"BE MINE FOR FOREVER.."

--¤☆¤--

Grief had been a very prominent thing in Athena Grey's life. It was like a weight always pushed down on her shoulders, no matter how many times she tried to remove it. It had followed her her entire life like a dark shadow. Watching and plucking people one by one. It seemed as though the war was the perfect time to land one last blow.

The war had been over for three months now, and Panem was slowly rebuilding itself from the ashes of the Capitol. Many lives have been lost. Innocent men, women and children. It seemed as though funerals had become a daily event.

She said goodbye to many friends. Boggs, Prim. They were good people. Really good people. They were dead. Gone. It felt odd to say it aloud. They were gone. Lost, but never forgotten. They would live on in the memories of the ones they loved. The two of them would always be remembered, just like little Rue. Katniss would remember. Peeta would. And so would Athena. They would not be forgotten.

Then there were the other funerals she went to. She didn't even know them that well, just their names. She didn't know why she did it, maybe it was out of respect. Or maybe it was because she didn't want no one to be there for them. The Leegs sister's, Castor and Holmes. Were the most empty.

There were so many more, but it was hard to keep up with the names when you had back-to-back funerals. It was one right after the other. Soldiers, farmers, bakers, citizens. It didn't matter what tile they held. Or how much money they had to their name. They were dead and gone. And no one could do a thing about it.

It was sad. Watching as people tried to figure out what to do now. Almost everyone had buried someone they knew or loved. But they had at least someone to lean on. They had someone who could sit there and understand their pain. Someone who would give them support. But it felt different for Athena Grey.

Instead of Finnick coming home and hugging her tightly. She had to stare at a small envelope. His last words to her. Instead of Finnick kissing her forehead as they stared out at the ocean, rambling about how excited they were to be parents. She had to sit on the shoreline and think, her hand rubbing her belly. Think about everyone she had lost.

First, it was her parents. Pixie followed them. Klaudius and Milama were next. Mags followed shortly after. Wiress trailed after her. Then it was her friends from the Career pack, one by one. Boggs was after. Then, Finnick. Finnick was the last. He was the last person she had. Now, he was gone.

So yeah. Grief was a weight that Athena Grey had to carry all of her life. No matter how many times she tried, she could never remove the weight. It was a shadow that trailed after her from the day she turned fourteen. If someone had told her then of the tragedy and pain that she would have to endure. She would have done a million things differently. Starting with telling Finnick Odair that she loved him with all of her heart, before it was too late. No matter the risks. For she is a Dangerous Woman.

---0---

Dear Wise Girl,

What to say to you? Where should I start? Right! I love you, I always have actually. I knew that I loved you when you called me Seaweed Brain on that rooftop. I didn't know it at the time, but looking back. I now know that I did. I really did.

Looking back on my life, I truly wish we had more time. More time to plan out our lives. More time to do whatever we wanted without the Capitol there towering over us. I wish that I told you sooner. I wish I had done a lot of things in my life. Hugged Mags more. Drank with Johanna more. Kissed you more. But, I can't change that. Things are different now. Panem is at war. The Capitol is crumbling slowly. We are winning. After all of this time. We are finally beating Snow at his own game.

Have I told you that I loved you? I truly do. I love your smile. I love your heart. I love how you always put me before you. I love that you care about everyone. I love you. I love you so much that I had to leave you. I am writing this letter on the night before I leave for the Capitol. You don't know it yet. But I am leaving to bring a better Panem. A Panem where we can raise our kids without fear of Snow or the Hunger Games. I want them to grow up in a better world. A world where their parents' past are nothing but a distant memory.

I know that by leaving you in our bed. I leave behind the woman that I love the most. That I leave behind the mother of my future children. I leave behind the woman who adores flower crowns and sunrises. A woman who loves with her whole heart. I know the risks. I might not make it home, but I promise you I will. I will come home to you.

I will see you again..But..But if I do not. I don't want you to be angry with the others. With Katniss. I knew the risks. I took them knowing that I was leaving my life behind. But, I know that you will never see this letter as I will be home before you get the chance to read this. This letter will be a shred of papers. You will never read these words, and we will live our lives happily together.

Where would you want to live by the way? I think that District Four would be nice. The beach and the sunny weather. We could teach our kids how to swim. I can show them how to fish, just like my dad did. You can show them how to ride horses and tie knots. What do you say? You want to live in Four?

I have to get going soon, but in case the trip takes a little longer than expected. I want you to remember this on your worst of days, I will love you. And on your best of days, I will always love you. Always and Forever. Until the day I die. 

Your's truly,

Seaweed Brain.

P.S. I will see you soon

+++++

And I am done with the chapter! Stay safe out there guys! I hope you all are doing okay  emotionally and physically in quarantine!

I love you all! I hope that you are enjoyed the book! I had so much fun! Reading / Writing it!

A quick thanks to everyone who has been supporting me! I want everyone to know that I love reading your comments, so please keep on writing them! 

A BIG HUG AND KISS TO YOU ALL! THANK YOU!

P.S. Don't worry me and Ghost have more books to come! 

XOXO

A.

GHOST MEME TO CHEER YOU UP AND BIG HUG AND KISS TO YOU ALL!