Life Goes On

Chapter 6 : Not just any birthday

Katniss P.O.V

Today is Finn's first birthday. I'm happy Peeta and I could be here for him and Annie. It must be hard on Annie raising Finn alone. Only she's not alone. She has us. Plus I know Finnick is always watching over them.

I wake up alone in the bed. Where is Peeta? He always stays in bed with me. I creep down the stairs and notice Annie, Effie, and Peeta all whispering to each other.

"Katniss! Oh there you are, darling! Sleeping in as usual I see," Effie says. I hug her. She is wearing no wig or makeup. She's very beautiful with her flawless completion and long blonde hair. "I've missed you too, Effie."

Peeta comes to my side and kisses my cheek. "Good morning, love. How'd you sleep?" "Good. What were y'all whispering about?" "Oh, it's nothing. Just details on Finn's party." "I should go get Finn ready," Annie says and excuses herself. "Let me help you with that," Effie follows. It's just Peeta and I now.

"You gonna tell me what that was about, Peeta?" "I told you, Katniss. It's about Finn's party." He's hiding something. I can tell by the way he can't look into my eyes very long. "Ok, Peeta. I'm going to take a shower. Wanna join me?" "Is that a trick question?" he laughs.

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"Places everyone! The birthday Prince is on his way downstairs!" Effie yells. She's just as much of a control freak as I remember. "Chins up! Smiles on!" she says looking straight at me. I don't need to pretend to be happy. I truly am. Annie and Finn mean a lot to me. "Here they come!"

Annie walks down the stairs in a flowy sea green dress. Finn is wearing a cute little suit with little khakis and a tie that matches Annie's dress. We all gather together to celebrate the birth of this wonderful little boy. Everyone who knew Finnick, sees him in Finn.

We walk down to the beach where the kids make sandcastles and the adults swim in the water. I'm wearing one of Annie's red bathing suits since I left mine at home. Meanwhile Peeta wears a pair of athletic shorts. He's become a good swimmer since the Quarter Quell, even with his artificial leg. Plus all the trips to the lake have helped too.

We all swim and hang out on the shore. Eventually it's time for presents. Johanna got Finn a little workshop set with little toy hammers. Effie bought him the cutest swimsuit and giant teddy bear. Haymitch, who was too drunk to come, sent Finn some toy cars. Peeta and I got him some beach toys to play with. He definitely got good use out of them today.

Then it's time for cake. Peeta carries out a three layer cake covered in ocean blue icing with little fish and sharks decorated on the sides, with one candle on top. We all sing happy birthday and dig into to Peeta's cake. It's so good. God, I'm lucky to have such a good cook to live with. I'm awful at cooking, so I just bring home meat from hunting.

After awhile we all go back to playing in the beach. Around sunset, Annie puts Finn to bed and everyone heads home. Peeta and I stay on the beach.

"Today was a good day," Peeta says. "Yeah, I guess." "What's wrong, Kat?" "Nothing. I just miss..." "Finnick? I know. He was a good man and would've been a great dad." "He's dead because of me and my actions. All those who died, died because of me. I couldn't save them." "Katniss, we've been over this. You've saves more lives than were lost. Twenty-three children would still die every year in those arenas. Think about all the people who would still be starving." "I know, Peeta. It's just hard. All I wanted to do was save Prim and keep you alive. Sometimes I don't think I can even keep you alive." "There are no more games. There's nothing or no one who can hurt us. We protect each other, remember?" I nod in silence. "Kat, I love you. I really do. And I know you have tons of reasons to leave me, but you chose to stay." "Peeta, you're the one with tons of reasons to leave, not me. I could live a hundred lifetimes and still not deserve.." Then Peeta cuts me off with a kiss.

He rolls me on my back and continues our kiss. "Shouldn't we take this inside, Peeta?" I giggle. "Nope! I'm good right here."

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We lie on the beach in between two beach towels. "I love you, Kat. So damn much." "I love you too, Peeta." "No, Katniss. Like you don't even know just how much I love you. Words can't explain how much you mean to me. There's not enough sex in the world to show you how much I love you. There's honestly nothing I can do or say to let you know." "Peeta..." "I'm not finished yet." I nod. "But there is one thing I could ask." No way! He's not actually gonna ask me, is he? He hasn't even said anything, why am I assuming anything? "Katniss, will you marry me?"

I'm speechless. I knew his whispering wasn't about Finn's birthday.