Reprisal

CHAPTER NINETEEN

     Livia Snow watches solemnly as her husband hands off his bag to Philo, his blue eyes meeting hers once they're left alone in her bedroom at her mother's house.

Sitting up on the plush mattress, legs crossed underneath her, fingers nervously wringing at the floral comforter. . .

"It will only be for a little over a week, Darling." He assures her, hands in his pockets as he slowly steps closer to her. "I'll be back before you know it." It's added with his finger tips grazing her chin, a sweet smile spreading across his lips.

Her face is more painful today, bruised more than it was the night of the incident.

He wants to wince each time she has to move her mouth, knowing she's in pain.

Livia doesn't try to speak, just as she hadn't the last three days since losing so many teeth.

So, she nods.

Kissing the top of her hair while reminding her, "I love you," he leans down and kisses her pregnant stomach, "Goodbye, dear."

Again, she nods, not wanting to try to speak.

Not wanting him to see how horrid she looks now when she speaks.

Truth be told she doesn't mind not speaking to him at the moment, anyway.

Frustrated and hurt that he would leave her side now of all times.

She tries not to let it hurt her feelings or bother her too badly as he shuts the door behind as while he goes, a few stray tears trickle down her swollen cheek.

Philo and Snow arrive at the train station after Tawny, her father already handing her bags off to the luggage attendant as the two men step onto the platform.

Snow grows frigid when unwanted memories slip through the seams of his mind, his lip threatening to curl with its intrusion.

"You have everything you need, right?" Tiberius asks his daughter, clearly worried senseless about her traveling to the Districts.

"Yes, I do." She tells him, a small smile coming to her lips before she's hugging him tightly. "I'll be perfectly fine, dad. We'll have security at each stop, and we won't be mixed with the public at all. These are merely discussions with Mayors and whatnot." It does little to ease his concern, but he nods, kissing her cheek.

"I love you," he says, next, to which she replies, "I love you, too. I'll see you in a week."

"See you in a week." He mumbles as she and Philo head toward the train cart, leaving Snow and Tiberius. "Keep an eye on her." He adds to him. "They have yet to release Dr. Pinnacle. She's getting more and more frantic over it as the days pass. . .I took her cigarettes out of her bag but I'm sure she has more somewhere. If you see her with one please take it. She's been smoking quite a bit more recently, and was coughing and hacking yesterday morning." He continues, his words bringing a slight furrow to Snow's brows. "My father died with a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his lungs. Volumnia said it was more than likely because he smoked so much. . .me and Mini have lost so much already between our boys and our granddaughter. . .if anything were to happen to our Tawny Owl, they'd have to put us down like mad dogs." Tiberius explains, honestly.

Snow nods, assuring him, "I'll take care of her, sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Snow." He pats his shoulder, turning to go, but stops himself to say, "I appreciate what you said at that debate. So many people suffered just as much here as we were in the Districts. Thank you for reminding certain people of that."

Snow accepts his compliment from someone he actually respects, saying, "I'm glad I could do so, sir."

With one last smile and nod from Tiberius, he's leaving the platform.