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Safe & Sound

| "...don't you dare look out your window, darling, everything's on fire. the war outside our door keeps raging on. hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone..." |

"You've got all you need?"

Coriolanus shuts the lid of his trunk, locking it for the journey ahead.

"Mhm. They'll provide me with more clothing when I get there."

Coriolanus looks over at his wife, their baby girl clutched to her chest while they sit on the bed, watching him pack to travel to Two.

He's finally leaving Twelve.

After becoming a Commander, Coriolanus was reassigned to the District Two Peacekeeper Base. "Much better training," Hoff had explained, "you'll make us proud, Snow."

Coriolanus had no doubt about that. It was Soarynn he was worried about, and Ceraphina, his family. His girls. They couldn't come with him, at least, not right away. Soarynn damn near killed Hoff when he told her, causing quite the argument between the Commander and the District girl who rarely put up with anything after giving birth.

They would have to wait for Coriolanus to settle in before they could come. It wasn't a matter of 'when' so much as 'if' they'd be allowed to come visit him, let alone live with him. Being a Commander meant special privileges, more private living quarters, and bigger living quarters. The girls could easily come live with him, but he still doesn't know if they'll be allowed to.

At the end of the day, this was never supposed to happen. The baby, the marriage, all of it.

So, for now, he'll be alone. He'll call, write letters, and of course, send money. Coriolanus has arranged for a majority of his paycheck to be directly sent to Soarynn on the Base. She'll still be living here while he's gone. Hoff was generous enough to not kick out a mother and her newborn child onto the dusty streets of Twelve.

Soarynn had agreed to help out around the Base like she used to, the only difference was that she'd have Ceraphina with her at all times. Coriolanus doesn't know how he feels about leaving them around all these men. He's had nightmares about it. Of Soarynn being attacked, assaulted, robbed, hurt, of his baby girl being killed. Most men on the Base have grown fond of Soarynn and even fonder of Ceraphina, who looks identical to her already.

Ceraphina Snow was born weighing five pounds, with blue eyes, the same shade as her mother's, and blonde hair. She was easily adored by everyone she met. Leading up to her birth, Coriolanus thought all he would feel was shame when he looked at her. But now, his heart bursts with pride when gazing upon his darling daughter.

She's easily become the apple of his eye, toted around by both of her parents for all to see. Soarynn had worried about what the rest of Twelve would think, but for the most part, people have said that Ceraphina is a precious little thing.

He doesn't know how he's going to get on that train tomorrow morning.

"You remember where I put the pistol, right?" He asks for the third time today. Soarynn sighs, slipping off the bed, some of the sheets trailing after her as she walks over to the dresser. She pulls open the top drawer, now empty of his belongings, and wedges her hand against the topside of the drawer, pulling out the pistol.

"I already know how to use it," she tells him, putting it back in its hiding spot. The pistol is really a precaution, just in case something happens. Coriolanus bites the inside of his cheek, she's acting like this because she's scared she'll never see him again.

Coriolanus could very well leave her and never come back. But he won't. Maybe two years ago, but not now, not after everything they've been through.

"Hey, we're gonna be okay," he says softly, wrapping his arms around her small frame, careful to not crush Ceraphina, who coos at her parents. Soarynn sniffles, resting her head on his chest. "Just can't imagine wakin' up to you not bein' here anymore," she whispers.

Coriolanus shushes her, gently running his fingers through her hair. It's getting longer and longer with each passing week, well past her waist now. He asked her if she'd cut it, but Soarynn says that hair holds memories. He shaves his memories away every Sunday.

"Gonna miss my girls," he mumbles, placing a kiss on her head, "but we'll be together soon, Soarynn. I promise."

꧁ ꧂

They spend the rest of their afternoon in the meadow, Soarynn's favorite place to go. Ceraphina, only three months old, can't do a lot of running around, but she's fascinated by the tall grass and the birds that fly above her. Soarynn lays next to her on the blanket they brought, tickling her stomach to make her laugh.

Coriolanus watches them with a fond smile. From what he's been told, District Two doesn't have any of this. No meadows, no flowers, and no tall willow trees. It's all mountains and cold snow. There are no black markets, no sneaking out past curfew, no music to dance to. District Two has the heaviest military presence, and it worries him that Soarynn might not take kindly to their policing.

She's so free here his girl, running with the breeze, climbing the trees. All her friends are here, and her family is buried beneath this very ground. To take her from all of this would be to put her in a cage. Perhaps it would be better for her to come live with him when he gets back to the Capitol.

Coriolanus won't stop at Two, no, he'll get back home someway, and then, he'll have everything he needs.

꧁ ꧂

It's a cool July morning when Coriolanus departs from the train station. Only a few have come to see him off. His family, of course. Commander Hoff, Beanpole, and Smiley have come to say goodbye as well.

"Let me know if you need anything, Snow," Commander Hoff says, shaking his hand for what might be the last time. Coriolanus nods, his eyes darting over to Soarynn, who was walking up and down the platform, bouncing Ceraphina in her arms.

"Just...just watch out for her if you can. I don't want her to get shut away." Commander Hoff laughs, shaking his head, "That girl of yours couldn't be shut away if she tried. But I'll keep her out of trouble."

Coriolanus thanks Hoff for everything and promises to send a letter once he's settled in. Saying goodbye to Beanpole and Smiley is more emotional than he anticipated.

"Gonna miss you, Gent," Beanpole chokes out, nearly crushing him in a hug. Coriolanus swears he broke a rib just now. "Gonna...gonna miss you guys too," he squeaks. Smiley gives him a pat on the shoulder and promises to make sure the girls are taken care of. "Don't worry about them, they've got a whole Base of Peacekeepers who would shoot anything that comes in their direction," he tells Coriolanus.

That's true. Cookie nearly folded one Peacekeeper in half when he made Ceraphina cry. Soarynn has nestled her way into a lot of hardened hearts, including his.

The last goodbye is the worst goodbye.

"Come here, sunshine," Coriolanus grunts, taking Ceraphina into his arms. She may be young, but she always lights up when she sees him. She babbles some incoherent nonsense while he presses one last kiss to her cheek. "You be good for your mother, understand me?"

Soarynn watches the bittersweet moment with misty eyes. "You know she can't understand nothin' you tell her."

Coriolanus shakes his head, pretending to be offended. "Of course, she can. Isn't that right, Ceraphina?" He blows a raspberry against her cheek, which sends her into a fit of laughter. She sounds just like her mother when she laughs.

Soarynn chuckles softly, brushing some little curls out from her face. Ceraphina was blessed with a full head of hair right out of the womb.

"I'll write to you as soon as I get there. And the next paycheck should be coming next week. Make sure to start getting ready for winter, she'll need a coat and gloves, and-" He never finishes his sentence because Soarynn shuts him up with a kiss.

"I've got it all taken care of, sweetheart," she promises. Coriolanus leans into the kiss, it'll be the last one for a long time. "Please remember to take care of yourself as well," he gently reminds her. Soarynn is as stubborn as they come, often butting heads with him.

But she's a resilient little thing, his wife.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Like all-fire."

He smiles at the strange phrase. Soarynn has always had a funny way of talking. He's grown used to it though, grown to love it, to understand it. He wonders how people talk in Two.

"Like all-fire," he agrees, handing his daughter back to her.

Ceraphina makes a noise of complaint, but there are no tears.

"Say goodbye to Daddy," Soarynn says, waving her little hand for her. Coriolanus blows them a kiss, feeling a small piece of his heart broken beyond repair.

He boards the train with a few others who are destined for Two. He chooses to sit by the window so he can see them a little longer. The train slowly lurches forward and starts to pull out of the station. Soarynn walks along the platform, staying in his line of sight. He presses a hand against the window, and Ceraphina starts to cry.

Then, finally, Soarynn cries too, and the platform ends, separating them until further notice.

Just like that, Coriolanus leaves two broken hearts in District Twelve.

