Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Thirty-Two

Peeta POV- (The following morning)

The sound of my alarm clock beeping too early wakes us.

"Go back to sleep, Katniss. I'm going to work." I tell her, I lean over and kiss her forehead as she sleepily falls back onto the pillow.

I smile to myself and begin dressing.

I trudge down the stairs and get in my car, driving the few blocks until I make it to the Mellark Bakery and my old home.

It does however, feel good to be back but I already know coming back is going to cause further drama between Katniss and I.

I love her but sometimes, she's too reliant on me. I know I did it to myself but in the same sense, she's so independent.

"Hm. There's the boy." My mother grumbles immediately as I walk into the room.

I shrug, "Hello" I smile, trying not to show any anger or start anything up.

I push past her and head to the back where I find my dad and my two brothers working away.

"Hey, Son. We didn't think you were gonna make it." He says, surprised.

"Why wouldn't I?" I ask somewhat offended and a little confused.

My brothers just shrug and my dad joins, "We thought Katniss wouldn't let you or that you were going to chicken out." David tells me.

I laugh, completely offended now.

"No, I said I was going to be here and I'm here. Katniss is fine with it." I tell them defensively.

"Okay." They say.

I roll my eyes and wash up, taking my old apron from the rack and putting it on over my t-shirt and slacks.

"What do you need me to do?" I ask my dad.

"Here, I'll go get your orders but until then, you take my place so I can keep your mother away."

"Oh, she already greeted me ever so kindly when I walked in." I say.

I can already tell that today is going to be a long day.

I haven't been here five minutes and I've already received the usual treatment.

I roll up my sleeves and begin kneading the dough my dad had been working on.

Knowing it was yeast donut dough, I section off pieces and roll them into little balls.

I flatten the dough, making a circular sheet, and I take the hole-maker and press tiny holes into the middle, making sure to roll the extras back into little balls for donut holes, a lot of children's favorite.

"So, how's married life, little brother?" Ryan asks.

"Amazing. How's everything with you two?" I say, remembering the girlfriends they did have, the ones that were so horrible to Katniss.

"They're okay." They say in unison.

I refrain from rolling my eyes so I just nod my head.

I throw the donuts into the oven and begin doing cake orders that my dad brings back.

Katniss POV- (A few hours later)

"Peeta!" I call.

No answer.

"Peeta, come here!" I holler again and receiving no answer, again.

I wonder what he's doing, he always answers me when I call for him.

I shrug and get out of our warm bed and tromp down the stairs and into the dark kitchen, that's when I realize that Peeta isn't here.

He isn't here because he left at 7 o'clock this morning to go to work, at least he doesn't have to be there at 5 anymore but that means, if I want to see him before work, I'm going to have to get up when he does.

Which I can definitely manage.

I groan and throw myself into the cold, hard barstool that sits at the island. I lay my head on the counter top, putting my face into my crossed arms.

I wish Peeta was here with me.

I have been asleep for four hours while he's been at work and I just wish he could've been next to me those four hours, my good sleep would've been great.

He won't be home until three either.

I decide to call him on the phone.

(On the phone with Peeta)

"Mellark Bakery." I hear none other than my sweet husband's voice boom through the telephone.

I smile involuntarily at his voice.

"I miss you." I laugh a little.

"Oh. Hey, sweet girl." He says and I can hear the smile in his voice. "I miss you too." He says.

"Are you having a good day so far?" I ask curiously, hoping for the best but by the sound of his last words, I don't think that's the case.

He sighs, "Well, it could be worse but it could be better."

"What happened?" I ask him.

"Nothing, just my family. You know how they are."

I frown, I do know how they are.

I mean his dad does atleast try a little, I'll give him that but he could try a little harder. His brothers aren't he nicest but they have their moments they are okay. And then there is his mother and we both know how she is.

"I'm sorry, Peeta." I tell him, genuinely feeling sorry for him.

Peeta chuckles a little, "It's not your fault. It's mine but I can handle it."

I smirk a little bit, "I know you can. Hey, there's only four more hours." I remind him.

Four hours is a long time but I had to tell him something.

"That's really a long time, you know." Peeta says sarcastically and we share a laugh.

"I know. Hey, it'll seem longer for me because I don't have anything to do and you do."

"Yeah, that's true. Why don't you try calling Bristol?" He suggests.

"Maybe later this week but not today." I say.

"Okay. I got to go. Have a good rest of the day. I'll see you at three-ish. I love you."

"I love you too." I say, hanging up the phone.

I tap my fingers rhythmically on the counter top, trying to decipher what to do next.

I decide that watching a good movie is long over do, so I do it.