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slaymitchabernathy · 6 months ago

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The Nanny

On a quiet morning, when spring and warmer weather were finally on the cusp of the Capitol, Soarynn was stumped by a question that caused her fingers to stop their memorized pattern of braiding Ceraphina's hair.

"Soarynn, how do you know when you're in love?"

Soarynn blinks once, twice, three times. She's never really thought about that before. Of course, she's thought about love, being in love, falling in love. But truly, how does one know when they're in love?

"I...I don't know darling," she admits, grabbing another blonde curl and tucking it into the braid, "I suppose you just wake up one morning and know that you're with the right person."

"Okay, but how?"

Clearly, Soarynn's answer is insufficient for the young girl who's getting to that age where everything is "so romantic." Soarynn remembers being that way when she was little, thinking it was so wonderful how every adult around her was in love. Watching adults hold hands while crossing busy streets and share warm drinks on cold nights was the ultimate tribute to being in love in her eyes.

It also didn't help that she had grown up without witnessing her own parent's love due to the unfortunate death of her mother. She's sure that Ceraphina had experienced a bit of that as well, even though she knew her mother before she passed away.

But Coriolanus and Livia were never in love.

He's admitted to that countless times since they started courting, talked about how Livia made him feel as if he were stuck in the middle of a business arrangement. It often leads Soarynn to wonder how many other couples are simply together for all the wrong reasons and if she and Coriolanus are together for the wrong ones as well.

Not that there's anything wrong with them. After that little hallway incident, he's been nothing but sweet, showering her with words of adoration, tokens of his affection, and sweet gestures that go above and beyond. He's certainly a charmer.

But sometimes she wonders about how they met, how strange it is that a nanny ended up with her employer and then she just ends up feeling strange and icky.

At least she didn't break up their marriage. That's something she constantly reminds herself of. Their marriage was broken long before she came to the Snow family.

"It's this feeling you get inside of you," Soarynn says, placing a hand over her heart, "this feeling that you simply can't live without this person and you want to do everything with them, no matter how mundane or uncomfortable. With the love of your life, everything makes sense."

Ceraphina tilts her head, "Are you in love with Daddy?"

Soarynn already knows how she feels about Coriolanus, but she doesn't always know how he feels about her.

"I care very deeply about your father," she smoothly answers, giving Ceraphina a tight-lipped smile through the mirror's reflection. Ceraphina returns it with one of her own and kicks her feet as they dangle off the vanity stool, "Is Daddy your best friend?" Soarynn raises her eyebrows, she has friends, but a best friend is something she hasn't considered.

But the more she thinks about it, the more it seems plausible. They see each other every day, they spend lots of time together, they joke and laugh with one another, he makes her happy, she feels as though she can tell him anything. They're honest with each other.

Isn't that what a best friend is?

"He is," she confirms with a more genuine smile this time, "spending time with your father makes me very happy." Ceraphina giggles and cranes her neck back so that she's looking up at Soarynn, "Good! Because I asked him last night and he said that you were his best friend!"

Soarynn's eyes widen in surprise, she's forgotten how involved the girls can get with her relationship with their father. At first, she had worried there might be jealousy. They were the only girls in his life and now there was another woman but that wasn't the case. No, the girls were elated to have Soarynn and their father together, a little too elated sometimes since they were constantly hinting at marriage.

Which sometimes worried Soarynn because she didn't want to get her own hopes up let alone the children's. Coriolanus hadn't really ever talked about getting married again and it's not like she could blame him when his last marriage had a bit of a traumatic ending.

"Well, I'm glad that we're on the same page," she says, tying up Ceraphina's hair with a ribbon, "and you look so pretty darling, this is the perfect look for the museum today." Ceraphina smiles at her reflection, admiring Soarynn's handiwork with her hair, "Thank you!"

Soarynn presses a kiss to the top of her head before Ceraphina hops off of the stool and runs out into her bedroom, leaving Soarynn alone in the bathroom with a looming question.

Does Coriolanus see her as a potential wife?

꧁ ꧂

After contemplating her relationship in the bathroom for a good five minutes, Soarynn gathered herself and her thoughts before making her way out into the girls' room and instructing them to put on their shoes so they could depart for the museum.

"I'll go get your brother's shoes on and meet you in the hallway," she tells them, waiting for nods of confirmation so she can actually trust them to do what she said. Once both girls dutifully bob their heads up and down, Soarynn slips out into the hallway and heads toward Caspian's room. But then she stops when she sees several Avoxes walking in and out of the one room that is practically off-limits.

The master bedroom. Where she sleeps almost every night.

The Avoxes appear to be carrying lots of boxes in and out of the room which puzzles Soarynn. Just this morning she woke up in the arms of her lover and he hadn't mentioned any new furniture being moved into the room. Perhaps it's something that Eudora planned out and Coriolanus simply forgot about it.

Soarynn shrugs it off and gently opens the doors to Caspian's room, finding him right where she left him, on his new bed. Caspian has slept in a crib since the day she started working for the Snows but just last week he got a brand-new bed.

A "big-boy bed."

He's been very pleased with himself and his new bed, constantly climbing in and out of it for the fun of it. Coriolanus had worried that he might try to slip out of his room in the middle of the night but Soarynn reminded him of Caspian's inability to reach the door handles and that calmed him down.

It certainly is adorable to see him so excited about his new bed and the best thing about it is that he can now fit more stuffed animals on it compared to his crib where his space was more limited.

"Lenny go museum," he says the moment he lays eyes on Soarynn. The two-year-old boy has become more and more determined to bring Lenny everywhere and Soarynn has become more and more discouraged to argue with him since it'll often end in a tantrum. And for Caspian, a tantrum is him sitting facing the wall and not talking to anyone for at least two hours.

Which is the best tantrum she's ever seen but it's still a tantrum nonetheless.

"Lenny can come to the museum darling," she reassures him, "but we've got to get your shoes on first." His eyes scan his bedroom floor and Soarynn does the same thing because she swears that she laid out his shoes earlier this morning. Unless a certain toddler moved them and can't remember where he put them.

"You wouldn't happen to know where they are, would you Cas?"

He averts his gaze, staring up at the ceiling instead and Soarynn laughs, "I'll take that as a no." That's okay, he has more shoes than he'll ever need so she just goes into the closet to find another pair. She dressed him in khaki-colored pants, a little white shirt, and a red coat to go overtop for when they're outside. Soarynn grabs a small pair of brown leather shoes, humming to herself as she undoes the tiny laces. The thing she loves about children is how cute their clothes are.

She wonders how tiny baby clothes can get.

Does Coriolanus want another baby if they get married?

She really needs to get a grip on her thoughts because this is getting out of hand. Right now, all she needs to focus on is the children.

She has to be the nanny.

꧁ ꧂

There are days when Soarynn only sees Coriolanus once. Breakfast is a promised meeting time for the entire family no matter what the day holds and Soarynn looks forward to it immensely. The girls get to talk to Coriolanus until his ears fall off and Caspian gets to be near his father which is more than enough for him. Breakfast isn't really the time for Soarynn to butt in and talk, not when she often spends the nights with Coriolanus, wrapped up in his sheets.

But today is not one of those days. Because there are days when a person keeps running into the same person over and over again, as if the universe wants them to be together. Even if Soarynn has mixed feelings about that person right now because she doesn't know if he wants to get married and have more children with her.

Which is so utterly ridiculous and she knows that but it doesn't stop her heart from beating faster and faster whenever she thinks of him. Get it together, she tells herself while carrying a sleepy Caspian on her hip, you can talk to him about it tonight. The museum had been wonderful today, a new exhibit about the ocean opened up and the girls loved every second of it. The exhibit mostly focused on different marine life and even had a real whale skeleton.

Needless to say, they were at the museum for a long time.

Caspian was already falling asleep in the car but Soarynn tried to keep him awake until they got back home so she could put him down for a proper nap. "Bed," he mumbles while nuzzling his head against her neck. Soarynn hums, brushing some of his hair out of his face, "I know sweet boy, we'll get you down for a nap."

They ran into Eudora when they got back home and she took the girls to get a snack so Soarynn could put Caspian down for a nap. Soarynn starts walking up the back staircase, her head down as she focuses on the steps when she notices a pair of black leather shoes pass by her going in the opposite direction. She immediately looks up when the scent of roses washes over her and comes face to face with a grinning Coriolanus.

Her heart might beat out of her chest, she doesn't know why she's suddenly so nervous around him, it's probably got something to do with her stupid thoughts about the future and what it holds for them.

"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise?" He says, resting a hand on her arm. Soarynn forces a smile onto her face and nods, "Yes, yes it is. We just got back from the museum." A wave of recognition washes over his porcelain face, "Ah yes, I remember you mentioned it this morning at breakfast."

Soarynn hums but doesn't say anything else which is ironic since she's usually thrilled to run into Coriolanus in the middle of the day. He rarely ever leaves his study if he's working from home.

He furrows his eyebrows, looking her up and down in a concerned manner, "Are you feeling alright darling?"

"Mhm."

Caspian lifts his head after hearing his father's voice, "Lenny go nap."

Coriolanus gives Caspian a gentle squeeze, fixing the collar of his little coat, "Lenny isn't the only one who needs a nap." Soarynn chuckles softly, Caspian often projects his needs and wants onto Lenny, "What were you doing upstairs?" She asks, her curiosity getting the best of her. Coriolanus is a man who values routine and the only time he ever comes upstairs is if he needs to change his clothes but he appears to be wearing the same outfit he wore to breakfast this morning.

He coughs into his fist, looking down at the floor, "Just needed to grab something."

Now they're both lying.

"Alright. Well...I'll see you later then," she says softly, taking another step up. Coriolanus gives her a grunt of approval, "Yes, I was thinking we could have dinner tonight." She doesn't know if she can survive dinner with him tonight, not with her own thoughts running wild but she doesn't want to be rude or ungrateful, "That sounds wonderful," she lies.

He smiles although it doesn't reach his eyes the way a genuine smile does and leans forward to press a kiss to her cheek, "I'll see you tonight then darling."

Soarynn nods and turns to go up the rest of the stairs but she stops herself midway, unable to stop herself from asking the question that's been burning in her mind since doing Ceraphina's hair this morning, "Actually I," Coriolanus stops in his tracks, looking up at her from the first landing of steps, "Yes?"

Soarynn feels a rush of embarrassment wash over her. What a stupid thing to ask him right now, "Never mind," she says, going up the rest of the steps before he can stop her.

Soarynn scolds herself for acting so...so stupid! This morning she felt perfectly normal around Coriolanus, giddy even but now she can barely look the man in the eyes without wanting to ask him if they're ever going to get married or have children.

At least she has until tonight to get her thoughts and her act together.

Soarynn pads into Caspian's room, changing him into pajamas before tucking him into his new bed. She kisses his forehead and sings his favorite song, the meadow song, watching him drift off to sleep with Lenny in his grip. Soarynn watches him sleep for a while, enamored by the sweet boy who calls her his mother despite having no blood relation.

If Caspian considers her his mother then why should she even worry about Coriolanus wanting more children? Ceraphina, Celeste, and Caspian are more than perfect. If anything, Soarynn is selfish for wanting more children.

There, problem solved.

꧁ ꧂

"Soarynn dear, could you run this over to Coriolanus?"

Problem not solved.

Soarynn might throw up.

She just got downstairs after putting Caspian down for his nap and she was feeling much better before Eudora asked her that question. She thought she just solved her problem but just hearing his name made her feel nervous. She brushes her hair behind her ears, looking around the room to make sure that Eudora is talking to her and not someone else named Soarynn.

"Don't you want to do it?" She asks, doing her best to sound casual while stepping into the dining room. Eudora and the girls are all sitting at the table, cookies and tea in front of them although it looks like the girls are drinking apple juice from the tea cups instead of actual tea.

Eudora waves her off as if she's doing Soarynn a grand favor, "You'll be fine, just hand him this file. He asked me to go over it this morning for the upcoming Hunger Games."

Ah yes, the Hunger Games that Coriolanus has to keep running because apparently, his father created them. The night that Coriolanus told Soarynn about Lucy Gray, he also told her more about the origin of the Hunger Games and how his father and Casca Highbottom created them. It was apparently a drunk joke that was made but it turned into something much more sinister once it was written onto paper and turned in as an assignment to Dr. Gaul, one of the Head Gamemakers.

It had honestly horrified Soarynn to know that the reasoning behind twenty-four children being forced to fight to the death was due to a drunk joke but she kept those thoughts to herself. It's not like she could stop them now. Coriolanus didn't seem ecstatic about them either but as President of Panem, it was his job to see to it that they continued this pageantry.

Lucky him.

Soarynn slowly takes the file from Eudora, holding it at arm's length like it's a ticking time bomb, "I'll go give it to him," she finally says, accepting her fate. Eudora gives her a questionable look but nods, "We'll be right here dear."

"Tell Daddy we said hi," Celeste tells Soarynn who swallows and turns to walk back out of the dining room, a dark cloud looming over her once more.

She all but drags her feet down the long hallway that leads to his study, a hallway she normally skips down because it means getting to see Coriolanus. But not today.

She stops once she reaches the doors that lead to his study when she notices that they're not all the way closed. She can hear two muffled voices, male voices, one belongs to Coriolanus, and the other she can't quite place. It's terribly rude to eavesdrop but Soarynn can't help but lean in a little closer to peer inside of his study.

She can see Coriolanus sitting on the sofa by the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in his hand while he talks. She looks over at the other man and finds that it's Quintus Heavensbee, his most trusted advisor. It doesn't sound like they're talking about anything truly important, in fact, they're talking about women.

"...Perlina said it would be a nice trip but after what happened to you in Four, I just don't trust the Districts," Quintus says with a shake of his head, his back towards the doors. Coriolanus lets out a dry laugh, "I never trusted them to begin with. But after Four, the children will never go again." Soarynn agrees with him on that, the attack in District Four could've ended so badly for them. For her.

"They're leeches, filthy leeches that are desperate to get their hands on what matters most to you," Quintus tells him, "speaking of which, how are things with Soarynn?"

Her breath gets caught in her throat and she has to remind herself to breathe again while Coriolanus takes a sip of his drink, "Good, she's good, things are good. I'm taking her to dinner tonight."

Quintus nods and leans back in his chair, "I must say she looks nearly identical to Ceraphina, she could easily pass for her mother if I didn't know any better." Soarynn has to agree with that as well, she and Ceraphina share the same eye color and hair color, leading them to look like a mother-daughter duo. She certainly sees Ceraphina as her daughter, even if she shouldn't.

"Well she's more of a mother to her than Livia ever was," Coriolanus says, bitterness evident in his tone of voice, "and a better partner as well." Her heart flutters from the compliment, Soarynn has never been in a relationship before and she often wonders if she's doing enough. Coriolanus has always been one for words of praise but he could always just lie and be polite to protect her feelings.

"Could you see yourself marrying her?" Quintus asks and Soarynn nearly blacks out. It's as if the heavens above have answered her question! Now she just needs Coriolanus to answer the question and Coriolanus is the master at avoiding things he doesn't want to answer. He's an expert, in fact, diverting the topic by giving an answer completely unrelated to the question. Soarynn has called him out on it before and he's always grinned and claimed that it's a skill only the President can possess.