꧁ ꧂

The next month in District Two passes by like a blur for Coriolanus.

There's so much to learn and take in. He'd gotten used to how things were done in Twelve, but Two is the complete opposite. He sees Peacekeepers administer lashings for the smallest infractions. He remembers asking Hoff about a rule book, or just any book with the laws clearly written in it. The man grumbled something about moths eating through a majority of the pages.

It's like night and day.

He spends most of his days patrolling with other Commanders, giving out orders, carrying out punishments, and conducting interrogations.

He fits right in.

The best part about Two was the bigger living quarters. All the Commanders live in cabins. Each cabin is divided into four separate rooms with two floors, housing eight Commanders total. Coriolanus resides on the second floor, which means he has a small balcony.

He's tried to describe it to Soarynn over the phone, how the floor plan is so much bigger, how he has a proper bedroom and a small kitchen and living room. She'll just have to come and see it herself one of these days.

Being apart from Soarynn and Ceraphina has been harder than he anticipated. Waking up without his girls has been horrible. Soarynn's side of the bed is always cold, and he misses the way she always smells like vanilla. At least she was smart and thought ahead, keeping one of his pullovers to sleep in when he left.

He didn't bring a damn thing of hers. Besides a few pictures, of course.

He's sweeping his little balcony when one of his fellow Commanders climbs up his steps. Sejanus Plinth is a strange fellow. He seems too...good to be a Commander. But apparently, his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps, and from what Coriolanus has seen, Sejanus has excellent aim with a rifle.

"Sorry to bother you," Sejanus says, leaning against the wooden railing, "I was just wondering if you had some needle and thread. One of my buttons fell off." He shows Coriolanus the jacket they're supposed to wear to all public hearings and executions. Sure enough, the middle button has fallen right off.

"Yeah," he nods, setting the broom down, "come on in."

Coriolanus keeps his space neat and tidy. The doorway is right next to the left wall, which looks over the Base. He sometimes watches the Peacekeepers march through in perfect formation. Against that wall is a small bookshelf with photos of Soarynn and Ceraphina.

To the immediate right of the doorway is the kitchen area. It has a small counter, stove, fridge, and even a sink. Coriolanus doesn't do a whole lot of cooking, but he does enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. The kitchen table is spotless, and he'll often do paperwork at night in the kitchen.

The back wall makes up the living room area. With a sofa and two armchairs, along with a coffee table and a framed photograph of some mountains. The whole place was, thankfully, furnished when he arrived.

The right wall has two doors, one leads to the bathroom and the other to the bedroom, both are connected on the inside. Not only does he have hot water, but he has a bathtub, too. Soarynn would love it.

All in all, it's a nice place to call home.

He's just missing the people who would make it feel like one.

"It's in the bathroom," he says to Sejanus, padding across the wooden floorboards. Soarynn insisted that he bring a small case of thread and needles, just in case something got torn. Looks like she was right. Coriolanus opens the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, scanning the shelves for the little case.

He smiles when he sees it. The case is yellow with a red flower painted on it. Soarynn said it was her mother's and she wanted him to have it. Coriolanus left behind something similar in Twelve, his mother's compact with a rose engraved on the top lid.

Pieces of them can still exist outside of their respective homes.

"Here it is," he calls, finding that Sejanus is looking at the framed photographs by the windows. Coriolanus joins him at the bookshelf, starting at all the black and white photographs of his small family.

There's a photo of just him and Soarynn, taken a few weeks before he left for Two. It's very professional, no smiles at all. There's another one of all three of them. Soarynn and Ceraphina smile at the camera, well, Ceraphina smiles to the best of her ability while Coriolanus looks stoic and handsome.

He has another of just the girls, looking sweetly at the camera. Ceraphina looks damn near identical to Soarynn in that one. The last two photos are, in his opinion, the most genuine. One is of Soarynn, laughing while in the meadow. Dorothea was given a camera for her birthday, a most expensive gift for a District child.

She had given the small photo to Soarynn, who gave it to Coriolanus.

"To keep me in your pocket," she had said one night under the stars.

It was a sweet gesture, but he didn't want to risk losing it, so into the frame it went.

The last photo is of the two of them at the Hob, dancing. It was one of the only times he ever danced with her. They're both smiling so brightly at each other like nothing else matters in the world. Neither of them knew it was being taken, which is what makes it so special. Soarynn has a copy back at home. Back at Twelve, he means.

He does have another photo of Soarynn, but he'll be damned if anyone sees it but him. It is for his eyes only.

"Wow, she's beautiful," Sejanus whispers, his eyes flitting from one picture to the next, "she's your girl?"

Coriolanus proudly grins. "She's my wife. That's my little girl, Ceraphina." Sejanus gently touches the photo of Soarynn and Ceraphina, clearly amazed at how grown up Coriolanus is at twenty years old. "She looks just like her mother," Sejanus concludes.

Coriolanus nods in agreement. "That's what everyone tells us. Soarynn says she's got my temperament though." Sometimes, he doesn't know if that's supposed to be a compliment or an insult. Depends on the day and time he supposes.

Sejanus chuckles. "Little girls always love their fathers, though. How old is she now?"

"About five months," Coriolanus answers. He's still amazed at how quickly time flies by, and now that he's gone, it seems to go by even quicker.

"Aww. Well, I bet they're proud of you. I heard you got promoted to Commander pretty quickly."

Coriolanus isn't one to boast, but he will not disagree with a statement he finds to be fundamentally true. "It was nothing."

He checks the clock that sits above the sink, it's almost four, which means it's almost time for his biweekly phone call to Twelve. Because he's three hours ahead, he has to time it just right, or Soarynn won't be there to answer.

"Well, here's the thread. Careful with the case, it belonged to my wife's mother."

Sejanus carefully takes the case from him, holding it like glass. "Thanks, I promise to give it back to you tomorrow."

They both make their way outside and go their separate ways. Coriolanus goes to the Command Center, and Sejanus goes back to his own living quarters; he's a few cabins down if Coriolanus recalls.

Coriolanus strides through the Command Center Halls, nodding at those he passes by. There are a lot more people on this Base than in Twelve, almost triple the personnel. They range from basic Peacekeepers to Generals.

He almost got lost here his first week, but he easily finds the Telecommunications Office now. There's a small office with a receptionist who is in contact with all Twelve Bases across Panem, and then there's a small phone room with rows of tables, all divided by plastic walls. Coriolanus takes the last one in the corner and scans his credentials.

Sure enough, it's time for his biweekly phone call.

He could always make a phone call if it were an absolute emergency, but he'd have to give a reason to the receptionist, and she's a mean old lady.

There are two other men in the room with him, and one of them is asleep.

Coriolanus dials the automatic number to connect him to District Twelve; the phone rings twice before someone picks up. "District Twelve Communications, how can I assist you?"

"Macky? It's Coriolanus."

Mackey, a middle-aged man with a potbelly, is Twelve's receptionist on Base, and he knows all the phone numbers by heart. He's gotten used to Coriolanus and his calls.

"Ah, how's it movin' over there in Two? Get any snow yet?"

"Nothing fresh."

"Well, that's Two for ya. Let me patch you through, your girls are waitin' on line three."

His girls.

There's a silent pause before he connects to Soarynn. Twelve only has three phones in their Office. He can hear some babbling from her end of the line, and he smiles. "Sounds like someone has something to say."

Soarynn's breath hitches, these phone calls mean everything to her now that he's far, far away. "Oh Coryo, we've been lookin' forward to this call all week. Haven't we, honey?" More babbling from Ceraphina. From what Soarynn had told him over the phone and in her letters, Ceraphina definitely understands that he's no longer around, but she brightens up whenever she sees a photo of him. He left behind a few photos with them.

"I've been looking forward to it as well," he admits, glancing at the clock that's attached to every booth. He has exactly ten minutes before the phone will automatically hang up. "How are you? Are things going well on the Base?"

