In Town

"Oh now you wanna talk? After 15 fucking years? Yeah, fat fucking chance. You can piss off. I've been fine without you all this time, don't want to screw that up now."

"I can't say that I blame you for being pissed so...if you don't want to talk right now then so be it. But I'm here now and by god I'm not going anywhere."

"I couldn't give two shits less okay? I don't want to talk to you now, or ever. I can't think of one fucking excuse that makes sense as to why you never came back around. Other than you're just a piece of shit and I've done what I can to eliminate those people from my life. So like I said, you can piss off. I'm getting married today, and not even you can ruin that. You're not invited by the way, just in case you were wondering."

"I see." I sighed. "Well, congratulations. She really seems like a good woman." I said an turned to walk away. He deserved to pissed and angry, I understood. I really did. Hell, I was even angry with myself. More than he'd probably ever know.

I'd heard what he said - hell we all had - and sighed as I walked up to them. "Quin you don't mean that. He couldn't come back. I know you're angry, and you have every right to be, but you have to understand that."



"I don't have to understand a damn thing Mom. He didn't come back. That's all I need to know. I don't even want to get into why you never told me, but I'm sure if he'd come back even once, you would have."



"Quin he couldn't, they threatened your life. He was trying to protect you. You think I wasn't angry about it too? I was angry for a long time. But I understand now."



"Well good for you. I don't. And I don't have to have anything to do with him if I don't want to. He's not had anything to do with me, so I'm just returning the favor. He could've come back. He just didn't want to. The Capitol's threats never stopped Brayden. He came back any chance he could. He was a father to his kids. That asshole there just couldn't be bothered with the one he left behind."

I was glaring now too but I couldn't exactly lose my shit with the kids around so I turned to Quin "Come on, Q. Let's go find a clearing for your ceremony."

I didn't say anything just turned and walked away. I couldn't deal with this shit right now, not today.



"I knew it was gonna be bad but... for some reason I didn't think it would be... quite that bad. I'm sorry Parker."

I shrugged "It's fine, Selma. I didn't expect him to be happy to see me or welcome me with open arms."


The three of us walked out a short distance and came up on the clearing "Ethan cleared out this spot awhile back while he was building the school for Megan. This would be the perfect spot."

"I know. He'll... he'll come around." I hoped. "I have to go. I have to help Aurora get ready."



"It's nice. I think Aurora will like it. It's got... wild flowers and shit."

"You girls have fun, I'll see you around." I told her wan walked away.


"Yeah, I think so too. Girls like the fragrance and other garbage."

"Yeah they do. It's not too much though, so that's good. She's not too into the frilly shit."

"Probably because they really haven't had any reason to get dolled up in awhile. Timber was happy for some girl time, I could tell."


"Katy too. I kind of feel bad for sending the kids but man...Aiden needed something down with his hair. Poor kid. God knows I have no fucking clue about how to tame that shit. My mom...she always took care of mine and Collin's."

"Mom took care of ours growing up too. She still does Raine's."

"How is she doing?"

I shrugged. "Still not so good. She just... sleeps, all the time. She rarely leaves her room, barely eats. I've tried... everything. She's just shutting everyone out though. I don't know what to do anymore."

I sighed "Man, I'm sorry. Ezra did that too, and I had to stay with her at all times for awhile. You remember that though."

I nodded. "Yeah I remember. But she snapped out of it. She's okay now. Raine... it just seems like she's getting worse."

"I could try to talk to her, not sure how much help I'd be though."

"I'm willing to try anything at this point. You helped Ezra. Maybe you can help her too."

"I'll do my best, I promise." I told him and looked around the clearing some more "So, do the ladies want to decorate all of this too? Some of us can help with the set up and all that."


"Yeah, sure. I'll help anyway I can." I told Q.

"Thanks. Both of you. I think they probably will, but I don't know what they want to do with it. Is anyone getting food ready in the mess hall? Aurora wanted to have a reception too."

"We can swing by there and check if you want to."

"Sounds good. Thank you both for your help."

"No problem, I'm married so I have an idea of what to do. By the way, don't be too nervous."

"Is it that obvious?"