Venus protests when Claudia declares in a long note that she's on strict orders to rest for her last few weeks. I'm fine, I can manage, I'm pregnant, not crippled. She soon comes round to the idea as she realises her bump is only getting bigger. Feet up, nothing too strenuous, no more trips out, Claudia will do all the heavy work with me. Venus asks if she can at least carry on doing yoga and Claudia agrees. I watch her through the window sometimes. Although spring is on the horizon, it's still quite cold but she insists on doing it outside. Apparently, the protective barrier that surrounds the apartment and prevents nosey neighbours from peaking in has more than one use. I've even seen her out there when it's raining, the droplets bouncing off the top and rolling down the sides of the building. I want what's best for her and suggest we go to a hospital to get her checked over and prepare for labour, but Venus flatline refuses. 'I don't need to go to hospital, Finnick, I have Claudia. She saved your life, she's bringing our daughter into the world,' she snaps at me. Later that night, in the quiet of our bedroom, she reveals she's anxious that they'll take the baby away. 'I can't get Snow's words out of my head, about what she represents, even though I know he's dead and Panem is rebuilding. I feel safe here. I feel safe with Claudia and with you. Please don't make me go,' she whispers, the fear sparkling in her eyes. Claudia has been examining her regularly whilst tending to my needs, but I sense anxiety in her at Venus' request. It's been years since she last delivered a baby and the last one lost her her tongue and freedom, but she has all my faith. She's practical and methodical, scavenging for anything that will help when the day eventually comes and continues to examine Venus. Not yet. Almost there. Getting closer. Everything looks fine. She's facing head down and ready to go. Not long yet. Nothing to worry about.

My own strength begins to come back, but I'm far from being the Victor I once was. I guess I'll never be him again. The skinny hairy ghost I saw in the mirror a mere few weeks ago has gone. I sleep less and less, move more and more. I don't take morphling anymore, relying only on anti-inflammatories and standard painkillers, albeit regular like clockwork. There are moments where being this crippled and useless are boring seeing as I'm not accustomed to a quiet life, but I'm given books to read, puzzles to do and rope to fiddle with to occupy my mind. I avoid watching any of the screens. I only have to go out onto the terrace to see what's happening or wait for Claudia to bring it up in one of her notes. I like to write on the terrace, taking in my surroundings whilst the world goes by and the words flow. Claudia will sit with me and talk, and naturally so does Venus. In a way, it feels as though no time has passed and nothing has changed, conversation flowing so naturally and beautifully. There are moments, though, tense and awkward moments. Something one of us says, usually about the future or the baby, how one of us touches the other or a look in one of our eyes that makes us go silent and change quickly. This situation just seems to be one that neither of us can find the words or courage to discuss.

As I get stronger, Venus begins to struggle more. Despite being told to rest, she still does so much for me, like shaving my face and helping me in the shower. After the first time, I said I'd get Claudia to help in that way, but Venus insisted and there's no changing her mind. When Claudia leaves to get groceries and supplies, Venus disappears to see her family. She doesn't tell me that's what she's doing, but it doesn't take a scientist to work out that's why the apartment is so quiet when Claudia leaves. I should say something, tell her to get her father to come here or ask Claudia to help with me more, but what is Venus realistically going to do? Shrug, be stubborn and carry on doing it anyway but angrily. That makes me think of Katniss, and how I misjudged her to begin with. She became a good friend to me, a confidant I never expected to have prior to the Quell. She understood the nightmares, the pain that was still there even upon waking. I hope she's at peace.

Claudia has left on one of her standard missions for supplies and Venus has snuck out to see her father. I'm left alone in the apartment, doing my prescribed exercises in the lounge and the front door opens.

"Hey, you're back sooner than…"

It's neither Claudia or Venus. Not even the blonde Avox who left to go back to District 6. It's a man, late thirties, long wavy white hair and black eyes, dressed in a bright tangerine suit and with multiple piercings in his ears and face. And despite all that, the resemblance is uncanny.

"Sorry, who are you?" I ask.

"Janus…" he says quietly, his brow furrowed, suspicious and cautious. "And who might you be?" Who am I? Finnick Odair is dead, and even if he wasn't, what would he be doing in his little sister's apartment? "You look awfully familiar. Have we met?"

"No, we haven't. I'm…" I stick my hand out to him. "The father."

His eyes widen and his jaw visibly drops.

"Goodness gracious. You can't be. You're dead?!"

His voice has that distinct Capitol accent, although not as prominent as someone in high society. I always wondered why Venus never sounded like she was from here. Maybe it's a class thing. I have no idea what Venus has told her family about me, if she's said it's me, who I even am. I could be fucking something up quite royally here.

"Well, I'm not," I say with an awkward chuckle. My hand is still extended with no sign of him taking it.

"Oh, I'm going to kill her," he groans with a roll of the eyes. "Sure, we've had our differences in the past, but she had no need to keep this back from us, from me especially, her oldest brother."

"Ah, well, I…"

"Is she here? I've got a surprise for her. I've been trying to find one for weeks, but as you can imagine, things are hard to come by at the moment."

"No, she's out."

"She needs to be careful with her trips to Father. She could pop any day now and be in the middle of a pile of rubble with no one around her, but she insists that she goes to him. Probably because of her little secret. It's all starting to make sense now! She didn't want us to meet you!"

It really is starting to make sense. At one point, I was dead. She said she went home as soon as she was released and they must've asked who the father was. But I am alive and being nursed back to health with the view to go back to District 4. She didn't expect me to hang around, so made the decision to keep me dead to her family, going to the lengths of travelling across the Capitol despite being heavily pregnant to keep me dead. I get it. And I'm not sure how I feel about it.

"Yeah, that must be it."

"Don't worry," he says, finally taking my hand and shaking firmly. "Father disapproved of her shacking up with someone from District 4, made him think of how Mother left, of course. But I think it's quite scandalous! I love the drama! Prison can't have been all that bad if you two found time to, ya know."

I'm working with very limited information here. Time to dial up the old Finnick charm and hope I don't fuck it up!

"I'm sure you don't want to know all the details," I say.

"Oh, but I do!"

"Janus, please. We've just met!" I laugh. "At least buy me a whiskey first!"

"A whiskey man? I like you already," he replies with a wink. "Is the whole 'being blown up' bit at least true?"

"It is. I'm still not a hundred percent yet."

"Ah, shame. I was just about to suggest that you lend a hand with the surprise I've got outside. But no bother. You rest. You'll need it before all the fun starts!"

