The family ties of Lily Juniper Abernathy (book 3)

Chapter 29

Finnick

I tried to hold the gun straight as it trembled in my hands. I had been sent to 2, trained for three months, separated from my family. I'd missed the first time Lily felt the baby kick, and Charlie's first day at school- they were all moments in my life I wasn't going to get back. And, now here I was. I took deep breath of the icy air and exhaled seeing the smoke of my breath in front of my face.

"First night out?"

I turned and nodded slowly at the shadowed figure. I could only see his mouth, the rest of his face shielded by his helmet.

"You ever fired a gun before?" He said

"Not when it's loaded." I whispered

"I have: It's where I got this." He lifted back the sleeve of his coat and showed me the scar across his wrist "Rebellion- I've scars as old as you, and some before that."

I recognized that voice from somewhere "Do I know you?"

The mouth grinned "Last time I saw you, you were on the roof of 13?"

"Gale, right?"

"Yup." He lifted the side of his helmet up and muttered "I've done all this before, it'll be okay."

I could only pray he was right.

Lily

I was attempting sleep but watching Annie pace the floor was putting me even more on edge than I already was. I sighed hard and sat up- I had to face facts- I wasn't sleeping if he wasn't next to me. Annie hadn't spoken all day: until now.

"I'll put the kettle on? Call your mom, being in on her own...." She went quiet and put the kettle on the stove. I knew what she meant, we had some company and she didn't. I called her and she was at the door within minutes.

"I had to sneak around the soldiers, I hope this is legal otherwise you're in trouble?"

I shrugged "I don't know, but me and Annie figured if we were up you must be too?"

She nodded "Yeah, I was."

We slumped onto the sofa.

"Do you want a cup of tea Lily?" Annie said gently as she got there mugs out.

"No, I'm okay, I can't stomach it at the minute."

"OK, milk then?"

"Yup." I sighed

She smiled "Only 2 more months to go Lily?"

I rolled my eyes and my mom and her giggled

"Yeah," I growled "Then those doctors and nurses can leave me the Hell alone."

"They will...Or at least I hope so?" My mom said firmly

"Yeah." I paused and said slowly "I think I'm hungry?"

My mom and Annie started laughing.

"It's not funny?" I said firmly, trying to conceal laughter, taking a plate from the cupboard. The baby took me by surprise when it kicked and the plate smashed on the floor. Annie and my mom ran over.

"Quit freaking out, I'm okay?" I giggled

Charlie's bedroom door opened and he came in clutching his bear. He clambered onto my knee and snuggled close fumbling with my hair

"What's up babe?"

"Is daddy back yet?"

"Not yet."