A/N: Request from BecksTheDivergent: I was thinking for the next chapter of Tales From the Sea it would be nice to do something about Nick's first day of school
Okay people I wrote one with Finnick and one without. I wrote the first one and thought it was too depressing. So I wrote another with him. I couldn't decide which to post so I just decided to do both. I hope you enjoy!
In Annie's POV
First Day
I watch him sleep. I don't want to wake him because that would mean the start of the day. That would mean the first day of school. That means he is going to be leaving me.
"Annie." I hear. I turn to the door and see my mom.
I leave the room so I don't wake him... yet
My mother lives with myself and my son. It used to be my sister but she got married. I insisted that she leave to live with her husband. Even though she wanted to stay here. I didn't think it was right for her to stay. I was married even if it was a short time. Besides being married doesn't change how much you love someone.
"Hi mom." I whisper.
She smiles at me.
"Don't worry sweetie he's just going to school. He's going to come back." She says and strokes my hair.
"You're sure?" I whisper.
She nods and hugs me.
"I promise you, he is going to come back."
It may seem silly but the last words Finnick ever said to me was 'I'm going to come back. I promise.' He didn't come back. Even though it is just school and nothing serious, I worry. I don't like him being away from me. I know most parents are probably nervous to send their kid to school but not like me. If I can't see my son I worry about him.
"Okay." I whisper.
The clock chimes and I know I should wake him up.
"I already started breakfast." She smiles.
"Okay." I whisper.
She kisses my cheek and I walk upstairs and head to his room.
I open the door and see his smushed face from the pillow, he has a loose grasp on his teddy bear. He looks so peaceful I don't want to wake him but I have to.
I kneel on the floor. I kiss his forehead and run my fingers through his hair.
"Nick." I whisper.
He starts to stir but I know he isn't awake yet.
"Sweetie." I kiss his forehead again. "You need to get up." I smooth his hair.
"Mommy." He whimpers.
"It's me sweetie." I say and kiss his cheek.
"What are you doing?" He croaks out.
"I'm waking you up. You got school today sweetie." I say.
He lifts his head and rubs his eyes.
"Mommy." He whispers.
"Yes?"
He twirls the sheets.
"What's wrong sweetie?" I ask because he always does this when he is nervous or knows he did something wrong.
"Nothing." He whispers.
"Okay then let's get you dressed. Nana has breakfast all ready for us."
"Okay." He says and stands up on the bed. I pick him up and let him pick out his clothes.
"Let's go downstairs and eat breakfast with Nana." I say and walk downstairs with him.
"Good morning." My mom says.
"Hi Nana." He yawns and rubs his eyes.
"Sit down I made you breakfast." She says gently.
He sits down at the table and she places scrambled eggs and toast in front of him.
He starts eating slowly.
"Mommy?" He asks.
"Yes." I say.
"What am I going to be doing at this school?" He asks and takes a sip of his milk.
"Lots of fun things sweetie." I say and kiss his forehead. "You're going to learn lots of fun things and you'll make lots of friends." I smile.
He nods.
"Okay mommy." He says.
"Sweetie are you okay?" I ask because he sounds sad.
He nods.
"Okay." I say and kiss his cheek.
I watch him eat breakfast.
"Are you finished?" I ask when he is pushing the eggs around.
"Yes." He says.
"Okay. Let's get those teeth brushed then." I say. I get his teeth brushed and hair too. There's nothing really left to do except leave and take him to school. It's only preschool he only goes on Tuesday and Thursday and only for a few hours. I'm still nervous though.
"You ready to leave sweetie?" I ask.
"I guess." He says.
"Okay. Say goodbye to Nana then." I say. He smiles and walks towards her. She gives him a hug.
"Have fun sweetie." She says.
"Okay let's get your shoes on." I say. I kneel down and tie his shoes. When I'm finished I smile and kiss his cheek.
I get up and walk to my mom.
"Don't worry Annie it's going to be alright." She says and smooths my hair.
"I know." I whisper.
"Do you want me to come with you?" She asks.
I shake my head.
"I can do this by myself."
"Okay." She says. "I will see you soon sweetie."
I smile and then head back to Nick.
"Let's go sweetie." I say again.
"Okay." He says.
We start walking to school and he is holding onto my hand tightly. Something is bothering him. I just wish I knew what.
We get in front of the school.
"Okay here we are sweetie, are you ready to go inside?" I ask. Nick doesn't move he just starts twirling his shirt.
"What's wrong sweetie?" I ask and kneel in from of him.
