You walked around the large orphanage, watching the children run around, laughing and cheering. Each young girl was around the age of 4, or even 5. They were all laughing and smiling, without a care in the world.
It's been years after the rebellion. You and Cato gotten married at District 2, and you've heard that Katniss and Peeta got married as well. You and Cato wanted to have a family, but, thanks to the condition the Capitol gave you, having a birth child wasn't an option. However, you were more than open to go visit an orphanage to adopt a child.
Whilst you were struggling to deal with the PTSD that burdened you, Cato and Clove were always there for you. The doctors had once assumed that Clove was a figment of your imagination, or just a hallucination from your PTSD trauma of losing her. They even offered you a pill to forget about her. But you never took it, you refused to ever forget about your best friend.
The doctors gave up months after your refusal, and you built a memorial for Clove. Everyday, you visited her, always taking time to talk about your day. Even though Clove was still with you, it was something you liked to do and add to your schedule. It was something that kept you and Cato sane.
You and Cato had split up to try and 'cover more ground' as Cato put it. But you agreed, seeing if any of the children had caught your eye.
So far, nobody had. They all seemed so similar with their personalities. It wasn't a bad thing, but none of them made them intriguing to you.
Going up to the higher floor of the orphanage, you hummed the familiar tune you sang years ago.
"You've got to give a little, take a little, and let your poor heart break a little, that's the story of, that's the glory of love."
You wandered throughout the halls of the higher floor, finding an empty classroom. You went in and sat on a chair. How funny, you were in a room similar to this years ago, singing the same song. Realizing no one else was around, you started to sing.
"You've got to laugh a little,"
"Cry a little, until the clouds roll by a little," You heard someone else singing the song. You thought it was Clove at first, but your head didn't tingle like usual. You assumed you were just making things up, and continued.
"That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
As long as there's the two of us, we've got the world and all it's charms..." This time, you heard the sound of a little girl, and small footsteps making their way towards you.
"And when the world is through with us, we've got each other's arms..." You stopped singing, turning to meet the girl who knew the same song as you. You could feel your heart clench.
The girl was probably half of Lily's height. She had shoulder length dark hair, dark eyes, and freckles. All these features reminded you of one person: Clove.
You smiled at the girl kindly. "Hello! What's your name?"
She smiled back in joy, happy that you noticed her. "My name is Clover!"
It was if the gods blessed you with a gift. You could feel tears start to grow in your eyes, yet you refused to let them show. The girl, however, noticed your tears.
"What's wrong, miss?" She asked. You had to refrain from squealing at how cute this girl was. "Oh, it's nothing," You smiled kindly, rubbing your eyes.
"It's just, you remind me of my best friend who passed away years ago." The five year old hugged you as best as she could with her child arms, causing you to squeal at how cute it was. You hugged her back in response, a smile growing on your face.
"How did you know that song?" You asked her, a little surprised at how the song has stayed with people even for so long. Clover smiled at the ground, some of her dark locks falling onto her face.
"My mum used to sing it when I was a baby. She said it was really popular years ago." You giggled at her response, nodding. "Well, she was definitely right."
Clover then looked around at where you two were, which just so happened to be at an art classroom. "Do you like art?" She asked.
You nodded in response. "I used to paint whenever I could years ago. Now, I never was able to thanks to what happened in the past." You shrugged, kind of disappointed.
Clover looked at you and smiled. She reminded you of Clove so much, you were definitely thinking of adopting her.
"Do you wanna draw with me?" She asked, holding your hand. You smiled. "That would be awesome." You two giggled as she dragged you to one of the easels, picking up a paintbrush and painting whatever you felt like. The two of you were able to have cute conversations.
Only moments later, Cato had entered the room. You turned to him. "Oh! Cato!" You smiled happily, motioning for him to come over. Your husband smiled, walking towards you and Clover.
"Oh, who's this, (Y/N)?" He asked, sitting down beside you two.
"This is Clover!" You smiled, holding onto Cato's hand.
"Are you two dating?" Clover asked, looking at you with a smug look. You blushed a little, yet nodded.
"Yes, she's my wife." Cato said behind you, making Clover wiggle her eyebrows at you, causing Cato to do the same. You mocked offense at her and Cato. "I feel attacked here." Causing you three to all laugh.
A few hours later, you checked your watch to see that you had to go. You frowned, nudging Cato, signalling you two had to leave as the orphanage was about to ask people to leave. "Sorry Clover, but we need to go." You softly squeezed the child's hand.
"Will you come back?" She asked, pleadingly. You giggled at her. "Of course we will." Cato confirmed.
As you two were heading out of the classroom, you heard Clover call out to you once more. "Bye, mommy!"
Your heart sped up in happiness once more, as your smile grew even wider on your face.
When you two got home, Cato noticed your gleeful expression.
"You seem happy." He commented. You turned to him, giggling. "Well no kidding, Sherlock."
He shook his head and chuckled. Wrapping his arms around your waist, he rested his chin on your shoulder. "Are you interested in her?" He asked, turning to you.
You blushed at how cute and innocent Cato looked, before nodding. "Definitely. I think Clove sent her to us somehow." You ran your fingers through Cato's blonde hair, hearing him sigh in delight.
"Well, do you want to go talk to the orphanage?" Cato smirked at you. You squealed in happiness, like a child who just got a new pet.
"Yes!!" You cheered, causing Cato to laugh.
"Hello! This is Lucy from the Orphanage. How may I help you?" A woman called from the orphanage.
"Hi, this is (Y/N). Cato and I are interested in a child and want to adopt them." You said politely.
"Of course! Who are you interested in?"
"Clover." You responded. You could hear the woman smile.
"Aww, she's such a sweet girl. But she's mischievous, so I warn you." Lucy joked, causing you to laugh in response.
"Oh no worries, she'll be amazing."
"Well, I'll get the paperwork together, and see you back in a few weeks!" She replied, making you smile even wider.
"That would be lovely. Thank you!" You hung up the phone and twirled in happiness.
'Someone's happy.' Clove commented, suddenly appearing in your vision, sitting on the kitchen countertop.
"Oh! Yeah, I am." You said happily, you haven't felt this happiness in a long time. When you and Cato got married.
'Well, you're welcome, (N/N).' She smirked at you, hugging you.
"Was it your blessing?" You joked, being half serious as well. You hugged back, of course.
'Well, yeah. Plus, I know you can't have your own child, so...' Clove grinned, knowing it was her doing to send Clover to you.
You shook your head, grinning back. Despite your condition, preventing you from being pregnant, you were still thankful that Clove did that.
You fiddled with the bracelet Clove's dad had given you nine years ago. It still stayed with you, never breaking, never getting old.
"Thank you again, Clove. For everything." You said out of the blue, smiling at her.
'Why did you thank me?' She asked.
You shrugged. "I just felt like it. You're my best friend, after all."
She smiled back, not needing to say a word.
-
The weeks finally passed, as you and Cato drove down to the orphanage once more. You got to finally adopt Clover.
After signing a small amount of paperwork, Lucy had brung Clover to the door, along with some of her belongings and clothes. She was wearing a black shirt with black pants, and a large denim coat.
You smiled at Clover, bringing your hand out to her. She looked at you and smiled happily, grabbing your hand and skipping off with you.
Cato smiled at your interaction with your new adopted daughter, and waved to Lucy in thanks.
You and Clover already made it to the car, laughing at a little joke you two made. You could see in her dark eyes, you saw Clove in your child.
And you were going to cherish your daughter forever.