Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Katniss POV-

"Thanks. I'm just mad because all those moms were right there and they were all too busy on their phones to care. I mean even if it wasn't their kid, they sat there and heard her and probably saw her." I say frustratedly.

Peeta pats my back, "But you were the one that helped her and I'm really proud of you for that." He says, kissing my temple.

I smile and lean my head on his shoulder, "She reminds me of you and my sister."

Peeta looks at me, his eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?" He asks softly.

"Well, she kind of looked like Prim a little bit, when she was littler. Then, she told me her mom is mean to her." I say, frowning.

Peeta holds his breath and I can tell.

"Oh." He finally breathes.

"Yeah, she said she wished I could be her mom." I say, laughing a little.

Peeta looks at me, "Oh." Is all he says.

A few seconds later, Skylar comes back, with a few other kids, "Katniss, will you come play with us, please?" She says, taking my hand.

I look at Peeta and he just gives me a nod, so I give him a quick peck and I stand up.

When I turn back all the little girls give me a stink face.

"Why did you kiss that boy?" One small little girl asks.

I laugh and before I can answer, Skylar does, "That's her husband."

"You have a husband?" Another little girl asks in disbelief.

Peeta and I both chuckle and I nod my head.

"That's crazy." One says and the others agree.

One little girl nudges Skylar, and whispers something in her ear. Skylar shakes her head, "No, that's not their baby." She says and the little girl nods.

I look back at Peeta who just smiles happily. Carter is just waking up and is hungry so while I go play with the kids, Peeta cares for her.

About an hour and a half or longer later, Peeta and Carter sit against the tree. Carter lays against Peeta's chest, gnawing away on a teething biscuit.

The little girls ask me all kinds of questions about myself and I be sure to ask them some too, questions that aren't creepy sounding, though their parents don't seem to mind a bit that I've been playing with their children.

"Your hair is really pretty, Katniss. Will you braid my hair like that?" One little girl with long brown hair asks.

"Yeah, mine too." Another pipes in and another and another.

I chuckle, "Sure." I say and the little girl scoots in front of me.

I begin Dutch-braiding the girls locks as the other little girls sing songs to me.

I finish one girl and start the next.

It's almost 3:30 when Peeta comes over, obviously ready to leave.

"Hey, Katniss?" Peeta says, approaching us, an awake Carter in his arms.

I smile, "Yeah?" I ask.

"It's been a long day. I'm gonna go sit in the air conditioning with Carter, she's pretty sweaty." He says.

I frown and nod my head, "Okay, I'll be there in a minute."

Peeta smiles, "Okay." And walks away.

"Katniss, you're leaving?" Skylar whines.

I frown genuinely, "Yeah, I got to go home, Sweetie. I've been here along time. Peeta is tired too." I explain.

They all whine and groan.

"You're taking me with you, right?" Skylar asks.

Where did that come from?

"No, Sweetheart. I can't do that. Your mother is waiting on you in the car." I say, pointing to her mother, who obviously has no interest other than keeping cool in this weather.

Skylar let's out a sigh, "I thought you were serious when you said you wanted a five year old."

I laugh, feeling extremely guilty.

"I do but not for a long long time. Peeta and I just got married and it's really crazy, okay?"

She frowns and nods, "But I promise you, when I want a five year old, I'll come find you." I promise, though it's a lie.

Skylar nods and embraces me, as do all the other children.

"Thank you for playing with us." They all say and for the first time ever, I actually feel accepted by children.

Peeta is usually the one in this position, surrounded by children.

I bid them all goodbye and meet Peeta back in the car, "They seem to like you a lot." Peeta says as we leave the park.

I shrug, "They usually like you. I'm surprised any of them had anything to do with me." I fell him truthfully.

"It's just because you look kind of mean."

I laugh, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you look tough, not really mean. I don't know how to explain it but they saw you help that little girl out. That's why they liked you so much."

I shrug, "I guess so."

Peeta sighs, "So, don't be mad at me for asking you this but..." Peeta begins, extremely nervously, "What would you think about adopting that little girl?"

I snort, not really meaning to.

"Peeta, she has a mom. She's not even up for adoption anyways. It's impossible."

Where the hell did that come from?

Peeta frowns, "I didn't think she was. I had to ask though."

He's being crazy.

"Don't you want kids of our own?" I ask him, confused with what he actually wants.

Maybe he saw this as a good opportunity to bring it up, which, it's brought up almost every single day whether he brings it up or I do.

Peeta shrugs, "Yes, I want us to have our own kids. A piece of me and you but everyday is seems like that day will never come."

"Peeta, we've been married for one month exactly. We still need time to be husband and wife before we even think about bring parents. Okay?"

He nods his blond head, "Yeah." He says harshly back and that's when I know I've hurt his feelings.

"Peeta, don't." I say, frustrated with him.

"Katniss, I know we've only been married a month but it seems like your answer will never be 'yes.'" Peeta says defensively.

"What happened to 'I can live without them, I have you?'" I say back, angrily.

Peeta takes a deep breath, "Maybe I can't. Maybe I want something that's just mine and yours and it's something that represents our love. Alright? Everyone else is having kids and it honestly seems like we never will." He says.

"Peeta, two people we know have kids or are having them. Okay? I've told you before we will have them but I don't know when. I'm scared. I don't want to be a mother yet. I'm only 20 years old and so are you, Peeta."

He frowns and doesn't say anything after that, he doesn't saying anything until we get home, then all he says is, "I'll get her."

So he gets Carter out and goes inside, leaving me out here by myself.