowed to be at my apartment until eight o' clock in the evening and had to stay at a separate location.

This was hardly a restriction though, for I was mostly happy to be able to spend time with them.

One evening, Seneca offered his family's garden for us to visit in without worry of having the Capitol monitoring us in any way, shape, or form. After some persuasive talk with the guards in front of my home, I convinced the guard that we would be back at the apartment well before the eight o' clock curfew.

In the car ride over, my mother and brother were in awe of the surroundings.

"This is what you see everyday?" Ostro asked, looking up at the lofty buildings staring down on us from above.

I gazed up at the architectural wonders before looking back to him," Yes, I do."

I completely took for granted that which he found to be a spectacle. There were many other things that the two of them pointed out that I may have, at one time, thought to be wonderful, but they had, like many other things of the Capitol, simply become normal.

Ostro caught glimpse at some of the women's fashions, some of them absolutely ridiculous and some of them downright inappropriate. I noticed a sly grin on his face as he chuckled after seeing the women.

"This town is so strange," He laughed, shaking his head.

I rolled my eyes as the vehicle came to a rolling stop and I was first to hop out of the vehicle and hold the door open for my family. Both my mother and brother were in awe of the Crane's beautiful estate garnished with the colorful fountains in the front and the sleek architecture with floor to ceiling windows. It took several minutes to keep them walking along instead of gaping at the beauty of the home. When we arrived at the front door, immediately we were greeted by Seneca's mother.

In this account, I've spent very little time mentioning his mother. A reason for this being that his mother was not, by any means, a gregarious woman. At one point in time, Seneca tells me that she was, but after they lost his father, she completely reverted almost to the point of where she hardly socialized at all.

"Hello, Savera and family," She spoke very softly with a gentle smile on her face.

Her hair was cut short and dark, just the shade of Seneca's. Her eyes, narrow and piercing just like her son's. She kindly introduced herself to my brother and mother, but left little time for conversing as she moved us along to the stairwell which led to the garden below.

"Do enjoy and I will alert you when it is time to go," She said softly, opening the door and allowing us to descend the stairs.

I nodded to her before going down the stairs with my family close behind me, they were marveling at the beautiful home before we arrived at the secluded garden and they continued their cooing over the shrubbery. I waited by sitting on the edge of the fountain looking into the glowing water, which must have been on some sort of a color show for it changed from a deep blue to a bright magenta within seconds.

"Wow, this is spectacular, Savera," Mother said, looking at one of the flowers closely.

"Why build a place like this in your basement?" Ostro asked, gazing around before walking toward the fountain where I sat.

"A safe place to vent about whatever ticked you off that day," I smirked at him as he took a seat on one of the stone benches. "This is one of the few places I know of that's not under any surveillance by the Capitol."

Both of them nodded, understanding precisely what I was implying. Mother walked toward the center where we both were. She crossed her arms over her chest before looking at me sternly," Then now would be a perfect time for you to explain some things to us."

I exhaled heavily," Yes, it would."

As I said this, my mother took a deep breath in before narrowing her eyes at me," Explain to me how you fell in love with a man from the Capitol. How did you meet?"

This was quite a deep question to start with, however, I couldn't say that I wasn't expecting it at some point. I blinked several times as the question registered in my mind, and reminded myself just how I "fell in love" with a man from the Capitol.

Immediately, the time when I snuck through the Tribute's Complex came to my mind. I remember my eyes meeting his icy blue for the first time as he caught me out of my room and not only that, but eavesdropping on his Gamemaker meeting. He saved my life; if any of the other Gamemakers had found me, I would have been dead before the Games began, but he was different.

"He saved my life, mother," I said softly, folding my hands on my lap. "I got into trouble at the beginning of the Games because I snooped around in the complex where we were not meant to be snooping. He caught me and explained the severity of my situation. Had any of the other ones found me…I'd be dead."

"You're marrying him because you owe him your life?" She asked, clearly not yet satisfied.

"Not just that, but he…he is different than any other person I've met mother," I replayed so many of the memories I had built with him from his dapper appearance at the ball to the fallout with his "friend" and I to the plaza where we announced our relationship. "He wants more than just power and fame unlike many here in the Capitol."

"How so?" She asked.

I swallowed hard, knowing that what I was about to tell her could never leave the room.

"He wishes for the Capitol's government to collapse, one day" I said cooly, staring at the ground as I did so. "He wishes for President Snow to be replaced with rule by the people, mother. The idea of having a Hunger Games sickens him just as much as it does us."

"He has said this specifically to you?" She asked, looking directly at me.

