Chapter Text
“She is fifteen weeks pregnant. There’s more tests that could be done, but we don’t have the equipment at the base.” The medic soldier told Coriolanus Snow.
Coriolanus blinks his eyes a few times. He was trying to understand what he just said. The medic, a man in his thirties, sighs and puts a hand on his right shoulder. Coriolanus looked up at the man, he is not fond of being touched by a stranger, but right now that’s not shocking him the most.
“Look the way I see it, you have two choices. You either acknowledge it or you disown it. It’s not the first time a soldier knocks up some pretty district girls. God knows they are easy on the eyes.” The man said to him with sympathy in his voice.
“But-but can’t we—”
“Ain’t got the tool to get rid of it here. In district two or one maybe, but in twelves I’m lucky I got some morphling for the pain. Well let’s tell the patient, shall we?” He made a gesture to stand up and follow him. Coriolanus wobbles up and follows the medic.
He is still trying to comprehend what he was just told. Lucy Gray had been sick for several weeks. She shrugged it off as a stomach bug and it wouldn’t go away. Coriolanus got worried when she fainted in front of him. Memories of his own self during the war agonizing alone in the snow with a fever, made his whole-body rigid. He was not letting his girl die.
That’s why he arranged for Lucy Gray to see a medic inside the base. It was against protocol per say. But Coriolanus realized quickly upon arriving at district 12 that peacemakers were not against a bit of bribery, especially if it was in their favor. So, he used the best sweet from Ma Plinth package to bribe a few of them to get her inside the base.
The medic didn’t even ask questions about Lucy Gray like it was a daily occurrence for him. He asked her a few questions and then drew blood. Coriolanus was invited inside his office and that’s when he dropped the news on him.
“Miss Baird, come inside.” He said to her.
Lucy Gray stood up from the plastic chair she was sitting on and went inside. Coriolanus put his hand on her back to lead her inside the makeshift office the medic had. This place is barely a broomstick cupboard! There’s only a desk, a chair for the medic and another chair. Coriolanus had to stand by the wall next to Lucy Gray. He is feeling dizzy, but he is trying to keep a calm face, he is Snow. He can’t show weakness in front of strangers.
“You are pregnant, Miss Baird. The mayor gives once every 3 months Capitol relief for single mothers. You should put your name down as soon as possible, the waiting list is quite long. Also, I can recommend to you a midwife and healer for the birth. Miss Baird?” The man looks at Lucy Gray worried.
The natural caramel color of her skin had turned completely gray. She stood up without saying a word and left the room. It took a few moments for Coriolanus' brain to kick back in, he saluted the medic and started to leave the room. The natural thing would be to go after Lucy Gray, wasn’t it?
Then again, he isn’t sure he can leave the base. He is supposed to clean the dining hall with Sejanus. A sudden thought came to him, what if they get rid of the fetus? He remembers learning about it in the Academy.
After all, this will fix all his problems. Sejanus had given him hope when he arrived in district 12. He could become an officer and go back to the Capitol in due time. He can’t become a father at the age of 18! And he is sure that it’s not Lucy Gray's wish either. Coriolanus turns around and asks the medic: “Don’t you have something that can get rid of it?”
The medic stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. He tries to keep his disgusted look to himself. “My boy, we don’t have this medicine in district 12. A healer might have the plant that can induce it, but don’t recommend it. It’s basically taking poison. She will likely bleed out and die if she takes it.”
He gave him a double tap on his shoulder and Coriolanus left the room. Lucy Gray is long gone. He pondered again if he should follow her, but the commanding officer brought him back to his duty. He goes to the hall, takes a broomstick and the bucket of water. He starts to wash the floor while his mind is somewhere else.
Abandoning Lucy Gray is an option, but it somehow doesn’t sit right with him. She is carrying for his child after all, a Snow none of the less! It could be a boy! An heir to his family, yes, the mother doesn’t have the pedigree he thought the mother of his child would, but she isn’t district! She is a covey! But then how can they raise a kid here in district 12? The thought of it turns his stomach over.
She must be scared, Lucy Gray. He didn’t react the best way after all. Coriolanus knows he won’t be able to see her until Saturday when he is off. It’s in three days. Three agonizing days, with only his thoughts. The worst part is that he will miss her. He noticed that the more he is apart from her the more he feels like something is missing.
