"We need to shoot the propos as fast as possible." Plutarch says as we walk towards the elevators after leaving Headquarters. "Our plan is to have you film the first one with Aiden."
I nod, not knowing what to say.
Plutarch hits several buttons and we get in the elevator. It starts to descend.
So Aiden was fine. I had forgotten that he would be part of the propos as well. I nervously try think to all the experiences I had with babies. Nothing comes up. When Prim was a baby, I was too little to remember anything and I had never had to come across little kids when I was growing up in Twelve.
The elevator stops two floors below ground level. The hospital is placed here as it is deeper in the ground and therefore, safer. Plutarch leads me silently through the quiet hallways into the pediatric unit. I note that there are only two kids in this hospital. Prim told me that most of the children were wiped out in an epidemic two years ago. Coin lost her husband and daughter as well.
The scent of disinfectant and rubbing alcohol sting in my nose as we enter a closed off section of the hospital: the NICU. Plutarch goes over to talk with one of the nurses behind the reception table while I wait.
I mentally note that I dislike hospitals.
Plutarch returns with a short, plump nurse and puts a warm hand on my shoulder. "We think that it is best if you have some bonding time with Aiden before we shoot the propo." he says "Libby, here is going to stay with you."
"Alright." I say, swallowing hard. I don't know why I'm so nervous. Maybe it's because this is my first duty as mockingjay.
"Great." says Plutarch and he leaves.
"Hello Ms. Everdeen," says Libby in an excited voice. "Let's go meet Aiden!"
I follow Libby's wobbling footsteps towards a patient room. As we enter, I hear the faint beeping of a heart monitor and as the door opens, I see the incubator.
The baby seems to be doing better than before. I'm not Prim or my mother, but he seems to be breathing on his own now. The only thing connected to him is a thin yellow tube that travels down the side of his tiny face and into his nose. And from the looks of it Aiden has managed to gain some weight. His skin is less transparent and his cheeks have a slight blush on them.
"He's doing much better," says Libby, as though in response to my thoughts, "He had a little relapse with his lungs a little while ago, but he's bounced back like a ball."
"Who are his parents?" I ask bluntly, not knowing anything else to say.
"He doesn't have any." says the nurse quickly, pursing her lips. "The mother died due to bad health and the stress of childbirth, that's why he was born so early. And the father didn't even know of Aiden's existence when he died so . . ."
I stare at the little creature laying on it's stomach in the incubator. An orphan.
"Well!" says Libby in a tone that reminds me of Effie when she is trying to take control of a situation. "He's strong enough for you to hold. If you would like to Ms. Everdeen."
"No, I can't." I say hurriedly, taking a step back. My arms were no place for a fragile baby, there was no way I could protect it.
"Alright," says Libby, unfazed, "you can just spend some time in here then. Take a seat next to the incubator, yes like that, you can touch him if you like, and I'll be back in a jiffy, I just have to go check on my other patients."
Libby bustles out, leaving me and the baby in complete silence except for the persistent beeping of the heart monitor.
For a moment, I just sit there as though struck dumb. Then I turn towards the baby. He hasn't stirred since I entered but now he's stretching his little fingers and lets out a small squeak.
Not wanting the baby to cry, I hesitantly stick a finger through the hole in the incubator and stroke the soft, velvety skin on the back of his hand. Instead of calming down, he reacts to my touch by stretching out his fingers again and grabbing my thumb. I freeze, not knowing what to do next. My mother or Prim would be much better in this situation.
The baby slowly opens his unfocused eyes, then gazes at me curiously.
And I notice with a shock that his eyes are blue.
Just like Peeta's.