"Yes, we've spoken of it many times. It's the only reason he continues to be a Gamemaker. He has a power in these Games, mother. One day, when he has enough power and respect, he thinks that a tribute will come along who is worthy of spurring the rest of the country into revolution. If this goes according to plan, he will never be held in the same manner as his father and grandfather-"

"I'm glad you mentioned them, actually," She said carefully. "You know their reputation?"

"I know that they were-"

"Some of the most heartless, cruel Gamemakers the Games ever saw. You never saw them, but I remember seeing tributes spontaneously burst into flames on the screen for no apparent reason. Or, the years when tributes were attacked by masses of mountain lions which came from nowhere. Or, when the water given to them as a gift was really poison…they had not the best reputation amongst the populous," She explained, looking me straight in the eye.

"They were murdered by President Snow for not doing their job satisfactory, mother. With all due respect, the actions you are describing sound to be right down President Snow's alley," I said back quietly.

"Is it ironic that they both held the title of Head Gamemaker for the longest amount of time? In fact, they are tied for the record," She said, waiting for me to catch her connection. "Perhaps, President Snow simply felt as thought it was time for a new face. Perhaps, he did not wish for one man, or family, to acquire too much power in the Games."

I blinked several times, seeing her point precisely and not being satisfied with it. She clearly saw my confusion.

"I'm not saying that Seneca is the same way and only playing your emotions, however, I am telling you that you need to consider these things before marrying him, Savera," She said softly, coming closer.

I shook my head and stood up angrily," It's not that mother! It's just that I haven't a choice but to be bound to Seneca."

My mother's eyes bore into me as I folded my arms over my chest. She gasped," Surely, you haven't-"

"President Snow has made me responsible for him. He wishes for me to keep an eye on him and essentially told me that he will kill Seneca should he do anything ridiculous. I know that he knows that I care enough about Seneca that I could never live with the guilt of allowing him to do something utterly stupid," I said to her, shaking my head as Seneca's face came to my mind.

"You've let him torture you with that?" My mother asked, coming closer to me.

"If it were anyone else in this country, I wouldn't believe it," I said, fighting tears. "But I know he will kill Seneca if someone doesn't warn Seneca."

"Does Seneca know of this?" Mother asked, looking at me sternly.

I bit my lip," No, mother."

"Then how can you say that you support his cause, if you are meant to be in direct opposition of it?" Mother asked, staring at me still.

I did not want to cry. Not in front of my mother and certainly not after discussing this, but the truth of the matter was that I hadn't any more strength nor patience to explain it all to her for it was far too complex for either of us to completely understand. I swallowed back the tears at first before letting them flow down my face. The tears were in response to her statement for I knew not how I could support him if I was supposed to be serving President Snow.

Was it inevitable that Seneca would face death? Or, another thought was, was it inevitable I would face death? How could I truly stop Seneca from doing what he desired? In doing this, I would not only lose his love, but also push him to do what he desired even more so. Both options did not lead to a bright future for the both of us.

She put an arm around me as the tears flowed.

"I love him, mom. I can't explain it any other way, but I simply love him and want the best for Seneca. However, I've known for such a long time that either way I go: if I love him or if I leave him, it will end in his death. If I stay, then I will be expected to support his actions which will lead him to death, but if I go then he will naturally do those things and kill himself."

I felt as though I was blubbering helplessly as my mother wrapped me into her arms, hugging me.

"I have to save him, mom," I said, as she wiped away the tears.

"Do you love him?" She asked after several moments of silence, looking straight into my eyes.

"I-I just feel like I need to-"

"Savera, don't tell me all that again. I just want a simple answer: do you love Seneca Crane?"

I don't think my mother realized the depth of that question. As I looked into her eyes, I knew she wanted the answer that my heart gave and not my brain. I sucked back the tears and wiped them away. I thought back on all the laughs I had shared with him, and when I pictured Seneca in my mind, my whole self smiled. I hadn't ever felt this way about anyone whom I had met before, as cliché as that sounded.

Swallowing, I looked directly at her," Yes."

"Well then," She said, tucking a stray hair of mine behind my ear. "I would advise you to leave him and allow him to make his own decision as you are living your life and not Seneca, however…."

She trailed off for several moments looking into my eyes.

"Since you love him….sometimes we do incredibly illogical things for those we love," She whispered before kissing me on the cheek.

I looked straight at her," Why change your mind so suddenly?"

"I can't change it, can I?" She asked, raising a brow. "It would be ridiculous for me, as a mother, to tell you how to live your life. I've already raised you to make the right decisions and I trust that you will."