Coriolanus goes quiet, too quiet for her liking. Soarynn watches him think long and hard about that question, "Not tomorrow," Quintus adds, picking up on the lingering silence, "no one would blame you if you didn't want to remarry."

Coriolanus shakes his head, a determined look now on his face, "I could see myself marrying Soarynn," he answers confidently, "sooner rather than later if I'm being honest. Losing Livia taught me a valuable lesson, many lessons actually but it taught me that nothing is promised. If something were to happen to Soarynn and I missed my chance then I'd never forgive myself."

Soarynn turns around and lets out a silent scream of excitement before collecting herself and taking a few steps back as if she hasn't been listening to the conversation for the past five minutes. She raises her fist to knock on the doors and makes her presence known this time, "Coriolanus? I have something to give you from Eudora."

She listens to their conversation come to a halt and hears someone get up and shuffle towards the doors. Quintus is the one who opens them, greeting her with a kind smile, "Hello Soarynn, how are you today?" She returns his smile with one of her own, genuine this time now that she doesn't have that nagging thought in her head, "Hello Quintus, I'm absolutely wonderful."

He steps to the side so she can walk inside and she's met with a skeptical look from Coriolanus who remains seated on the sofa, "Really? Because when I saw you on the staircase you looked like you were about to be sick." Soarynn waves him off, crossing the room to hand him the file, "I'm perfectly fine," she tells him, "you shouldn't worry about me, darling." The random use of the petname brings a blush to his cheeks and Quintus chuckles, "It's the President's job to worry, isn't it Coriolanus?"

Coriolanus still seems to be in a confused daze but he quickly shakes it off, taking the file from her and adopting the more stern look she's used to seeing from him, "Yes, quite right. Thank you for bringing me the file Soarynn."

Soarynn nods and she can't help but keep going now that she doesn't have any existential dread weighing her down, "What were you two just talking about a moment ago?"

Both men answer her at the same time.

"Taxes."

"Trains."

Soarynn raises her eyebrows, looking back and forth as they clear their throats in an effort to look less guilty, "Taxes and trains? What a thrilling topic." Coriolanus quickly rises to his feet, setting down his glass and the file, both long forgotten, "Yes, it's riveting stuff darling but I think I hear the children calling for you and I have much to do before tonight." He rests a hand on her back and gently guides her past Quintus towards the doors.

Soarynn innocently looks up at him from over his shoulder, "I didn't hear the children."

"You might need to get your ears checked then. I'll see you tonight," he says, kissing her temple before he gently pushes her out into the hall and shuts the doors in her face.

Soarynn crosses her arms, getting her ears checked, please.

Why can't men ever just come out and say what they mean? And they say women are complicated creatures.

꧁ ꧂

Later that day, Soarynn finds herself wondering about something else, something less important.

What is she going to wear tonight?

No matter where they go or what they do, Coriolanus and Soarynn always dress up for the occasion. Soarynn has always enjoyed dressing up for herself and no one else but now that she's in a relationship, it's an added bonus to have a grown man drooling over her.

"Would you two like to help me choose my outfit for tonight?" She asks the girls while they have an early dinner. The girls both gasp, eager to participate in the adult activity of preparing for date night. If they had their way, they'd come with Soarynn and Coriolanus but he's remained very firm that going out on dates is a two-person job.

But that doesn't stop the girls from asking to come. So Soarynn has found that them helping her get ready makes their separation much easier. And although she'd never admit it, easier for her as well.

"Yes!" Ceraphina says, bouncing in her seat, "Can we put on your makeup too?" Makeup is a bit more risky since Soarynn has found out that the girls love to use a heavy hand when applying things such as blush. "Oh, I was thinking you two might help me pick out a bag too," she adds, earning her more excited gasps. Caspian who's sitting in her lap, rests a hand on her arm, "Momma stay."

Her smile falters at his request, maybe she should stay, she and Coriolanus just went out to dinner a few nights ago. But Eudora is quick to intervene, "I thought we might watch one of your favorite films tonight children." Caspian perks up when he hears that, he loves to watch films, especially ones that feature animals. Coriolanus is pretty strict about how much television the children can watch and only permits a certain amount of time per week that they can spend in front of the large screen.

A film is a special treat.

He looks back up at Soarynn, a change of heart, "Momma go."

Soarynn and Eudora laugh at the sudden switch and Soarynn presses a kiss to his head, "Eager to get rid of me hmm?"

"Eudora, can I ask you a question?" Ceraphina asks sweetly, batting her eyelashes which causes Eudora to raise an eyebrow. Ceraphina has a habit of asking the craziest questions at the worst times, it's truly a gift. "Yes, you may dear."

"Have you ever been in love?"

Eudora lets out another laugh, a dismissive one at that, and shakes her head, "I don't believe in relationships dear, they're far too complicated for a woman of my age and status to concern herself with."

Ceraphina frowns, slouching in her seat, "You never fell in love? Ever? Not even once?"

Eudora shakes her head, sighing, "No, well...there was that one time," she mumbles the last part. Soarynn and the children lean in, eager to hear about Eudora Trinket's one love. "Who was he?" Celeste asks, "Or she?"

Eudora looks up at the ceiling dramatically, as if reliving her last moments with her lover, "We were too different," she exclaims, "I was in love with schedules, planning, telling people what to do. And he..." She looks back down at the table, grabbing her napkin and dabbing at her eyes, "He was in love with the weather."

It takes them a full ten seconds to realize who she's talking about.

"Lucky?!" Soarynn asks, unable to believe that Eudora and Lucky have ever shared a single interest let alone a conversation. The girls look as surprised as she is, even Caspian seems to be in denial. Eudora shrugs, "I like a man with a mustache, what can I say? But we were too different, we had different passions and when two people are in love, that means that they must sometimes give up their passions for one another."

She has a valid point.

Coriolanus is passionate about being President, being a leader, a beacon of stability.

But what is Soarynn passionate about?

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn pokes at her pasta, pushing it around on the plate. It's quiet in the restaurant but that's because Coriolanus bought out the entire room so they could dine privately. A man of grand gestures.

"Are you not hungry?"

She looks up from her plate, finding Coriolanus eyeing her plate of pasta, "I am," she tells him, "I just can't stop thinking about what Eudora said earlier when we were all having dinner together."

Coriolanus takes a sip of his wine before asking, "What did she say at dinner?"

Soarynn sighs, she's sure he's already aware that Eudora was in love with Lucky Flickerman at one point so she chooses to leave that part out, "She was talking about passions and now I can't stop thinking about what my passion is." She pokes at her pasta some more before setting down her fork, "My pasta is probably cold anyway," she grumbles.

Coriolanus gives her a knowing look and waves over their waiter who appears at their table within seconds, "Could you reheat this for her please?" Coriolanus asks, handing over Soarynn's plate to the eager waiter who promises to bring back an entire new plate for her.

She bites her lip, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to act ungrateful. I just can't stop thinking about it." Coriolanus reaches his hand across the table and Soarynn takes it, watching his long fingers intertwine with her shorter ones. "I'd say you're acting preoccupied, not ungrateful," he argues, squeezing her hand, "and I think it's rather obvious what your passions are darling."

She looks up at him confusedly, "It is?"

He chuckles, "Yes, it is. You're so clearly passionate about helping others. You love to lift other people up, you love to connect with those around you, making them feel at ease."

Was it that obvious?

The waiter comes back with a steaming plate of pasta and Soarynn must admit, it looks much tastier when it hasn't been sitting in front of her for ten minutes, "Thank you," she says to the man.

"Of course, Ms. Nightingale."

Soarynn catches Coriolanus staring at her empty ring finger for only a moment before he lets go of her hand, "How did you even get on the topic of passions? Are the children already diving into these deep topics at such a young age?" Soarynn softly laughs and picks up her fork again, appetite regained, "No, Ceraphina asked Eudora if she's ever been in love before."

Coriolanus leans in, already hooked, "Has she?"

Soarynn nods, wrapping several strings of pasta around her fork, "She has."

"With who?"

Soarynn takes her time bringing the pasta to her mouth, watching Coriolanus eagerly await her answer while she slowly chews and swallows, "Lucky Flickerman," she finally says once her mouth isn't full and Coriolanus is taking another sip of his wine. He almost chokes on it, covering his mouth with his own napkin while he recovers and Soarynn giggles, "We didn't believe her either," Soarynn tells him, "but apparently, she has a thing for men with mustaches."

Coriolanus laughs, a real laugh, not a practiced one that he pulls out when they're in public. A laugh that she has been given the privilege of hearing. "I don't believe it," he says, shaking his head, "Eudora has never mentioned her and Lucky before and that's not something that just slips past me." Soarynn shrugs, she's sure that quite a few things manage to slip past Coriolanus unbeknownst to him and someone's dating history certainly qualifies.

"Would it have mattered?" She asks, curious as to how Eudora was even hired in the first place. Did Eudora work for the former President? Or do Presidents hire out their own staff once they're in office?

Coriolanus gives her a confused look and she elaborates, "If you knew that she and Lucky had a former relationship would it have affected you hiring her? I know you can see everyone's files but I highly doubt that past relationships are listed."

"It wouldn't have mattered," he answers, setting down his glass of wine, "and the only information I can see about past relationships is if someone has been divorced or not." Her eyes grow bigger at the mention of divorce, something that's practically unheard of in the elite circles. Divorce is a one-way ticket to being shunned by high society. Unless there's a case of abuse or infidelity, couples stay together, happy or not.

Or your spouse can succumb to a sudden deadly illness like Livia and then you'll end up like Coriolanus.

Those thoughts bring her back to the idea of marriage and children and she just can't help herself from asking the next question, "Do you want children?"

Coriolanus freezes, the room feels much quieter now, much colder and Soarynn's worried that she's truly crossed the line this time. He clears his throat, "I would argue that I already have three perfect children," he tells her slowly. Soarynn must look crazy but she has to know if he wants children with her.

"I meant...I meant with me," she says exasperatedly, grabbing her napkin and twisting it in her hands, "if we were to get married tomorrow then would you want to have children with me?"

His face remains neutral, emotionless which means he's thinking hard about her question. Soarynn has gotten better at reading his facial expressions but he's always been so good at guarding them.

"I think it's expected for any wife to bear the children her husband gifts her," he says, scratching the back of his neck, "as for you, I would expect no less. Children are our legacy, you are your family's legacy and I am mine."

He's right, she's the last Nightingale which is a bit of a terrifying thought if she's being completely honest. She's all alone in this world, no wonder people have lots of children. "I don't mean to be so prying," she tells him, brushing her hair behind her ears nervously, "I just started thinking about it and now I can't stop."

His face softens, showing his true colors and how much he cares for her, "Darling, you could've avoided all of this if you just asked me sooner, it's not a prying thing to ask the man you're courting."

He's right. Soarynn didn't know why she was so worried when it was that easy. She nods, "I know, I just don't want to be another thing for you to worry about." Coriolanus chuckles softly, reaching back across the table and Soarynn gladly takes his hand in hers, "I worry about you regardless," he tells her, "and should we get married and have more children, I'll worry about them as well."

So he does want to marry her!

Hearing it directly instead of eavesdropping feels like a weight has been lifted off of her chest. Soarynn gives him a smile, as genuine as it gets, and squeezes his hand, "I'll hold you to that."

꧁ ꧂

꧁ Three Months Later ꧂

"And what is this for again?" Soarynn asks, looking down at an ornate vision board for an event Eudora is putting together. The older woman waves her off as if this whole thing is insignificant despite how much she's been stressing over it, "It's for after the Hunger Games dear, Corioalnus wants to throw a little party to celebrate."

Soarynn frowns, the Snows have been throwing more parties since she started working for them but this seems...odd. "Aren't we already throwing a party the day of the Reaping?"

Eudora shrugs, flipping through more pages of her binder, "The more the merrier dear, now which tablecloths do you like, the cream or the pearl?" Soarynn compares the two swatches of white fabric, nearly identical and yet too different to the trained eye. Coriolanus would simply pick the first one and move on from there but being a woman means that Soarynn actually appreciates these things.

She has a good eye for decorations and notices the smallest details.

"That's why I have you darling," he'd say whenever she'd point something out that he would've never noticed.

"This seems like a lot of white for a party celebrating the Hunger Games," she murmurs, feeling that the colors should be blood-red, not pretty white shades. "Nonsense, it's a clean slate," Eudora insists, holding up the swatches to the light, "white represents becoming new. We'll have a new Victor on our hands won't we?"

"I suppose," Soarynn replies, pointing at the cream-colored swatch, "and I like the cream one the best."

"I was thinking the same thing."

Both women smile at each other, Soarynn has found a good friend in Eudora Trinket, as well as some sort of a mother figure as well. Eudora is a beacon of reassurance, as long as she's around, they can't mess anything up.

Celeste comes running into the sitting room a second later, entirely out of breath and in a rush as she slowly comes to a stop. Soarynn and Eudora give her a glance before turning back to their work, looking at different centerpieces now that the tablecloths have been selected. Celeste tugs on Soarynn's dress and she looks down at the child, "Yes sweetheart?"

"The painting is gone," Celeste says, her blue eyes filled with vigor and conviction.

Soarynn frowns, glancing at Eudora who looks as lost as she is, "The painting?" She repeats, hoping for some clarification. Celeste nods, swaying back and forth on her heels, "Mhm, it's gone."

Without any further explanation, she runs back out of the room, leaving Soarynn and Eudora very confused as to what all of that was about. "Children are always so vague," Eudora says, clearly not as bothered by Celeste's strange behavior as Soarynn is, "Yes, yes they are," Soarynn agrees.

Forty-five minutes later, a party has been planned and a color scheme decided on. Soarynn and Eudora go their separate ways, Soarynn to the front of the house to get the children from Ceraphina's piano lesson, and Eudora to the kitchen to prepare the kitchen staff for the upcoming parties and their menus.

As Soarynn walks through the great hall, she notices something out of the corner of her eye.

Something missing.

The painting.

It's pretty fucking hard to miss too. What used to be a giant painting of the entire Snow family is now gone, with only a bare wall to show that there was once a large object taking up its space. Soarynn stops dead in her tracks, looking around to see if perhaps it was taken down for cleaning purposes but she finds no trace of it anywhere. It's pretty much impossible to hide something of that size but she's hoping it might be hiding under a rug or a table.

It was a beautiful painting in Soarynn's opinion. The children were much younger than they are now, and Livia was well and alive. But now it's gone. And it's left a sinking feeling in her stomach.

Why would Coriolanus have it removed?

Soarynn shakes her head in an effort to shake away those thoughts, she can no longer hear the incorrect piano keys being played so that means Ceraphina's lesson has come to a close. She'll have to ask Coriolanus about it later.

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn drags her fingers along the bathwater's surface, popping a few bubbles in the process.

Bathtime is often when she hits a mental wall, she's tired and ready for the day to end even if the children insist that they can easily stay up for another six hours.

She watches Celeste play with her designated "bath time mermaids" which are really just dolls that she plays with in the tub, and a soft smile graces her lips. She loves this little girl so much.