Outside the apartment are the parts for a crib, made out of the finest timber and painted yellow. A soft yellow, muted, like the edge of the midday sun. I do my best to offer assistance, but I'm reduced to holding open the nursery door and handing him tools whilst he cracks on and builds it. It wasn't a nursery before, just another spare bedroom, now kitted out with baby essentials. A basket bed for the first six months, changing station, a seemingly never ending supply of blankets and books and clothes, and now this multi purpose all singing all dancing bed. I try not to stare at it all in wonder, my heart overwhelmed with emotion at all the tiny cute things that are for her child, my child, our child.

I distract myself with Janus' gossip. I must admit, he is growing on me. Children aren't for him, he says. He much prefers being a bad influence as an uncle to his brothers sons. His partner left him two years ago after a blow out about adoption. He wanted a child, Janus didn't, and it was all over pretty quickly.

"I do miss his incredible ass, though," he says, looking off into the distance with a bitten lip. I laugh at his reminiscing and shake my head. He looks back to me and gasps. "That's it! That's where I know you from! You look exactly like him!"

"Your ex?"

"Oh, no. Fuck no. But you must get it all the time, right?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Finnick Odair! Victor of the 65th Hunger Games, sexiest man in Panem and Capitol heart throb from your very own District!"

No, I don't think I have been told I look like myself before. That's what I want to say. Smart move, Venus. Probably best that she didn't say her child was his. Mine. This is getting quite confusing.

"Most of us look like him, in all fairness," I say. "Even have the same name as well. I think it's because we're all somehow related in 4."

"Surely not," he gasps, his jaw dropping once more.

"Yep. We have the same name, same hair, same eyes. You know, there were two boys in my class also called Finnick who could've been my brother's."

"Well, I guess that happens everywhere. I didn't want Mother to name Venus Venus because there was a horrible brutish girl of the same name in my class. But then, Mother was a horrible brute herself."

I nod and make noises in the right places and before I know it, he's slipping his coat back on, double kissing me on the cheek and saying he'll see me soon.

Venus returns not long after and I can tell something isn't right the moment she walks through the door. I try to talk to her, make chit chat, but she's not having any of it.

"It's ruined. My plan. It's completely fucking ruined," she says, averting my gaze as she busies herself with absolutely nothing, waddling about the apartment whilst holding her very large bump.

"V, stop. Sit down. You're meant to rest."

"How can I rest when my brother knows? He's fucking met you now! What am I going to say when you're gone? 'Oh, no, he's gone back to 4, actually. Left the woman he unintentionally knocked up. He's got a wife there already. She thinks he's dead as well, actually, what a funny fucking story'."

My heart drops from the weight of the intense guilt that built up inside it. I haven't thought about Annie. Not really. Not since I first woke up. I haven't really thought about going home either, quite possibly in denial that I'm meant to. I've spent these last weeks being quite selfish and enjoying something that resembles a normal life in this dysfunctional family of a silent doctor, a crippled man and a heavily pregnant scientist. Not just any scientist. The scientist. The only one there's ever been. For me, anyway.

"Venus, please. Calm down. Remember what Claudia said? You've got to relax. It's not good for the baby, especially with how close you are. Contractions could start any day now."

"And do you know what the worst part is? He fucking loved you! The way he swanned into my father's house, saying how lovely you are even though you're from 4. They'll all come round to meet you. I can see it. I can fucking see it."

"It's going to be okay, V."

"It really isn't. I shouldn't have gone home. Should've just let them think I was dead as well. How childish of me, running back home like a little girl to Father for cuddles."

"I understand what you're saying, but you need to be rational. Of course you were going to see your family. They're all you've-"

"I don't know what to do. I don't know what to fucking do and I hate not knowing what to fucking do! I had it all figured out. I knew I was going to have to do this all by myself the moment I realised I was pregnant and I was okay with it. Even if you weren't dead, I knew I wasn't ever going to see you again and that was fine. But you being here has just complicated everything."

"Me? What, do you really think this is my fault?"

"Why did you answer the door? Why did you answer the fucking door!?"

"Wha… he just let himself in! What was I supposed to do?! I didn't ask for this, Venus! This whole entangled fucked up situation, I never asked for it, but it's the one we're in and I don't regret, not for one fucking second!"

The only thing I do regret is shouting, the decibels far too loud for someone so fragile. She's scared and tired, aching all over with an absolute storm of hormones inside of her. She just stares at me, square and stiff, nostrils flaring as her chest heaves. And then the tears come, flowing down her face. All the anger in me dissipates and I hold her, wrap my arms around her sobbing trembling body and rest my head on top of hers. I rock her back and forth, shushing her gently and reassuring her that it's going to be okay. We're still standing there wrapped in each other's arms when Claudia returns and Venus pulls back from me and heads down the corridor, wiping her cheeks and sniffling. Claudia's face is one of confusion and I merely shrug and sigh. Claudia leaves the groceries at the door and follows after her. The elephant in the room just keeps getting bigger.

I begin to get hungry and there's no sign of either of them. I put the groceries away and decide to make myself as useful as possible. I don't feel comfortable wielding a knife and chopping up ingredients. I probably shouldn't try and attempt to cook anything either. I eye up the ready meal machine in the kitchen. It's just pressing a few buttons, but it's something. Bagels filled with bacon, cheese and egg, tangy yoghurts, and layered pastries are presented to me. No fresh fruit, though. I think the supply has dwindled in these machines, hence the constant shopping from Claudia. As I bring everything to the table, the pair reappear. I hate seeing Venus' eyes so red and bloodshot, but they light up after gazing at the little feast.

"Who says you can't have breakfast food for dinner?" I say with a shrug. A small smile rests on her lips, and we eat together in silence.

Claudia helps me clear everything away and Venus disappears down the hall again.

"What happened? What did she say?" I ask, my words barely a whisper.

The pad makes a reappearance and she writes her reply.

She just sat in the nursery, on the floor, staring at the crib and rubbing her belly. She didn't say anything, except asking me not to go, so I sat with her and held her hand in silence for a while. Then she apologised for sneaking out when I was gone, reassured me she never walked there and got taxis, but she said she won't do it anymore. I said I knew she had been for weeks despite both of your awful attempts at lying. She laughed and said she really was her father's daughter, then we came out.

I sigh as I toss the note to the side, rubbing my pulsating jaw. I have no idea what to do, what to say. Just carrying on ignoring the fact that she's expecting me to go, all whilst a part of me isn't even sure if that's what I want. It's selfish. Quite possibly mad. Gone are the days where I'd visit for a weekend, disappear and reappear a couple of weeks later. Once I disappear, there's no coming back.