He should have held her at least. It is in her body that the child is growing. He wonders if she has enough food. Pregnant women need more nutrients. He will put away some of Ma Plinth sweet for her. It’s not very nutritious but at least it’s food. Saturday can’t come quickly enough.
Lucy Gray walks aimlessly into the hob, in hope that the noise of the marketplace will help ground her. Since that medic dropped the news on her, her mind is going 100 per hour. She doesn’t know what she is going to do.
Of course, she knew how babies were made. She is not stupid; she saw more girls get into trouble over the years that she could count on. That’s why she was drinking tea that the healer had given her. It was supposed to protect her. But then again plants can do so much compared to real medicine!
Capitol boy looks shocked. I mean she did leave without a word. She is not expecting much of him. He helps her in the Hunger games and he is clearly infatuated with her. She can’t deny her own feelings. And for the most part she trusted him. But she isn’t blind, she can see that her sweet Capitol boy has some darkness in him. He wants power and he hates that he is in district 12.
Lucy Gray can’t blame him for that. The Convey disliked the district that had forced her into the Hunger Games. Nothing good has happened to them since they arrived here. They never felt at home here, that’s why they live so far away from everybody else closer to nature.
She walks into an alley she knows will bring her to a skillful healer. Maybe there’s a way to remove the fetus cleanly.
“Oh, hello my dear girl, how are you? How is Barb Azure? Is her stomach better?” said the older woman. Lucy Gray, like Edna, an elderly woman with gray hair in a bun. She is shorter than Lucy Gray and walks with the stick. She always spoke her mind and she had always been kind to the Covey contrary to the rest of District 12. She often gave her extra herbs for free.
“She is good. I come for me today.” She said with a smaller voice. The older woman raises her eyebrows and walks toward her. Her shop is small, only a small apothecary armour behind a counter, herbs drying everywhere. It’s always very dark and very warm in the room. Depending on what herbs she is hanging the smell can be quite strong.
Today it’s not so bad. Lucy Gray can tolerate it but she realizes now that the reason the strong smell is making nauseous lately it’s probably because of the fetus in her stomach. The older woman took both her hands into hers and squeezed them warmly.
“How long?” said Edna knowingly.
“About fifteen weeks.” She said looking down. The older woman put a hand on her right cheek. It felt very warm and raised her head. Lucy Gray saw compassion in her eyes and tears came to her eyes. She tried to keep it together in front of Coryo and the Peacemaker, but she can’t hold it anymore. She burst into tears and the older woman hugged her.
She pats her back gently and Lucy Gray cries her heart out. The truth is that she is scared out of her mind. Raising a child on her own, she doesn’t know if she has it into her. The Covey would try their best to help her, but she will only bring another burden to them.
Lucy Gray separated herself from the older woman. The woman brushes the last tears from her eyes. “Let’s take some tea you and I. '' She said to her gently. Both women walk past the counter and behind curtains made of beads. In the backroom Lucy Gray sees boxes and a round table with two chairs. She knows the older woman is into tarot cards.
It’s not an activity sanctioned by the Panem government but even Peacemakers come to get their fortune read by her. Edna is famous for her accurate reading. The older woman is busy making tea, while Lucy Gray is getting her composure back. She survives the Hunger Games, she can survive this.
Edna put two cups on the small table and poured tea for them. She sat down, she added some sugar made from sweet potatoes into her own cup. Lucy Gray sip her tea slowly so as not to burn herself. She recognizes the tea as floral herbal tea.
“The father?” Edna asks.
“He is a cadet. A peacemaker.” She said to her. The older woman nods her head. She pulls out her cards and starts to place them to do a reading.
Lucy Gray believes in reading fortune in general, but she always avoids it. She doesn’t like the idea of knowing the future. She prefers to live the moment and let the current bring her where she is supposed to be. But she knows better than to argue with Edna.
Edna taps the table gently indicating to Lucy Gray to choose a card. Without any hesitation she picks one. The card pick is “The Lovers”. Lucy Gray is asked to pull two more cards, she picks “Ten of swords” and “The star”. She waited patiently for the older woman to decipher it.
“Well, this is a complicated fortune my child. It seems your fate will depend on a choice.” She said to her
“A choice?” She asks.
“Yes, mostly from his part. If he chooses wisely, I see hope in your future of a better life. But depending on his choice, your survival will be easier or more difficult.” Edna said.
“So, it’s more his choice than mine?” This rubs Lucy Gray the wrong way. She doesn’t like the idea that someone would control her, let alone a man!
