First Time Swimming.
"I still don't understand Annie." Finnick says confused and frustrated.
"Finnick-"
"I thought you said once he could walk we could teach him how to swim." Finnick says while looking towards our son who is in the living room sucking on his teething ring.
"Finnick he is still wobbly." I say concerned. Our son is barely walking and Finnick wants to take him out to sea. I shouldn't be surprised. All District Four kids seem to learn how to walk and swim at the same time. That was mostly because once kids reached a certain age they would have to catch fish for the Capitol. If your kid didn't know how to swim, they would drown.
"It's easier to walk in water, remember. That's why they had me learn to walk first in water for my therapy." He says.
I sigh.
After the war when Finnick came back he was hurt badly. He lost his right leg in an attack. He got a fancy Capitol prosthetic leg. It's made from biomechanics so it's like a real leg. He can even flex the false toes. This is because the leg is hooked up to the nerve endings. Yes it was terrible when they hooked it up but now it's fine. He can use it efficiently now. He still had some trouble especially when Nick was born. He would lose balance when he held him.
"Finnick I don't know. The ocean is choppy." I say still unsure.
"Fine, he doesn't have to learn to swim but maybe he can go into the ocean a little. He has never been before." Finnick says with a smile. He's right. Nick has never been to the beach before. He was too little and the waters were deemed unsafe for awhile but, everything is fine now.
I look back towards Nick.
"Okay but if he doesn't like it-"
"We go back home and wait till he's older." Finnick says with a smile.
"Okay." I say.
Finnick smiles with victory.
"We should get ready then." Finnick says and goes upstairs.
I walk over towards Nick.
"Daddy is really funny." I say. I pick Nick up and kiss his cheek.
"Mama." He says and pulls my hair.
"That's me." I say with a smile.
Finnick comes back and is in his usual beach wear. I hand Nick to Finnick so I can get dressed.
I hear Nick giggle on the way up. I just grab sandals, shorts, and a tank top.
"Okay let's go." I say.
"Don't sound so down. We're just going to the beach." He says and hands Nick to me.
"I know. I'm just worried." I say and kiss the top of his head.
"Don't worry it will be fine." He says and kisses my cheek.
"Okay." I say.
"We're going to have fun Nicky."
Finnick says and pats the baby fluff on his head.
We leave the house.
Finnick made sure to pack all the essentials for Nick. So we are good to go.
We go to the beach on victors village. We just walk for awhile. I do notice that Finnick is getting closer and closer to the water. Until he sits down near the shoreline.
"Give him to me Annie." Finnick says and holds out his arms.
I do slowly.
"If he starts crying Finnick-"
"We'll go home." He finishes for me.
Finnick puts Nick's feet in the water first.
Nick looks up at me confused and curious.
I sit down next to them.
"See he's fine." Finnick says and then slowly puts him in the water. It's only up to his waist. Nick is basically just sitting on Finnick's lap.
He is still looking up at me curious. He's not afraid just intrigued.
He then slams his hands in the water splashing himself and part of Finnick.
Nick giggles.
"See he likes it." Finnick smiles and I roll my eyes.
Nick keeps playing and splashing in the water.
"It probably reminds him of a bath." I say and rub his back.
"Well that is basically what we are doing just no soap." Finnick smiles. "He's going to love fishing, swimming, and sailing."
"Finnick don't push anything on him. He'll do what he likes." I say and Nick slams his small fists in the water and giggles.
"He's not that old. I'm not going to push anything on him. Although trident lessons should be important." Finnick says.
Nick starts shivering.
"He's cold Finnick." I say and Finnick looks down and sees him shivering too.
He pulls out a towel and starts to dry him off.
"Dada." He says with a smile.
"And why are trident lessons a must?" I ask confused.
"How to catch fish and a way to defend himself." Finnick says.
"Defend himself from what?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
"That's what my Dad would always say when my Mom asked." He smirks. 'Who lets a seven year old wave around a weapon'" He impersonates his Mom. "My Dad would always respond 'you know why.'" Finnick says gravely. I never met Finnick's parents because they were dead before I met him but I can tell they loved him.
"Finnick he doesn't need to defend himself like that. He won't be going into a death arena."
"I know." Finnick says but his voice is tight. "Can you take him." Finnick says.
"Come here baby." I say and take Nick who is starting to doze off.
"It's hard to think that sometimes." Finnick says.
"He's going to be fine Finnick." I kiss his cheek. "We can take care of him. No more Hunger Games and no more forced prostitution. We're all going to be fine." I say.
"What if this new government with Paylor doesn't pan out." He says.
"I had no idea you were thinking things like this." I say and Nick reaches up at me. "Usually I worry." I say.
"I know. I'm just worried. I can't have him face what we did." Finnick says and runs his thumb across Nick's cheek.
"He won't. He's fine."
"Mama." He says. "Dada." He says and points to Finnick.
Finnick smiles and let's Nick grasp onto his finger.
"We're gonna be okay Finnick. Besides its been a little over a year. I think if something bad was going to happen, it would've happened by now." I say.
Finnick sighs and let's go of Nick causing him to become fussy.
"Calm down sweetie." I say gently to Nick and rock him back and forth.
"He clearly wants me." Finnick says.
I roll my eyes and give him to Finnick. Nick calms down causing Finnick to give off an 'I told you so' look.
"And if something does happen we'll get through it together." I say.
Finnick nods.
"We've been through hell and back before. But-" he says and looks at Nick.
I kiss Finnick's cheek.
"He'll be okay. We'll be okay." I say and Finnck nods.
"I just love him so much. I don't want him to end up like us." He says.
"He won't. I'll personally make sure of it." I say. Nick smiles and pulls my hair. "And it looks like he agrees." I say.
Finnick leans in and kisses me.
"Just consider the trident lessons." Finnick says and I roll my eyes.
"We'll have this discussion again when he's ten." I say and stand up.
"Why ten?" He asks.
"Because it's in the double digits. He should be alright by then." I say and kiss the top of Nick's head.
"Whatever you say." Finnick says and kisses Nick.