"Do you think I should go?" Her brow furrows and she holds up four fingers with the puzzled look on her face. "Back to District 4, yes. Should I go?"

As your doctor, I wouldn't advise you to travel yet. You've made great progress but you still need to put on some more weight and build up your muscle capacity again. Maybe in a couple of weeks.

I nod as I read her note, before she slips me another. I stand there, reading and re-reading it, my heart jumping up into my throat again.

But as an outsider and a friend that's watched you over these past weeks and the last year, I know you won't. Venus won't admit it, but doesn't want you to, either. She needs you, Finnick. You need each other.

She's laying on the bed, fast asleep and half dressed, by the time I'm ready to sleep. Tentatively, I ease her legs out of the leggings she's wearing and remove the socks before I climb in beside her.

"Thank you," she mumbles. Her voice startles me, but I do my best to hide it.

"It's okay," I reply as I face her. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I wasn't really asleep. I wanted to be, so I didn't have to see you."

"My father used to say you shouldn't go to bed in a fight."

"It's not a fight; just a little disagreement."

"That's exactly what someone in a fight would say," I reply, pushing a lock of her behind her ear, making her smirk a little. "What did you tell your family?"

"A little white lie or two, about the timings and how it happened, that the father was a rebel in prison from 4. Well… not entirely a lie. But I couldn't say who the father really was. They'd want to push me in front of the cameras and parade me as a distraught lover. I wouldn't do that. It's not fair on her."

I nod, sighing slightly. My eyes dance over her face, her petrified but calm face.

"So brave… so selfless," I say. "You know… I don't have to go."

"I love you, Finnick," she says, her words barely audible but so full of power that makes my heart swell. Those words, coming from her, feel right, natural, like home, and make my eyes fill with tears. "I love you so much. But it's because I love you that I can't ask that of you. I won't."

She wipes the tears away with her thumb and massages my cheek. I nuzzle my face into her hand, her fingers entwining with my hair.

"There was once a time you said you'd do anything and everything within your power to be with me," I whisper, her eyes sparkling with remembrance of when she whispered those words to me in this very bed. "I'm right here, V. You don't have to do anything."

"This isn't your home, Finnick."

I place my hand on her cheek, the same way she is doing with me. I inhale deeply, my nostrils filling with her comforting scent.

"You are my home."

Without the morphling in my system, I remember the kiss this time. Her lips move towards mine at the same time in blissful synchronicity. Reserved, quiet, tentative, both of us scared of hurting the other. We pull back and my eyes find the solace of hers. She still looks scared and full of pain, but she smiles softly before falling asleep.

I awake to the sight of Venus out on the terrace, stretching her body ready for the day ahead. It feels like a good day, despite not fully resolving our argument from the previous night. Maybe her lips have been injected with a healing balm. We'll have to talk at some point. But now, I need to eat and find Claudia.

I have an idea.

I read the note as I devour my breakfast. I ask her what that is and she smiles. She writes another note.

Do you have swimming trunks?

Why didn't I think of this before? Swimming is fantastic exercise, especially for someone in my condition that needs to rebuild their strength. This apartment is a palace and I was always spoiled with the choice of indoor and outdoor pool. I tap into the wardrobe panel for a pair of shorts, the brand I once modelled for. I can't help but smile in memory of my first time here, where she didn't have any clothing fit for me bar a skimpy white robe and now her magical wardrobe contains all manner of garments fit for a complete mess in a six foot three and a half inch body. I don the shorts and meet Claudia by the door to the pool with a towel. The smell of the chemical water hits my nostrils as I climb inside the warmth. I sink my head beneath the surface, wetting my hair and come back up. Claudia presents a note to me from the edge of the pool.

Don't go too hard. Just a few laps of different strokes. We can build it up from there. I'll sit here and make sure you don't drown.

"You do know I'm from District 4, right? I'm not going to drown," I say with a wink before kicking off from the side and swimming into a nice gentle breaststroke.

Underwater, above water. Breathe. Stroke, kick, stroke, kick. Breathe. Repeat. My body is weightless. All the pressure and remaining pain I have in my bones, muscles and joints dissipating with each length. My mind is clear and my ears full with the gentle splashing. Claudia appears at the side of my pool on my last length, indicating that's enough for the day.

"Can I stay? Just float for a while. I promise I won't swim." She furrows her brow. "Leave the doors wide open so you can hear me scream. If need be."

She sighs, dramatically almost, and she nods.

And there I lay on top of the glass-like surface, floating around the whole of the pool. I take moments to look out of the wide window. The view isn't anything like it once was. So many destroyed buildings. It will take a while to rebuild and the city will be a grand metropolis again. I guess it's quite pretty in its own way. I remember thinking how garish it was when I first came here. Was there any need for all those brightly coloured buildings and billboards? Severe lack of a beach, but the pool will do.

It takes all my strength to pull me away from the serenity of the water, but I realise the day is getting on and I should probably see Venus at some point. I manage to ease myself out of the pool and find the towel. Brushing it through my hair I saunter to the bathroom, take a pineapple scented shower and go to our room to get dressed. Boxers, shorts and a shirt are presented to me in a few minutes. I rummage through the drawers in the dressing table in a quest for earbuds to get rid of some water that's stuck in my ear. What I find is far more enthralling.

The white gold and onyx band glistens in the corner of the drawer, right next to the scrapbook I've helped overfill. The metal is cold to the touch. It should be warm. Warm from my body heat. On my right hand. It's loose when I slide it on, but I feel an overwhelming sense of completion with it. I tease my fingers over the cover of the scrapbook and take it out. Laying on my front on the bed, I flick through the pages. My heart starts to grow and fill, the smile on my face getting wider with each new memory resurfaced. I linger on the pages dedicated to my birthday. I must've been in the tunnels or unconscious when my 25th rolled around. Maybe… I ignore the water popping in my ear and rolling down my neck.

When I emerge from the bedroom, Venus is laying on the sofa in the lounge, wearing glasses and resting a book on her bump. I stop in my tracks and smile at the sight. Wait… I quickly find the camera in our bedroom, the one that captured all sorts of naughty and cute memories from our adventures. She hasn't noticed me yet, so it's the perfect opportunity to snap the beautiful view. The flash goes and she looks up.

"Oh, you fucker," she groans. "I look fucking awful!"

"You really don't," I say as I sit next to her, waiting for the film to develop. She sits up a little and pushes her glasses back into her hair. I pass the plastic square to her. "I didn't think you actually needed glasses."

