Light slowly began to fade into the skylight in Renata's master bedroom. She murmured quietly and opened her eyes, feeling a terrible heaviness in them. Despite how tired she had been, sleep hadn't found her the night before. She rolled over and blinked a few times, remembering that she had gone to bed alone.

"It breaks tradition for a man to see his bride before the ceremony," Seneca explained as he stood in the doorway, a bag in his hand. "I'll see you again before you know it, and then we'll be married…" His lips were reassuring as he kissed her goodbye, before he left her alone in their giant house.

Renata sat up and she tried to rub the aching in her eyes away, giving a great yawn. Trying to sleep again was useless, so she climbed out of bed and shuffled across the carpeted floor to her closet. She closed the door behind her and swallowed, feeling paranoia wash over her as she went to retrieve a metal box she had hidden away at the bottom of a drawer.

"Renata? I didn't expect to see you back so soon," Dr. Kasnik smiled as he entered the examination room. "What can I do for you?"

A pleasant smile was on her face and she tucked a strand of hair behind her eyes like a shy girl. "Seneca and I, we…we want to wait a little while before we start having children. We want more time to…enjoy our marriage before any little ones come along." Her cheeks were red and she gave an embarrassed giggle to top it off. "So we were wondering if you could put me back on the birth control, just to take precautions. He's not exactly a fan of using his own contraceptives…"

Dr. Kasnik smiled and he nodded in understanding. "We can certainly do that for you. We can do like before, and bring you in at the beginning of every month for an injection. There are, of course, other options, but I find that this one proves to be the most effective in cases of…well, newlyweds, or people like them." He put on a pair of gloves and went to one of the cabinets in the room.

"I was wondering if there was a way that I could give myself the injections rather than having to come to you every month," Renata stopped him. "Just so…I mean, I think that that would be easier for me. I don't leave home much as it is, and once we're married…" She trailed off and smiled, shrugging.

He pursed his lips, suddenly questioning her true motives for coming to see him. When he had first seen her, she did look different. More accepting of her new life, even happy. Now, he could see a little less of the new Capitol girl and more of the old Renata sitting on the table. "I see," he murmured and nodded, going back to her. "I can put together a kit for you to administer to yourself, and if you do decide to have children, or you run out, come see me again and I'll do what I can to help you." He looked into her eyes and Renata could feel that he understood why she was doing this. "I assume you're not telling Seneca of this?" he asked, motioning for her to turn on her side.

Renata shook her head, watching as he showed her how to give herself the shot. "I'm not ready," she whispered, her heart pounding as he let her pull her pants back up. She rubbed her sore bottom and sat up, watching him put little glass vials of clear liquid into a metal container for her, along with several syringes. "You won't tell him?"

"Of course not, love," he murmured as he scribbled down the directions for her on a small piece of paper and put it into the box as well, lest she forget his instructions. He placed the box in her hands and gave her a serious look. "Keep this somewhere you're certain he won't find it. He's a powerful man, Renata. You don't know what he can do."

A shiver went down her spine as she heard Dr. Kasnik's voice echo in her head. She pulled the top off of the box and prepped a syringe, holding it in her mouth while she pulled up her nightgown. Seneca had mentioned having kids a couple of times after she had blown up at him, but the thought still terrified her. Almost as much as what would happen if he found out about her secret meeting with Dr. Kasnik. She gritted her teeth and drove the needle into her flesh, her eyes fluttering closed as she pushed the hammer down.

"I can do this," Renata whispered as Fascal laced her up into her first dress. She tried to keep her breathing even as he dolled her up, his face in a fixed state of concentration as it had been the whole morning. "I feel like I'm going to throw up."

"Well I don't think you'll get anything up, since you haven't eaten a thing."

She swallowed and looked at her reflection, which seemed only a stranger looking back at her. A beautiful, grown up stranger. Fascal had really done a fantastic job; she just didn't have her heart in this whole thing. Obviously. "It's incredible," she whispered to her stylist when he rested his chin on her shoulder and gazed at her reflection. "There's no way any other stylist could have done better."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his thin frame. "I know disappointment when I see it, miss Rini. You don't have to lie to me."

"No, I'm not! I really-"

"But it's not what you wanted, I know." Fascal shrugged, kissing her flawless cheek softly. "I know how you thought you'd look on your wedding day. I looked into how weddings are done in District Four."

She bit her lip and stared at herself some more, not needing to tell him that he was right. "I'm trying. I'm trying to change, but it's hard. I'm trying to be what he wants..."

Renata's heart jumped to her throat as she walked out to where the ceremony was set up in the back yard of the house, the low murmur from the several guests stopping when she appeared. Her eyes shifted over the strangers staring at her, certain that she looked absolutely terrified. She blinked when someone stepped up to her and cleared his throat, looking up to find that it was Cecil. She relaxed slightly as she took his arm, happy to have him supporting her. Faint music was playing from somewhere as he led her down the carpeted path, which wound through trees. The guests lined the walk and she tried to smile and nod at them, but the most she could do was focus on putting one foot in front of the other. A flash of copper hair caught her eye and she swore for a moment that she saw Finnick. It was too late to see for sure; she was almost to Seneca.