"Nothing." He says looking at the ground.
"What is it baby? You can tell me." I say.
"I… I… mommy you'll think I'm stupid." He whispers
"Nick I will never think you are stupid." I say and smooth his hair.
He doesn't do anything.
"Sweetie look at me." I say and stroke his hair.
He is still looking at the ground.
"Nick." I say. "Look at me baby." I say. Still nothing. "Finnick." I say. His head snaps up then because I only call him by his full name when he is in trouble.
"What mommy?" He says
"Tell mommy what's bothering you."
He looks at the ground again.
"I'm scared." He whispers.
I smile. Looks like I'm not the only one.
I put my finger under his chin so he will look at me. He looks up and smiles.
"Sweetie you have nothing to be afraid of. You're going to have fun and make some friends." I kiss his forehead. "Okay?"
"Okay." He whispers.
"Come here." I say and hug him. He leans his head in the crook of my neck. "I love you sweetie." I kiss the top of his head. "It will only be for a little awhile and I promise you're going to have so much fun." I let go so he can see my face. I push a piece of hair behind his ear and kiss his cheek. "Okay?" I ask.
"Okay mommy." He smiles.
I walk him to the classroom and say goodbye again. Then I leave him. I don't want to but, know I have to. I walk back outside and see my mom. I should've known she would follow me. I'm not that angry. I have that tight feeling in my chest.
"Come here Annie." She says when I'm close enough. She encircles an arm around me. I lean into her shoulder and she kisses the top of my head. "It's going to be alright. Let's go home." She whispers.
"Can't we stay here." I whisper.
She looks at me and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Sweetie. It's going to be fine. We should go home."
"What if something happens inside. Like the school catches on fire or something."
"Annie nothing is going to happen."
"I need to make sure." I mutter and can feel tears building up in my eyes. This is so silly but I don't care.
"Okay." My mom says and strokes my hair.
We sit on one of the benches and wait.
"Annie sweetie." My mom says.
"Yes." I whisper.
She rubs my shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
"No. I want him here." I whisper.
"Sweetie he's fine."
"I didn't mean Nick." I whisper.
"Oh honey." She hugs me and knows I'm talking about Finnick. I do want him here. I want him here every day but when it is a big life moment I really want him here. I know he should be. "He would be so happy. You're doing fine Annie."
"I feel this way for all the big moments. Finnick should be here."
"He's here." She says kindly.
I groan and roll my eyes. I don't believe in life after death. Lots of people do and that's fine, I just don't. I think once your dead that's it. Finnick isn't still here. His body is just decomposing.
I start crying at the thought.
"I'm sorry Annie." She says and kisses my cheek probably tasting the saltness of my tears. "He would be proud of you though."
"I know." I mutter. That doesn't really matter to me. I don't care what he would think. Okay I would a little bit but, I really just want him here. With me. I want him to be holding my hand and not my mother. I want him telling me everything will be alright. Let's face it I would be worried either way. It would just be a different kind of worry.
I swallow hard.
"You still have a good life Annie." She says.
"I know." I whisper. I do know I have a good life. It could be much worse. Everyone is heartbroken about something but yet the heart manages to still beat.
School is almost over. I head inside to go and get him. I see the other parents and catch the lingering stares I always get.
I sigh and clench and unclench my hands.
Those stares will never go away. I don't know if it's the crazy thing, the victor thing, or the I'm not a good mother thing. I know people say that or at the very least think it. It's because of the crazy thing they think I'm a bad mother because of it.
"Mommy!" I hear and he runs towards me.
I hug him instantly.
"Sweetie." I say and rub his back. "Did you have a fun day at school?" I say and kiss his cheek.
He nods enthusiastically.
"That's good. What did you do?" I ask.
He tells me about his day. He looks so happy.
"See it wasn't so bad." I say and kiss his cheek. "We can go home now." I say.
"Okay mommy." He smiles.
He scurries outside
"Nana!" I hear him shout and then hurry to my mom.
We walk home and Nick is still talking about everything he did at school. We walk through the door and Nick runs to his play room.
"See everything was fine." My mom says.
"I guess."
"It will get easier." She says.
"I hope so." I smile.
I hear running footsteps.
"Mommy!" I hear and then he is in front of me.
"What sweetie."
"I forgot." He says and then pulls something out of his backpack. "I made this today in school." He smiles.
I take it. It is a picture of me and him, it says I love mommy.
I smile.
"This is going to go on the fridge so I can see it everyday." I say.
"Really!" He shouts.