Soarynn hums, her end of the line is always more muffled than his. It probably has something to do with Twelve always getting the crappiest technology from the Capitol, most of their stuff on Base was so outdated compared to what they have here in Two.

"Uh-huh. Things are fine, the heat's startin' to get to everyone, you know how they get." Coriolanus nods even though she can't see him. The heat can make you do unthinkable things. "Yeah, I remember. It's warm here in Two, but there's still snow on the mountaintops, a bit on the ground too in the shady parts."

"Remember when we had that snowball fight?"

Coriolanus grins at the sweet memory. He had been shoveling the main road that went through the Base with some of the guys when a cold ball of snow hit him right in the neck, sending shivers down his back. He had turned to see Soarynn, about halfway through her pregnancy, grinning like a wildcat.

It started quite the snowball fight between all of them. Laughter was shared, and Cookie even broke out some hot chocolate to warm them up.

"I sure do. Pretty sure I nailed you in the face with one."

"No, you didn't. I nailed you in the face," she argues while laughing. Their sweet moment is interrupted by Ceraphina, "Momma!"

Coriolanus freezes. He's never heard Ceraphina say a word before.

"She...she's talking now?" He asks, suddenly not so happy to be away from Twelve. Soarynn murmurs something back to Ceraphina before answering. "Well, just a few words, like 'Momma' or 'bird' or 'No' if she's feelin' real feisty. She started last week. I wrote it in the letter."

Coriolanus slouches in his plastic chair. "Oh. I haven't gotten it yet."

Their phone calls might be few and far between, but Soarynn writes to him about three times a week. He writes to her once, every Sunday night before he goes to bed. Mail takes a bit longer to get delivered, but because they're married, their mail is a higher priority in the Base mailroom.

"Has she said my name yet?"

Soarynn takes a little longer to answer him.

"No...but I talk about you all the time," she tells him, "she knows her Daddy loves and misses her. We haven't forgotten you."

Coriolanus rubs his face with his hand, he won't tell her how tired he is, how much this is taking a toll on him. He needs to keep it light and airy.

"I haven't forgotten about you two either."

Soarynn laughs, he can just picture her sweet smile. "That's good. You haven't run off with some girl from Two?"

He knows she's joking, but he also knows that there's some truth to her words. Soarynn was very worried that he might meet someone else, someone prettier, younger, someone without a child. He only knows this because Soarynn told Dorothea, and Dorothea told Coriolanus. Then, she threatened to cut his penis off if he cheated on her best friend.

Not scary at all.

He has yet to meet someone as scary as Dorothea Mellark.

"No, I don't really have time to run off and do anything," he admits, revealing more than he intended.

"But you have time for yourself, right? They're not workin' you to death over there, right?"

His lips press into a thin line. "Nope, I'm doing just fine. I'm lucky to be here."

He doesn't sound too believable right now.

"Yes, we're all very lucky to be where we are right now," Soarynn agrees. She very well could've been kicked out once he left. Instead, she sleeps in a small room with a roof, bathroom, and air conditioning with their baby girl.

Sometimes Coriolanus forgets how much he's provided for his small family.

He glances at the time again, two minutes left.

"Time is almost up," he sighs, "so it's very important that I ask if you miss me."

"What a waste of two minutes."

Coriolanus bites back a grin, she's always been able to dish it like she takes it. That's one of the things he loves about Soarynn, her spunky, no-bullshit attitude. She's a determined little thing, his wife.

"I do miss you," she says softer than before, "we both miss you very much."

Coriolanus swallows, there's always so much he wants to tell her but so little time. He'll write down a list the next time they call.

"If I get any updates, I'll let you know," he tells her, watching their last-minute countdown. By updates, he means updates about her and Ceraphina coming to live with him on the Base. Coriolanus applied for Soarynn's papers to be reviewed, but it takes a long time, even longer when a baby is involved.

"Okay, okay great. Say goodbye to your Daddy, Ceraphina."

Coriolanus hears a few fragmented words before hearing a solid one, "Bird!"

He laughs, at least she's talking. Sometimes, he imagines what life would be like if they lived in the Capitol. He'd go to work and come home to a beautiful penthouse. Soarynn would wear beautiful dresses and have her hair styled by the maids every morning. Ceraphina would have a proper nursery instead of sleeping in an empty trunk on the floor. She'd have the best education, the best nannies.

She deserves the best. They both do.

Soarynn comes back, her voice sounds like sweet birdsong. "Take care of yourself."

"I will. And Soarynn?"

"Hmm?"

"It's not gonna be like this forever, okay? I promise, real soon, things are gonna be different, and we're gonna be together again."

The next thing she says takes his breath away.

"I love you."

Five seconds left.

"I love you too."

The line disconnects.

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn, I am writing this letter well in advance so you get it in time. There has been little progress on getting you and Ceraphina to live with me on the Base permanently, but there have been arrangements in the meantime. In two weeks, you and Ceraphina will board the train and come stay with me for one week. The train will leave at eight in the morning, please arrive at the station early. Make sure to bring your documents and Ceraphina's as well. The weather here has gotten colder, so please pack warm clothes. By the time you receive this letter, we should be coming up on our phone call so I can explain in further detail. Please take care of yourself and our little Ceraphina. Give her my love. Yours forever, Coriolanus

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus has never felt so nervous and excited at the same time. He's waiting at the train station. Every minute that passes feels like agony. It doesn't help that lots of trains come in and out of this station compared to Twelve. He finds himself craning his neck every time more passengers disembark.

At least they're blondes, almost everyone in Two has either brown or black hair. He easily stands out in the crowd, wearing his Commander Uniform along with his impressive height. He's literally heads above everyone else.

Finally, he spots them, getting out of the last car. Soarynn carries a wiggling Ceraphina in one arm while lugging a small suitcase behind her with the other. Coriolanus strides towards his wife, the girl who managed to steal his cold, black heart and make it new and shiny again. People make way for the determined Commander, no one messes with him here in Two.

Soarynn's eyes are focused on their daughter, who's determined to get out of her mother's arms. Ceraphina's stormy eyes land on her father, and she let out a squeal of delight. Soarynn finally looks up at him, and for a moment, she doesn't even recognize him. He's put on a bit more muscle, and he carries himself differently.

He is not the same boy she met back in Twelve.

But her eyes hold the same fondness they did when he saw her at the Hob that fateful night, knowing that he was far from home and lonelier than he wanted to let on.

She breaks into a large grin, and they both rush towards each other. His arms wrap around his wife and daughter, rooting himself in this cruel world once again. Soarynn lets out a sound of relief as if she's been holding her breath since he got on that train and left.

Ceraphina makes excited baby noises, clearly excited to be squished between both of her parents again. Coriolanus presses his nose against Soarynn's hair, memorizing her sweet scent so that when she leaves, it'll always remain in his memory.

Just like his mother's compact.

Soarynn drops her suitcase to hold onto his tightly, reminding him that she hasn't had it any easier than he has. While he's been alone on the Base, she's been alone with a baby.

He can't imagine how hard it's been for her.

"Missed you," she breathes against his chest, "missed you like all-fire."

Coriolanus sighs, he missed her too. Missed her smile, her scent, her strange way of talking. Coriolanus Snow has fallen in love with a District girl, and there's no saving him now.

"I missed you too, my love," he answers after a few more seconds pass, "not a day has gone by where you haven't been constantly on my mind."

Soarynn pulls away from the embrace, just far enough so she can look up into his eyes. He's forgotten how beautiful she is. District Two has no shortage of women, but they're no great beauties the way Soarynn is. "Kiss me," she says, and he simply must do as she asks.

Coriolanus leans down, kissing her soft and sweet, despite how badly he wants to entangle himself well within her soul right now. There are too many people nearby for him to get carried away right now. So he'll have to settle for a sweet kiss instead.