"The painting is gone," she says, catching Celeste off guard but she quickly recovers and her eyes are as wide as they've ever been, "you were right."

Celeste quickly nods, grabbing the edge of the tub, "You saw it?" She asks, her voice barely a whisper even though it's just the two of them in the bathroom right now. Soarynn hums, reaching out to brush her curls off of her forehead, "I did. Although I don't know why it was removed." She can only imagine why, nothing was wrong with the painting and how the hallway just looks empty without it.

Celeste smiles, nearly bouncing out of the tub which causes some water to splash onto the floor, "It means something's gonna happen Soarynn!"

Soarynn does not share Celeste's enthusiasm, "Like what?"

Celeste shrugs, settling back down in the tub, "I don't know," she admits, still grinning ear to ear, "but it's gotta mean something right?"

Soarnyn purses her lips while she thinks about the possibilities and a very specific one crosses her mind but she doesn't dare speak it into existence.

"I suppose it does," is all she replies with, grabbing the shampoo, "now let's wash your hair darling."

꧁ ꧂

After putting all three children to bed, Soarynn finds herself strolling the halls of the President's Mansion. She knows the place like the back of her hand now that she lives here although the children always know the best places to hide when they play hide-and-seek. She passes the massive doors that lead to the ballroom and sees several Avoxes mopping and floors, preparing for the parties they'll be hosting for the upcoming Hunger Games.

She's almost been here for a year and yet it feels like ten.

Soarynn sighs, she ought to take a walk outside since Coriolanus won't be getting home until late since he's at dinner. She'll go upstairs and get her coat.

She quietly climbs up the stairs and comes across Petunia lying in the middle of the hallway, her tail flicking back and forth while she watches Soarynn approach her, "Hello Petunia," she greets the feline who purrs in response and rolls onto her back. Soarynn chuckles, crouching down to rub her soft belly, "Have any more paintings gone missing or am I slowly losing it?" She asks, more to herself than to the cat.

Coriolanus had that painting removed on purpose. To send a message.

But what message is he trying to convey?

Soarynn stands back up, Petunia following her to the bedroom that is now as good as hers ever since Coriolanus had her move in with him. On the same day that Soarynn was spiraling about having children with Coriolanus, she had witnessed several boxes being moved in and out of his bedroom. She hadn't really paid it any mind since her mind was very preoccupied at the moment but after they returned home from dinner that night, she discovered that he had removed all of Livia's clothing and brought in Soarynn's.

It had rendered her speechless. She was more than used to going to her room whenever she was in need of clothes so to have him remove his late wife's clothing without her even mentioning it left her feeling slightly perturbed. Sure it was a sign of moving forward from her death but it was still quite a shock.

Now she fully lived in his room. She got dressed in his room, showered in his room, and slept in his room. Things were very official.

But she would be lying if she said that having a 'his and hers' closet didn't make her a little bit giddy. His side was filled with expensive tailored suits whereas her side was filled with dresses, skirts, blouses, pants, and lots of shoes. Coriolanus often liked to surprise her with a new handbag or pair of shoes. He'd leave it on the large table they had in the middle of the walk-in closet, next to the vase of fresh roses that always sat in the center.

But as she walks into the bedroom, she feels as if the pieces are slowly falling together.

The closet, the painting, the all-white color scheme for this Hunger Games party suddenly popping up on the schedule, the schedule that Eudora briefed her on at the beginning of June that she swore would not change.

Coriolanus is going to propose to her.

Soarynn feels as if the floor has been pulled out from under her.

She needs to get out, go for a walk, clear her head.

She hurries into the closet and snatches the first coat she sees and throws it on, striding out into the bedroom once again, feeling hot and flushed. Petunia meows for her attention but Soarynn's mind is so, so far away from here right now. "I'll be back soon," she mutters, pulling open the doors and slipping into the hallway. She makes her way downstairs and towards the sitting room that Eudora frequents the most. Sure enough, she's sitting at the coffee table with several folders spread out in front of her.

Soarynn clears her throat, causing Eudora to jump, "Oh! Soarynn, I thought you'd be in bed by now." Soarynn shook her head, she couldn't sleep right now if she tried. "I um, I need to run a quick errand," she tells Eudora, her voice low and hushed even though they're the only ones in the room right now, "I'll be back soon."

Eudora looks at her current attire and Soarynn can see a few questions popping up in her head right now but she asks none, "Alright dear, I'll listen out for the children." Soarynn forces a polite smile onto her lips, "Thank you, I shouldn't be too long."

Soarynn goes to the side entrance of the house where a car with a driver is always waiting, "The Capitol Cemetary please," she says to the driver as she slips into the car.

The drive is short but her mind is buzzing the entire time.

When will he propose? Do the children know?

Eudora certainly does if she's planning the damn thing. Or at least some sort of party to celebrate their engagement.

She wonders what Coriolanus is doing right now, if he's thinking of her the way she's thinking of him. She thinks of him constantly now that they're officially together but she often wonders if he does the same thing. He says he does, and he also says that the dinners he attends are very boring, filled with old men who have great influence in Panem. He says he'll introduce her to them at the Reaping party.

She can't wait.

The car slowly rolls up to the gates of the cemetery and she begins to worry when she sees that they're closed. Which is perfectly understandable considering the time of day. Ten o'clock at night.

A Peacekeeper standing by the gates approaches the car and Soaeynn can only hear a muffled conversation between him and her driver. The Peacekeeper walks to her window, peering through the tinted glass and Soarynn rolls it down, flashing him her prettiest smile, "I'm so sorry for the inconvenience," she says sweetly, "it'll only be a moment." The Peacekeeper, a man who looks to be about the same age as her swallows down a lump in his throat, "Of course ma'am."

That's all it takes for her to gain entry.

The driver rolls the partition down, looking at her through the rearview mirror, "Where to Ms. Nightingale?"

She supposes it would look less suspicious if she went to her own parent's graves, "The West Side please." It's a short drive to that side of the Cemetery and Soarynn can feel her heart pounding. If this is all going to happen, then she has to make peace with her conscious, and those who came before her.

The driver opens the door, offering her a gloved hand as she steps out, "Thank you," she says to the man, "I won't be long."

He eyes her warily, "I could accompany you if you'd like Ms. Nightingale." That just won't do. She knows he means well but Soarynn has a plan and she's sticking to it. "No need to worry about me," she assures him, "I'll be back soon." The driver doesn't look too convinced but he doesn't push it and gets back into the car. Soarynn disappears down the tree-lined path toward the other side of the Cemetery, walking past her parent's graves at a swift pace.

She'll pay them a visit later.

She finally sets her sights on what she came here for.

Livia Snow's grave.

It's just her luck that the groundskeeper is walking out of the mausoleum. Coriolanus told her that he had people clean it every week to keep it in perfect condition. Although they never truly loved each other, Livia was the mother of his children, and he'd be a fool to disrespect the dead.

Soarynn quietly approaches the large stone building, watching the groundskeeper sweep the pathway leading up to the doors that she's never entered. He perks up when he notices her, wrapped in her coat, probably a manic look in her eyes as well. "Good...good evening Ms. Nightingale," the older man says, bowing his head. Ever since she started courting Coriolanus, Soarynn's name has become well-known in the Capitol.

She's reached celebrity status and she doesn't always know how to feel about it. But tonight, she'll use it to her advantage.

"Good evening," she replies, "I don't mean to be a bother, but I was hoping to maybe have a moment alone," she nods towards the mausoleum and his eyes follow her gaze. "Oh, oh I see. The Snows are quite particular about who's allowed inside ma'am," he tells her, "only immediate family is allowed."

Soarynn wants to tell him that the entire reason she's here in the first place is because she's about to become immediate family but she withholds that information, "I understand, I'll let Coriolanus know that I wasn't allowed inside," she says with a feigned disappointed sigh. The man quickly perks up at the mention of the President, "Well you might as well go in," he says, digging into his pockets and pulling out a ring of keys, "I wouldn't want to let President Snow down."

Neither would I, she thinks to herself while he unlocks the doors that open with a heavy groan. She slowly steps inside, it's quite dark except for the small lantern above her. Soarynn sets her eyes on the casket at the very back of the building, made of dark wood with roses engraved into it. Her breaths grow shaky as she walks further inside, looking around at all the things that have been left inside as tribute.

There's a vase of roses, and she also sees several cards with children's handwriting and even a stuffed bear sitting against the steps leading up to Livia's casket. Soarynn stops when her heels touch the first step and she crouches down to pick up one of the cards. From what she can tell, it's Ceraphina's handwriting. There's a drawing on the front of the card of the entire family, it's so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. Soarynn opens the card and her eyes immediately fill with tears.

'I miss you Mommy'

Soarynn carefully sets the card back down and makes her way up the three marble steps, resting her hand on the smooth wooden top of the casket. If she were to push it off, she'd come face-to-face with Livia Snow. Windows let in the pale moonlight and Soarynn notices a framed photograph on the windowsill directly in front of the casket, a photograph of Livia and Coriolanus on their wedding day. Neither of them is smiling but it reminds Soarynn why she came here in the first place.

"I came here...I came here to talk to you," she says quietly, "I've been taking care of your children for quite some time now and there's not a day that goes by where they don't think of you."

Soarynn tries to blink away the tears but it's no use and they spill down her cheeks, "I love Coriolanus, I love him very much and I think he's going to ask me to marry him but I couldn't in good consciousness accept his proposal without coming to you first and telling you that I'll take care of your children. I'll love them like my own and protect them with my every being. And I'll...I'll make a good man out of him, out of Coriolanus. He's trying to be better, I can see it in the way he treats those around him, how he is with the children."

Is Livia Snow scowling down at her? Does she think of Soarynn as some lovesick fool? Or does she want Coriolanus to be happy again?

"I'll make him happy," she whispers, "and make sure that your children remain happy. No harm will befall them as long as I'm around, I promise."

Soarynn stands there for a few more minutes, sniffling while feeling sorry for herself. She highly doubts that Livia ever cried about an upcoming proposal but she lived such a different life than Soarynn, she married an entirely different man.

Soarynn finally gathers herself, wiping her tears and regaining her composure. "We will always keep you in our memories," she whispers before turning to walk down the steps.

Her heels echo on the marble floors and she feels a wave of relief wash over her when she steps out into the summer night. The groundskeeper gives her a curious look, "All is well Ms. Nightingale?"

Soarynn nods, already feeling much better now that she did what needed to be done, "All is well. Thank you for letting me visit."

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn stops at her parent's graves before leaving. Even in death, they're still together, and that brings her comfort knowing that not even death can keep love apart.

"It's been a while," she says, dusting off any leaves from the tops of their tombstones, "but so much has happened. I met someone, he makes me happy. He has three children, they're as sweet as can be. I think I'm going to marry him."

Saying those words out loud makes it feel very real all of a sudden.

After her father died, Soarynn learned that acceptance was the hardest part of grief. Accepting that nothing could be done differently was a hard thing to do, but it was all one could do.

"When I come back I'll bring my children," she tells her parents, kissing the tips of her fingers and touching both of their tombstones.

She means it too. She'll be back.

꧁ ꧂

The President's Mansion is silent when Soarynn returns.

Another car was already parked at the side entrance which means Coriolanus is already home. Soarynn makes her way upstairs, peeking into the children's bedrooms once more to make sure they're asleep. Caspian is curled up in his bed, Lenny wrapped in a tight grip as if he might try to slip away. The girls are both sound asleep under the canopy bed, their new nightlight shining stars onto the ceiling for them while they dream sweet dreams.

Soarynn quietly closes the doors with a soft smile on her face, a day will come when they don't sleep in the same room anymore or require bedtime stories and she's not sure that she's ready for that day yet.

When Soarynn walks into her own bedroom she finds Petunia sitting at the foot of the bed, a black sock in her mouth which means she stole it from Coriolanus. He hadn't been exactly thrilled when Petunia started sleeping in their room but Soarynn argued that if the cat couldn't stay, then neither could she.

The two had since grown a small rivalry between each other. Petunia would steal his socks and neckties and Coriolanus would steal Soarynn and her attention that was usually given to Petunia.

Heaven forbid they get a dog.

Soarynn chuckles softly as she approaches Petunia and gently reaches out to pull the sock from her mouth, “You have more toys than you know what to do with and yet you insist on taking Coryo’s socks,” Soarynn says with a shake of her head.

Petunia doesn’t seem bothered by this issue that has constantly been brought up since she was moved to this bedroom but she does let go of the sock which is progress. Sometimes it’s a bit of a battle to get her to release the socks and it often ends in both parties feeling very offended.

Soarynn doesn’t hear the shower running which means Coriolanus is probably finishing up, ready for bed which sounds wonderful right now. All she wants to do is curl up in bed with the man she's been falling in love with over the past few months.

What could be better than that?

She expects to find him hunched over the sink when she walks into the bathroom, brushing his teeth or washing his face. Although Coriolanus is as masculine as they come, he's quite rigorous with his nightly routines, ensuring that his skin is properly taken care of.

But the bathroom is empty.

The closet doors are open and Soarynn slowly approaches them, slightly stunned to find Coriolanus sitting on the bench they have in the closet right in front of the of the table. It's usually used for Soarynn to sit on when she puts her shoes on in the morning but today it's being used by Coriolanus who's holding a single white rose in his hand. Soarynn glances at the table and finds a whole bouquet sitting there for her accompanied by a card.

She didn't even notice the gift when she came to get her coat.

Coriolanus has already shed his outer layers, leaving him in a white button-up shirt and black pants which he manages to look like peak fashion. He finally looks up at her and Soarynn feels caught even though she's done nothing wrong. He looks tired, he looks like he expected her to be waiting for him when he got back and she usually is.

But not tonight. The roles have been reversed.

"Hi," she says softly, "how was dinner?"

From what Coriolanus has told her, the dinners he attends are often business-related and very boring. She still asks about them even though he rarely goes into detail about what was discussed. He gives her a look, a condescending, sharp look as if she's greatly disappointed him, "Dinner was good," he answers curtly, twisting the rose in between his fingers, "I kept thinking about coming home to you, so imagine my surprise when Eudora said that you stepped out."

Soarynn feels frozen, she feels caught, like she's done something wrong even though she hasn't. If only he knew what it's been like to live in her mind the past few hours.

"I just had to go do something," she starts but he holds his hand up, stopping her, silencing her, "You just had to go do something at ten o'clock at night?" He stands up slowly, letting the rose fall onto the floor and he takes a step towards her, Soarynn has always admired how big Coriolanus is but right now he's damn near frightening. He looms over her and looks down at her, his jaw tightening and his muscles tense, "Tell me Soarynn, do you take me for a fool?"

Soarynn is speechless. He hasn't even heard her out and he's already acting accusatory, "I don't take you for much of anything right now," she answers truthfully and it does nothing but upset him further but they can both be upset together as far as she's concerned.

"I don't speak about Livia often but she'd nev-"

Soarynn is turning on her heel before he can even finish that sentence before he can finish comparing her to his dead wife, "Well I'm not Livia," she calls back from the bathroom, "and I'm not running around behind your back being unfaithful either even though you certainly seem to have made up your mind already as to what I was doing before I got back." She watches him emerge from the closet through the mirror's reflection, he looks upset that she left him and more upset that he came home and she wasn't here to greet him.

