Melting Ice

Chapter 29

2 years later

I flick through the photo album containing pictures from many different milestones in Cato and I life: birthdays, dates, the reaping, the Capitol, modelling, the arena, us as victors, me pregnant with Brianna, bringing Brianna home for the first time, all the drama from the Quater quell, district 13, Kayla and Xander, district 4 with all our friends, leaving 13 last year, moving back into district 2, more birthdays and soon pictures from today will be added.

Today goes under "One of the biggest days of my life" as Cato and I are graduating. When we moved back to district 2, the capitol provided us with education, filling us in with all those years missed and it has been a tough year trying to take loads of test, training and of course having a family but it's nothing compared to the past. Carla,her parents, Finnick and Annie have travelled down for today which is great since we have a lot to catch up on.

Cane and Isabelle have both found love. Iz is still with Jay and they are very happy together, sometimes she mentions getting married or staring a family. Cane and Carla really hit it off, despite the 2 year age gap, tlast time she visited. They have been writing to each other a lot and trying to meet up. As for Cato and I, we aren't married and I'm not getting any clues. Surely we will end up married considering we are trying for our second child soon but this time we will do it right.

"You ready beautiful?", asks Cato leaning on the doorway. Quickly, I slam shut the album although it's nothing to hide, "I have got Poppy ready on her lead". Miraculously, Poppy survived everything and has been nursed back to health.

"I'm ready", I say taking his hand. He looks so perfect, in his tuxedo under the navy blue gown whereas I look okay in a black dress and gown over the top, nothing special.

The graduation takes place outside in a meadow next to the school. From afar, I spot Carla with Cane and run over to them, dragging Cato behind me.

"Carla!", I squeal running to hug her tightly, maybe shoving Cane a bit.

"Clove!", she cries embracing me, "I have missed you so damn much!".

"I'm so happy your moving back!", I say. Yay! Since restrictions have been removed, it is legal for anyone to travel to districts but the Capitol is only for honers. Cato and I are allowed in though. Carla is moving in with Cane in a house not far away which will be amazing!

"I'm so proud of you Clover", says Cane hugging me gently, "Knock them dead".

"Oh I will", I joke, hugging them once more before joining my fellow classmates up on stage.

The teachers start off by saying what a honer it has been teaching us bla bla bla, the usual. Then Cato and I are called up to give a speech. I nervously look at him as we join together at the podium.

"We have come far", Cato begins, "From our first day, our shaking hands, our nerves controlling our body".

"To where we stand now, as one", I say looking at my mother crying in the front row with Cato's mother, "Each one of us have different plans for the future", I look at Cato reassuringly, "Some...far, some closer. I have chosen modelling and training in district 2".

"No matter where we are, we will never be apart", says Cato squeezing my hand, "We are one, and that is why I have given up my position in the Capitol", he sees the shock in my eyes. Cato is supposed to be training to be a peacekeeper over there, only visiting on weekends, "To be nearer to you", Cato's eyes find me, "Half a mile, to be exact". A tear falls from my eyes as the crowd claps and cheer viciously.

More speeches follow on but I'm not really listening, I'm too busy having a squeezing hand war with Cato. His touch makes my insides tingle, his skin against mine.