A small hand comes to rest on his smooth cheek, soft and demanding. "Daddy."

Coriolanus breaks away from the kiss, eyes wide with shock. He knew Ceraphina was beginning to develop her vocabulary, but not to this extent. He didn't expect himself to be included yet, not when he'd barely been in her life these past few months.

But Ceraphina, just like her mother, is full of surprises.

"Well, look at you!" He laughs, smoothing down her blonde curls. Ceraphina giggles, reaching for her father, whose voice she's only heard over the phone since he left. Coriolanus has heard about men walking out of their daughters' lives, and while he would never do that to Ceraphina, he still felt guilty.

Will this affect her as she grows up? Will she resent him for leaving her and her mother in Twelve?

Coriolanus takes Ceraphina into his arms and groans at how big she's gotten since the last time he held her. "Look at you missy, already growing up on me, hmm?" Coriolanus presses a kiss to her cheek, proud that he's managed to pull all of this off.

The visit, the marriage, the unplanned pregnancy.

Snow lands on top.

꧁ ꧂

"Here we are," he announces, opening the door to his living quarters.

Coriolanus carries their suitcase in while Soarynn trails behind him with Ceraphina on her hip. "Oh my," she says softly, spinning in a small circle, "you weren't lyin' when you said it was big." Coriolanus chuckles, setting the suitcase down on the kitchen table. "Well, size matters."

Soarynn shoots him a teasing look. It's been far too long since he's made love to his wife. After Ceraphina was born, they barely had time to sleep, let alone sleep with each other. And sex was what got them in this situation, to begin with. He tried it a few times while Soarynn was pregnant, but she could barely keep her dinner from the previous night down, so he wasn't the most appetizing thing for her to partake in.

But now, things are different. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, after all.

"Walk," Ceraphina says determinedly, trying to flail out of Soarynn's arms again. Soarynn explained during the short car ride to the Base that Ceraphina thinks of herself as quite independent for a six-month-old baby. She can't walk a single step by herself and yet, insists that she can do it without any help.

Soarynn raises her eyebrows and carefully sets their daughter on the wooden floor, watching her teeter back and forth before falling back onto Soarynn's boots. Soarynn laughs, shaking her head, "Not big enough for that yet, sunshine," she tells her.

Ceraphina looks around the cabin, it must be very different from the small room she's known all her life. Her eyes settle on her father once again, and she smiles. "Daddy!"

"Already trying to walk, huh? Since when did you get so grown up?" He asks, scooping her into his arms. Coriolanus entertains Ceraphina while Soarynn walks around his sacred space, opening every drawer, cabinet, and door. "She's like her Daddy in that way," Soarynn calls from the bedroom, "thinkin' she's all grown up."

Coriolanus rolls his eyes at her teasing. "I am grown up," he calls back. Ceraphina is a ball of energy, trying to wiggle out of his arms now. "Oh, no you don't," he says, tightening his grip on her small body, "can't go running off around here."

Soarynn walks back into the main living area, impressed by these accommodations. "They livin' like this in Twelve?" Coriolanus shrugs, every Base is different, but he can't imagine Commander Hoff settling for anything less than this. "Maybe," he answers, "bigger than the Officer's living quarters for sure."

Soarynn makes a face, it doesn't look too pleasant either. "I'll say," she mutters, wrapping her arms around her waist. Coriolanus takes a good look at his wife, a really good look at her in the natural lighting the windows provide. She still looks youthful, but he can see that raising their daughter alone has taken a toll on her. She looks tired.

"You must be tired."

Soarynn manages a small smile. "I'm fine. The time change had me all confused comin' here." The train ride is about a day's journey, but with the time change, you're bound to feel drowsy. He wants to spend every second he can with Soarynn before their week is up, but he also owes it to her to take Ceraphina off her hands for a bit.

"Why don't you catch up on some rest, and I'll show Ceraphina around the Base?"

Soarynn looks wary of this suggestion. Possibly because she doesn't trust the men on this Base, or simply because she's never let Ceraphina out of her sight before. "Come on," he says, taking a step towards her, "you deserve to rest."

While she may not understand every word he says, Ceraphina still nods. "Rest."

Soarynn gives in rather easily after that. She makes Coriolanus promise to keep Ceraphina in his sights at all times and to make sure she doesn't eat anything she shouldn't. No pressure.

Soarynn goes to catch up on her sleep while Coriolanus decides to open up the suitcase she brought with her. Inside the small bag is a label that reads: 'Property of Dorothea Mellark'

He hadn't even thought about sending luggage for Soarynn to use. Coriolanus suddenly feels grateful for Dorothea, even if she is terrifying. Inside the suitcase are a few dresses for Soarynn, a coat, and her undergarments. For Ceraphina, it's smaller clothing and two tiny coats. He also notes the small lifetime supply of diapers, cloth which means they need to be washed before using them again.

"I bet you need to be changed, hmm?" He asks Ceraphina, who is oblivious to his observations. He grabs a diaper and goes to the bathroom, determined to prove himself a worthy parent, even if he's been absent for a portion of her childhood.

Soarynn dressed Ceraphina in a brown coat with a pink dress under it. She looks so adorable, so sweet and innocent. He gently lays her down on the bathroom counter. "Alright, take it easy on me." The smile he receives is far from comforting, and fifteen minutes later, her stupid diaper has finally been changed. Coriolanus is exhausted after that one task. He doesn't know how Soarynn does that several times a day, and by herself at that.

Women really are a marvel.

"Time to show you off, missy," he says, placing a kiss on Ceraphina's cheek. She giggles and babbles something else he doesn't quite understand. Maybe Soarynn acts like she does, she's a good mother, although she'd never admit to it.

Coriolanus checks in on her before they go, and she's sound asleep under the covers of his neatly made bed. She's kicked off her boots and all he can see is her blonde head of hair peeking out from under the covers. She must be exhausted.

"Momma," Ceraphina whispers, grabbing towards Soarynn. He quietly closes the door and settles her on his hip. "Momma has to rest," he patiently explains, "so we're gonna go have some fun on our own. How does that sound, huh?"

He's been telling all the men on the Base about his visitors so in order to not look like a lunatic, he ought to start making his rounds. Coriolanus starts in the mess hall where their own cook immediately takes a liking to Ceraphina. Two's cook is a burly woman named Greta who hands Ceraphina small pieces of sliced apples she's using for a pie.

"Can already tell she's got a beautiful mother," Greta says, pinching Ceraphina's cheek while she scarfs down more apples. He hopes she can eat apples.

Next, he carries her over to the Head Commander's office. The Head Commander resides above the Commanders and Coriolanus has been doing everything to get on his good side. Mostly because this is the man who's in charge of the paperwork he needs to get Soarynn and Ceraphina to live with him full-time.

If he brings his sweet little angel with him, then maybe there'll be a change of heart.

Head Commander Graft regards Coriolanus and Ceraphina with a mere glance when Coriolanus proudly introduces his daughter. "This is the one I've been going to all the trouble for," the older man concludes, eyeing Ceraphina with skeptical eyes.

Coriolanus swallows and laughs nervously while Ceraphina very determinedly tries to put her hand in her father's mouth. "Well, she's very worth it sir, I can assure you."

"I'll have to meet your wife to determine that."

"Of course."

Coriolanus hightails it out of there after that. No need to beat a dead horse. He takes Ceraphina around to the armory, the shooting range, and the garage where they keep all their armored tanks and trucks.

Very appropriate for a small child.

By the time they're done making their rounds, it's almost time for dinner, so Coriolanus and Ceraphina head back to his cabin. Soarynn is awake when they get back and she looks refreshed. Ceraphina immediately starts spitting out nonsense when she lays eyes on her mother, delighted to be back in her presence.

"Look at you," Soarynn purrs, taking Ceraphina from his arms, "gonna be the talk of the town soon enough." Coriolanus doesn't quite like what she means. Ceraphina won't be the talk of any town if he has his way. Soon enough, they'll all be in the Capitol. Together.