“Yes and no my child. I see the control being passed to one and another. You seem to both have a strong character. Maybe I should do a reading of the father as well.” Edna said thinking.
“That won’t be necessary. I came here because I’m hoping to get some herbs from you.” She said. The older woman nods her head no.
“My child, I can give you something, but there’s a higher chance that you lose your life in the process. If it was sooner, it would have been less risky but now…”.
Lucy Gray knew when Edna asked her to drink tea and read her future that hope was faint. But she still believes that maybe there was a solution to her problem. So she is going to be a mother, there is no escaping that.
“What’s his name? Date of birth?” said Edna.
“Coriolanus Snow, I don’t know when he was born. I know he is 18.” She said still shocked by the news she just got from Edna. She sees Edna mix her card again and pull 3 cards.
“Hummm that is one interesting fate that one has.” She said. This picks up Lucy Gray curiosity.
“In what way ?”
“This lover card, it means choice, but love has well, this Strength card means power and this the Three of Swords it means pain. That boy is destined for power but depending on the choices he make, there’s going to be pain or not.” She said with a darker tone.
“Pain for him?” Lucy Gray said with worry. Edna nods her head no.
“For all of us. It seems if that boy shuts down love from his life we will all suffer. But he is destined for great things for sure. We should wait and see, but if he lends you his hands you should take it.” She said.
“For my future and the child?” Lucy Gray asks.
“No for all of our sake.” Edna said, squeezing her hands.
Edna gave her different powder to help her with her pregnancy and let her go. She made her promise to come back to see her in a week. Edna will ask a midwife to look after Lucy Gray.
On her way to her house, she shares with the covey, she ponders on what Edna had said. She is not one to dismiss fate. Coryo and her have been pulled together from the moment her name was called for the Hunger Games. It seems fate wants them together. Now, she wonders if Coryo would agree to that.
She smirks to herself, there’s no way Capitol boy decided to take care of her and the baby. They would be alone, while he would rise to the top. Lucy Gray doesn’t know much about her “boy” but one thing she is sure of, he doesn’t belong in the district. He longs to go back to the place he believes he is own, the Capitol. He won’t choose love, that Lucy Gray is certain of it.
A wet rag hit his face and pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked around to see who had thrown him the dirty object. He sees Sejanus looking at him with his dumb smile.
“Coryo where are you man? You have been out of it for days!” said the man who thought they were friends. Coryo despises everything about Sejanus, especially the fact that he is rich. He chose to come here in this dirty district. He had to look friendly for the man, he is still useful to him.
“I have a lot on my mind.” He said picking up the rag from the floor.
“It’s the exam? I'm sure you nailed it. I still can’t believe you forced me to take it. I don’t think I passed it. I mean I know you help me revise but man the military stuff was so hard!” He said coming to his side and putting his hand on his left shoulder. Coriolanus tries to not look offended by the gesture.
“That’s not what it is about.” He said, pushing him away.
“Is it your family? Cause my family—”
“No! It’s not that!” He said a bit louder than he wanted. He doesn’t want anyone to know that his family has lost their apartment and are now living in a poorer district of the Capitol. He is humiliated enough to be here washing the floor, Sejanus doesn’t have more to add to his list of problems.
He is still thinking about his situation with Lucy Gray. No matter which way he takes the problem, he doesn’t find a satisfactory solution.
“Plinth, Snow ! The captain is waiting for you in his office.” Said a fellow Peacemaker. They both salute the man and walk toward the captain's office.
“What did you do?” said Coriolanus under his breath.
“Nothing. I swear.” Said Sejanus to him. He sees that his “friend” is worried. He must have lied to him. He didn’t watch him as he used to. He was too busy with Lucy Gray to notice him.
What if he is accused of conspiring with the rebels! What will happen to Lucy Gray? Will they execute her too?
After all, the mayor's daughter hates her. She can tell her asshole father that Lucy Gray is working with them! His woman and child would die! They were all going to die in this hell of a place because stupid Sejanus idea of equity!
Coriolanus knocks on the captain's door. He waits for the man to tell them to enter. Once he heard his voice, he turned the doorknobs and entered the room. Coriolanus' heart is beating so fast in his chest. He barely realizes that he salutes his commanding officer.
“Congratulations to the both of you.” Said the man.
It takes a moment for both Sejanus and Coriolanus to move. Did he hear properly, he is giving congratulations?
