The Aftermath(a post-mockingjay story)

Chapter 18

Peeta POV

I wake up in the morning next to Katniss in our bedroom. She is so beautiful when she is sleeping. So young, so innocent. Neither of us are innocent. But she says I look this way when I am sleeping. This is how I feel about her too.

I get dressed and walk into the bathroom to brush my teeth before I go out to make my usual rounds. My hair is messy and disheveled from last night's make-out session. Katniss stopped me before things got too far. She said she didn't want to have another child. I lied and said I didn't either. The truth is, I want to have another baby. I love the feeling of bringing something good into this world after all the terrible things that have happened. I love taking care of kids. Finn and I sometimes go out into town together just to talk about guy stuff. He loves having a father figure around. Oliver, Annie's husband, is always on 'business trips' now. He's been gone for three months now and never calls. Its getting really suspicious. Having another child around to talk to fills the void in my life. I love Prim to death, but it would be nice to have a son. Maybe next time.

I go knocking on Gale's door, to see if he's up for hunting this morning. He comes to the door half-dressed, messy hair, and bags under his eyes. Looks like someone had a busy night. But with who? Suddenly I hear a woman's voice coming from inside the house.

"Gale? Who's at the door?"

She peeks out through the gap between Gale and the doorway. Guess who it is? Annie.

"Annie? What are you doing here?" She is only wearing a bathrobe, so I don't need to ask. I know exactly what she is doing here. Not a what, but a who.

"Peeta. Why are you here so early?"

"I was just asking Gale if he would like to go hunting this morning. Where's Finn? What exactly is going on between you two?"

"Finn is with Cinna. I know what this looks like, but it's not! Trust me!"

"I know what you are doing here! You aren't the quietest people anyways! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." I say smiling. I don't know why, but I find this amusing.

"Peeta, you cannot tell Oliver. it would break his heart. Yes, I am having an affair with Gale. But, I feel lonely. I haven't seen my husband in months. I miss him. I wish he would tell me where he is." She looks sad.

"I know where your husband is." I say slyly.

"You do? Where?"

"Probably in some other woman's bed right now."

"Stop joking with me. It is not funny." She says angrily. But she probably knows its true.

"Can't you see? Its probably true anyway. He shows all the signs of an affair. He never calls, he has been gone for a long time, and even if he does call, its a pretty short conversation, isn't it? It almost seems he is...busy, with something. But you and I both know that he is cheating on you, like you are to him. He is not good enough for you Annie. He never was. I could tell when I met him. He seemed ok enough, but he was very humble and reserved."

She takes a minute to soak in all this new information. "Maybe you're right. There is only one thing to do. I have to divorce the bastard. It just doesn't seem fair to either of us if we are just gonna sleep with other people. Right?"

"Yes. It seems like a good idea. You would be better off with Gale. He's a nice guy, and I know he would never do something like that to you." Remembering Gale is still standing in the doorway, I shoot him a protective glare. He better not do anything to Annie. He has no idea what she went through. "Well, I have to get going. I will see you later."