"She's become quite famous already," he informs his wife. Soarynn's hair is slightly tangled and her dress is rumpled. She slept hard. Still beautiful though, absolutely beautiful. "I'll bet," she easily agrees, fixing their little girl's curls, "people back home can't get enough of her."

Coriolanus rests a hand on her waist, it feels so good to have Soarynn back in his grasp again. He's constantly worried for her and her safety these past few weeks apart. Anything could happen while he's gone.

"How are things? Back at home?"

Coriolanus could never see that wasteland as his home, but he knows Soarynn does. So, like the good husband he is, he humors her. "Good," she sighs, swaying back and forth with Ceraphina, "got real cold right before we left. Couple of pipes burst in our building but they fixed it up real quick."

He frowns, living in Two has almost given him a taste of luxury, at least by Peacekeeper standards. Coriolanus has almost forgotten about the poor living conditions in Twelve, how cramped his room was, how easily things broke. The girls need to move here sooner rather than later.

"I see. Well, hopefully, we can get this paperwork done sooner than later." Soarynn doesn't say anything to that but if she wants what's best for their daughter, then she'll move wherever he takes them.

"Momma!"

Both of them smile at Ceraphina's confident word, so sure of herself at such a small size. She's a Snow, no doubt. "That's right sunshine, I'm your Momma."

"Dinner in the mess hall will be ready soon, until then we can just relax," he gestures to the small living room. Soarynn follows his gaze and nods, "Haven't relaxed in a long time," she mumbles wistfully. Ever since Ceraphina was born, there has been no relaxation.

They make themselves comfortable on the sofa while Ceraphina crawls around the coffee table, perfectly content. "Brought a few toys," Soarynn says, nuzzling against his chest, "but she's pretty happy with anything these days." Coriolanus tightens his grip on Soarynn, never wanting to let her go again if he can help it. This week will fly by before he knows it. And he still has to work.

"I'll make sure you two go home with some souvenirs," he promises, kissing her temple. It feels perfectly domestic sitting here as if he planned this all along. Watching their daughter play in their home, safe from all the dangers of the world. Coriolanus knows she won't be safe until they're in the Capitol, but for now, this is good enough.

꧁ ꧂

Their next few days together are filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of snow. Ceraphina loves the snow and loves playing in it even more. "Come along, Ceraphina," Coriolanus urges, scooping her off the cold ground, "we need to get you some new shoes." She pouts but doesn't cry to his relief. They came into town today to make some purchases before they go back to Twelve.

Coriolanus has found that all the Districts have a town and they're all pretty much the same. Soarynn looks around the square with curious eyes, taking in as much as possible. It's not common for District folk like herself to travel to other Districts, but she's a Snow so she's the exception.

"She'll grow out of them in a few weeks," his wife points out. She's right. Babies grow so fast which is something he wasn't prepared for. Most of Ceraphina's clothes were far too big on her when she was a baby, and it didn't help that she was a tiny little thing when she was born.

Soarynn put on a few pounds during her pregnancy but he can see that any weight she got, is gone now. She's back to her willowy self.

"No harm in buying something new," he tells her, pushing open the shop door. There's a shop in town that sells shoes and clothes for those who can afford the fine goods. It smells of leather, gunsmoke, and pine. District Two in a nutshell.

"Welcome in," the shop owner says, nervously eyeing Coriolanus in his Commander uniform. He obviously had to dress for the part, not wanting to deal with any trouble in town. Soarynn nods at the owner and goes towards the rack of dresses, gently pinching the different fabrics between her fingers.

"Get one," Coriolanus says to her, "you need a new dress." Soarynn shakes her head and takes a step back. "Fabric's too fine for a girl like me, besides, it's too expensive. We should just get Ceraphina some new shoes." Never mind the fact that Soarynn's shoes almost have holes in them.

"You deserve to have nice things," Coriolanus argues. She does. She really, really does. Soarynn carried his child for nine months so the least he could do was buy her a new dress. She insists on just the shoes though, telling him that money is tight enough as it is. Unfortunately, she's right. His Commander's salary is much better than what he was making before, but a majority of his paycheck goes towards baby formula for Ceraphina.

Soarynn tried her hardest to breastfeed, but the Base doctor said it would be nearly impossible considering her condition. By condition, she meant Soarynn's weight, far less than it should be. Ceraphina has only known baby formula and goodness knows how expensive it can be.

Coriolanus tells Soarynn that soon enough, Ceraphina will be eating solid foods and that'll free up some money but until then, they have to budget carefully. What doesn't go towards formula goes towards keeping things afloat. Soarynn pays a number of people in Twelve for different things like patching up old clothes, fixing broken belongings, she's even admitted to slipping Hoff a couple dollars to make sure he doesn't kick them out for no reason.

Coriolanus hadn't been too happy about that but Soarynn said that it was better than biting the hand that fed them for so long. He hates that she's right.

When they get back from town, Sejanus is waiting for them by the gate. "Graft wants to see you all," he says quietly. Coriolanus clears his throat, surely this can't be good. They haven't broken any rules to his knowledge unless Soarynn did something or said something that he doesn't know about yet.

"Sure," he cooly replies, "we'll head over there right now."

Soarynn shoots him a nervous look. He's told her all about Graft and how their fate is basically in his hands. At least Hoff was more reasonable when it came to their situation. Graft doesn't bend the rules for anyone. That's how he became Head Commander.

The office is warm and smells like warm spices. Head Commander Graft is known to have a cup of coffee with him at all times, a Capitol luxury out here in the Districts. Coriolanus likes coffee too, but doesn't have any spices or sweeteners for it. He drinks it black.

"Come in," he says when he sees the Snows linger in his doorway. Coriolanus leads the way for his small family and pulls out one of the chairs for Soarynn who hesitantly sits down in it. She briefly met Graft at dinner the first night they got here but they barely spoke a word.

Now it's different.

"I see you've been enjoying your visit," Graft notes, eyeing Ceraphina who's very fussy at the moment due to her needing a nap. Soarynn bounces her up and down in her lap, barely paying attention. "Yes," Coriolanus answers for all of them, "it's been quite the adventure."

"Nap!"

Oh dear.

"In a minute," Soarynn tells her, finally acknowledging Graft, "and yes, it's been real nice gettin' to see Coriolanus again." She usually calls him Coryo but this is no time for sweet nicknames. This is strictly business at the moment.

"I'm glad we could assist in your little family reunion then."

Coriolanus bites his cheek at that word, "little." As if leaving his wife and daughter behind was a little thing he just so casually did.

"We're very grateful. Hopefully, we can all be permanently reunited soon," Coriolanus throws out, hoping to land this mark. Graft drums his fingers against his desk and Ceraphina lets out a whine. She's getting cranky. "I have some news for you, Snow."

Even though he's not talking to her, Soarynn sits up straighter, paying very close attention to what will be said next. It'll either be good news or bad news.

"Sir?"

Graft opens up one of his desk drawers and fishes around for a second before pulling out a thick file. Coriolanus sincerely hopes it isn't a case they've been building against him for the past year. He's broken a lot of rules if he really thinks about it.

"I recommend you for a special program, only a few select Commanders get chosen every few years."

Good, good, this is good.

"What an honor, sir. Thank you."

Soarynn doesn't beat around the bush. "Did he get in?"

Graft looks amused by her bluntness. "He did."

"Where is the program held?" Coriolanus asks with bated breath.

"The Capitol."

Coriolanus damn near falls out of his chair. He did it, he doesn't know how, but he did it. He is going back home. Back to the Capitol. Soarynn's eyes are wide in either horror or excitement, he can't really tell right now over his own excitement.

"The Capitol? I'm going back to the Capitol?"

"It appears so. You'll ship out in a month."

Coriolanus isn't one for questions, but he has a lot right now. "Is this a permanent program? Will I be coming back?"

