Life Goes On

Chapter 4 : Welcome Home

Katniss P.O.V

A few days after waking up, I'm sent home. Peeta looks like hell. He hasn't shower in almost two weeks and has only eaten my leftovers. He refused to leave my side. I'm sure nurses brought him food or tried to get him to leave long enough to care for himself, but I'm guessing by the smell he didn't. I bet running to take a piss was the longest he was willing to leave me. But on the bright side, my room was full of flowers and balloons and stuffed bears. I don't understand why though, I'm sure I'll be back in the hospital when Peeta has his next episode. I shouldn't say that. IF he has another episode. Just try to think positive.

"Ugh I'm so ready to go home," I say to Peeta. "I'm so tired that all I wanna do is go upstairs and sleep." "Well Katniss, all you've done is sleep haha. Maybe you should eat or something. Just not go to sleep." "Why? What are you not telling me?" "Um nothing. I just wanna spend time with you." He's never been a good liar. I know something's up. We pull into the Victor's Village and park infront of our house. "The primroses are starting to die. We need to take care of that. I don't want them dying like..." "Shhhh it's ok! It will get taken care of, Katniss." I open the front door and walk into the living room. It seems awfully dark, so I turn on the lights. I can't believe what I'm seeing right now. "Mom?"

"Awe, honey, I'm so glad you're ok! I tried to come see you, but nurses told me that you didn't want visitors." my mom said. "I just wanted Peeta. No offense, but you and I haven't spoken since I moved back to District 12. So I assumed you wanted nothing to do with me. I'm sure Haymitch was drunk the whole time, and I doubt anyone else bothered to come. Otherwise they'd be here uninvited like you." "Katniss, Haymitch called her thinking that you would want her here," Peeta explains. "Why would I? She shut me and Prim out when dad died. And shut me out when Prim died! I'm the only thing you have left, Mom, and you never once thought to call me? Not even on my birthday or anything? What kind of mother are you? You know, Prim was right. I will be a better mother then you ever were. Now get out!" "Ok, Katniss. Glad to see you're alive and well," she sobs as she walks out the door.

Peeta looks at me worried. "Katniss, I'm sorry. I didn't call, that was Haymitch not me. I don't blame you for what you said. I just wish you didn't shut out the only family you have. At least you have family still alive." "Peeta, I didn't mean to upset you. She's just never felt like family to me since my dad died." "It's ok, love," he says. "Now what was that whole 'Prim was right. I will be a better mother then you ever were' about?" Damn it! Now he is gonna know what Prim saw in our future. I don't want him to think that because that's what I saw means we're gonna have kids. I still don't really want them, and I'd hate to get his hopes up. "Nothing. I just wanted her to feel guilty." "You sure? Katniss, it's ok to tell me. I'll never pressure you into anything you don't want. Yes, I want kids with you. Yes, I want to marry you. Hell I still wanna lose my virginity to you. You have no idea the effect you have on me. I made you a promise that night on the train, to stay with you always. And I still mean it." "I know, Peeta. I just don't want to set my hopes too high. Part of me still thinks the games will come back. I just can't seem to let go. You're the only reason I decided to live. Everyone I love besides you was there in heaven. It was so hard to chose to stay, and I'm glad I did. Because I'm still here with you. I don't know what the future holds. I don't even know if what I saw will come true. But what I do know is I love you. Always."

"Really?" "Really, Peeta. I wouldn't lie about how I feel about you." He walks over the to front door and I hear the door lock. He comes back over to me and slams his lips onto mine. It's sweet, yet passionate. Forced, but wanted. That feeling I had on the beach in the Quarter Quell is back, and stronger than ever. There are no cameras. No other tributes trying to kill us. It's just me and Peeta. I know what I want and I think he wants the same. We've lived under the same roof for a year, went through two Hunger Games together, and even slept on the train together, but never had sex. Now there's nothing stopping us. Except my insecurities. He slowly lifts my shirt, and I stop him. "I'm sorry I didn't realize you didn't wanna.." "No, Peeta! That's not it. It's just...my scars and burns. They're awful to look at. I can't even look at myself without feeling disgusted." "Katniss, you are beautiful. In every way humanly possible. Everyone has scars, mental and/or physical. I mean look at me and my leg. You still love me with that, right?" "Of course I do!" "Then believe me when I say I'll still love you the same." Instead of answering him, I shut him up with a kiss. I'm guessing he understands what I'm thinking and I allow him to take off my clothes. We leave a trail of clothes leading to our bedroom. I let go of my insecurities along with my last bit of innocence. Peeta has now loved me in every way possible. And I couldn't be happier.