And Then There Were Four [Embryze]

Through each regret and each goodbye
was a mistake too great to hide

Parenthood was not something Julian Bryze had anticipated, nor was it something he had ever wanted. Here he was though, in his partner’s home, in a District he had also never imagined himself in, with a sixth month old. Despite the circumstances under which she came into his world, Julian couldn’t help but adore the little blonde girl in his arms. Of course, he was never one for showing much affection, but when it was just the two of them he would make the silliest faces and noises to coerce those baby grins and giggles. It seemed that Mace was no longer the only one who could break down his icy walls.

Unlike Mace, who was a natural at being a father, for the first time in Julian’s life, he was struggling to be adept at something. He had never blinked once at the blood of the tributes to fall by his hand, but Juliet’s dirty diapers had been another story entirely. His upbringing had made him quite above poopy bottoms, vomit and drooling. Then there was also the crying... Mace was excellent at getting her to calm down. She would almost instantaneously fall asleep within moments of him holding her. Julian assumed this was due to Mace having more “cushion”; it was likely not very comfortable against his own firm, thin frame.

He was trying though. If there was one thing no one could hold against him, it was his sincere attempt to be a parent to a child that should never have been his.

“Oh no…” Julian sighed, placing a palm to his forehead as Juliet’s wailing began a new. “Halle!” He called back into the kitchen where his young maid was working, “I think it’s time for her bottle!”

He turned back to the crying child in his arms and began rocking her as he hummed softly—yet another activity he would only engage in privately. He would occasionally slip up and sing to her quietly around Mace, but he either didn’t notice or was kind enough not to mention it. Halle would hear him though, but she certainly knew better than to incur the wrath of the Sixtieth victor.

Sure enough, Julian quieted as he heard Halle approach.

“Here ya are,” she said with her usual cheery temperament.

Julian accepted the bottle without a word and held the tip to Juliet’s lips. The crying ceased as she graciously sucked down her meal. Speaking of meals, Julian was beginning to wonder where Mace was. He knew where he had gone of course, but he usually came back for lunch.

“Go start preparing lunch,” Julian said as he looked over at an ornate wall clock. “I’m sure Mace will be hungry when he gets back.”

“He’s always hungry,” Halle responded with a smile and a small laugh.

Julian couldn’t help but grin and chuckle a bit himself. After a moment, he cleared his throat though and waved her away. He did have to admit that in this District where he still knew so few people, he was glad to have Halle’s company in the house. He could certainly be dismissive with her, but he did enjoy speaking with her from time to time. Though he could be cold and cruel, he could not be as reclusive as Mace. Julian was bred and groomed to be doted upon, and too much time without an audience left him feeling alone and vulnerable.

It wasn’t long after finishing her bottle that Juliet’s eyes grew heavy and naptime awaited. Julian resumed his soft humming as he carried her up to her nursery. It wasn’t quite as nice as her room in District 2, however, it was still far nicer than the rooms of any other citizen of this District. As he laid her in her crib, he looked down upon her with a smile that no camera had ever captured. It was a smile of genuine love reserved for only private moments such as these.

He made his way back downstairs and the aromas of Halle’s cooking were already filling the first floor. Being the picky eater he was, most of it didn’t appeal to him, but he enjoyed the smells all the same. He informed Halle that he was stepping out and kicked on his tennis shoes near the front door. An afternoon run seemed extremely appealing with his daughter asleep and his boyfriend away.

Julian stepped out onto the porch and stretched, basking in the warm sunlight of the early fall. He could hear the trotting of a horse nearby and looked to see Mace returning in the carriage, which Julian refused to ever ride based on principal. He was about to wave when he noticed Mace holding something in his arms… something that better not be what it looked to be. Julian’s muscles grew tight and his body rigid as he folded his arms and waited.