"Not everything I own is for kinky sex, Finnick," she laughs. "I need them for reading, although my younger self rarely wore them, saying I'd get surgery one day to correct my long sightedness. I guess my fast impending motherhood has made me a somewhat responsible adult. I can't believe I've just said something so fucking boring."

I smirk at her answer. Her gaze lowers to the plastic picture and the corners of her mouth turn upwards into the cutest of smiles.

"I didn't think I'd have any pictures of me pregnant," she says quietly, her finger grazing over the image.

"I thought we could stick it in the scrapbook."

Her eyes meet mine, her lips pressing together and she breathes deep.

"I think this sort of thing needs its own scrapbook."

"That's a fantastic idea. Speaking of ideas…"

I talk through my thoughts of having a little belated birthday celebration tonight. Nothing as wild as last year, of course. She says it sounds like a great thing and is annoyed she didn't think of it herself. We ask Claudia if she can make an extra trip out to source a cake. She agrees and leaves the apartment with a spring in her step. Although Claudia vehemently protests, Venus makes sure she's not completely useless in helping with dinner.

"I just want to do something!" She groans. Claudia rolls her eyes and lets her prepare the salad.

I decide to make a small effort with my appearance and dress in a green and blue floral shirt and tailored navy pants. They don't fit like they once did, but a belt helps tighten the trousers to my now non-existent ass.

"Do I look okay?" Venus says as I fiddle with my belt. I catch myself looking twice, in awe at her radiant beauty. Glowing dewy skin, soft pink blush on her cheeks and glossy plump lips. The make-up is barely noticeable but highlights each of her sensuous features naturally. Her hair falls in tumbling golden waves down her back, over a floor-length primrose dress that curves over her nine month bump. She has me almost speechless.

"More than okay, my love," I say quietly, the rosiness in her cheeks getting deeper before disappearing in a flurry of yellow.

Claudia wanted to try and recreate the lobster spaghetti dish that I wrote in the scrapbook, but with supplies from 4 being limited, she opts for tins of crab meat. And you can barely notice the difference. If a hospital is mad enough not to hire her as a doctor, she'll easily find a job as a chef. The night is filled with laughter, real genuine laughter from all of us, even a nasal snort from Claudia who hates that she has to spend time writing down everything she wants to say.

There's a knock at the door and panic fills Venus' face, her recently worst fear coming true. Claudia is unsure whether to open it or not, and neither am I.

"V?" I rest my right hand on top of her left. She looks down to it, eyes fixated on the silver band, smiles and relaxes instantly and nods.

Claudia answers and the brightly dressed Evander clan come bounding through.

"I'm sorry, are we interrupting something here?" Janus says, eyeing up the two of us sat at the table.

"No, not at all," Venus says. "Come in. It's Finnick's birthday. You're just in time for cake."

Jupiter Evander is a tall man, my height, with pure silver hair and tattoos that change colour in the light. He sizes me up for a moment, his eyes glinting with recognition like Janus' did yesterday. I am shit scared and nervous, but I wore my big boy pants today and I know I can do this. I introduce myself, extending my hand for him to shake.

"Don't worry, Father," says Janus. "He's not going to infect you with some germs from 4. And if he did, they might make you an attractive young man again."

Jupiter smirks at his son's response and takes my hand, shaking it firmly.

"You weren't lying when you said he looked like him, Janus," he says.

"Trust me, his ass is nowhere near good enough to be that of the late great Finnick Odair," Janus replies.

I glance back to Venus and she smiles. I can finally see where she gets some of it from.

Venus' twin nephews bundle to me next, poking and prodding at my face and asking for my autograph.

"If you need work in the Capitol, I'm sure you could make a living from being an impersonator," their father, Genius, remarks. He resembles Venus the most, although his hair is cropped short and dyed bright lilac and he wears red contact lenses. I'm introduced to his wife, Martia, who has baby blue braids and ridiculously long eyelashes and nails. Venus at one point whispers to me that she is the 'brother's girlfriend' that introduced her to her femininity in the summer before her final year of school. With how preened this lot is looking, you wouldn't think there's been a war at all.

Claudia opens the bottles of wine that the Evanders brought with them and we sit on the sofas as one big group. Naturally, I am quizzed relentlessly. The twins' questions are random about things from home, like have I killed a shark and is it true you have to pee on a jellyfish sting. I sit next to Venus and she holds my hand tightly, speaking up only when there's a question I don't know the answer to, like how we met in prison. Claudia dims the lights in the lounge and brings out the birthday cake. I'm amazed she found one so large and with 25 candles to light atop it. They sing a birthday song and I go to blow the candles out, stopping as I clock the longing gaze from the young boys.

"Hey, do you want to do it?" They both nod and I smile. "Go on then. I'll still make a wish."

I lean back and let them blow, everyone claps and the cake is taken to be cut and shared amongst us. I glance at Venus, a demure smile resting on her plump lips.

My usual Finnick charm works wonders and the conversation flows quite easily, to the point where I don't think I need the charm anymore. Sure, there are some things that are mentioned that take me back, like how Genius is convinced the whole country will result in anarchy now that the war is over, to which I reply that I doubt it will happen but at least rioting would lead to a boom in their dental business.

Before the night draws to a close, I'm pulled to the side by Jupiter. We stand on the terrace, leaning on the balcony and looking out into the evening. I can see the Training Centre in the distance, my own prison for a few days last year. She must've spent hours looking at it, wishing she could just pluck me out of my room in the blink of an eye.

"I'll spare you the lecture I'm sure you're expecting," he says. "I've spent enough time with you tonight to know that you're a good man."

"Thank you, sir."

"Less of the sir, though."

"Noted."

"Only a good man would let those boys blow their own birthday candles out. I wouldn't have. Maybe that says more about me than you," he sighs, going quiet for a moment before continuing. "There was a time last year, before… all of this, that I was sure she was with someone. She never said anything; always kept that side of her life private to the point where if she ever got married, I'd find out on the day, but I had an inkling. The way she smiled was different. So you can imagine my surprise after she turned up on my doorstep with a child inside her that was made in prison. How could she disregard the person that made her smile so much? I asked if she was assaulted. It was the only logical explanation, but she was adamant nothing untoward happened to her."

"I can assure you as well. That never happened and I would never hurt her," I say, my voice firm and strong at the hurtful accusation.

"I believe you. I believe her. She's private, but she would be honest about that. My little intelligent angel." He sighs. "You spent a lot of time together. I'm sure she told you about her mother."

"She did," I nod. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" He smirks. "I was too blinded by lust for years to see just how shallow she was. Status and money were far more important to her, despite the bloodline it came from."