But Soarynn is more than upset. She's pissed.

She finally turns back around to face him, some fire has been lit inside of her since visiting Livia's grave and it's about time she set some rules around here if she's going to marry this man who drives her mad. "And I will not tolerate you walking all over me," she tells him matter-of-factly, taking slow steps towards him, "I will not allow you to accuse me of being unfaithful when I have been nothing of the sort. Or do you want to revisit the last time you accused me of such things?" She asks, tilting her head up at him while they both remember how he fired her without so much as hearing her out after Festus came onto her.

A painful memory for both of them but for very different reasons.

Coriolanus is on the losing side of this battle and he's slowly realizing it but he's stubborn and arrogant at times so he won't just back down. He's not built like that, wasn't raised like that.

"Then where were you?" He asks, his hand coming up to grip her jaw, forcing her to maintain eye contact with him. Soarynn gives him a defiant look, "I was paying my respects," she tells him, "at the Cemetery." A confused look washes over his face, she's sure that he imagined the worst, her tangled up in bed with another man. Not running around the Cemetery in the middle of the night.

"The Cemetery," he repeats but this time there's no bitterness in his tone, no venom or malice. Just confusion. Soarynn nods to the best of her ability with him holding her face in his large hand, "It was long overdue and I needed to make peace with some things before I..." Her voice trails off because she can't tell him that she knows, that she's put the pieces together, "Before I fully committed myself to you," she finishes.

There, that wasn't so hard.

Coriolanus still looks confused, vexed by her wording and Soarynn places a hand on his chest, "You can ask my driver if you want," she says slowly, "he'll tell you the same thing I did."

That jolts Coriolanus out of his confusion and he clears his throat, quickly shaking his head and releasing her jaw, "I believe you," he tells her, "and you're right, you're nothing like Livia and I would do well to remember that."

Soarynn hums in agreement, she knows it'll take him some time to unlearn old habits but she's more than willing to be a patient teacher, "Yes you would. I much prefer us when we don't argue." Coriolanus lets out a breathy laugh, carding his fingers through his messy curls, unruly after a long day of work, "I do as well," he admits, "I was just, I expected you to be here when I got back so when you weren't I..."

"You thought the worst," Soarynn finishes for him, slipping her hand into his, intertwining their fingers, "and I understand why you would start to worry but in the future, talk to me before accusing me alright?"

A remorseful look grows across his handsome features, he looks so very sorry for how he just treated her, "I will, and I'm sorry," he tells her, bringing their intertwined hands up to his mouth so he can kiss the back of her hand, "I trust you Soarynn. I don't want you to think that I don't."

Soarynn could always chew him out just a little longer, just for the fun of it but she's not a masochist. And she doesn't enjoy seeing others at their lowest. "I trust you too," she says, pushing herself to her toes to press a kiss to his cheek which feels a bit rough, "and I think you need to shave."

They both laugh at her comment, Coriolanus always shaves his face at night and Soarynn appreciates a clean-shaven face compared to a rough one. The girls do as well, whenever they give Coriolanus a kiss on the cheek they make sure to let him know if he needs to grab a fresh razor blade.

"Then why don't you help me," he offers, pulling them towards the counter.

Soarynn can't hide her look of surprise, she's seen him shave before but she's never helped him do it, only watched while she did her own thing. "Are you sure?" She asks while he pulls open one of the drawers on his side of the counter, she wouldn't want to accidentally cut his handsome face.

"Of course," he says, brandishing a razor along with a bottle of what must be shaving cream, "I trust you."

Soarynn's not sure that she trusts herself with a job like this but she still shrugs off her coat and slips out of her heels, leaving her in the dress she wore today.

She leans against the counter, admiring their shared bathroom space. Before she moved in with him, this bathroom was sparse. The countertops had nothing on them aside from a bottle of cologne or a box of tissues. Now that Soarynn lives here, there are lots of feminine products for her face and hair. She has a small makeup organizer that sits on top of the counter, it has roses painted on the side of it and it holds her favorite makeup products. There's also a photo of Soarynn with the children from one of their many visits to the museum.

She likes to look at it while she does her hair. The bathroom is huge to put it plainly and Soarynn has more than enough to fill it up. There's also a built-in vanity by the shower where she often does her makeup if she doesn't feel like standing at the counter. A small vase of roses sits on the vanity counter, always fresh from Coriolanus who insists that she's as pretty as a rose.

"If I nick you then you'll only have yourself to blame," she tells him as he comes over to her side of the counter with his tools in hand. Coriolanus shrugs, "That's a risk I'm willing to take if it means you'll kiss me on the cheek more often, now hop onto the counter darling."

Soarynn eyes the counter warily, she's never sat on it before and she doesn't doubt its ability to hold her up but she does doubt her ability to keep her dress from getting shaving cream on it. "Let me take my dress off first," she murmurs, reaching behind her to pull down the zipper. She slips out of her dress without even thinking about how sensual it might look to Coriolanus who is a man who often thinks with what's between his legs rather than his head.

In only her bralette and underwear, Soarynn hops onto the counter, her legs dangling off the edge, "Where do I start?" She asks, ignoring Coriolanus and his slacked jaw while he shamelessly eyes her almost naked body, "I don't think you're finished," he teases, going to pull the strap to her bralette off of her shoulder but Soarynn slaps his hand away, "Behave yourself," she chides, "and hand me the razor."

Coriolanus does as he's told but begins unbuttoning his shirt, baring his chest to her which does unspeakable things to the mind that Soarynn desperately tries to keep pure. He smirks at how he's affected her by simply taking off his shirt and leans down to press a kiss to her lips, "Now we're even," he murmurs while kissing her. Soarynn sighs into the kiss, shaving long forgotten once his hands wrap around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Even on the counter she's still shorter than him but she doesn't mind, especially when his hands slide down to her ass, making her whimper, "We need to focus," she says between kisses.

Coriolanus groans when her own hands come to rest on his belt, tugging at the buckle, "Focus on what?" Soarynn giggles into the kiss, over the past few months they've gotten to know every inch of each other, including their most intimate areas. Coriolanus is a man who gets off on watching his partner being pleasured which is great for Soarynn who loves when he goes down on her. He'll often wake her up by slipping under the covers and prying her legs open, pleasuring her until she cums.

"On shaving," she reminds him, finally getting his belt unbuckled and tossing it onto the floor. When it comes to shaving, both of them run a tight ship. Soarynn has always preferred to be as hairless as possible but she was pleasantly surprised when she found that Coriolanus felt the same way about himself. There was just something about a man who wasn't afraid to shave.

Her hand slips under the waistband of his pants and her fingers graze over the growing boner straining in his boxers, feeling his shudder against his touch, "You know," she says, "it's a shame that we're so traditional, waiting for marriage and all that." She palms him with her hand and he gasps into the kiss, "Yes," he grits out, "it's a real shame."

Soarynn would be lying if she said that she hadn't thought about it before, thought about Coriolanus fully taking her and making her his. But all good things come to those who wait. And Soarynn can be very patient.

꧁ ꧂

It amazes Soarynn how two people can go from being super sexual to tenderly intimate within a matter of minutes.

With the warm shower water running over her skin, she feels perfectly content with his large hands on her hips, his lips gently kissing up and down her neck while they shower off their sexual encounter from minutes before. She lets out a content sigh when his hand lays flat against her stomach and imagines what it would be like to carry a child for him, to have a baby bump and feel their child kicking against his hand.

"What're you thinking about?"

Soarynn opens her eyes, remembering where she is and who she's with, a man who is not yet her husband. "The future," she says, not entirely a lie. She's been thinking about the future a lot lately, what it holds for her, for the family that might be hers someday.

Coriolanus kisses the back of her shoulder before gently spinning her around so that the warm water runs down her back now, "The future hmm? What about the future?" Her breath catches in her throat, it makes her nervous to speak it out loud because then it might not come true.

"I just feel as though something wonderful might happen," she says, lifting her feet off the ground when he wraps his arms around her waist, spinning them around because he knows how much she loves it. His eyes twinkle with amusement and adoration, "Would it be so bad if something wonderful did happen?"

Soarynn wonders if Coriolanus can feel how fast her heart is beating from his question. They're literally chest to chest tight now, nothing between them, "No," she answers softly, "I'd like it very much for something wonderful to happen to us."

He smiles at her use of the word 'us' something she's been doing more often whether she realizes it or not. It's hard not to when she already sees them as an inseparable pair, especially with the children being so on board with their relationship.

"Me too."

She bites her bottom lip, debating on whether or not she should utter those three words that she's never said before in this context.

But after today, after their honesty and her visit to the Cemetery, she feels brave enough to say it.

"I love you."

Coriolanus goes through a range of emotions in about five seconds. From surprise to bewilderment to realization and back to adoration all within the blink of an eye. She wonders if she said it too soon, if she should quickly add that she was joking, just testing the waters.

One of his hands comes up to gently hold her face, holding her as if she's made of priceless glass, so fragile and easy to break. She used to be like that, but not anymore. She's stronger now, better, more determined.

"I love you too."

Soarynn breaks into the biggest smile she's ever worn. She's never felt this way about someone before and she doesn't think Coriolanus has either. They're still learning, still growing as people, as individuals. But she's happy to grow with him, safely by his side, loved and cherished.

Soarynn knows a lot of things but she knows one thing for absolute certain.

She's going to marry this man.

| Part 11. |

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{ Part 12. }

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slaymitchabernathy · 6 months ago

Text

The Nanny

The morning of the most important day in Soarynn's life feels like a normal morning. She wakes up next to Coriolanus whose arms are wrapped around her as if she might fall off the bed in the middle of the night, his nose buried in the crook of her neck because he's never been too fond of personal space.

She doesn't mind it though, waking up next to someone who loves her is still something she's getting used to.

Waking up next to the man she's going to marry is another thing entirely.

The day Coriolanus proposed to her was the single happiest day of her life. Everything had been perfect. Even though she had a large suspicion that he'd propose, he still caught her off guard. It had been private which she appreciated more than he'd ever know.

Soarynn still had never been inside of the greenhouse so on a warm July night, when Coriolanus would normally be in the Control Room with the Gamemakers overseeing the Hunger Games, he finally took her to see it. Soarynn had been speechless when she was finally granted access to the famed greenhouse, amazed at the different colored roses. She had been so focused on the roses that she hadn't even noticed the trail of rose petals leading to the center of the greenhouse where there was a fountain.

Coriolanus had truly gone above and beyond with the proposal, from the soft candlelight to the petals floating in the fountain water to making sure that her nails were done. When Soarynn finally realized what was happening, she was instantly moved to tears, overwhelmed with emotion. He got down on one knee and pulled out a velvet box that held her engagement ring.

He confessed his love for her right then and there, telling her that he'd never been more certain about wanting to spend the rest of his life with someone. He told her how much he valued her, how she made his family a better family, and how it would make him the happiest man alive if she were to marry him.

She said yes.

How could she say no?

There had been tears from both of them as he slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. Soarynn admires the ring right now as the morning sunlight spills into their bedroom. They have a million things to do right now, she has to get ready, get dressed, and make it down the aisle without tripping. Coriolanus being a man has it a little easier but as the President of Panem, he's still got his hands full.

They broke the news of their engagement two days after the Hunger Games ended where surprise, surprise, there was a huge party to celebrate with the tablecloths Soarynn had picked out with Eudora. All of his friends and her friends were there to congratulate them on their engagement and the children were ecstatic. The girls kept running around the ballroom telling everyone that their father was marrying a princess. Even Caspian seemed excited, constantly touching Soarynn's engagement ring.

Soarynn and Coriolanus went on Lucky's television show a few days after the new Hunger Games Victor was interviewed and Lucky asked them all sorts of questions about what the wedding would be like. Coriolanus told him that it would take place in the winter as all Snow weddings do per tradition and Soarynn isn't one to mess with tradition. Certainly not the tradition of the family she's about to marry into.

Lucky also asked about the guest list, making sure he was included, and decided that it would be the wedding of the century. Everyone in the country would be watching today.

A million things could go wrong but Soarynn refuses to be ruled by fear. Today is their day and she's going to enjoy it.

She should probably get up though, she'd like to have some tea before their room becomes a blur of chaos with the children and all of the assistants Eudora has procured to make sure that today goes perfectly. Eudora of course, planned the entire wedding and Soaarynn was there for every step of it. While Coriolanus was busy working, Soarynn was busy planning and looking after the children. He'd suggested hiring a part-time nanny but Soarynn quickly shut that down. She could do both. She could be a wife a mother and the First Lady.

Another daunting task. Marrying Coriolanus meant that Soarynn would now forever be in the public eye. The First Lady of Panem. Over the past four months, Eudora has been preparing Soarynn to take on all of the responsibilities that Livia used to have. This included making numerous public appearances during the week for things like charity events, grand openings, museum galleries, and other things that were important, but not important enough to warrant the President's attendance.

Soarynn would be representing the family and she could not afford to fail.

She honestly didn't know how she'd manage it sometimes, the children, her husband, her appearances. She'd simply have to figure it out as she went along. At least she only had to worry about two of the children for most of the day now that Ceraphian was in school five days a week.

Soarynn would be lying through her teeth if she said that she didn't cry on Ceraphina's first day of school.

She and Coriolanus were newly engaged when they dropped Ceraphina off in front of the Academy's steps. Ceraphina had been so excited to finally go to school. They already met her teacher a few days before and she was smitten by Mrs. McDowell. Soarynn had honestly hoped that she might have some reservations about leaving her family for several hours a day but she gave everyone one final hug before skipping up the steps.

And of course, her assigned bodyguard was right behind her.

Coriolanus had been very adamant about Ceraphina having a bodyguard when she attended school and Soarynn couldn't find it in herself to argue with him, not after what happened in Four. Ceraphina didn't mind Maximus and his constant presence, in fact, she loved it because it meant that she always had someone to talk to.

The issues started when Coriolanus informed Soarynn that she would also be assigned a bodyguard. This information started the biggest argument the couple had ever had.

"I will not be followed around everywhere I go by one of your men," Soarynn had told her, furious that he thought she needed to be constantly watched over like a child.

"My love," he had said, pacing his study when she came to him with the argument, "your safety is of utmost importance. Once we're married, you'll be the second most important person in the country. I'd be a fool to let you walk around without protection. It's not up for discussion darling."

Soarynn had glared daggers at him when hearing his reasoning, "So it's already been decided then? You already discussed this and forgot to include me in the conversation? I don't want to be followed around Coriolanus, I already feel self-conscious as it is."

Their argument had ended with the slamming of doors and the spilling of frustrated tears. Coriolanus had later found Soarynn curled up in bed not wanting to talk to him until he apologized and changed his mind. He apologized but he didn't change his mind and Soarynn was introduced to Grant a few days later, a man dedicated to her safety.

Soarynn hadn't been too sure of Grant in the beginning. He was a quiet man, very reserved, only answering her questions with curt, short answers. He never hovered, never made her feel like she was being watched and he never made her feel uncomfortable. All of those factors made Soarynn feel a little bit better about the whole situation and now she can't remember a time when Grant wasn't following her around.