“Sir?” said Sejanus.
“You have both been accepted into the officer academy. It’s a first for this base to get two young recruits to go to the Academy. But I suppose your background is different from most of our men. Especially you Snow, you are General Crassus Snow boy?” said the captain, a man in his late forties.
“Yes, sir.” Coriolanus' answer. He keeps his emotions under his sleeves. He doesn’t want the captain to realize how relieved he feels inside.
“Good. You both live for the academy in a month. A hovercraft will come to pick you up. Dismiss.” He said and they both exited the office.
Sejanus taps Coriolanus on the shoulder. Both smiled relieved that it’s good news. They walk back to their dormitory. Sejanus is excited to go back to his home district.
“I thought you wouldn’t be welcome there.” Coriolanus asks Sejanus. Sejanus sat on his bed and looked at him.
“Still. It’s my home. Besides, we will be in school most of our time. I doubt I have much time to see them. You must be relieved I won’t cause trouble to you anymore. If I train to be a doctor.” He said half-joking. Coriolanus smirks at him.
It’s indeed a relief to him to know that Sejanus is going to be away from the temptation. Sejanus' family will be more than grateful to him. He might get something more from them. Well, the first time he met Sejanus' father it didn’t go as he expected. But this time surely would be different!
“Oh, I should ask father if we can have logging outside the academy dormitory. I remember reading in the application that if we had money we could live outside. At least, if you want.” He said to him almost shyly.
Coriolanus thought it’s a great idea. District 2 is supposed to be more rich and Sejanus' father will want his son to look rich. He will get them something much more comfortable than the academy dormitory.
“That would be nice. But I don’t think I can afford—”
“Don’t worry about that. Father is going to be so happy that he will give us the money to live. Oh! What are you going to do about Lucy Gray? Won’t you miss her?” Sejanus looked at him.
Lucy Gray! For a moment, he forgot about the problem he was running into his mind for several days! Is he really going to leave her here without doing anything? Leave his child behind? If he left her behind and if they survive they could be reap…Or she could die in childbirth …The memory of his mother dying in a pool of blood made him dizzy. He lost balance and had to sit on his bed.
“Coryo what’s wrong?” said Sejanus worried.
“I don’t know what to do. I—She’s pregnant.” He let out a small voice. Hoping to not be heard but at the same time hoping to have help. After all, Coriolanus is just a teenager. He might try to act older than he was, but he is 18 years old.
Sejanus said nothing for a while and the silence is feeling too heavy for Coriolanus. He feels like he is suffocating. He felt this way once before, when he just arrived here when he thought his life was over.
In a low voice Sejanus said:” And you are sure, you are the father?”
Coriolanus lifts his head and looks at him angry. The thought it wasn’t his child never occurred to him. He could have blamed Billy Taupe and been done with it. But he trusted Lucy Gray, maybe he shouldn’t but he does.
“Yes. I’m sure.” He said, angry.
“Ok, ok. I’m just checking. Well then just marry her.” Said Sejanus like it was something mundane as asking for the weather.
“Marrying?” He said looking at him like he had lost his mind.
“Yeah. If she is your wife, she becomes a Capitol citizen by default, your kid too. That way she can come with you into District 2. They have a real hospital there. And that protects the child to be reap in the Hunger Games. Even if you divorce one day, she will remain a Capitol citizen because her child will be one. It’s a sweet deal if you think about it.” He said to him.
That didn’t even occur to him to marry her. He was so worried about her dying in childbirth or that he would have to stay in district 12 that he forgot to be logical. But Sejanus is right. This is a perfect solution, she will become his wife. It’s a lot earlier than when he thought he would be married. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
They do make a great team and isn’t what marriage was about? She would make a great first lady one day. She sure knew how to please a crowd. She is beautiful even by Capitol standard and she is not really district. She is a Covey. She will just need to learn the proper way of the Capitol. But he knows she is smart. She is a survivor like him. She will adapt. But now will she leave District 12 and her so-called family?
“Coryo, just ask her to marry you, ok? Don’t think like the survival of the species depends on it! You just need a proper ring.” Sejanus said.
“I thought you would be more romantic.” He said to his friend's surprise. He shrugs his shoulders.
“Love is a pretty concept. But I was never exposed to it. My parents have a partnership, I think that’s what most marriages are about. You clearly show you can work together well.” He said to him.