"Is this what this is about? You think I'll hurt her because I'm from 4?"

"In part, but not in the way I'm sure you're thinking. These are crazy times. Things are changing. I know that and I'm ready to accept that. Losing two children, almost three, has made me think long and hard recently. Puts things into perspective. But the dust will settle and the honeymoon period will be over. I'm sure you had a life back in District 4, a life you could easily run back to when things get tough, especially with a newborn."

I go to reply, but my attention is drawn to Venus' laughter inside. I turn, lean back on the terrace railings and smile. I sense Jupiter's eyes on me and he turns to look. She's giggling as her nephew's feed her cake, hands resting in their usual place on top of her bump.

"Do you really think I would leave that?" I whisper. "How we met was… unconventional; I'm aware of that. But I know my feelings and how I feel about her."

I glance at him and his brow is furrowed, eyes analysing me, before I look back to Venus. It's not entirely a lie. How we met was unconventional.

"You've shared an experience I'll never understand and have obviously bonded whilst being kept together. But in the real world, it's different."

"Scarier, I'd say."

He smirks and nods. "It is at the moment. I've been struggling to find coffee for a while and I don't know how I'll cope if I don't get my hands on some soon."

"You should have a word with Claudia; she's amazing at finding things in the rubble."

Myself included.

"You understand why I'm sceptical."

"I do. I'm an outsider and I'm the first man you've met that's been in your daughter's life. It doesn't help that she kept me a secret, probably because she, similar to you, expects me to go. I don't know what the future will hold, but I hope it's right there, in that room."

I look at him again and his eyes are set on the wedding band on my finger. And I remember it was once his, and embarrassment sweeps over me, a lump forming in my throat.

"I thought she sold that," he mumbles, tracing his thumb over the ring.

"Sir… I…"

"What did I say about the sir?" He says, glancing up at me with a look that puts me firmly in my place. "The boys were furious I gave it to her. 'We could've sold that and then expanded the business, she'll be fine at the University, she'll make richer friends'. I guess she did, or maybe found a way to get by." I go to take it off, but he stops me. His face has softened, almost smiling. "Regardless, I think it has a better home now and I hope you prove me right."

He takes me back inside, hand on my shoulder, and I think I've gained the trust of the stubborn protective old man. Venus turns to us as soon as we walk through and I wink at her, making her smile.

Firm handshakes are replaced with even firmer hugs as the Evanders say their goodbyes. I see the tension physically release in Venus as the door closes, heaving a sigh of relief.

"That went… pretty well," she says, and Claudia nods as she begins tidying up. I go to help her, but she shoos the both of us to bed.

"What did my father want?" Venus asks after closing the bedroom door and I begin to undress.

"Oh, nothing for you to worry about."

"No, you have to tell me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't take notes."

"Fuck off, Finnick!" She groans, chucking her dress at me whilst I stifle laughter. "It's not funny!"

"Honestly, it was just a fatherly lecture."

"Making sure you'll be there, that sort of thing."

"Yeah, basically. You know, he said he thought you were seeing someone last year."

Her cheeks flush red underneath the makeup and she hides it by throwing on an old t-shirt and busying herself with her nighttime routine.

"I never said anything."

"I don't doubt it. But he knew. It was in your smile."

Her face is fresh and clear of any residue and she climbs into bed next to me. Her eyes are closed, but I know she isn't asleep, just breathing deep. I place my hand on top of her swollen stomach, stroking it tenderly, and she rests hers on top of mine.

"You can still go," she whispers. "I'll figure something out to say to them, make sure Father doesn't hunt you down."

"Do you want me to?"

She doesn't reply, only lays there, breathing deep. At least the answer isn't a no. I think she's finding the courage to say what she really wants to, because her lips press tight together and her nostrils flare.

"This isn't your world, Finnick."

"It could be."

"You're just saying that because of the baby. If I wasn't pregnant, I know you wouldn't stay for me."

"That's not true," I say.

Her eyelashes flutter open slowly, her pupils latching onto mine.

"Do you not realise how much of a sacrifice that would be?" She says. "You wouldn't be able to go back home, see the sea, feel the sand between your toes again, see your wife, your real wife that you heard in the Arena and cried out for, the one I watched you marry. Do you think you could live the rest of your life without that, without her?"

"I'm dead, V, and I'm sure she's sobbed her heart out for me, grieved for me, so maybe it's better if I stay dead. She could lose the last of her fragile mind if I rocked up back home. And, if I'm being selfish, this is my chance at something that should've happened from the beginning, that was meant to be had we not been from different worlds. You said it yourself. It's a brave new world out there and I can't deny that you were, are, and always will be, my perfect match. If you truly want me to go, I will. I don't want to, but I will because I love you."

Her deep brown eyes sparkle in the darkness of the bedroom. So much pain and fear in her. I don't think I'll get an answer tonight, but it can wait for another day.

"Please," she whispers. "I can't… I can't talk about this any more. I just…"

"Shh… it's okay. Get some rest. It's late."

She sighs, her desperately sad face nodding with glassy eyes. She turns on her side. Tentatively, I wrap my arms around her, spooning into her behind. Her fingers entwine with mine and rest on her abdomen.

"Is this okay?" I whisper, and shivers run down her spine. She nods and I inhale the rich coconut scent of her blonde bouncy locks and settle down.

"I read somewhere at the University that years ago, before Panem, there were Kings and Queens and they had two birthdays: the actual day they were born and another official day."

"Is that so? I did once say I was a King."

"You did." She goes quiet for a long time, neither of us able to sleep with the awkward sadness hanging over us. Breathing deep in the darkness, she asks one final question. "What did you wish for?"

"If I tell you, it won't come true, and I would quite like it to come true."

"It might."

I plant a delicate kiss on her shoulder and whisper my reply.

"For you to let me love you."

I drift away into a deep slumber. So deep, in fact, that I awake mid morning to an empty bed. I turn, expecting to see Venus out on the terrace in one of the many yoga positions I've seen her in. But she's not. She's in the living room, still wearing the baggy shirt and leaning over the couch with Claudia rubbing her back.

"Morning," I say with a yawn.

The pair glance up to me at the same time. They don't need to say anything. I can see it in their eyes: Venus' wet with agony and Claudia's methodical and sympathetic. She's in labour. Panic courses through my veins, my heart beat deafening in my ears. I rush over to her, the adrenaline powering my still sore body, and take over supporting Venus.

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I've been a little preoccupied," she says with a sarcastic smirk. "There's nothing you could've done. You still need your rest."

