Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Thirty-One

Peeta POV- (The next day, Katniss is running errands)

(On the phone with Dad)

"Hey, Dad?" I say nervously into the phone.

"Oh, Peeta. How's everything going?" He asks politely.

"Fine. I was just wanting to know if you would like to have me back at the bakery?"

"I will see what I can do." He teases me.

Luckily, things between my father and I have been completely back to normal.

I chuckle a little, "Okay, just make sure you run it by my mother." I say truthfully.

"It's not her choice. And, I just found out that you can start back anytime you'd like. Your brothers and I have been missing you a lot, Peeta."

I smile happily, feeling pretty loved for once.

"I've missed you guys too but if I come back, we need to have some major changes made." I tell him.

"Anything you'd like. I don't want to lose you again, Son."

"Thank you, Dad. It means a lot." I admit.

Sure, we've had our ups and downs but compared to my mother, my brothers and my dad drool over me.

Plus, they are my family.

Of course, I've missed them but things need to change in order for this to work.

"That's nice. How is your new bride?"

I smile even wider when he mentions her, "She is perfect." I tell him proudly.

"That is wonderful, you deserve her, kid. After all you've gone through, I am glad you found her."

My heart feels happy.

"I am too." I say, my mind wandering off to her.

"Okay. Well, when do you think you will be back?" He asks curiously.

I shrug, "Can I start up again tomorrow? I do have a few conditions though, mostly for Katniss really."

"Okay, what are they?" Dad asks.

"Well, she still doesn't feel comfortable with me being around Mom after what happened last time and neither do I. If you could keep her away as much as possible, that would be fantastic."

My father chuckles, "I'll do my best. Listen, I'm sorry about her. You deserve someone so much better than her but if it wasn't for her you wouldn't be the man you are. Just remember that, okay?"

I nod in understanding, "Okay. I know, I will."

It's true.

I probably wouldn't be Peeta Mellark if it wasn't for her. I mean she's my mom so I obviously wouldn't be here without her but another thing is the way she treats me shaped my personality.

"The other conditions?"

"Oh, yeah. Um, could Katniss come up with me sometimes? I mean she wouldn't be there all the time but sometimes." I ask, hopeful.

"Sure, Son. She's welcome anytime. Just remember your mother when you bring her."

I shrug, "I will but she's really family now so Mom needs to realize that."

"Maybe now that you're married, she will."

"Also, could you put me in charge of only cakes, cupcakes and cookies? I don't want to have to come in super early to make stock. I've done it all my life, make Ryan or David do it."