“I don’t have any money to buy something proper.” He said a bit humiliated.
“That I can help with. So, cheer up my friend!” He said.
Coriolanus is relieved he has a good plan now. He just needs Lucy Gray to accept it. There’s always a possibility she will say no. But he will worry about that later. Sejanus had agreed to ask his father for a place to live for him and his future new family. They will go buy a ring in the Hob, the black market that exists in the district Saturday. He will then go to see Lucy Gray sing. He is sure she wouldn’t cancel her show. That angered him, with all the drunken men there that could hurt her and his child.
When she is going to live in district 2 with him, he will keep her away. Close to him and safe. She is his songbird. Coriolanus Snow protected his people, he always did. Yes, this was a good plan, he is sure of it. Let’s hope she agrees with it.
“Great show tonight, Lucy Gray. Are you coming?” said to her, Tam Amber. She nods her head no.
“No, you go home guys. I have someone to meet.” She said to him with a smile.
She noticed him while she was playing tonight. He was at his usual spot at the back against a wall. She could feel his eyes on her the whole time. Lucy Gray is a professional entertainer, she didn’t let it get to her. She sang as usual and played with the crowd. They loved her, she just was more tired these days due to her pregnancy.
She has yet to reveal the information to the rest of her Covey family about her situation. No, she is waiting for an answer. What the old Edna had told her kept popping into her mind. She tried to put it into a song as her usual way to cope with something, but it didn't work. She had concluded that the music would come to her once she saw him, her Capitol boy.
Here he was tonight, gorgeous as always, brooding in the corner of this old metal factory that they made as an underground club. A knock on the door frame pushes her out of her reverie. She turns around and smiles at him.
“Hello, Coriolanus Snow. I was waiting for you.” She said with her voice full of honey. He walked to her and did something she didn’t expect. He kneels in front of her. He took her left hand and kissed her knuckle. He lifts his head and smiles at her. When he smiles at her like that, she always feels her heart race. He always looks at her like she is the universe to him. Barb Azure had said to her to be careful with him that once his infatuation passed, he would forget her. But it's now clearly too late. Lucy Gray knows in her heart that she is falling hard for this orphan boy.
“I miss you.” She whispers to him. He nods at her answer; she knows it meant he did too.
“Marry me, Lucy Gray Baird.” He said to her. She had not been expecting that at all. Coriolanus Snow asking for her hands was the last thing she thought would happen tonight. Edna told her to grab his hands if he gave it to her. Was it the sign? She looks into his eyes and sees that he is sincere with her.
“I will.” She answers quietly. He looks surprised by her answer. But he is clearly happy, a broad smile on his face. He takes something out of his pocket and puts something on her ring finger. She looks at it and it's a silver band with flowers carved into it. They look like roses.
“There was not a lot of choice…One day might get—”
“It’s perfect.” She said and pulled him into a hug. His body feels warm against her own. They separated and Coyro kissed her. It’s gentle at first. But soon the fire ignites in her belly, and she feels the same pull she feels every time they kiss. Their kiss becomes heated, tongue battling for dominance. She moans into his mouth, and he pulls her closer. His hands slide onto her back to grab her ass. She falls out of the chair she is sitting into his lap straddling him on the floor. She can feel the effect she still has on him; she can feel how hard he is through his pants. She decides to tease him by rolling her hips. She heard him growl and that made her giggle.
“You are going to be the death of me, my little songbird.” He said to her between kisses. Like his brain had started to function again, he broke the kiss.
“Lucy Gray, we need to talk.” He said, trying to get away from him. Lucy Gray only wanted to continue what they are doing. But he stops her, and he looks serious.
“Please.” He said and she stopped moving. She stays still on his lap. Which is very difficult since they are both horny as hell. Coryo helped her up and she sat back on her chair. He looked for another and brought it back to her.
She looks at her work. While they were making out, she had been able to remove his shirt from his pants. His lips were swollen from the kisses. She expects she does look any better. She will have to tie herself up before she goes back home.
“I was accepted at the officer academy. It’s in district 2. We are going by the end of the month.” He said to her seriously. So, it was going to be a distant relationship? She is not sure to understand.
“Ok.” She simply said.
“You need to be ready when I come to get you. Hovercraft won’t wait for us if we are not there on time. Sejanus father got us a place to leave—”
“Wait, you want me to go with you? In District 2?” She said.