"But you're in labour?!"

"It's just contractions at the moment. Nothing too wild. Standing like this helps."

Claudia shoves an essay under my nose and I read it as I soothe Venus.

It's early stages but she's definitely in labour. She's still refusing to go to the hospital, so this is going to be done the old fashioned way and we are now a team. I've had a look and a feel and everything looks fine. This isn't a high risk pregnancy and I'm not worried at all. Everything should go quite smoothly. I need you to monitor her contractions and time how long they are apart. They're quite regular at the moment, but I need to know if they change. Distract her. Talk to her, but don't baby her. She needs to move a little. Maybe run a bath or go in the pool. Make sure she eats and drinks. She needs energy. I'll need to check her regularly. She said she wants to give birth outside so I'm going to clean the sofa and make it ready for her, get towels and stuff. Plans could change; it might not happen. Be prepared to tell her that. I have a machine to monitor the baby's heart rate and one shot of pain relief she's able to have. Try and see if she can wait as long as possible before using it. It's going to be tough. Lots of swearing, more than usual. You're a big boy, you can handle it. But enjoy it. It's beautiful.

"Okay, it's stopped," Venus says, breathing heavily. She stands up to full height and I look between her and Claudia. She gives me a reassuring nod and I smile through the fear.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Fan-fucking-tastic."

"How about some breakfast?"

"Mmm… Pancakes. With syrup and butter."

Claudia nods more eagerly and leaves me alone with Venus.

"Right, better get cracking then!"

With my newfound fear-induced strength, I busy myself in the kitchen whilst Venus strolls around the lounge, stopping every so often to bend on something. I keep an eye on her and the clock. Every time she stops and moans is a signal of a contraction. I have to stop myself from running over to her. She's fine, Finnick. Just carry on distracting her with your standard charming conversation. The pancakes she requested are soon ready and I slather them in syrup and butter. She sits down and we eat together. Claudia appears to examine her and she has her laying on a now towel covered couch. Claudia shakes her head and taps her wrist. We've got a long way to go yet.

I do all the things Claudia suggested. I walk around the apartment with her and massage whatever part of her body needs it. I ask if she wants to go for a swim and Venus moans approvingly. I take her to the pool and help ease her out of her shirt and into the water of the shallow end. It's warm and refreshing and she groans with sheer relief as the weight is taken off her.

"There we go," I say as I crouch beside her. Her hands find mine under the water, squeezing tight. "That's better, isn't it?"

"Oh, so much better," she sighs. "Although it's a bit weird I'm completely naked and you're not." And with that, I slip the boxers off and fling them out of the water. She shakes her head and laughs. "Any excuse to get naked."

"I don't need an excuse," I say with a wink. She laughs again, a sound I'm grateful to hear given the situation. "You're doing so well."

"Oh, don't be such a condescending cunt," she says, nudging into the side of me as she stifles another laugh.

"I thought you liked it when you got praised."

"That's different and you know it. Pretty sure it's how I got in this mess."

"A complete mess in a five foot eight body. What a pair we make."

"What a pair."

Another contraction courses through her and she winces. I encourage her to breathe slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth, riding it out until it passes.

"Good girl," I say.

"Fuck, why is that making me horny?!"

"We'll blame the hormones."

"And your smooth charming Finnick voice. God, it's like velvet and silk at the same time."

"Is it helping?"

She nods frantically. "Yeah. It really is. Do you remember when you first came here and I told you about the sea horses?"

"They mate for life, right?"

"Uh huh… I told you about the research on the chemicals involved in lust. Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and adrenaline. Well, one of them, oxytocin, helps power labour!"

"No wonder I find you so sexy right now," I say with a laugh. "Just oozing oxytocin."

"Do you? You're not just saying that?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Because I'm fat and sweaty and in fucking labour and you'll say anything to make me happy."

I squeeze her hand and rest my head on hers, looking deep into her eyes.

"I mean it," I purr. "You are so sexy right now and you're a badass scientist who's going to smash this like it's a walk in the park."

Her breathing quickens and becomes shallower, basically breathless when she whispers: "Fuck…"

Her lips crash on mine, water splashing as she flings her arms around my neck and pushes me up against the pool wall. All the passion and affection we've bottled away releases as our tongues dance in blissful synchronicity, numbing all physical and emotional aches in my chest. The fireworks in my head are bright and golden, exploding in time with my furiously beating heart. No chance I'm forgetting this kiss. She pulls back and rests her head on mine, wincing from another contraction.

"I wasn't that bad, right?" I say, making Venus laugh quietly as she copes with the pain. "I think it's time for another check over by Doctor Claudia, eh?"

The contraction passes and I help her out of the pool, grabbing a towel to dry her off. I wrap one around my waist and hold her close to me.

"I'm going to shower, dry off and put some clothes on, and I'll be back, okay?" I say.

"Wait, I want a shower. I don't want to stink of chlorine," Venus says.

I take her to the bathroom and set the shower to a gentle temperature setting with marshmallow scented bubbles. I massage her back as she leans up against the wall, sighing and purring from yet more relief. Her hair is washed and conditioned and whilst she leans and groans from contractions, I see to cleaning my own body. Before we turn into shrivelled up prawns, I help her out, onto the drying mat that removes all traces of water from our skin and hair, and into the bedroom. She doesn't want to wear clothes, so I drape her emerald silk bathrobe around her shoulders and she just laughs at how ridiculous it looks tied up. She begs me to take a picture so I do and we both snort with laughter at it.

The afternoon soon turns to night and we're not much further forward. Claudia examines her regularly and says she's getting there. The last time she looked she was about seven centimetres dilated. The magic number is ten. Her waters haven't broken yet, but there's no sign of bleeding which is a good thing. Both of our eyes fill with tears when the tiny probe is pressed to her bump and we can hear the baby's rapid heartbeat. The contractions become longer and more painful. Claudia offers the pain shot and Venus refuses, which surprises Claudia, but not me. She'll want to do this all by herself. She drinks a bright blue raspberry drink to keep her energy levels up as she feels she can't stomach any food.

"God, I feel like I'm gonna shit myself," she says during one of my regular massages whilst she kneels on the sofa, holding onto the back. I stifle the laugh, knowing she'll have a go at me if I do. "I swear, if I do, I can never look you in the eye ever again."

"That will be nothing in comparison to what will come out the baby's ass."

"True," she laughs.

I glance to the side of me and Claudia has dozed in one of the arm chairs.

"Hey, do you want to try and get some sleep? It's quite late."

