Victoria Pierce

I blushed, hard. "I... um... yeah... well... you can wait till... till I leave or... or whatever. Then if you want to sleep naked... yeah, all power to you," I said still blushing.




"I hope so too. I'm glad no one's ever found out where she was. I'd kill anyone that touched her. Just like I'm gonna kill Nicholai for what he did to you and everyone else." I sighed. "When they were born... I was so happy.... I never imagined they'd have to go through this shit."





I nodded and laid my head back on the pillow, sighing as he started to run his fingers through my hair. I took a slow deep breath as the pain meds started to wear off just a little. "Where are the kids? Are they okay? When can we get out of here? I want to leave and never come back."




"An unhappy homecoming is better than being hung for treason. Or being killed in some other much more gory fashion. So he'll bitch and grumble a little bit, at least you'll be alive. You and Caitlin can live your lives in peace for once. That's better than what you'll get if you stay here. We've become very close over the years. It would pain me greatly if anything were to happen to you."

- Obedia

"Look at you, I made you blush and stutter all at the same time."


"I feel like all of this is my doing. If I would have just given him what he wanted to begin with your life would have been easier."


"The kids are fine, and we'll leave as soon as you're able and Chad gets home. Nicholai sent him into the games."


"You're right." I told him "I love you like a father, and Caitlin loves you too. You've been here for us all these years."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, still blushing hard, and looking at his bare chest again before I forced myself to turn away. "Need anything else before I leave you alone?"




"No baby, don't think like that. That bastard is sick in the head. You married me, he should've left well enough alone. He thrives on hurting people though."




"Oh god... Is he gonna be okay?"




"How could I do anything different? Your father was like a brother to me. I swore to him on his death bed I would do everything I could to protect you."

- Obedia


I wrapped my arms around Sky and held her close to me. "How are you doing?"

"No, not right now." I said, looking up at her. "Thanks again, I'll see you tomorrow."


"I can't wait until he's dead. I'd never wished that on anyone before but...I hate him."


"I think so. He has Owen Trayhill in there with him, I think they're semi getting along now."


"He know you'd have your hands full." I teased.


"Better now that we have them back. But...my nephew. I'm worried about him."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said and looked at him. "Night David," I said then left before I said anything else that made me look even more stupid.




"You have every reason to hate him. Don't worry he'll die, very painfully. Brayden and I'll make sure of that. None of this was your fault though, I don't want you to ever think that."




I nodded. "Good. That's good."




I smiled. "Yes he did. You were a handful to him too," I teased her back.

- Obedia


"I know baby. He'll be alright though, you have to believe that."

"Sometimes, I can't help it."


"Sleep baby, you need rest and I'm not going anywhere."


"Oh, I know. I miss him so much, I think he'd be proud of me though, believe it or not he liked Jasper before...everything."


"I know, I have faith in him. A son with Dove and Brady's blood inside of him won't be an easy man to get rid of."

"I know," I said and pulled her closer to me, running my fingers through her hair. "I love you so much... I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you," I whispered.




"Okay," I whispered and reached over with the hand not in a brace, taking his hand in mine. "I love you. Don't leave me."




"He would be very proud of you. Jasper was a good man... before he got in with the wrong people." I sighed. "Speaking of. That's what I came to talk to you about. I've held off as long as I could, because I knew you needed time. But they won't wait any longer. They don't want... his body around anymore. They want to dispose of it. I can take you tomorrow, and Caitlin, to say your goodbye's."

- Obedia


"No he won't. I worry though. He was hurt badly when they took him away."

"I love you too, Brady. The sooner we leave the better."


"I love you too, I'm not going anywhere." I told her "Listen, about Jennie. I was young and confused...I'm sorry for what I done."


I sighed deeply and held back tears, the rescue had been a distraction for me but now that it was something that had to be discussed the hurt was killing me. "Alright. Tomorrow will be fine, I guess holding a service would be a bad idea. I'm burying him at the cabin, I had servants go clean it all up the way it used to be." I said and went over to my safe, taking out the letter he'd left for me. I gave to Obedia "You should read this."


"Me too...if Dove loses him..." I whispered "I don't know what she'll do."

"We'll be out of here as soon as we can. Just have to wait until the games are over with... I'd never leave without one of my kids. And Feather either. They'll both make it through the Games, I know they will."




"It's... it's okay. It's in the past. I'm not mad anymore," I whispered.