“Yes. I thought about it and this is the best way to protect you and the baby. They have medicine in district 2, you will be able to deliver safely.” He said. He sounded worried when we said deliver.
“If they have medicine, can’t they remove it then?” She asks. It is possible if they have a real hospital.
“Don’t you want to keep it?” He sounds a bit defensive at that. She took his hands in hers.
“I thought that’s what you would want, Capitol boy. Won’t it be a problem for your future if you bring an underage wife with a child with you?” Lucy Gray is testing him; depending on his answer she may change her answer.
“I thought about it. And I think we are well suited to one another. And I always plan to have children so that my house wouldn’t go extinct. It’s just a little earlier.” He said to her. He had a good answer for now. But let's see how he is going to answer now. Spiritually Lucy Gray had accepted the child as her own already. Her mind was made to keep it. She needs to see if he feels the same.
“What about the fact, I’m not from the Capitol?” She said.
“You are not a District.” He said to her firmly. She had noticed that he had prejudice against the people in the district. Suspect his upbringing and the war was the cause of it. Coryo is like her, a victim of the war. Her family never took a stand about the war. They were just caught by the crossfire. He was too young when it happened to even have a position of his own. She understood he hated the person that took his mother and father.
Lucy Gray is satisfied by his answer. She is a survivor after all. She will miss her family dearly but not the district. This place had only brought her pain. And if she left with Coryo her life would be much better. He is controlling and she saw that. She will have to play him so he gives her some slack, but she could work with that.
“Ok. I guess time is of the essence. When do you want to do that?” She said to him.
“Next week, Saturday. We will have to sign the paper for city hall and then it will be done. I will submit your papers for your Capitol citizenship right after. Sejanus says he knows a way to get them fast.” He said.
“Covey, we do a little feast for the wedding. I really wish to at least have that. We could do it in the meadow close to our house. Only my family and Sejanus?” She asks him to plead with her eyes. He nods his head yes.
“I have to go. If I’m late for the curfew it’s going to be a problem.” He said to her standing up.
“See you next Saturday, Coryo.” She said as sweetly as she could. And like that he is gone. Married? Citizenship? This turnout was better than she thought it would. Her Capitol boy is more responsible than she thought. She knows he took care of his family, but she never thought this would extend to her.
Later that night when Maude Ivory was asleep she told Tam Amber and Barb Azure. Both knew that Coryo had saved her in the Hunger Games and were grateful for it. But she always felt that her brother and sister didn’t like him very much.
“There’s darkness in him. You sure are my sweet?” said Barb Azure. She nods her head yes. She doesn’t like to be separated from them. But now that she thinks about it, if the baby is Capitol he can’t be reap. Coriolanus Snow is going to be an officer he should have steady pay. Plus he was friends with that Sejanus boy. He has money so the child won’t miss a meal at least. She doesn’t feel bad about taking advantage of Sejanus.
His idealistic view of the world is going to get himself killed. It shows he never had a belly empty. He never felt hunger. That’s why Lucy Gray feels it is more than ok to take advantage of him. She suspects that Coryo feels the same.
Maybe in time, when Coriolanus gets more power, she will be able to send money home to her family. Having another mouth to feed is not reasonable and she knows that childbirth is difficult. She didn’t survive the Hunger Games to die young.
“I get what you are saying. I know it but he won’t hurt me. Not now that he considers me his.” She said the last part under her breath to not worry her family anymore that they needed too.
The week passed relatively fast. She kept herself busy cleaning her living quarters and preparing her bag to go. She quickly realizes that beside her guitar and few clothes she doesn’t have a lot of possessions to bring with her.
Maude Ivory was inconsolable. Lucy Gray did her best to tell her, she will write often, and this is not goodbye forever. That one day she will meet them again, even though the chances of that were tine. It really made her sad to leave her family behind but at least this time she could say goodbye properly.
Lucy Gray in the middle of the week went to see Edna. Like she was a seer the old woman said to her she knew she would come that day. She smiles at that; she will miss her. Edna was pleased that Lucy Gray was getting married. She keeps reminding her that the cards never lied.
“But be careful. You are marrying a snake. It’s up to you to charm him properly.” She said to her. But she quickly adds that she was sure she could do it.
The were lucky the week had been a rainy one but on Friday morning the rain finally stop. The Covey were able to decorate the meadow for the feast they had prepared for the day after. Sejanus had brought the meat he bought at the black market. A proper chicken, Barb Azure took care of it, they found potatoes in a nearby field.
