AN:/ I'm sorry, I've been so slow at writing of late (Uni applications please forgive me) but I should be back to regular updates on both stories soon. Also I started writing a one shot, so maybe I'll get around to posting it.

Readers, if you exist, I hope you enjoy chapter three. If you do, you could always be lovely and review.

Characters and Panem belong to Suzanne Collins, ideas in this story belong to me.

Chapter Three

Normal

The next morning I woke with him next to me. Something I had longed to do for a year. He was still sleeping, so I lay for a while looking at him, taking in his face and how perfect it still is regardless of his scars. I wasn't allowed to stay like this for long as Finn had woken and was crying. I quickly rushed to him, doing my best to not wake Finnick in the process.

I picked him up from the crib and cuddled him. "Good morning little one, are you hungry? I bet you are. Let's feed you." I took him downstairs and sat in the kitchen to feed him, and as I fed him I sang him a song that I had been taught by a young girl in District Thirteen. "Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright; no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound." It was a traditional lullaby, but even though it calmed him, it never sent him to sleep. So I could happily sing it to him at any time of the day. I had been so wrapped up in the song and the eyes of my son, that I had forgotten about Finnick and hadn't even noticed that he was standing right next to me, listening closely.

I jumped when I saw him. He had been so quiet. "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you, but he was hungry." He kissed my forehead, "Don't worry about it. What were you singing?" I could feel my face turning pink. "You heard that?" "Yes. It was beautiful, why did you never tell me you could sing?" "Because I can't." I sat Finn up on my knee and kissed his nose. "It was a lullaby I was taught in District Thirteen. He likes it." "I don't blame him." He took Finn from my knee and tickled him. "I did mention he was perfect, yes?" "You said he looked like me." "Then I did." He had always known the sweetest things to say, and I was still in shock that I was hearing them again. As we set about getting Finn ready, the phone rang. "I'll get it; don't want anyone having a heart attack hearing your voice." I told him, and after all he was in the middle of bonding with his son.

"Hello?" "Hey Annie, just calling to check up on you and my little dude." "Oh, hello Johanna. We're doing wonderful, how are you? How's life in seven?" "Oh you know, same old same old. Annie have you found a new man, you sound different." Johanna had never been one to sugar coat things, she always went straight to the point. "Technically no. I haven't found a new man." "I'm confused, why do you sound so happy for a change. Whenever I call you're usually close to tears." "Jo, he came back." "Who did? What are you talking about? Are you having another episode, do I need to come stay with you?" "No, I'm fine. He came back. Finnick came home, he's not dead." "Annie, I think you're going mad…." As she continued to talk, I gestured for Finnick to come to the phone. "Annie, are you still there?" I took Finn from him so he could talk to Johanna. "Hey Jo, missed me?" I didn't hear what she said, but it was followed by a scream. I took Finn upstairs and put him in his crib so I could get myself ready. I showered, and then turned to my wardrobe. I felt like I had to impress him, even though he loved me dearly and I knew that. I had completely forgotten that I still owned the blue dress he bought for me, the one I wore to the memorial. I pulled it out and looked at it, smiling I stepped into it. The last time I had worn this had been one of the saddest days of my life, and now I was wearing it on one of the happiest. I had come full circle. I went back to Finn and sat by the crib. "We're very lucky you know. You should know that when people die, they don't come back. But that's a lesson for when you're older. Much older. For now, you just need to be happy that Daddy is home and he's alive and you will grow up to be just like him."

I took Finn back downstairs to find Finnick still on the phone to Johanna. I rolled by eyes at him and he laughed. "Jo, I have to go now. I think I'm taking my son for his first trip to the beach. "As he went to hang up on her, she was still talking. "You know she'll be here soon. Give her a day and she'll be here. I wouldn't bother calling Katniss now, she'll probably already know." He sighed but it turned into a laugh. A laugh that was so infectious that I couldn't help but laugh with him. "So, is today Finn's first day at the beach?" I nodded and he reached his arms out. "Don't think so, take a shower first. People will be surprised to see you, so at least be clean." He pulled the puppy dog eyes on me. "No, that won't work. We'll meet you there."

The breeze was cold, to me it was refreshing but to the little bundle in my arms it would be bitter. I grabbed him a coat and an extra blanket before heading to the beach. The usual people were there, the fishermen, the net makers, and the children playing. "I used to make nets; that used to be me." He looked up at me as if he was listening.

I sat up against the sea wall, like I always used to with Finnick. I couldn't help but smile. Perfection was hard to come by, but I had finally managed to grab onto it and I didn't intend on letting it go anytime soon. "Hey, mind if I join you" He stood above me, looking gorgeous as ever. "Why of course you may." He sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder, like old times. "Put his feet in the sand, if this is his first trip to the beach at least let his feet touch the sand." "He's too small." "Give him to me." He took Finn from me and removed his tiny shoes. He gently lowered Finn onto the sand, and as he did, for the first time I heard him laugh. His innocent little boy laugh. "Oh wow." I had tears in my eyes, everything was happening so fast now Finnick was home.

"Annie?" "Yes." "Do you want another?" "What?" "Do you want another? So Finn can have a little brother or sister?" I couldn't believe he was bringing this up, but I knew my answer. "I'd love to, but maybe not yet. He's still so young." "We can plan it though? I'd give anything to be at the birth of my child, I have missed so much by being away for a year, even though he's barely four months old. I missed so much with him, and with you." I never thought that I would get this chance, planning a future with the man I loved. Every girl dreams of it, it had been taken from me so suddenly but I had been lucky enough to get it back.