"Oh, I'd love to get some sleep. I didn't catch a wink last night."

"Really?"

She shakes her head as she rolls and circles her hips.

"The contractions didn't help. To be honest, I've been having them for a few days but they felt like period pains to begin with, I hardly noticed them. But they got worse last night and I just… couldn't stop thinking about what you said."

"Shh… we're not bringing that up now."

"Might as well. I'm all hormonal and emotional, remember?"

"Exactly why we probably shouldn't."

"No, Finnick. I just… I don't want you to feel obligated by some masculine duty that you had to give up your new life back in 4 to be with me for the baby."

"Venus…"

"No, I'm serious. I've seen many women use a child to get a man to stay and I refuse to turn my child, our child, into a game piece, no different to how both of us were."

"No, of course not. The Games are well and truly over now. Fuck me, I know I can be proud and arrogant at times, wanting to be the hero, but even with those flaws in my personality it doesn't mean I feel obligated to stay, because I don't. The baby is a surprise bonus, if anything. V, I've watched you take care of me, see me at my physical and emotional worst, bathe me, cut my hair and shave my face with such tenderness, all with the view to send me on my way, but I don't want to. How could I leave someone that would do all that for me?"

"You really want to stay?"

"I want to stay."

Another contraction comes and the groans hum in her throat. I soothe her and encourage her. The thin film of sweat sparkles on her skin as she rocks and rolls her hips to ride the wave.

"Do you want the shot?"

She shakes her head. "No, I've got this. I can do it. If I can survive Snow's torture I can push this fucking baby out."

"Atta girl," I laugh.

"Oh god…"

"What?"

She reaches down between her legs and examines her fingers.

"Either… I've pissed myself or my waters have broken."

I take a peek at the gap between her thighs and they're dripping with fluid, the towels on the sofa now soaking wet. Oh shit. Oh shit. It's time. She's coming.

I wake Claudia and she springs into action. She takes another look at Venus and holds nine fingers up. Nine centimetres dilated. Almost there, V.

"Thank fuck for that," she groans, eyes clenched shut and her forehead slick with sweat.

"You still want to do this outside?"

"Uh-huh. I don't want the first thing she sees to be a ceiling or a lamp or the fucking kitchen. I want her to see the sky."

"Then you've gotta get up and move, Venus. Come on. Hey, she might see the sunrise."

The word 'sunrise' makes her eyes flutter open and glisten in the light. Her nostrils flare as she breathes deep and she nods, as if to say 'let's fucking do this'. It takes a little while to get there, but we make it outside to the south east corner of the terrace. She sits in the middle of the towel covered sofa, a low moan escaping her throat. I sit beside her, holding her hand and stroking her knee.

"You comfy?" I ask, and she nods, looking up at the sky. The light of the moon highlights the thin film of sweat on her face, an awe-inspiring motherly glow.

"It's so beautiful… the stars… Look, it's a full moon!"

"Yeah, it is. This was a great idea."

"I'm full of them. Do you remember that great idea I had to come to the Training Center? Fucking great idea that was," she says with an exasperated laugh.

"Oh, V…"

"I'm joking, Finnick. God, don't give me those eyes, all sad and sorry. Even though I got arrested for coming and unintentionally pregnant, even if I was only with you for a minute, it was worth it."

"Hey, I lasted longer than that."

"Oh, fuck off!" She says with a dramatic roll of the eyes and a drained laugh. "Stop being so funny and charming."

"Shall I start saying 'you're doing great, sweetie' every twenty seconds."

"Fuck no!"

Claudia passes a note to me that she'd been writing whilst Venus and I bickered.

She's almost there. The head's down, ready to go; she just needs to dilate a little more. When the time comes, take your shirt off and sit behind her. She doesn't know it but feeling your skin on hers will help her. Plus it means you won't have to see what's going on downstairs. I've seen many strong brave men faint at the sight. I'll signal to you to tell her to push and when to stop. She can't push now, even if she feels like she wants to.

"What did she say?" Venus asks.

"Just that you're almost there and she'll tell you when to start pushing."

"I want to do it now," she moans, throwing her head back as her leg begins to tremble. Claudia's eyes fill with alarm and she shakes her head violently.

"No, V. You can't. Not yet. But soon. I promise."

Venus whimpers and I see the tears begin to roll down her face. She's done so well not to cry until now. Even when we heard the heartbeat, she still stopped herself from crying. I'll never understand what she's going through. I can only hope that I'm doing and saying anything that's helping.

The sky is a bright soft blue when Claudia gives the nod that it's time to start pushing.

"Alright, Venus. I'm going to get you a little more comfortable and then you're going to do something amazing," I say.

"What's that?" She murmurs, glancing at me with dark eyes. She's exhausted, physically, emotionally, probably spiritually as well. Every part of her aches.

"You're going to bring our daughter into this brave new world."

I slip out of my shirt and ease myself behind Venus. I push the warm sweaty robe down to her waist and bring her naked back onto my chest, resting my head in the crook of her neck. I look down to Claudia, crouched between Venus' legs. She gives me a nod.

"Right, when you have your next contraction, you're going to push," I say and Claudia nods approvingly. "You got that, V?"

"I can't," she moans, her chest trembling. I take her hands and she grips tight, clinging on with the little energy she has. She lifts her head up to me and I press my lips to hers, kissing her softly but with so much affection and passion.

"Yes, you can," I whisper on her lips.

It comes and she pushes, her body going stiff and tense and hot. Her grip on my hand tightens further, a desperate whine humming in her throat until it relents and she gasps, her chest heaving. Claudia shakes her head.

"Alright, we gotta go again, V."

"No!" She pants. "I can't."

"Yes! You've got this! So, on the next one, you're gonna push again."

And she does, a few times, until I get an excited look from Claudia that one more is all we need. I've kept my cool for so long, I finally release the emotion and my eyes begin to well, squinting as the edge of the sun begins to peak from over the horizon. I put my lips to Venus' ear and whisper softly.

"Look, V." She lifts her limp head up to the sky, panting desperately. "She's going to see the sunrise. Just like we said. But only if you push. Just this last time."

I can see her mustering up all her strength as her chest heaves shakily. She nods and I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her intoxicating scent. Her body tenses, radiating with such determination and beauty in the early morning glow. I hold my breath as Venus pushes and cries out. The world stands still, all hairs on my adrenaline-fuelled and terrified body stand to attention. And I gasp, a glimpse of the head making my heart stop, and Venus' cries are drowned out by our daughter's first breaths. Laughing and sobbing at the same time, Claudia places our wailing wriggling baby onto Venus' chest, both our arms cradling from beneath. My heart stretches and fills to a capacity I never knew I had. I find myself blinking repeatedly through the tears, making sure that what I'm seeing is real, and it is. She's here. She's really here. Venus looks up to me, beaming bright in the dawn sunlight as she rests her head on mine.

