I open one eye to see if what I dreaded is true. Sunlight has crept through the blinds and morning has arrived. Finn is still fast asleep and I close my eye again in an effort to join him. This is one of the things I have learned to enjoy most. Being able to wake up next to the one I trust most in this world, still held in his warm embrace.

I'm moments from sleep when I feel him start to shift underneath me. "Don't," I breathe out.

Soft fingers start to lightly stroke my back. "Today's the big, big day, we have to get up sometime." I snuggle in closer to him. Partly, to forget what today is and partly because last night was exhausting.

He tenses underneath me. "We've been through this Violet. You agreed it was time."

Is there every really a right time to tell your parents you're sleeping with the son of the man who died saving their lives and the rest of Panem? Not that I will put it that way. We're going to tell them we're in love. That we've been together since the first day I moved to District 4. I went to apprentice the healers in the hospital. District 4 was the only one my parents would agree to as Finn promised to watch over me.

Young, innocent Violet Mellark always needing someone to watch over me. I honestly thought he would put on a show, greet me and let me be on my merry way. Given the choice of babysitting me or living true to his reputation with the opposite sex I thought for sure I would have more freedom in 4 with Finn as my supposed keeper.

It was years since I had actually seen Finn in person. He practically grew up with my parents but by the time my brother and I came along he was living his own life in 4. I knew the effect he had on women but with me, he was going to be like an older brother…so said my parents.

When I stepped off the train he greeted me like any brother would. But I couldn't take my eyes off of him. My stomach still clenches when his lips curl into that irresistible smile and his eyes look right through me. It was the first and only time I've ever felt desire for someone. There was a war in my mind as I fought off the foreign feelings and outlandish thoughts starting to take over me. He and my parents arranged for me to stay in the quarters next to him in the most secure building in District 4. And it still sits half furnished to this day as I never even spent one night there.

I was very ineffective at keeping myself busy by putting away my belongings when he knocked at my door that first night. He had prepared dinner for both of us. We ate in his quarters. He made conversation. I laughed nervously. I drank way too much. Everything after that just happened so quickly. I tried to kiss him. He made me sleep in his bed until morning when I was sober. I apologized profusely. He asked if I still wanted to kiss him. I shook my head and told him…want was not a strong enough word. He warned me. He told me if he kissed me he would never stop, he would never want for anyone else, he would never leave. And he's still here. Ready to tell my parents what I kept putting off. I should be relieved and accept his love, share it with the world. Why is being honest with my parents about this one thing so hard?

"I just want to sleep for a bit longer," I mutter. It's about my lack of sleep. Nothing else.

He relaxes and continues softly caressing my back. "Something keep you up last night?"

I smile into his chest. "Some one you mean. Don't you know it's not safe for a person your age to be that active?"

He brushes the hair away from my face and runs his thumb along my jaw. "Good thing I happen to know a healer," he says.

Sure, Finn, just assume I'll save your life if you have a heart attack. I'd rather prevent it.

"I'm going to have to search the woods for something to slow you down if we're going to be together much longer."

Any sleep I thought I might get away with is forgotten when he pulls me up to him and kisses me. He starts to lay a trail of kisses down my neck to my collarbone. "You might regret that Mellark."

He continues downward until the rooms fills with moans of Finnick.

Just as my body relaxes with his hand clasping mine I think I could care less about sleeping ever again. His beautiful face is resting beside mine and he whispers, "Although if you really want a break from this I hear marriage will do that to a man."

There's that word again. He never fails to find a time to bring it up. I'm doing enough for him just by being honest about our relationship with my parents. He needs to stop pushing me. I am not ready to go that far. I may never be and he better be prepared for it. This is nothing new to him. I've told him all of this before. But Finn Odair always gets what he wants. At least he did before he met me.

Fully awake now, I release his hand from mine and find my clothes quicker than he can ask me what I am doing. I throw his shirt at him and tell him, "I'm going to shower at my parents. You're going to shower here because you can't figure out the only new appliance my parents ever buy."

Confused he says, "I can figure anything-" My look of annoyance shuts him up. He never even bothered to think of a reason why he wasn't in his room this morning.

Silence is my only response as I dress and he tries to salvage the situation he just created by telling me he was just kidding.

Just as I'm about to leave he calls my name. I glance back annoyed only to see him stand in all his glory and smile that smile that gets me every time. "You can run…but you can't hide." He gathers his clothes and saunters into the bathroom.

I take a moment to gather myself. He knows exactly the effect he has on me.

Halfway down the stairs I notice he's left the front door open. He's been so careless since we arrived. Maybe he's more nervous than I gave him credit for. His little speech last night and especially mentioning marriage before I'm about to tell my parents about us weren't the smartest things he's done. His not-so subtle hints at marriage usually end with me grasping for air, coming up with excuse after excuse until he can calm me down. He should be thankful I just gave him the cold shoulder this time.

The grass is still wet and the primroses surrounding my parents' home are in full bloom. I've missed this familiar scene. Hunting and gathering plants in the early morning pretty much sums up my childhood. Coming home after the daily trek with my mother to enjoy the baked goods my father has prepared for us for every breakfast. After school I still just spent more time in the woods figuring out the uses of the plants, adding to the family book. Healing is in our blood according to my mother. She is still adamant it skipped her and only my late aunt and late grandmother had the same gift as me. No matter how many times my father reminds her she kept him alive all these years she still struggles with her past.

The delicious smell of my father's cooking greets me as I open the door. Then the distressed face of my fair-haired brother sitting on the stairs. "Can we talk?."