He'll be at the wedding obviously, scanning through the crowd to make sure that no one poses a threat to the President or his fiance.

Oh, his fiance. Soarynn loved that word, loved using it, loved calling Coriolanus her fiance and she loved it when he called her his fiance.

And before the sun sets tonight, they'll be husband and wife.

She can hardly wait.

Soarynn expertly slips out of her fiance's grip, her feet touch the wood floors a moment later and she quietly pads over to their bedroom doors and cracks them open. As always, an Avox is stationed outside in the hallway. From the time the sun rises to when it sets, there's always an Avox outside of their room, waiting on their beck and call.

"Could I please get some tea?" Soarynn asks, her voice merely a whisper so she doesn't wake up Coriolanus, he got home so late last night, "And some coffee as well?" The Avox nods since that's all they can really do before leaving to go fetch her requested drinks. Coriolanus had been finalizing things for their wedding, making sure all the documents were in order.

It amazed Soarynn how much paperwork was needed when marrying the President of Panem. Things like her birth certificate were to be expected but she was subjected to blood testing and her family lineage and history being researched. She was tested on other things as well, including her fertility which they'd get the results for later this week.

Soarynn couldn't wait to get married so they could have a baby together. She knew it was a little childish, but to grow a child inside of her was a dream she'd had for so long and it was finally coming true. She turns back to their large bed, watching Coriolanus sleep without a worry in the world while she simply imagines a crib next to their bed. The girls would love another little sibling and it would be nice for Caspian to have someone else to play with.

She can't wait.

꧁ ꧂

The tea and coffee arrive a few minutes later on a silver tray, piping hot and Soarynn thanks the Avox before she brings it to her bedside table. She carefully climbs back into bed, her knees sinking into the soft mattress as she crawls next to Coriolanus, resting a hand on his smooth cheek, "Coryo," she whispers, "wake up."

Coriolanus groans, pushing her hand away to roll over to his stomach, "Let me sleep in darling," he grumbles with that deep voice that always makes her feel some type of way, "I had a long night." Soarynn scratches his back with her perfectly manicured nails, the week leading up to their wedding has been filled with appointments. Soarynn got her hair cut and her body hair waxed. Her nails and toenails were perfectly manicured and she got a facial.

She's ready for tonight. Ready to finally lose her virginity.

A Capitol woman's virginity is a sacred thing that must be guarded at all costs if she plans on having a successful, prosperous marriage. If Soarynn and Coriolanus weren't in the public eye like they are, she has no doubt that they would've already had sex before. But because all eyes are on them, certain things are expected of them including consummating the marriage. She knows how badly Coriolanus had wanted her in the past, how he's whispered in her ear about taking her in every single position possible but he's a man, and a traditional one at that.

So they waited.

And good things come to those who wait.

Soarynn leans over until her lips hover over the shell of his ear, "Well tonight is going to be an even longer night," she purrs, feeling his back muscles tense from her teasing. That seems to do the trick in waking him up because he's pushing himself from the mattress a second later, putting his biceps on full display, "You certainly know how to give a wake-up call," he says, grinning up at her.

Soarynn grins back at him, it's hard to remember the time when they only exchanged a few words here and there with each other. Now they're inseparable. "That's why you're marrying me," she tells him while grabbing his cup of coffee from the tray, "because of my excellent wake-up calls." His eyes light up at the sight of the coffee, Soarynn doesn't particularly care for it but she knows that Coriolanus can't function without it.

There had been one time when just as he was about to reach for his cup, holding the last amount of coffee they had in the house, when Celeste tipped it over and he was forced to go through the day without any caffeine. He only spoke in grunts and hand gestures.

He gingerly takes the cup from her and sits his back against the headboard, putting his toned torso on display with an arrogant look on his face, "I was a big fan of the wake-up call I received the other day," he tells her, a playful glint in his blue eyes.

Soarynn blushes while remembering how she mustered up the courage to give him a blowjob to get him up. It had been a last resort really and Coriolanus Snow has been blessed with a very gorgeous cock that she just can't get enough of. Hearing him groan and moan her name while he withered in the sheets made up for her sore jaw.

Giving him head for the first time ever had been a daunting task since she'd never done it before but Coriolanus was surprisingly patient and took things slow with her, never forcing her to do anything she didn't want to do. Now she was in her opinion, quite the expert when it came to getting her fiance off.

"You might be lucky and receive a similar one tomorrow," she replies, grabbing her own cup of tea and bringing it to her lips. They stay like that for a moment, Soarynn sitting on her knees while Coriolanus sits against the headboard, not saying a thing but completely content in one another's company. He rests a hand on her knee, always needing to have some sort of physical contact with her.

In the beginning, Soarynn thought his touchiness was something only reserved for the bedroom. How wrong she had been. It only took one dinner with some of his advisors for Soarynn to learn that Coriolanus Snow was a man who craved dominance and touch at all times. It was her mistake for wearing a red dress that was backless, clinging to her figure beautifully.

He hadn't been able to keep his hands to himself all night despite being in the presence of the most influential men in Panem. A hand on her shoulder, her back, her thigh, her hand, her face. He loved touching her. Not even in a sexual way, but in a grounding way.

Soarynn loved it, she wasn't as touchy as Coriolanus but she never minded it when he felt the need to close the distance between them. She loved being by his side, holding his arm, resting a hand on his cheek while she stared up at him adoringly.

She never knew she could be this in love with someone.

Tigris often teased her about it, how she only thought about Coriolanus but she couldn't help it! Eudora called it "the honeymoon phase" a time when couples were obsessed with one another. It would fizzle out and Soarynn would be able to spend more than five minutes away from Coriolanus but she couldn't see that happening anytime soon.

Petunia hops onto the bed, slowly padding over to Soarynn to get her morning attention she needs to survive the day with. "Good morning little lady," Soarynn says, scratching behind her ears. Petunia purrs and leans into her touch, flopping onto her back for the maximum amount of pets, Coriolanus chuckles, "She's going to go ballistic when we aren't here tomorrow." Soarynn rolls her eyes but continues rubbing Petunia's belly, "I do wish you'd let her come with us. She needs me."

Coriolanus presses his fingers further into her skin, "Darling, it's two days, not two weeks." Soarynn pouts but he remains firm in his decision to not include Petunia in their honeymoon plans. "We've just never been apart like this," she mumbles, knowing damn well they have been apart like this before but she won't be the one to bring that up.

Coriolanus watches Petunia as her tail bumps his elbow, "I think you two will survive."

Where they would go after their wedding sparked up many discussions. Soarynn didn't feel comfortable leaving the children for too long but Coriolanus didn't feel like having the children tag along on what normally was a private, intimate trip for a newlywed couple. Soarynn also didn't want to go to the Districts again, not after what happened in Four. In an effort to have some time alone together, they came to the agreement that they'd have a small honeymoon at the Nightingale townhouse.

Soarynn felt it was the perfect compromise. Coriolanus got to have her all to himself for two whole days and if something were to come up, they were only a short car ride away from the Mansion. And the townhouse itself is huge, large enough to house an entire family let alone two people. Soarynn often felt that it was too big for her and her father but moving out of her childhood home seemed less than desirable as she finished her last years at school.

She was really just excited to have some feeling of normalcy for the next few days. They would, of course, have security surrounding the house at all times but she had insisted on having no staff inside the house to wait on them. If they wanted breakfast then she would cook breakfast. She also made sure that Coriolanus wouldn't be doing any work while on their honeymoon, not even a phone call.

She wanted him all to herself.

"I can't believe today is the day," she murmurs, thinking back to her first day ever stepping foot into the Snow household, "remember when you told me that me getting hired had nothing to do with my family name?" Coriolanus sputters while swallowing his coffee, sitting up even straighter in bed, "It didn't!" He claims, giving her a look, "Yes, I knew your father, but you getting hired truly had nothing to do with you being a Nightingale. The last time I ever saw your father was at my own father's funeral."

Soarynn vaguely remembers the funeral. Coriolanus had been twenty so she had been fourteen, too young to truly grasp the loss of a citizen like Crassus Xanthos Snow. Still, she attended the high society funeral with the rest of their circles, wearing all black while standing by her father's side.

She hadn't even seen Coriolanus at the funeral even though he was in attendance. She did hear lots of whispers about the only remaining Snow, how some thought he might take over his father's business while others whispered about him running for President. Running for President at twenty years old seemed impossible to Soarynn at the time but Coriolanus won by a landslide.

The people in the Capitol loved him. He was everything they wanted in a leader, young, driven, dedicated, and very attractive.

"Snow and Nightingale," she muses, "who would've thought?"

Not her. Not a million years would she have thought about one day marrying Coriolanus Snow and yet it feels as if it's the only thing for her to do now.

Coriolanus chuckles and carefully sets his cup of coffee back down on the tray before holding his hand out to her, "Come here." Soarynn is more than happy to oblige, setting her own drink down and crawling onto his lap, straddling him while his hands easily slip under her blue nightgown.

Soarynn tilts her head and presses her lips to his, both of them moving in perfect synchronized harmony. His hands squeeze her waist while her hips begin to move with his, so close yet so far. She can already feel him hardening under her barely covered cunt, making her whimper, "Oh fuck," she moans, tilting her head back while Coriolanus kisses up and down her neck, sucking on the tender skin.

Soarynn digs her nails into his shoulders, "Coryo we can't," she reminds him, "no bruises or marks." Eudora had given them quite the lecture the other night about making sure that they were blemish-free for their wedding day, mostly focusing her attention and threats on Coriolanus who's known for his inability to keep his hands to himself.

But he doesn't take lightly to keeping his hands to himself.

"Yes we can," he mumbles, sliding his hands down to her ass, slipping his fingers under the thin waistband of her panties. Just as he's about to pull them down, they hear a knock and the sound of their door handles being fumbled with. It's only a matter of seconds before the children are spilling into their room and Soarynn is throwing herself off of Coriolanus and under the covers.

"It's wedding day!" Ceraphina says, a big smile on her face as she runs over to the bed, Celeste and Caspian right behind her. Soarynn brushes her hair behind her ears, embarrassed and flustered that she's been found like this in such a scandalous position with their father. Coriolanus only seems to be amused by her behavior and pulls the sheets over their laps before turning his attention to his children who eagerly try to climb into bed with them, "It's also rude to barge into people's rooms without getting permission," he reminds his oldest who only bats her eyelashes up at him. "Oops," she says with an innocent shrug before finally getting onto the bed.

Soarynn smiles at Ceraphina who eagerly stands up on the mattress, jumping up and down, "You're getting married! You're getting married! Today you're getting married!"

Coriolanus scoops Celeste off of the floor and tosses her onto the bed, grinning when she shrieks, "Daddy!"

Soarynn and Coriolanus laugh when she sticks her tongue out at her father, something she would've never done a year ago. Because a year ago, the children saw their father one hour a day, no more, no less. But things have changed, he has changed, and for the better.

Someone pulls at the pillow Soarynn is sitting against and she looks down at her side of the bed to find Caspian reaching up for her, "Momma." Soarynn smiles and happily pulls him up and onto her lap, peppering his face with kisses, "Good morning my sweet boy. Did you sleep well?"

Caspian watches both his sisters jump up and down, giggling while their curls fly loose, "Lenny have wedding," he finally tells Soarynn with a very determined look in his eyes. Both Soarynn and Coriolanus sigh at his insistence on bringing Lenny to the wedding, something Coriolanus has loudly protested since the idea was brought up. Soarynn doesn't really mind it, Caspian will be sitting with his sisters and Eudora at the very front so it's natural for him to want Lenny to comfort him. Soarynn won't be able to wipe away any tears should there be any.

"Lenny can come to the wedding darling," she tells him, pushing back some of his more unruly curls away from his eyes. His hair has been growing so much these past few months and it's further confirmed that he'll look just like Coriolanus when he gets older. She wisely ignores the look that Coriolanus gives her, not caring how childish it might seem to bring a stuffed animal. Livia gave it to him so it only makes sense for him to find comfort in Lenny.

"When're you gonna put on your wedding dress Soarynn?" Celeste asks, flopping onto the bed after growing tired from jumping. Both girls had accompanied Soarynn to all of her wedding dress fittings. She didn't just want to buy something off of the rack, not when this was predicted to be the wedding of the century. Coriolanus of course insisted that she get her dress custom-made, only the best for his future wife. Soarynn had gone to Tigris, a trusted friend and fashion designer who had taken off after making two princess dresses for Ceraphina and Celeste.

Soarynn never knew how much went into making a wedding dress, and how many measurements and decisions had to be made. She had seen photos of Livia's dress, long-sleeved with a high collar that went up to her chin. She decided to go in the opposite route, wanting her dress to be different and to represent her as a person.

Soarynn tickles Caspian's chin before answering, "Soon darling. I have to get my hair and makeup done first."

Both girls gasp at the idea of having their hair and makeup done professionally, another thing that Coriolanus insisted on. Soarynn barely wears any makeup as is, just some blush, mascara, and a bit of concealer when needed but she was rather excited to be in professional hands today. It took the pressure off of her.

"Can we get our makeup done too Daddy?"

Coriolanus immediately shakes his head, a more stern look grows across his handsome facial features, "Absolutely not darling, you two don't need any makeup. Ever." The girls frown, looking at Coriolanus and then Soarynn, a rebuttal already forming, "Well Soarynn is wearing makeup. And she's the prettiest person ever," Ceraphina points out, effectively putting Coriolanus on the spot.

Soarynn turns to Coriolanus, her eyebrows raised, "She's right darling, what're you trying to say? Am I not beautiful to you?" She's only teasing but it's fun to keep Coriolanus on his toes, especially with the girl's help. He immediately turns red in the face, realizing he's been cornered by the three most important girls in his life, "No! No you are darling," he reaches over to grab her hand, "you breathe life into everything around you. Without you, the sun would cease to shine."

Ceraphina sighs and dramatically flings herself onto the bed, "How romantic." Soarynn chuckles, squeezing his hand to let him know that all is forgiven, "We really should start getting ready, Eudora will be up here before we know it."

Eudora Trinket is a woman of exact science, planning everything down to the last detail. Soarynn isn't even worried about the wedding, not when Eudora is planning it. She's more worried about things that can not be controlled such as the weather and other human beings. But one glance out the window lets her know that it'll be a bright and sunny day in the midst of winter.

"Can't we stay a little longer?" Celeste whines, crawling over to Soarynn to rest her head on the pillow, "Just for a few more minutes?" Soarynn runs a loving hand through Celeste's curls, they'll have to be properly styled for today, "A few more minutes," she agrees, "then we must get up and start our day."

That seems like more than enough for the children who all quickly make themselves at home, nuzzling against either Soarynn or Coriolanus under the covers. It's a sweet, wonderful feeling to be surrounded by this much love all at once. Soarynn keeps an arm wrapped around Caspian while Celeste cuddles Soarynn's side, a dreamy smile on her lips. Ceraphina rests her head on her father's chest, already sleeping again while Coriolanus absentmindedly strokes up and down her back while his eyes are closed. Soarynn knows he's not really sleeping, that he's just "resting his eyes" but it's still a sweet memory that she'll keep tucked away.

