Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Nine; The Scan

I trudge down the stairs as I attempt to see over my protruding belly that I will be carrying around for the next four months, and will probably get even bigger. Today is my five month scan, and I don't think I've ever been this worried.

As the kitchen comes into view, I see pancakes and cheese buns set perfectly on the table; just what I've been craving.

"Peeta?" I call before stuffing my face with a cheese bun. "What time are we going?"

I wait a minute, but there is no reply. I go into the living area to see Peeta clinging onto a chair, his face blood red and his eyes a dark pool of grey.

He is having a flashback.

"Peeta," I whisper as tears fall to the ground. I approach him, and hug him from behind. "It's okay, honey. I love you." I whisper into his ear, attempting to calm him.

"Katniss! Get away from me! Run!" He screams, before following up with, "You're a mutt! A fucking mutt!"

I dash out the door and straight to Haymitch's house. I barge in, and for once he is sober, sitting at the dining room table with Effie.

I stand in the middle of his small kitchen, my fists clenched and my teeth gritted. "Haymitch!" I cry. "I-it's Peeta."

"What is it, Katniss?" He says, pulling me into a hug.

"H-he is.." I say, trying to chortle out my nervousness. "He's having a-a flashback."

"Tell me everything." He says as he sits me down. "And calm down, we don't need you going into early labor."

I exhale slowly and begin to speak. "I came downstairs to get breakfast, which was perfectly on the table. I have my five month scan at 10:00, and I yelled to him to ask when he wanted to leave. He didn't reply, and I went in the living room only to see him clinging onto a chair."

"Stay here." Haymitch insists. "Effie, take her to her scan." He says before running out the door.

"Okay, darling. Ready to go?" Effie says as she embraces me in a hug. "I'm sorry, Katniss. I'm sure Peeta will be okay by tomorrow."

I don't bother saying anything, I just nod my head and get into the car with Effie.

___

Effie and I walk into the clinic together. I place one hand on my stomach and with the other I clench onto Effie's in effort to try to make it stop shaking.

"Why so nervous, darling?" She asks quietly.

"I don't know.." I say with a shiver. "I just don't want anything to be wrong."

"I'm sure everything will work out great," she says, offering a smile.

"Katniss Everdeen." A woman calls from the front desk.

"Mellark.." I correct them.

I am taken to a small room that has one bed in it, along with some equipment. I am also handed some pan flits about pregnancy and keeping your child healthy.. The usual.

The wait for the doctor is about ten minutes.

"Hello, Katniss. I'm Doctor Hasely. You can call me Valeria if you'd like. I'll be your midwife for the next four months."

"Hi," I say sweetly, trying to hide my sadness.

"We're just going to take a quick look and listen to the babies heartbeat. We also just need to run some tests and make sure the child is healthy."

I lift my shirt, and Valeria puts a cold, soft liquid on my stomach. She then goes over my stomach with some tool, and I can hear it.

The steady heartbeat of my child. Oh, I wish Peeta were here. He'd be thrilled.

I look towards Effie, who is anxiously rocking back in forth, trying not to break down in tears. I know she's overjoyed.

"It seems that you are in perfect condition. Your baby is very much healthy." Valeria says to me.

I smile to myself, letting out a sigh of nervousness. My baby is healthy.

___

I slowly make my way into Haymitch's house, to find Peeta sitting at the table with a glass of water, running his hands through his hair. Seeing his saddened, tear stained face makes me have to collect myself from falling apart right there.

"Hi, Peeta.." I whisper softly.

I catch his attention, and he immediately shoots up from the table, embracing me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry." He mumbles into my hair. "I hate that this happens. I love you."

There is something about feeling Peeta's arms around me and smelling his scent that soothes me. I pull back from our strong hug, and peck his soft lips. "It's not your fault. I understand. I love you more than anything." I say, grasping his hand and never wanting to let go.

"The appointment. I almost forgot. How was it?" Peeta asks.

"Perfect. Just perfect." I say, placing my hand on his. "I just wish you could've been there."