Begin Again [Wattys 2013 Finalist]

Chapter 40

Katniss' POV

When we arrive back in District 12, my head feels much better after 3 days of sleeping on the train. That's really all I did. But it helped with my headaches and now I hardly feel anything. Peeta and I walk back home and together and when we arrive he says,

"I should go check and see how the bakery is coming. The equipment was probably delivered, so that should keep me busy for a couple days."

"Want me to come?" 

"No. You should rest and let your concussion heal. And don't forget to take your medication."

"I won't forget," I say as I kiss him on the cheek.

And I'm not lying. I'm not scared of the large pills this time around. I'm more scared of not taking them, really. So I go home, swallow one down, and look in the fridge for something to eat. It's basically empty. But I have meat in the freezer, so I dethaw that and cook it. As I'm eating, I hear the doorbell. When I answer, I see a man in a uniform that slightly resembles a peacekeeper's. There's less protective padding, but I do notice a small gun strapped to his waist, in addition to a taser. He's the police office.

"Katniss Everdeen," he says. I can't tell if he's asking me or telling me.

"Yeah that's me," I say.

"I'm Officer Darrel. I'm going to be checking in on you, just for the next week. Okay?"

"Only a week?" I ask.

He nods. I thought it would be longer. I really don't see the need for him in the first place. I want to do what I've been told. And I will. But I guess Paylor wants to be safe. 

"May I come in?"

"I guess."

He examines my house quickly and asks me if I've taken my medicine. I told him that I just took it with dinner.

"Good. Now open your mouth."

I obey.

"You didn't lie," he says.

"How do you know?"

"It turns your tongue blue. And it's blue."

I don't reply. I don't like him. Even if he's called a police officer, he's a peacekeeper to me. I think he gets the hint, because he says,

"I'll be back tomorrow. Don't take the medicine until I'm here. And Katniss?"

I raise my eyebrows.

"I'm not a peacekeeper. I'm just here on orders to help you."

When I say nothing, he walks out. I finish my dinner and then, because I can't watch TV, I decide to go for a walk to see Peeta. I'm not tired, and my head feels fine. The air is warm and it smells sweet like flowers. The light breeze dances in my hair, blowing it slightly behind me. As I walk through the town, I notice how much it's improved. The Justice Building is finished, but it now has a sign that reads "District 12 Town Hall and Service Center". A good portion of the buildings are completely finished, and about half are functioning businesses. When I arrive at the spot where Peeta showed me the bakery would be, I see that it looks to be finished too.  There's a sign, obviously the work of Peeta, that has "Mellark Bakery" written on it. I push open the door to find Peeta pushing around tables and chairs. There's a counter with a cash register and the place is equipped with shelves and display cases.

"Hey!" He says.

I hop up on the counter and say,

"It looks great!"

"Wanna see the kitchen? I got it all set up!"

He's so excited, which makes me happy, so I agree.

"Tada!" He says, swinging open the door.

It's a huge room with multiple counter tops and walls lined in every spot with counters. There's 2 different ovens on either side of the kitchen and a large bread machine on the counter in the middle of the room.

"Isn't it great!?"

"It is! I'm so excited for you to open it! When are you opening, by the way?"

"Well, as soon as I go to the Town Hall, or whatever it is, and get some papers filled out."

"So are you gonna stay here all night, or do you want to come home?" I ask.

He laughs and says,

"Yeah, let's go."

I enjoy the walk back in the beautiful spring weather so much that I hardly hear him when he says my name back in the Victors Village.

"Katniss?"

"Yes Peeta?"

"I said I have a question for you."

"What?"

"I want to ask you to move in with me. I mean, you're at my house most of the time anyways, which I love. And I love you, and I always want to be around you, and I will always love you and want to be around you, and I want to live with you. So, what do you say?"