"Most Commanders who go don't return, they move up in the system and find a permanent job in the Capitol." Well, that won't be hard, especially with his Capitol citizenship. This is wonderful, so, so wonderful.

"What does this mean for us?" Soarynn asks, softer than before. She holds Ceraphina tightly to her chest as if she might be taken away from her at any given moment. "Do we get to come with him?"

Graft looks over at Coriolanus, raising an eyebrow. Almost like it's up to him to decide their fate. If he wants, he can leave this all behind, leave them all behind, and start a new life in the Capitol.

"We'd need to get their paperwork done," Coriolanus thinks out loud, "and apply for both of them to get a Citizen's License. It should be easier for Ceraphina since she has my blood." Ceraphina might have a District mother, but she has a Capitol father, naturalizing her in the eyes of the law.

"It's a bit tedious," Grant explains, "but it can be done, for the right amount of money, of course." It all comes down to money.

"I'll have plenty of that once I get back home," Coriolanus replies, "and we can start on it right now, can't we?"

Graft nods, pulling out some more files. Coriolanus gives Soarynn a reassuring smile, they've done it, they made it. She doesn't quite return his smile. "I'm gonna go put her down for a nap," she says, standing up quickly. Coriolanus stands up too, reaching out to grab her elbow. "Are you okay?"

Soarynn nods and gives a smile, a fake smile. "Just peachy, sweetheart. Don't want her fussin' while y'all do some paperwork."

"Take her back to the cabin," Graft waves her off, "we can do most of this without the ladies present." Coriolanus feels a frown tug on his lips but it's hard to be sad when he's been blessed with such good news. "Alright," he says, "I'll be back before dinner, okay?"

"Okay."

Coriolanus watches them leave, Ceraphina rests her head on Soarynn's shoulder, already falling asleep. "Looks just like her mother," Graft comments, "found yourself a good-looking woman in Twelve."

"I certainly did, sir."

Coriolanus spends the next hour or so going over paperwork and documentation regarding the girls. It's much more work than he thought, but they don't just let anyone into the Capitol, he knows that much.

He'll have to meet with lawyers, attorneys, and documentation officers once he's back in the Capitol to finalize all their paperwork. Soarynn and Ceraphina will have to be fully vaccinated and quarantined for two days before getting on the train to come live with him forever.

He just can't believe that things are finally looking up for him.

꧁ ꧂

"I think she's asleep now."

Coriolanus gives Soarynn a lazy grin as she quietly closes the bedroom door behind her. They've been enjoying his larger living quarters and tonight is the last night they'll spend together before she goes back to Twelve with Ceraphina. He'd be lying if he said it didn't feel like his heart was breaking all over again.

Soarynn crawls back into bed with him, some of her hair sticks to her forehead since they've been keeping very busy these past few nights. He doesn't know how they'll go back to being apart, back to phone calls and letters.

"She's gotten better at sleeping through the night," he says, pulling her into his chest. "I remember when she'd scream all night long." Soarynn huffs as if remembering those sleepless nights. Their whole hallway must have hated them and all the racket Ceraphina kept stirring up.

"Well, just wait till she starts walkin', then we'll be in for some real trouble." The thought of Ceraphina walking and talking amazes him. It's still hard to believe that he helped create that tiny human being sleeping outside in the living room. Although he had his reservations about it, Soarynn has been putting Ceraphina in an old trunk of his to sleep in.

"Same way she sleeps at home," Soarynn had argued on their first night here. Now it's their last night.

"By the time she's walking, we'll be in the Capitol," he assures her, "we'll have nannies to look after her." Soarynn stiffens in his hold, like a bird caught by a snake. "I don't know about all of that sweetheart. Can't see myself trustin' any of those people."

Now Coriolanus is the one who's stiff.

"What do you mean 'those people' Soarynn? I am one of those people in case you've forgotten."

She scoffs, pulling away from his arms. "How could I forget? All you do is talking about leavin', talk about the Capitol, how you belong back there."

His eyes are sharp and unforgiving. "Where else would I belong?"

"With me! With Ceraphina! With us!"

Coriolanus can't believe it, he's worked so hard for his family and this is how he's rewarded? "The Capitol is safe," he tells her, "the Capitol has order, it has rules. Ceraphina will never be safe if she stays in Twelve." His words hurt her, he could see it clear as day, but this wasn't about her anymore, it wasn't about him either.

"You wanted this Soarynn, you wanted to keep the baby. I was more than fine with getting rid of it but you chose this life for us, for yourself. Well, these are the consequences, darling, and it's time for you to face them."

Soarynn shoots out of bed quicker than he can reach out to stop her. "I'm sleepin' in the living room," she snaps, yanking the door back open. Coriolanus watches in disbelief, she'd rather sleep on the sofa than in this big bed, with him. Her husband.

He scowls and turns off the bedside lamp, if this is how she wants to act, then fine. That's perfectly fine. Nothing, no one is going to stop Snow from landing on top.

꧁ ꧂

The next two months are spent going over paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.

Coriolanus doesn't mind, he doesn't mind anything as long as he's where he belongs, in the Capitol. It had been a glorious homecoming. He was welcomed by old friends and his beloved ancestral home. Along with those two things, he was also welcomed by a job through his work as a Commander. Working in the Department of War has been challenging but in a good way.

He works under Dr. Gaul who's still quick as a whip and she keeps his mind sharp. She was the one who helped the most with all the paperwork concerning his family and getting them in the Capitol as soon as possible.

"Coriolanus Snow married to a District girl, what would your father say about that?" She had chuckled when he first explained the situation to her. Still, she's helped a great deal and now, the girls will be arriving at their new home any minute now.

Coriolanus has worked hard to get the penthouse back up to his standards. With his raised pay, he's been able to hire a cook, maid, and a nanny, despite Soarynn's hesitation. He's explained it to her many times over the phone, how this is simply how things are done here in the Capitol. Besides, he plans on having more children in the near future, so he'll need his darling songbird all to himself.

He's looking at himself in the mirror when the doorbell rings. They're here.

Coriolanus would have liked to pick them up from the station himself, but protocol called for them to be interviewed and screened without any outside interference. He'd only get a phone call if something was amiss. Looks like they passed with flying colors.

Getting Soarynn and Ceraphina a Capitol Citizens License was more difficult than he imagined. It was a little easier for Ceraphina who carried his last name and blood since birth, but Soarynn's was a bit harder to attain.

But money can make everything much easier.

He strides out of the bathroom and out of his bedroom, the master bedroom, of course. He walks by Ceraphina's room, something he finished just the other day. It's painted a light shade of pink with a large closet and bathroom. Filled with toys, books, clothes, shoes, and a beautifully crafted crib.

Ceraphina Snow will never sleep in a trunk again.

By the time he's reached the foyer, the girls are already inside, greeted by the household staff. Soarynn looks entirely overwhelmed by the welcome party, clutching Ceraphina close to her while all the women fawn over her.

"Oh, she's so darling," their cook says.

"What an angel," Maria, their maid sighs.

Soarynn's eyes dart to her husband and she sighs in relief. "There you are." Ceraphina follows her gaze and goodness, she's grown. "Daddy!"

She wiggles out of Soarynn's grasp and to his delight, ever so slowly toddles over to him. Soarynn had mentioned her developments in walking the last time they spoke on the phone, but he had no idea she was this far along.

"Look at you, sunshine!" He exclaims, crouching down to her level. Ceraphina beams up at him, resting her hands on his knee once she reaches him. He looks much different now that he's no longer a Peacekeeper. His hair is grown out and he no longer wears the uniform.

A Capitol man at his finest.

"Daddy, up!"

No one could deny such a precious little angel. Coriolanus gladly scoops Ceraphina up and kisses her cheek. She smells like her mother, like vanilla. "Oh, I've missed you, my darling. I'm so glad you're finally home." Soarynn's face shows her discomfort in all of this, in him calling this their home, in the household staff, in the Capitol itself.

