Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Six; Creating Life Itself

Peeta And Katniss Returned From Their Honeymoon A Month Ago

I walk over to the door frame of our living room and fidget with the delicate rings that lie on my fingers. Peeta sits upon the old settee with a sketch pad in hand. I smile to myself and watch him work for a bit, until he notices my presence.

Peeta looks up from his sketch pad and smiles widely at the sight of me. "Hey," he greets as he places the sketchbook beside him to walk over to me. While standing in front of me, he wraps his arms over my delicate body and gives my lips a peck.

"Hello," I say in reply, placing my arms around his neck.

There he was. Peeta Mellark. The love of my life. My husband. The only man I had ever made love to. The man who landed me in a terrible position, so I thought. But then I remembered that this fate was for a reason. There are no more games, no more reapings. For what had I to fear?

Nerves begin to spring throughout my body. Goosebumps take over me as I remember what I must speak to him about.

I press my lips against his to kiss him lightly. Peeta smiles sweetly at the gesture, and we both chuckle.

"What brings you down here?" Peeta asks curiously. "I thought you were going to shower?"

I hate to cut the sweet ambiance of the air with a serious tone, but I indulge in one last moment of bliss before doing so. "I-I need to talk to you." I say quietly.

"Okay," he murmurs in reply. With one arm wrapped around my frail body, we head back towards the settee.

I can tell Peeta is worried, he can sense that this is serious. I take his tense hands and squeeze them tightly.

I've never been good with words. Speaking has always been Peeta's job. I know I will embarrass myself by stuttering or choking on my own words.

"I.. A few weeks ago.. We.. You know.." I begin, trying to avoid his eyes at this awkward start.

Peeta nods as I trail off, probably confused. We hadn't done anything since our honeymoon because I had been sore, but he knows that the topic is always uncomfortable to talk about for me. Seeing this, he presses me into his chest.

I take the moment to bury my face into his shirt, trying to hide my blush. It's the last thing I need at this point.

I pull away once I'm certain it's gone, and try to get back to the matter at hand.

"I- I just.. I..." I exhale shakily, my hands feeling clammy. "I stopped," I sigh, chortling out my nervousness.

Peeta takes both of my hands and presses his forehead against mine. "You stopped what?"

"B- before we.. We got married," I choke, "I had a checkup and.. they- they said to stop."

"You stopped what? Pills?"

"Yes..." I breathe. "The pills.. I stopped before we.. And I forgot I had stopped them." I say as my voice trails off. I know I shouldn't have. I wasn't thinking. The doctor told me they were bad for my health. I was stupid.

The pills were the only thing related to this subject. I know I have to get it out sooner or later, but the truth is, I'm terrified. I don't think I'm ready. Actually, I'm not ready. But the thing is, I'm sure Peeta is more than ready.

I attempt to calm myself down, and my phrases become more clear. "Y-you asked me once. And I was selfish. I truly was. I've wanted to give you it ever since, but I was afraid. Im still afraid."

Peeta places his hand on my cheek and kisses my nose softly, clearly still confused. He strokes my hair gently and soothes me by rubbing my back in circular motions.

"But Peeta, over the course of these past years being with you, you've taught me that they're gone. There is nothing to fear. There's no use of living in the past instead of looking towards the future. We're safe. And I know that now." I breathe, tears forming in my eyes. "You taught me that there is more to life than this, and don't get me wrong. I'm in love with you and every part of my life right now, but what's better to life than creating life itself?"

Peeta wipes my eyelids carefully as they become more and more wet with tears. Peeta tries to give me a small smile, but it quickly changes into a confused frown.

"Katniss? What's wrong? You never rant to me."

I let out a short sob before continuing. This is what I've been building up on, and now it's time to say it. I exhale slowly, and let the words come out.

"I'm pregnant."

"What?" Confused, his hand falls from my cheek.

I collect myself from falling apart right before his eyes.

"I'm pregnant, Peeta." I say, gingerly grasping his hand and placing it over my abdomen, tears streaming down my face. "We're having a child."

"W-were becoming parents?" He wants to confirm. His eyes travel from his hand that now rests on my slightly swollen abdomen to my face, which is caked with tears.

Sobs escape my mouth. "Yes," I nod, offering him a smile. I sniffle slightly before exhaling. My hand tightens around his. "We are."

"Katniss." He he and brings me into a big hug. "Oh my god," he breathes. He buries his head into my shoulder, and let's unexpected tears of joy run down his cheek as I feel them seep through the thin fabric of my shirt. "Oh my god," he chooses to repeat.

"I'm so happy. Thank you." he says, lifting his head to his my ear before burying it back into my neck. "I'll protect both of you at all costs."

"Promise me something?" I ask in a shaky voice. "Promise me that we will take him or her to the meadow every day. If not every day, every week? It won't just be our special place anymore, it will be theirs too."

"Of course," he whispers. "We wouldn't ever want to abandon it."

I smile, and Peeta wraps his arms around me. He gives me hope, the only thing stronger than fear. I feel like I can take this on, especially with Peeta's support, guiding me along the stepping stones that we encounter.