Soarynn feels herself drifting back to sleep, almost fully dreaming when there's a loud knock at the doors, "Rise and shine!" Eudora calls from the other side, causing everyone to groan as they're woken up again. Soarynn sits up, rubbing her eyes, "Looks like Eudora's here," she mumbles, swinging her feet over the side of the bed. She gently picks up Caspian and holds him on her hip while she pads over to the doors, Petunia hops off the foot of the bed and follows her, curious to see who's knocking so loudly.

The moment she opens the doors she's greeted by the blinding sight of Eudora's new wig, bright red for the occasion. "Oh my," she says, squinting up at the intricately styled hairdo, "what a...what a piece of art Eudora." The older woman pats her hair as if it's a sculpture, "Thank you, dear, I had it saved for an occasion such as this one. And I see everyone is in one place, how wonderful. Coriolanus, get dressed and get out, it's time for the bride to get ready."

Coriolanus shoots her a teasing look from their bed, making no moves to get up for the day, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing right now?" He asks, flexing his bare arms for added effect. Eudora merely rolls her eyes in response, not at all phased by her boss being almost naked, "I could name several things but I'd rather not hurt your feelings, now, let's get you situated dear," she says, guiding Soarynn over to the sofa, "the Preps will be here any minute along with your friend Tigris."

While Coriolanus begrudgingly goes into the bathroom to put on some actual clothes, Soarynn occupies the children by telling them about the cake they'll be having tonight. "It's seven tiers," she says, letting Caspian rest his head on her chest, "with vanilla frosting and lots of roses."

"Will there be a chocolate fountain?"

"Yes, darling."

"And ice cream?"

"Yes, darling."

Coriolanus comes back out of the bathroom wearing a pair of pants and a red sweater, extremely casual for a man who wears a suit and tie every single day but he'll be getting ready in one of their many guest rooms, "Alright Cas, let's give the ladies some space," he reaches over the couch for his youngest child who's reluctant to let go of Soarynn. "I'll see you soon sweet boy," she promises before carefully handing him over to Coriolanus, "Soon," Caspian repeats with the nod of his head.

Coriolanus smiles and leans over the sofa, pressing a kiss to Soarynn's cheek, "The next time I'll see you will be at the altar."

What an exhilarating thought. Soarynn feels goosebumps growing all over her body as she turns to look up at him adoringly, "I'll see you at the altar," she agrees, letting him kiss her one more time before they officially become husband and wife. The girls, of course, sigh at the romantic gesture and bid their father goodbye, promising to see him later when they're throwing rose petals down the aisle.

The girls had begged to be the flower girls and Soarynn could hardly deny them of such an important role. Caspian turned down the job of being the ring bearer the second it was brought up, clearly not as interested in being involved with the wedding as his sisters were.

Soarynn lets out a sigh, it's strange to be without Coriolanus now, even though they usually spend the majority of their days apart. But the past week has been so wonderful, he has been so wonderful, seeing her more often, spending more time with her in the mornings, waking her up with kisses and hugs.

But the girls don't let the silence linger long. They begin asking more questions about the guests, the music, the clothes, all questions that Eudora easily answers. Soarynn tunes the conversation out for the most part, simply enjoying the moment before it's over. A quiet knock at the doors causes them to all fall silent and Eudora rushes over to answer it, Soarynn and the girls crane their necks to see who it is but Eudora is in the way. She turns to face them a second later, a triumphant look on her face, "Everything is ready! Right this way!"

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn has never been so taken care of in her life.

Sitting in the room that used to be hers, she finds herself in a comfortable chair while four women work simultaneously to prepare her for the big day. The Preps, a Prep Team from the Hunger Games are well versed in their craft. There's Imogen who has been doing Soarynn's makeup for the past hour, keeping it per Soarynn's request, natural yet glowy. Jadis has been tackling Soarynn's long hair, styling it so that it looks absolutely perfect for when she walks down the aisle. Lavender has been applying all sorts of lotions and potions to Soarynn's skin to ensure that it looks as healthy as can be. And lastly, Olympia has been overseeing all of the progress while helping Tigris with Soarynn's wedding dress.

"Oh, it's just so exciting!" Jadis exclaims, taking another piece of Soarynn's hair to curl it, "Capitol weddings are always so gorgeous and yours is going to be the most gorgeous we've ever seen sweetie!"

Soarynn blushes, she's never been given this much attention in her life but these four women have dedicated all of their time to making her feel as beautiful as possible. She already felt beautiful when Tigris gifted her a beautiful white silk robe with a matching nightgown for her to wear while getting ready. The girls had been obsessed with it and luckily, Tigris thought ahead and made the girls smaller versions of Soarynn's dress as well so that they could match.

"I just can't wait to see him," Soarynn says, admiring her engagement ring once again. Coriolanus got her a rock to put it lightly. A large diamond that's surrounded by smaller diamonds all with gold hardware. She can't even imagine what the wedding ring will look like.

All the women take a moment to admire the ring, fawning over it and the details that went into designing it, "It's stunning," Imogen gushes, "he must be terribly in love with you." Soarynn nods along to her words, a smile gracing her lips, "He is," she agrees.

"Daddy and Soarynn are gonna kiss at the end of the wedding right?" Celeste asks Eudora, tugging on her dress. Eudora has been busy all morning, coming in and out of the room to check on Soarynn's progress, "Yes dear, they'll say their vows, exchange their rings and kiss," Eudora confirms, "and they'll stay on schedule."

Tigris and Olympia fluff out Soarynn's dress even more, checking for any wrinkles or snags it might have gotten while being transported from her boutique. According to Tigris, people have been looking through her shop windows, desperate to get a glimpse of the dress before it's big reveal.

Soarynn had decided to go with a strapless dress, showing off a classy amount of cleavage while also showing off her shoulders and collarbones. The dress has somewhat of a corseted bodice, accentuating her small waist while remaining pleasing to the eye. The majority of the dress is made up of tulle, lots of expensive, layered tulle, giving the illusion of a large gown. It's been so tediously layered, cut in specific ways to give the dress shape and organic flow. The top layers of the dress gather at the back, making for a flattering shape along with some dramatic flair. Most importantly, it doesn't weigh a thousand pounds.

Soarynn has tried on several versions of the dress over the past few months, changing little details here and there and she couldn't be happier with the final outcome. It's a dress that represents her, sophisticated yet light and airy. For her shoes, she went with classic white high heels, and for jewelry, she kept it simple with pearl earrings.

"What if you trip?" Ceraphina asks, causing all the women to shudder in horror, Soarynn presses a smile onto her lips, "Let's hope I don't."

Eudora shakes her head, "No tripping, no falling, no arguing," she narrows her eyes at the girls who do their best to look innocent, "I have personally counted the number of petals in each of your baskets and I can confirm that you both have an equal amount."

Soarynn holds in a laugh, the girls love to argue about things being fair and equal and Eudora has clearly come prepared for anything they might throw at her today. "Why don't we get you girls dressed?" Tigris suggests, pointing at their pink flower girl dresses. They're made of similar material to Soarynn's dress, tulle for the gown itself, and velvet for their bodices. It had been so adorable to see the girls getting to make their own flower girl dresses, picking out different little details they wanted incorporated such as roses on the sleeves.

While Soarynn's dress doesn't have any roses, her bouquet certainly does, all fresh from the greenhouse. She decided on an all-white bouquet to keep with the theme.

"So you all normally work with Tributes?" She asks the Preps, tilting her head to the side so Imogen can powder her face, "Oh yes sweetie. We work with all the Tributes from District Two, which means we get to come to the party at the end of his Victory Tour!"

This year's Hunger Games had been a blur for Soarynn if she was being honest. She hadn't paid much attention to it once she got engaged but she remembers watching the boy from Two, Beckett, win by cutting his remaining opponent clean down the middle with a sword he was gifted by one of his sponsors. A brutal, gory way to die but he wore a bright smile while he did it, making her stomach turn.

Coriolanus had commented on how Beckett was as cunning as they were bred in the Districts. Which led Soarynn to really think about how true that was. Children in the Districts were either raised as killers or those who would be killed, told that the Tributes from their Districts never won and that they'd never have a fighting chance. District Two is well known for training their children at a special academy until they turn eighteen so they can then volunteer.

Soarynn looks gazes into the bathroom where Tigris is chatting away with the girls, she can't imagine Ceraphina or Celeste training for the Hunger Games at such a young age with sunken cheeks and brittle bones. She should talk to Coriolanus about that, see what she can do.

"How exciting," she murmurs, not feeling as chatty as she was a moment ago. Becoming First Lady means having to make public appearances, it means having to support things like the Hunger Games, something Soarynn has done her best to ignore up until this point. Not on purpose, she's just never cared for the pageantry of it, and neither did her father.

Oh, her father. She wishes he could be here to see this, to walk her down the aisle and give her away. That's truly her one regret about today, not having him here.

"You'll get to meet him too," Lavender says chipperly, lathering another layer of lotion onto Soarynn's chest, "the party will be your first public appearance with your new husband!"

It certainly will be. Soarynn hasn't even thought that far ahead but the Preps clearly have. "I can't wait," she replies, looking into the bathroom again when she hears the girls giggling, "it'll be nice for things to get back to normal." Since the proposal, everything has been different, their schedules, how she's been treated, it's been a whole new world for Soarynn Nightingale.

She just hopes she likes it.

꧁ ꧂

Three hours later, Soarynn is ready.

She admires her reflection in the floor-length mirror, turning her head as instructed by Olympia to make sure that nothing needs to be changed before departing.

Her face looks stunning, even she can admit that. Imogen nailed the look she was going for, natural yet enhanced. Imogen gave her a rosy cheek while giving her more of a sultry eye look with a bit of eyeliner to make her blue-gray eyes pop. She's mostly happy to see her freckles shining through, something she's become more adamant about since Coriolanus keeps complimenting her natural complexion.

For her hair, Soarynn wanted something simple yet elegant and requested an updo to really give the dress its moment to shine. Jadis did amazing work with her long blonde hair, styling it in a bun with face-framing pieces, keeping it loose but not too loose. She also added a few bobby pins with white roses on them, tucking them into the bun to tie in the rose theme that Coriolanus seems to adore so much.

Soarynn has never seen her skin look so good before. Lavender truly lathered on the lotions, making sure that Soarynn's skin wasn't just healthy, but soft and smooth, glowing even.

And the dress, oh the dress is perfect. Soarynn holds out her arms and does a twirl, earning her several delighted gasps and a round of applause. "Oh, you look beautiful dear," Eudora tells her, "just beautiful." The girls bounce on their toes, watching all the women chat amongst themselves, "Soarynn you look just like a princess," Celeste says, doing a curtsy in her own dress.

Soarynn smiles, carefully crouching down so they're at eye level, "Thank you, darling. You two look so, so beautiful, your father is going to love your dresses." Both of the girls light up when she mentions their father, "Can we go see Daddy?"

Eudora checks another thing off of her list, Soarynn had stolen a glance at it earlier and truly couldn't fathom having such a responsibility. "Yes, in fact, we're right on schedule which should allow for Coriolanus to see the girls before we all depart," she announces, "come along girls, your father will be very pleased with your dresses."

Soarynn waves to the girls as they follow Eudora out of the room and into the hallway, the room suddenly feeling quieter and emptier. Petunia slips in right before the doors close, running right to Soarynn, "They're just so precious," Jadis says, reaching her hand out to Petunia who curiously sniffs it before looking up at Soarynn who hums in agreement. "They really are the sweetest children," Soarynn says, bending down to pick up Petunia, "I can't wait for us to all become one big family."

Soarynn had spent one afternoon in October in her fiance's study signing document after document that would give her legal custody of all three children. None of these documents would go into effect until she said "I do" but it made all of this feel much more real. In a few hours, she'd have three children. Three darling children who she loved with all her heart.

Tigris fluffs out the dress some more, fussing with the tulle, "They're very lucky to have you, he is very lucky to have you. Don't forget that."

Soarynn sighs, it's hard to remember when it all feels like a dream with Coriolanus. The house, the money, the children, the power. He's a dream come true. But so is she. Tigris is right, she'd do well to remember that she is also quite the catch.

"I know," she replies, rocking Petunia back and forth in her arms, "it's just hard to believe that a year ago I just started working here again as a live-in nanny"

A year ago feels like a century ago to Soarynn who feels as if she's lived ten lives the past twelve months. A year ago she and Coriolanus were dancing with their hands tied so to speak and now, she's going to marry him.

"We should take some photos," Lavender suggests, "I'll go find the photographer."

Another thing Soarynn has been preparing herself for, the photos. Eudora hired a few photographers herself but every news and media outlet in the country will be covering the wedding today. It's to be broadcast throughout all of Panem and all of its citizens are required to watch. Soarynn wonders if people will watch with bitterness or amazement.

Probably bitterness. She's seen how the Districts feel about people like her and she wasn't even a Snow then, she was just the nanny.

Now she'll be in the public eye, to either be built up or torn down.

Coriolanus has assured her multiple times that no one would dare utter a word against her but she knows that people talk, his reign can't extended over everything all at once. Snow won't always land on top.

Lavender appears a few minutes later with a photographer and Eudora along with the girls who are giggling, "We showed Daddy our dresses!" Ceraphina tells Soarynn, running over to pet Petunia who gladly welcomes the attention. "What did he say?" Soarynn asks, carefully handing Petunia over to Ceraphina who gladly takes her, holding her like a baby, "He said he looked beautiful and that we were the prettiest little girls in Panem." Celeste nods along to her sister's recap, petting Petunia's head, "And he said we look very grown up," she adds.

Eudora chuckles, smoothing down Ceraphina's hair that's being held back by a white headband, "I think he cried a little, but he'll claim it was some dust that got into his eyes." Eudora and Soarynn share a grin, Coriolanus is a man who remains stoic in every situation.

But he's always had a soft spot for his girls.

"Let's get one with Ms. Nightingale and the cat," the photographer suggests, earning him a meow from Petunia who simply wishes to be held, by who, she doesn't care.

Soarynn takes Petunia back into her arms, smiling for the camera.

They take some more photos, some of Soarynn with the girls, and some of her alone sitting in one of the armchairs or looking into the mirror. Eudora said that there will be an entire magazine spread dedicated to the details of their wedding. After enough photos are taken, the Preps and Tigris take their leave, pressing kisses to Soarynn's cheeks and promising to see her at the wedding.

"Looks like it's just us again," she says to the girls, watching Petunia run around the room. Ceraphina smiles, "Yep! Now we get to go to the wedding and throw the flower petals!"

"Just like we practiced," Eudora reminds her before things can get out of hand, "you two will walk down the aisle side by side, throw the petals, and then you'll sit in the front row on the left side. Right?"

Celeste tilts her head, looking confused even though they rehearsed all of this two days ago, "We go left?"

Eudora nods, "Right."

"We go right?"

"No dear, left."

"Okay, left."

"Right."

"I think we need to practice again Eudora."

Soarynn laughs at their dilemma and rests a reassuring hand on Eudora's shoulder, "Everything will be fine Eudora, don't worry, the girls will know what to do."