"Let me take your bags, Mrs. Snow," Maria kindly insists. Soarynn reluctantly lets Maria take her brand-new suitcase. Once Coriolanus got to the Capitol he sent lots of things to Twelve. New clothes, shoes, bags, and toys. He wanted his girls to arrive in style and they most certainly have.

Ceraphina is dressed in a light blue dress, her little curls have been pulled away from her sweet rosy cheeks. Soarynn is wearing a pink long-sleeved dress, it brings out her eyes and the softness in her own cheeks and lips. He eyes her complexion, her hair, her nails. Everything will need to be touched up, and of course, a visit to the doctor is in order.

"Are you hungry? I've got some lamb stew on the stove."

Soarynn shakes her head at the cook's offer. "I think we should just settle in." Coriolanus hums in agreement now that they have all the time in the world. "We'll have an early dinner," he tells the cook, holding out a hand for Soarynn to take. She still looks weary, but with Ceraphina out of her grasp, she has no choice but to comply with his silent wishes.

Coriolanus guides them down the hallway, pointing out different rooms. "My study is down the hall to the left, the parlor is straight ahead. Oh, and here's Ceraphina's very own room."

He's proud to have provided such luxuries for his daughter. Ceraphina gasps excitedly, wiggling to go explore. He gently sets her down and she immediately goes towards the basket of stuffed animals. "You'll spoil her rotten with all this," Soarynn murmurs, crossing her arms.

Coriolanus frowns, he doesn't see it that way at all. "She deserves to have nice things. You do too." He wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her into him. "I missed you, Soarynn." She thankfully, gives into his touch, relaxing in his strong arms. "Missed you too."

She doesn't know what he has planned for tonight, but she'll find out soon enough. Until then, they both follow Ceraphina around her new room, playing along with her make-believe ideas. She instantly gravitates towards a white stuffed cat. "Kitty!"

Soarynn smiles and smooths down her curls. "Maybe your Daddy will buy you a cat." Coriolanus turns his head at that. He is not an animal person. "I'm not so sure about that," is all he says.

They play with Ceraphina until she starts to get fussy which means it's time for a nap. "Maybe she should sleep in our room," Soarynn insists, too scared to let her out of sight. Coriolanus gives her a reassuring smile. "She's perfectly safe, darling. The nanny will be listening if she needs anything."

That only makes Soarynn feel worse but Coriolanus has plans that need to start taking action soon. He can't afford any delays. After convincing Soarynn to leave Ceraphina in her room, he steers her to their own room. It's perfectly decorated and furnished.

Her eyes grow wide at the size of it, bigger than his tiny room in Twelve, that's for sure. "Goodness, you weren't lyin' over the phone." He's described the penthouse to her a number of times on the phone, but words truly don't do this magnificent place justice.

Coriolanus chuckles, taking her hand and leading her into the bathroom. "Wait until you see the closet."

He took it upon himself to fill Soarynn's side of their closet with beautiful gowns, skirts, shoes, and bags. Only the best for his wife. Soarynn follows him into the bathroom, marveling at the vanity just for her and the large shower and tub. The size of the shower is the size of their entire bathroom back in Twelve.

"Might get lost in here," she jokes, spinning around. Coriolanus smiles, glad to see that she's warming up to the idea of living here for the rest of her life. "I have a surprise for you."

Her eyebrows raise, they don't do surprises. Couldn't afford to. Now they can. He can treat his girls to anything they want. Except for a cat.

"Just got here and you're already spoilin' me," she mumbles, brushing her hair behind her ears. Coriolanus doesn't see it that way though. Soarynn carried his child longer than she carried his last name before giving birth to Ceraphina. And while at the time he saw her as a burden, he now views Soarynn as a gift, a gift bestowed to him by his father.

She's been a valuable lesson, a beautiful songbird who's now in her golden cage where he can always keep her safe and in the admiring eyes of those around them.

"The spoiling has just begun. Your surprise is in the closet."

He moves away from the doors leading to the closet, wanting to see her reaction. Soarynn slowly walks up to the doors, twisting the handles to open them. Her gasp is telling enough when she lays eyes on it.

A wedding gown. A beautiful, expensive, intricate gown.

Fit for the wife of a Snow.

"I know you just got here, but I thought we should do things properly now that you're Capitol," he explains, walking around her. "Tonight, we'll renew our vows and be married in the Building of Justice, with real witnesses, and a real wedding gown. I only wish I could've given this to you sooner."

Soarynn is speechless.

He can see the tears in her eyes. She's been moved to tears.

Coriolanus reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red velvet box before sinking down on one knee. Soarynn's breath catches in her throat when he opens it, revealing a huge diamond ring. Beautiful, shiny, expensive. It'll pair nicely with the one she already has on.

"I don't know what to say," she whispers shakily, tears rolling down her cheeks. Coriolanus grins up at her, all too pleased with himself. "Nothing you haven't said before."

He gently takes her hand and slides the ring onto her finger, right under her original ring which clearly needs to be cleaned. All of her needs to be cleaned before tonight.

"Maria will help you get ready," he tells her, "I don't want you to lift a finger so leave the unpacking to me." Soarynn says nothing, standing still as a statue when he kisses her cheek. He leaves her in the closet, grinning to himself at how well that all went.

She loved it!

Maria is waiting outside of their bedroom like he asked her to, waiting for her next orders. "My wife will need to be bathed. I want her hair trimmed, her nails cut, and her body hair waxed. She needs to look flawless tonight," he instructs the maid. "Yes, Mr. Snow."

Maria makes her way to find Soarynn and Coriolanus goes to check on Ceraphina who's still fast asleep. She'll be awake for their wedding, well, their real wedding. The one in Twelve was a sham the more he thinks about it. The nanny will be there when it's time for her to go to bed.

Coriolanus can't stop smiling to himself.

Snow lands on top again.

꧁ ꧂

Every detail of this wedding has been meticulously planned by one woman and one woman only. Eudora Trinket. Coriolanus hired her since she came highly recommended as a wedding planner. He just didn't expect her to be so feisty.

She's planned it all down to the minute.

The guests have already arrived, all good friends of Coriolanus and soon-to-be his bride. He kind of reframed all of it to benefit him and his reputation. Ceraphina didn't come along until after they were married in Twelve. This way, people won't realize what's truly happened, that he fell for some District girl and got her pregnant by accident.

It'll be much better this way, safer this way, if anything.

He looks quite handsome in his tailored suit. Once he decided to put this all together, all the planning began. He hired caterers, an orchestra, security, the whole nine yards.

A few of his friends wave from their seats as he climbs the steps to the altar. Coriolanus has never been more popular. His little stint as a Peacekeeper garnered him quite the reputation, especially since he's reframed it as honoring his father's legacy.

Who knew lying could be so beneficial?

There have been whispers about Coriolanus Snow's District bride. How he got her pregnant on accident. How she seduced him and tricked him into marrying her. How he got drunk and lost a bet. All rumors spread by people who are below him.

None of that will matter once this ceremony is finished, once Soarynn is naturalized by Capitol laws and its citizens' eyes.

A hush falls over the room once the large doors open and his nanny appears, carrying his sweet Ceraphina, dressed in a fluffy white dress with her curls perfectly styled. He can't believe she's here, that he's done the impossible. Ceraphina will never know hunger or struggle. She'll grow up with the children of his friends, beloved and cherished by all.

It's a good thing she came when she did, Coriolanus has always had paranoid notions about her developing the same twang Soarynn has. He can't have his daughter running around the Capitol with a District accent.

"Oh, how precious," one woman whispers when Ceraphina passes by her. His daughter's bright blue eyes are wide in amazement, looking around the large room and all who inhabit it. Her eyes land on him at the altar and she smiles. "Daddy!"

