Super short chapter here. Why? Because it worked out that way in my mind. I hope it works. And no, I didn't steal the last line from TFiOS … I haven't even read that book!
Chapter Twenty-Two
When I get back from the execution, Rory is just taking the mask off Finnick's face. "The doctor wants him to try having a conversation," he tells me. "I figured I'd wait because he'd rather talk to you than me or the doctor. You know how to put it back on if he starts to struggle, right?"
I take the mask from him and sit on the high stool by my husband's bed. "It's over," I tell him. "Snow is dead. Coin too, but Snow is dead."
"Coin?" he asks, his voice rough from lack of use.
I nod. "Katniss shot her arrow at Coin instead. Coin had Gale set up with a backup arrow in case Katniss missed so he shot Snow. Some woman named Paylor is going to be temporary president. Katniss is good with it so I suppose we are too."
He blinks once. "I love you, Annie."
I lean down and press my forehead to his. "I love you too, Finnick." I stay there and press my lips to his. "I have something to tell you but you have to make me a promise first. Promise me that you'll get better."
He gives a shaky sigh. "Define better."
I try not to start crying. If I do, the tears will drip onto his face. "Promise me that you'll survive. That your heart and your mind will be enough to make anything you can't do not important."
He's crying, and laughs once when I wipe away the tears for him. "I promise, Annie. I promise."
"Good." It's such a simple, silly word that means so much. I take a deep breath and cup my hands on either side of his face. "We are, you and I, going to have a baby. So you have to be better, be good, be alive. Okay?"
He stops breathing and only says something when I'm about to put the mask back on. "Okay," he says, a small smile spreading across his face. "Okay."