Eudora doesn't look too convinced but they don't have any more time to waste, they're on a schedule. "I hope so," she says in a haughty tone, "I don't need Coriolanus giving me any dirty looks. Now, let's start making our way downstairs so we can leave on time."

No one protests to that. Soarynn says goodbye to Petunia one last time, kissing her head and promising to be back in a few days even though Petunia probably doesn't even care. Soarynn cares and that's more than enough reason to give Petunia a rundown of their itinerary.

They all make their way out of the room and into the hallway, following Eudora like baby ducks in a row. "Can I hold your hand Soarynn?"

She looks down at Celeste who looks nervous about possibly stepping on Soarynn's dress and Soarynn quickly gathers the tulle in her other hand, "Of course, you can darling." They carefully walk down the staircase hand in hand with Ceraphina and Eudora helping to make sure that Soarynn doesn't trip on the remainder of her dress.

They make it down successfully and several of the Avoxes stop to admire Soarynn and her dress. After the wedding, they'll return to the Mansion for the reception dinner and the party so things have been in full swing this week leading up to the big day. Soarynn can't begin to count how many white napkins and plates she's looked at. With Coriolanus still running the country, Soarynn has taken on the brunt of the planning alongside Eudora and she's often worried that it might not be enough, or worse, not live up to his first wedding.

She had even suggested a smaller wedding, a private one without the public but Coriolanus insisted on a public one, a grand wedding so everyone could admire her. "You deserve to have the wedding of your dreams darling," he had told her one night after she confessed her doubts, "and to be quite honest, my wedding with Livia was far from a dream."

He did make a good point, Soarynn only planned on getting married once and she wanted to remember it and enjoy it.

"Alright, this way to the car, Coriolanus and Caspian already left so it's just us ladies," Eudora tells her while they walk down the great hall. They pass the empty space where the painting of the Snows used to be and Soarynn's heart beats a little faster knowing that there will be a painting with her hanging there sooner than later.

Soarynn and Coriolanus had already had several discussions about what to do with the rest of the paintings and photographs of Livia and Soarynn told him to keep them. Livia might not have been the best wife or mother but she was his wife and she was the children's mother. Soarynn could never deny her of that. So to honor her and remember her, they'd keep the photos, move them to a different part of the house where the children could always visit them if they wanted to.

Coriolanus had looked a bit stunned by Soarynn's insistence but after visiting Livia's grave, she was certain in her decision.

For one day, she too would be dead and she could only hope that someone would keep her pictures around.

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn can't hide her amazement as they drive through the crowded Capitol streets. From the moment they pulled out of the gates, their car has been swarmed by people eager to catch a glimpse of Coriolanus Snow's bride. Soarynn starts to feel a little bit nervous as the crowds grow thicker, trying to peer through the tinted windows, "I didn't realize this many people would be out today," she murmurs, holding Celeste's hand a little higher.

Eudora doesn't even seem phased by the number of people in the streets today, knowing her, she probably already planned for this and how many minutes of additional traffic it would add for them. "The Capitol hasn't seen a wedding this grand in a very long time," she tells Soarynn, closing her binder with a relieved sigh, "and your story is quite romantic dear, you're an inspiration to couples everywhere."

Soarynn certainly hadn't planned on inspiring anybody with her love story but she supposes that the Capitol citizens have a mind of their own. The car begins to slow down and the crowds become larger, thicker, louder. They're finally here.

The Building of Justice shines brightly on this cold winter day, a beacon of significance. Those who are a part of the highest elite circles always get married here, even the President. Soarynn knows the building like the back of her hand since she's spent many weeks walking through it, planning out the floral arrangements and color schemes. She hopes everything goes well, goes perfectly.

She spots several news trucks parked along the street and she turns back to Eudora, "Will the media outlets be inside?" She's not opposed to it per se, Soarynn has already come to terms with her new life in the spotlight but she would like to know what to expect before she walks down the aisle.

"They'll be in the very back dear," Eudora tells her, "you won't even see them and Lucky has signed a contract agreeing to keep his excitement contained so no need to worry about any fanatic outbursts." It's a funny thing to take into consideration but Lucky Flickerman can be quite flamboyant and very loud.

Better safe than sorry.

Soarynn nods, watching as they finally pull up to the front steps of the Building of Justice. "Here we go," she whispers, a smile creeping onto her face. A group of Peacekeepers, at least ten, approach the car, ordering people to stand back and leave room. "Any regrets before we go?" Eudora asks, leaning forward to let Soarynn know that this is a safe space.

Soarynn shakes her head, she has some regrets but none regarding marrying into the Snow family, "None at all," she answers before the door opens. They're met with cheers as Eudora steps out first, already barking out orders to the Peacekeepers who look quite shocked at how much noise can come from such a small person. The girls go out next, grinning ear to ear while holding hands. Soarynn watches them wave to the crowd, basking in the attention.

It's her turn now.

She's offered a hand and she takes it, gracefully stepping out onto the sidewalk and the crowd loses it. Cameras flash, people scream, it's complete madness. Everyone's eyes are on Soarynn Nightingale as she rises to her full height, her dress finally revealed, her beauty put on display for all to see. She can see several cameramen recording her, reminding her that this entire ceremony is being viewed by all of Panem.

"The bride has landed."

Soarynn looks at the hand she grabbed and looks up to realize that it's Sejanus Plinth who helped her out, wearing a suit while looking very handsome. "I was hoping I might just sneak in," she jokes, causing them both to laugh. Eudora waves at them to follow her, already halfway up the steps with the girls. Soarynn and Sejanus carefully make their way up the steps and Soarynn does her best to wave to all those who have braved the cold to catch a glimpse of her before she's married.

She sees so many little girls watching with amazement as she glides up the steps and into the Building of Justice, feeling a rush of warmth wash over her once the large doors close behind them.

It's suddenly so quiet again.

Sejanus drops her hand so he can kneel down and talk to the girls who are overjoyed to see one of their favorite people, "Sejanus did you see us?!" He grins, reaching out to brush a curl out from Celeste's face, "I sure did. You both look so lovely in your dresses."

The girls do a few twirls so that he can get the full effect while Eudora runs around the large lobby, getting everything ready. The large wooden doors that lead to the main ceremony room are closed but Soarynn can hear the murmur of the crowd from outside. Several Peacekeepers stand guard throughout the room, making sure no one gets in or out.

"Are you nervous?"

It takes her a second to realize that Sejanus is talking to her and Soarynn shakes her head, "No, I'm simply anxious. I've been thinking about this moment for so long and now it's finally here."

Sejanus hums, admiring her wedding dress in all its glory, "Well you look beautiful Soarynn. Coriolanus is lucky to have you." Soarynn blushes, she's often given compliments on her beauty but they mean a lot more coming from a good friend of hers. "Thank you Sejanus, and thank you for walking me down the aisle."

Without any surviving parents on both sides of their family, Soarynn and Coriolanus didn't know what to do when it came down to having someone walk her down the aisle. At one point he suggested Quintus Heavensbee walking her down the aisle which she kindly declined. She liked Quintus but she'd rather walk by herself if it was that much of a problem.

Then Ceraphina had the bright idea to have Sejanus walk her down the aisle. Both Soarynn and Coriolanus felt that it was a great idea. Soarynn enjoyed Sejanus and Coriolanus felt comfortable trusting Sejanus to take care of his bride.

"Of course," he nods, flashing her a smile, "never thought I'd see the day when he'd be happily married."

Eudora comes over to them with two pink baskets in hand, one for each of their flower girls, "Here you go girls," she hands them the baskets, "now remember, no throwing them at guests." Ceraphina pouts but Eudora gives her a stern look, "Okay," she finally says with a sigh, admiring the white petals, "we will be perfectly behaved."

"Good. You two will go in just a moment."

Eudora runs off to do something else and Soarynn takes it as an opportunity to talk with the girls one last time. She crouches down, her dress pooling around her, "I just wanted to tell you girls that I'm so grateful that our paths crossed. I'm so happy we met and I'm so excited to be a part of your family." Soarynn's eyes mist with tears but she doesn't try to hide them, "I love you so very much, it's been such a privilege to watch you two grow up."

Tears form in their eyes as well and Soarynn holds out her arms for one last hug, a hug that they happily accept. "We love you Soarynn," Ceraphina tells her, "and Daddy does too, and Caspian, and Lenny." Celeste nods to her sister's words, "Mhm, and Eudora too. You fit right in with our family."

Soarynn laughs, glad that they see it that way, "Well I'm very lucky to be part of a family such as this one. I can't wait to wake up knowing that I have three perfect children." Soarynn and Coriolanus had explained the logistics of custody as well as they possibly could to the girls who simply concluded that once they kissed at the altar, they'd have a new mother and that was more than enough for them.

"Alright girls, it's time to go!" Eudora calls from the doors. Soarynn hugs the girls one last time before they go, "I'll see you in there," she whispers, smoothing down their hair once more before they run over to Eudora, bouncing on their toes.

Eudora stares down at her wristwatch, counting down the seconds before she finally nods at the Peacekeepers to open the doors and let the girls in. Soarynn hears lots of adoring gasps when the girls walk into the ceremony room before the doors close again. "I hope they remember to go left," she mutters, getting a questionable look from Sejanus who wasn't there to witness their confusion earlier.

"Have you...have you seen Coriolanus?" She asks casually, standing back up to her full height as she fluffs out her dress. Sejanus chuckles at her attempt to act casual, "I did," he confirms, "he looks very handsome by the way," he adds, making Soarnyn blush, "and he's very eager to see you."

They usually spend all day apart but for some reason, today feels like torture. Probably because they're moments away from tying the knot. From becoming a united front until death does them part.

Minutes of silence pass between them but Soarynn cherishes it, she's been surrounded by noise and chaos all of this morning. A few seconds of silence can be such a precious gift.

Eudora keeps glancing down at her watch, checking her binder, and then checking her watch again. Hopefully, she takes a long vacation after this.

"Alright dear," she calls, waving Soarynn and Sejanus over, "it's time."

Soarynn's heart feels as though it could beat out of her chest from the excitement. Sejanus offers up his arm to her and she gladly takes it, "Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," she murmurs.

They wait outside the doors, trying to listen to what's going on inside of the ceremony room and then they hear the music start up. "You really are the most beautiful bride," Eudora tells Soarynn, brushing a piece of hair out from her face before giving her the bouquet of white roses, "your father would be very proud of you dear."

Soarynn didn't think she'd cry this early into her wedding day but Eudora might just bring her to tears. Soarynn carefully hugs the older woman, not wanting to ruin any of the Prep's hard work, "Thank you Eudora, for everything."

She catches a glimmer of tears in Eudora's eyes before she blinks them away and nods, "Of course dear. Enjoy yourself today alright?"

Soarynn hopes she will but knowing how these things go, she'll be pulled left and right to talk to all her guests, barely given any time with Coriolanus.

"You ladies are getting me all teary-eyed," Sejanus jokes, wiping at his own eyes. They all laugh, Sejanus has never been afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and it's always been something for Soarynn to admire about him. There's just something about someone being unapologetic about being themselves.

Eudora looks at her watch one last time, "Here we go. Five, four, three, two, one, go!"

The doors open, revealing the massive ceremony room, perfectly decorated. The drapery Soarynn picked out months ago hangs down from the ceiling, the flowers she selected weeks ago brighten up the room. Everything worked out in the end and the room screams elegance and wealth, the very message that the Snows like to put out into the world.

All the guests are already standing, all eyes on the bride as she makes her way down the aisle and Soarynn can hear murmurs of admiration for her dress and her beauty.

But her focus is fixed on the man at the altar.

Coriolanus looks tremendously handsome in his black suit, a white rose pinned to his lapel. His curls look perfect, not too unruly but not too slicked back. Just the way she likes them. He exudes wealth and power by simply just standing there and she so desperately wants to be his entirely.

His piercing blue eyes stay locked on her the entire way and Soarynn fights the urge to run down the long aisle to be with him sooner.

As they get closer to the altar, Soarynn can see more clearly how proud Coriolanus looks, how pleased and enamored he looks by just seeing her. He's asked about her dress one hundred times since her first fitting but she's refused to give him any details. But the look on his face has made it all worth it.

They finally reach the steps leading up to the altar and there's nothing keeping them apart now. Soarynn gives Sejanus a warm smile, "Thank you Sejanus," she whispers, giving him a kiss on the cheek before handing him her bouquet. Sejanus smiles back at her, nodding and patting her arm, "I wish you two the best."

Soarynn turns to look back up at her fiance, buzzing with excitement now that this moment has finally arrived. Coriolanus holds his hand out to her and she takes it in an instant, his large fingers curl around her smaller ones as she climbs the steps.

They're both all smiles as they finally come face to face with one another after hours of being apart. It's as if no one else is even in the room with them right now. Soarynn looks up at him with nothing but love and commitment, pleased to know that the man standing across from her would lay the world down at her feet if she asked him to do so.

Coriolanus speaks volumes with his eyes which are usually stern and guarded. He looks utterly in love with her, vexed by her beauty and her dedication to him and his family.

She only glances down at the front row once to look at the children who are all watching with excitement as if watching the horse races. The girls give her a wave and Caspian holds Lenny a little tighter with one hand while holding Eudora's hand with the other.

While neither Soarynn nor Coriolanus have parents anymore, seeing the children is all she needs to feel supported. She's about to have a family, a real, genuine family and she can't thank Coriolanus enough for giving that to her.

The officant begins the very long traditional ceremony which includes reading from several different books and passages. Soarynn had expected it though, the stiffness of a high society wedding. It would be a great sign of disrespect if they didn't partake in tradition, even if it is quite tedious and at sometimes, quite boring.

Soarynn had worried that the children might grow bored or get antsy after a while but she can see from the corner of her eye that they seem more than content watching Soarynn and Coriolanus.

Through the whole thing her eyes remain on the man she cares for the most and his eyes meet hers with matched passion and love. They only have eyes for each other today.

The rings are then brought forward, a simple gold band for Coriolanus, masculine and broad, just like him. And another ring inlaid with diamonds for Soarynn, shaped like vines around a rose to surround the large diamond already on her finger.

Finally, they get to the vows.

Being a woman, Soarynn will be the first one to say her vows, to promise herself to her future husband which will give Coriolanus one last chance to change his mind. It's a terrifying thought to know that he could call it all off and leave with his children, leaving her alone. She'd be lying if she said that she hadn't had a few nightmares about that leading up to this special day.

"Soarynn Nightingale, by agreeing to these vows, you will forever bind yourself to this man. You will promise to love him throughout all your trials and tribulations, to bear the children he gifts upon you, and to support the family created between the two of you. You shall stand by his side as a pillar of strength, dedication, and support as he leads your family through life. Do you, Soarynn Nightingale, vow to uphold these vows, and take Coriolanus Snow to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Her eyes shine with tears as she answers with a determined tone, the same way she answered Coriolanus when he asked her to marry him, "I do."