More people fawn over the sweet interaction, winning over some skeptical hearts in an instant. He gives her a wave and the nanny sits down in the front row beside Eudora who's nervously tapping her foot. Soarynn will be coming any minute now.

Coriolanus had given Maria specific instructions on how to style Soarynn for the ceremony.

He wanted her hair pulled away from her face, tied in a tight bun, nice and neat. He wanted her makeup to be soft and to cover a majority of her sunkissed freckles. Her dress, well, her dress is a work of art. Made completely of lace with long sleeves and a high neckline, covering all of her skin. It clings to her figure in a tasteful way, she won't be looking like a harlot.

The doors open again and this time, it's Soarynn.

She walks by herself, neither of them having any living family aside from Ceraphina. Everyone stands up, eyeing the bride who traveled all the way from District Twelve. Some people look her up and down while others admire her from afar. Soarynn's face is covered by her veil, shielding her stormy eyes. In her hands, she holds a bouquet of white roses, straight from his rose garden on the roof of the penthouse.

The wife of a Snow.

Soarynn reaches him in no time and he holds out his hand, wrapping his strong fingers around hers. He can feel her hand shaking, poor thing must be filled with excitement. They face each other while the officiant begins the expected speech. It's rather boring and drawn out, nothing personal at all but it's tradition. Coriolanus values tradition more than anything.

As the ceremony carries on, Soarynn's hands continue to shake and tremble. He catches her gaze a few times and her eyes are wide. She also scans the room multiple times, always stopping when she sees Ceraphina watching her parents with a curious look on her precious face.

Soarynn can't go anywhere without their daughter and Coriolanus won't ever give her the chance.

Call him paranoid, but Coriolanus is no fool. He knew going into this that Soarynn would protest, that she'd fight and argue against his Capitol ways and expectations. Renewing their vows and bringing their daughter into this is the perfect way to remind her of who truly holds the power in their relationship now.

His beautiful songbird fully belongs to him and there is no escaping her golden cage.

The time comes for the rings and he proudly slides on the large diamond ring onto her finger, right under his mother's ring which has been cleaned since he last saw it.

Soarynn does the same with shaky hands and he appreciates that her nails have been clipped and painted a light shade of pink. She's a new woman now and he can't wait to get home and discover just how good she can be for him now that all is right in the world.

They say their vows, the same ones they said in Twelve except Soarynn's isn't wearing a rented dress and this isn't out of wedlock.

"Coriolanus, you may kiss your bride."

The room is filled with cheers as he lifts the veil over her head and cups her face with his hand, leaning down for the perfect kiss. Soarynn returns it, although not as eagerly or passionately as he would have expected. This is their first kiss since they last saw each other and this is the best she can do?

No time to worry about it though, Eudora is already waving for them to go down the aisle. Coriolanus leads them past all of their friends, a newfound purpose in his life now that he's been officially married. All the pieces are finally coming together.

꧁ ꧂

The reception is everything he could have imagined.

Coriolanus is hailed as the hero who took it upon himself to provide a District girl a better life and Soarynn is the newest and most interesting thing about him. He sees the Capitol men eyeing her like an object, cursing themselves for not considering the Districts as an option to find a potential wife. The women eye her with envy, noting her natural beauty and how she's efffortlessly managed to snag the most desired man in the Capitol.

If only they knew how much blood, sweat, and tears had gone into this relationship. How many fights and slammed doors, how many phone calls and cherished letters. This is how it was always meant to be, with all of them in the Capitol, together.

"She'll look just like her mother when she gets older," Festus Creed concludes, giving Ceraphina a wave. She nervously hides her face away in Soarynn's veil, causing all the adults to laugh. The moment they stepped into the ballroom, Soarynn found Ceraphina with the nanny and hadn't let go of her since.

"She's better off for it," Coriolanus jokes, wrapping his arm around Soarynn's waist, "they'll both be turning heads." While the men nod in agreement, Clemensia Dovecote asks her own question, directed at Soarynn. "How exactly did you and Coriolanus meet?"

Soarynn holds Ceraphina a little tighter as if she could be taken away from her at any given moment. "I met him while he was serving as a Peacekeeper in Twelve." Coriolanus grunts, she gave the perfect answer. "I saw her one day in town," he elaborates, bending the truth even more, "couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was the prettiest girl in town."

Soarynn blushes but it was no secret that she was considered a great beauty in Twelve. No one could deny her good looks, given to her by her own mother.

"How sweet. And you two have been together for how long now?"

"Almost two years now," he replies, "Ceraphina was a string that tied it all together." When hearing her name, the small child perks up and grabs for him, "Daddy, up!" Soarynn quiets her down but Coriolanus doesn't mind his darling daughter. Not when she makes him look like the best man in the world. "Come here sunshine, we should let the nanny look after you for a while, hmm?"

Panic flashes through Soarynn's eyes but he pays it no mind, prying their daughter from her hands. Soarynn has no choice but to let her go or she'd be making a scene. Besides, this is why they have a nanny in the first place, to take Ceraphina off their hands whenever they want a moment alone.

And Coriolanus plans on having a lot of moments alone now that they're safe in the Capitol.

"Come on darling, we ought to get in a few dances before we cut the cake," he says, waving over the nanny. Ceraphina instantly took a liking to the woman who Coriolanus hired after several interviews. Not just anyone can be trusted to watch over the child of a Snow.

"I don't know Coriolanus," she starts but he shakes his head at her hesitance. Soarynn loved to dance at the Hob, it's how he noticed her at first. Dancing like no one was watching. "Nonsense, you'll be a natural."

The nanny comes over to releive them of their parental duties, putting an end to any fuss from either of the girls. He takes Soarynn's hand and guides her out to the middle of the ballroom floor. A few other couples are dancing as well, so all eyes aren't entirely on them.

"Coriolanus, I don't belong here," Soarynn whispers almost ugrently, looking around the room. He furrows his brows, maybe she wasn't born here, but she's certainly paid the price to get here, no pun intended.

"You're a Snow," he tells her gently, "it's been a long day, you're tired, there's a lot of new faces. You'll feel much better about all of this in the morning." Soarynn shakes her head, still insistent that this isn't where she belongs. "No, no, they ain't my people, I don't belong in such a fancy dress around real fancy people."

"What did I say about talking like that? We're in the Capitol now, we need to use proper grammar or Ceraphina will pick up on bad habits," he scolds, twirling her around. Soarynn looks dizzy and it's not from the dancing. "I thought things would be different here."

"They are," he laughs in disbelief, "here there's order! Once I start going to work everyday, you'll fall into a routine that's comfortable for yo-"

"I thought I'd finally get to spend time with you," she cuts him off. "I thought we'd finally be able to settle down and raise our family."

Coriolanus doesn't know where she's gotten all of these wild ideas from. Yes, they'll have a family, but he still has to work. Someone has to provide and he's been providing for years now with little to now reward. "I want to do things the right way, Soarynn, on my terms, no one else's."

For too long, Coriolanus has taken orders from other people, from other men. District men. Not anymore.

"What about me? What about my terms and what I want? I gave up everything for you and you still want more." Coriolanus pulls her closer to him, they're practially nose to nose. "You need to calm down," he hisses lowly, "women in the Capitol do not act out and they certainly don't disobey their husbands."

"Time for the cake you two!"

Their argument is cut short by Eudora who will not wait for anyone, even the guests of honor. So, they cut the cake, thet smile, they kiss, they act like the happiest couple in the world. Soarynn manages to get Ceraphina back in her arms but she's fast asleep, oblivious to the party going on around her.

Coriolanus can see how angry she is, how alone and isolated she feels. A lone songbird in her cage. She'll understand one day though, why he had to do this, why he was so insistent on keeping her close at all times.

Soarynn might hate him for what he'll do in order to keep their family together, but he can live with that. As long as she and Ceraphina are safe, he'll do anything to keep Snow on top.

To keep them safe and sound.

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| Part 2. | Final Part |

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