He stood with an official-looking man, his expensive suit hanging nicely on his tall, lean frame. His blue eyes were bright as Cecil brought her to him and his usual smirk was replaced with an elated smile.

Rini stumbled a little when Cecil suddenly stopped and he turned her to face him, lifting her veil from her face and wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. How long had she been crying? She closed her eyes when Cecil leaned in and pressed a gentle, scratchy kiss to her cheek. She smiled at the familiar feeling and let out a small breath when she opened her eyes. "I love you," she whispered, squeezing his hands.

He swallowed and he nodded back, looking up to Seneca, who took a few steps forward to join them. "Take care of her, do you hear me?" he murmured only so the three could hear them. "If you don't, so help me."

Seneca didn't look fazed at all. He simply smiled and nodded. He held out his hand for Renata to take and led her to the man. This type of ceremony was completely foreign to Rini. Back at home, they would have a net draped around their shoulders; it was so much more intimate there. But that wasn't her way of life anymore. She blinked, realizing that she hadn't heard anything the man had just said. Her cheeks burned and she turned to face Seneca, holding his hands in hers.

"This ring is special, Rini," Seneca said softly, holding her hand and showing her the ring he was holding in the other. "I had picked one out for you myself, but this morning, your father took me aside and he gave me this. He told me that he was keeping it for you for the day that you got married, and well…here we are," he smiled, his eyes very tender. "It's your mother's ring."

Her eyes widened and she looked up at him in confusion. She looked at Cecil standing a little ways away and felt love wash over her and replace the nerves and her apprehension. How did he…

"I hope that you cherish it, like she cherished you, and how I will. Every day," he whispered, slipping it onto her finger. The ring didn't match the beautiful, fancy engagement ring, but it somehow fit together. Her old life and her new one, together on one finger.

Renata sniffled and then smiled, a couple of tears trailing down her cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered, looking up into his eyes. She recited her vows to him with a small but strong voice, slipping the silver ring onto his finger. The woven band imitated her ring and she ran her thumb gently over it. Now she really was tied to him, for better or for worse. She was hoping for the better. Finally, the ceremony was over, and Seneca drew her close to him for a kiss. As all the guests applauded their union, she stayed close to her new husband. If he really, truly loved her, then maybe she could look past his faults and be happy with him too.

"Happy birthday, Renata Crane," he breathed when he broke the kiss, smiling down at her.

After the ceremony and a wardrobe change, Renata was faced with the task of accepting congratulations from dozens of strangers. She stood obediently at her new husband's side, a big smile on her face as he chattered on and on with everyone that approached them. Cecil and Leona had taken the kids not long after the vows had been said, much to her despair. He had reassured her that they would talk and see one another soon, though, and she trusted his word. She looked down at her ring and smiled at it, feeling such a comfort for having something that belonged to her mother. For not knowing her except for those months she had been inside her and the few first hours of her life, she felt such love for the woman.

"Hello? Are you in there? Can't bear to drag yourself out of your blissful thoughts to hear my congratulations, can you?"

Renata blinked and she cursed herself at how loudly she gasped. Finnick stood before her, as real as could be. "Y-you-"

"Yeah, it's me," he chuckled as if she had told some hilarious joke. "What, did you think that I'd miss your big day? No way. I live for these shindigs." He squeezed the arm of the young woman who stood at his side and she giggled quietly, a dreamy look on her face.

Renata felt her stomach turn with jealousy and she swallowed it back, pasting a smile on her face. Who was this?

"I was wondering if you had gotten the invitation, Odair," Seneca smirked, holding his hand out to shake.

"You know I never pass on these, Crane," Finnick answered, and only someone that knew him quite well could have detected the bit of acid in his tone. "I just had to find the right suit, and the right date." He winked at the white-haired vixen, who giggled some more. "Marielle's husband didn't mind letting her out for a bit of fun. For the wedding, too." His eyes flickered to Renata for a moment and he felt his heart drop a little at the look of strain on her face. "I just came to tell you both congrats and to enjoy the honeymoon, all that." He nodded and looked up to Seneca. "The Games are coming up in a couple months. You think you'll be letting her out of the bedroom to be a mentor this year?"

Renata's heart fluttered at the thought of being with Finnick again. Their blissful night together seemed like an eternity ago. She looked up at her husband expectantly, biting on her lip. "Could I?" she asked quietly, like a little girl asking permission from her father.

Seneca pursed his lips and he cleared his throat before speaking. "I haven't decided whether I'm in favor of that idea or not. She told me that she didn't want to do anything that involved the Games anymore. Remember, sweetpea? That's why you like it here at home so much."

She didn't, but she nodded anyway.

Finnick raised a brow, but didn't press the issue any further. "Right, then. Maybe I'll see you around the Capitol soon." He gave a firm nod and led Marielle away.

Renata felt hot tears prick her eyes and she stared straight ahead, not wanting to let them fall. She could feel Seneca staring at her and she turned away from him, trying to keep her breaths even. "I'm going to have Fascal put me in a different dress," she said quietly.

