Everlark- Family, Love and Happy Ever After

Terminal

It must have been an hour, maybe nearly two until Peeta finally returned. He came in and immediately hugged me tight, apologising and whispering soothing words in my ears, convincing me that he was okay and that he never meant to hurt me.

That brings us to now, Peeta and I were sat on the sofa opposite Haymitch, who had just sat us down together. ''Look guys, there's something I have to tell you.'' He said, gruffly.

''What is it?'' Peeta asked, grabbing my hand.

Haymitch took a deep breathe, closing his eyes and preparing himself for whatever was about to come. ''You know that no matter where I am, I will always be with you both right?''

''Haymitch you're worrying me.'' I told him.

''You two...well, you're like the son and daughter I never had.'' He explained.

''We know, and you our second father.'' Haymitch stared at us fiddling with the letter in his hands as if all sense of happiness had been drained from the world. ''Haymitch what is it?'' Peeta persisted.

I squeezed his hand gently to try and calm him down, but even I could tell this wasn't going to be good. ''You must read this when I've left okay?'' He said, handing the envelope over to us both. ''The thing is, I'm not going to be around for much longer. Simply put.''

''You're moving?'' I asked. But then it clicked. The look on Haymitch's face, the trepidation on telling us, Peeta's body tensing up. A lump rose up my throat and I pushed all the thoughts to the back of my mind- it wasn't true.

''Katniss.'' He took a deep breathe. ''You must make sure you look after Peeta and the kids.''

''No.'' I shook my head in disbelief as the tears fell down my face. ''You must have made a mistake or something.''

''All three tests were positive Sweetheart. I have cancer.'' Haymitch cleared his throat. ''And it's spread too far for them to do anything.''

I heard Peeta sigh deeply beside me, before he buried his head in his hands, taking everything in. Haymitch was dying. Silent tears fell down my face, never ending and flowing down my cheeks as the reality hit. Unlike Prim's death this wouldn't happen quick, I wouldn't be in shock and the feeling coming afterwards, instead it was a waiting game- the sadness slowly pulling me down, almost suffocating me.

''How long have you known?'' I wept, gripping Peeta's hand.

''Just over a year.''

''A-and you didn't say anything?'' I said, standing up, almost angry.

''You didn't need to know. I wasn't in pain then.''

''Family don't keep stuff like that from one another.' I shouted, tears pouring down my face as I lunged towards Haymitch, but instead collapsing onto him.

''I'm so sorry Katniss. So, so sorry. To both of you.'' He said, hugging me tight.

Peeta stayed quiet, I could see is brain ticking as everything still processed, but he stayed as still as a statue, his emotions silent. His eyes were locked staring at a spot on the wall, but eventually his eyes glazed over and a tear fell down his face. Haymitch stood up, letting me go and walked over to Peeta, engulfing him in his arms for him to sob.

''Why you?'' Peeta wept. ''Haymitch I can't lose you.'' He said, sinking to the floor. I wearily walked over to Peeta, helping him back to his seat and sitting beside him again, caressing his hand. His head was buried in my neck as I held him, trying to stay strong.

''How long do you have left?'' I snivelled once I'd ran out of tears. Haymitch's eyes diverted to the ground, not being able to meet either or our gaze's, his eyes brimming with tears again.