I took the letter from her then put my hand on her arm. "If you want to hold a service for him, I'll arrange it. You and Caitlin would be the only ones attending it though. Tell me what spot you want him buried and I'll... I'll have the grave dug for you. I already did the arrangements, picked out a casket and flowers, that I knew you'd like. If you want something different we can change it though." I squeezed her arm gently, I knew how hard this was for her. I sat down and opened the letter and started to read it.

- Obedia


I took her face in my hands and made her look at me. "She won't lose him baby. I know she won't. He's going to be okay, Feather too," I said and kissed her softly, hoping and praying I was right.

I nodded and we laid there holding each other, I felt dirty for what I'd let Nicholai do to me. How would I ever tell Brady what happened? "We should get some sleep, we've had a long day."


"I know but I still needed to apologize."


I folded the letter back up and gave it to me "Can you believe he still had it in him? Before he died it was like...like he never changed at all." I put the letter back in the safe and locked it "I trust you with the arrangements, I would like a small service for us. In the morning will be fine."


"We just have to "tune" in tomorrow and see don't we? God, I hate those games. They're so barbaric."

I nodded. "I don't know if I'll be able to sleep, but if you're tired, you should," I said, running my fingertips slowly up and down her back. "I love you... so much. I can't tell you that enough."




"It's okay. I'm just... just glad to be back with you. I've missed you so much," I whispered.




I nodded. "I'll see it done," I said and stood up. "He always had it in him. He just had the evil in him too. Nothing could've changed that. It's late. I should go."

- Obedia


"Yes they are. I've always hated them myself. My father wouldn't allow me not to watch them though. It was required."

"I love you too, I never want to fight with you again."


"I missed you too. When we get to the wilderness away from this I'm going to build a house for us. I don't expect you to be living with me and Ty." I smiled.


"I know. Thank you for coming, will you pick us up tomorrow?"


"Same in my house. We had no other choice."

"Me either baby. I'd say let's never fight again but... this is us we're talking about," I teased and smiled at her.




"I don't care where we live... as long as I'm with you. I never want to be away from you again," I said and took another breath as the pain meds wore off more. "Is there... anymore medicine? I want to sleep but... it's starting to hurt a little.




I nodded. "Of course. What time?"

- Obedia


I shook my head. "Just another way for them to have control over us. But that's in the past now. Or will be, soon. As soon as we can we're getting out of here and never coming back."

"True." I laughed "Goodnight. I love you."


"Yeah, let me get it." I stood and went to the cabinet getting out the pain medicine. I inserted it through the IV for her and set back down "There you go. Just give it a minute."


"8:00 am will be fine. I'll see you then."


"I can't wait."

"I love you too baby, more than anything," I said and kissed her. "Goodnight." I pulled her closer to me and laid my head on top of hers, listening to her breathing as we drifted off to sleep together.




"Thank you," I whispered and took his hand again. "Will you lay with me? Is there enough room?"




"Okay. I'll see you in the morning. Try to get some sleep."

- Obedia


"Me either baby," I said and kissed her. "Come on, let's get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

"I can manage that." I took off my boots and crawled into bed beside of her, getting under the covers. It felt so good to be next to her again "Goodnight baby."


"I'll do my best, be safe and have a good night." I told him as he left. I sat down in my chair, knowing I wouldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried.


"Goodnight, I love you." I whispered as we fell asleep together.

"Goodnight Brayden. I love you," I whispered, sighing when I felt the medicine sinking in. "Mmm... I'm falling asleep...." I whispered.

"Sleep well, baby. I'm here now." I whispered as I listened to her doze off.

I got to the house in the morning and knocked.

- Obedia

I hadn't slept at all last night, trying to sleep would have been impossible. Caitlin came down the stairs with Milo by her side. I went to the door and opened it up "I'd say good morning but I'd be lying." I told Obedia.

"Completely understandable. I didn't expect you to be in a good mood. Hello Caitlin, Milo." She just nodded, not saying anything, and looked down at the floor. "I didn't get a chance to say it until now. But my condolences on your loss. Whatever Jasper's... faults, he was still your father and I know this must be hard on you. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask."

- Obedia


"Thank you," I said softly.

"Thank you, Obedia." I said as I took Obedia's arm and he lead me out.


"Come on, Babe." I took Caitlin's hand in mine and we left.

The ride was silent and when we got out to the cabin I got out and held the door open for them.

- Obedia

I hesitated a moment before slowly getting out of the car, already fighting to hold back tears, and leaned into Milo when he got out.

I got out of the car and stood there, looking at the cabin "I take it he's inside?"

I nodded once. "Yes, he's inside. Everything is set up and I'm in no hurry. Take as long as you need, the both of you," I said and stood by the car as I lit up a cigar.

- Obedia