My dandelion-Everlark fanfiction

Chapter 35

I'm standing in the doorway to the kitchen, weight mostly on my right leg, as the left one is still recovering from the fracture. I left my forearm sticks to the living room. I hate that I have to use them so I'm trying not depend on them anymore. It's been about four weeks since the accident, but it still most of the time hurts to put my full body weight on it.

I take a look at the stove that has a pot full of meat stew cooking on it. Peeta and I were cooking together, preparing for tonight's celebration dinner. It's the morning of new year's eve and we'll be having our friends over in the evening and we'll be all celebrating the new year together.

I slowly walk to the stove and lift the lid. I take the closest wooden spoon I can find and stir the stew. Smells so good. It has some vegetables from this shop in the square. It is held by this older woman from district 11. She said she had to move somewhere else now that her family was gone and she finally got the chance to see someplace different. I like her. She seems like a strong, independent woman. Broken, but hopeful. She is selling food she gets from 11, to make her living.

I feel Peeta's arm wrap around my waist as he hugs me from behind. His other hand is holding a bag. He went to get ingredients for a surprise dessert he'll be making soon.

"Hi", I say softly. "I didn't hear you coming in."

"You must have been lost in your thoughts then, because I wasn't that quiet." He lets go of me, just to place the bag he's holding down and then spins me around to face him. "Why are you walking without the forearm sticks?" he asks frowning. He thinks I should use them so long I have them so that the foot will heal properly.

"Peeta, I don't need them anymore. It needs to adjust. It's okay", I assure him as I place my hands behind his neck.

"But be careful, okay? I just don't want you making it worse."

"Okay", I say and pull him in for a kiss.

We hear a clatter from the window and quickly break away. Just Buttercup making his way inside. He's somewhat snowy and starts licking his wet paws. Peeta gives me one more, brief kiss before leading me back into the living room, holding me as I walk.

"You really don't have to..." I begin to complain.

"I will anyways", he kisses my cheek as we arrive back to the couch.

"I know." He smiles.

"Could you make a fire into the fireplace as I start to work on the dessert. And it's a surprise so no peeking!" he says. I roll my eyes but agree to the plan.

•••

Around four o'clock there's a knock on our door. "I'll get it!" I say, walking from one of our spare bed rooms, which I was preparing for Annie and Nick. Peeta's still working in the kitchen. I make my way to the door. Winching every now and then when the leg protests. As I'm getting closer to the door, I can feel Peeta studying my walk from the kitchen door. "I'm okay", I say to him.

"I know."

I open the door, finding Annie, Nick and Johanna. They came all on the same train. I give Annie a hug and smile at sleeping Nick. Then Johanna walks in and surprises me by giving me a quick hug as well.

"Hello, Brainless", she greets me grinning. I take a look at her. Her hair's grown back and covers now her ears. She too has gained some weight and she looks clean. This is a good sign. Maybe she's not so afraid of water anymore. I don't remember Peeta saying she was in therapy, but I think she must have been. At least for a while. "You look better than the last time I saw you", she says. When was the last time we saw each other? Briefly after the war probably.