"We now turn to the groom. Coriolanus Snow, by agreeing to these vows, you will forever bind yourself to this woman. You will promise to love her throughout all your trials and tribulations, to stand by her as she bears the children you gift upon her, and to lead the family created by the two of you. You shall stand by her side as a pillar of protection, security, and leadership as she walks with you and your family through life. Do you, Coriolanus Snow, take Soarynn Nightingale to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Coriolanus doesn't let a second pass before answering with the same determined tone Soarynn used, "I do."

Soarynn swears she can hear the girls let out a quiet sigh of relief, goodness knows how they'd react if he didn't take her to be his bride. He'd have a war on his hands.

"Then by the power invested in me, by the great nation of Panem, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Coriolanus, you may kiss your bride."

Soarynn breaks into the largest smile she's ever worn as Coriolanus cups her face with his hands and captures her lips in their first kiss as husband and wife for all to bear witness to. A loud applause roars through the room as the President of Panem kisses the country's new First Lady.

Soarynn rests her hand on his chest when he deepens the kiss, not even shying away from the very public display of affection. She can hear the girls cheering-screaming-as their parents kiss for the first time and she feels Coriolanus grin into the kiss. When he finally pulls away she looks up into his eyes, bright and sparkling, "I hope you know how very proud I am to call you my wife Mrs. Snow," he tells her, softly so only she can hear.

Soarynn is beaming in his hold, "And I am so very proud to be yours Mr. Snow," she replies, earning her another smile from Coriolanus who slips one hand down her back to kiss her again, this time dipping her down for the fun of it which earns them quite a few whistles but Soarynn doesn't even care. She laughs into the kiss while knowing that she'll be forever safe in his arms, a Snow, loved and guarded until the day she dies.

They finally pull away and face the crowd, now man and wife. Soarynn smiles brightly while she waves at the crowd of friends and Capitolites, all people who can proudly say that they witnessed the wedding of a lifetime. She spots Lucky in the very back of the room, talking animatedly to the camera while pointing at the newlyweds.

Soarynn can't help but laugh, it all feels like a wonderful dream come true.

Their name is announced to the country for the first time, Coriolanus and Soarynn Snow has never sounded better.

They begin to make their way down the steps to walk down the aisle, a slow process to ensure no damage befalls the dress and they're immediately met with cheers from the girls who can't seem to sit still for one more second, jumping up and down while they wave at their parents.

Soarynn makes sure to give them a big wave, blowing a kiss to Caspian who sits comfortably on Eudora's hip while she lifts his little hand to wave at them.

Sejanus steps forward to hand Soarynn her bouquet of roses once more, giving Coriolanus a friendly pat on the shoulder to congratulate his good friend.

Walking down the aisle hand-in-hand with her husband feels like the most natural thing in the world for Soarynn.

She's a Snow now, something that she'll never take for granted for being gifted a last name such as this one is something no one should ever neglect.

꧁ ꧂

Everything is a blur after they walk down the aisle.

They were promptly escorted to their car where they were given an even louder round of applause from all the onlookers who had gathered outside the Building of Justice. Soarynn hadn't known that she was so important to Panem but being tied to Coriolanus meant that she was now the second most important person in the country.

The drive home was shorter than she expected but it massively had to do with the fact that most of the streets had been barricaded and cleared for the wedding procession. And Coriolanus barely gave her a moment to think about anything else but his lips on her neck while he tried to distract her from thinking about anything else but him.

Soarynn did her best to keep him at arm's length since they still had a very long day ahead of them and she could not afford to have a hair out of place, let alone a bruise on her neck.

It's rather strange to walk back into the President's Mansion knowing that it's now Soarynn's official home. Coriolanus has already promised her free reign to design and decorate the house as she pleases.

"Just five minutes," Coriolanus whispers in her ear while wrapping an arm around her waist, "just five minutes alone in my study and then we can go take pictures." Soarynn giggles when his fingers brush against her skin, so persistent, "Behave," she reminds him, "we have to stick to Eudora's schedule."

Eudora has planned this entire day down to the last minute and right now, the Mansion is empty which gives them time to take professional photos before the guests start to arrive. She might have a stroke if she found Coriolanus and Soarynn kissing instead of kissing for the cameras.

Coriolanus groans and holds her waist with both hands, forcing her to stop and look up at him, "My darling," her heart skips a beat from his deep voice, "it's going to be impossible for me to keep my hands off of you today. You look exquisite, you look stunning, perfect really. Five minutes is nothing compared to what's waiting for you tonight."

Another giggle escapes Soarynn's lips although this one is more nervous than anything, losing her virginity is a daunting yet exciting proposition, one she herself can not wait for. But they'll have to wait, they can't just sneak off and expect no one to question their whereabouts.

"Then the buildup will make tonight even more pleasurable," she purrs, straightening the lapels on his suit, "and you do look very handsome Coryo, very Presidential." He smirks and leans in for a kiss, biting her bottom lip just to tease her before Soarynn pulls away, "Photos," she reminds him. Coriolanus sighs, almost moping at the idea of having his photograph taken, "Fine, let's go act like we're in love."

Soarynn chuckles, leading them down the great hall towards the ballroom where they'll start with photos and then go outside, "We've been managing so far haven't we?" His hand finds the small of her back, resting there in a protective manner, something he's fond of doing, "I suppose we have. Even the children are fooled." Soarynn smiles at the thought of seeing the children again. They'll come at the end of the photographs, giving them a chance to take their first-ever family photos.

An exciting thought to Soarynn who is now a mother to three.

"I can't to see them," she admits, leaning into his touch, "they were so well behaved at the ceremony." Coriolanus lets out a grunt of agreement, "They were perfect today. Now we just have to get through dinner."

Soarynn's stomach grumbles at the mention of dinner, she really hasn't eaten anything since breakfast.

Once they reach the ballroom, they're greeted by congratulations and instructions on where to stand and how to pose. It's all a bit awkward to Soarynn who has never really done this before. They take lots of candid photos of her and Coriolanus dancing, kissing, and smiling at one another. To his credit, Coriolanus does his best to make her feel comfortable and at ease, causing her to forget about the millions of photos being taken every second that passes.

"This really is a beautiful dress," he tells her while spinning her around. Soarynn nods in agreement, she feels like a princess, "Tigris truly outdid herself," she says, feeling the soft fabric, "I was worried that it wouldn't be suited to your taste."

Coriolanus shakes his head at her worries, "My taste doesn't matter darling, the dress is beautiful and you are even more beautiful. It's a very flattering design on you."

He has such a way with words.

They take a few more pictures inside before moving outside to the colder weather, "Tigris didn't make you some temporary sleeves?" He teases when Soarynn rubs her arms for warmth. She shoots him a glare, not a fan of his silly little jokes, "Ha, ha. It's not her fault that the Snows insist on getting married in the cold of winter."

Coriolanus helps gather the majority of the dress so that they can safely walk down the steps leading to the Mansion's grounds, "It's a family tradition darling. And it gives me an excuse to wrap my arms around you." He does make a good point.

They take lots more pictures outside, some of them together, and some of them separately. Soarynn can hear lots of excited chatter and she looks up the steps to see the children have finally arrived, along with Eudora and the Preps who almost fall down the steps to rush to her aid when the wind blows her hair out of place.

"Help is on the way sweetie!" Imogen shouts, nearly twisting an ankle in her heels, "Don't fret!"

Coriolanus gives Soarynn an amused smile once she's surrounded by the four women dedicated to making sure she looks perfect today, "Oh you looked so gorgeous," Jadis tells her, fluffing out the train of the dress, "everyone loved the dress." Soarynn sets her hands on her hips while they fuss over her, still aware of the camera capturing her every move, "Thank you, ladies, your efforts didn't go unnoticed today." They all wave her off, insisting that it's a privilege to look after the First Lady of Panem.

Lavender eyes Coriolanus while he talks with the children who clearly have a lot to say about the wedding, "And may I just say, you snagged quite the good-looking man. Tall and good with children? He's a dream come true."

Soarynn laughs at her compliment, "Thank you, I do consider myself very lucky to be his wife."

After a few more minor touch-ups, the Preps declare that Soarynn is once again, "camera ready" and Coriolanus walks over to her with the children. The girls throw all etiquette out the window and run to Soarynn, smiles on their faces, curls bouncing, "We're back! We're back, did you miss us?"

Soarynn bends down once they reach her, holding their sweet faces in her hands, "I missed you so very much my darlings," she tells them, finding no lies in her words, "you were so wonderfully behaved today."

The girls bask in Soarynn's attention and compliment her dress once again, telling her that she's the prettiest princess in the entire world. Caspian uses fewer words to express his feelings about Soarynn's dress but he does reach out to touch it, "Pretty dress Momma," he says, feeling the tulle between his fingers. Soarynn grins and presses a kiss to his cheek, "Thank you, my sweet boy. You look so handsome in your suit, just like your father hmm?"

Coriolanus looks pleased with the comparison, he truly did gift Caspian all of his looks, making them nearly identical, "He'll be quite the ladies man when he gets older." Ceraphina scrunches her nose, "What's a 'ladies man' mean Daddy?"

Coriolanus clears his throat whole trying to come up with a sufficient, age-appropriate answer and Soarynn only gives him a knowing look, "Go on darling, tell the girls what you meant," she says, resting a hand on his arm.

"I'll tell you after dinner," he smoothly answers while pointing at the cameras, "right now we need to take some more photos."

Soaeynn chuckles at his attempts to divert the children's attention but it's successful once Eudora starts shouting at them to smile. Family photos can only last for so long until someone gets their feelings hurt or gets tired of smiling and in this case, it's Celeste who nearly starts crying when Ceraphina gets to take some photos with Coriolanus before she does.

"She always goes first," she cries with the stomp of her little foot. Soarynn ever so carefully crouches down until she's at eye-level with her youngest daughter, wiping away the single tear on Celeste's face, "Darling, he doesn't love you any less because you didn't get to go first. Your father doesn't have favorites, I've told you this before, he loves you all so very much."

Celesye sniffles, watching Coriolanus throw Ceraphian into the air while she shrieks with laughter, "Then why does she always get to go first?" Soarynn sighs, she wishes she had a good answer besides the obvious fact that Ceraphina is the oldest and people tend to do things in order.

"You know," Soarynn says quietly, leaning in as if sharing a big secret, "sometimes they save the best for last." Celeste gasps at her words, her blue eyes widening in amazement, "Really?"

Soarynn nods, crisis averted, "But don't tell anyone okay? This is our big secret." Soarynn holds out her pinky and Celeste does the same with her smaller pinky, locking them together in a sacred pinky promise, "Okay Mommy, I won't tell anyone." Soarynn feels her lips stretch into a big smile at Celeste not calling her by her first name, "Okay good. I knew I could count on you, darling."

A moment later Ceraphina comes skipping over to them, telling Celeste that it's now her turn with her father. "Are you having fun?" She asks Soarynn, folding her hands behind her back like the little Capitol lady she's been raised to be. Soarynn nods, so far she's had no complaints other than her feet are starting to hurt in these heels, "I am having fun, are you having fun?"

"Yep! Daddy says we can have dinner soon and then go dancing and then have cake!"

"You're very excited about the cake aren't you?"

Ceraphina's eyes twinkle with excitement, "Cake is so good! And we can have as much as we want, right?"

"Yes you can," Soarynn confirms, "as long as you don't make yourselves sick." Should the children eat too much and get a stomach ache, Soarynn won't even be here to deal with it. She'll be on her honeymoon which is a strange thought. She's grown so attached to the children, to her children and their daily routines. To step out of what she considers normal feels foreign to her.

"We won't," Ceraphina promises with a giggle, "oh look, it's time to go back inside." Soarynn looks back over at the small army of people they've procured over the past hour and sees Eudora waving at everyone to make their way back into the Mansion, "It's time to eat," she calls, "we can't afford to run behind schedule."

Celeste runs back over to Soarynn, her curls bouncing so much that her hairbow almost falls out, "C'mon Mommy!" She reaches her hand out for Soarynn and Soarynn has to actively contain her smile when she takes Celeste's small hand. "I'm coming," she tells her, making sure that Caspian isn't left behind but he's being quite independent right now, walking by himself, batting away any hands that are offered to him.

Coriolanus joins them, taking Ceraphina's hand as they climb up all the steps and Caspian does, eventually, ask to be carried. "The children will come with me so you two can make a separate entrance," Eudora explains, "we'll make sure all the guests are seated, make a toast," she nods at Coriolanus, "then the food will be served."

"When's the cake gonna come out?" Ceraphina asks, the rest of Eudora's plans going in one ear and out the other which nearly sends Eudora into a spiral. "After we dance sweetheart," Soarynn quickly answers, saving Ceraphina from getting a short lecture about listening to adults. Eudora's eye twitches but there's no time to waste, "Right, now come along children, time to find our seats."

The girls follow Eudora without question but Caspian seems more reluctant once he's set back down on his own two feet, "Momma come," he says, tugging on Soarynn's dress. She gives him a sad smile, "I'll be right behind you sweet boy, I promise. Go follow your sisters so we can see each other sooner."

Perhaps it's because he has Lenny in his other hand and his lion always manages to offer him some strength but Caspian reluctantly follows his sisters back into the ballroom, the Preps right after him, leaving Soarynn and Coriolanus alone once again.

Coriolanus wastes no time in wrapping an arm around Soarynn, pulling her against him and pressing a kiss to her cheek, "Have I told you how radiant you look today darling? The sun might as well stop shining since we have you around to light up the room."

Soarynn giggles at his shameless flirting, he's always been so charming, so effortless in knowing what to say. She rests her hands on his chest, feeling the rich fabric of his suit between her fingers, "You're really buttering me up aren't you Coryo?" He doesn't even seem ashamed and he pulls her in a little closer until only a few inches stand between their faces, "Well I already know for a fact that you taste delicious," he says quietly, his piercing blue eyes reflecting a deep desire that she's not entirely familiar with yet.

Soarynn feels her entire face turning pink with embarrassment, how can he say such things with so much confidence?

Coriolanus only chuckles when he sees her face and presses a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, a kiss that's patient and not at all lustful. Soarynn sighs into the kiss, giving into her husband's needs wholeheartedly. After all, she did vow to always be there for him no matter what.

When they pull away, she's breathless and it's not from the cold, "Celeste called me 'Mommy' a moment ago," she whispers, her lips stretching into a big smile unable to contain her excitement, "I didn't think the children would start so soon."

Coriolanus wears a proud expression on his face and kisses her forehead before loosening his grip on her waist, allowing for more distance to be put between them. "Well, Caspian has thought of you as his mother since the day you walked through the front door so I'm not surprised at all. Ceraphina will warm up to it once she hears her siblings using it, she remembers the most out of all of them."

Soarynn nods, he's right, of course, she does. Ceraphina is the oldest and therefore spent the most time with Livia before she passed, even if those moments weren't happy ones, she still remembers her mother.

It’s just such an exciting sign of progress for the children who have been forced to deal with grief at such a young age. Soarynn could barely pull herself together when her own father passed away and she was well into young adulthood. She supposes that it’s simply the life one must live when their father is the President of Panem, faced with challenges most children could never imagine.

But they've done exceedingly well so far in her opinion, never acting out in public, only getting into silly, minor arguments. They're angels really.

Angels that are now her angels and Soarynn will never take that for granted.

| Part 12. |

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{ Part 13. )

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