"I did it," Venus sobs with elation.

"You did it! You're amazing," I say, grinning bright.

"And I didn't shit myself!"

I erupt into laughter and I kiss her damp forehead as she cries tears of the purest sweetest joy. "Nope. No, you didn't."

I can't keep my eyes off the tiny bundle of perfection that's cradled in our arms. Claudia blurs around us, cleaning her up and cutting the cord, swaddling her in a towel to keep her warm. The crying subsides and she's settled in our arms. I feel a tap on my skin that brings me back to reality and look up to the note written by Claudia.

She's perfect.

"She is," I whisper, a single tear rolling down my face. "Thank you."

Claudia gives Venus an injection that helps her pass the afterbirth without a hitch. Venus has lost some blood, but nothing to be worried about. I'm reassured that she will be fine. I don't doubt it. She's a fighter, a Victor in her own rights.

"She's so beautiful," I whisper against Venus' ear.

"You're so biased," Venus says with a faint laugh.

"How am I?"

"She's a wrinkled fresh-out-of-the-womb mess and you think she's beautiful. Only the father would say that."

"You don't think she is?"

"I have spent the last nine months being swollen and in agony growing her and over twenty four hours trying to push her out. After all of that and she turned out to be a troll, I'd still say she was beautiful. Because she's mine. She's… ours."

Venus glances up at me, her chocolate eyes twinkling in the early morning sunlight. I smile softly, my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

"I never asked: did you decide on a name for her?"

She shakes her head. "I had a fair amount of time alone in prison to think of some but I wanted to wait until she was here to decide on one, make sure it suited her, you know?"

"Makes sense," I say, chuckling slightly. "What do you think now?"

"Alba…" Venus says softly, and the tiny eyelids of our daughter peak open, glinting green and blue in the bright spring sun.

"I think she approves," I gasp. "Hi, Alba…" I bring my finger to her tiny hand and her fingers latch on.

"You like it?" She asks.

"Mhmm. It's very cute. I've never heard it before; what does it mean?"

"It's not a common name here, but it was my father's mother's name. I didn't know her well, but I always liked the name. I think it means white in an ancient language."

"White… she came during a full moon and sunrise so it's very fitting."

Venus smiles as we glance to each other.

"There's one Capitol tradition I want to carry on. I want to give her a second name."

"A second name? Is one not enough?" I jokingly say.

"Well, you know what it's like here. More is better."

"Go on then… what's this bonus name she so desperately needs?"

Venus tilts her head up to me, a demure smile resting on her lips.

"Alba Felicity."

"Felicity… As in…"

A single tear rolls down my cheek and I can't contain the beaming smile, knowing I'll find it physically impossible to stop.

"Mhmm," she nods. "I hope that's not out of line."

"No, not at all. It's…" I sigh. "Exactly what I want. I'm amazed I didn't think of it myself. You're amazing. So thoughtful, even after all you've been through."

"Just another standard day for me," she says with a shrug and that dramatic sassy tone. "Hey, I've been hogging her for a while; do you want to hold her properly?"

Anxiety begins to build up in my chest. A small nod is the only reply I can muster before Venus shuffles carefully to the side and passes Alba to me. I lean back into the sofa, the anxiety that built so quickly disappearing just as fast. Venus curls up next to me, resting her head on my shoulder and kissing the top of Alba's head with such delicacy. She strokes my thigh as I make internal promises of protection and love and admissions of fear and worry, but I'll do my damned best. I'm in complete awe of her. The tiny fingers and toes, the quick breathing and heartbeat on my naked chest, the adorable button nose, the faint tuft of light hair.

Claudia comes to check on Venus quickly. I have no idea how much time has passed, the bubble of this new love makes every passing second seem infinite. She needs to get some fluids and food in her and will need to rest, but other than that, the bleeding has subsided and she's looking good. Claudia says she needs to check Alba as well, and I ask for five more minutes and she agrees.

"Oh, come on, that wasn't five minutes," I say when I see her linger in the terrace doorway. She just shakes her head and comes forward with a gift. Venus lifts herself up a little and begins to cry quietly.

"Claudia… you didn't have to…" she sobs. Claudia just shrugs and gives her the present. She pulls on the bow and beneath the paper is a book, the cover a rich emerald with gold filigree pattern. Venus turns the first page, and stuck inside are the two pictures I took of Venus whilst pregnant, the one on the sofa with her glasses on and the one of her in the robe with her bump poking out.

"Claudia…" I say, overwhelmed with emotion at her gesture. She's done so much for both of us, selflessly and out of the kindness of her heart. I hope I can return the kindness one day. If only I could give her her voice back.

"Thank you," Venus says quietly, stroking and staring at the pictures. "This is just… you shouldn't have."

Claudia smiles and signals to turn the next page. Two pictures I've not seen before. One of Venus holding Alba with my arms beneath her, and one of Alba resting on my chest. Venus gasps.

"You sneaky little paparazzi!" She gasps, and Claudia's smile grows wider. She winks and just as she's about to leave, I stop her, the beginnings of an idea springing in my mind.

"Can you get me a pen?"

Venus looks up to me, brow furrowed. "What are you planning?"

I shrug, careful not to disturb Alba. I gesture to Claudia that Venus takes the pen.

"Okay, I want you to write what I say, on that page, in your best handwriting," I say.

"Yeah, that's right. Get the woman who's just given birth to do your dirty work," she giggles.

"Write your name. Full thing."

Venus Diana Evander.

"And now Alba's. With your surname."

Alba Felicity Evander.

"And now, write this."

Venus looks up at me as the words leave my mouth.

"Finn…" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

"Write it," I purr.

Finnick Evander.

She looks up once more, positively glowing with adoration. I nuzzle my nose against hers, gazing deep into her chocolate eyes and breathing her in as if she's my life. She is my life.

"Finnick Odair is dead," I whisper. "But Finnick Evander lives and breathes and has an equally impeccable ass. Well, will do, in a few months."

She laughs silently to herself, taking my face in her hand and massaging my cheek tenderly.

"I remember you saying that if I ever found a man with as good an ass as you I should marry him."

"Then I guess you'll have to marry me all over again."

"I don't need to," she says, breathing deep. The remains of the walls to her heart crumble and fade away with her next words. "I think your birthday wish came true."