Warm breath tickled Beetee's neck as he opened his eyes. Smiling, he nuzzled his face in his son's dark hair. After reaching for his glasses, he gazed upon his sleeping family. Noah was curled up in Estelle's arms with his face against Beetee's chest. Estelle slept soundly with a slight smile on her face. Wiress had her arm around Estelle and was fast asleep. Both girls' long black hair fanned out onto their surroundings. I wish they could stay like this the whole day.Some weekend mornings were like that. The kids would be in with their parents or they would wake up and meander into the master bedroom before crawling onto the bed to rest as a family. Sighing, Beetee knew he would have to break the peacefulness of the early morning. "Hey, Noah." He whispered as he gently rubbed his son's back. "Hey, buddy, let's get up."
"Mmm - dad - no school." Noah murmured sleepily before pressing his face against Beetee's pajama top.
"Son, we have to get breakfast." Beetee said. "I want you to eat really well before training, big guy." Noah's groaning caused Estelle to stir.
"Daddy?" Beetee's heart melted as she sleepily rubbed her eyes. "What time -"
"It's 7:00 am, my star. Come on, kids. I want you both to eat really well."
"Beetee -" Wiress murmured as Estelle moved away from her grasp to sit up. Noah was up and scooting toward the side of the bed with Beetee's hand on his back.
"Wire, baby, let's get the kids breakfast." Beetee crawled over to his wife and pressed his lips against hers. "Love, we're giving them a good start this morning."
"Ew! They're kissing!" Noah groaned before Beetee chuckled at his son making a disgusted face toward the bed. Estelle grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. The Teslas smiled as they heard their children's giggles echoing back to their room.
"Our kids - up -" Wiress whispered smiling at her husband.
"They're up and Gearton has the meal ready." Beetee explained. Listening closely, Wiress could hear the sounds of serving utensils on plates and bowls. "Hey kids, good food choices." Inspecting their plates, Beetee was pleased to see each child had a scoop of eggs,bacon, ham, fruit, hash-browns, and a breakfast roll. Gearton poured each child a smoothie mixed with protein powder. This was the breakfast menu Beetee and Wiress had used with their tributes for the past ten years. Like their past tributes, Estelle and Noah were nervous and subdued during breakfast. However, neither of them were to the point of sobbing so hard as to not eat.
"Eat up. No one's on dish duty this morning!" Beetee announced. "Estelle, sweetie, can you pass me the creamer for my coffee?"
"Yeah, dad." Estelle responded as she finished her strip of bacon. As she lifted the creamer tin by the handle, it slipped through her greasy fingers. "Oops -" She gasped as it spilled on the floor.
"No, eat, little star." Wiress said as Estelle moved to wipe the spill with her napkin. "Estelle, Gearton - his job -" She trailed off as Gearton approached the table with a wet rag. "Thank you." After Gearton filled the kids' plates with a second round of food, Wiress and Beetee began discussing strategy.
"Ok, who can tell me what this morning's mission is?" Beetee asked.
"Um - survival and weapons?" Estelle asked.
"Yes, and observe -" Wiress began before swallowing hard.
"Observe the other kids there." Beetee said. "Bring your notebooks. Write down stuff about weapons, stuff about survival, anything you think is relevant."
"Will we see you at lunch, mom? Dad?" Noah asked. His large eyes filled with hope caused Wiress to tear up.
"Evening -" Wiress whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"And we know you both will do well." Beetee finished.
"Are you scared, mama?" Estelle asked quietly as she took her mother's hand from across the table.
"I think we're all a little nervous. You kids are probably nervous, huh." Beetee asked. His children slowly nodded. "Listen, it's ok to be nervous going down there. Your mom and I both were. But you have each other, and you both are very bright and can learn quickly. Ok?"
"Y - Yes, dad." Noah whispered before scooting to his left and wrapping his arms around his father.
"Eat. Son, my star - keep eating -" Wiress instructed before she left the table. Humming, she returned with a brush, some bobby pins, and an elastic hairband. She smiled as she ran her fingers through her daughter's hair before combing it to put in a French braid. Once her braid was satisfactory, Wiress ran a brush through Noah's dark thick hair. Wiress smiled feeling his hair knowing he got it from his father.
"Mooooooom! You're using a girl's brush!" Noah finally groaned after the third time his mother combed his hair.
"My handsome son." Wiress whispered kissing his cheek.
"Ok, kids, are you stuffed?" Beetee asked watching his children swallow the last bits of food on their plates. "Good. Now get dressed and come to the living room when you're done." Noah and Estelle were wrapped in hugs before both parents straightened their tribute training uniforms.
"Wait -" Wiress began before going into the bathroom. She came out with a light blue washcloth.
"Mom - I washed - mmmmf!" Estelle mumbled before her mother wiped her face with the warm washcloth.
"Mooom!" Noah groaned as he got the same treatment.
"My children - so proud -" Wiress whispered as Xersius came out of his room to lead his tributes to the training center.
"Tell me what you leaned when you get back! Don't forget!" Beetee called as the children got into the elevator.
"My smart children - my loves -" Wiress began before smiling and waving at them before the elevator door closed. A second after an electronic ding sounded indicating the elevator's descent, Wiress dissolved into sobs as she clutched her husband.
"Wiress, sweetie - Wiress, our children will be so brave - so smart like their mother - oh - baby -" Beetee gasped as he held his wife, his tears streaming into her hair.
"They - twenty two others - six careers, Beetee -" Wiress sobbed acutely aware of each hour that brought their children closer to the arena.
"Wiress - Wiress, listen to be baby, I know. I know your heart, honey. But I - I can't think about them - Wiress, I have to think they will come home. I can't - I can't not - I can't imagine the alternative - I can't honey."
"You - are so strong - to train them." Gazing into large eyes that reflected grief, fear, and yet had a spark of courage and determination, Beetee nodded and kissed Wiress' cheeks.
"And you are strong too, honey. We will see them through this. Together. We already are."