"Really." I say and kiss his cheek. I go to hang it on the fridge and smile. I guess everything will be alright. I will still worry but, after all isn't that the job of a mother.
First Day
I feel a rubbing on my back.
"Annie." I hear Finnick whisper.
I roll over so I can see him.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
"Nothing, it's just... we should get up soon so we can take Nick to school." He smiles and places a stray hair behind my ear.
"About that... I was thinking, Finnick he has a late birthday so maybe he could just start next year."
Finnick smiles.
"Annie it's going to be fine. He's just going to school."
"Maybe-
"Annie." He smiles and kisses my cheek. "Don't worry. Besides this gives him an opportunity to learn new things and make friends. Besides its only a few days a week and a couple hours."
"I want him to be with me." I say.
"Annie he will be fine."
"Maybe we should do home school instead Finnick."
Finnick smiles and kisses my cheek.
"You're so silly Annie."
I smile.
"I know." I whisper.
He pulls me closer and kisses me.
"I love you." He says.
"I love you too." I smile.
"Let's go. I assume you want to wake him." He teases.
I nod and smile.
We get ready for the day and Finnick starts to make breakfast. I look to the clock and see I should probably wake Nick up.
I get to his room and smile at his peaceful expression. I lean down and kiss his forehead. I run my fingers through his hair.
"Sweetie." I whisper and kiss his forehead again. "Nick." I say again and he stars to stir. "Sweetie you need to wake up." He makes a moaning noise and rolls over. He is just like Finnick in the morning. "Sweetie you need to get up. You need to go to school."
He mumbles something.
"What's that sweetie?"
"I get to go to school?"
I nod and kiss his forehead.
"That's right." I say.
He sits up.
"Oh boy!" He says.
I smile. I know he won't be excited about going to school for long.
"Yes." I say. "Now what do you want to wear?" I ask. He gets out of his bed and looks at his closet. He ends up picking out a green t-shirt and shorts. I get him dressed and then we go downstairs.
"Daddy!" He shouts and runs toward him.
"Hey buddy." He smiles. "Sit down at the table breakfast is almost ready." He says. Nick does and sits at the table. Finnick soon places pancakes in front of him. They are already cut and have syrup on them.
He takes a bite and smiles.
"This is realllllllllly good daddy."
"I'm glad you think so." Finnick smiles and kisses the top of his head.
Nick takes a sip of orange juice and smiles.
"I'm gonna have fun right?" Nick says wary.
"Yes you are." Finnick says and sits next to him.
"Am I going to get to play there?"
Finnick leans in a kisses his cheek.
"Yes you are going to get to play there."
Nick smiles.
"You're going to make lots of friends too Nick." I say.
"Oh boy!" He says enthusiastically.
"You're going to have lots of fun." I say.
"Good!" He says and then gets off his chair.
"Let's brush your teeth then you can leave."
He nods and I help him brush his teeth.
He runs out when he is finished. Then Finnick and I walk him to school.
"Sweetie wait." I say as he is about to walk into the building.
"What mommy?" He asks.
"Make sure to be good."
"Okay mommy." He smiles.
"Be nice and try to talk to the other kids."
"Okay mommy."
"And-
"You're going to have a great day Nick." Finnick interrupts.
"Okay daddy." He smiles.
"Okay." Finnick says.
"Come here sweetie." I say and he does. I hug him and kiss the top of his head. "I love you baby." I whisper.
"I love you mommy." He says.
I rub his back.
"Annie." I hear Finnick say gently. I push Nick closer to my chest. "Annie." Finnick says again.
"Mommy you're holding on really tight." Nick says.
I let go.
"I'm sorry sweetie." I say and kiss his cheek.
He smiles and I smile back.
"Annie I think it's time for him to go in." Finnick says.
"Give me a minute." I say and Finnick smiles. I smooth Nick's hair and kiss his cheek one more time. "I love you sweetie." I say again.
"I love you too mommy." He smiles.
"Okay who wants to go to school." Finnick says.
"I do daddy." Nick says with glee.
"Then let's go." He says and starts to take him to the classroom. I follow but Finnick soon stops me.
"Annie you should stay here."
"What? Why?" I say confused.
"Because I don't think you will let him go."
I sigh.
"Okay." I say.
Nick smiles.
"Bye mommy!" Nick says.
"Bye Nick have a good day." I say.
He smiles. Finnick holds his hand and tells Nick something.
Finnick comes out in a few minutes.
He comes over to me and cups my face. He wipes away a tear I didn't realize was there.