I looked down before looking back up at her," Hopefully, I won't let you down and….thank you."

She placed her hand on my cheek," You won't let me down."

Ostro, until this point, had been silent in the conversation, but he walked closer to include himself. I looked over to see a solemn look on his face and as mother took a step back, I met his gaze.

"It still doesn't change the fact that father is dead," He said gravely, clearly bitter toward someone over the matter.

"What does Seneca have to do with this?" I asked tentatively.

"Who called for the Peacekeepers to come, Savera?" Ostro asked gruffly, folding his arms over his chest.

"How would he have-"

"He's the only one that would have, Savera! He left and made a phone call-"

"He wouldn't do that, Ostro!" I shot at him angrily.

"How do you know that, Savera?" He growled, coming inches from my face. "He's from the Capitol, all he knows is to abide by the Capitol's ways. The Capitol takes care of anyone who says the slightest thing against them-"

"He wouldn't have had the time to do that for one and for two…he just wouldn't do that. I know him, Ostro, he's been hurt by the Capitol too and wouldn't wish that kind of hurt upon anyone…especially not us," I said tenderly, placing a hand on my brother's forearm.

He shook off my hand and shook his head," I tried coming here with an open mind, but I can't help but think I'm tying myself to the very thing that killed father. It doesn't matter if he directly did it or not, he represents the man that did."

"President Snow's vengeance is not something Seneca wears! If you want to hold a grudge, hold it against Snow…not Seneca," I growled right back at him.

He stared right in my eye," He's from the Capitol. He's felt no pain like we have, Savera…he never will. He'll never feel the pain of having two siblings ripped from you, only to have one killed in that sick game that he helps run. He only knows a life of servitude to Snow; therefore, I know of no other way President Snow could have heard father's words."

"Have you ever considered the idea that President Snow could be aware of every move you make in your district? Did you know that this is part of my job in this city?" I hissed at him; his eyes widened as he looked at me.

"Savera!" Mother exclaimed, shocked slightly.

"Did the both of you think that the Capitol would place such harsh rules on a ceremony that takes place once a year and then slack off on security the other 364 days a year? Even in a opulent society such as District Two, there is no privacy. Nearly everything you do or say is monitored. If father has had a history of stating his opinion, they would have known eventually. If there were anything in his work…in the public eye…then they most certainly would have discovered it. I alluded to such when I visited," I said to the both of them seriously, perhaps, a little too harshly.

"I thought it was only for that visit, however, if they heard other things…," Mother trailed off, covering her mouth. "They've heard many conversations for years upon years…why would they come after your father now?"

"He probably had little to say before; he did work for the Capitol after all. It wasn't until I was reaped and told to stay that we became persons of interest to them," I answered softly.

"Seneca should have stopped it," Ostro growled.

"Did you not see him try?" I asked, angry at how ludicrous my brother was being.

"He could have, Savera-"

I shook my head, disappointed terribly with him.

Just as I opened my mouth to rebuttal this, a voice could be heard over what sounded to be a speaker. Mrs. Crane's weak voice spoke," Savera, I thought you'd like to know that you should be heading back to your complex now."

"Thank you, Mrs. Crane," I answered, before turning quickly back to my brother.

I hadn't the time to tell him everything that I wished to tell him at the moment, but I knew in my heart that he was simply hurting over father's death. I knew that he just wanted his dad back, just like I did. If I wasn't in love with Seneca and if I didn't know he wasn't like the other men from the Capitol, I would have thought to blame him for father's death, as well. However, Ostro had very little evidence to stand and the bitterness in his aura was evident. Deep down, I thought he probably wasn't angered with Seneca, but rather the situation itself.

"All I can tell you is what I know: Seneca did not order for father's death and wouldn't have wished such a thing upon anyone for he too lost a father. I can only hope that you change your heart for it is only days until I marry him," I whispered to my brother.

"I don't have to approve of whom you marry," He muttered, biting his lip.

"I know, but generally speaking….a lifetime is a long time to hate someone whom you have made assumptions of," I told him with a shrug of my shoulders.

And with that, I felt my brother's eyes boring into me as we walked toward the stairs.

A/N: Hopefully, you got a deeper glimpse into Savera's family situation right now. I PROMISE the drama is about to kick up because there's about to be another time jump not in the next chapter(that's the wedding…yay!), but the chapter after and it may just some people by the names of Katniss and Peeta.

I know we're still a couple chapters away, but just to foreshadow… how do you think Savera is going to react to Katniss and Peeta?