"My parents are here, and they want to meet you. Come back here once you've changed," he murmured, letting her go back to their room. He furrowed his brow, looking towards the direction that Finnick had gone. So he had shown up after all. Quite daring.

"Close your eyes. I made this one extra special," Facscal whispered as he helped Renata slip into her final gown for the evening.

Renata smiled faintly and she obeyed him, feeling him do up the several buttons up her back. Her thoughts, no matter how hard she tried to keep them from doing so, went to Finnick. Finnick and that Marielle. She hated the childish feeling of jealousy that was in her as she thought of him with her and she hissed out a quiet breath. Really, Rini? She supposed that she wouldn't automatically mature into an adult on her eighteenth birthday. "Can I look now?"

"Yes. Open your eyes."

Renata opened her eyes and she gasped. The dress he put her in was by far the simplest dress she had worn today, the soft lace going down to her wrists and up her neck. What had taken her breath away was the man who had appeared behind her.

"I thought you'd left," she whispered, turning around to face the bronze-haired young man.

"Mm. I'll keep an eye out for the husband," Fascal said with a small smile and moved towards the door.

Finnick and Renata collided into each other's arms and she cried out in relief before his lips silenced hers. She kissed him back with passion and desperation, winding her fingers in his hair and tasting his familiar mouth.

"I don't have long," Finnick whispered in between kisses, his own voice quivering. "Rini…"

She shook her head and pulled him down for another kiss, not willing to let go of him. "You came," she whispered back. Her cheeks were wet and she wasn't sure if they were her tears or his. "I didn't know when I would see you again-"

"I love you, Renata."

Her eyes grew wide and her chest ached at his words. "Finnick," she breathed, her eyes welling with more tears. She didn't know if she was happy to hear him say it, or devastated that it made her marriage that much harder. She buried her face in his neck and cried quietly, gripping the material of his jacket.

"It's okay, love. It's okay…"

"I love you too," she croaked against his skin, sniffling.

"There you are, Mr. Crane. I was wondering if you were coming to fetch your wife," Fascal announced loudly from the hallway.

A pang of fear went through Renata's body and they broke apart, wiping the tears from their cheeks. She smiled as Seneca entered and she gave a little turn, showing off the new dress. "What do you think, darling?"

"Still here, Odair?" was all he said. He watched Finnick like a bug as he ducked out of the room, leaving the newlyweds alone.

"Where are your mother and father?" Rini asked, turning to look at herself in the mirror. Her heart was pounding in fear as he stayed silent. She was in trouble. Very big trouble.

"They left. I sent them and the rest of the guests away. My wife was taking too long," he murmured, stepping towards her after he had closed the door. A shiver went down her spine as he stood right behind her, towering over her menacingly. "Have I not been good to you, Renata? I don't understand."

"What? Of course you have, love-"

"Then why do you insist on humiliating me? I save you from whoring yourself out to every taker and only ask for your love in return." He brushed her hair aside and tugged at the sash of her dress. "I don't see why you resist me. I can give you the world." His fingers tugged down the zipper, moving his hands inside and around to grab her breasts. "One minute you act like you love me and then I catch you with another man. How many times do I have to tell you that you are mine?"

She whimpered as he pulled her back against him, his gaze hard in the reflection. Her eyes were wide with fear and she squirmed in his grip, her heart pounding against her chest. "I-I know, Seneca…"

"Then why?!" he yelled, yanking his hands back and tearing the dress from her body. "I paid a fortune for you, you little bitch! And for what? You could at least say my name in bed instead of biting your tongue when you want to say his!" His eyes were wide and crazed and she backed up away from him, the coolness of the mirror touching her back.

"Seneca, please," she whispered. "I'm sorry-"

"No you aren't," he laughed harshly, shedding his jacket. "Not yet, you aren't." He let out a snarl when she tried to dart away from him and he caught her by her wrist, flinging her onto the bed.

Her eyes widened and she tried to lift herself up with her arms, her breathing having turned to frantic panting. It was crazy how fast things could change from good to bad. "Please!" she begged him as he crawled onto the bed behind her and pinned her down to the mattress. She blurted out a sob against the sheets, scared that he would try and suffocate her. His hands ripped her underwear from her body and held her down so that she couldn't even struggle against him. She could hear his voice in her head as he entered her from behind, rough and uncaring.

I will never ever hurt you. You're safe with me.

Gah. Rini Rini Rini, when are you going to catch a break? Poor girl. Good thing people wished their marriage well, right? Er...right? Finnick was even kind enough to give her a congratulatory kiss...and profession of his love for her! Like you said, Non, I really really really want to plop them onto their own island of happiness and flowers, but...agh, I've got a story line to follow. I think. Yes. Let me know what you think of this oh so happy union, dear readers :)

Aaaaand also: The first couple chapters of A Slow Hurt are posted on Cosette Everdeen's page! Yaaaaaay! If you haven't gone and given it a read, you definitely should and I would love you for a 1000 years :3

You stay classy, San Diego.

-Kelsey :3