"Don't cry Annie." He whispers and pulls me in for a hug. He kisses my hair line as I wrap my arms around him.
"I'm not crying." I mutter.
I can tell Finnick is laughing from the rising and falling of his chest.
"Finnick." I warn.
"Annie he's just going to school. We will see him very very soon."
"I know." I whisper.
"Okay. Let's go home."
"Are you sure maybe we could-
"Annie we're going home. Everything is going to be fine." He says gently. "Okay?" He says and kisses my cheek.
I don't say anything.
"Annie?" He whispers.
"Okay." I say back.
He holds my hand as we walk back home. I wish they got rid of the Victors' Village sign but it is pretty much cemented into the ground.
Finnick starts to head for the door but I let go of his hand and head to the porch swig. Finnick follows and then sits down. I sit down on his lap and Finnick wraps his arms around me as I lean against his chest. He kisses the top of my head.
"Whatcha thinking?" He asks.
The swing rocks back and forth slowing and I just focus on his chest rising and falling.
"Annie." He says again. "Annie." He says again. "Ann." He says worried.
"I'm still here Finnick." I whisper.
"Okay. You had me worried." He whispers and kisses my head.
"I'm sorry." I whisper because I still fade in and out of reality every so often. I know Finnick worries about this who wouldn't.
"It's okay. What are you thinking though?" He says.
"I don't know. I'm just worried."
"What about?" He asks.
"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling."
"Annie he's going to be fine."
"What if the other kids are mean to him." I say.
"Is that why you're so worried?" Finnick asks.
"I don't know but I don't want anyone to hurt my baby." I pause. "Our baby." Finnick is smiling I can tell.
"No one is going to hurt him Annie." He kisses my cheek.
"What if...
"No." Finnick says still smiling.
"But-
"Annie, it's just preschool. He's going to be fine."
It's silent for awhile.
"I hope so. I want to make sure he never gets hurt."
"Annie he will, that is life." Finnick says and I look up at him.
I sit up and turn around and straddle his lap.
"I know but I never want him to hurt."
Finnick smiles and kisses me.
"He will."
I open my mouth.
"But never like we have."
I smile. Finnick knows me too well.
"Positive?" I whisper.
"Positive." He says and leans in and kisses me.
Finnick and I walk back to the school holding hands. We go inside and wait for him outside of the classroom.
I see Nick and he comes running towards us.
"Mommy! Daddy!" He says and smiles. I notice he is holding something.
"Whatcha got there buddy?" Finnick asks him.
"It's for you and mommy." He says.
Finnick takes it from him and I expect it to be some paperwork but when I see it, it isn't. It's a picture that says my family.
I smile.
"It's so beautiful sweetie." I say.
"Thanks!" He says.
"Let's go home." I say.
He nods. I take his hand and we walk home.
"Did you have fun today?" Finnick asks.
He shakes his head enthusiastically.
He talks about his day and it sounded like he had fun. It seems like he is going to be making friends. I think he will be okay.
We make it home and he sets his stuff down.
"Can I have a snack?" He asks.
"Of course." Finnick says.
I pick Nick up and we head to the kitchen.
"What do you want baby?" I ask and kiss the top of his head.
"Apples with butter." He smiles.
"You mean peanut butter sweetie?"
He nods.
I set him down on a chair and get it for him. I notice Finnick going to the kitchen and starts to hang up the drawing.
"What are you doing daddy?" Nick asks.
"Hanging up your picture so mommy and I can see it every day." Finnick smiles.
"Yay!" Nick exclaims.
I place the apples and peanut butter in from of him and kiss the top of his head.
"Love you baby." I say.
"Love you mommy." He smiles.
I lie in bed and a few minutes later Finnick comes in and falls down next to me.
"Hey you." He says.
"Hey you." I say back and kiss him.
"See today wasn't so bad." Finnick says.
"It wasn't so bad." I smile. "Besides, if he always brings home cute little drawings I think I will like this more and more." I smile.
Finnick kisses the tip of my nose.
"Of course you would say that."
"You do know I love that stuff. It's just God Finnick. Our son is growing up. He's going to need us less and less soon."
"Annie, he can't even tie his shoes. Besides, he will always need us, just not as much some day."
I smile and Finnick kisses me.
"That will come too soon." I whisper.
"I know." Finnick says. "Don't worry about that now. It's just the first day of school." He kisses my cheek. "There's plenty of time still."
I smile.
"I love you." I whisper.
"I love you too." He says
A/N: Okay BecksTheDivergent I hope you liked it... them lol. Thanks everyone for reading!