“Here, my mother and Coryo cousin made these for you. It’s not much but I hope you like it.” Said Sejanus
Lucy Gray opened the package. In it she saw a pretty veil made of laces and 4 dresses. One could be used for a wedding. It’s an ivory dress that goes to her feet. The shoulders were slightly exposed and she could see embroideries of birds and flowers on it. This will do nicely. The other 3 dresses were quite elegant but at the same time simple. Coryo's cousin sure had taste and talent.
Maude Ivory helps her get ready. The younger girl braids her hair and puts flowers in them. They fix the veil on the back of her hair. Lucy Gray decided to do little makeup for the occasion.
She doesn’t have a grand mirror but from what she can see she looks pretty and demure. She is pretty sure Capitol boys will like it. He doesn’t seem fond of the heavy makeup she wears on stage. He prefers her look more natural. She actually prefers a more natural look as well. But one can’t be a beggar when they have to feed a family.
Coryo comes to pick her up a few hours later. He is wearing his formal military uniform. Lucy Gray doesn’t like the uniform in general, but she can’t deny that Capitol boy look good in it. She does miss his curls; she hopes he can grow his hair out again once he is an officer.
“You look breathtaking.” He said to her with wonder in his eyes. She smiles at him, and they walk to the City Hall.
City Hall doesn’t have a lot of great memories for her. But it’s the only way to get married. They are received by an unpleasant woman. Who asks them if they have all the papers. Coriolanus pulled them out of his jacket. The woman looks at it and says everything is in order. They need to go to another room to get it approved.
Coriolanus looks tense. He is sweating, it’s making Lucy Gray nervous. Is he regretting it?
“Coriolanus Snow, Lucy Gray Baird?” said a man.
Her husband to be, jumps out of his chair but he still helps her stand and they walk toward an office. When they enter the office, she can sense that the man in front of them is hostile. She gets why Coryo is tense. He is worried that he won’t let them marry. Of course, she is on the mayor's turf.
Coryo and her had not been very discreet with their relationship. They didn’t kiss or hold hands in public. But he went to her concert, he went backstage, and people saw him go to Covey house. Plus, Billy Taupe, her former boyfriend, had seen him there. The bitch of a daughter Mayfair is probably behind this.
“Is there a problem sir?” She said when the man in charge doesn’t do anything. After all, he only has to put a stamp on the paper and their wedding will be approved.
“You are not Capitol, it takes more time.” He said sternly.
“Everything is in order sir.” Said Coriolanus with panic in his voice. She put her hands on his to reassure him.
“You are Clifford Amos, right?” She asks with a big smile. Coryo looks at her and she smiles at him. The man nods his head.
“The same one who slept with the captain's wife on his birthday banquet?” She said look at him with innocent eyes. The man in front of her looked up in panic. She sees terror in his facer. Good, he should be.
“Look. All I want is to get out of the district, the way I see it, it’s a win-win for everyone. The mayor's daughter doesn’t have me around anymore and your little secret disappears.” She said with a slightly menacing tone coat with honey. People are easy to manipulate; you only need to know their weakness. And that’s easy to find when there’s alcohol and you are on a stage with a view everywhere.
Of course, it’s also dangerous to know so many secrets. But Lucy Gray has learned young when to spill it. Coriolanus looked at her in wonder. She smiles at him.
The employee put his stamp on their marriage license and finally signed it. Lucy Gray thanked him, and they went on their way. When they are far enough from people. Coryo pulls her into a kiss.
“You are amazing.” He said to her his forehead against her.
“It’s all in the charm, sugar.” She said to him with a smile.
When they arrived at the meadow, the Covey and Sejanus threw them rice and yelled congratulations. The evening is very pleasant and even her brooding new husband seems to be happy. He sadly couldn’t stay with her that night and it wouldn’t be very intimate with the other members of her family anyway. The honeymoon will have to wait once they are in district 2. Sejanus got them their own place. Lucy Gray can’t wait to be alone with Coryo once again.
“Goodnight Ms.Snow.”Coryo said to her, kissing her less sweetly than he intended.
“Goodnight husband.” She said, kissing him back.
In a few weeks she will leave for her new life. She caresses her belly as she watches her husband disappear into the horizon.
“Be strong, Lucy Gray, be strong.”
After all, she was only beginning taming, her pretty snake. She, after all, always had a knack for them.