Immediately my thoughts go to his life consuming relationship with his girlfriend. Rowan is 19 and is following in my father's footsteps in every way. He's been serious about Janaya from the moment he met her and his time is always spent with her when he is not at the bakery. Trustworthy, loyal and dependable. Probably why my parents have never given him grief about being with Janaya. She's perfect for him too. She's a bit shorter than me, blonde and one of the kindest people I've ever met. But she's not afraid to speak her mind. An unexpected ball of fire. She's the only one who ever told Johanna Mason to mind her own business when the most intimidating Victor I know started to make vulgar comments about her love life with my brother.

But my skin is crawling with the remnants of last night … and this morning…so taking a shower is first and foremost on my mind. "Just give me 5 minutes."

I take a bit longer but when I find him waiting for me in the hallway outside the bathroom. Apparently what he needs to tell me is more serious than I thought. "Are you and Janaya ok?" I whisper, concerned that he doesn't want anyone else to know.

Bewildered he says, "Janaya and I? We're…" As if anyone should ever mention things aren't going well with Janaya. Just the mention of it and she's popped up beside him hugging him so tightly the world should never question the commitment she has for him.

"Hi Violet!" And she just radiates joy. Sometimes I wonder if she was created by forest faeries but only when she's reached my tolerance level for perkiness. But she loves my brother and puts up with family so I always do my best to overlook that characteristic.

Only slightly forced I smile back, "Hi Janaya."

"Come on Rowan, Finn is here too. Almost your whole family!" It's just breakfast and she looks as if she won first place in whatever Plutarch's latest competition show is.

I follow them into the dining room and hear Finn greet the eldest member of our self-composed family. My parents have always opened their home and hearts to the people from their past who have no one left.

"Hey old man!"

"Who are you calling old?" Haymitch grumbles back. The years of drinking and general aging have not been kind to him. I rather expected Haymitch to pass away years ago. Somehow he's managed to make a deal with death that keeps him in our lives. "At least I know how to work a shower." Ah, Finn must have covered our tracks with my lie. Hopefully the last one I'll have to tell. I'm not sure when I will tell them but over breakfast with everyone…not likely.

"I had to make sure I freshened up just right for you Haymitch." Finn flashes an adorable smile and goes in for a hug.

Haymitch shoos him away, "You still smell like fish."

One more thing to add to the list of things Finn has given up for me. He used to work on the ships allocated to finding new land. He would be gone for months and would come back with the distinct aroma of the sea. Since I arrived for my apprenticeship in District 4 a few months ago he had taken an undetermined amount of time off. At first it was just to help me get situated but now that he's vowed never to leave me…I never said I am definitely moving back to 12 but it's obvious to him I am and I don't have to ask if he's coming with me. I never knew how torturous it could be being away from everyone and everything you love. If I could have left 4 after the first week I would have. Having Finn with me every night has made it bearable in 4…OK, more than bearable.

My father throws his apron off and wraps me up a warm hug. Kind of what I was expecting last night, not for him and my mother to fuss over Finn. "It's great to have you back home. How long are you staying?"

He releases me and studies my face as if he hasn't seen me for years. "Just two days."

He sighs. "You have no idea how much your mother and I have missed you."

I could hardly tell last night but my insides tell me it was as much as I missed them.

He hugs me tightly again but suddenly lets out a gasp. When I turn around to see why I feel like hurting someone. Namely Finnick Odair. My mother is dressed in almost the same outfit as me as if having her face, skin, and according to Finn, temperament wasn't enough.

Just one glare from my mother's steely grey eyes and my father is warned not to say one word. He doesn't. He's very good at listening to her without her having to even speak. Briefly I wonder if Finn understands me that well.

"Violet, you never told me you had a younger sister!" Nope, he would rather die a painful death, a long painful death.

After the laughter dies down from Haymitch we all sit down at the table. My parents are at either end, Finn and Haymitch are across from Rowan, Janaya and I. I don't dare being too close to him in front of my family. Not until we have that talk anyway.

He's convinced my parents will be ecstatic. Then when we get back to 4 we'll tell his mother. She's been giving me looks lately so I'm pretty sure she is on to us. Surprising his mother really isn't in her best interest. Routine is paramount for her. She's going to miss Finn so much when we move. I don't know how I can do that to her. Maybe he can visit her on weekends. We haven't even talked about this yet. What if she wants to move here? I suppose she could-

A foot gently kicks me under the table. He can see I'm thinking too much again. I'm about to kick him back as he's really the one who deserves a good kick when Rowan suddenly stands up.

All eyes are on Rowan as he clears his throat, "I have an announcement." I blink. This is what he was going to talk to me about. He was trying to warn me.

He starts blubbering out a speech about how much he loves Janaya until Haymitch tells him just to spit it out. They're getting married. My baby brother is getting married to the love of his life.

Congratulations and hugs surround Rowan and Janaya. The only reaction I dare to take notice of is Finn's. This is what he wants. He tells Rowan how proud he is to be here for this. He goes to hug Rowan who offers Finn only his hand, "Thanks Finnick. You're like family too so I'm glad you're here. Right Violet? Don't you think Finnick is like family?" Of course, the way our parents go on and on about Finn you'd think he was their favorite child.

I have no idea what to say to that. Nor what to say about his announcement. I knew it was coming. It was only a matter of time. They love each other as much as anyone has loved each other before. But now the pressure was on me a million times more than before. All of Panem wants to know when the daughter of the star-crossed lovers from District 12 is going to find a man and settle down. My parents worry themselves sick that I'm making the right decisions in all aspects of my life, especially my love life. The simplest solution to me was not to have one. Finn merely put a bump in that plan. But no one knows that. I don't have to say anything today. And I won't.