The Fire Inside

Amoret

As promised, a longer chapter for y'all.

...

The rest of the ride was them all talking and asking simple questions, and it helped Mor warm up to them all. After about a half an hour, the limousine pulled into a drive filled to the brim with photographers. There were cameras every year for the ceremony, but after the announcement with Kova's return, double the amount had come to cover the footage, even if it was just a glimpse of her passing by.

When Mor saw the number of people, she involuntarily shrank back. "It's alright, Kova," her mother soothed, but it didn't do much. "It's okay. Do you see that house at the end of the drive?" She pointed to the end of the gravel road. "We're going to go into the house and then no one will bother you. We'll meet the rest of our family in the house or on the tree farm." The car stopped and the building seemed like it was twenty yards away. "You can do this. We'll be right with you the whole time, I promise."

The boys climbed out first, and the open door let in the sounds of shouting following the flashes of cameras. Mor shook her head, looking at her mother. Camille closed the door to block out the noise and took her daughter's head in her hands. Mor stiffened for half a second before relaxing into the hold.

"I know you're scared. And I know this is all new to you. I don't know how to make it better, but your dad and I," she looked at Finnick, "are always going to be here for you. We know you've suffered, and that is a wound that will take time to heal. And that worst part is-" tears formed in Camille's eyes as she continued "-that I don't know how to help you.

"But what I can do," Camille brushed the hair away from her daughter's face, "is be there for you, love you, trust you, and help you in whatever way I can. So that means, love, that when we step outside of this limo, Dad and I are going to protect you from the pushy photographers, not leave your side, and keep you strong through this. Alright?" Kova nodded, and Camille hugged her tightly. "Okay."

"Ready?" Finnick looked at his wife, stroking Kova's hair.

"Ready."

She pushed open the door, and Camille climbed out first, helping Mor out before Finnick climbed out behind the two. The couple set a fast pace, getting to the house quickly with their daughter in between them, who was more focused on looking at her feet than she was looking at the cameras.

After two minutes, Mor's mother opened the door to the house and they all went inside, Finnick shutting the door behind them. Mor was shaking, the anxiety from all the people watching her being too much. After the door was locked and the sound died down, Camille kneeled down in front of her daughter. "Hey, you did so well." She kissed Mor's cheek. "I'm so proud of you."

Finnick brushed the hair from Kova's face. "We both are."

Mor relaxed in their holds and looked over to find Damien and Dylan pretending not to pay attention, whereas Thomas was staring directly at her. "Hi," he said again.

Camille and Finnick laughed, Damien and Dylan made fun of Thomas, and even Mor couldn't help but smile. Camille looked back at her. "There's that smile I love so much." She kissed her daughter's cheek. Mor rubbed her neck but accepted the praise. Before the past week, it didn't come too often.

"Did I hear my favorite sister-in-law?" A booming voice sounded from the other room, causing Mor to jump. A tall man with brown hair and hazel eyes walked into the room from the hall.

"Bran, I'm your only sister-in-law, but whatever." Camille stood up and walked over to hug him, patting him on the back. He kissed her cheek in a friendly way. "How've you been? How's Ulsaine?"